Amid global uncertainty, Global Future Council experts explore where progress is possible

The world is navigating a period of heightened uncertainty. Climate change, geopolitical tensions and rapid technological transformation are unfolding simultaneously, increasing both complexity and interdependence. In this environment, progress depends less on isolated breakthroughs and more on the quality of collaboration that enables them.

As World Economic Forum President and CEO Børge Brende highlighted at the Annual Meeting of the Global Future Councils in Dubai last year, “In this new, more uncertain era, dialogue is our greatest source of innovation and resilience.”

Dialogue, across sectors, disciplines and regions, is increasingly essential to building trust, aligning incentives and translating ideas into action. This perspective underpins the theme of Forum's Annual Meeting 2026, "A Spirit of Dialogue", and the work of the Global Future Councils (GFC), the Forum’s multistakeholder, interdisciplinary knowledge network bringing together experts from business, government, academia and civil society.

Ahead of the Annual Meeting, we ask five Global Future Council experts to share concrete examples of progress underway. Together, their perspectives reinforce a straightforward insight: even amid overlapping crises, meaningful progress is taking shape where dialogue is sustained and responsibility is shared.

Neeti Mehta Shukla is the co-chair of the GFC on Jobs and Frontier Technologies

"Amid overlapping crises and rapid technological change, I see clear signs of meaningful progress. Across industries and institutions, technology is increasingly being built on human-first foundations.

"The World Economic Forum’s call for ethical and responsible AI — emphasizing transparency, fairness and inclusion — is echoed across leadership and is shaping real practice. There is now broad consensus that AI must amplify human potential, not replace it. Increasingly, representatives from all industries and regions are working cross-collaboratively to translate these principles into action, creating frameworks that align technological advancement with long-term human progress. The first step in progress is to create a shared purpose — and then committing to transform and deliver solutions effectively.

"Moreover, momentum is growing around skills-based economies, reskilling initiatives, sustainable practices, responsible AI frameworks, governance and regulations, and access to technology for all to help prepare societies before disruption strikes. Equally encouraging are breakthroughs in AI for social good — from digital tools enhancing education and healthcare to automation that helps nonprofits scale their impact.

"When we combine AI and automation with empathy, and intelligence with ethics — and sustain consistent conversations across sectors and societies — progress moves from aspiration to reality. That gives me confidence that we are not merely adapting to change — we are shaping it together."

Dr David Garza Salazar is a member of the GFC on Human Capital Development.

"In a world marked by uncertainty and overlapping challenges such as climate, geopolitics, technology, and demographics, recognizing the role of higher education and evolving its traditional model is essential for societal advancement.

"Universities have always been key spaces for progress. As Daniel Patrick Moynihan once said, "If you want to build a great city, create a university and wait 200 years." Today, universities embody hope founded on evidence, serving as meeting points for ideas, critical debate, scientific advancement, innovation, entrepreneurship and citizenship education. They strengthen both mind and character, demonstrating resilience against conflicts and ideologies.

"The reskilling revolution, driven by job displacement and creation, is promoting educational initiatives from various sectors: private companies, government programmes like SkillsFuture in Singapore and the UK's Lifelong Learning Entitlement, and university-led efforts. These are signals that challenges are being identified and solutions are starting to be implemented.

"Universities and other stakeholders are reflecting on the challenges and opportunities AI brings to education at all levels, from necessary skills for the AI era to the use of AI in teaching and learning, and the ethical considerations of this technology.

"An evolution of traditional models will emerge from these reflections. It is encouraging to see university presidents worldwide focusing on being not just the best universities in the world but rather the best universities for the world."

Dr Nela Richardson is a member of the GFC on Jobs and Frontier Technologies.

"Artificial intelligence aspires to revolutionize the workplace. But before it can deliver on its promise to advance human potential and well-being, the technology needs a helping hand: people.

"AI’s ultimate test will be how people incorporate it into their daily work. Innovation can increase or decrease productivity, create or destroy jobs, raise or lower standards of living, and boost or slow growth. It’s not just the tech, it’s what people do with it.

"An accepting workforce will be critical. The good news is that workers today are highly engaged, which bodes well for productive AI adoption. In 2025, our Global Workforce Survey gathered responses from more than 39,000 workers in 36 countries. For the second year, 19% of respondents were fully engaged, the highest level in data going back to 2015.

"Employers can nurture engagement by investing in skills development, helping people find meaning in their work, and limiting exposure to stress, our data shows. Take one example: Among workers who say their employer is investing in them, 53% are fully engaged. When this support is lacking, engagement falls to 12%.

"There will be twists, turns, and dead ends in our AI journey. Employers have the power to create conditions for the technology to help workers thrive."

Alice Ruhweza is the co-chair of the GFC on Nature and Security.

"As overlapping crises test global resilience, I draw confidence from the way agriculture, climate action, soil conservation, and inclusivity are converging into a new paradigm of progress. Across Africa, farmers are adopting climate-smart practices, regenerative soil management, drought-tolerant crops, and digital advisory platforms, that strengthen food security while restoring ecosystems.

"A powerful example is GoGettaz Impact Award winner Gabriel Eze, founder of Rural Farmers Hub in Nigeria. Their AI-powered soil intelligence platform delivers real-time diagnostics using only GPS coordinates, transforming decision-making in regions lacking formal soil testing. With insights in local languages and support from over 300 youth Village Based Advisors, the platform has reached more than 31,000 farmers and accelerated climate-smart soil management.

"Nature-based solutions such as watershed restoration and agroforestry are increasingly embedded in national development plans, proving that biodiversity protection is not a trade-off against productivity but a foundation for long-term prosperity.

"While there is more to be done, the expansion of finance and technology, from blended capital for smallholder resilience to AI tools for precision agriculture, shows that transformation is already underway. Most encouraging of all, national, continental, and global policy frameworks are now aligning around agrifood systems, climate, biodiversity, and inclusion, driving momentum for systemic change."

Dr Hiroaki Kitano is a member of the GFC on Artificial General Intelligence.

"AI will continue to transform our civilization, and on a scale that may far exceed our current imagination.

"AI will soon make major scientific discoveries autonomously and continuously. This paradigm shift—'AI as a Scientist' or 'Scientist AI'—moves beyond viewing AI merely as a tool. In this new landscape, Scientist AI capabilities will be mandatory for any top-tier research institution to remain competitive. Because Scientist AI is unencumbered by the career-related fear of failure, it can venture into uncharted territories that human researchers might avoid due to high uncertainty. I would predict numbers of Nobel quality research outcomes will emerge from Scientist AI-led research particularly through the exploration of these frontier spaces.

"On the social front, personal AI agents will deeply penetrate into our daily life. Just as Scientist AI may outperform the best human scientists, personal AI companion agents may surpass most humans in understanding and the ability to care for yourself and may be the most resonating partner in our life. The social, psychological, and personal implications will be profound; this may become the single largest application of AI, fundamentally altering our relationships and intimacy with others. Emotional dependency on personal AI agents may be an issue but can be a saver for many as AI agents can continue to listen and talk to you day and night and always be with you.

"Emergence of such an AI existence will be one of the biggest issues on societal and personal frameworks in the future."