From June 23 to 25, 2026, our CEO, Carlos González, represented Makaia at the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting of the New Champions in Dalian, China. The event, known as the «Summer Davos,» brought together more than 1,800 leaders from governments, businesses, academia, and civil society from over 90 countries under the theme Innovating at Scale: How to bridge the gap between technological progress and its actual impact on the economy and on people.
Being in this space as a Latin American organization that has been working on ICT adoption and digital transformation for twenty years holds particular value: we don’t have to start from scratch. We arrive with context, with evidence, and with the certainty that many of the questions the world is trying to answer are questions that we at Makaia have been addressing for some time.
These are the conversations that resonated with us the most, and how they connect to what we do.
Educate students to use technology critically, not just to use it
During the session AI Safety in the Affection Economy The discussion centered on a growing phenomenon: the use of chatbots as emotional companions. This trend raises serious questions about its effects—especially on young people—and about how families and organizations can anticipate and manage those risks.
The most effective tool is not technological restriction but education. Young people, parents, and caregivers with digital literacy—who are able to understand the risks and make informed decisions about how they use technology. At Makaia, our “ICT Empowerment” program is based precisely on that premise: it’s not enough to teach people how to use a tool; we must develop the critical thinking skills needed to understand its implications.
More women designing AI, not just using it
Are Women Missing Out on AI? She made a distinction worth noting: there is a huge difference between participating as a user of a technology and being part of the group that designs and defines it. The challenge lies not only in access—it lies in influence.
Including more women in AI design and development processes is essential to building technology that is less biased and more people-centered.
Aging as an Opportunity, Not a Problem
Ageing as an Asset It brought to the forefront a reality that we in Latin America cannot ignore: the world’s population is aging at a rapid pace, and the labor market has not yet created pathways for people over 50 to remain active participants in it. Creating meaningful career paths for this age group is not just a matter of inclusion—it is a productivity strategy.
What We Took Away from Dalian
Events like the Summer Davos confirm that the global conversation on technology and development is maturing—and that there is room for Latin America not only to participate but also to contribute. At Makaia, we will dedicate the coming years to continuing to build that bridge: between innovation that scales and the people who need it most.
Two decades of work have given us a solid foundation for continued growth—with more partners, stronger programs, and a broader presence in the region.
