Misinformation Tops Global Risk List for Next Two Years, WEF Reports

Misinformation and disinformation have emerged as the greatest risks facing countries, businesses, and individuals over the next two years, according to the World Economic Forum’s latest assessment. The growing prevalence of fake news, declining fact-checking standards on social media platforms, and the rapid advancement of AI-generated deep fakes threaten to erode trust and deepen global divisions.

These findings come from the WEF’s “Global Risks Report 2025,” which analyzed input from 900 leaders across business, academia, government, and civil society sectors, along with perspectives from more than 11,000 businesses worldwide. The comprehensive report paints a concerning picture of increasing global isolation, heightened risks of armed conflict, and worsening environmental challenges.

“Rising geopolitical tensions, a fracturing of global trust and the climate crisis are straining the global system like never before,” said Mirek Dušek, managing director of the World Economic Forum. “In a world marked by deepening divides and cascading risks, global leaders have a choice: to foster collaboration and resilience, or face compounding instability. The stakes have never been higher.”

The vulnerability of institutions to AI-generated fake narratives will be a central topic when global leaders gather at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos from January 20-24.

With ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, Ukraine, and Sudan, the report identifies armed conflict as the most immediate risk in 2025. Other pressing short-term threats include extreme weather events, geo-economic confrontation through trade wars and tariffs, and the proliferation of misinformation across digital platforms.

The long-term outlook appears even more challenging. Most experts predict severe global turbulence by 2035, driven by environmental degradation, technological disruption, and social instability. The top 10 long-term risks feature extreme weather events, resource shortages, ecosystem collapse, and pollution impacts, alongside growing concerns about artificial intelligence and widespread misinformation.

Generative AI Accelerates Misinformation Crisis

The report highlights how generative AI has dramatically simplified the creation and distribution of disinformation campaigns for various actors, including criminal organizations, state agencies, activists, and individuals. These campaigns can now achieve unprecedented reach and impact with minimal effort.

As people increasingly rely on social media and online sources for information, distinguishing trustworthy content becomes progressively more difficult. The WEF’s 100-page report warns that algorithms with hidden or undetectable biases will further exacerbate the impact of misinformation and disinformation across society.

Particularly concerning applications include AI-based hiring systems trained on biased candidate pools and predictive policing algorithms that may perpetuate existing inequalities. “When algorithms are applied to sensitive decisions, biases in training data or assumptions made during model design can perpetuate or exacerbate inequities, further disenfranchising marginalized groups,” the WEF cautioned.

The lack of clear accountability in automated decision-making systems creates additional challenges. Without transparency, responsibility for harmful or erroneous decisions becomes difficult to assign, fostering mistrust in both government and business institutions.

Surveillance Concerns Grow as Computing Power Increases

The WEF also warned of rising surveillance risks as computing capabilities continue to advance. Without effective legal safeguards, both governments and corporations may misuse collected data, threatening individual privacy rights.

While responsible data collection can improve public services, citizens often remain unaware of how their personal information is gathered, utilized, and stored. This lack of transparency limits individuals’ ability to make informed decisions about their digital footprint.

Supply Chain Vulnerabilities in an Unstable World

With geopolitical volatility expected to continue, organizations must reassess their supply chain vulnerabilities and consider the reputational risks associated with suppliers in conflict regions.

Carolina Klint, chief commercial officer for Europe at Marsh McLennan and a contributor to the report, noted that rising protectionism threatens “already fragile and stretched” global supply chains. These challenges will likely intensify due to cross-border data restrictions and increasing cyber attacks.

“By taking proactive steps to enhance supply chain resilience and invest in robust cyber security, businesses will be better placed to navigate these challenges and position themselves for success in an increasingly complex and fractured global risk landscape,” Klint said.

Climate Crisis Demands Immediate Action

Peter Giger, group chief risk officer of Zurich Insurance Group, emphasized the urgency of addressing environmental threats. With global warming exceeding 1.5°C for the first time in 2024, he called the stakes “sky high.”

“We must focus on environmental risks – from extreme weather to biodiversity loss. Immediate action is critical to mitigate the worst impacts of climate change, and to build resilience. The costs of inaction and the lack of global cooperation are having an adverse impact,” Giger stated.

Despite the grim outlook, he maintained optimism: “The biggest risk would be to sit back now and say there’s nothing we can do. It’s not too late.”