Global Economic Predictions, AI Energy Solutions, and East Asia's Energy Transition - WEF Top Stories

Watch a 14-minute compilation video featuring four distinct segments covering major economic and technological developments from the World Economic Forum. Explore Gita Gopinath's economic predictions for 2026, where the Harvard economics professor and former IMF deputy managing director analyzes why recent global turmoil hasn't impacted growth rates, discusses AI's potential and bubble concerns, and addresses the threat of jobless growth. Discover how Emerald AI is tackling the massive energy consumption problem of AI data centers through innovative regulation technology, as explained by founder and CEO Varun Sivaram, who demonstrates how AI can actually reduce rather than increase local power bills. Learn about East Asia's successful energy transition strategies from UNSW professor Elizabeth Thurbon, who explains how countries like China and South Korea frame the shift from fossil fuels to clean energy as a national opportunity for enhanced energy and economic security with widespread benefits. Examine the complex relationship between young people, social media, and AI companions through a Davos panel discussion featuring NYU Stern professor Jonathan Haidt's critique of AI companions replacing real friendship practice, Gen Z perspective from Jenny Kim on AI support systems, Pinterest CEO Bill Ready, and Wharton psychologist Adam Grant.

Syllabus

- ‘The world is in a very different place’ Gita Gopinath makes her predictions for 2026: Gita Gopinath, Harvard University economics professor and former deputy managing director of the International Monetary Fund, explains why recent turmoil hasn’t yet shown up in global growth rates. She also discusses the potential of AI, as well as concerns about a bubble, and the threat of ‘jobless growth’.
- These data centres can regulate their energy consumption using AI: AI data centres use massive amounts of energy, and as data centres multiply, the problem will only become increasingly severe. That’s the thorny knot Emerald AI is bidding to untangle. Here, founder and CEO Varun Sivaram explains how it works - and how it can use AI to reduce local power bills, rather than raise them.
- How East Asia is succeeding in the energy transition. According to this expert: In countries like China and South Korea, argues UNSW professor Elizabeth Thurbon, the transition from fossil fuels to clean energy is framed as a massive opportunity: one that can provide a huge boost to national, #energy and economic security - and whose benefits can be felt and shared by all.
- Young people, social media and AI: what’s a healthy way forward?: ‘Friendships are awkward and hard and you need a lot of practice. AI companions take all of it away’, says Jonathan Haidt, professor at NYU Stern and critic of social media use in childhood and adolescence. But Gen Z-er Jenny Kim disagrees, and says AI companions provide her with support when her real friends aren’t available. Also on the Davos panel were Bill Ready, CEO of Pinterest, and Adam Grant, psychologist at Wharton School.