AI is no longer a choice, it is a responsibility

Artificial intelligence is advancing at pace. From healthcare and energy networks to climate solutions and financial services, AI is transforming almost every sector of the economy. The question is no longer whether AI will have an impact, but how we ensure that impact is positive. 

For PGGM, as a long-term investor, this is a critical question. AI not only creates new investment opportunities, it also has the potential to help address some of society's biggest challenges. At the same time, it introduces new risks and responsibilities that cannot be ignored. 

AI is transforming every sector 

AI is reshaping virtually every sector in which we invest. Some applications are already highly visible: AI-powered customer service, automatically generated social media content, intelligent energy networks and software that summarises meetings in seconds. Yet its greatest impact is likely to be felt in industries characterised by large volumes of data, repetitive processes and complex decision-making. 

In healthcare, AI can support clinicians in making diagnoses, reduce administrative burdens and help deploy scarce staff more effectively. In the energy transition, it can optimise electricity grids, energy storage and renewable energy systems. We are also seeing AI play an increasingly important role in climate solutions by helping organisations better understand and manage complex systems. The real question, therefore, is not which sectors AI will transform, but which ones it will not. 

Opportunity brings responsibility 

We also need to be realistic about the challenges. AI requires vast amounts of data, computing power and energy. As a result, it has implications for resource use, electricity consumption and digital infrastructure. There are also important questions around military applications, human rights and privacy. These range from AI being used to support military targeting or autonomous drones to concerns about bias in algorithms, the impact on employment and decision-making, and the way personal data is collected and used. 

As investors, we therefore look beyond the opportunities to consider the risks. What impact does the technology have on employees, customers and wider society? How does a company protect privacy? How is data collected and used? And how transparent is the organisation about the way it develops and deploys AI? Responsible investment means asking these questions as well. 

Strengthening people, not replacing them 

Much of the public debate focuses on jobs disappearing because of AI. I believe that discussion is often too narrow. Of course, roles will change, just as they have during previous waves of technological innovation. But many of the most valuable applications of AI are designed to support people rather than replace them. The greatest opportunity lies not in substituting human workers, but in enabling them to do their jobs better. 

Healthcare is a good example. If AI helps clinicians process information more quickly or takes over routine administrative tasks, it frees up more time for personal contact with patients. That is where people create the greatest value. The same applies across many other sectors. People will continue to be needed to exercise judgement, apply creativity, take responsibility and deal with complex situations. AI can be a powerful tool in supporting that work. 

The biggest challenge is not the technology 

In my view, the biggest challenge is often underestimated because it is not primarily a technical one. The real challenge is helping organisations adopt AI in a thoughtful and responsible way. That requires strategy, expertise and new capabilities. Organisations need to rethink their processes, governance, risk management and accountability. Not because AI is the latest technology trend, but because it is becoming a permanent feature of almost every organisation. Those that start building these capabilities today will be better placed for the future. Those that wait risk falling behind. 

Looking ahead 

As a long-term investor, we are always looking ahead. AI will play an increasingly important role in the economy, in society and in the companies we invest in. I am optimistic about the opportunities this creates. Not because AI will solve every problem, but because it can become a powerful tool in tackling challenges relating to health, climate and productivity. 

The key question is therefore no longer whether AI is coming. That future has already begun. The real question is how we ensure AI creates lasting value for people and for society.