“The future is not a given. The future is a process shaped by people.”
These words by Katrin J. Yuan are not just an inspiring statement, but a call to action. As CEO of the Swiss Future Institute, a UN keynote speaker and Chair of the AI Future Council, she is at the forefront of a movement that views technology not as an isolated tool, but as a shared responsibility.
For the community at 42 Zurich – a school based on peer-to-peer learning, resilience and a teacher-free approach – Katrin J. Yuan is a particularly inspiring role model. Her journey shows that it’s not about having the perfect CV, but about having the courage to challenge the status quo and take responsibility.
More than just AI: Humanity in the code
At a time when artificial intelligence is often perceived as a threat or merely a tool for efficiency, Katrin reminds us of the crucial factor: people.
Her expertise ranges from ‘total disruption’ to ‘responsible AI’. She repeatedly emphasises that data quality and diversity are not merely ‘nice-to-have’ features, but rather the fundamental prerequisites for successful progress.
- Diversity as a strategy: Diverse teams solve more complex problems. When AI is developed by a homogeneous group, we overlook blind spots.
- Ethics before efficiency: Responsible AI means asking not just ‘Can we build it?’, but ‘Should we build it, and what impact will it have on society?’.
Successful people fail more often
Katrin J. Yuan takes a particularly close look at the fear of failure. In her talks and in discussions with top managers, she makes it clear that successful people do not fail any less often; in fact, they fail more often.
The perfect CV is a myth. What counts is the ability to get back on your feet after a setback. It is precisely this mindset that lies at the heart of the 42 educational approach. The ability to learn independently, analyse mistakes and reinvent oneself is the most important skill in the age of AI.
Technology must be linked to the human factor.
For 42 Zurich, this means:
- Lifelong learning: School is not the end of the journey, but the starting point for a lifetime of learning.
- Empowerment: We must empower our people not just to write code, but to shape the future.
- Challenging the Status Quo
Your journey begins now
Katrin urges us: “Do it now. And then tell others about it. It all starts with you.”
Whether you’ve never written a single line of code, are aiming for a career in the tech sector, or are taking on responsibility for digital transformation as a manager – your perspective is essential. The future of AI is not decided in server rooms alone, but in the minds and hearts of the people who develop it.
Let Katrin inspire you to find the courage to break with the status quo and build the future you want.
Don’t wait. Shape the future.
About Katrin J. Yuan
Katrin J. Yuan is CEO of the Swiss Future Institute, a UN keynote speaker and a leading expert on responsible AI and digital transformation. She combines technological innovation with the human factor and is a passionate advocate for diversity in tech teams and for lifelong learning.
This blog post was inspired by the visions and talks of Katrin J. Yuan, CEO of the Swiss Future Institute and Chair of the AI Future Council, and forms part of the EBG’s “Gender Equality in Computer Science Education” project.