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] By 2035, businesses will function as interconnected ecosystems where data, advanced platforms, and human capability seamlessly converge to redefine how work is executed. ETWorkplace.com
• [New] Future-fit companies report much higher levels of automation today than other organizations (with a median of 29% versus 15%), with plans to reach 65% by 2030 (versus just 45% for other manufacturers). PwC
• [New] Respondents say the extensive use of advanced tech in business support functions, for example, will nearly quadruple by 2030. PwC
• [New] Greater access to scalable AI infrastructure will intensify competition and foster wider commercialization of enterprise AI agents globally. MarkNtel Advisors
• [New] 82% of business leaders globally expect to use digital labour (AI agents) within the next 12-18 months, and 46% of organizations are already using AI agents to automate workflows. MarkNtel Advisors
• [New] There is execution risk around data center capacity, power availability, chip supply, OpenAI-related economics, enterprise AI adoption, and competitive pressure from Amazon, Google, Anthropic, Meta, and open-source models. investing.com
• [New] Blockbuster results from Microsoft Corp. helped lift investor expectations that the buildout of AI infrastructure and related productivity gains will keep pushing stocks higher. financialpost
• [New] In 2017, the UAE rolled out the world's first national AI strategy, and its current AI Intelligence Strategy 2031 shoots for global dominance. City AM
• [New] The GCC's AI strategy calls for heavy investment in digital infrastructure, and the UK-GCC FTA is creating new opportunities to capitalize on it. City AM
• [New] Global semiconductor sales reached a record $795.6 billion last year, far surpassing initial forecasts, and the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS) organization projects worldwide semiconductor sales will reach $1.5 trillion in 2026. Semiconductor Industry Association
• [New] The next phase of IBM's execution will hinge on whether AI orchestration, hybrid cloud software, and security offerings can become sufficiently large to offset the cyclicality of infrastructure purchases and deliver more consistent growth across business cycles. Futurum
• [New] Consulting revenue is expected to accelerate to low to mid single-digit growth for FY 2026, supported by backlog quality and generative AI demand. Futurum
• [New] IBM's software business now has a clearer divide between recurring demand and transactional timing risk. Futurum
• [New] Planning a 2026 recruitment strategy ensures energy sector businesses attract top talent while reducing hiring risks. Astute People
• [New] Strategic competition is reinforcing protectionist approaches across energy, metals and agriculture, while the race for critical minerals is accelerating as 2030 net-zero targets and defence priorities draw closer. Commodities Global Summit
• [New] A credible legislative framework could improve the economics of U.S. crypto businesses and revive an institutional-adoption narrative. Business Finance News - Follow the Money. Understand th
• [New] The European Union's ReFuelEU Aviation regulation requires fuel suppliers to blend a minimum of 2% sustainable aviation fuel from 2025, climbing to 70% by 2050, while the International Civil Aviation Organization CORSIA scheme entered its mandatory phase in 2027. Persistence Market Research
• [New] Leading Service Type: WAN-as-a-Service is projected to lead the service type segment in 2026, accounting for 55% revenue share, driven by enterprise demand for secure, scalable wide-area network connectivity and cloud adoption. Persistence Market Research
• [New] If the commercialization of Starlink, launch services, defence business, and future space infrastructure continues to progress, SpaceX's revenue could reach $3.4 trillion by 2040, with adjusted EBITDA potentially reaching $2.7 trillion. tradingkey.com
• [New] The U.S. Census Bureau reports e-commerce has surpassed 16% of total retail sales, driving warehouse absorption, while the United Nations projects nearly 68% of the global population will live in cities by 2050, deepening office and retail demand. Persistence Market Research
• [New] 40% of organizations developing proprietary applications will deploy ASPM frameworks by 2026. Palo Alto Networks
• [New] Gartner's latest forecasts show participation rates climbing from current levels of 29% to an anticipated 80% by 2027 in organizations that conduct application security testing. Palo Alto Networks
• [New] The brands that win in 2026 will be the ones who combine strong storytelling with smart strategy: using video not just to entertain, but to educate, inspire, and build trust. Reflect Digital

Last updated: 03 August 2026