Introduction: A New Paradigm for Human-Centric AI Research

The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence is reshaping the fundamental structures of global society, transforming how individuals learn, work, live, and interact. While the technological capabilities of AI continue to expand at an unprecedented pace, the human, social, and psychological implications of this transition require deep, systematic investigation. To address these critical questions, INSEAD, The Business School for the World, has announced the establishment of the Research Lab for Human and Organisational Thriving, known as the INSEAD Thrive Lab.

Launched at the INSEAD AI Forum Asia, held at the INSEAD Asia Campus in Singapore, this new research initiative is positioned to advance global academic research on the impact of artificial intelligence on human connectivity, meaning, and wellbeing in both work and life. The initiative represents a concerted effort to ensure that the ongoing technological transformation enhances, rather than diminishes, human agency and organizational health.

The Genesis of INSEAD Thrive Lab: Funding and Strategic Vision

The establishment of the INSEAD Thrive Lab is supported by US$3 million in funding from Google.org and Google DeepMind. This significant financial backing is aimed at accelerating global research on how people and organisations can flourish in an era of continuous technological transformation.

As artificial intelligence emerges as the most consequential technology of our time, it presents near limitless possibilities alongside potential risks. The core mission of the Thrive Lab is to explore how society can strengthen its human, social, and psychological capital amid relentless technological change. It seeks to understand how ecosystems of learning—spanning educational, community, and professional spheres—must evolve to build and sustain this capital.

Winnie Jiang, Academic Director of the INSEAD Thrive Lab and Associate Professor of Organisational Behaviour at INSEAD, emphasized the real-world impact of the lab's research. According to Jiang, the lab wants to understand how people can expand their capabilities, build economically viable and psychologically meaningful working lives, and cultivate strong relationships with others in the age of artificial intelligence. Through rigorous, multidisciplinary research, the lab aims to generate actionable insights into what enables people and organisations not just to adapt to a rapidly changing world, but to thrive in it.

Core Research Pillars: Learning, Working, and Relating

The research agenda of the INSEAD Thrive Lab is structured around three interconnected domains that define the human experience in the modern era: Learning, Working, and Relating.

The Learning Domain: Evolving Educational Ecosystems

The learning domain focuses on how educational institutions, professional development programs, and community learning networks must adapt to the presence of advanced artificial intelligence. As AI tools become integrated into classrooms and training programs, the cognitive and developmental processes of learners are undergoing a profound shift. The Thrive Lab will investigate how to design learning environments that leverage AI to expand human capacities while preserving critical thinking, creativity, and intellectual independence. The research will address how educational ecosystems can build the necessary psychological and cognitive capital to prepare individuals for a lifetime of continuous learning and adaptation.

The Working Domain: Meaningful Careers in the Automated Era

In the domain of work, the integration of artificial intelligence raises fundamental questions about the future of employment, job satisfaction, and professional identity. The success of AI cannot be measured solely by efficiency or productivity gains; it must also be evaluated by its impact on human wellbeing. Sepi Hejazi Moghadam, Head of Foundations of Science at Google.org, noted that navigating this rapid transformation requires thoughtful research and an unwavering commitment to human well-being. The Thrive Lab will explore how organisations can design jobs and workflows that allow employees to stay resilient, adapt, and find psychological meaning in their careers alongside AI. This includes examining how tasks can be distributed between humans and machines in a way that enhances human dignity and job satisfaction.

The Relating Domain: Preserving Human Connectivity

The third pillar, relating, addresses the impact of artificial intelligence on human relationships and social connectivity. As digital interfaces and AI-driven communication tools increasingly mediate human interactions, there is a risk of social fragmentation and diminished empathy. The Thrive Lab will study how individuals can cultivate strong, authentic relationships with others in an increasingly automated world. By analyzing the dynamics of collaboration, communication, and community building, the research aims to provide strategies for maintaining social cohesion and psychological safety in both professional and personal spheres.

Institutional Synergy: Housed Within HUMII

The INSEAD Thrive Lab is housed under INSEAD's Human and Machine Intelligence Institute (HUMII). HUMII is a cross-disciplinary research institute dedicated to conducting research on all branches of artificial intelligence for the ultimate purpose of expanding human capacities and human agency.

The academic foundation of HUMII is exceptionally strong, counting world-renowned scholars among its core academic team. This includes the 2025 Nobel Laureate in Economics Philippe Aghion and the 2025 Oskar Morgenstern Medallist Phanish Puranam. The integration of the Thrive Lab within HUMII ensures that its research will benefit from a rich, multidisciplinary environment that combines economic, organizational, and technological expertise.

Lily Fang, Academic Director of HUMII and Dean of Research and Innovation at INSEAD, expressed gratitude for the generous funding from Google.org and Google DeepMind. Fang stated that the goal of HUMII is to conduct research on all branches of artificial intelligence to expand human capacities and agency, and that the Thrive Lab's work will be core to HUMII and to society at large.

Translating Academic Insights into Real-World Practice

A key differentiator of the INSEAD Thrive Lab is its commitment to translating academic research into actionable, real-world practice. The lab is designed to serve as a global hub for research, dialogue, and innovation around the human dimension of progress. To achieve this, the lab has established several strategic initiatives:

  • Scholar Training and Development: The lab will train emerging scholars working on the theme of human meaning and human flourishing through its PhD research award and postdoctoral fellowship programs.
  • Annual Global Conference: The lab will bring the wider research community together at its annual global conference to foster collaboration and share cutting-edge findings.
  • Research-to-Practice Partnerships: The lab will establish partnerships with organisations, schools, and governments to apply research insights directly to policy and business practices.
  • Workshops and Dialogues: A continuous series of workshops, talks, and dialogues will be organized to facilitate knowledge exchange between academics, business leaders, and policymakers.

Through these initiatives, the Thrive Lab aims to build a robust ecosystem where theoretical insights are tested and implemented in real-world settings, helping individuals and organisations flourish.

Global Dialogue and the INSEAD AI Forum Series

The announcement of the Thrive Lab was a central highlight of the INSEAD AI Forum Asia, held at the INSEAD Asia Campus in Singapore. The forum serves as a vital platform for dialogue between researchers, business leaders, policymakers, and the public, with the goal of advancing the beneficial and responsible use of artificial intelligence to benefit business and society.

The INSEAD AI Forum is a global series, with the Asia edition following successful events in Europe and America. The next edition of the forum is scheduled to take place in the UAE from 27 to 28 January 2027, continuing the global conversation on the responsible integration of AI.

About INSEAD: A Global Institution

As one of the world's leading and largest graduate business schools, INSEAD brings together people, cultures, and ideas to develop responsible leaders who transform business and society. The school's global perspective and cultural diversity are reflected in its research, teaching, and partnerships.

INSEAD's extensive global footprint spans four regions, with physical locations in:

  • Europe (France)
  • Asia (Singapore)
  • The Middle East (Abu Dhabi)
  • North America (San Francisco)

The institution's academic community is supported by 162 renowned faculty members from 40 countries, who inspire more than 1,700 degree participants annually across its Master in Management, MBA, Global Executive MBA, Specialised Master's degrees (Executive Master in Finance and Executive Master in Change), and PhD programmes. Additionally, more than 21,000 executives participate in INSEAD Executive Education programmes each year. The school's global alumni network comprises over 73,000 members representing 176 nationalities across 183 countries, providing a powerful platform for disseminating the insights and practices developed by the INSEAD Thrive Lab.