Conclusion Brain capital is a defining driver of prosperity. The value of brain capital is being redefined. As AI and automation transform the global economy, many traditional sources of advantage, such as low-cost labour, are eroding. Markets are moving from being tied to physical assets to being driven by ideas, algorithms and the ability to learn at an astronomical pace. On the other hand, while AI holds great promise for enhancing productivity and even supporting brain health, its growing role in daily life also raises new concerns about mental well-being and social connection. How countries and organizations evolve brain capital strategies to harness the complementary strengths of human intelligence and technological capabilities will become a defining source of resilience and value. This report makes the case for centring brain capital as a strategic economic asset. The opportunity has never been greater. Advances in neuroscience have created the conditions for transformative progress. This paper has focused on the economic case for investing in brain capital, but the potential impact on individual lives and families must also remain front and centre in broader discussions. Scaling known brain health interventions could reclaim more than 260 million disability-adjusted life years globally.117 For businesses, the case is urgent. Burn-out, absenteeism and talent shortages are already hampering growth. In a world where 59% of the workforce is expected to require upskilling by 2030, strengthening brain capital is necessary as a core talent and innovation strategy. Organizations that embed brain health and brain skills into their business model will be better positioned to adapt, compete and grow. This report outlines five levers to activate brain capital: safeguarding brain health and fostering brain skills, and studying, investing in and mobilizing around brain capital. These actions are mutually reinforcing and can be pursued at any level. They offer a pathway not just to address today’s challenges but to shape a stronger, more resilient future. First, treat brain health as foundational. No brain capital agenda will succeed without expanding access to the strategies, services and support mechanisms that safeguard brain health. Second, foster brain skills across the life course. Developing these skills requires intentional support in a variety of systems and settings, including early childhood, formal education systems, workplaces and programmes to support healthy ageing. Third, study brain capital. This means elevating brain capital as an area of interdisciplinary research that can connect siloed efforts, attract more strategic investment and support crucial work on measurement. Fourth, invest in brain capital at scale. This means unlocking funding, de-risking innovation and directing resources towards the highest-impact opportunities. Governments can create enabling environments. Investors and philanthropies can expand catalytic capital. Businesses can lead by example, testing new approaches and embedding brain skills into talent pipelines. Finally, mobilize stakeholders to turn momentum into sustained action, engaging a broader set of actors, not just within health or education but in finance, labour, technology and other sectors in order to elevate brain capital as an economic and societal priority. The brain is a driver of human intelligence and endless possibility. As AI advances, building human capacity with comparable urgency and resources must be prioritized. Investing in brain capital is a path to more fulfilling lives, resilient economies and stronger societies. The Human Advantage: Stronger Brains in the Age of AI 25

The Human Advantage Stronger Brains in the Age of AI 2026