On Day 2 of the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2026 in Davos, Switzerland, discussions deepened around AI, economic transformation, geopolitical tensions, and leadership confidence, bringing out both opportunities and challenges facing global business and policy leaders.
🤖 AI Beyond Content — Into Action
AI emerged as a central theme — not just in generating content, but in driving enterprise systems and workflow automation. Experts noted that discussions have moved beyond basic generative models to “agentic AI” that can reason and operate in real environments, including commerce, logistics, and payments.
💼 Business Confidence and AI Adoption
CEOs and executives expressed mixed sentiments:
-
AI adoption remains uneven, with over half of companies not seeing tangible benefits due to limited foundational investment and strategy gaps.
-
Leaders were urged to rethink traditional leadership objectives as AI and digital transformation reshape productivity and competitive advantage.
Sessions also brought in insights from global leaders and top executives on economic uncertainty, productivity, and resilience in the face of rapid technological change.
🌍 Geopolitics, Trade, and Global Rules
Geopolitical tension was another defining thread of Day 2. Several prominent leaders sounded alarms over the erosion of established international norms and the risks posed by unilateral actions and protectionist policies. French President Emmanuel Macron, in a widely discussed address, warned that the world risks drifting toward a “world without rules” where power dynamics could outweigh cooperative frameworks.
🧠 Leadership Conversations and Webcasts
Day 2 also featured forward‑looking conversations hosted by platforms such as Axios House, with industry leaders from sports, finance, and technology discussing strategies to stay competitive in rapidly evolving sectors.
📊 What’s Emerging from Day 2
Key trends highlighted include:
-
The shift in AI dialogue from simple generation to reasoning and enterprise action.
-
A critical need for stronger organizational strategy to harness AI value.
-
Heightened awareness of geopolitical fragmentation and challenges to multilateral cooperation.
-
Continued integration of cross‑sector leadership insights into future planning.
Day 2 at Davos 2026 reinforced that today’s global agenda is not just about innovation or growth, but about responsible, strategic leadership — especially in an era where AI’s promise intersects with shifting economic and political landscapes.