Global Scans · Manufacturing · Weekly Summary

• [New] Advances in synthetic biology & fusion energy will influence global sustainability efforts, while next-generation materials will enable lighter, stronger & more efficient technologies. UnfoldLabs
• [New] By 2027, IBM plans to extend Qiskit with computational libraries in areas such as machine learning and optimization to better solve fundamental physical and chemistry challenges such as differential equations and Hamiltonian simulations. semiwiki
• [New] SLB will deploy the Avocet production operations software platform to collect, analyze and securely store production data, including a mobile interface to enable real-time volumetric tracking and production optimization across the Tilenga and Kingfisher fields. Morningstar, Inc.
• [New] Fastest-growing Technology: Robotics & automation is set to be the fastest-growing technology from 2025 to 2032. Persistence Market Research
• [New] Rather than relying on a single global supply chain optimised for cost, firms increasingly consider the strategic risks associated with concentrated production in particular countries. The Daily Star
• [New] Solar manufacturing is on track to consume nearly 20% of the global silver supply by 2030. KuCoin
• [New] IBM's roadmap targets fault-tolerant systems with thousands of logical qubits beyond 2033, while Google's Willow architecture has demonstrated error correction improvements that reinforce a 2029+ timeline for broadly useful fault-tolerant machines. YIAZOU
• [New] IoT connections reached 15.7 billion, with projections indicating a 16% increase to 38.8 billion by 2029. Ai Tool Tutorials
• [New] From microscopic medical robots to computers that think beyond human limits, the next 20-30 years will bring transformations that feel almost science fiction today. allinonevibe
• [New] Google has signed a strategic partnership with company Commonwealth Fusion Systems, which is racing to build a donut-shaped machine called a tokamak that could eventually generate 10 million times the energy of coal or natural gas, all without greenhouse gas emissions. CNN
• [New] Paraguay will remain a relatively small producer with future production increases needing to be driven by continued yield growth. Farmdoc daily
• [New] UBS upgraded Tesla from sell to neutral, seeing long-term potential in robots and robo-taxis. Market Insights
• [New] IoT connections supported by D2D services could reach 11 million in 2026. Mexico Business
• [New] Leading Technology: IIoT is anticipated to dominate with around 38% revenue share in 2026, while artificial intelligence & machine learning are slated to be the fastest-growing at a CAGR of 27.2% through 2033, driven by enhanced predictive accuracy and automation. Persistence Market Research
• [New] AI will replace as many as two million manufacturing workers by 2026, and 14% of employees globally may need to change careers entirely. TechClass
• [New] Countries such as China, Japan, South Korea and Singapore are investing heavily in industrial robots, service robots and autonomous systems with the hopes of boosting productivity, and addressing labour shortage. Acumen Research and Consulting
• [New] Due to the increasing aging population throughout the world, there is a great opportunity for the use of physical AI in the areas of personal support, assistance with mobility, remote monitoring and rehabilitation robotics. Acumen Research and Consulting
• [New] Hydroprocessed esters and fatty acids currently dominates global SAF production, using waste cooking oil and other lipid-based feedstocks, though feedstock availability is expected to constrain HEFA's scalability beyond 2030. JD Supra
• [New] By robot type, the autonomous taxi cabin AI robot segment is expected to grow at a strong CAGR of 28.8% between 2026 and 2035. Precedence Research
• [New] Companies with plans approved by the U.S. Department of Commerce to onshore production in the United States will be permitted - for a period of four years - to import covered products at a 20% tariff rate. National Law Review
• [New] The tech sector has seen assets in the Middle East become military targets, and analysts predict shortages in key materials needed for the AI infrastructure buildout. CNBC

Last updated: 26 April 2026