What's happened
The annual Davos forum in Switzerland begins today, featuring nearly 400 political and business leaders discussing issues like economic disparity, climate change, AI, and global cooperation. The event highlights complex geopolitics, with key figures including U.S. President Trump and French President Macron. Critics say it remains more talk than action.
What's behind the headline?
The Davos 2026 gathering underscores the persistent gap between rhetoric and action in global leadership. While nearly 400 leaders discuss pressing issues like climate change and economic inequality, critics argue the event remains primarily symbolic. The presence of major figures such as Trump and Macron signals ongoing geopolitical tensions, especially with the U.S.'s aggressive policies and complex stance on AI regulation. The focus on 'A Spirit of Dialogue' masks underlying disagreements on how to address inequality and climate crises. The prominence of tech giants like Nvidia and Google DeepMind highlights AI's central role, yet debates on regulation versus innovation reveal deep divisions. Ultimately, Davos's influence depends on translating dialogue into tangible policy shifts, which remains uncertain.
What the papers say
The Independent emphasizes the event's broad scope and high-profile attendance, noting the complex geopolitical context and the focus on AI's dual promise and peril. AP News provides a detailed overview of the event's history and key participants, highlighting the tension between global cooperation and rising U.S. influence. Both sources acknowledge criticism that Davos is more talk than action, but The Independent emphasizes the event's significance in shaping future policy debates, especially around AI and inequality.
How we got here
Founded in 1971 by Klaus Schwab, the Davos forum has grown from a business-focused gathering to a broad conference addressing global issues. It takes place in the Swiss Alps and attracts top political, economic, and tech leaders. The event's themes focus on dialogue, cooperation, and prosperity amid rising geopolitical tensions and technological advances, especially AI.
Go deeper
More on these topics
-
Ursula Gertrud von der Leyen is a German politician and the president of the European Commission since 1 December 2019. She served in the federal government of Germany from 2005 to 2019 as the longest-serving member of Angela Merkel's cabinet.
-
Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021.
-
Davos (UK: , US: ; German: [daˈfoːs] or [daˈvoːs] ; Romansh: ; Old Italian: Tavate) is an Alpine resort town and municipality in the Prättigau/Davos Region in the canton of the Grisons, Switzerland. It has a permanent population of 10,832 (2020). Dav
-
Emmanuel Jean-Michel Frédéric Macron is a French politician who has been President of France and ex officio Co-Prince of Andorra since 14 May 2017.
-
Klaus Martin Schwab is a German engineer and economist best known as the founder and executive chairman of the World Economic Forum.