The global conversation around artificial intelligence intensifies, with significant developments spanning regulation, investment, and market shifts. At the World Economic Forum in Davos, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva warned that AI will impact 40 percent of jobs worldwide, and 60 percent in advanced economies, likening the shift to a "tsunami hitting the labour market." While some jobs in advanced economies have seen productivity boosts, young workers and the middle class face the greatest risks, raising concerns about AI's rapid advancement outpacing regulation. The 9th annual Imagination in Action Davos event, held on January 21, 2026, further underscored these discussions, bringing together leaders to assess AI's rapid changes and ensure its safe and fair integration.
Governments and companies are responding to AI's growing influence in various ways. Singapore plans to invest over S$1 billion, approximately $778.8 million USD, in public AI research through 2030, aiming to bolster its AI capabilities and global standing. This follows earlier investments of S$500 million in 2024 for computing resources and S$70 million in 2023 for its Sea-Lion language model. Meanwhile, the Texas Responsible AI Governance Act (TRAIGA), active in 2026, seeks to prevent AI and its creators from manipulating human behavior, specifically addressing concerns about generative AI models like ChatGPT offering potentially harmful mental health advice.
In the private sector, companies are making strategic moves. Amplitude, for instance, is investing tens of millions of dollars to become an "AI native" company, acquiring five AI startups and integrating AI tools internally since mid-2024. This shift reflects a broader market trend, as a Jefferies report highlights a move in investor focus from large AI platforms to memory component makers, driven by rising memory prices. However, the report also cautions about the risk that massive AI infrastructure spending might not generate sufficient profits. Amidst these technological advancements, Ring introduced Ring Verify on January 24, 2026, a public tool to help users detect if videos recorded by its devices have been altered, including by generative AI. Despite AI's capabilities, an important perspective emphasizes that human judgment, involving the weighing of competing values, remains irreplaceable for complex decisions that AI cannot replicate.
Key Takeaways
- IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva warns AI will impact 40% of global jobs and 60% in advanced economies, with young workers and the middle class facing the highest risks.
- The 9th annual Imagination in Action Davos event on January 21, 2026, gathered leaders to discuss AI's impact on economies, security, and society, emphasizing safe and fair integration.
- Singapore plans to invest over S$1 billion (approximately $778.8 million USD) in public AI research through 2030, building on previous investments like S$500 million in 2024 and S$70 million in 2023 for the Sea-Lion language model.
- The Texas Responsible AI Governance Act (TRAIGA), active in 2026, aims to prevent AI and its creators from manipulating human behavior, particularly concerning generative AI like ChatGPT giving mental health advice.
- Ring launched Ring Verify on January 24, 2026, a tool to help users detect if videos from Ring devices have been edited, including by generative AI.
- Amplitude is investing tens of millions of dollars to become an "AI native" company, acquiring five AI startups and integrating AI tools since mid-2024.
- A Jefferies report indicates a shift in investor focus towards memory component makers due to rising memory prices, though it notes a risk that AI infrastructure spending may not yield sufficient profits.
- Human judgment, which involves weighing competing values and making decisions without clear answers, is a quality AI cannot replicate, making it essential for crucial business decisions.
Ring introduces video tool to fight AI fakes
Ring launched a new public tool called Ring Verify on January 24, 2026. This tool helps users check if a video has been edited, including by generative AI technology. Ring Verify works for all videos recorded by Ring devices. However, it has limitations and might show a video as altered if it was simply cropped or resized for platforms like TikTok. This effort is a step towards helping people tell what is real in the age of AI.
IMF warns AI will impact 40 percent of global jobs
Kristalina Georgieva, the IMF Managing Director, spoke at the World Economic Forum in Davos about AI's huge impact on jobs. She said AI will affect 40 percent of jobs worldwide and 60 percent in advanced economies. Georgieva compared this change to a "tsunami hitting the labour market." She noted that one in ten jobs in advanced economies already improved with AI, boosting productivity and wages. However, young workers and the middle class face the greatest risks. Her biggest fear is that AI is advancing too fast without enough regulation.
Leaders discuss AI's future at Davos forum
The 9th annual Imagination in Action Davos event focused on artificial intelligence on January 21, 2026. This forum, part of the World Economic Forum's 56th meeting, brought together top researchers, technologists, policymakers, and investors. They discussed how AI is changing economies, institutions, security, and the physical world. The goal was to assess AI's rapid changes and ensure its safe and fair integration for humanity. Speakers included MIT President Sally Kornbluth and leaders from Stanford HAI, Aramco Ventures, and UBS Global Wealth.
Texas law aims to stop AI from manipulating people
The Texas Responsible AI Governance Act, or TRAIGA, is now active in 2026 after passing in 2025. This new law focuses on stopping AI and its creators from manipulating human behavior. It addresses concerns about generative AI giving mental health advice, which can sometimes be unsuitable or even harmful. Dr. Lance B. Eliot highlights worries that AI models like ChatGPT are not like human therapists and could foster delusions. While some states have similar laws, there is currently no federal law covering these AI issues.
Jefferies says AI boom boosts memory chip makers
A new report from Jefferies, called "Greed & Fear" by Christopher Wood, states that the AI boom is changing where investors focus. The report says attention is moving from large AI platforms and chip designers to companies that make memory components. Memory makers are gaining more power due to rising memory prices. However, a risk exists that the huge spending on AI infrastructure might not create enough profits to make these investments worthwhile.
Amplitude invests millions to become an AI native company
Amplitude, a public company with 800 employees, is spending tens of millions of dollars to become "AI native." CEO Spenser Skates, who was once skeptical of AI, decided to go "all in" by mid-2024. Since October 2024, Amplitude hired a new chief engineering officer and acquired five AI startups, including Command AI and Kraftful. Yana Welinder, former CEO of Kraftful, now leads Amplitude's AI efforts. The company also provided AI tools to employees and held an AI week, aiming to transform its analytics business rapidly.
Singapore plans 779 million dollar AI research investment
Singapore's government will invest over S$1 billion, or about $778.8 million USD, in public AI research through 2030. This investment aims to boost the nation's AI capabilities and global standing. Funds will focus on developing responsible and efficient AI, and on training AI talent from students to university faculty. Some money will also help industries adopt and use AI. This follows earlier investments, including S$500 million in 2024 for computing resources and S$70 million in 2023 for the Sea-Lion language model.
Humans have judgment AI cannot replicate
This opinion piece argues that humans possess judgment, a quality AI does not. The author, drawing on lessons from medieval law, explains that judgment involves weighing competing values and choosing the best path when clear answers are absent. While AI excels at processing information and finding patterns, it cannot make complex decisions that require human understanding of values and risks. For example, AI might suggest a mathematically sound business decision, but human judgment could lead to a different, more strategic choice. Therefore, crucial business decisions will continue to rely on human judgment, not AI.
Sources
- Ring Launches Video Verification Tool to Combat Fakes
- AI To Hit Labour Market Like A Tsunami, Impact 40% Of Global Jobs: IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva
- Thinking About AI Together
- Texas AI Law Gets Underway With Stern Provisions To Stop The Manipulation Of Human Behavior By AI
- AI boom is shifting power to memory makers, Jefferies says
- Inside one public company's push to be 'AI native'
- Singapore to invest over $779 million in public AI research through 2030
- Opinion | Humans Possess One Thing That A.I. Does Not: Judgment
Comments
Please log in to post a comment.