AXA Future Risks Report 2026: Artificial Intelligence Becomes Experts’ Top Concern, Ahead of Climate Change

This increase reflects the speed at which artificial intelligence is transforming economies and societies, as well as the uncertainty surrounding its impacts. Among experts ranking AI among their top risks, 54% consider it a rapidly emerging risk, while only 9% believe public authorities are well prepared to address it. This figure falls to 3% in Europe.

Climate change nevertheless remains a major concern. It continues to rank as the number one risk for the public and comes first across all age groups. Meanwhile, AI has risen to second place among the public, compared with seventh place in 2025.

Demographic Change: Anticipating a New Protection Economy

The report also highlights how demographic trends are progressively reshaping the needs societies must address: declining birth rates, ageing populations, longer life expectancy and changing family structures. In this context, protection needs are evolving as well.

For an insurer, these shifts call for a rethink of protection throughout people’s lives: supporting family transitions, health and loss of autonomy, savings, retirement and wealth transfer, while ensuring that insurance solutions remain accessible for populations with increasingly diverse life paths.

From Protection to Prevention

85% of experts and members of the public believe that the risks that concern them most can be at least partly prevented through prevention measures. A majority of the public also says it is willing to adopt behaviours that reduce its exposure to risk.

This expectation directly concerns the insurance sector. 68% of the public believe insurers have an important role to play in protecting society against emerging risks.

As risks evolve faster and become increasingly interconnected, the challenge for insurers is therefore twofold: to continue providing protection when risks materialize, while contributing more actively to anticipating and reducing them.

A Strategic Tool for AXA

For thirteen years, the AXA Future Risks Report has enabled AXA to take the pulse of perceptions of emerging risks and to compare the views of experts with those of the public. The study contributes to the Group’s strategic thinking and risk management, while supporting its role as a player in prevention and resilience.