Global Scans · Intelligence · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: There will be an increased demand for software and services that deliver intelligence, personalization, and specialization. Artificial intelligence could become a $15+ bn opportunity by 2025. Combining human and machine cognition for engagement decisions could yield the precision and reliability of automation without sacrificing the robustness and flexibility that humans bring. The first effect of machine intelligence will be to lower the cost of goods and services that rely on prediction.

• [New] By 2027, 50% of people in advanced economies are expected to use AI personal assistants for daily tasks, including product discovery. Shopify
• [New] 50% of companies are expected to deploy some form of AI agent by 2027. Shopify
• [New] Between 2025 and 2030, AI spending in marketing is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 25%. Shopify
• [New] AI agents could eventually become the dominant users of software, fundamentally reshaping software architecture and competition. MarketingProfs
• [New] As AI capabilities rapidly advance, Chinese AI-enabled cyberattacks and military operations may soon become the largest national security threat the United States and its allies face. Council on Foreign Relations
• [New] U.S. financial institutions and technology companies are strengthening defences against emerging artificial intelligence threats, including the possibility that AI tools could be used to penetrate bank accounts and other critical systems. Mimir's Well
• [New] The unprecedented pace of AI adoption holds immense potential for accelerating global development and improving living standards, by boosting growth, personalizing education, and transforming the agricultural sector. Atlas of Global Development
• [New] AI-enabled applications spending is projected at $103.9 billion in 2026, with AI platform AD & D at $93.0 billion and AI business and IT services at $73.2 billion. SQ Magazine
• [New] The next question is not simply whether AI will use 400 TWh, 600 TWh, or 800 TWh in the US by the end of the decade, but which constraint has the most impact: chips, data centers, grid connections, power supply, capital, politics, or demand. /dev/sustainability
• [New] US data center electricity use is around 180 TWh today and credible forecasts point to 400-600 TWh by 2030, but chips, grids, politics, and the changing shape of AI workloads make estimates difficult. /dev/sustainability
• [New] AI specialists and superforecasters anticipate even higher demand under rapid growth in 2050, each estimating around 19.5%. AIMultiple
• [New] A Trump-led Department of Defense and GOP-controlled Congress are expected to prioritize innovation and speed up the deployment of AI-powered unmanned and robotic technologies. TD Securities
• [New] Advancements in robotics and artificial intelligence mean that by 2045, we will be talking to machines that learn and understand human language. ExtraSlice
• [New] Artificial intelligence could control passenger planes from take-off to landing. ExtraSlice
• [New] Artificial intelligence investment is projected to keep growing at a parabolic pace through 2027, with Wall Street analysts now estimating $1 trillion in total spending. AI Supremacy
• [New] AI-powered Android apps in 2026 are expected to deliver personalized learning experiences, intelligent content recommendations, and automated performance tracking. NASSCOM | The Official Community of Indian IT Industry
• [New] AI-powered Android apps in 2026 are expected to revolutionize patient care, hospital management, and preventive health by providing predictive insights, personalized treatment plans, and seamless monitoring. NASSCOM | The Official Community of Indian IT Industry
• [New] The first FDA approvals of fully AI-discovered drugs are anticipated in the coming years. Deepgram

Last updated: 12 May 2026