The World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report 2026 represents a pivotal turning point in understanding the nature of risks facing institutions and countries alike. The report does not treat risks as probable and isolated events, but rather places them within a cumulative and systemic framework, where geopolitics intersect with economics, and technological development interferes with security, sovereignty, and governance.
For organizations, particularly those operating in highly risk-sensitive environments, the CIO stands out as one of the most important actors in the overall risk management ecosystem. Technology is no longer an operational enabler, but the infrastructure that underpins operations, supply chains, data, reputation, and trust.
Features of the global risk landscape in 2026
1. A world headed towards instability
The report notes that the majority of leaders and experts expect a long phase of global turmoil, with the likelihood of crises rising over the next two years and worsening over the next decade. This assessment reflects a growing realization that the international system is entering a transitional phase characterized by uncertainty, the decline of traditional rules of globalization, and the rise of the logic of economic and technological conflict.
2. Risks are no longer discrete
One of the report's key conclusions is that the risks are interconnected and multiplied. Geo-economic tensions are affecting technological supply chains, which in turn increase the fragility of cybersecurity, while weak AI governance complicates data management and digital trust, under increasing economic pressure.
Second: From global risks to technical risks
1. Turning risk into the heart of technology
The report confirms that global risks are no longer far from data centers or server rooms, but rather directly affect:
Availability of digital systems
Data integrity and integrity
Security of technical supply chains
Business Continuity and Customer Trust
Thus, any geopolitical, economic, or information glitches can quickly turn into a systemic technical crisis within an organization.
2. The Rise of CIO as a Risk Leader
The role of the IT manager is no longer limited to operating or improving efficiency, but rather is responsible for translating systemic risks into technical and investment decisions discussed at the board level.
Geo-economic disintegration as a technical threat
1. The End of the Global Stability Assumption
Trade restrictions, sanctions, tariffs, and competition among major economic blocs have shifted supplier concentration from an economic advantage to a strategic weakness, the report finds.
2. Direct impacts on technology
This includes:
Excessive reliance on a single cloud computing provider
Risks of digital supply chain disruptions
Divergence of Data Laws and Digital Sovereignty
3. Switching from efficiency to flexibility
The report calls for a redefinition of technical success, so that interchangeability, geographic distribution, and multi-cloud become key elements in infrastructure design.
Artificial Intelligence Between Opportunity and Risk
1. Artificial Intelligence as a strategic lever
The report recognizes the pivotal role of AI in enhancing productivity, improving decision-making, and managing complexity, particularly in high-risk environments.
2. AI as a risk multiplier
The report warns that a lack of governance could turn AI into a source of additional risks, including:
Unexplainable decisions
Privacy violations
Algorithmic biases
Data poisoning attacks
3. AI governance as an urgent priority
The report stresses the need to integrate governance at the heart of the technical strategy, with the adoption of international normative frameworks, and to ensure transparency, accountability and continuous monitoring of models.
Fifth: Economic fluctuations and pressures of technical decision
The Dilemma of Investing in an Unstable Environment
With inflation, slowing growth, and financial uncertainty, institutions face two parallel risks:
Excessive cost-cutting at the expense of flexibility
or underinvestment that leaves the technical infrastructure exposed to shocks
2. Towards more flexible technical decisions
The report recommends moving from rigid annual planning to dynamic scenario-based planning models, while enhancing cost transparency and reducing unproductive technical debt.
Sixth: Cybersecurity and the Digital Trust Crisis
1. Escalating cyber threats
The report asserts that the cyber landscape has become more complex, with the rise of politically backed attacks, the spread of digital disinformation and deep-seated counterfeiting.
2. From Prevention to Cyber Resilience
The report calls for embracing the concept of cyber resilience, based on preparedness, response and recovery, not just prevention.
3. Protecting institutional trust
Priorities include:
identity security
data integrity
Digital Reputation Management
Coordination of technical, legal, public information and human resources efforts
Strategic priorities for IT managers in 2026
1. Capabilities to invest in
Integrated Enterprise Data Structures
AI-enabled infrastructure
Realistic business continuity plans that reflect the new geopolitical environment
2. Moving from reaction to anticipation
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