IBTM World Report Identifies $6.2tn Brain Economy
A new industry report highlights a shift toward human cognition, creativity, and learning in global business events.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Remote Work
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In your work, do you feel human connection is becoming more important than AI-driven efficiency?
The newly published IBTM World Trends Report 2027 identifies a $6.2tn Brain Economy driven by human cognition, creativity, and learning. The findings suggest a strategic pivot for business events as they adapt to the impacts of hybrid work models.
Why it matters
The report highlights how the industry is addressing the effects of hybrid working and rising loneliness by prioritizing human connection over simple experience delivery. It anticipates that AI will handle routine tasks, leaving human imagination and trust as the primary value drivers.
The report values the global Brain Economy at $6.2tn, citing its dependence on human cognition. Projections for the upcoming IBTM World event include 12,000 professional attendees and 2,500 participating exhibitors.
The players
Alistair Turner
He is the author of the IBTM World Trends Report 2027.
Megan Henshall
She contributed research and insights to the IBTM World Trends Report 2027.
IBTM World
This organization facilitates global business events and networking for industry professionals.
The details
Authored by Alistair Turner with contributions from Megan Henshall, the report encourages event organizers to focus on fostering knowledge and relationships. It posits that human-centric qualities are becoming increasingly essential in a landscape reshaped by technological automation.
Timeline
October 26, 2026: The IBTM World Trends Report 2027 was published.
November 17, 2026: The full report will be officially unveiled at IBTM World in Barcelona.
Market Landscape
This move signals a broader shift in the events sector toward human-centric engagement as hybrid work becomes standard. It reflects a strategic attempt to differentiate professional gatherings from purely digital interactions through high-value human connection.
Professionals can expect business events to focus more on networking and knowledge-sharing rather than passive attendance. This shift aims to combat the isolation associated with hybrid work by emphasizing direct human interaction at future conferences.
The takeaway
Events are increasingly shifting their value proposition from entertainment to deep knowledge acquisition and interpersonal trust. Industry participants should anticipate more collaborative and focused programming at future professional summits.
What happens next
The full report will be presented to more than 12,000 attendees at the IBTM World event in Barcelona on 17 November 2026.
Further reading
For more on the evolving nature of the professional landscape, see our Remote Work section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Mitmagazine.
Live Poll
In your work, do you feel human connection is becoming more important than AI-driven efficiency?
