ZAWYA-PRESS: Forum Explores AI’s Role in Economic Transformation and Global Growth
As part of the World Governments Summit (WGS) 2026, leaders from various sectors gathered at the Artificial Intelligence Forum to explore AI’s transformative role in global economic growth and governance frameworks for the next decade.
Global Perspectives on AI
The Forum served as a platform to align views on how AI can enhance productivity, infrastructure, safety, and workforce transformation, while ensuring its benefits reach both advanced and emerging economies.
Opening Remarks
Inaugurated by H.E. David Moinina Sengeh, Chief Minister of Sierra Leone, and Munyeong Lim, Vice Chairman of the Presidential Council on National Artificial Intelligence Strategy of South Korea, the Forum emphasized the necessity of prioritizing AI in governmental policies due to its significant societal and economic impacts.
H.E. Sengeh highlighted the UAE’s leadership in shaping international AI initiatives and stressed the importance of fairness and inclusivity in the AI transformation process.
The AI Economy
The keynote by Arvind Krishna, Chairman and CEO of IBM, focused on transitioning from mere adoption of AI to strategic deployment that drives global productivity. He elaborated on the historical context of productivity as the engine of GDP growth and how AI can bridge the existing gap in declining population growth and productivity.
Scientific Reasoning and AI
In the session titled “Can Artificial Intelligence Think Like a Scientist?”, Prof. Amnon Shashua, President and CEO of Mobileye, explored AI’s potential to simulate scientific reasoning and the ethical challenges involved in building trustworthy AI systems.
Future of Generative AI
The discussion “What Comes After Generative AI: The Road to Real-World Intelligence” led by Lila Ibrahim, COO of Google DeepMind, highlighted the necessity of translating research breakthroughs into practical applications that deliver real-world value.
Next Productivity Frontiers
A panel moderated by Amandeep Bhangoo examined AI’s potential as a strategic driver of productivity, emphasizing the need for skills development and policy frameworks to prepare for AI integration.
Data Centers and Energy Consumption
The session “How Data Centres Are Reshaping Energy” discussed the relationship between data centers and energy demand, underscoring the importance of innovative solutions to meet sustainability goals.
Corporate AI Adoption
Antonio Zappulla, CEO of Thomson Reuters Foundation, discussed the transformations AI is driving in business models and the importance of governance and transparency in AI applications.
AI in Financial Systems
Gary Kazantsev, Head of Quant Technology Strategy at Bloomberg, highlighted the need for equitable access to AI in financial systems, stressing the importance of trusted data infrastructure for developing economies.
Conclusion
The Forum underscored the accelerating development of AI technologies and the pressing need for governments to balance innovation with safety and inclusivity. The WGS 2026 brought together over 6,250 participants, marking a historic moment for leadership engagement in shaping a better future through technology.
