Insights

Investing in healthy habits can lead to significant returns for society. As the prevalence of chronic diseases increases, personalized behavioral interventions are needed to reduce morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. Behavior change is critical and can directly improve health and longevity. For example, increasing physical activity can lead to a decrease in mortality risk. Building lasting habits is key to improving health outcomes, and advances in technology allow for more targeted and personalized interventions. Customized communication and rewards can improve engagement. Investing in personalized healthcare plans can provide a significant return on investment.
How investing in healthy habits can deliver a powerful return for society
The European Union's geoeconomic shift towards using trade and investment instruments to advance strategic foreign policy goals is adversely affecting developing countries. This shift, driven by global dynamics such as US-China tensions and the need for climate action, risks alienating the international community and creating friction with developing countries. Sustainability-related instruments, such as the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, disproportionately affect lower-income nations that may lack the capacity to transition to greener production methods. The EU's geoeconomic approach also undermines its development objectives and risks alienating partners in the Global South. Balancing geoeconomics with development is crucial to prevent widening global inequality.
Ecuador | Financial services
How the EU’s geoeconomic shift is adversely affecting developing countries
Businesses need to develop "geopolitical muscle" in a multipolar world, where emerging coalitions of countries are reshaping the global economy. CEOs and leaders must consider geopolitics when making corporate decisions and strategies in order to anticipate and respond to shocks in this new reality. The shift towards a decentralized and multifaceted geopolitical environment challenges organizations to adapt. Tectonic shifts in trade, economic nationalism, and the geopolitics of AI are significant factors that businesses must understand and respond to in order to thrive in the evolving global landscape.
Financial services
Why businesses need 'geopolitical muscle' in a multipolar world
The model of 'industrial intelligence' is revolutionizing the way information is shared and used across organizations and industries. This shift towards democratized industrial intelligence enables teams, communities, and even competitors to collaborate and share insights for the purpose of achieving decarbonization goals and delivering essential goods sustainably. This approach requires a cultural and digital transformation, facilitated by industrial intelligence platforms that unify data from various sources and provide connected insights. Industry leaders in energy, manufacturing, and urban development are already demonstrating the power of connected intelligence in improving efficiency, reducing emissions, and driving sustainable innovation.
ICT, Financial services
How 'industrial intelligence' is shaping the information ecosystems of the future
Young people are often excluded from decision-making processes at various levels, creating a trust deficit between generations. With the world facing unprecedented challenges, the innovative thinking of young minds is crucial. However, only a small percentage of parliamentarians worldwide are under 30. By empowering youth voices and combining their fresh ideas with the experience of older generations, inclusive and innovative solutions can be developed. It is important to recognize and integrate the perspectives of young people in decision-making to address intergenerational challenges. Youth involvement is particularly urgent in areas such as climate change and education.
Education
To rebuild global trust we need youth voices at the table. Here's why
Code, not natural language, is the key to unlocking AI's potential. AI tools tailored to software engineering can increase efficiency and innovation. Synthetic code generation can break training limits and improve privacy and scalability. Investment in AI and technologies that support it is significant, but economic returns have yet to be realized. Generative AI has the potential to revolutionize the way we work. Focusing on developers and training AI on code can lead to unprecedented growth and productivity. Code provides a structured foundation for training AI, and reinforcement learning from code execution feedback enables continuous improvement. This approach also ensures privacy and security for customer data.
Why code, not natural language, is the key to unlocking AI’s potential
Artificial intelligence (AI) has a transformative role in global trade, enhancing efficiency, promoting sustainability, and encouraging inclusivity. This report presents current applications of AI in various trade processes, such as supply chains, logistics, trade finance, and customs and compliance. By highlighting use cases submitted by the TradeTech Global community, the report demonstrates the potential of AI in international commerce. It addresses the challenges, benefits, costs, and complexities associated with AI adoption. Collaboration is emphasized as crucial, and a vision for the future of trade is outlined where stakeholders utilize AI's full potential. This comprehensive analysis provides valuable insights for trade professionals, policy-makers, and technology innovators, offering a roadmap to create an efficient, sustainable, and inclusive global trade ecosystem.
Artificial Intelligence for Efficiency, Sustainability and Inclusivity in TradeTech
This article analyzes the financial preparedness for retirement in the United States, China, India, Japan, and South Korea. The study finds that older people in the US have the highest wealth, while those in China, India, and South Korea show higher financial self-reliance. Japan leads in consumption-based preparedness, with individuals expected to maintain their pre-retirement consumption levels. The key determinants of preparedness include education and risky asset holdings, suggesting that policies promoting financial literacy and market development could enhance financial independence for older people.
Japan | Financial services
Analyzing the Sources of Older People’s Self-Dependency and Overall Financial Wellness in Four Asian Countries and the United States
A gender-sensitive risk analysis model using artificial intelligence (AI) is proposed to provide access to opportunities for vulnerable populations, specifically women in underprivileged sections. The study highlights the vulnerability of this population in Mexico and identifies a correlation between education level and self-employment opportunities. The model incorporates complex thinking and uses AI and gender, vulnerability, and complex thinking variables to detect patterns in women's behaviors and attitudes in the venture start-up process. This proposal aims to promote economic and social growth in vulnerable regions and serve as a starting point for further analyses of AI based on complex thinking.
Financial services
Financial inclusion of vulnerable sectors with a gender perspective: risk analysis model with artificial intelligence based on complex thinking
Improved institutional quality is fundamental to achieving financial inclusion in the Asia-Pacific region, according to a study. The study developed a new index of institutional quality for countries in the region using principal component analysis. The researchers found that the long-term effects of institutional quality on financial inclusion were conditional on income levels, with high-income countries like Australia and Japan benefiting more than Singapore, and middle-income countries like Malaysia and Indonesia benefiting more than Thailand and Vietnam. The study suggests that institutional reform is important but should not be the only factor in ensuring financial inclusion and sustainable economic growth in the long run.
ASEAN | Financial services
Long-term effects of institutional quality on financial inclusion in Asia–Pacific countries
Sustained temperature shifts during the "Little Ice Age" led to increased political conflict, wars, and mass migration, according to a recent study. While sudden and acute cold shocks did not lead to increased conflict, fighting escalated in regions that experienced consecutive periods of cooling. The study suggests that climate change can affect generations of people and emphasizes the need to start thinking about the long-term effects of climate change on society. The research team used historical climate data and a dataset of wars fought between 1400 and 1900 to analyze the relationship between climate change and political instability.
The Cold, Cold History of Political Conflict
"Brain rot" refers to the deterioration of one's mental state due to excessive consumption of trivial online content. Oxford University Press chose it as the word of the year for 2024. This trend is seen in the way people talk, using phrases that have seeped into everyday speech from online platforms. While some view brain rot as a coping mechanism or a sign of cognitive decline, others see it as a form of entertainment and a way to fit in. The concerns about brain rot's impact may be overstated, as it offers an adaptable and appealing way of communication.
The Case for Brain Rot
The digital finance revolution has not achieved true access and inclusion for all consumers, especially for more vulnerable individuals. Research shows that vulnerable consumers, such as those with disabilities and lower incomes, are more likely to fall victim to scams and struggle with making informed financial choices. To address these inequalities, collaboration among consumer groups, regulators, providers, and policy-makers is crucial. Taking the perspectives of diverse consumers into account leads to better products and outcomes, while direct feedback helps determine if changes are truly benefiting people's financial well-being. Consumer groups acting as intermediaries between users and providers can also advocate for consumer rights and resolutions. It is imperative to unite in demanding greater consumer protections to ensure inclusivity in digital finance.
Financial services
3 ways to make digital finance more inclusive for all consumers
The future of Russian gas sales and Europe's dependence on it is uncertain as Ukraine turns off the taps and Europe aims to end all imports. Russia's contract for gas transit through Ukraine expired and Ukraine refused to negotiate a new deal. Russia remained a significant supplier of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Europe, accounting for 19% of its imports in 2024, but the practice of re-exporting Russian LNG will be banned by EU sanctions. The European Union (EU) launched its REPowerEU plan to diversify energy supplies and reduce reliance on Russian fossil fuels. The EU has not yet sanctioned the import of Russian gas, but the reduction in pipeline exports is due to Russian actions and sabotage. Sanctioning Russian gas exports would lead to high prices and energy crises. Europe may stop importing Russian gas by the end of 2027 as new LNG production comes online. However, additional sanctions on the Russian oil and gas industry imposed by the outgoing US administration could complicate matters. Two scenarios forecast the future of Russian gas sales: one where the EU stops all imports by 2027 and alternative export routes are hampered, and another where there is a pivot to Asia with agreement reached on new pipelines.
Belarus, Lithuania, Russian Federation, Ukraine
Future of Russian gas looking bleak as Ukraine turns off taps and Europe eyes ending all imports
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is working with development finance institutions and the G20 Presidency to mobilize funding for critical digital infrastructure. The Digital Infrastructure Investment Initiative brings together multinational companies and industry players to bridge digital divides. Key players, such as SBA Communications, FTTH Council Europe, Microsoft, Macquarie, e&, MTN, and Kacific, offer their perspectives on investing in telecom towers, promoting sustainable fiber, advancing high-speed internet access, providing crucial capital investment, expanding network access and digital services, and transforming rural connectivity. The goal is to bring meaningful connectivity to all by 2030.
ICT, Financial services
Digital infrastructure investment: Industry players
The progress of artificial intelligence (AI) raises urgent questions about safety and the future of humanity. Looking to the past, we can find insights from thinkers like Ada Lovelace and Alan Turing. Lovelace recognized the potential of machines to someday have AI-like capabilities and foresaw the use of machines in composing music. Turing developed the Turing test to determine if a computer can think like a human. He believed in the potential of machines but also acknowledged the possibility of human subordination to thinking machines. Exploring further, Norbert Wiener emphasized the ethical considerations of AI. The insights from these past thinkers can inform how we handle the risks of AI in the present and future.
Artificial intelligence: what five giants of the past can teach us about handling the risks
Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, has announced changes to how it addresses misinformation on its platforms. Instead of relying on third-party fact-checkers, Meta will implement "community notes," which allow users to flag questionable content. While this may seem democratic, research on group dynamics in social media suggests that this approach may polarize platforms further and amplify extreme voices. Humans are biased in evaluating information, trusting their in-group and distrusting out-group perspectives, leading to echo chambers. Politics intensifies these dynamics, as political groups define "the truth" to advantage themselves. Social media exacerbates this by promoting extreme and negative views, driving communities apart. This could undermine the effectiveness of community notes and foster a culture of hate. Diversifying information sources and engaging across different groups are potential solutions to address polarization.
The dynamics that polarise us on social media are about to get worse
Geopolitical tensions, complex supply chains, and emerging technologies contribute to increased cyber risks. Organizations must adapt to these threats through proactive cyber strategies to safeguard critical infrastructure and operations. The World Economic Forum's Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2025 highlights the importance of addressing geopolitical risks in cybersecurity strategies, securing supply chains, and adopting secure AI practices. Additionally, raising awareness and promoting cybersecurity education through music and storytelling can make it more accessible. Organizations should prioritize cyber resilience and conduct tabletop exercises to prepare for cyber attacks and build effective response plans.
Financial services
On Radio Davos: Afrobeats and tabletop exercises - ways to tackle the risks raised in the Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2025
Artificial intelligence is not a cure-all for climate change, according to the World Economic Forum's annual meeting in Davos. The potential of advanced tools like AI can only be realized when combined with the insights and collaboration of indigenous peoples, local communities, and private-sector actors. Ecosystems and the interconnected cycles that sustain the planet are being disrupted by climate change, emphasizing the need for comprehensive and collaborative approaches to address the crisis.
AI Alone Won’t Save the Planet
Generative AI, specifically OpenAI's ChatGPT, has the potential to significantly enhance organizational learning by facilitating human-machine interaction and the transfer of knowledge. The combination of generative AI with traditional AI expands the potential for improvement in various processes and decisions, leading to new competitive advantages. Advanced organizations view generative AI not as a stand-alone technology, but as an organizational capability, as demonstrated by successful implementations at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Wolters Kluwer. Rigorous studies have shown productivity improvements in call centers and consulting firms when using generative AI tools. This technology represents a fundamental shift in the economics of cognitive work.
Turbocharging Organizational Learning With GenAI

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