Rice establishes Global Brain Economy Initiative in Davos, aligned with new report on brain health and AI
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Harris Eyre is the Harry Z. Yan and Weiman Gao Senior Fellow for Brain Health and Society at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, senior adviser for neuroscience in Rice’s Office of Innovation and co-lead of the Brain and Society Initiative at the Rice Brain Institute.
view moreCredit: Photo by Jeff Fitlow/Rice University.
Rice University launched the Global Brain Economy Initiative (GBEI) Jan. 21 during the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. This initiative positions brain capital, or brain health and brain skills, at the forefront of global economic development, particularly in the age of artificial intelligence.
The GBEI, based at Rice and launched in collaboration with The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) and the Davos Alzheimer’s Collaborative, aligns with a recent World Economic Forum and McKinsey Health Institute report titled “The Human Advantage: Stronger Brains in the Age of AI,” co-authored by Rice researcher Harris Eyre.
Led by Eyre, the GBEI aims to establish brain capital as an essential asset for the 21st century. As AI transforms workplaces and the global population ages, Rice’s strategy connects neuroscience with economic policy to promote long-term growth, workforce resilience and social well-being.
“One of Rice’s strengths is connecting research with real-world impact,” said Amy Dittmar, the Howard R. Hughes Provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. “With an aging population and the rapid transformation of work and society driven by AI, the urgency has never been greater to focus on brain health and build adaptable human skills — both to support people and communities and to ensure long-term economic stability.”
GBEI to move ideas into action
The GBEI aims to convert research into practical solutions for governments, employers and investors to enhance brain health and human skills. Its mission is to address disparities in support for brain capital across health care, education, workplaces and public policy.
The initiative functions as a global center of excellence and coordinating platform and advances brain capital through four core strategies, including:
- Defining a shared framework that integrates brain health and skills as a unified driver of human and economic performance.
- Measuring impact by establishing common research agendas, standards and metrics for brain capital.
- Testing solutions through real-world pilots that improve cognitive health, workforce performance and local economic outcomes.
- Supporting investment in brain health by developing financing frameworks to attract capital that is aligned with long-term value creation.
In its first year, the GBEI will establish a global brain research agenda, piloting brain economy strategies in select regions and introducing a framework to guide funders and financial leaders. It will also advocate for brain economy public policies at major global forums, including the G7 Summit in France, G20 Summit in the U.S., United Nations General Assembly, World Health Assembly and COP31 in Turkey.
Through this work, the initiative unites partners across various sectors to strengthen workforce resilience, support innovation and improve long-term economic outcomes.
“Together, these efforts aim to translate the concept of the brain economy into action by aligning research, policy and investment around human potential,” said Eyre, the Harry Z. Yan and Weiman Gao Senior Fellow for Brain Health and Society at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, senior adviser for neuroscience in Rice’s Office of Innovation and co-lead of the Brain and Society Initiative at the Rice Brain Institute.
Why brain capital matters for global growth
The World Economic Forum report highlights the increasing importance of brain capital in the AI age. Created through the Brain Economy Action Forum, an initiative focused on brain capital as an economic asset, the report was produced in collaboration with the McKinsey Health Institute and features key contributions from Eyre. It defines brain capital as encompassing both brain health and brain skills such as adaptability, empathy and complex problem-solving.
The report estimates that implementing proven brain health interventions could reclaim more than 260 million disability-adjusted life years and yield $6.2 trillion in economic gains by 2050. It also emphasizes that brain health conditions make up a significant portion of the global disease burden across all age groups.
“By enhancing brain health and brain skills, societies can boost productivity, workforce participation and overall quality of life,” Eyre said.
Rice’s role in advancing the brain economy
Through the GBEI, Rice is bridging brain science with practical actions by integrating neuroscience research with workforce performance, investment strategies and public policy.
This initiative works directly with the Rice Brain Institute, which connects neuroscience and neuroengineering with economics, policy and social systems to better understand how brain health affects human and economic outcomes.
Moreover, Rice serves as co-chair of the Center for Houston’s Future Project Metis, a city-level brain economy transition project that functions as a blueprint for a place-based approach. In addition to Rice, collaborators include BP, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, UTMB and Memorial Hermann Health System.
By prioritizing brain capital in economic strategy, Rice is positioning itself as a model for how universities can create real-world impact in response to technological changes and demographic shifts.
“Stronger brains build stronger societies,” Eyre said. “When we invest in brain health and brain skills, we contribute to long-term growth, resilience and shared prosperity.”
Center for BrainHealth launches Fourth Annual BrainHealth Week in 2026
Event invites industry leaders, scientific community, students and the community at large to “think about how you think”
Center for BrainHealth
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UT Dallas Dean of the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences Adam J. Woods, PhD, is returning to participate in BrainHealth Week 2026.
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Center for BrainHealth, a global leader in brain health research and its practical application, announces its fourth annual BrainHealth Week, February 23–28, 2026. The week-long conference features a diverse lineup of events designed to educate and inspire people of all ages to take action for better brain health. As brain health takes center stage at global forums like Davos and the UN General Assembly, BrainHealth Week 2026, presented by Ciridian, marks a pivotal moment in cognitive neuroscience. This event brings together world-renowned neuroscientists and brain performance experts to translate breakthrough research into "brain gains." Moving beyond theory, the week provides a practical roadmap for longevity, featuring science-backed strategies that offer measurable improvements in daily performance and quality of life.
In addition to actionable takeaways to improve their own brain health, attendees will get a first look at the latest science from The BrainHealth Project and inaugural data from the BrainHealth Network — a national collaborative set to present critical updates on the exploration and future of precision brain health.
For over 25 years, the Center for BrainHealth has been redefining how people understand and address the brain’s health and cognitive performance. While approximately 90% of people understand that their brain’s capacity can be improved, fewer than 30% of them know how to make those changes.
"BrainHealth Week was founded to bridge the gap between scientific discovery and the daily habits that can improve brain health," said Dr. Sandra Bond Chapman, founder and chief director of Center for BrainHealth at The University of Texas at Dallas. "With a strategic focus on resilience this year, we are highlighting that proactive brain health isn’t just about fixing problems, it’s about building capacity, adaptability and longevity so we can function at our best every day and protect against future decline.”
BrainHealth Week 2026 will define the future of precision brain health—exploring the frontier of biosensor technology, the secrets of "superagers," and the next generation of mental resilience. The week’s events feature a world-class lineup of speakers and visionaries, including:
Sandra Bond Chapman, PhD - Chief Director of Center for BrainHealth and a pioneer in cognitive neuroscience. She leads The BrainHealth Project, a landmark population-scale study focused on defining and improving brain performance across the lifespan.
Mark D’Esposito, MD - World-renowned neurologist at the University of California, Berkeley and member of the American Academy of Arts & Sciences, whose research explores the neural mechanisms of the mind.
Adm. William McRaven - Retired U.S. Navy four-star admiral and former chancellor of the University of Texas System.
Russell Foster, PhD FRS - Professor of Circadian Neuroscience and Chair Department of Ophthalmology at Oxford University. He is an expert in circadian rhythms and their impact on health and well-being across the lifespan.
John Cryan, PhD - Vice President for Research and Innovation at University College Cork, whose research on the microbiota-gut-brain axis is emerging as a key area of brain health.
To see a full schedule of BrainHealth Week 2026 and register for events, visit:https://centerforbrainhealth.org/events/brainhealth-week
Center for BrainHealth wants to acknowledge and thank the sponsors and partners that have made BrainHealth Week 2026 possible including Ciridian, GoMo Health, H-E-B, Corgan, Aging Mind Foundation, Avanci, Blessing Family Foundation, Hillside Fund, Slalom, Mary Kay Family Foundation and others.
About Center for BrainHealth Center for BrainHealth, part of The University of Texas at Dallas, is a nonprofit translational research institute committed to enhancing, preserving, and restoring brain health across the lifespan. Major research areas include the use of functional and structural neuroimaging techniques to better understand the neurobiology supporting the continual growth of cognition, well-being and social connections in health and disease. This leading-edge scientific exploration is translated quickly into practical innovations to improve how people think, work and live, empowering people of all ages to thrive and unlock their brain potential. Translational innovations leverage 1) the BrainHealth Index, a proprietary measure that uniquely charts one’s upward (or downward) brain health trajectory whatever their starting level; and 2) Strategic Memory Advanced Reasoning Tactics (SMART™) brain health training, a strategy-based toolkit developed and tested by BrainHealth researchers and other teams over three decades.
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February's annual BrainHealth Week in Dallas, Texas features a diverse lineup of events designed to educate and inspire people of all ages. Pictured: Guests engage in a dynamic panel discussion about art at Center for BrainHealth, with Dallas-area artists and educator Bonnie Pitman, former Director of the Dallas Museum of Art.
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Center for BrainHealth
On the final day of BrainHealth Week, families take a whirlwind journey into the human brain at the annual Family Fair. Pictured: NFL legend Jason Garrett and young author Shawn Leftford ("the creative kid") gave talks at BrainHealth Week Family Fair 2025.
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Center for BrainHealth
