There is an unprecedented focus on security as a pervasive part of business operations according to a study that highlights the rising importance of cybersecurity defence to global leaders.

The necessity of trust to achieve long-term business success — especially as a foundation for decision-making based on artificial intelligence — has been highlighted in a new study that found three in five business leaders (63%) in nine countries, including Australia, say they would trust decisions made by AI if substantial reasoning for reaching those decisions is available.

Over 400 global business leaders and senior officials from 36 countries have converged on Sydney for the 2019 World Forum for Foreign Direct Investment which opened on Monday.