The Human Advantage Stronger Brains in the Age of AI 2026

Strategic investment across the R&D pipeline can unlock the full potential of brain capital FIGURE 4 Source: World Economic Forum, & McKinsey Health Institute (2025) Realizing the full potential requires sustained investment along the pipeline. Advances in breakthrough technologies such as brain–computer interfaces, precision medicine and next-generation brain mapping are opening new frontiers in how to understand and monitor brain function. Increased focus on the science of ageing is transforming the understanding of how workplace and community design can support high cognitive function in ageing populations. Across the lifespan, large- scale, sex-stratified studies and the inclusion of hormonal status and modifiers can unlock insights specific to sex and life stage. These examples underscore the need to establish a brain capital R&D agenda that addresses emerging needs and creates new markets. The Human Advantage: Stronger Brains in the Age of AI 17Key question to addr ess elpmaxE actionsHow can we attract new investment in foundational brain capital r esear ch?How can we translate innovations to r eal-world applications and settings? How do we enable organizations to adopt brain capital innovations? How do we build sustainable infrastructur e and systems for scale? — Designate brain capital as a priority for public resear ch funding — Invest in br eakthr ough technologies to expand our understanding of brain function and potential— Build multi-site, sex- disaggr egated specialized trial networks and protocols — Tailor pr oven appr oaches for deployment to the envir onments wher e people live, lear n and work— Engage funders, employers and policy- makers to r emove barriers and enable early uptake — Provide technical assistance to help organizations adopt innovations and integrate new practices and tools effectively— Launch innovation hubs for scale-up of newly developed interventions and workplace strategies — Establish long-term funding mechanisms and infrastructur eFoundational resear ch Translation and adaptationAdoption and implementationScaling4321