Most Interesting Insights from Davos 2018

A collection of the most memorable quotes from the participants of the World Economic Forum 2018, tweeted under the hashtags #BestOfDavos and #wef18.

Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India:

In a world that is full of fault lines and rifts, we need to build a shared future.

Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany:

Ever since the Roman Empire, ever since the Chinese wall, we know that shutting ourselves off doesn’t help.

We will only be able to create jobs for our young people if we invest in new areas of technology.

Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google:

AI is probably the most important thing humanity has ever worked on.

Jack Ma, Founder and Executive Chairman of Alibaba:

Artificial intelligence, big data is a threat to human beings. I think AI should support human beings. Technology should always do something that enables people, not disable people.

I think, today, the world has changed. Because of new technology, I would say, in the future there will be no ‘Made in China,’ no ‘Made in America,’ no ‘Made in Peru.’ It’s going to be ‘Made on the Internet.’

Malala Yousafzai:

When we talk about feminism and women’s rights, we’re actually addressing men. Men have a big role to play … We have to teach young boys how to be men. In order to be a man you have to recognize that all women and all those around you have equal rights and that you are part of this movement for equality.

Joe Kaeser, President and Chief Executive Officer of Siemens AG:

The Fourth Industrial Revolution is not just about technology or business. It’s about society.

Indra Nooyi, PepsiCo Chair and CEO:

As CEO, you must start with an external perception of the world and look at the mega trends in order to build a strategy that will stand.

If you are doing something really strategic and transformative, it always evokes criticism. So I always said, I have the results to show for long-term management but the scars to show for short-term management.

Marc Benioff, Salesforce Founder, CEO and Chair:

What is the most important to you, in your company? Is it trust, or is it growth? … If anything trumps trust, we’re in trouble.

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Chris McCarthy

Chris McCarthy is an Zurich-based researcher and adviser at a consulting firm specialising in global economy, policy and trade. As a journalist, Chris writes about the global issues that have the most profound impact on the business environment.