World Economic Forum opens in Davos
The World Economic Forum (WEF) opens today in Davos, Switzerland.
Under this year’s theme of “Rebuilding Trust”, the world’s political and business elite will gather to discuss future goals and cooperation around AI, misinformation, diplomacy and the economy.
The guest list includes big names such as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Presidents Emmanuel Macron and Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and Premier Li Qiang, along with CEOs and officials from businesses around the world.
Last year’s event focused on divestment from Russian fuel and the EU’s announcement of its Net Zero Industry Act. The US also drew criticism from the EU for choosing to offer tax credits to North American EV producers, endangering European EV markets.
In the short term, expect conversations to center around diplomacy in Gaza and Ukraine, especially as both conflicts have impacted energy and economic growth throughout the world. The forum will certainly produce talks related to AI as well, particularly after the recent announcement from the WEF that misinformation is the greatest short-term global threat. Several consequential elections are slated for 2024, and the subject of AI-powered misinformation will likely take center stage at gatherings of world leaders such as this. The subject will also be pertinent among leading business and tech leaders present at the forum.
