Our Scans · (ZY.4.02) Business Studies · Weekly Summary

• [New] The crowdfunding with decentralized finance (DeFi) and blockchain technology presents a groundbreaking opportunity to enhance transparency, reduce intermediation, and expand global participation. Market Data Forecast
• [New] The global influencer marketing industry was valued at approximately $24 billion in 2024 and is projected to exceed $40 billion by 2026, representing growth of more than 14 times in under a decade. California Management Review
• [New] A separate Gartner poll of 402 senior marketing leaders found that 65% of CMOs believe AI will dramatically transform their role within two years. California Management Review
• [New] The banking and finance sector is the fastest-growing end user CAGR) of 28.3% from 2026 to 2034. Market Data Forecast
• [New] Over the next three years, 60,000 professionals in accounting and finance will learn to use artificial intelligence tools to do everything from automating fraud detection to pulling insights from raw financial data for audits. ST
• [New] By 2026, expect decision intelligence to be embedded across CX, marketing, and operations, offering real-time insights to proactively tackle churn risks and identify revenue opportunities. CustomerContactMindXchange
• [New] Middle East and Africa is expected to grow at the fastest pace, driven by rising digital finance adoption. GlobeNewswire
• [New] U.S. creator ad spend is expected to reach USD 44 billion in 2026, while three in four brands are already using or planning to use AI for creator marketing-related tasks. Globe Market Research
• [New] The Future of Finance Institute will build on existing MAS-led initiatives in AI and tokenization, including the MindForge AI Risk Management Toolkit, PathFin. Fintech Singapore
• [New] The world could target $25 trillion in possible sustainable finance investment, but needs to dismantle current barriers. Bruegel | The Brussels-based economic think tank
• [New] The sustainable finance framework is rooted in the 2020 European Green Deal plan for climate neutrality by 2050, meaning preferred policy outcomes are baked into the disclosure process on top of information that investors want. Bruegel | The Brussels-based economic think tank
• [New] 71% of in-house teams are implementing AI in their marketing operations while 93% expect to invest further in AI tech over the next 12-24 months. Digiday
• [New] The shift in priorities is visible worldwide, with Deloitte's Finance Trends 2026 reporting that 64% of finance leaders plan to prioritise AI, automation and data analysis skills over traditional ones across their teams in the year ahead. theHRDIRECTOR
• [New] The UK and Australia will work together on priority areas such as Australia's Critical Minerals Strategic Reserve, mobilization of finance, research and development and recycling collaboration. GOV.UK
• [New] As blockchain technology advances and adoption expands, digital assets are expected to play an increasingly important role in the future of finance and global commerce. Financial Business Outlook
• [New] McKinsey estimates that generative AI applied across marketing and sales could add the equivalent of roughly $463 billion in value annually, with productivity gains worth 5 to 15% of total marketing spend. TechnologyChecker.io
• The $100 million Scaling up Finance for Sustainable Agroforestry in Paraguay project will be implemented by Agencia Financiera de Desarrollo, Paraguay's national development bank. Agroforestry
• AI-enabled tools are already expanding from R&D into day-to-day decision-making and execution across organizations, including risk, fraud, marketing, documentation, customer service, hedging, prospecting and AML/BSA compliance. J.P. MORGAN
• Credit Suisse examines how emerging capital markets could reshape global finance by 2030 as equity and bond issuance accelerates across developing economies. The Idea Farm
• By 2028, a well-architected finance function will operate on a continuous, close, rolling, agent-managed basis, with variance flags surfacing in near real time. TechBullion
• Generative AI could unlock between 50 and 70 billion USD in additional insurance industry revenue, concentrated in marketing, customer operations and software engineering. Tommaso Maria Ricci
• The UK regulator's first external horizon scan sets out how AI, synthetic crime and programmable finance could reshape financial services by 2030. Finance Magnates

Last updated: 10 July 2026