Google funds new INSEAD lab to study human well-being in the AI era

A new focus on human flourishing

INSEAD has announced the creation of the Research Lab for Human and Organisational Thriving, commonly known as the INSEAD Thrive Lab. The project received US$3 million in funding from Google.org and Google DeepMind to support its mission. This initiative is designed to explore how people and organizations can flourish during a period of continuous technological transformation.

The lab was officially introduced during the INSEAD AI Forum Asia in Singapore. It aims to address the profound ways that artificial intelligence shapes how humans learn, work, live, and interact. While the technology offers many possibilities, the lab intends to give careful attention to the potential risks associated with these changes.

The core objective is to understand how individuals can expand their capabilities while building economically viable and psychologically meaningful lives. The lab seeks to generate actionable insights that help people not just adapt to a changing world, but truly thrive within it. This work will be a central part of the school's broader commitment to developing responsible leaders.

The three pillars of the research

The INSEAD Thrive Lab will organize its research into three interconnected domains: Learning, Working, and Relating. These categories are intended to cover the breadth of human experience in a digital age. By focusing on these areas, the lab hopes to identify what enables people to maintain strong relationships and meaningful careers.

A primary goal of the research is to strengthen human, social, and psychological capital. The lab will investigate how educational, community, and professional spheres must evolve to build this capital. The researchers want to see how ecosystems of learning can be redesigned to support human growth alongside machine intelligence.

The lab is housed under the Human and Machine Intelligence Institute, or HUMII. This cross-disciplinary institute includes high-level academics, such as 2025 Nobel Laureate in Economics Philippe Aghion. The goal of HUMII is to conduct research on all branches of artificial intelligence to expand human capacities and agency.

Moving from theory to practice

To ensure the research has a real-world impact, the Thrive Lab will establish various research-to-practice partnerships. These collaborations will involve organizations, schools, and governments to translate academic findings into practical applications. The lab plans to host a series of workshops, talks, and dialogues to facilitate this knowledge transfer.

The lab will also serve as a hub for training the next generation of scholars. It will offer specific PhD research awards and postdoctoral fellowships for those working on themes of human meaning and flourishing. This ensures that the academic community has a dedicated space to explore the human dimension of technological progress.

Additionally, the lab will host an annual global conference to bring the wider research community together. These events are designed to foster dialogue between researchers, business leaders, and policymakers. The ultimate goal is to ensure that the success of AI is measured by how it empowers people to live fulfilling lives rather than just by productivity gains.

Global reach and future goals

The launch of the Thrive Lab is part of a larger global effort by INSEAD to lead conversations on responsible AI. The school uses its global perspective and cultural diversity to inform its research and teaching. By serving as a hub for innovation, the lab aims to help people stay resilient in the face of rapid transformation.

The announcement took place during the Asia edition of the INSEAD AI Forum, which follows similar events in Europe and America. The next edition of this forum is scheduled to take place in the UAE in January 2027. These forums provide a platform for discussing the beneficial and responsible use of AI for the benefit of both business and society.

Lily Fang, the Academic Director of HUMII, stated that the lab's work will be core to the institute and to society. The funding from Google.org and Google DeepMind supports this vision of expanding human agency. The lab will continue to explore the most pressing questions shaping the future of work and human well-being.