Human Judgment in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
October 16, 2026
Photographs: Pétur Fjeldsted.
Article by the President in TIME magazine.
A group of international leaders met at Höfði on the 40th anniversary of the Reykjavik Summit on the initiative of the President of Iceland.
The President’s article, “Human Judgement Is the Most Powerful Technology in the AI Age,” is available on TIME magazine’s website.
Read article.
The President of Iceland, Halla Tómasdóttir, recently published an article in TIME magazine titled “Human Judgement Is the Most Powerful Technology in the AI Age.” In the article, she reflects on the Reykjavík Summit forty years ago, when Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev met in Iceland and demonstrated how dialogue, even between adversaries, can alter the course of history. Drawing parallels to today's world, the President argues that the nuclear threat, ongoing conflicts, and the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence demand responsible leadership, sound judgement, and renewed international cooperation.
The President also highlights the events of Peace Week in Reykjavík, held from 6 to 12 October, which brought together young people, leaders, and experts to explore the future, advance dialogue on peace, and reflect on our shared responsibility to future generations. The article’s central message is that, no matter how rapidly technology evolves, human judgement, responsibility, and conscience must remain at the heart of decision-making. Dialogue, trust, and the willingness to listen, understand, and collaborate are essential foundations for both peace and progress.
The President also reflects on a conversation with H.E. Nataša Pirc Musar, President of Slovenia, and Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland, at the Imagine Forum at Harpa on 12 October. Their exchange underscored the enduring importance of dialogue, ethical leadership, and international cooperation in addressing the complex challenges facing humanity in the twenty-first century:
“Forty years after two powerful men met in Reykjavík, three women—indeed, three world leaders—came together to continue the conversation. Not because women have all the answers. We do not. But because progress requires more voices, more perspectives, and a willingness to listen across differences. And because the future must never belong only to those who currently hold power.”
In conclusion, the President writes:
“We must not surrender human judgment, accountability, or conscience to machines. But technology alone is not the problem, and technology alone cannot provide the answer. We also need stronger human infrastructure: relationships, institutions, shared values, and habits of cooperation that allow us to respond collectively to danger. We must equip the next generation not only with technical skills, but with the deeply human capacities to shape our future: listening, critical thinking, empathy, courage, and collaboration. In an age of intelligent machines, these may be our most essential skills.”
CNN's Chief International Anchor Christiane Amanpour moderated the dialogue between H.E. Halla Tómasdóttir, H.E. Nataša Pirc Musar, and Ms Mary Robinson at the Imagine Forum on October 12.
Learn more.
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