"This was my first Davos, but from what I heard, previous years were marked by much more optimism about the immediate productivity gains AI would bring. This year the vibe was more sober. Most of my conversations were about why the ROI from AI has been so mediocre so far, and how to fix that. A lot of the fixes that I heard about involved the kind of massive overhauls that will almost certainly take large companies years and years to pull off."
"Davos has always wanted to be the center of the world. This year, it felt like it actually was. President Trump brought traffic snarls, longer security lines, and most of all, he dominated conversations here. He also brought heft, making Davos feel much more important than it has than at any time in recent memory. This year's conference played host not just to the pie-in-the-sky discussions that usually dominate, but also high-stakes negotiations about the future of NATO, Greenland, a"
Davos 2026 featured a more sober outlook on AI, with attendees questioning why early productivity gains and ROI have been mediocre. Many conversations stressed that meaningful AI returns will likely require massive corporate overhauls that could take years, generating frustration among elites. A slower transition could allow white-collar workers time to learn new skills, advocate protections, and help shape outcomes. President Trump's attendance dominated conversations, caused traffic and heavier security, and increased the summit's geopolitical weight. The conference also hosted high-stakes negotiations touching NATO and Greenland.
Read at Business Insider
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