What we’re talking about (and what we're not) in 2025: AI, cybersecurity & menopause

2025 is shaping up to be one of the most complex years we’ve faced—economic volatility, technological disruption, geopolitical shifts and escalating climate concerns are all colliding to create a whirlwind of challenges and opportunities. These topics were front and center at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland last week. 

One of the most consistent themes? The impact of the U.S. administration. From trade policy to AI regulations, almost every conversation tied back to the decisions coming from Washington, D.C., and their ripple effects around the world.  

I walked away with new ideas and fresh perspectives on issues I thought I knew a lot about—and at the same time, I noticed other topics were missing from the conversation. Here’s what I walked away thinking about—and what we should all be paying closer attention to: 

The conversation I expected to have: people-first tech. 

This year’s theme “Collaboration in the Intelligent Age,” put AI front and center, as expected. But the conversation is slowly shifting. Preparing for the AI era—and thriving in it—is about so much more than the technology itself. It’s about the people who use it and the structures they have in place to support them. 

I’ve been thinking about responsible tech for years, and as AI develops at a rapid pace, it’s more important than ever to be strategic and responsible about implementation and make sure that, as business leaders, we’re bringing our people along with us. That means investing in upskilling initiatives to help employees meet the technical demands of this moment. It means baking transparency into our organizational AI strategies. And it means empowering our people to take full advantage of tech and tools that will drive growth. This is about people enabling tech and tech enabling people. 

The conversation I didn’t have enough of: cybersecurity.  

As a leader, I’m always thinking beyond vision to execution. How are we going to make sure tech adoption is aligned with our mission? How will we turn innovation into ROI? And, how are we going to do all of this while mitigating as much risk as possible? 

In forums like Davos, it’s natural for leaders to lean into their visions for the future. But I would have loved to hear more nitty-gritty responses to what I see as the essential questions behind AI implementation: How are leaders safeguarding their data? What safeguards are they implementing to make sure their organizations’ use of AI is responsible? How are they balancing cybersecurity risks with the imperative to move quickly and keep up?  

I think all of us should be laser-focused not just on innovating quickly, but on innovating responsibly. Without an intentional, holistic data and cybersecurity strategy, businesses risk neutralizing their technological progress—or worse, setting themselves back.  

The conversation I was pleasantly surprised to have: menopause. 

I attended a “menopause matters” dinner—something that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago, even to those of us who have been thinking and talking about menopause for much longer than that. To me, this year’s WEF marked a breakthrough moment in the conversation about the economics of women’s health. 

Business leaders are finally waking up to the realities of what menopause can mean for their organizations: women over 50 are among the fastest-growing employment groups in many developed countries, but because of menopause, huge numbers are dropping out of the workforce. A study by The Mayo Clinic found that menopause symptoms can significantly impact women's careers, often leading them to take time off, reduce their work hours or leave their jobs altogether—and that’s a loss for all of us. We’re missing out on critical contributions and insights from women who could be at the pinnacles of their careers—and instead, because of a lack of support, can be disempowered from participating fully in their workplaces. Research shows that in the U.S. alone, menopause contributes to $1.8 billion in lost productivity. 

It doesn’t have to be this way. The private sector can have a critical role to play in supporting women through this transition, and that starts with acknowledging that failing to support employees through menopause leaves money and growth on the table. Failing to support employees through menopause doesn’t just impact individual well-being; it directly impacts organizational performance, retention and growth. Beyond that, organizations should look to provide relevant benefits and resources at various stages of one's life, invest in better menopause awareness for their workforces and more broadly build cultures of genuine inclusion and support. 

As we thaw out from a week in the mountains, I’m excited to keep discussing all of these topics, and take what I learned into conversations with my PwC colleagues and our clients. I consider WEF a success when I come with questions and leave with interesting answers—and even better questions. 

Looking ahead to the rest of the year, I’m asking: How are we taking advantage of exciting developments like agentic AI and safeguarding our data? How can we continue to put our people at the heart of everything we do—from AI to sustainability and beyond? How can I support women so that they step forward, not back, during menopause? And how can we help our clients do all of these things, too?