Our Scans · (LF.9) Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure · Weekly Summary

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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] As noted in industry reports, 92% of companies plan to increase AI investments over the next three years, prioritizing partnerships with specialized vendors to avoid the pitfalls of in-house development. Ainvest
• [New] Superintelligent AI could become the last invention we ever make, fundamentally reshaping human labour and innovation. Ainvest
• [New] In that world, cloud infrastructure will continue to be the foundational enabler, EHRs will capture broad, bundled economics, and a handful of AI platforms will remain indispensable because they control the clinician interface. Signify Research
• [New] The National Climate Change Secretariat shared that 30% of Singapore is less than 5 meters above mean sea level, which means that even a moderate rise could put homes and infrastructure at risk. Yahoo News
• [New] AI innovation is truly going borderless and India continues to serve as a strong hub of ready talent. The Times Of India
• [New] Starlink's rapid deployment and the backing of T-Mobile could set new industry standards that other companies will strive to meet. Rude Baguette
• [New] The AscendArc satellite will target underserved communities across the Asia-Pacific region, where hundreds of millions remain unconnected or under-connected due to infrastructure and affordability challenges. SpaceNews
• [New] In the United States, the Cyber Incident Reporting for Critical Infrastructure Act will become fully enforceable by 2026, but foundational requirements already apply. Palo Alto Networks
• [New] A coalition of United States intelligence agencies has publicly disclosed a growing threat from China's state-sponsored cyber operations, characterized by increasingly aggressive and sophisticated attacks against critical infrastructure worldwide. archyde
• [New] VMware will benefit from prepackaged drivers for vGPUs, allowing for faster AI infrastructure adoption, and a well-established ecosystem of AI workload support due to Canonical's tight relationship with NVIDIA. Forrester
• [New] Opportunities lie in AI and automation infrastructure (chipmakers like NVIDIA, data center REITs like Equinix), the accelerating energy transition (battery metals, grid infrastructure), and healthcare innovation (biotech, personalized medicine). BPAS
• [New] Independent evaluations - for example, by the federal environment commissioner and PBO - have concluded they will fall far short of achieving Canada's target of reducing industrial greenhouse gas emissions to at least 40% below 2005 levels by 2030 and net zero by 2050. Yahoo News
• [New] Saudi Arabia's insurance industry is forecast to experience substantial expansion over the next several years, with gross written premiums anticipated to climb from SAR 75.9 billion in 2024 to SAR 129 billion by 2030. Insurance Business
• As robots become smarter, more flexible, and more capable, they will play an increasingly integral role in solving global challenges, improving quality of life, and driving innovation across multiple industries. chapters
• In choosing to be the first mover, boAt has not only strengthened its own innovation playbook but also opened doors for a new model of startup-brand collaboration that could shape India's technology future. TICE News
• The biopharma sector's ability to adapt to 2025's challenges will depend on its capacity to balance regulatory compliance, cost management, and innovation. Ainvest
• COAI Dialogs, one of the leading industry forums in the Indian telecom industry organized by the Cellular Operators Association of India, today voiced out its commitment to strengthen the digital network infrastructure for a Viksit Bharat by 2047. Communications Today
• The IEA anticipates U.S. shale to add 2.1 million barrels per day by 2030, driven by continued technological innovation and flexible production responses to price signals. Ainvest
• India's auto industry is shifting toward Software-Defined Vehicles, where features, safety, and performance evolve through software updates, creating new opportunities for consumers, manufacturers, and the wider ecosystem while presenting challenges in infrastructure, security, and adoption. Autocar Professional
• Companies will spend $375 billion globally in 2025 on AI infrastructure, the investment bank UBS estimates. SingularityHub
• The total quantum technologies industry is projected to be worth as much as US$ 97 billion in a decade's time. CNA
• In India, where entrepreneurs often face delays due to red tape and administrative hurdles, adopting a more streamlined and transparent regulatory framework could foster greater innovation and investment. Asian Community News

Last updated: 08 September 2025