In a recent conversation about 2025, the World Economic Forum president offered a retrospective perspective. Framing this year’s theme of “new horizons,” he drew parallels to 1918, 1945, and 1989, characterizing the current era as a period of significant transformation. He described an emerging new world order, the specifics of which remain unclear. Following a tumultuous year of rising populism and anti-establishment sentiment, 2025 dawns with both apprehension and anticipation of swift-moving challenges and opportunities.
As in previous years, we’ve partnered with the World Economic Forum to cover their annual Davos gathering. This year’s special report, overseen by TIME senior editor Ayesha Javed, showcases leading voices and global reporting to highlight key themes and ideas.
TIME owner and co-chair Marc Benioff, Salesforce CEO and co-founder, envisions an era of unprecedented productivity fueled by autonomous AI. Several of these AI agents grace our special Davos cover, alongside Argentina’s President Javier Milei, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, and World Trade Organization director-general Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, all painted by Tim O’Brien. This year’s meeting coincides with Donald Trump’s inauguration as the 47th U.S. President, making his return to office a central Davos discussion point—and a prominent feature of our cover.
Expanding on the AI theme, TIME’s Billy Perrigo examines the U.K.’s leading role in this technological advancement. We also feature prominent voices from outside TIME on our digital future, including Arm’s CEO, Nvidia’s CEO, and Google DeepMind’s CEO.
Geopolitical shifts are also central to this year’s meetings. Ian Bremmer addresses the major global concerns: escalating conflicts in the Middle East and Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine, which marks its third anniversary next month. TIME’s Charlie Campbell reports from Bhutan, documenting the nation’s sustainable development efforts while navigating its relationship with India and China. Bhutan’s Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay emphasizes a new paradigm of urban development centered on human well-being. Austrian philanthropist and advocate Marlene Engelhorn, a 2024 TIME100 Next honoree, also advocates for a more human-centric approach.
Climate change remains a crucial focus. Following 2024’s TIME Earth Award recognition of fashion designer Gabriela Hearst, she shares her concerns about environmental sustainability and the influence of her Uruguayan upbringing on her work. She highlights the generational responsibility to leave the world better than we found it, a state of affairs she sees as currently lacking.
Like the other voices featured, hers is a perspective we must consider, regardless of what 2025 holds.