<h1>Round-table urges human-centered AI governance as leaders balance innovation with ethics, empathy, accountability and foresight</h1> A university and a foundation convened a round-table on 'Human at Core' addressing AI ethics and leadership, bringing together academic, government and industry representatives to debate human-centric governance of AI. Speakers underscored the tension between rapid technological acceleration and the need for ethical oversight, arguing leaders must balance innovation with responsibility. Two panels examined choices between progress and principle and the role of leadership in ensuring empathy, accountability and foresight in AI deployment. The event urged collaborative action among academia, industry and policymakers to develop evolving ethical frameworks that preserve equity, dignity and human values.