Western tech dominance fading, web summit CEO says at Davos for geeks
The conversation around leadership in global technology has taken a decisive turn, and this year’s Web Summit in Lisbon made that shift visible. Paddy Cosgrave, the chief executive of the event often called the Davos for geeks, stated that Western dominance in technology is fading more clearly this year than at any other time. His remarks come at a moment when global competition in artificial intelligence, robotics, semiconductor innovation and digital infrastructure is intensifying. The rise of new innovation hubs across Asia, the Middle East and parts of Africa highlights a broader transition toward a multipolar tech environment where influence is no longer concentrated in only a few geographies.
a summit shaped by global realities
More than seventy thousand visitors are expected to attend the four day gathering, including two thousand five hundred start ups and one thousand investors. The scale of participation reflects how deeply technology has become intertwined with economic development, industrial transformation and geopolitical interests. This year’s sessions focus heavily on artificial intelligence, autonomous systems and the rapid emergence of new founders who are building companies at record speed. Yet behind the energy and optimism, discussions consistently return to the global competition for technology and the critical raw materials needed to power next generation tools.
The global supply chain for semiconductors, batteries and advanced computing infrastructure remains under pressure. Concerns about resource security, talent concentration and fragmented regulatory systems shape much of the discourse at the summit. For many speakers, the shift is no longer simply about innovation but about strategic influence in an era where digital capability defines national power.
new players and new momentum
One of the headline speakers on opening night was Anton Osika, founder of the Swedish software company Lovable. His company has gained attention for becoming one of the fastest growing start ups in recorded history. Lovable’s trajectory highlights a broader trend: the rise of smaller, more agile companies across Europe and Asia that can scale globally at unprecedented speed. These companies are often built around artificial intelligence driven tools, automated processes and lean engineering structures that reduce development barriers.
The presence of these emerging players reinforces Cosgrave’s argument. The traditional centers of tech dominance, particularly Silicon Valley, are no longer the sole engines of global innovation. Start up ecosystems in Singapore, Shenzhen, Bangalore, Stockholm and Dubai are rapidly attracting investment and talent. Many investors attending the summit noted that the most promising founders they are meeting come from regions that would not have been considered competitive in the global tech race a decade ago.
a reflection of global economic shifts
The momentum seen at the Web Summit mirrors broader economic changes. China continues to strengthen its leadership in artificial intelligence deployment, robotics, fintech and digital governance. At the same time, the Middle East has invested heavily in sovereign technology programs, high performance computing, renewable energy infrastructure and advanced research institutions. African cities are emerging as centers for financial technology and mobile innovation. Europe is pushing forward with digital regulation and sustainability driven tech development.
These changes illustrate a landscape where competitive advantage depends on strategic policy, investment in research and the ability to adopt advanced technologies at scale. Western companies still hold substantial influence, particularly in foundational models, cloud computing and advanced chip design. However, the global technology environment is no longer unipolar. Distributed innovation is becoming the defining feature of the decade.
innovation under resource pressure
A recurring theme at this year’s conference is the resource challenge. The production of artificial intelligence systems requires vast amounts of computing power and significant volumes of rare earth elements. Robotics development depends heavily on precision manufacturing and advanced materials. The global demand for these resources has created new supply chain dependencies that shape both innovation and policy. Speakers highlighted that future competition may not revolve solely around technical capability but around access to energy, minerals and secure data networks. Countries capable of stabilizing these supply chains will have an advantage in the next wave of industrial transformation.
an increasingly interconnected but complex world
Participants at the Web Summit consistently emphasized that the future of technology will rely on cooperation and competition happening simultaneously. The rapid growth of new ecosystems means that the next major breakthroughs may emerge from unexpected places. For global tech readers, the lessons from Lisbon are clear. The industry is entering a period where no single geography can claim dominance. Instead, clusters of innovation across continents will reshape the pace, direction and nature of technological progress. The Web Summit’s atmosphere reflects this transition, with conversations centering on partnership models and cross border investment frameworks that can sustain long term growth.
