The Human Advantage Stronger Brains in the Age of AI 2026

Data deep dive: Cross-cutting factors that also drive workplace well-being and performanceBOX 3 Developed by UsAgainstAlzheimer’s in collaboration with the Davos Alzheimer’s Collaborative and McKinsey Health Institute, the unified model of brain health provides a common framework for understanding how the brain influences mental well-being, cognitive function and workplace performance.Employers can use this model to assess where their current policies and practices support or hinder brain health, identify high-impact opportunities for interventions and align strategies with business goals. It offers a clear, evidence- informed way to illustrate how common modifiable risk and protective factors such as stress, sleep and community engagement can have cascading benefits across brain health and workplace performance. Note: 1. Top risk and resilience factors were identified through a literature search using scite (a GenAI tool trained on peer-reviewed academic literature) and wer e validated with experts 2. Connections to mental health, workplace performance, and neur ological health ar e based on evidence found in peer -reviewed literatur eUnifying mental health, neur ological health and performance drivers to achieve better business outcomes Stress Sleep Community engagement Health risk factors Social support Physical activity Cognitive engagement Access to healthcar e Mindsets and beliefsIncreased r etention/ attractionSour ces of value for employers²Common risk and resilience factors¹ Increased productivity Reduced healthcar e costs Adaptability and capacity to lear nIncreased innovation and cr eativityMental health Workplace performance Neur ological health Note: 1. Top risk and resilience factors were identified through a literature search using scite (a GenAI tool trained on peer-reviewed academic literature) and wer e validated with experts 2. Connections to mental health, workplace performance, and neur ological health ar e based on evidence found in peer -reviewed literatur eUnifying mental health, neur ological health and performance drivers to achieve better business outcomes Stress Sleep Community engagement Health risk factors Social support Physical activity Cognitive engagement Access to healthcar e Mindsets and beliefsIncreased r etention/ attractionSour ces of value for employers²Common risk and resilience factors¹ Increased productivity Reduced healthcar e costs Adaptability and capacity to lear nIncreased innovation and cr eativityMental health Workplace performance Neur ological health Source: Davos Alzheimer’s Collaborative, UsAgainstAlzheimer’s, & McKinsey Health Institute. (2025, January 16). Nine levers to build brain capital in the workplace. https://businessforbrainhealth.org/resources/unifiedmodelbrainhealth The Human Advantage: Stronger Brains in the Age of AI 13