World Economic Forum releases 2026 Global Risks Report highlighting geoeconomic confrontation as top business worry

Key facts

• Geoeconomic confrontation leaps to the top spot on the list of business worries over the next two years.
• The potential for adverse outcomes of artificial intelligence moved from 30th place among short-term risks as of last year to fifth place among long-term risks.
• Global power rivalries and strategic standoffs top the list of most severe near-term risks heading into 2026.
• Misinformation and disinformation rank second on the WEF's list of short-term risks, followed by societal polarization.
• Extreme weather remains the top concern among surveyed leaders for the next decade.