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] Battery recycling and second-life applications will become core pillars of the EV value chain rather than peripheral businesses. ETAuto
• [New] In Brussels, senior politicians have openly confirmed that the EU's flagship plan to ban sales of new petrol and diesel cars from 2035 is set to be watered down; a dramatic policy reversal that has alarmed environmental campaigners and electric vehicle (EV) proponents. International Business Times UK
• [New] The successful implementation of air taxis will be a critical step in shaping the future of urban mobility in Saudi Arabia, bringing both economic and environmental benefits while enhancing the quality of life for residents and visitors. Travel And Tour World
• [New] The projects launching and completing over 2026 will demonstrate whether smart city technologies can deliver on their promises of improved efficiency, sustainability, and quality of life. / USA CCE l ONLINE NEWS
• [New] Most major countries have some form of domestic automaking industry; no country will be able to sit back and passively allow Chinese exports to drive their local automakers out of business. Heatmap News
• [New] The collaboration, which seeks to create a digital ecosystem that enables investor verification, custody, settlement and real estate tokenization, supports the Dubai Real Estate Strategy 2033 and its Dh1 trillion transaction target. Khaleej Times
• [New] Nearly half of C-suite auto executives surveyed said they expect AI to lift sales and profits by 9% over the next two to three years. Business Insider
• [New] Two-thirds of organizations globally plan to increase their investments in cyber-risk prevention in 2026. TechTarget
• [New] The reforms, known as Tranche 2, will extend AUSTRAC's regulatory reach to more than 80,000 additional businesses, including lawyers, accountants, real estate professionals, conveyancers, and trust and company service providers. / Australia Neos Kosmos
• [New] Under the proposed AML/CTF reforms, a wide range of professional groups will become reporting entities whenever they provide a designated service with a link to Australia. Neos Kosmos
• [New] Today, nearly 15% of (corporate) cybersecurity spending comes from outside the chief information security office, and non-CISO cyber spending is expected to grow at a 24% CAGR over the next three years. Cybercrime Magazine
• [New] The potential in Europe is clear: 41% of businesses with €500 million in revenue intend to purchase cyberinsurance for the first time in the next five years. Cybercrime Magazine
• [New] Dremio's 2026 State of the Data Lakehouse & AI report finds that 65% of organizations rank agentic analytics and AI-driven decision-making as top priorities for 2026, with 51% citing productivity and faster innovation as the main reasons to adopt AI. Solutions Review Technology News and Vendor Reviews
• [New] UNFI projects that its net sales will post average annual growth in the low single digits over the next few years and expects to generate approximately $300 million free cash flow annually from fiscal 2026 to fiscal 2028. Grocery Dive
• [New] The companies that can align compute, capital, data integrity, security posture, and energy strategy will define the next decade. Tech Startups - Tech News, Tech Trends & Startup Fundin
• [New] Amazon robotaxi service Zoox to start charging for rides in 2026, with 'laser focus' on transporting people, not deliveries, says cofounder. The Driverless Digest
• [New] Growth in retail sales and industrial output is predicted to hold at paces near the weakest in at least a year. / China financialpost
• [New] The global skills shortage has become one of the costliest operational risks organizations face, contributing to increased incidents, slower remediation, and rising burnout across technical teams. NextBigFuture.com
• [New] As organizations prepare for 2026, L & D teams are under pressure to justify spend with measurable outcomes. NextBigFuture.com
• [New] Salesforce has bet big on AI agents to boost productivity among its users, and it expects commensurate returns. The Register
• [New] A survey by European media agency Mediaplus of over 800 marketers found AI & automation their top priority going into 2026, well above creative effectiveness, sustainability or indeed brand-building activities. Digiday
• Many economists - not least the Fed's doves - expect AI to be a massive positive for productivity, which pushes down inflation. investing.com

Last updated: 15 December 2025