Global Leaders Explore How Culture, Ethics, and Renewal Shape the Future of Entrepreneurship
JINJU, South Korea – October 28, 2025 — The second day of the 2025 Jinju International Forum on Entrepreneurship brought together leaders and educators from around the world for an unforgettable dialogue on “The AI Revolution and East–West Entrepreneurship Philosophy.”
The session explored how technology, ethics, and cultural wisdom can unite to shape a more human-centered future for innovation and business.
AI, Humanity, and the Power of Storytelling
In a powerful address, Dr. Winslow Sargeant, Chair of the International Council for Small Business (ICSB) and former Chief Counsel for Advocacy at the U.S. Small Business Administration, captivated the audience by linking the world of artificial intelligence to timeless cinematic storytelling.
Referencing The Matrix and Star Wars, Dr. Sargeant explained how these cultural touchstones mirror today’s challenges in balancing technological progress with human control.
“In The Matrix, we see a world where machines overpower human will — a warning about innovation without ethics,” he said. “In Star Wars, we witness the power of belief, mentorship, and the human spirit to overcome darkness. Entrepreneurship stands at that same crossroads today — we must decide whether AI serves us, or whether we surrender to it.”
Dr. Sargeant emphasized that technology is a powerful and transformative tool, but it must remain guided by human creativity, ethics, and imagination.
“Our challenge,” he continued, “is to ensure that in this new age of intelligence, we remain the authors of our own story — not just the algorithms.”
Culture and Ethics as the Compass of Innovation
Stephen Young, Global Executive Director of the Caux Round Table, reminded participants that the future of innovation depends on culture and ethics.
“Culture creates language, and language gives us the tools to think and shape our values,” he said. “Our task as entrepreneurs is to align what we create with the values that sustain humanity.”
Young highlighted how Eastern and Western traditions, when brought together, offer complementary wisdom — harmony and mindfulness on one side, dynamism and experimentation on the other — both essential to shaping a more inclusive global entrepreneurship philosophy.
Renewal Through Abandonment
Dr. David Sprott, Dean of the Drucker School of Management, expanded the conversation by introducing the concept of “abandonment” as a form of leadership maturity.
“Innovation is not about perfection; it’s about continuous renewal,” he said. “Successful entrepreneurs know when to hold on — and when to move forward. Abandonment, done wisely, opens the door to reinvention.”
Dr. Sprott’s remarks resonated deeply with participants who recognized that courage — not comfort — drives both innovation and cultural evolution.
ICSB’s Global Vision: Humanity in the Age of AI
The Jinju Forum reaffirmed ICSB’s mission to promote Human-Centered Entrepreneurship, where innovation empowers rather than replaces the individual.
Dr. Ayman El Tarabashy, President and CEO of ICSB and Deputy Chair of Management at George Washington University, offered a closing reflection on the enduring relevance of the United Nations and entrepreneurship in an age of uncertainty:
“Entrepreneurship begins with purpose — with the courage to innovate for people, not just for progress. The United Nations reminds us that it all starts with ‘We the People’ — the first harbor for Peace and, more importantly these days, Hope.”
He emphasized that the AI revolution should be viewed not as a threat, but as a call to rediscover humanity’s creative core — where compassion, curiosity, and courage remain the true engines of innovation.
A Global Bridge Between East and West
From The Matrix’s digital metaphor to Star Wars’ moral arc, the conversation in Jinju reminded participants that the story of entrepreneurship has always been —and must always remain —a human story.
By blending the philosophical wisdom of the East with the pioneering spirit of the West, the forum showcased how culture, ethics, and imagination can guide technology toward a future of purpose, prosperity, and peace.