Why study philosophy in an AI seminar?

In an era where AI is transforming work, leaders need the ability to answer the fundamental question of "why we work" in their own words. Philosophy builds that foundation.

Which thinkers are covered?

Seven thinkers: Aristotle, Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, Karl Marx, Nietzsche, Frankl, and Hannah Arendt. The seminar systematically covers thinkers who have questioned the essence of work from antiquity to the modern era.

Is prior knowledge of philosophy required?

No. All philosophical concepts are explained in a business context. This is not a philosophy lecture — it is a forum for thinking about leadership in the AI era.

What can I expect from the workshop?

A real-time poll on "Which thinker's philosophy resonates with you?" visualises the diversity of values among participants. You will then rework your company's mission and values through a philosophical lens.

Can this be incorporated into talent development programs?

Yes. It is being adopted by HR departments as part of next-generation leader development and upskilling initiatives. It is highly regarded as a liberal arts-style training for cultivating a philosophy of work suited to the AI era.

Seminar 03 ／ Philosophy × Work

Corporate Seminar

The Philosophy of Work in the AI Era

— Leadership Grounded in Great Thinkers

Can you say "AI is changing work" — but can you
articulate the "meaning of work"?

— From ancient Greece to modern political philosophy, great thinkers as your guide to building a leadership foundation for the AI era.

FormatLecture + Workshop

AudienceC-suite to directors and emerging leaders

ScheduleContact us for details

LecturerAriki Ono

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A moment of pause

When asked "Why do you work?",
can you answer in your own words?

"AI is transforming how we work" — that much is easy to say.
But the deeper, more essential questions beyond that— are you truly confronting them?

A junior colleague asked, "Will AI make my job disappear?" — and you struggled to give a convincing answer

When redesigning HR systems, you realised the fundamental question of "why we work" had never been addressed

You noticed you cannot articulate what lies beyond "productivity improvement" with genuine conviction

When challenged on AI ethics and governance, you felt the absence of a philosophical foundation in your own thinking

This seminar is not about learning how to use ChatGPT.
It is about cultivating the intellect and conviction to articulate the meaning of work as a leader in the AI era.

“

Man is a being in search of meaning.

”

—— Viktor Frankl　1905–1997　Psychiatrist and psychologist　'Man's Search for Meaning'

Words arrived at by a psychologist who survived the Holocaust.
As AI redefines productivity, the ability to ask what lies beyond "efficiency" — to seekmeaning — is what leaders need most.

The Thinkers

The essence of work, as told by great thinkers

Ancient Greek Philosophy

Aristotle

384–322 BC

The work AI takes away and the activities humanity must reclaim

Once routines are delegated to AI, humans can return to higher pursuits — philosophy, art, politics. The ideal envisioned 2,400 years ago is becoming achievable for the first time in the age of generative AI.

Early Medieval Christian Thought

Augustine

354–430

Questioning the ethical value of work in an era of meritocracy

A warning against the sole pursuit of results and wealth. Infusing even modest work with good intention and care — a foundation for redefining organisational mission and the reasons we work in the AI era.

Medieval Scholasticism

Thomas Aquinas

1225–1274

Affirming the human intellectual creativity that AI cannot generate

Aquinas affirmed human artistic and intellectual creativity as "participation in the divine." What AI cannot generate is precisely the human creative act of giving meaning.

Modern European Philosophy

Karl Marx

1818–1883

How to overcome "alienated labour" in the AI era

Work is inherently a creative act of self-expression and social transformation. As AI replaces repetitive tasks, organisations must ask how to design work free from alienation.

Existentialist Philosophy

Friedrich Nietzsche

1844–1900

Only those who know "why they work" can weather any change

"He who has a why to live can bear almost any how." — Even as AI transforms how we work, those with a reason for working remain unshaken. This is the core question leaders must ask.

Existentialist Psychology

Viktor Frankl

1905–1997

Reexamining the "meaning" of work in an age of efficiency

Frankl taught that what sustains humanity even in extremity is the will to meaning. In an era where AI maximises efficiency, we ask: what does your organisation exist for?

Contemporary Political Philosophy

Hannah Arendt

1906–1975

A warning about the "void" that follows liberation from labour

Simply handing work to AI is not enough — Arendt foresaw the existential void humans face when freed from labour, half a century before it became possible. Design spaces for truly human "action" in your organisation now.

Entrepreneur Evolution

The evolution of entrepreneurship tells the story of civilisation

With every industrial revolution, new entrepreneurs emerged to create employment.
The evolution of their philosophies mirrors the progress of human civilisation itself.

First Industrial Revolution

The Inventor

Technological innovation as social contribution

Arkwright — Water frame

James Watt — Steam engine

Second Industrial Revolution

The Philanthropist

Noblesse oblige

Edison — Electric power and lighting

Carnegie — 1,600 public libraries

Third Industrial Revolution

The Global Visionary

Democratisation of information

Bill Gates — A PC in every home

Larry Page — Don't be evil

Fourth Industrial Revolution (Now)

The Humanity-Scale Thinker

AGI and the sustainability of civilisation

Elon Musk — Making humanity multi-planetary

Dario Amodei — Humanity is about to be handed unimaginable power

Entrepreneurial spirit has evolved from a focus on technological innovation, throughthe redistribution of wealth, to solving challenges for all humanity.
Where does your organisation's philosophy of work and talent development stand today?

What You'll Gain

Skills and insights you will walk away with

Articulate your own philosophical perspective on "AI and human work"

Whether in boardrooms or conversations with your team, you will speak from your own convictions rather than relying on buzzwords.

Reframe your company's talent development and organisational culture through a universal philosophy of work

Gain a perspective on organisational design that goes beyond "skill acquisition" to instill meaning and pride in work.

Develop the conviction to ask your team "Why do we work?" as an executive leader

The leadership the AI era demands is not the ability to provide answers, but the courage to pose the right questions.

Move beyond the "replaced or not replaced" debate to a more fundamental understanding of change

Build a framework for judgment grounded in the historical cycles of industrial revolutions and the evolution of entrepreneurial thought.

Experience the diversity of values among participants through polls and workshops

Real-time voting on "Which thinker's philosophy resonates with you?" sparks meaningful dialogue within organisations.

Gain the language to connect your company's values and mission with your personal philosophy of work

Learn to articulate abstract corporate ideals as concrete, personal meaning in your daily work.

Program

How the programme is structured

Rather than "listen and leave," this program is designed for participants to articulate their own mindset and take it back to their organisations. Poll results visualise the diversity of values within participants, serving as ready-made material for team building.

Poll

Which thinker's philosophy resonates with you? Real-time voting visualises the distribution of values among participants.

Workshop

Align your personal and corporate values with your philosophy of work and articulate your mindset for the AI era.

Discussion

Engage with other participants' perspectives to foster organisational dialogue and self-reflection.

Chapter 01

The reality of the AI era and lessons on work from great thinkers

The reality of employment in the AI era (latest global trends)
Aristotle: The work AI takes away and the activities humanity must reclaim
Augustine: The ethical value of work beyond meritocracy
Thomas Aquinas: The human intellectual creativity AI cannot generate
Karl Marx: How to overcome "alienated labour" in the AI era
Friedrich Nietzsche: Only those who know "why they work" can weather change
Viktor Frankl: Reexamining the "meaning" of work in an age of efficiency
Hannah Arendt: A warning about the "void" that follows liberation from labour
The evolution of entrepreneurial spirit across industrial revolutions

Chapter 02

Aligning with your company's and your own values

Poll: Which thinker's philosophy resonates with you? (real-time voting)
Group discussion among participants
Workshop: Rereading your company's mission and values through the lens of work philosophy
Articulating "How will I approach work in the AI era?"

Voices

What past participants say

“

Confronted the meaning of work

I had long struggled to articulate the question of "what lies beyond efficiency." The perspectives of the philosophers gave me a starting point for finding my own answer.

受講者（業界・属性は非公開）

“

Changed how I engage with my team

It was striking to see colleagues whose poll results differed from mine. It inspired me to create space in our company for conversations about "what work truly means."

受講者（業界・属性は非公開）

“

The unexpected connection between AI and philosophy

I was surprised to find that the latest AI developments and philosophy from 2,400 years ago point to the same fundamental questions. The historical perspective genuinely deepened my thinking.

受講者（業界・属性は非公開）

Request

Interested in hosting this seminar at your organisation?

We are happy to tailor the schedule, capacity and format (in-person or online) to suit your needs. Enquiries from HR and corporate planning departments are most welcome.

Enquire about this seminar