Study brain capital3 Studying brain capital reveals critical gaps and directs innovation towards what people need most. The concept of brain capital remains nascent. While relevant work is taking place across many disciplines, there is no single interdisciplinary agenda that could drive strategic investment, standard-setting or collective action. To study brain capital, three strands of inquiry are important. First, a need for deeper knowledge of brain health itself, including how to prevent and treat brain health conditions as well as achieve optimal brain health across the life course. Second, a need to expand the evidence base on brain skills, particularly their impact on productivity and organizational performance. Third, research to support communities, organizations and systems seeking to structure themselves to promote brain health and positive brain skills at scale. Together, these strands of inquiry form the backbone of a research agenda to advance brain capital. Current investments are not aligned with the scale or structure of the brain capital challenge, and without a shared research and measurement framework, progress is difficult to define, compare or scale.94 By deepening knowledge and tracking what matters, stakeholders can be equipped with the insights they need to make informed policy, funding and programmatic decisions around brain capital. Studying brain capital includes: 1) establishing brain capital as an interdisciplinary area of study; 2) measuring brain capital; and 3) accelerating R&D to build brain capital. Establish brain capital as an interdisciplinary area of study 1 Establishing a framework for interdisciplinary study can accelerate progress in cross-cutting areas that span multiple fields, sectors and geographies, enabling the design of scalable interventions. In other areas, such as geroscience, an interdisciplinary perspective has provided the shared priorities and measurement systems needed to mobilize investment, attract top talent and accelerate innovation. To bring this to life, research institutions could establish dedicated brain capital centres or programmes that explicitly span these areas and unite them through shared data and measurement. Policy-makers could recognize brain capital research as a priority area in national strategies, incentivizing interdisciplinary grants and translational partnerships. Innovators and industry leaders could co-invest in public–private initiatives to accelerate tools and interventions. Funders could adopt the framework as a portfolio-structuring tool. By creating a framework for interdisciplinary work on brain capital within the research agenda, tracking global investment and returns becomes possible, positioning societies and companies alike to thrive in an increasingly brain-based economy.95 The Human Advantage: Stronger Brains in the Age of AI 14

The Human Advantage Stronger Brains in the Age of AI 2026