Davos 2026 and the end of the rules-based order

<p>Welcome to Exponential View, the show where I explore how exponential technologies such as AI are reshaping our future. I've been studying AI and exponential technologies at the frontier for over ten years.</p><p>Each week, I share some of my analysis or speak with an expert guest to make light of a particular topic.</p><p>To keep up with the Exponential transition, subscribe to this channel or to my newsletter: <a href="https://www.exponentialview.co/">https://www.exponentialview.co/</a></p><p>-----</p><p>At Davos 2026, the mood was unlike any previous World Economic Forum gathering. With Donald Trump arriving amid escalating geopolitical tensions and European leaders sounding alarms about sovereignty, I recorded live dispatches from the ground. In this special episode, I bring together observations from four days at the annual meeting, tracking the seismic shifts in global order alongside the practical realities of AI adoption in the enterprise.</p><p><strong>Skip to the best bits:</strong></p><p>(00:38) Day one at Davos</p><p>(02:10) Three recurring themes through the week</p><p>(03:55) Day three at Davos</p><p>(05:12) Mark Carney's stirring speech</p><p>(05:52) Why European leaders are sounding the alarm</p><p>(06:51) Why technological sovereignty just became urgent</p><p>(09:31) Day four at Davos</p><p>(12:59) What leaders really have to say on AI adoption</p><p>(14:07) The case for only using open source models</p><p><strong>Where to find me:</strong></p><p>Exponential View newsletter: <a href="https://www.exponentialview.co/">https://www.exponentialview.co/</a></p><p>Website: <a href="https://www.azeemazhar.com/">https://www.azeemazhar.com/</a></p><p>LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/azhar/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/azhar/</a></p><p>Twitter/X: <a href="https://x.com/azeem">https://x.com/azeem</a></p><p>Production by supermix.io and EPIIPLUS1. Production and research: Chantal Smith and Marija Gavrilov.</p><br/> <p>Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.</p>