Global business leaders are navigating an increasingly perilous landscape, with escalating geopolitical tensions, rapid technological advancements, and evolving societal challenges poised to profoundly shape the business environment over the next year. This stark assessment comes from senior executives at Marsh, a global leader in risk management, and Zurich Insurance Group, a prominent provider of resilience services, who are commenting on the findings of the World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report 2026.
The report identifies geoeconomic confrontation, state-based armed conflicts, extreme weather events, societal polarization, and misinformation as the top five immediate risks for 2026. Notably, misinformation and societal polarization have climbed to second and third place in the two-year outlook, highlighting their growing immediate impact.
Andrew George, President of Specialty at Marsh Risk, emphasized the central role of deepening divisions in the current societal risks. “We’re seeing social fragmentation, inequality, and a decline in health and wellbeing,” George stated. “It’s concerning that as these global risks intensify, major governments are stepping back from established frameworks designed to address shared challenges. This leaves divided societies teetering on the brink of instability and increased conflict.”
Looking further ahead, the report signals the dawn of a new era of global competition. Over the next decade, business leaders anticipate all but one of the 33 identified risks to increase in severity, with 57% predicting a turbulent or stormy outlook. Environmental and technological risks are expected to dominate this long-term horizon.
Alison Martin, CEO of Life, Health and Bank Distribution at Zurich, expressed significant concern regarding the outlook for pensions and public health. “These fundamental areas threaten both workforce wellbeing and social stability,” Martin noted. “It’s striking that societal risks, such as declining health and inadequate public infrastructure, are barely registering in the 10-year risk outlook, despite their current impact on our world. Without urgent and collaborative action, we risk overlooking the very threats that will define our future.”
The report also highlights the transformative influence of artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum computing. These advancements are expected to significantly reshape labor markets, societal structures, infrastructure, and geopolitics, potentially exacerbating global economic disparities. Furthermore, critical infrastructure, already vulnerable to threats like undersea cable disruptions and satellite interference, will require substantial investment for modernization.
Peter Giger, Group Chief Risk Officer at Zurich, cautioned against the underestimation of infrastructure risks. “Despite escalating threats from extreme weather, cyberattacks, and geopolitical conflicts, disruptions to critical infrastructure ranked a concerning 23rd among global risks for the next decade,” Giger pointed out. “This is a dangerous oversight. From power grids strained by record heat to coastal cities imperiled by rising seas, our reliance is on systems that are underprepared and underfunded. Infrastructure failure has cascading consequences across all sectors. We must recognize the interconnectedness of these threats and invest now in strengthening resilience before the next crisis strikes.”
George further elaborated on the disruptive potential of emerging technologies. “Advancements in AI and quantum computing are rapidly transforming labor markets and geopolitics,” he said. “These innovations will revolutionize individual lives, enhance health and prosperity, and shape the future of nations. As automation and quantum breakthroughs accelerate, governments and businesses must collaborate to address the challenges posed by job displacement, economic concentration, and the potential for systemic disruptions in critical infrastructure and digital trust.”
The analysis by Marsh and Zurich is informed by the World Economic Forum’s 21st edition of the Global Risks Report, which surveyed 1,300 experts and 11,000 business leaders, supplemented by interviews with hundreds of subject matter experts. The Global Risks Report is produced by the World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Initiative.
Original article, Author: Jam. If you wish to reprint this article, please indicate the source:https://aicnbc.com/15722.html
