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WEF-Davos 2026: Physical AI and Robotics as a Central Future Trend
From rigid processes to learning systems
At the World Economic Forum 2026 in Davos, artificial intelligence and robotics became the focus of attention. Although the serial use of cognitive robotics has not yet been achieved in all areas of application, companies increasingly see Embodied AI as a decisive factor for future economic and social developments. The focus is on the question of how intelligent robotics solutions can be used safely in business and in the private sector. Consensus is: AI should play a supporting role and Physical AI and Robotics are the decisive factors. This classification is also supported by investment momentum: in 2025 alone, it is estimated that more than $100 billion of venture capital has flowed into AI startups worldwide, a growing share of which has flowed into robotics-based and physical AI applications, according to live analysis and market surveys at the World Economic Forum and Business Insider reports.
AURONIQ ROBOTICS was also represented in Davos: Our co-founder Prof. Dr. Yulia Sandamirskaya personally participated in the WEF and brought the perspective of modern cognitive robotics to the international discussions. In discussions, panels and background rounds, she was able to provide key impetus and gain valuable first-hand impressions – especially on the global developments around Physical AI, the increasing need for secure, scalable robotics platforms and the growing expectations of European innovation leaders. Their participation underscores AURONIQ ROBOTICS’ aspiration to actively shape the future of intelligent robotics and to shape the international dialogue on responsible embedded AI systems.
Several companies stressed that Physical AI must not remain a short-term hype. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella therefore positions his company as a bridge between technological development and practical application and relies on a broad, inclusive use of Embodied AI in intelligent robots. Accordingly, according to Nadella, the Group is investing heavily in AI and cloud infrastructure and plans to invest in the high double-digit billions for fiscal year 2026 to enable the use of AI in industry, logistics and other real-economy sectors.
NVIDIA positions itself as the infrastructural foundation of this approach. CEO Jensen Huang emphasizes the expansion of basic AI infrastructures as a prerequisite for scalable robotics solutions. The company invests heavily in computing power, simulation environments and physical AI training platforms. As one of the world’s most valuable technology companies, NVIDIA views cognitive robotics as a unique economic opportunity, especially for core industrial regions such as Europe, as Huang highlighted in talks and contributions at the World Economic Forum.
Google DeepMind focuses on basic research and long-term development in the field of advanced AI research. Artificial General Intelligence is not understood as a product, but as a long-term engine for scientific progress, says CEO Demis Hassabis. Alphabet is simultaneously significantly increasing its AI-related spending and is planning to invest around $90 billion in 2026, according to the Financial Times, citing company data and analyst estimates. A relevant part of this funding goes to research, security and building robust AI systems.
NEURA Robotics complements the debate with an important European perspective on Physical AI and the next generation of humanoid robotics. The German company develops cognitive and humanoid robotic systems for industrial and everyday applications. NEURA secured around 55 million US dollars in 2023 and a further 120 million euros in growth capital in early 2025, the company announced in official financing announcements. The investments are directed towards the further development of humanoid platforms, the expansion of production capacities and international expansion. CEO David Reger is pursuing the goal of relieving humans of monotonous tasks by establishing cognitive robots and thus building a new leading European industry in robotics and physical AI.
Tesla and Elon Musk consider Physical AI and Robotics primarily product- and scaling-oriented. The company is working on its humanoid robot Optimus as well as on autonomous vehicle systems and is investing significant funds in its own AI hardware, training infrastructure and production capacities. Industry analysts believe that Tesla’s investments in AI and robotics infrastructure are now in the double-digit billions, according to reports from Business Insider around the WEF in Davos. Musk points to the long-term potential of humanoid robots and their potential impact on productivity, industrial automation and future labor markets.
This approach is also relevant from an economic point of view. Studies by McKinsey show that much of the automation potential is untapped if systems are not designed to be adaptive and software-driven. Especially in real-world operational environments with high variability, the ability to perceive, make decisions and adapt determines whether automation scales or gets stuck in the pilot stage.
Cognitive robotics thus stands for a fundamental change of perspective. Automation is no longer understood as a rigid target system, but as a process capable of learning. Companies gain systems that think, learn and adapt. This is precisely where the decisive step from isolated automation to sustainable, sustainable robotics lies.
Author: Mia Naomi Stach
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