Global Scans · Artificial Intelligence · Weekly Summary

• [New] Meta expects to spend upwards of $70bn on AI, even though its main source of revenue is still in social media advertising. The Observer
• [New] 43% of shippers cite enhanced predictive capabilities (ETA accuracy, disruption risk management) as the top benefit of combining AI with network-based TMS, while 55% of carriers see the biggest benefit in smarter load matching. Trimble Mediaroom
• [New] As Generative AI matures, 2026 will mark an important stage in consumer adoption and use of large language models, with implications for online behaviour and content ecosystems. London Business School
• [New] Consider that one billion workers worldwide will need to be reskilled for the new automated AI landscape. UCI
• [New] The digital world's power is reflected in the growing importance and shifting expectations for artificial intelligence, with 68% of CEOs saying that they plan to increase their AI spending in 2026. O'Dwyers PR
• [New] The electronics sector, one of Vietnam's key strengths, is expected to continue leading with growth of around 14%, driven by investment demand in artificial intelligence (AI). VnBusiness
• [New] In 2026, regulators and courts will increasingly focus on whether data subject rights can meaningfully apply to trained AI models. JD Supra
• [New] In 2026, supply chains will place greater emphasis on agentic AI systems that support automated decision-making, optimize dispatching, forecast demand more accurately, and adjust pricing in real time. Ryder Website
• [New] Humanoids will work autonomously, electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOLs) will undergo city tests, AI will shift to multimodal memory agents, and schools will beta-test 20-foot standoff weapon-detection systems in 2026. Interesting Engineering
• [New] In 2026, AI will play a significant role in digital health; streamlining clinical decision-making, freeing clinicians from repetitive tasks and providing more patient-focused care. Digital Health
• [New] AI investment, and fiscal and monetary easing will drive US growth in 2026, but at the cost of rising budget and trade deficits and inflation. Counterfire
• [New] A November MIT study put hard numbers on what's been brewing: an estimated 11.7% of jobs across the U.S. workforce could already be automated using current AI technology. The Tech Buzz
• [New] Silicon Valley's venture capital community is sounding an alarm: 2026 will be the year AI stops being a productivity tool and starts replacing workers outright. The Tech Buzz
• [New] Global investment in AI infrastructure is expected to reach $2 trillion in 2026, and the potential for packaging is immense. WhatTheyThink
• [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] Big Tech faces compliance risks (e.g., Amazon's biased hiring tool) but gains innovation opportunities through agentic AI and ethical frameworks like NIST RMF. Ainvest
• [New] Technology moguls looking for ways to build out infrastructure to support the artificial intelligence boom are increasingly looking to firms like SpaceX that could put data centers in space. CNBC
• [New] The United States and China will continue to lead the AI revolution, with spillover effects accelerating in other regions. Funds Society
• [New] By 2026, expect AI assistants that can join your Zoom calls, take meeting notes, and follow up on action items without you touching a screen. Software House
• [New] Privacy-first personal AI assistants will be massive by 2026. Software House
• [New] By 2026, the most valuable AI assistants for personal use will likely fall into three categories. Software House

Last updated: 04 January 2026