Global Scans · Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure · Weekly Summary

In September 2015, 193 world leaders agreed to 17 Global Goals for Sustainable Development. If these Goals are completed, it would mean an end to extreme poverty, inequality and climate change by 2030.
Goal 9: Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation.

• [New] In 2026, Quantum Error Correction will continue to be the beating heart of the quantum computing industry, marking the true beginning of the sustained engineering and collaborative effort needed to build utility-scale quantum computers. Riverlane
• [New] Other industry players will follow suit in 2026, yielding diverse fault-tolerant quantum computing architectures tailored to specific hardware platforms. Riverlane
• [New] As global supply chains digitize and Industry 4.0 initiatives connect factories via IoT, the number of software instances, edge devices, and embedded licenses has exploded, elevating both compliance risks and optimization opportunities. Persistence Market Research
• [New] A major update to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration rules regarding safety and health regulations for the construction industry will soon mandate that employers provide personal protective equipment (PPE) that properly fits workers based on their unique body type. Fisher Phillips
• [New] Korea, hosting APEC 2025, will focus on addressing shared challenges, embracing digital innovation, and prioritizing inclusive growth. APEC
• [New] Oman offered India zero-duty access on 98% of its tariff lines as part of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which is expected to improve competitiveness for Indian industrial exports. The Indian Express
• [New] Singapore has launched its Research, Innovation and Enterprise 2030 (RIE 2030) Plan, committing SG $37 billion over five years to advance AI, semiconductors, health and Smart Nation technologies. OpenGov Asia
• [New] The upcoming IPO pipeline shows strong diversity in terms of industry, company size, and fundraising potential, underlining the depth and resilience of India's capital markets. Samco Securities
• [New] Life expectancy in Iran is estimated at approximately 68 years, representing developing health infrastructure with significant advancement opportunities. Population Pyramids
• [New] California led the privacy landscape in 2025, coupling extensive rulemaking, new technical infrastructure and a redesigned financial model for privacy enforcement that will materially expand regulatory capacity beginning in 2026. Squire Patton Boggs
• [New] Amid policy uncertainty, the US continues to offer the most efficient risk-adjusted environment for deploying large-scale infrastructure capital. InvestmentNews
• [New] Heading into 2026, infrastructure investors are recalibrating priorities amid rising geopolitical risk, mounting deployment pressure, and structural shifts toward digital and energy-transition assets. InvestmentNews
• [New] By end-user industry, the steel & metallurgy decarbonization services segment is expected to grow at a notable CAGR from 2025 to 2034. Precedence Research
• [New] 2026 will be the year businesses, consumers, and regulators alike see the real impact of the infrastructure built in the past 12 months. FinExtra
• [New] The 2026 institutional Layer 2 opportunity is defined by a confluence of regulatory progress, technological innovation, and growing demand for scalable, secure, and privacy-focused infrastructure. Ainvest
• [New] As the global hospitality industry increasingly aligns with environmental goals, Sustainable Development Goals related to Responsible Consumption and Production will see broader support, contributing to a greener travel ecosystem across borders. Travel And Tour World
• [New] Current initiatives include electronically linking hotel data with local tourism authorities, with plans to launch projects that diversify tourism products, accelerate innovation through advanced technologies, and embed sustainability across all tourism services by 2026. TravelsDubai: Latest UAE News, Saudia News, Canada news
• [New] India's Expansion: Driven by a 21% CAGR, India's gig workforce is on track to surpass 10 million workers in 2026 as digital infrastructure reaches Tier-II and Tier-III cities. demandsage
• [New] India's technology growth plan focuses on strategic self-reliance (Atmanirbhar Bharat), leveraging Digital Public Infrastructure (UPI and Aadhaar), and major investments in frontier areas such as AI, semiconductors, and advanced manufacturing, aiming for a $35 trillion economy by 2047. FirstPost
• [New] Large-scale inflows of international capital into strategic AI infrastructure might attract closer examination from regulatory bodies, particularly in the context of U.S. and Japanese national interest conversations. OpenTools
• [New] The National Weather Service has warned of dangerous wind gusts and heavy snow from the Northwest to the North-Central regions, posing hazardous travel conditions and potential infrastructure impacts. / USA NewsRadio WFLA
• [New] Canadian businesses must continue to invest in innovation and productivity to adjust to the new economic reality and the trends that will shape our future. BDC.ca
• [New] On the government level, the Trump Administration's new approach to most-favored-nation (MFN) drug pricing, through things like direct-to-consumer (DTC) medication platforms expected to launch in 2026, is set to further shake up the pharmacy industry. Drug Topics

Last updated: 28 December 2025