Taoiseach Leo Varadkar travels to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland

The Taoiseach is attending the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos this week, arriving on Wednesday and departing on Friday morning. The 54th Annual Meeting will convene under the theme Rebuilding Trust.

During his visit, the Taoiseach will take part in a panel discussion on ‘The Hard Power of Artificial Intelligence’, where he will speak about the opportunity for AI to help solve some of the most difficult challenges in society, but will also stress the need for AI to be deployed in an ethical, people-centred way.

While in Davos, he will speak at a dinner hosted by the IDA for business leaders with investments or interests in Ireland, meet bilaterally with business and political leaders, and take part in other events bringing political leaders together with leaders in other sectors to discuss global challenges.

Important topics for discussion at the Forum are likely to include uncertain prospects for the world economy, driven by geo-political developments including war in Ukraine, the devastating conflict in the Middle East and the numerous major elections taking place around the world this year. The transformative nature of AI is also likely to feature strongly.

Speaking ahead of his departure for Davos, the Taoiseach said:

“As global and business leaders meet in Davos, the world is facing many challenges, not least Russia’s war on Ukraine and the devastating conflict in the Middle East. This year will also see major elections take place around the world, some of which could have particularly important policy and geostrategic consequences. Technological developments, such as AI are moving forward at pace and we need to make sure we are well positioned to make the most of the opportunities they present, while also guarding against negative risks for our societies and democracies. Meanwhile, we also need to step up our efforts to end the climate crisis. My visit to Davos is a valuable opportunity to engage on these pressing issues with leaders from the political and business worlds as well as NGOs.

“I will also take the opportunity to engage with political colleagues on the desperate situation in Gaza, the urgent need to secure a humanitarian ceasefire and to press for the establishment of a secure and viable Palestinian State alongside a safe Israel, as well as the ongoing war in Ukraine after almost two years since Russia’s brutal full-scale invasion.

“I will be highlighting Ireland’s enormous economic potential – there are more people employed in Ireland than at any time before, we have a rich pool of talented and innovative workers, and in an uncertain world we are well-positioned to manage external shocks. Ireland remains a great place in which to invest and do business.”