Tech CEOs at Davos: Key AI Discussions and Geopolitical Insights

The World Economic Forum in Davos recently featured prominent AI discussions Davos. Tech executives gathered to explore the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence. These discussions spanned enterprise AI adoption, agentic AI, physical AI, and geopolitical implications.

Attendees also considered the broader impact on the global technology landscape.

What Happened

Tech CEOs at Davos primarily focused on various aspects of artificial intelligence. The main themes moved beyond theoretical AI models. Discussions advanced towards practical enterprise adoption and future developments.

Details From Sources

Enterprise AI Adoption in 2026

Businesses expect increased AI adoption in 2026, marking a shift from 2025 strategies. Many companies undertook pilot AI projects during 2025. However, these initiatives often did not reach full production stages.

Dowson Tong, CEO of Tencent’s cloud group, noted a more pragmatic approach from businesses. He stated that companies are now “more pragmatic and specific” in their AI adoption. This signifies moving past a “fear of missing out or FOMO” phase.

Raj Sharma, global managing partner for growth and innovation at EY, emphasized a need for reinvention. Businesses must “reimagine whole processes that can be done with AI” to gain value, he said.

The Rise of Agentic AI Systems

Agentic AI refers to systems designed to perform tasks on behalf of people. The ultimate goal for these systems is autonomous operation. Technology executives are deploying agents across various industries. These implementations feature diverse scales and capabilities.

Uljan Sharka, CEO of Domyn, cautioned against overestimating current capabilities. He believes agents are “not autonomous” yet. Furthermore, they “cannot replace human employees.”

Fabricio Bloisi, CEO of Prosus, reported significant internal use. Prosus currently has “30,000 agents currently running.” Bloisi also predicted that companies could be run by agents within five years. He asserted this is not “hype and hope.”

Geopolitical Impact on AI and Tech

Geopolitical volatility emerged as a significant topic among attendees. EY’s Sharma highlighted its dual potential for the AI world. He noted geopolitical issues could be a “big deterrent, or a big accelerant.”

China’s tech advancements in AI and chips received specific attention. Demis Hassabis, CEO of Google DeepMind, offered an assessment. He believes China’s AI models are “just months behind” those in the U.S. and Western countries.

Emergence of Physical AI

Physical AI is poised to become a key buzzword. This category encompasses technologies such as robotics and driverless cars. EY’s Sharma projected physical AI as the “next wave.” He estimated its market size could be “five to six times the market size of agentic AI within five to six years.”

Sassine Ghazi, CEO of Synopsys, observed rapid development. He stated physical AI is developing “much faster” than his initial expectation of “five plus” years. Jensen Huang, CEO of Nvidia, identified a unique opportunity for Europe. He sees AI robotics as a “once-in-a-generation opportunity for Europe.” This is due to its “incredibly strong” industrial manufacturing base.

Why This Matters

These AI and geopolitical discussions could significantly influence the technology sector. Such developments often affect the revenue and share prices of major technology firms.

Background Context

Artificial intelligence also dominated the Davos conference during the previous year. Its continued prominence highlights its growing global importance.

Industry Reactions

Industry leaders shared varied perspectives on AI’s current state and future. Dowson Tong emphasized pragmatic adoption. Raj Sharma called for reimagining processes. Uljan Sharka noted agents’ current limitations. Fabricio Bloisi foresaw agent-run companies. Demis Hassabis commented on China’s progress. Sassine Ghazi observed rapid physical AI development. Jensen Huang highlighted Europe’s robotics opportunity.

Related Data or Statistics

• Prosus has “30,000 agents currently running.”
• Physical AI could be “five to six times the market size of agentic AI within five to six years.”

Future Implications (speculative)

The potential exists for companies to be “run by agents” in the next five years, according to Fabricio Bloisi. Experts also anticipate the accelerated development of physical AI. AI robotics represents a “once-in-a-generation opportunity for Europe,” as noted by Jensen Huang.

Conclusion

AI discussions Davos continue to evolve, moving from theoretical models to practical enterprise implementation. The growing influence of geopolitics on technology remains a key factor. These shifts underscore a significant and ongoing impact on the tech industry.

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FAQ Section

• What were the primary topics discussed by tech CEOs at Davos?

  Tech CEOs at Davos primarily discussed artificial intelligence, focusing on enterprise AI adoption, agentic AI, physical AI, and the geopolitical landscape affecting technology.

• What is agentic AI?

  Agentic AI refers to AI systems designed to perform tasks on behalf of humans, with the ultimate aim of operating autonomously with minimal user interaction.

• How do geopolitical issues impact the AI sector, according to experts at Davos?

  According to experts at Davos, geopolitical volatility can act as a “big deterrent, or a big accelerant” for developments in the AI world, with China’s tech advancements being a significant point of discussion.

• What is the future outlook for physical AI?

  Physical AI, which includes applications like robotics and driverless cars, is anticipated to be the “next wave” in technology, with estimates suggesting its market size could be five to six times that of agentic AI within five to six years.

• Are Chinese AI models comparable to those in the U.S. and Western countries?

  Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis believes that China’s AI models are “just months behind” those developed in the U.S. and Western countries.