As Davos 2026 begins, KPMG International’s global head of clients and markets, Regina Mayor, spotlights how CEOs are making bold bets on the future.
As business leaders, influencers, and political decision-makers gather in Europe’s highest town for the annual World Economic Forum gathering, a consensus is already building as we face 2026 and take stock of 2025. The view? It’s been a complex year for the world’s business community, with many highs and lows and a deep sense of unpredictability. A combination of both persistent challenges and evolving opportunities has forced leaders to be more agile, more pragmatic, and more strategic.
CEOs are grappling with how to respond to a more fragile and unpredictable world, but there is reason to be optimistic.
More than 1,300 senior executives at some of the world’s largest businesses were surveyed for the KPMG 2025 CEO Outlook, and this year’s findings reveal the scale of resilience, readiness, and strategic thinking that is now driving the modern leader.
The economic headwinds can’t be ignored. Geopolitical tensions and macroeconomic shifts continue to influence daily decisions, from managing costs to navigating supply chain dynamics. KPMG’s findings indicate that CEO confidence in the global economy, while present, is measured, with 68% expressing optimism about its trajectory—the lowest levels we’ve reported on since 2021.
But, despite these complexities, I find reason for genuine optimism. I consistently observe senior executives who are not only focused on long-term sustainability and growth but are actively pursuing it with strategic intent. The resilience cultivated during recent years has fostered an agile and proactive leadership style. This isn’t about ignoring challenges but about confronting them with strategic foresight.
The question on the minds of political, business, and civic society leaders right now is how to navigate a pathway back to sustainable growth. Our findings reveal that for many CEOs, investment in people and technology will be key.
A notable 71% of CEOs identify AI as a key area for 2026, with 69% planning to allocate between 10% and 20% of their budgets to AI in the next 12 months. The findings confirm what many of us have been feeling for some time. AI is here to stay and has the potential to revolutionize how we do business—from driving efficiency to enhancing decision-making and, crucially, unlocking new avenues for growth. In short, CEOs have developed a pragmatic understanding of how technology can be a powerful enabler in an increasingly competitive, complex landscape.
That commitment to investing in tech can only be truly realized through investment in talent, and our findings show that leaders are understanding and embracing the need for a people-led focus on AI. Ninety-two percent of CEOs told us they plan to increase headcount over the next year, with more than three quarters recognizing the need for upskilling and workforce readiness as a key concern in the “race to embrace” AI.
Investment in innovation and people may be dominant themes this year, but last year’s big story of sustainability hasn’t fallen away, despite evolving perspectives and increased politicization of the topic. It’s heartening to see that, in fact, there is a growing confidence among CEOs on climate action and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) targets. A significant 61% of senior executives are confident in meeting their net-zero targets by 2030. This increase from previous years suggests a more integrated and realistic approach to climate goals, embedding them within core business strategies rather than treating them as separate initiatives. It reflects a commitment to responsible business practices that align with long-term value creation.
Davos has its critics, but I firmly believe the annual gathering in Switzerland is a crucial, key moment for collaboration and—ultimately—for the people shaping our economic future to pause, reflect, and plan together. Today’s leading CEOs are not merely reacting to uncertainty. They are actively engaging with it. By strategically investing in transformative technologies such as AI and cultivating adaptable leadership capabilities, they are building more resilient organizations. In this era of profound change, that ability to adapt, innovate, and lead with foresight is paramount. The path ahead demands agility, clear communication, and a steadfast commitment to both growth and purpose.
Note: This content was created by KPMG.