Intellectual heat in a frosty little village? Welcome to Davos
Private jets, helicopters, the Swiss Alps, and billionaires. Sounds like the start of a James Bond movie—or the annual meeting of the global elite in Davos. Each year, CEOs, heads of state, investors, philanthropists, Nobel Prize winners, and activists arrive in this small Swiss town for a week (this year, from January 20 to 24) to debate the most urgent global issues, propose new ideas, and look for ways to improve life for everyone.
But you might be wondering (fairly) why you should care about this frigid little village and the people who enjoy having deep conversations in the cold. At a time when we’re moving from a unipolar world to an increasingly multipolar one, gatherings like Davos offer a valuable meeting point for a wide range of global actors to come together and talk. The world is fragmenting not just politically with diverging global alliances—but also technologically. If you add to that the week-by-week progress in frontier AI and the increasingly close possibility of artificial general intelligence (AGI), we’re entering a fascinating era. So the more spaces we have to meet, the better. Keep an eye out for my article on AGI coming later this year.
Now, that doesn’t mean Davos doesn’t have its critics. In my own circle of colleagues, I have friends who work at the World Economic Forum, others who attend the gathering every year, and others still who think it represents everything that’s wrong with the world. At the end of the day, everyone has their own opinion—and you’ll form yours. That’s why I’m writing this article: to give you a snapshot of what this gathering is and why it might interest you.
Why freeze for the future of the world?
This year’s main theme is Collaboration in the Age of Intelligence. Artificial intelligence and emerging technologies like quantum computing will no doubt take center stage in many of the conversations, especially in terms of how they affect politics, work, economies, and the shifting world order unfolding before our eyes. You know—the topics I usually write about. So if you’re a regular reader of my work, there’s a good chance you’ll find the discussions, panels, and reports from the World Economic Forum worth exploring.
The cost of solving global problems—with style
You’re probably thinking, “Yeah, I think I’d like to go to Davos and see what it’s all about.” Not so fast. Like the most exclusive clubs in your city, the entry barriers are pretty steep. The event is “invite-only” (very Facebook 2007), and the price tag can easily exceed $50,000—plus your hotel, flights, food, and the warm clothes you’ll need to discuss the world’s problems in the snow.
But don’t be discouraged. There are still ways to get involved, stay informed, and connect with people who’ll be there. Here are a few ideas:
Visit the World Economic Forum website and check out their current list of projects. If one interests you, reach out and get involved.
Read the 2025 Global Risk Report and take notes on what might apply to your industry, country, or future plans.
Most panels, keynotes, and roundtables are available on YouTube within a few days—sometimes even the same day.
I just saved you over $50,000. You’re welcome.
Of course, Davos is a lot more complex than what I’ve outlined here. But hopefully this helps demystify the event when you hear about it in the media… wait, am I the media? At its core, Davos is about a group of people who take a more globalist and cosmopolitan approach to the world’s problems and opportunities. That may be your thing—or maybe not. But from where I’m sitting, we need as many people as possible coming together to improve the world from every point of view.
Originally published in Spanish for Fast Company Mexico:
https://fastcompany.mx/2025/01/21/davos-calor-intelectual-pueblito-helado/
