The Biggest Challenges Facing Our World Today

A BCG delegation of global, cross-industry experts just wrapped up a busy and productive week at the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting in Davos. The delegation—led by CEO Christoph Schweizer —joined public and private sector leaders to address global societal and business challenges.

The world has changed drastically since the WEF’s last in-person Annual Meeting in 2020. At the time, leaders were discussing how to “win the ’20s,” looking ahead to a decade of growth and positivity without realizing that the challenges of COVID-19 would very quickly turn things upside down. Now, the war in Ukraine has exacerbated global humanitarian crises, food shortages, and supply chain disruption. In this environment, it’s even more critical that leaders from around the world come together in search of solutions and actions that drive sustainable positive change.

This past week at Davos offered a clear picture of what leaders are focusing on and, particularly, what’s at the top of the CEO agenda. Climate, AI, and the competition for talent are the dominant issues, with the role of business in times of crisis, trust in organizations, and new ways of working also receiving a great deal of attention.

A CLOSER LOOK

These topics are also top of mind for BCG’s experts. To offer a more detailed look at their perspectives, we’re sharing the following videos, which we hope will provide valuable insights to leaders on some of the most pressing challenges facing our world today.

Navigating Crises

Christoph Schweizer and Mai-Britt Poulsen reflect on the biggest conversations that took place this past week at Davos. The war in Ukraine, the talent shortage, and trust were in the spotlight.

Wendy Woods outlines three things businesses can do in response to the current global crises.

Climate

Wendy Woods and Michel Frédeau discuss the significant progress that companies and governments are making on reducing emissions, ushering in the green economy, and striving for net zero. But, as they remind us, there’s still a lot of work to be done.

Vinay Shandal notes that destructive weather events are often referred to as “sudden,” “freak,” or “once in a century.” He explains why the narrative needs to shift to highlight the true impact of climate change.

AI and Technology

Dylan Bolden joins Neeraj Aggarwal to discuss the rapidly evolving AI landscape and what this means for companies looking to harness the technology’s power. Ensuring responsible AI use and focusing on the human side of the equation are central to this effort.

Vaishali Rastogi offers insights on why it is so critical for the world to close the digital divide. Connectivity has become a conduit to information, communication, education, and societal well-being, she explains.

BCG’s experts at Davos are optimistic that business and government leaders have the capacity to solve many of today’s greatest challenges. Nevertheless, amid the ongoing pandemic, invasion of Ukraine, climate change, and myriad other issues facing our world, a great deal of collaboration and innovation will be needed from every corner of society. It’s fitting, then, that the theme at this year’s gathering was “History at a Turning Point: Government Policies and Business Strategies.” The stakes may seem impossibly high—but change is possible.

For Further Reading

A CEO Guide to Net Zero

What AI Reveals About Trust In The World's Largest Companies

The Climate Actions Companies Should Take Today

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