AI, AI, AI, & A Dollop of War: Productivity, Manufacturing, & Geopolitics (5.13.26)

AI is fueling an economic transformation, driving a level of capital investment not seen since the late 1990s. But beneath the momentum, risks are building -- slowing job growth, rising inflation, and record federal deficits pushing debt well beyond 120% of GDP. At the same time, financial markets are reasserting discipline, while geopolitical tensions -- especially between the U.S. and China, and conflicts such as the Iran war -- are reshaping global trade and economic decision-making. As nations race to build domestic capacity, today's investment boom could become tomorrow's oversupply, further fragmenting the global economy and creating increasingly difficult trade-offs. These forces are colliding to create a volatile and uncertain landscape for 2026 and beyond -- impacting interest rates, growth, business decisions, and careers. For business leaders, job seekers, and career practitioners, understanding these dynamics is critical to navigating shifting labor markets, anticipating emerging opportunities and risks, and guiding future-focused decisions. Speaker: Paul Sloate, CEO and Co-Founder of WSL Family Office and Green Drake Advisors, has extensive experience advising entrepreneurs and ultra high net worth families. His ability to disassemble the constantly changing external environment into its basic parts and to combine it with his long-term perspective, enables him to reassemble the parts into valuable intelligence for both firms’ clients. Paul also currently serves as a Director of a private company, sits on a private company Advisory Board, and consults to several private companies. Paul previously served in senior level positions with Wellington Management and BlackRock Financial Management. In between these roles, he founded a successful institutionally focused, financial services start-up. Paul earned an AB, Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa, at Cornell University, and an MBA with Distinction at The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Eligible for 2 NCDA CEUs.