Addressing a gathering of global leaders on January 21, World Economic Forum (WEF) founder and chairperson Klaus Schwab called on the global community to embrace “constructive optimism”, urging stakeholders from all sectors – government, business, civil society and academia – to unite in crafting solutions to shared challenges brought about by the transition from the industrial to the intelligent age. “This [transition] is occurring at an exponential pace, carrying unprecedented risks for humanity as we strive to prepare and adapt for its complexities. Yet, it also offers significant opportunities to transcend our current challenges and spark a new renaissance – one defined by advancements in knowledge, health, culture and societal welfare,” he said at the fifty-fifth yearly meeting in Davos, Switzerland, highlighting the theme of the gathering: ‘Collaboration for the intelligent age’.
