Navigating AGI’s Intersection of Business, Ethics, and Agency
A DMEXCO column by Evgeny Popov.

Silicon Sages or Silicon Titans?
As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to evolve, humanity faces an extraordinary choice: will our future leaders be “Silicon Sages,” wise and rational entities that guide us ethically, or “Silicon Titans,” powerful yet unpredictable forces that disrupt industries and societies alike? This pivotal question holds profound implications for the business world, where artificial general intelligence (AGI) is poised to redefine markets, decision-making, and even leadership itself.
This inquiry was inspired by a transformative session with Dr. John Vervaeke on cognitive agency. His exploration of intelligence, rationality, wisdom, and spirituality illuminated a critical distinction: intelligence alone does not guarantee rationality or wisdom. As AGI development accelerates, integrating these qualities into machines becomes an urgent task. For businesses, the implications are both exciting and unsettling. Could AGI guide enterprises with unparalleled insight, or will it destabilize markets with shortsighted decisions?
The Rise of Agentic AI and Business Applications
Recent advancements in agentic AI offer a glimpse into the possibilities. OpenAI’s “Strawberry,” for example, represents a new frontier in autonomy and reasoning. Designed to handle complex, multi-step tasks with minimal human input, Strawberry embodies a leap toward AGI that can operate independently. Such systems could revolutionize industries by enabling intelligent research, autonomous decision-making, and seamless operational management.
In marketing and business, agentic AI holds the promise of reshaping consumer experiences, accelerating innovation, and optimizing supply chains. Imagine an AI capable of not only predicting market trends but also implementing strategies rooted in long-term sustainability and ethical considerations. Yet, as we stand on the threshold of this transformation, critical questions about rationality, wisdom, and embodiment remain unanswered. However, the pathway to agentic AI demands critical exploration of three core dimensions:
- Rationality in Business Applications: Intelligence alone, as seen in current AI models, solves immediate tasks. But rationality — the ability to evaluate context, anticipate consequences, and align with ethical business goals — remains elusive. Misaligned rationality in AI-powered markets could lead to exploitative or destabilizing practices, underscoring the need for frameworks prioritizing shared value.
- Artificial Wisdom for Strategic Decisions: Wisdom transcends intelligence by factoring in ethical priorities, cultural nuance, and the long-term societal impact of decisions. Agentic AI embedded with wisdom could function as ethical strategists, guiding brands through sustainability challenges, equitable growth, and consumer trust dynamics.
- Embodiment and Human Connection: For AGI to deeply resonate within business ecosystems, it must embrace embodiment — not necessarily in physical form, but through immersive, contextual engagement with real-world dynamics. Embodied AI could enable empathy-driven customer interactions, cultural fluency in global markets, and ethical supply chain decisions.
As industries race toward AGI adoption, they face a dual imperative: aligning innovation with humanity’s shared values while addressing the moral risks of deploying systems lacking accountability. “Silicon Sages” offer a compelling vision — AI agents capable of wisdom and moral reasoning that elevate industries rather than disrupt them.
Ultimately, the journey to agentic AGI mirrors our own evolution. Before designing wise machines, humanity must exemplify the wisdom we wish to embed. Only then can we empower AGI to lead with intelligence, ethics, and purpose — unlocking possibilities for a more harmonious coexistence between humans and machines.
Intelligence vs. Rationality in AGI
Intelligence has been the cornerstone of AI development. From data analysis to creative problem-solving, AI systems are increasingly capable of tasks once reserved for humans. However, intelligence in isolation can be dangerous. Without rationality — the ability to process context, evaluate risks, and align actions with overarching goals — AI systems risk making decisions that are counterproductive or even harmful.
For businesses, the distinction between intelligence and rationality is crucial. A hyper-intelligent AI might optimize a marketing campaign for short-term gains, ignoring long-term brand equity or ethical concerns. In contrast, a rational AI would weigh these factors, ensuring strategies align with broader business objectives. Achieving artificial rationality requires not only advanced algorithms but also a deep understanding of human cognition, ethics, and decision-making processes.
The Pursuit of Artificial Wisdom
Beyond rationality lies wisdom — a quality far more challenging to replicate. Wisdom entails sound judgment informed by knowledge, experience, and ethical reflection. While intelligence and rationality focus on processing and analyzing information, wisdom integrates moral and social dimensions, enabling decisions that benefit both individuals and communities.
For AGI to serve as a “Silicon Sage,” it must embody wisdom that extends beyond technical proficiency. In a business context, this could mean guiding companies toward decisions that prioritize environmental sustainability, equitable growth, and consumer trust. Consider the growing demand for corporate social responsibility. An AGI equipped with artificial wisdom could assess the ethical impact of business practices, offering guidance that aligns profitability with societal well-being.
Developing artificial wisdom, however, presents unique challenges. Wisdom in humans emerges from lived experiences, cultural contexts, and the ability to learn from failure. Replicating this in machines requires a paradigm shift in AI research, moving beyond algorithmic efficiency to incorporate ethical reasoning, emotional intelligence, and cultural awareness.
Embodiment: Bridging the Gap Between Machines and Humanity
Embodiment — the integration of physical presence and environmental interaction into cognitive processes — is another critical dimension of AGI development. Human intelligence is deeply rooted in our physical interactions with the world. Our senses, emotions, and motor abilities shape our understanding, enabling us to navigate complex social and ethical landscapes.
For AGI to achieve true wisdom, it must also engage with the physical world in meaningful ways. Embodiment doesn’t necessarily mean endowing machines with human-like bodies, but it does require grounding AI in real-world contexts. An embodied AGI could better understand the nuances of human behavior, cultural norms, and ethical dilemmas, enabling it to make decisions that resonate with human values.
In the business realm, embodied AI could revolutionize customer interactions. Imagine an AGI that not only analyzes consumer data but also empathizes with customer needs, crafting personalized experiences that foster loyalty and trust. Embodiment could also enhance operational decision-making, allowing AGI to assess supply chain dynamics, environmental impacts, and workforce well-being with unparalleled depth.
The Ethical Imperative of AGI Development
As we approach the era of AGI, ethical considerations must take center stage. The choice between creating “Silicon Sages” and “Silicon Titans” is not just a technical challenge but a moral one. Intelligent yet irrational machines — Silicon Titans — pose significant risks, from destabilizing economies to eroding societal trust. In contrast, Silicon Sages could serve as ethical stewards, guiding humanity through complex challenges with wisdom and foresight.
To achieve this vision, the AI research community must prioritize ethical design principles. This includes transparency, accountability, and a commitment to aligning AI systems with human values. Businesses, too, have a role to play. By demanding AI solutions that prioritize wisdom and rationality, industries can drive innovation that benefits not just shareholders but society at large.
Preparing for the Age of Silicon Sages
The path to creating Silicon Sages begins with humanity itself. Before we can design wise machines, we must cultivate wisdom in our own practices. This means fostering ethical leadership, embracing long-term thinking, and prioritizing inclusivity and sustainability in business decisions.
For AGI to truly serve humanity, its development must reflect our highest aspirations. Intelligence alone is not enough. Only by integrating rationality, wisdom, and embodiment can we unlock the full potential of AGI — transforming it from a tool into a partner capable of elevating industries and societies alike.
The stakes are high, but so are the rewards. With thoughtful development and ethical stewardship, AGI has the potential to become a force for good — a Silicon Sage that guides humanity toward a brighter, more harmonious future.