Key takeaways from Davos 2026: business, innovation, and resilience in focus

On 23 January 2026, Global Business for Ukraine together with the European Business Association, held a special meeting “Key WEF Takeaways for Businesses” establishing a platform for informal discussion on the key outcomes of the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting and their implications for the business community.

Anton Aschwanden, Head of Government Affairs & Public Policy at Google Switzerland, reaffirmed Google’s steadfast commitment to Ukraine’s resilience and highlighted Ukraine's remarkable digital innovation journey, having successfully optimized its public administration through AI - highlighting Diia ('World’s First National AI for Government Services') and National LLM powered by Google's open-source Gemma model – against the backdrop of tremendously adverse conditions. In the wake of continuing airstrikes and freezing temperatures, Anton stressed that navigating today’s fragmented global landscape requires more than just cooperation; it demands sustained international engagement and genuine solidarity.

Tetiana Lukyniuk, Country Director of Google Ukraine, addressing from Kyiv, emphasised the role of responsible businesses in supporting people during the war. Additionally, Tetiana noted a key shift at WEF 2026, moving from broad discussions of artificial intelligence to its responsible implementation. She stressed the importance of ethical standards, human oversight, and safeguards against misinformation.

The broader discussion included Oliver Gierlichs, Managing Director of Bayer Ukraine; Viktoriya Tigipko, Founder of TA Ventures & ICLUB; and Kyrylo Honcharuk, Founder of CheckEye. The conversation centred on the World Economic Forum’s 2026 focuses. These included cooperation amid global fragmentation, new drivers of economic growth, strengthening human capital, and advancing innovation within environmental limits. Artificial intelligence emerged as a central theme. Participants emphasised the shift from experimentation to practical application, alongside increased attention to cybersecurity and ethical governance.

Further reflecting on the themes, speakers noted resilience as key in the global economy. Ukraine was often cited as an example of adaptability under extreme conditions. This included digital innovation, cybersecurity, defence technologies, etc. Despite increased global competition for attention, Ukraine remains a practical case for resilience, technological agility, and the link between security and economic stability.

The discussion also turned to the evolving investment environment. Participants noted that large-scale, long-term capital remains cautious amid uncertainty. Even so, opportunities still arise for businesses that can operate in complex contexts, adapt swiftly, and form partnerships within regional and sectoral ecosystems. Early market entry, localisation, and collaboration were emphasised as potential sources of competitive edge.

Global Business for Ukraine and the European Business Association express their gratitude to Google for hosting this important discussion and acknowledge the contributions of Anton Aschwanden and Tetiana Lukyniuk. We also thank our speakers — Oliver Gierlichs, Managing Director of Bayer Ukraine; Viktoriya Tigipko, Founder of TA Ventures & ICLUB; and Kyrylo Honcharuk, Founder of CheckEye — for their valuable insights and open exchange.