Davos 2026: How is the World Economic Forum Transforming into a Technology Summit?

The meeting point for global leaders at the World Economic Forum's (WEF) annual meeting, Davos, took on an almost unrecognizably different atmosphere this year. The Meta and Salesforce stores decorating its streets were not just harbingers of a superficial change. The 2026 gathering distinctly took on the identity of a technology and artificial intelligence conference. So, how did this event, which brings together the world's most powerful leaders, become a platform for coding, discussing AI models, and telling entrepreneurial stories?

Traditional Agendas Pushed to the Background

For decades, Davos's unchanging main agenda items were climate change, global poverty, and geopolitical tensions. However, at the 2026 meeting, the stage was almost entirely given over to the economic and social impacts of artificial intelligence, investment bubbles, and criticisms of tech giants' influence on global policies. Discussions addressed both the potential and the risks of AI. Participating CEOs stepped outside the usual diplomatic language, openly criticizing trade policies and issuing warnings about the future of the sector.

Technology Companies Left Their Mark on the Summit

On the main street of the Davos village, pop-up stores and promotional stands of technology giants replaced traditional Swiss companies. This physical presence was a tangible indicator of the shift in the summit's spirit. Alongside the forum's official sessions, side events and networking meetings among technology investors and startup founders showed that the real business world was turning in these corridors. Particularly, as highlighted in the Equity podcast's Davos broadcast, notable startup investments and AI-focused ventures attracted significant attention.

The AI Bubble and CEO Criticisms

One of the most talked-about topics at the summit was the sustainability of rising artificial intelligence investments. Many experts and industry leaders warned of a potential 'AI bubble' forming in over-exuberant markets. Another notable point was the Anthropic CEO's statements criticizing Nvidia. Such direct criticisms are clear proof of how much the culture of debate at Davos has changed and how competition within the technology sector has moved to the center of the forum.

From Metaverse to AI: The Evolution of Technology Trends

The 'metaverse' concept, which was on everyone's lips at Davos a few years ago, has this year been completely replaced by generative artificial intelligence and large language models (LLMs). This rapid transition shows how fast the technology world is evolving and how it shapes the global agenda. The forum now hosts not only leaders trying to solve political and economic problems but also companies and visionaries claiming to produce technological solutions to these problems.

So, What Does This Transformation Mean?

Davos taking on the air of a tech conference actually reflects a broader reality: Technology is now at the center of everything. From economics to politics, from social life to global relations, every field is affected by digital transformation. It was inevitable for the World Economic Forum to embrace this change. However, this situation also brings the risk of urgent global problems like the climate crisis being overshadowed. The 2026 summit ended leaving the question of how to maintain balance in mind.

In conclusion, this transformation in Davos is not a temporary trend but a reflection of a permanent reality. In the coming years, the forum is expected to further strengthen its role as a global discussion platform on topics such as technology ethics, regulations, and the democratization of AI. The world is stepping into a new era where economic forums are no longer filled only with economists and politicians, but also with technology pioneers who write code, develop algorithms, and build the future.