Will AI make you a better leader—or just a faster one?

That was the central question explored at the 2025 FOBISIA Student Leadership Conference, hosted by Epsom College in Malaysia, where Key Stage 3 and 4 student leaders from top British International Schools across Asia gathered for a 5-day immersive journey into the future of leadership in an AI-driven world.

A highlight of the event was the high-impact panel discussion titled:
“Balancing Human Empathy and Machine Precision: The Synergy of Emotional and Artificial Intelligence in Modern Leadership”.

The panel featured esteemed voices including Prof. Dr. David Asirvatham (Asia School of Business), Michael Low (SMU Academy), and Kevin Shepherdson (Straits Interactive), each offering unique insights into how today’s and tomorrow’s leaders can merge AI fluency with deep human connection.

Together, the panellists explored timely questions:

• How are leaders leveraging both AI and emotional intelligence?
• What does it mean to build trust in an algorithm-driven world?
• What skills are essential for leading ethically and effectively in the age of AI?

Students from schools such as Kinabalu International School, Seoul Foreign School, St. Stephen’s International School Bangkok, The British School Kathmandu, The British School Yangon, Epsom College in Malaysia and The English School of Mongolia asked impressively thoughtful questions, reflecting the global scope and ambition of the event.

Another standout was the Leadership Workshop led by Zad Chin, Academic Manager at Asia School of Business, which invited students to critically examine AI ethics, uncover bias in generative models like ChatGPT, and explore how AI is shaping the way we work, learn, and lead. Designed in the spirit of Oxbridge-style supercurricular enrichment, the session pushed students to think deeply beyond classroom learning – sharpening their ability to engage with complex, real-world issues.

Educators shared that the event not only inspired students but also equipped them with ideas to lead professional development sessions in their own schools. The calibre of discussions, the quality of the speakers, and the energy of the student leaders made a lasting impact on everyone involved.

For ASB, it was an honour to contribute to this dynamic dialogue, empowering the next generation of leaders to be AI-literate, emotionally intelligent, and ethically grounded.