Progress Is not Inevitable

Progress is often assumed to be inevitable, yet history tells a different story. Periods of transformation have repeatedly shown how quickly momentum can stall or reverse.

Carl-Benedikt Frey, Associate Professor at the Oxford Internet Institute and Director of Future of Work at Oxford Martin School speaks at the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting 2026 on why some societies sustain progress over time while others see it stall.

You can watch his talk here: https://www.weforum.org/meetings/world-economic-forum-annual-meeting-2026/sessions/progress-is-not-inevitable/

Coming soon: hear Carl-Benedikt Frey interviewed on our sister podcast, Radio Davos: https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/radio-davos/episodes/carl-benedikt-frey-AI-work-jobs-economics

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