TRThe World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) reported that investments in intangible assets like software, data, and research reached a record high of over $10 trillion globally in 2025. This marks a significant increase since 2008, with intangible investments growing by 3.5% annually in real terms, outpacing the slower growth of tangible investments. The report highlighted the U.S. as the leading contributor to intangible investment, accounting for nearly $5 trillion, while Sweden had the highest proportion of intangible investment relative to GDP at 17.4%. Artificial intelligence played a key role in this trend, driving both initial physical investments and long-term shifts toward software, data, and R&D. Countries like India, Japan, and the Philippines showed the fastest growth in intangible investments during the period. The findings were published in the 'World Intangible Investment Highlights 2026,' co-authored by WIPO and Luiss Business School.
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual data from WIPO regarding global trends in intangible investment without overtly favoring any political ideology. It reports on economic indicators and technological impacts without taking a clear stance on policy implications or ideological positions. The framing remains
