Profit, Planet & People – and Out-Humaning AI: HM Business School at TEDxHM 2026

HM Business School was prominently represented at TEDxHM with two speakers and one moderator contributing to the event’s intellectual depth and diversity.

How to have it all - professional success and sustainable action

In her talk “Profit, Planet & People: Career Choices for Everyone,” Prof. Dr. Verena Kaiser, Professor of Enterprise and Innovation, addressed a difficult career choice students often feel they have to make: financial success or positive social or environmental impact.

Verena Kaiser challenged this either-or mindset. Drawing on research and practical examples, she demonstrated that economic success and responsible action are not mutually exclusive. On the contrary, sustainable and impact-driven business models show that doing good for people and the planet can go hand in hand with profitability.

Her message was clear: The future belongs to those who refuse superficial trade-offs and instead design careers – and organizations – that integrate purpose and performance.

Watch the full TEDx Talk by Prof. Dr. Verena Kaiser here.

Welcoming What’s Next: Leading in the Age of AI

In “The Future Needn’t Be Tense,” Prof. Dr. Paul Sudnik, Professor of International Management, explored a question that concerns educators and leaders alike: What happens when machines can do tasks we once considered uniquely human?

Rather than framing AI as a threat, Paul Sudnik invited the audience to rethink the role of education and leadership. Based on decades of experience in boardrooms and classrooms, he argued that we should not try to compete with technology – but to “out-human” it.

Rooted in the principles of Servant Leadership, his talk emphasized reflection, empathy and curiosity over pure content delivery. In a world of accelerating automation, the distinctly human qualities of critical thinking, ethical judgment and authentic connection become even more essential.

Watch the full TEDx Talk by Prof. Dr. Paul Sudnik here.

Guiding the Conversation

The event was moderated by Prof. Dr. Nicole Brunnhuber, Professor of Intercultural Communication at HM Business School, together with Lars Schepp from Strascheg Center for Entrepreneurship (ScE). Nicole Brunnhuber skilfully guided the audience through the diverse topics of the evening, creating a space for reflection and dialogue across disciplines and perspectives. Long before the live event, Nicole had also worked with speakers as a coach for their TEDx debut.

The first TEDxHM made one thing clear: responsible leadership starts with responsible learning. Whether in entrepreneurship, technology, communication or management, the ability to question assumptions and embrace complexity is key.

For HM Business School, the event highlighted its commitment to educating future leaders who combine professional excellence with societal responsibility: leaders who understand that profit, planet and people belong together, and that in the age of AI, being human is our greatest strength.