Global Scans · Organizations · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEW?: Moves away from traditional, hierarchical, full-time structures towards a gig and shared economy continue apace. New models of virtual working and work anywhere, anytime for anybody are likely to grow dramatically in the coming years.

• [New] For global enterprises, digital sovereignty will be a competitive advantage in 2026. CoreMedia Content Cloud
• [New] As organizations enter 2026, risk leaders face a convergence of persistent inflation, geopolitical uncertainty, AI-driven disruption, supply chain fragility, and tightening regulatory expectations. Eventbrite
• [New] Large organizations are set to defer a large chunk of planned AI spending until 2027 because of the current gap between vendor promises and reality. The Register
• [New] Entities like the EU AI Office are set to begin supervising compliance for general-purpose AI models, with enforcement activities kicking in in 2027. ChannelPro
• [New] In 2026, businesses that actively monitor template usage, campaign performance, and cost per conversion will be best positioned to scale WhatsApp messaging without budget overruns. A2ZSMS
• [New] Businesses that adapt early by optimizing WhatsApp marketing costs, improving audience segmentation, and focusing on high-intent communication will be better positioned to maintain ROI and scale WhatsApp campaigns efficiently under the new pricing model. A2ZSMS
• [New] By 2026, creators who understand contracts, rights, and distribution will look less like internet personalities and more like export-oriented businesses operating in global markets. FinExtra
• [New] The Agentic AI trend - where autonomous AI agents handle complex business processes - is moving from the pilot phase to full-scale deployment, a shift that could redefine productivity metrics across the S&P 500. The Chronicle-Journal
• [New] In 2026, mobile wallet providers will leverage blockchain to enhance trust, data integrity, and compliance with financial regulations, creating safer ecosystems for both individuals and businesses engaging in digital finance. NASSCOM | The Official Community of Indian IT Industry
• [New] In 2026, AI-assisted content creation will move from novelty to core infrastructure, enabling athletes, creators, and small teams to match the speed and quality of professional production workflows. Shotcaller
• [New] 2026 Projection: Expect a shift toward fully autonomous content pipelines, where AI handles editing, tagging, and distribution, enabling athletes and organizations to scale storytelling without increasing staff. Shotcaller
• [New] 2026 Projection: Organizations will adopt always-on engagement architectures where acquisition, activation, retention, and community become part of a measurable lifecycle rather than an isolated touchpoint. Shotcaller
• [New] 2026 will reward organizations that treat digital not as a marketing layer, but as core infrastructure driving operational excellence and community growth. Shotcaller
• [New] Without reforms, the introduction of new broker reporting requirements in 2026 could increase compliance complexity. CCN.com
• [New] Without the need to work in an office, Musk added, geography will become irrelevant. Fortune
• [New] The risk for 2026 is that as activity gains momentum, workers start to feel more confident asking for higher pay and inflation does become a bigger issue. AJ Bell
• [New] Higher marketing spend for promotional campaigns: Brands running frequent offers, seasonal sales, or re-engagement campaigns will see a noticeable rise in monthly WhatsApp marketing costs, especially at scale. A2ZSMS
• [New] 86% of surveyed employers expect AI and information-processing technologies to transform their business operations by 2030, far more than robotics, automation or energy technologies. The Manila Times
• [New] Jobs are being created, displaced and transformed at the same time, producing a year marked by both opportunity and anxiety for workers, employers and policymakers - particularly in developing economies such as the Philippines and much of Southeast Asia. The Manila Times
• [New] Firms equipped with AI-driven analytics will be able to adjust their international trade strategies more quickly, gaining competitive advantages in a volatile global economy. TradingView
• [New] Leaders from tech giants like Google and Anthropic have expressed optimism about the potential of AI to boost productivity, even amid studies showing varied results across different environments. OpenTools

Last updated: 05 January 2026