In the first quarter of 2026, the global economy faces familiar headwinds.
The United Nations’ latest outlook puts global growth at around 2.7%, still below pre-pandemic averages, while the Forum’s Global Risks Report 2026 describes an “age of competition” marked by geopolitical tension and fragmented capital flows.
Last month, the future of economic growth was a major topic of discussion at the Annual Meeting 2026 in Davos, where participants examined the future of finance and explored how firms can prioritize operational resilience and new productivity levers to successfully navigate this environment.
Two emerging trends illustrate how businesses are putting those priorities into practice: banks scaling more autonomous AI systems into core operations, and a continuing shift towards private credit as companies seek faster, more flexible funding amid tighter bank capital rules and lending standards.
