AI era demands urgent global ‘brain capital’ investment: WEF report
NEW YORK, UNITED STATES — The World Economic Forum, in collaboration with the McKinsey Health Institute, has issued a new report calling for urgent global investment in “brain capital” to harness human potential alongside artificial intelligence (AI).
The 2026 report, “The Human Advantage: Stronger Brains in the Age of AI,” outlines a five-lever roadmap to safeguard brain health and foster critical cognitive skills, arguing this is essential for future economic resilience and productivity.
- Safeguard brain health
- Foster brain skills
- Study brain capital
- Invest in brain capital
- Mobilize for brain capital
Brain health crisis carries huge global economic cost
This is because the health of brains, which involves mental, neurological, and substance use disorders, adds 24% to the total disease burden and at least 1 billion lives.
The authors suppose that the world would save 267 million disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) of disability through interventions already proven to be cost-effective and would achieve up to $6.2 trillion in GDP, and that the results would be cumulative.
The brain requires life-course protection, including prenatal care and protection throughout life. In low- and middle-income countries, quantitative early childhood programs have delivered returns of 7% to 13% per annum and a benefit-to-cost ratio of 9:1.
In addition, it should fill significant gaps in treatment, particularly in regions where over 75% of the population lacks access to adequate care, thereby unlocking this potential and improving personal well-being.
Building human brain skills to thrive in the AI era
In the age of AI, the report emphasizes that uniquely human “brain skills” are more critical than ever for adaptability and productivity.
These skills, including creative thinking, resilience, and complex problem-solving, are in high demand by employers; 59% of employees are projected to upskill by 2030 to meet evolving skill needs.
The World Economic Forum’s research consistently shows that these non-technical skills are overrepresented among those deemed most vital for both the current and future workplace.
Investing in these skills, particularly from early childhood, yields substantial returns. The report cites the HighScope Perry Preschool program, which generated annual returns of 7% to 10%, and Jamaica’s early stimulation study, which led to 25% higher wages for participants.
For current workers, workplace interventions that integrate brain skills training with AI adoption can enhance performance and innovation, with companies like sportswear brand On achieving an 11.6-fold increase in return on investment (ROI) from well-being programs that included brain skills workshops.
Measuring brain capital and scaling R&D for impact
To direct resources effectively, the report advocates for establishing “brain capital” as a formal, interdisciplinary field of study and measurement. Currently, there is no widely adopted framework for defining success or benchmarking progress in this domain.
The development of metrics like those in the Euro-Mediterranean Economists Association (EMEA) Brain Capital Dashboard is critical for aligning resources, making the investment case, and monitoring the ROI of brain-based programs.
Another pillar is to accelerate specific research and development (R&D). The authors put forward a strategic R&D pipeline based on foundational research, translation and adaptation, adoption and implementation, and scaling.
They observe a tendency toward skewing in funding, which is usually channeled to late treatment and prevention, and the science of positive brain skill development remains underinvestigated.
The aligned agenda has the potential to unlock advancements in such areas as Alzheimer’s disease, whereby the five-year delay of onset can reduce 2050 prevalence in the United States by 41% and costs by 40%.
Financing and mobilizing a global brain capital movement
Another important step is mobilizing capital and stakeholders. The report emphasizes that brain capital requires novel financing tools, including blended finance, social impact bonds, and public-private partnerships, to de-risk investments with long payback periods and fragmented markets.
The Coalition for Mental Health Investment has formulated guidance to address these barriers, similar to how blended finance has been used to build early clean energy markets.
The report notes that to mobilize, these must be done:
- Engage stakeholders to develop a shared vision and chart a coordinated path forward
- Embed brain capital into strategy, operations, and culture
Finally, to translate momentum into long-term action, a cross-sector movement is necessary. To this end, the World Economic Forum established the Brain Economy Action Forum in 2025.
The report notes, “Global coordination is a critical foundation for the mobilization needs described throughout this report. Without a coordinated approach, brain capital initiatives risk fragmentation, duplication, and missed opportunities at a moment when demand for solutions has never been higher.”
The report concludes that integrating brain capital into organizational strategy and national policy is not only a health issue but also a fundamental economic approach, crucial in a rapidly changing global economy. As the report notes, “The brain is a driver of human intelligence and endless possibility.”
Furthermore, the future of work will lean to those who invest not just in AI but equally in the human brain’s health, creativity, and capacity to learn—turning this dual focus into the foundation for both economic resilience and societal well-being.
