The 54th Annual World Economic Forum (WEF) took place in Davos, Switzerland from January 15-19, 2024, under the theme 'rebuilding trust' [d67dbbef]. The event brought together global leaders to discuss and address pressing issues such as the global economy, artificial intelligence (AI), climate change, and economic cooperation [89fd6758] [d67dbbef]. Klause Schwab, the executive Chairman of WEF, emphasized the importance of personal interaction in building trust [0644641e].
Notable attendees at the event included German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen, Chinese Premier Li Qiang, South Korean President Yoon-Suk-yeo, and US Climate envoy John Kerry [0644641e]. Javier Milei, the far-right radical president of Argentina, also attended the WEF [0644641e]. The WEF's Global Risk Report for 2024 identified disinformation and misinformation as the greatest threat, with artificial intelligence (AI) being the primary source. The report ranked extreme weather events and political polarization as the second and third risk factors [0644641e].
Critics have questioned the relevance and impact of the WEF, describing it as out of touch and irrelevant [0644641e]. However, the next Davos meeting has already been announced for January 20-24, 2025 [0644641e].
The WEF 2024 Global Economic Outlook report presented a cautious outlook for the global economy in 2024, highlighting positive developments such as easing inflation and advances in AI, but projecting a general weakening [d67dbbef].
During the event, a panel on the economic outlook featured prominent figures such as Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Christine LaGarde, Mohammed Al-Jadaan, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, and other panelists from Germany and the USA [d67dbbef]. They acknowledged some return to normality but emphasized the need for structural changes at national and global levels [d67dbbef]. Another panel focused on the BRICS Forum, discussing economic cooperation and the development of a south-south trade and investment agenda [d67dbbef]. Additionally, a panel on climate change highlighted successes in phasing out fossil fuels and increasing renewable energy, while also emphasizing the need for further financing and investment, particularly in emerging and developing countries [d67dbbef]. The panel expressed anxiety about a possible return of former US President Donald Trump and the potential setback to climate change efforts [d67dbbef].
The WEF Annual Meeting provided a platform for leaders to engage in discussions and make hard decisions regarding the global economy, AI, climate change, and economic cooperation [89fd6758] [d67dbbef]. The event fostered cautious optimism, recognizing positive developments but also emphasizing the need for structural changes and engagement in green technology and climate change adaptation [d67dbbef].
In 2024, a meeting focused on 'Trust: The Foundation of the Fourth Industrial Revolution' was held at WEF / DAVOS [8787f0ca]. Global leaders discussed blending AI, biotech, and digital platforms with society. Key insights revealed concerns about a rise in technocracy and the potential threat to personal freedom. The meeting also questioned the power of votes against initiatives like ID 2020 and the UN sustainability goals. Critiques were made about the war on farming and the push towards dependency on technology. The meeting emphasized the need for critical thinking and action to ensure technology supports human values [8787f0ca].