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The discussions at Davos 2025 highlighted AI’s growing influence on global collaboration, ethical governance, and the evolving balance between national investments and open-source innovation.
Dalith Steiger-Gablinger, Co-Founder SwissCognitive – “AI Takes Center Stage at Davos 2025: A SwissCognitive Perspective”
The buzz around AI was impossible to ignore, with sessions ranging from “Harnessing AI for Social Innovation” to “The Pulse of AI Innovation”. Clearly, the technology has moved beyond mere hype and into the realm of transformative force. As James Ong, one of the panellists, aptly put it, “We need to rethink the philosophy and the relationship between AI and human beings.” AI is not just a tool; it’s a paradigm shift that will redefine how we work, live, and interact with the world around us.”
“We need to rethink the philosophy and the relationship between AI and human beings.” James Ong, Founder and Director of Artificial Intelligence International Institute [AIII]
One of the most striking aspects of the discussions was the emphasis on collaboration. Gone are the days of siloed AI development. The consensus at Davos was clear: to harness the full potential of AI and ensure its benefits are widely distributed, we need unprecedented levels of cooperation between governments, businesses, and civil society.
Another discussion that deeply resonates with our vision at SwissCognitive is the AI discussion in avoiding the pitfalls of the digital divide, emphasising the need for AI to “lift all boats” rather than exacerbate existing inequalities. We strongly advocated for inclusive AI development.
The ethical implications of AI were another hot topic. The sentiment that we are not just building algorithms; we are shaping the future of humanity was echoed across multiple panels, with discussions ranging from AI’s impact on privacy to its potential to either mitigate or exacerbate climate change.
As we navigated the bustling streets of Davos, Andy and I found ourselves in impromptu discussions with fellow attendees. One of the enlightening discussions was while waiting for the Meta hot chocolate or queuing for the entrance of the Dome. One thing that was present through all our exchanges. People engaged openly, with respect and humour.
The energy was infectious, with everyone from startup founders to policymakers eager to share their perspectives on AI’s future. One conversation that stuck with us was with a young entrepreneur who’s using AI to tackle food waste in developing countries. It was a powerful reminder of AI’s potential to address some of our most pressing global challenges and SDGs.
The governance of AI emerged as a critical theme throughout the forum. With the rapid pace of AI development, there’s a growing recognition that our regulatory frameworks need to evolve just as quickly. The call for adaptive, agile governance structures was loud and clear. We shouldn’t govern 21st-century technology with 20th-century laws!
“We shouldn’t govern 21st-century technology with 20th-century laws!” during a Chatman rules debate
Perhaps the most stimulating discussions, however, centred around the potential of AI to complement human capabilities rather than replace them. AI should be seen as a co-pilot, not an autopilot. As advocates of collaboration between humans and AI, Andy and I were heartened to hear leaders from different sectors emphasise the importance of involving humans in development.
“AI should be seen as a co-pilot, not an autopilot.” during a Chatman rules debate
The Open Source Revolution: A Game-Changer in the Global AI Race
Another topic that consistently emerged in our conversations was the growing importance of open source in AI development. This trend is not just reshaping the technological landscape; it’s also challenging the traditional narrative of national AI supremacy.
The United States’ commitment to investing a staggering $500 billion in AI over the next three years is undoubtedly headline-grabbing. However, as Yann LeCun, VP & Chief AI Scientist at Meta, astutely pointed out during several discussions in Davos, the real story might be the rise of open-source models rather than any single nation’s dominance.
LeCun’s perspective is particularly illuminating: “To people who see the performance of DeepSeek and think: ‘China is surpassing the US in AI.’ You are reading this wrong. The correct reading is: ‘Open source models are surpassing proprietary ones.’”
“Open source LLM models are surpassing proprietary ones.” Yann LeCun, VP & Chief AI Scientist at Meta
This shift towards open source is democratising AI development on a global scale. LeCun explained that “DeepSeek has profited from open research and open source (e.g. PyTorch and Llama from Meta). They came up with new ideas and built them on top of other people’s work. Because their work is published and open source, everyone can profit from it. That is the power of open research and open source.”
Indeed, the open-source movement in AI is gaining momentum rapidly. Models like Llama 2, Mistral, and DeepSeek are not just matching but, in some cases, surpassing the capabilities of proprietary giants like GPT-4 and Google Gemini. This trend is reshaping the AI ecosystem, offering adaptability, cost-efficiency, and privacy compliance that many enterprises find increasingly attractive.
The implications of this shift are profound. While national investments like the U.S.’s $500 billion commitment are crucial, the collaborative nature of open-source development means that innovations can come from anywhere. This global pool of talent and ideas could potentially accelerate AI development far beyond what any single nation or company could achieve alone.
Moreover, the open source movement aligns with the growing calls for AI transparency and accountability. One tech executive at Davos noted, “We’re not just building algorithms; we’re shaping the future of humanity.” Open source development allows for greater scrutiny and collective problem-solving, potentially leading to safer and more ethical AI systems.
“We’re not just building algorithms; we’re shaping the future of humanity.” CEO during a Panel in Davos
As we reflect on the discussions at Davos, it’s clear that the future of AI is not just about who can invest the most money. It’s about fostering a global ecosystem of innovation, collaboration, and shared progress. The rise of open source in AI is not just a technological trend; it’s a paradigm shift that could redefine how we approach some of the world’s most pressing challenges.
In this new landscape, the winners will not necessarily be the nations or companies with the deepest pockets but those who can best harness the collective intelligence of the global AI community. As we move forward, it will be fascinating to see how this open-source revolution continues to shape the future of AI and, by extension, our world.
“In this new landscape, the winners will not necessarily be the nations or companies with the deepest pockets, but those who can best harness the collective intelligence of the global AI community.” Andy Fitze, Co-Founder SwissCognitive
As the forum drew to a close, we left Davos with a sense of cautious optimism. The challenges ahead are significant, but so too is the collective will to address them. The conversations made it clear that we are at a pivotal moment in the development of AI, and the decisions we make now will shape its trajectory for years to come. This future belongs to the young generations. We, the older generation, must be aware that every decision we make won’t affect us, as it will affect the younger generations! This responsibility is imperative!
As we return to our work at SwissCognitive, we’re more energised than ever to continue fostering dialogue and collaboration in AI. The insights gained at Davos will undoubtedly inform our efforts to build a future where AI truly lifts all boats, creating a rising tide of innovation and prosperity for all.
“We are the change we wanna see”, Yip Thy Diep Ta, Founder & CEO @ J3D.AI, House of Collaboration
In reflecting on our experience, Andy remarked, “The technical possibilities of AI are astounding, but it’s the human ingenuity in applying these technologies that will truly change the world.” I couldn’t agree more, adding, “AI has the power to amplify our human potential, but only if we approach its development with empathy, wisdom, and a commitment to inclusivity.“
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