Global Scans · Technology · Weekly Summary

• [New] The multi-year collaboration, which will provide students, faculty and researchers with Google Cloud's AI-optimized tech stack and high-performance computing power, is designed to advance AI-enabled education, accelerate AI innovation and expand AI workforce development. Campus Technology
• [New] A quick transition to clean energy could save the global economy trillions of dollars because the more renewable energy technology being made, the cheaper it becomes. JD Supra
• [New] Advances in quantum computing could undermine Bitcoin's cryptographic protections, sparking debate over how to safeguard the world's best-known cryptocurrency. Grand Pinnacle Tribune
• [New] Environmental threats, from extreme weather to biodiversity loss and critical changes to Earth's systems, may have dropped in prominence relative to short-term geopolitical concerns, but they still dominate the ten-year risk outlook. IO+
• [New] 80% of surveyed global farmers plan to adopt at least one form of drone technology by 2027. Farmonaut
• [New] Against the backdrop of global climate change and digital transformation in urban planning, enhancing community risk perception capabilities and developing the potential of community technology empowerment have become important issues in responding to sudden disasters and long-term risks. Nature
• [New] Companies like Google or Amazon could use cutting-edge security systems to enhance consumer confidence while making online payments. Knowledge Sourcing Intelligence (KSI)
• [New] The economic foundation that increased smartphone and internet penetration provides will assist all industries to innovate and adopt new technologies, ultimately becoming stronger and more accessible within the global economy. Knowledge Sourcing Intelligence (KSI)
• [New] Based on current estimates, about 80% of the 8% expected S&P 500 earnings growth for the quarter will be driven by the technology sector, which excludes several leading AI players including Alphabet, Amazon, and Meta. Dietz & Lynch Capital
• [New] As threats to aviation systems grow increasingly sophisticated, NASA is moving beyond traditional security methods. BOL NEWS
• [New] Long phone queues, repeated form-filling, and endless paperwork will be cut out as technology is put to work to transform public services, modernise government, and accelerate national renewal across the UK. GOV.UK
• [New] By 2026, cloud computing and AI will work closely together to power smart devices. TechBullion
• [New] Agentic AI (systems that can reason, plan and execute complex workflows autonomously) already accounts for 17% of total AI value in 2025 and is expected to reach 29% by 2028. United States
• [New] Thailand's government has pursued digital economy initiatives under the Thailand 4.0 framework, entering Phase 3 in 2023 aimed at achieving full digital transformation by 2027, with objectives including nationwide high-efficiency digital infrastructure and technology-driven economic growth. Grokipedia
• [New] The next generation of Apple Foundation Models will be based on Google's Gemini models and cloud technology under a multiyear agreement, with the goal of powering future Apple Intelligence features, including a more personalized Siri. Campus Technology
• [New] By 2026, technology will no longer be an add-on but the actual nervous system of healthcare. Zymr
• [New] Imagine AI moving from tools into autonomous systems, something OpenAI has described as the final stage of AI: Organizations that can do the work of an entire organization, not just a task. Forbes
• [New] Flexibility in encryption: In a world where threats are becoming increasingly complex and quantum computing is just around the corner, companies must be able to adapt their cryptography as needed. advasecurity
• [New] The surge in deployment and monetization of AI technologies across the broader economy will continue at a breakneck pace in 2026, as total global spending on AI is expected to exceed $2 trillion. O'Dwyers PR
• [New] Apple's Vision Pro has demonstrated spatial computing's potential to enterprise users and technology early adopters, while Meta's Quest platform has proven consumer willingness to adopt XR devices when they offer clear value propositions and accessible pricing. Next Reality
• [New] The technical architecture of Android XR showcases several strategic choices that could provide Google with significant competitive advantages in spatial computing. Next Reality

Last updated: 19 January 2026