World Economic Forum's 2026 Theme Centers Around "A Spirit of Dialogue"

Another year, another Davos.  With 3000 official and 5000 unofficial attendees at UnDavos and a host of amazing side events, the beginning of the year marks a rite of passage for the C-Suite.  While convening high above the Swiss Alps, these global leaders will "talk" about the state of world affairs and economy, Many skeptics wonder if real dialogue will be had. 

Good news -  this year's World Economic Forum's 2026 Theme Centers Around "A Spirit of Dialogue".  Per theme, official discussions are centered around five key global challenges:

1. Cooperation in a contested world;
2. Unlocking new sources of growth;
3. Investing in people;
4. Deploying innovation responsibly; and
5. Building prosperity within planetary boundaries.

Taking a Constellation Research futurist point of view (POV), let's apply a PESTEL framework to these themes and provide some conversation starters for provocative points of view and the authentic dialogue much needed at Davos.  We started with the first three (i.e. PES) and here's the last three (TEL) in Part 2.

Technology

1. Will exponential efficiency also lead to infinite possibilities in Artificial Intelligence?

In an Age of AI, organizations now have the power of building software at the speed of thought.  This scaling enables efficiencies unseen since the Internet.  In fact, tiny teams have shown mighty results in revenues per employee with digital labor, for example, frontier software companies Cursor was able to deliver 200M in revenue with 20 employees.  The latest Constellation AI First Services firm list, highlights the capabilities that a services firm can deliver. In this outcomes base world, AI changes the game forever.

What happens when a 100 person AI First software company can take out a 100,000 person incumbent or a 1000 person services firm can take out a 1,000,000 person firm?  With infinite possibilities ahead, what will be your company strategy as precision in order of operations becomes paramount?

2. Does the race for Quantum Computing have merit ahead of us?

Quantum computing is always around the corner, much like AI was before the "ChatGPT" moment.  With many Quantum companies going public have shown that there are many use cases versus classicla computing.  Leading firms have shown promise in medical research, drug discovery, natural resources exploration, material science simulations, cryptography, and weather predictions. 

As the race for quantum heats up, what will the investment strategy look like?  Which one of your competitors will be early in these frontier technologies? 

Environment

1. Will the green movement be held back as the global race for AI pushes the energy conversation to cost per kilowatt hour?

China's energy advantage as mentioned in Part 1, has put the West on high alert.  Basic first principles such as energy cost and energy security have now taken center stage in geopolitics.  As Europe turns on mothballed nuclear power plants, revisits relationships with natural gas supplies, and grapples with the reality that 25 cents a kWh is too much, the balance between green mantra and reality finally hits home.  On the water front, will we run out of water sources to cool these data centers?

Can governments find the right policy to balance short term needs for AI with long term needs for sustainability? In an investor presentation, Elon Musk once said that with 1% of the world's GDP, we could put in all the solar and battery power needed to power the world for an infinite period of time.  What other investments can we make that balance pragmatic approaches for short term to long term time frames without the climate hysteria?

2. How will green initiatives drive green?

The push for ROI in sustainability is back.  One of the biggest areas for sustainability comes from green buildings.  Many research studies show that 27 to 30% of emissions come from operating buildings, while 15 to 21% is attributed to the building materials used in construction.  Opportunities abound for energy, water, waste, and utilization. Hence, many policies focus on forcing regulations upon construction, driving upfront costs. 

'With housing affordability top of mind in every country, what can be done to balance the cost of construction, housing affordability, and regulation?

Legislative

1. What can be done to reduce the strangulation of society with legislative overreach?

By design, the litigious nature of Western society coupled with the intentional bureaucracy of government have led to a massive over reach in regulations as politicians seek purpose and power.  In the US, reports show that federal regulations cost the economy up to $2 trillion annually.  Moreover, EU Digital Regulations cost U.S. Companies up to $97.6 billion annually according to some studies.

There is a fine balance in ensuring fairness in markets, safety in products and services, and access to resources.  What can be done to reduce regulations.  For example, in the US, for every one regulation passed, the federal government must find 10 to eliminate.

2. How do we curtail the lobbying and special interests working against the public interest?

With over $4.4 billion spent on lobbying in the US in 2024,and 162 biggest corporations and trade associations collectively spending €343 million on lobbying EU legislators and officials from February 2024 and February 2025, big industry's outsized influence on legislation has only increased. 

What will society do to ensure that the smallest voices also have a place in the legislative process?

The Bottom Line: Are You Really Ready For Some Honest and Authentic Dialogue?

The public Davos panels and keynotes have often been an overscripted, highly sanitized, corporate communications by committee, public relations driven event.  Meanwhile, the private meals and smaller group events have been the source of insightful conversations and relationship building.  Maybe in 2026, we can flip the script and just cut to the chase and have real dialogue.  Will you be that force for change?