The Human Advantage Stronger Brains in the Age of AI 2026

While not the focus of this section, the importance of brain skills does not diminish as individuals age. Building and maintaining strong brain skills later in life enables individuals to work longer if they choose, protects against elder fraud and supports continued independence and meaningful engagement with others. There is research from multiple disciplines – including education,54 economics,55 psychology,56,57,58 adult learning,59,60 neuroscience,61,62 sociology63 and organizational behaviour64,65 – to guide understanding and development of brain skills across the life course. Despite compelling evidence from these fields, brain skills development remains undervalued and underexplored. These skills can be strengthened by: 1) providing children and young people with access to safe, enriching environments that support the development of future-ready brain skills; and 2) promoting brain skills through workplace interventions. Provide children and young people with access to safe, enriching environments that support the development of future-ready brain skills1 Children and young people worldwide are navigating increasing complexity and uncertainty. Yet their core environments can remain disconnected from what science tells us about how young brains develop. Broad scientific consensus exists that brain development and skill formation are deeply shaped by experiences, including the development of resilience and hope.66,67 Organizations that rely on people with complex problem-solving skills, emotional intelligence and cognitive flexibility have a vested interest in ensuring that brain skills are nurtured before young people reach the workforce. As technology continues to reshape work, the gap between what education systems teach and what workplaces need is widening, making strategic alignment between brain skill development and evolving workforce demands increasingly urgent. Early learning programmes are particularly critical, especially when they combine education with health, nutrition support and family engagement. The Heckman Curve indicates that investing early in children yields the greatest economic returns: the HighScope Perry Preschool programme generated 7–10% annual returns, while the Carolina Abecedarian Project and Carolina Approach to Responsive Education averaged 13.7%.68,69 In LMICs, quality early childhood care and education for all children could deliver a 9:1 benefit-to-cost ratio,70 while Jamaica’s 20- year study showed 25% higher wages for those receiving high-quality early stimulation.71 In addition to early childhood development programmes, education systems have opportunities for creating near-term impact in brain skill development. Daily experiences across outdoor and sports programmes can build teamwork and executive function through movement,72,73 digital environments can prioritize age-appropriate content that strengthens self-regulation and attention74 and workforce preparation programmes75,76 can offer mentorship and project-based learning to strengthen persistence and self-direction. This is particularly critical given the rapid rise of AI exposure among youth. Just as employees are undergoing brain skills training, children and young people will require support to develop the skills to thrive in an AI-driven world. Prioritizing brain skills today will shape the workforce of tomorrow. Brain skills are fostered across the life course. This means recognizing that early childhood and adolescent development is part of the talent pipeline. The Human Advantage: Stronger Brains in the Age of AI 11