Misinformation and disinformation threaten countries, businesses, and individuals over the next two years. Fake news is on the rise, fact-checking on social media has declined, and AI-generated deep fakes make it harder to trust information. The World Economic Forum (WEF) highlights these challenges, noting they could widen divisions between countries.
Leaders from business, politics, and academia will gather at the WEF Annual Meeting in Davos from January 20 to 24 to tackle how AI-generated fake narratives can undermine trust. The WEF’s Global Risks Report 2025, informed by 900 leaders and more than 11,000 businesses, paints a worrying picture. Countries risk growing isolation, armed conflict, and environmental crises over the next two years.
Mirek Dušek, managing director of the WEF, emphasizes the current strain on the global system. He states that the choices leaders make now will determine whether collaboration happens or instability grows.
The most pressing risks in the short term include ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, Ukraine, and Sudan, alongside extreme weather, trade wars, and rampant misinformation on social media. While experts see these immediate threats, they worry that by 2035, environmental, technological, and societal challenges will lead to even greater turbulence. Increased extreme weather, resource shortages, and polluted ecosystems are expected to dominate the long-term risk landscape.
Generative AI plays a significant role in amplifying misinformation, making it easier for various groups to launch disinformation campaigns effectively. The WEF points out that as more people turn to social media for information, identifying trustworthy sources becomes challenging. Algorithms, often plagued by concealed biases, only worsen the situation. For example, if hiring algorithms are trained on unbalanced data, they could perpetuate biases related to gender, race, or nationality.
The absence of clear accountability for automated decisions raises concerns. When algorithms are involved in sensitive areas, such as hiring or policing, flawed data can lead to unjust outcomes, further marginalizing vulnerable groups. The WEF warns that this lack of transparency breeds mistrust in the decisions of governments and businesses.
The report also raises alarms about surveillance. As technology advances, the potential for increased monitoring by governments and companies could infringe on citizens’ privacy. While responsible data collection can improve public services, a lack of legal protections opens the door for misuse. Many citizens remain unaware of how their data is gathered and used, making informed decision-making challenging.
Supply chains face vulnerabilities as geopolitical tensions persist. Organizations need to scrutinize their supply chains and the reputational risks of engaging with suppliers from conflict zones.
Carolina Klint from Marsh McLennan highlights that countries adopting protectionist policies will intensify the risks facing already fragile supply chains. Restrictions on data exports between nations and an uptick in cyberattacks could compound these issues.
Peter Giger from Zurich Insurance Group stresses the urgency of addressing environmental risks. He asserts that immediate action is crucial to mitigate climate change and build resilience against its impacts. With global warming forecasts exceeding 1.5°C in 2024, he warns against complacency, urging that it’s not too late to act.