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WEF Davos: Networking in the AI age is about human connections

The last time I attended the World Economic Forum in Davos,  the world was just about to shut down. It was early 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic was spreading fast, and everything was different.  

Going back to the WEF this year, I expected things to have changed, but the shift in priorities surprised me — there was a noticeable difference in how people meet and talk to each other. 

Networking has definitely taken a turn since 2020, and, honestly, it’s a refreshing one. Remember those days when everyone was just handing out business cards like they were going out of style? Yeah, that’s passé now. This year, I saw first hand that people are engaging with each other in ways that are  much more… human.

Think about it: We’re bombarded with information 24/7 from all directions. A business card with a title and a logo? That’s just a Google search away. What’s not so easy to find is a genuine connection, a shared laugh, a real understanding of someone’s perspective. That’s what I saw being valued at events like WEF Davos.

I was chatting with the CEO of a major tech company – someone you’d expect to be surrounded by assistants and formalities — and we ended up having a really engaging conversation about the future of AI (ironically enough!). But when it came time to part ways, instead of handing me a card, he just pulled out his phone and said, “Let’s connect on WhatsApp. Easier to stay in touch.” 

That’s the new normal. It’s less about the formal exchange and more, “Hey, I actually enjoyed talking to you, let’s keep this going.”

Human connections

I think this shift in perspective and approach to networking ties into something bigger. We’re living in a world increasingly shaped by AI, by automation, by the digital space, and the human reaction has been  to crave genuine connections and interaction. Davos, in a way, has become a place where that craving is being fulfilled. 

It’s not just a convention to strike deals anymore; it’s become an event where you can actually connect with people on an emotional and human level.

For entrepreneurs, especially those in the tech arena, this is a subtle but huge transformation. It means you can’t just walk into these events with your elevator pitch polished and ready to go. You need to be present, curious, and listen well. Take the time to ask questions, learn about the person who holds that lofty title. Observe your surroundings. What are people talking about? What are the undercurrents?

Instead of looking to find out what people do or how they can be helpful to you, try asking about their passions, their challenges, their vision for the future. You have to share, too: talk about what you’ve noticed in your surroundings, like the event you’re both at. You might be surprised at the connections you forge, and those connections will prove far more valuable than a stack of business cards. 

In this new era of networking, it’s not about who you know, it’s about the quality of those connections. That comes from genuine human interaction. And in a world increasingly moulded by AI, that’s more valuable than ever.

Image credits: WEF Davos

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