Davos 2026: Investing in people, not just panels
Tracy Laabs, Head of Innovation & Strategic Partnerships, shares her thoughts on Davos 2026
From January 19-23, 2026, Tracy had the privilege of speaking at the Brain House and the House of Switzerland on “Driving Capital, Innovation and Impact to Advance Brain Health” and “Restoring Human Function Through Neurotechnology and Rehabilitation Innovation,” and participating in a roundtable and social convening on “Leading the Brain Economy in the Intelligent Age.”
Across sessions — particularly at the intersection of AI, brain health, and longevity — one message kept surfacing: we are at a pivotal moment where human capacity must be elevated alongside technology, not overshadowed by it.
This was also the central theme of the McKinsey Health Institute and World Economic Forum report “The Human Advantage: Stronger Brains in the Age of AI”, launched just before Davos and referenced throughout the week. The report makes a compelling economic and societal case for investing in “brain capital” — bridging brain health (optimal functioning across the lifespan) and brain skills (cognitive, interpersonal, self-leadership, and technological literacy capabilities).
A few takeaways that strongly resonated with both the report and the conversations on the ground:
- Brain capital is a strategic economic asset, not a niche health issue. Resilience, creativity, and adaptability will define competitiveness in an AI-shaped economy — shifting the narrative from human vs. AI to human-with-AI.
- Underinvestment has real costs — and real upside. The opportunity is not theoretical; it is economic, societal, and immediate.
- We are moving from “why invest” to “how to act.” Investors, companies, and governments are increasingly translating intent into partnerships and pilots.
At Wyss Geneva, this shift is tangible. From neurotechnology to rehabilitation innovation and data-driven brain health strategies, our focus is reducing time from idea to impact — ensuring scientific discovery translates into real-world benefit for people, not just institutions.
I left the week grateful for the connections — especially with partners from the Davos Alzheimer’s Collaborative, the European Brain Council (EBC), the WHO Foundation, the Kennedy Forum, the University of Texas Medical Branch, Rice University and EPFL (among others!) — and reminded that real progress requires more than great conversations. It requires shared language, aligned metrics, and inclusive participation.
One moment stayed with me: after a panel, a finance professional literally chased me down on my way to the train to say the message resonated — and that he wanted to help fund the work. Whether it materializes or not, it reinforced something simple and powerful: clarity and conviction travel — especially when grounded in purpose.
by Tracy Laabs, Head of Innovation & Strategic Partnerships at Wyss Geneva