Sven Smit, Chairman of the McKinsey Global Institute, presents a compelling vision for a “Century of Plenty.” Humanity is at the cusp of a new era, he argues, where abundance in energy, food, health, and living standards can be scaled globally, provided bold and equitable actions are taken.
While the tools for this transformation exist, the challenge lies in deploying them rapidly and fairly, Smit emphasizes: “The one who has the electrons is the one that has the compute. The one that has the AI is the one that wins business and war.”
Smit envisions a future where global wealth and quality of life rise to levels comparable to Switzerland, symbolizing stability, trust, and prosperity.
He highlights the need for massive investments in clean energy, electrification, and sustainable food production, noting that “energy makes the world go round.”
Smit also cautions against nostalgia bias, urging optimism and action: “The opportunity is real”, he says. “Growth is good. It gives us the finances to solve our problems.”
