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DEKRA at the World Economic Forum 2026: Trust as the foundation for scalable innovation

Feb 02, 2026

When politicians, business leaders, and civil society gather in Davos, it is no longer just about economic forecasts or geopolitical highlights. At the World Economic Forum 2026, the exchange was held under the motto “A Spirit of Dialogue” – and thus focused on the question of how innovation, growth, and resilience can be responsibly shaped in an increasingly fragmented world. DEKRA once again actively participated in this debate and contributed to its perspective as an independent testing, inspection, and certification organization.

Many discussions focused on the question of how technological innovations can be successfully and responsibly put into practice. A stable regulatory framework is considered a decisive factor for investment and economic growth. At the same time, it became clear that further integration – for example, of the capital and energy markets – is essential for Europe's competitiveness. This is the only way to scale innovations and secure industrial strength.

Future Leader Summit 2026

One of the highlights of DEKRA's presentation was the Future Leader Summit 2026, organized in collaboration with strategic partner Sphere Energy. Executives and experts from the worlds of business, politics, and science discussed what really works in practice when it comes to ensuring the responsible growth of new technologies. In his keynote, DEKRA CEO Stan Zurkiewicz emphasized: “Innovation does not scale simply because it exists. It scales because it is trusted.” Such trust is created through clear standards, independent assessment, and robust testing processes, making it the decisive factor for the responsible application of technology.
Three panel discussions explored this approach in greater depth: one on the role of artificial intelligence, digital twins, and quantum technologies; one on the future of energy supply in an electrified world; and another on the competitiveness of German industry. DEKRA CDO Petra Finke also contributed her perspective to the panel on the German economy. Together with representatives from politics and business – including Felix Banaszak, cochair of Bündnis 90/Die Grünen – she discussed how “Made in Germany” can be further developed through digital innovation and engineering excellence. “The rapid development of digital technologies, AI, and quantum technology presents new challenges for managers and employees. Trust is becoming a critical factor for growth,” said Petra Finke.

A differentiated view of regulation

A recurring theme was the differentiated view of regulation. Although the burden of excessive bureaucracy was discussed, there was also agreement that well-thought-out rules and standards are necessary to scale technologies safely. When it comes to the use of artificial intelligence in particular, clear guidelines are crucial for limiting risks and building trust in new applications. Regulation was therefore not seen as an obstacle to innovation, but as a prerequisite for safe and trustworthy technology.
The momentum of the green transformation also shaped discussions in Davos. The green economy already has a market volume of around five trillion US dollars and is expected to grow to seven trillion by 2030. For DEKRA, one thing is clear: this growth requires reliable testing, inspection, and certification solutions to ensure safety, quality, and sustainability in the long term.

Partnership with UNICEF

Beyond technological and economic issues, DEKRA emphasized its social commitment in Davos – among other things through its partnership with UNICEF.
For DEKRA, the World Economic Forum is much more than just a conference format. It is a central platform for dialogue and cooperation – and a place to highlight an often underestimated European strength: trust in institutions, legal frameworks, and technology as the basis for future-proof innovation.

The World Economic Forum Annual Meeting is far more than a conference for us. It is a central platform where political decision-makers, business, and society work together on answers to the major transformation challenges of our time. For DEKRA, participation is essential in order to contribute our perspective as an independent safety partner, and to actively help shape how trust, resilience, and future viability are built globally.

Stan Zurkiewicz, CEO DEKRA
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