Dubai, UAE — Global political and business leaders called for faster adoption of emerging technologies and closer international cooperation to translate innovation into economic growth, job creation and competitiveness, as the World Economic Forum’s “Summer Davos” meeting concluded in the Chinese city of Dalian.
More than 1,800 participants from over 90 countries and regions attended the three-day Annual Meeting of the New Champions 2026, which focused on how governments and businesses can scale technological breakthroughs into tangible economic outcomes amid geopolitical uncertainty and rapid technological change.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang joined six heads of government, 90 government leaders, 1,000 senior business executives and more than 200 innovators, including a record number of unicorn companies and Technology Pioneers.
Innovation amid geopolitical uncertainty
Held under the theme “Innovating at Scale”, the meeting examined how technological advances can drive economic value while addressing challenges ranging from trade fragmentation and industrial policy shifts to energy security and labour market disruption.
Participants said recent tensions in the Middle East had underscored vulnerabilities in global energy markets and highlighted the need for greater economic resilience.
Discussions on trade and investment focused on preserving international cooperation as governments play a larger role in strategic industries. Leaders pointed to growing regional and bilateral trade agreements as a response to a more fragmented global trading environment while stressing the importance of the U.S.-China relationship to global prosperity.
China’s role in global growth
China’s economic outlook featured prominently throughout the meeting.
Participants noted that China is expected to account for more than a quarter of global real GDP growth in 2026, while Asia is projected to generate more than half of global economic growth.
Li outlined an innovation-led growth strategy centred on cooperation and ensuring advanced technologies benefit broader society. Discussions highlighted artificial intelligence, electric vehicles and renewable energy as key drivers of China’s next stage of development, alongside industrial upgrading and decarbonisation efforts.
Forum participants also pointed to infrastructure initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative as helping other economies share in the benefits of China’s growth.
AI shifts focus from innovation to implementation
A recurring theme was the gap between technological breakthroughs and real-world economic impact.
Despite record investment in artificial intelligence, quantum computing and biotechnology, participants said productivity growth remains sluggish in many economies, suggesting that adoption rather than invention has become the primary challenge.
Business leaders argued that AI is increasingly becoming a differentiator for growth and competitiveness, with opportunities extending from healthcare and agriculture to manufacturing and financial services.
The Forum launched its Top 10 Emerging Technologies 2026 report during the meeting and announced new Technology Pioneer and MINDS cohorts, while Malaysia unveiled plans for a Digital Embassies Framework designed to support trusted cross-border AI infrastructure.
Jobs and skills in the AI era
The impact of artificial intelligence on employment emerged as one of the meeting’s central concerns.
Participants cited estimates that around 40% of global employment is exposed to AI, underscoring the scale of workforce transformation ahead.
Leaders stressed that investment in education, skills development and entrepreneurship would be critical to ensuring technological progress translates into employment growth rather than “jobless growth”.
Discussions also explored demographic change, human-machine collaboration and the future of entry-level work, while highlighting the importance of inclusion and gender parity in shaping emerging technologies.
Energy transition and competitiveness
Energy security and climate policy formed another major strand of the discussions.
Participants said rising energy demand from data centres and AI infrastructure was increasing pressure on governments to build cleaner, cheaper and more secure energy systems.
The Forum’s Energy Transition Index 2026 found that geopolitical tensions, supply disruptions and rising demand were fragmenting the global energy landscape despite record levels of investment.
Delegates argued that countries capable of successfully navigating the energy transition through investments in batteries, electricity grids and renewable energy technologies could gain significant competitive advantages.
The meeting concluded with calls for stronger cooperation among governments, businesses and academic institutions to accelerate the deployment of technologies capable of boosting productivity, creating jobs and supporting long-term economic growth.
