Last week, the 2025 World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland took place – bringing together influential leaders from government, business, academia, and civil society to discuss critical global challenges. Please find a breakdown of the major news, trends, themes, and takeaways from this year’s event below.
Through Highwire’s interactions with reporters on the ground at Davos, top editorial decision-makers from leading outlets such as Axios, CNBC, CNN, WSJ, CNN, Business Insider, and Semafor — were in attendance, covering key sessions and interviewing CEOs live. These interviews often serve as the cornerstone for broadcast coverage, allowing for real-time insights directly from the event. For example, Marc Benioff joined Axios’ Ina Fried on stage for a 1:1 fireside conversation about AI agents, managing them, and improving business outcomes with the technology. That commentary was echoed in CNN, Fortune, and Yahoo! Finance, among other places.
Over 1,600 political and business leaders attended Davos, including 900+ top CEOs, with 120+ recognized as innovators shaping their industries. The Forum’s diverse participation—spanning sectors, backgrounds, and genders—fostered discussions on global issues like AI, sustainability, and economic transformation. A few notable attendees include:
- Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella discussed how technology can foster inclusivity and innovation across industries and weighed in on Stargate’s AI venture
- Coverage: Forbes
- U.S. President Donald Trump addressed the forum in a virtual speech and took questions from the CEOs of Blackstone, Bank of America, TotalEnergies, and Banco Santander on market conditions amid global tensions
- Coverage: Bloomberg
- Former U.S. President Joe Biden addressed the forum, highlighting the U.S.'s commitment to climate leadership and global cooperation
- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed India’s role in global tech development and clean energy investments
- Coverage: CNBC
- Coverage: CNBC
- China's Vice Premier emphasized the country’s shift toward a green economy and deepened cooperation with global partners
- Coverage: Bloomberg
- BlackRock CEO Larry Fink addressed financial markets and the need for investment in climate technologies
- Bill Gates spoke about his foundation’s work on global health, particularly in addressing vaccine equity and preparing for future pandemics
- Coverage: Fortune
Coverage at WEF generally falls into two main categories:
- Broadcast Interviews: Major networks like CNBC and Yahoo Finance send teams to conduct live interviews with top CEOs. These high-profile exchanges attract immediate attention, positioning executives as thought leaders on critical global issues.
- Trend & Predictive Coverage: Media outlets also produce forward-looking analysis, framing Davos discussions as commentary on emerging trends, shifting customer perspectives, and industry evolution. Journalists actively amplify this coverage on platforms like LinkedIn and X, offering behind-the-scenes insights and engaging their networks with live updates.
Several high-stakes issues took center stage at Davos, reflecting the evolving geopolitical and economic landscape. Key themes included:
- AI & Innovation: Artificial intelligence was undoubtedly a dominant focus. Key discussions revolved around AI’s role in driving global economic growth, the risk of misinformation, and the mounting call for regulation to ensure its ethical development and deployment. Notable figures like Sam Altman and Yann LeCun weighed in on the future of AI and its potential impact on industries worldwide.
- Changing Leadership & Global Power Dynamics: Global leaders and corporate executives delved into the shifting economic landscape, particularly in light of political changes in the U.S. with President Trump’s return to the political scene. The conversation included debates on AI advancements, trade disruptions, and the potential consequences of his administration's economic policies, including tax reforms and tariffs. President Trump himself made headlines with his address, promising lower taxes on U.S.-manufactured products.
- Global Economy - Trade and Economic Growth: The theme of economic growth amid geopolitical tensions was ever-present. President Trump’s tariff threats on Canada, Mexico, China, and Europe led to heated discussions, with EU leaders pushing back against protectionist policies. At the same time, China emphasized its commitment to market openness, while business leaders debated how to prepare for the economic ripple effects of shifting policies and trade disruptions.
- Sustainability & ESG: Sustainability remained a critical topic but with a noticeable shift in tone. A notable absence in climate change discussions highlighted the growing sentiment that Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategies require a “rebrand” to remain relevant. The focus of sustainability conversations moved away from mere compliance to a broader exploration of the future of corporate responsibility. This evolving narrative suggests a need for businesses to refine their ESG commitments and make them more actionable.
Want to dive deeper into these trends and uncover how Highwire can help position your brand at the forefront of the tech and economic agenda for 2025? Let’s discuss how we supported our clients at Davos and how we can drive impactful strategies for your organization. Contact us to schedule a conversation today.