Governments are trying to secure a world increasingly shaped by technologies they do not control. As geopolitical conflicts intensify and artificial intelligence spreads, the World Economic Forum has called for formal, sustained cooperation between states and private companies to prevent crises and strengthen global security.
In a report, WEF said businesses were increasingly exposed to geopolitical tensions while also playing a critical role in maintaining stability. Their involvement in security planning, it argued, needs to extend beyond consultations convened when a crisis erupts.
“There is therefore a need for more institutionalized partnerships between the public and private sectors to develop mechanisms for safeguarding and promoting stability, and preventing or de-escalating conflict,” the report said.
AI makes that need particularly urgent. A handful of large technology companies develop and control frontier models, cloud infrastructure, computing capacity and data pipelines, placing private businesses at the centre of capabilities with growing security implications.
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The report cited an episode in which US export controls forced Anthropic to suspend and subsequently restore access to its Fable and Mythos models, illustrating the intersection of government restrictions and corporate control over advanced AI.
Unlike conventional security assets, AI capabilities are spread across corporate infrastructure and evolve continuously. Their potential may become clear only after models have been evaluated or deployed, complicating efforts to assess risks and establish safeguards.
The same models can also serve defensive and offensive purposes. AI-driven cyberattacks, disinformation and autonomous agents operating across borders make it harder to establish who is responsible when harm occurs—and who should face consequences.
“Responsibility is distributed even as harm is concentrated. When attribution is ambiguous, deterrence becomes harder to operationalize, given that it is less clear who to punish, constrain or compel,” the report said.
These challenges strengthen the case for bringing companies into long-term security planning. Businesses operating across borders already support critical systems, including global finance. Moving from ad hoc engagement to structured partnerships could help governments develop more strategic and sustainable security policies, WEF said.
For companies, meaningful participation would require investment in geopolitical analysis, crisis preparedness, senior-level oversight and trusted mechanisms for sharing information. Closer cooperation, however, carries its own risks. Governments and businesses must balance information sharing with the protection of sensitive data and intellectual property. Companies may also face reputational damage, commercial costs and regulatory burdens.
Deeper ties can create dependencies and systemic vulnerabilities, while national security objectives may clash with a company’s global business interests. The report therefore called for clearly defined responsibilities and accountability, alongside arrangements flexible enough to respond to changing threats.
WEF recommended establishing information-sharing and crisis communication channels before emergencies occur, supported by joint planning and common standards. It also proposed testing new cooperation models through trusted coalitions and building confidence through incremental collaboration.
“Governments should therefore treat private sector engagement as a strategic element of security planning rather than an episodic source of consultation during moments of crisis,” the report said.
With inputs from ANI.