The Human Advantage: Stronger Brains in the Age of AI

McKinsey Health Institute (MHI) and the World Economic Forum present a comprehensive framework for building brain capital as a strategic national and organizational priority. The report draws on global research and a year of multistakeholder convenings through the Brain Economy Action Forum.

Key findings:

Brain capital defined: Brain capital comprises two interdependent foundations, brain health (prevention and treatment of mental, neurological, and substance use disorders) and brain skills (cognitive, interpersonal, self-leadership, and digital fluency capabilities).

Economic stakes: Brain-related conditions account for nearly a quarter of the global disease burden. Scaling interventions could avert 267 million disability-adjusted life years by 2050 and generate up to $6.2 trillion in cumulative GDP gains.

AI amplifies the need: As AI automates routine tasks, uniquely human capabilities, adaptability, creativity, empathy and ethical reasoning, become more, not less, critical to economic competitiveness.

Five-part roadmap

The report outlines actions across five areas: safeguarding brain health, fostering brain skills, studying brain capital through better measurement and research, investing through innovative financing mechanisms, and mobilizing a coordinated global movement.

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