The Digital Economist

"The tools are available, the costs are manageable, and the potential benefits are too significant to ignore" writes Sandy Carter for Forbes with contributions from our Executive Fellows community. "The emergence of powerful open-source models has further democratized access to advanced AI capabilities, but this democratization must be balanced with responsible data stewardship." The perfect roundup of Davos 2025, access the full piece here: https://lnkd.in/d8UsVyMA Priyanka Shrivastava, PhD: “Solopreneurs navigate a complex landscape, balancing the art of time management and skill diversity, while wrestling with limited capital and the challenge of scalability. In a world where competition is fierce, harnessing AI becomes crucial to transforming these challenges into stepping stones for success.” Jose Carvalho “Small business owners are learning about AI through industry-specific forums, peer-to-peer learning, and vendor-led workshops. Engaging in conferences and networking events helps them stay informed while sharing insights through blogs, social media, and customer stories allows them to showcase expertise and explore how AI can address challenges in their industries.” Balaji Dhamodharan: “AI drives modern innovation and enables transformative changes across various industries. Those who recognize its transformative potential today are not just shaping their industries — they’re building the blueprint for the future.” #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #Blockchain #DeepTech #EmergingTech #Davos2025 #FutureOfWork #DigitalTransformation #OpenSource #AIInnovation #MachineLearning #BusinessGrowth #TechForGood #AIForBusiness #ResponsibleAI #DataStewardship #AIAdoption #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusiness #TechLeadership

New podcast alert! 🎙️ Dive into the world of blockchain and sustainable technology with Nikhil Varma, PhD. Discover how these innovations are shaping global economic, environmental, and social progress. Nikhil Varma, PhD , who I know from The Digital Economist , and who is a professor at Ramapo College of New Jersey , and a technical lead at Algorand Foundation sheds light on these transformative technologies. Don't miss out on this insightful conversation! Listen here: [https://lnkd.in/edSNUHGS] #Blockchain #Sustainability #Technology #GlobalAdvancements 🌍🌿

I've been home from the World Economic Forum for a week now. It's time for a recap post. First, by the numbers: 4 Days 1 Keynote 6 Panels 5 Round tables 1 Podcast 4 Interviews Countless receptions, conversations and connections. The #WEF was truly a unique experience. We were lucky enough to have weather 20 degrees F warmer than DC and most of the US. I learned that it's OK to go on stage wearing snow boots - at least in Davos! And I learned that Davos really is as interesting as people say it is. I was told to be prepared for serendipity and, indeed, it was everywhere. Thank you to The Digital Economist, Navroop K. Sahdev and her team for making this happen. Thanks also to John Werner (Imagination in Action), Jose Carvalho (Value AI Institute), Harald Neidhardt (#Futur/io), The Economist, AI House Davos, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Insights Lighthouse, Goals House, ClimateImpact, Nasdaq, PayPal and those I'm sure I'm forgetting for inviting me to be part of your events.

Continued .. Part 2/n At Davos, it’s easy to chase ideas and innovation, but the real brilliance lies in the people—their journeys, stories, and wisdom. I focused on the individuals, not just their titles, and learned something from every conversation. Here’s my way of recognizing those moments. (Let me know if you’d like to opt out.) Anna Topol – Conversations about AI, quantum computing, and Vancouver were a highlight! Olga Magnusson EMBA – A ray of sunshine who taught me how to be cheerful, wise, and grounded while aiming high. Every conversation with her was a joy. Ahlam Alduhaish – We connected late, but I wish it had been sooner. Her kindness and stories about Riyadh have left me inspired to visit someday. Helene Huang – Wise beyond her years, soft-spoken but driven—I would’ve conquered the world if I had been half as focused as her at her age. Royston Flude – Intriguing chats on the future of knowledge representation left me thinking for days. Lisa Loud – She shared fascinating ideas on distributed AI and on-chain privacy, drawing from her work with the Secret Foundation. Vikram R Singh – Proof that you can build cutting-edge tech services right from Punjab. Kiki Del Valle – Insightful discussions about the future of fintech—nostalgic, too, as I’d once built an analytics product for MasterCard. Rob Ginsburg – Great advice on publishing and breaking into the knowledge economy. His students are lucky to have such a thoughtful professor. Nina Shariati – A mistaken identity moment led to meeting Karanvir Singh —a serendipitous connection! Devi Sahny – Left a banking job to build an EdTech company. Young, ambitious, and unstoppable! Indrani Pal-Chaudhuri – A chairlift ride turned into a deep conversation about sustainability and green computing. Mathieu Gorge – A founder who stuck to his vision for 22 years to build VigiTrust. Lighthearted banter in the shuttle ride home was the cherry on top. Carmen Li and Vanessa Heppner – Shared interests in ML led to memorable discussions at C3 forums. Stefan Klestil and Daniel Keiper-Knorr – Conversations about European VC markets, trends, and Canada’s capital scene were enriching. Shahal Khan – Running into him at the airport turned into a lesson on operating across multiple sectors with grit and vision. Lakshmi Shruti Settipalli – Drawn by a search for good chai in Davos, we talked about how Davos has changed over the years, especially the Indian presence. Michelle Breslauer, Michelle Cartín, and Eric Eck – A simple train ride turned extraordinary, filled with camaraderie, laughter, and lessons on everything from Salsa dancing to Swiss train dining to the European AI legal space. Trishneet Arora – Starting a company in Mumbai and listing it on Nasdaq in 12 years? Yes, it’s possible. Margarita Louis-Drey – What started as an accidental chat turned into an amazing, passionate conversation about raising families across cultures. A wonderful surprise! Continued.... Photo : Melodena

As Trump 2.0 kicks off and we reflect on the World Economic Forum's 55th Annual Meeting last week, here's our take on the four *global risk trends* to watch for in 2025, based on our 9th annual New York University-Wikistrat crowdsourced project: 1) The End of U.S. Global Leadership... And the Start of a Polycentric World? 2) Democracy Likely Moves Into Its 20th Year of Global Decline... Will Anyone Care? 3) A New Era of Global Economic War That Spares Few 4) As AI Accelerates, Social Risks Will Likely Be Overlooked Newsweek (thank you Jason Fields!) https://lnkd.in/ed79HDwR We crowdsourced 157 risks with 132 analysts from 37 countries, with contributions from NYU, The Digital Economist, Reichman University, RSIS | S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies and Wikistrat's crowd of experts. With special thanks to: Wikistrat's Tali Neumann (Stambulchik) & Oren Kesler RSIS' Graham Ong-Webb & Reichman University's Lesley Terris NYU's student analysts: Nicole Kruse, Corinne Lattermann, Emily Morales, Jacob Markman, Chuxuan Jia, Sam Hendrickson, Andreja Živković, Lou Germain, Sab Feldman, Jaden Rosard, Penglu Duan, Amadu Bah, Abdulrahman Alhammad, Vassilis Konstantinou NYU's senior analysts: Sameer Dada, Marianne Manpriya Singh The Digital Economist’s contributors: Sherman Kong, Olga Magnusson EMBA, William V., Serah Gaur, Lamek Nyabuga, Satvik Anand, Ethan Nguyen #internationalaffairs #risk #artificialintelligence #future Future World Order

"AI systems are ubiquitous, with the ability to contribute close to $20 trillion to global GDP" write Melodena Stephens, Dr Maha Hosain Aziz and Monica Lopez, PhD. "It will touch every walk of life – the IMF predicts 40% of jobs worldwide will be impacted by AI. AI is not only transforming economies, industries, and jobs, but societies and the planet too. Despite significant onboarding of AI in the post-pandemic era, we are already seeing a widening gap of access and use fueled by AI geopolitics, infrastructure needs, regulations, and supply chain. The purpose of this policy brief is to report on the various features of the AI digital divide and suggest policy recommendations to bridge the gaps." Read the full policy brief (Davos 2025 publication) here: https://lnkd.in/gSYuU9m Contributors: Sherman Kong | Vinayak Sharma | Ethan Nguyen Editor: Shruti Shankar Gaur, Ph.D. Last Call for The Digital Economist Executive Fellowship Program Applications   With just 12 hours left before applications close, The Digital Economist is preparing to welcome its seventh fellowship cohort on April 1, 2025. The Executive Fellowship Program is a prestigious initiative designed for visionary professionals committed to driving transformative change and influencing global economic policies. This program offers unparalleled opportunities to engage with high-impact projects, participate in strategic roundtables, and connect with an influential network of leaders.   Application Deadline: January 31, 2025 | 11:59 PM Eastern Time (US/Canada) Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis, with the first review completed by February 15, 2025. Selected applicants will be invited for interviews. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/d6hbU-Ps Meet our Executive Fellows: https://lnkd.in/geDPwy6 Apply here: https://lnkd.in/d369XF4H #ExecutiveFellowship #LeadershipDevelopment #GlobalEconomy #Sustainability #InclusiveGrowth #ProfessionalGrowth #NetworkingOpportunities #CareerDevelopment #GlobalForums #Mentorship #Davos2025 #UNGA2025 #WorldBankMeetings #IMFMeetings #ThoughtLeadership #Innovation #EmergingLeaders #GlobalLeadership #SustainableDevelopment #ImpactfulLeadership #TechPolicy #BlockchainInnovation #AILeadership #HumanCenteredEconomy #DigitalTransformation #EconomicPolicy #FutureLeaders #LeadershipJourney #TransformativeExperience #ResearchAndAdvocacy #GlobalEvents #StrategicSessions #EarlyCareerOpportunities #SeniorProfessionalDevelopment #GlobalCommunity #Entrepreneurship #SectorLeaders #ImpactfulProjects #CollaborativeLeadership #InnovationEcosystem #PolicyInfluence #FellowshipOpportunity #LeadershipForChange #EconomicGrowth #GlobalCollaboration #ClimateAction #FutureFocused #NextGenLeaders #TechForGood #Empowerment #ImpactDriven

At events like Davos, it’s easy to get caught up in the rush—the latest innovations, the cutting edge, the next big thing. But in the whirlwind of ideas and debates, the most brilliant part of it all often goes unnoticed: the people, their journeys, their stories, and their essence. Over the past week, I met dozens—if not hundreds—of incredible individuals. But instead of focusing on titles and affiliations, I chose to focus on the people themselves. And in every conversation, big or small, I learned something valuable. This is my way of recognizing those moments and the lessons they brought. (If you’d prefer not to be mentioned, please feel free to message me.) Navroop K. Sahdev – A powerhouse of hard work, momentum, and kindness. Watching her grow an idea into a giant in economic advisory has been awe-inspiring, and I know she’s only getting started! It’s always a privilege to work alongside her. Shruti Shankar Gaur,– The unsung hero who sacrificed her own time to ensure every delegate was taken care of. A brilliant academic with organizational skills that put most to shame. Jose Carvalho – Calm, gritty, and driven—an unstoppable combination. Congratulations on launching the Value Institute at Davos! Ann Dunkin – A masterclass in taking a principled approach and seeing beyond the headlines. Joseph Raczynski and Dr Dimitrios Salampasis – My chalet housemates for three days. Brilliant, humble, and always up for deep, polite yet challenging conversations. Coming home to an Alpine village surrounded by roosters and cows was a surreal contrast to the intensity of Davos. Océane Desvigne – A masterclass in being focused, charming, smart, and witty—she’s a go-getter who doesn’t let hurdles stop her. Jennifer H. – Wise, experienced, and effortlessly humble. Her openness made it hard to guess her incredible credentials from HBS, KPP, and Ogilvy. Monica Lopez, PhD – Razor-sharp focus personified! One of the brightest minds in AI, yet refreshingly relatable (especially when navigating too many WhatsApp messages). Thanks for the book Ex Machina—I’m already a couple of chapters in! Bhuva Shakti – From a monastery to computer engineering, banking, and now VC—her journey is as inspiring as her TEDx talk. And her daughter Reva S. breaking ceilings as a young VP at JP Morgan Chase? Equally remarkable! Melodena Stephens – A gem of a person who taught me to be global while staying tuned to local nuances. Her conversations were always thought-provoking and powerful. Dr. Manjula Pooja Shroff – My long-lost sister from Gujarat! We bonded over AI events, Indian meetings, and shared stories. She made me feel at home, even in Indian Houses where introducing myself as a Sikh man from Vancouver always sparked unique conversations 😀 Andrew Ng – After a decade of following his ML course, I finally got to meet the teacher. What a moment! Part 1/n... continued Photo Credits : Olga Magnusson EMBA

Coming soon: The Future of Trust Podcast 🎧 Join Demia Founder Mat Yarger in conversation with leaders, visionaries, and changemakers across industries to explore what trust means in our rapidly changing world. This series will dive into how trust, or the lack of it, shapes the systems, technologies, and decisions that define our world. Whether you’re a sustainability professional, technologist or entrepreneur, subscribe now to gain real-world insights into work at the intersection of technology, data, and sustainability. Spotify https://lnkd.in/dEtRyp6N Apple https://lnkd.in/dmxuKsDM

Applications for The Digital Economist Executive Fellowship 2025-26 close TOMORROW, January 31, at 11:59 PM ET. The incoming cohort’s first in-person touchpoint will take place in Washington, D.C., in conjunction with the Spring Meetings of The World Bank/International Monetary Fund, alongside current Executive Fellows at the Center of Excellence on Human-centered Global Economy. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/d6hbU-Ps Meet our Executive Fellows: https://lnkd.in/geDPwy6 Apply here: https://lnkd.in/d369XF4H #ExecutiveFellowship #LeadershipDevelopment #GlobalEconomy #Sustainability #InclusiveGrowth #ProfessionalGrowth #NetworkingOpportunities #CareerDevelopment #GlobalForums #Mentorship #Davos2025 #UNGA2025 #WorldBankMeetings #IMFMeetings #ThoughtLeadership #Innovation #EmergingLeaders #GlobalLeadership #SustainableDevelopment #ImpactfulLeadership #TechPolicy #BlockchainInnovation #AILeadership #HumanCenteredEconomy #DigitalTransformation #EconomicPolicy #FutureLeaders #LeadershipJourney #TransformativeExperience #ResearchAndAdvocacy #GlobalEvents #StrategicSessions #EarlyCareerOpportunities #SeniorProfessionalDevelopment #GlobalCommunity #Entrepreneurship #SectorLeaders #ImpactfulProjects #CollaborativeLeadership #InnovationEcosystem #PolicyInfluence #FellowshipOpportunity #LeadershipForChange #EconomicGrowth #GlobalCollaboration #ClimateAction #FutureFocused #NextGenLeaders #TechForGood #Empowerment #ImpactDriven

⚡ Reimagining the Future of Energy 🌍🔋 At the Energy Futures Forum, we explored bold innovations shaping sustainable energy and circular solutions. From wind power to decarbonized concrete, from aviation fuels to transforming fashion waste into energy—our speakers and guests proved that the future of energy is already in motion. 🚀🌱 The day began with an insightful keynote from Ann Dunkin, former CIO of the US Department of Energy, setting the stage for a lineup of groundbreaking presentations. 🏛️💡 Companies like Waste Equity, Made in Sustainability, Vestas, Bton, and Infinium showcased visionary approaches to optimizing circularity and revolutionizing energy production. ⚙️🌎 A huge thank you to every guest who joined us in pushing the boundaries. The transition to sustainable energy futures isn’t just necessary—it’s happening now! 🔥 We are grateful for the insights our speakers shared with us! 🎤 Ann Dunkin, Indrani Pal-Chaudhuri, Joachim Swensson, Alessa Berg, Wilhelm Dieckmann, Szilard Szurdok, Aurora Chiste, Ingmar Rentzhog, Thomas Demmel, Sebastian Heitmann, Shashank Nigam ✈, Cveta Majtanovic, Ciara (Ki-ra) H., Pascal Siegrist, Robert Schuetzle, Lars Conzendorf, Morten Dyrholm, Dr. Anna Gawlikowska, Harald Neidhardt. And of course, special thanks to our partners who helped us to make this discussion possible: Made in Sustainability, Fashion 2 Energy, The Digital Economist, We Don't Have Time, Top Tier Impact, Web Summit, Open Origin, Waste Equity, weev.one, Worth Media Group ⚡ #EnergyFutures #SustainableInnovation #CircularEconomy #FuturioHouse #Davos25