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AI, Productivity, and the Future of Society: Key Takeaways from Davos 2026

Published January 26, 2026, 10:15
AI, Productivity, and the Future of Society: Key Takeaways from Davos 2026

The World Economic Forum in Davos 2026 focused on the relationship between Artificial Intelligence (AI) and productivity, emphasizing that the benefits will not be automatically distributed fairly. Discussions centered on the need for immediate changes in governance and administration, as AI is expected to accelerate processes and reduce the time required for tasks. Access to key resources such as energy, data, infrastructure, and human capital will determine who benefits most from the increase in productivity. The geopolitical dimension of the issue was highlighted, with emphasis on the need for resilience and strategic autonomy for middle countries. The central question that emerged is how the time "freed up" by AI will be used: will it become a source of productive surplus value for a few, or a social dividend for many? Larry Fink warned that increased inequality due to AI could undermine the legitimacy of the economic system. To benefit from the upcoming change, countries and citizens should focus on developing specific skills (AI, automation, data literacy, security), ensuring access to affordable energy and infrastructure, and creating rules for data management. The challenge is not whether AI will succeed, but who will set the rules and reap the benefits.