Global Scans · Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure · Weekly Summary

In September 2015, 193 world leaders agreed to 17 Global Goals for Sustainable Development. If these Goals are completed, it would mean an end to extreme poverty, inequality and climate change by 2030.
Goal 9: Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation.

• [New] Spending on AI is forecast to skyrocket to $2.5 trillion in 2026, dwarfing even the largest scientific and infrastructure projects. Al Jazeera
• [New] The Automotive Robotics industry is expected to expand lucratively to an estimated value of US$ 22.49 Billion by 2033, from US$ 8.88 Billion in 2024. Yahoo Finance
• [New] As geopolitical competition intensifies and policy frameworks evolve, 2026 will push the United States to sustain its leadership in semiconductor design, manufacturing, and innovation amid growing alliances and accelerating competition in artificial intelligence, quantum, and advanced manufacturing. Semiconductor Engineering
• [New] Trilateral pilot projects, which are small, focused, and commercially viable, could be an initial practical move to link Canadian SMEs, Japanese primes, and U.S. integrators under frameworks like PIPIR, the U.S.-Japan Global Innovation Challenge, and targeted DIANA thematic challenges. Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada
• [New] The RearmEU proposal, rebranded as Readiness 2030, is the EU's flagship, €800 billion-scale plan to boost defence spending, pool procurement, improve rapid deployment capabilities, solidify an industrial base for European defence companies, and to support Ukraine. Deutsche Welle
• [New] By 2026, global SaaS revenue is projected to surpass $700 billion - growing faster than almost every other segment of the tech industry. Acuity Software Services Pvt. Ltd.
• [New] Over the next 5-10 years, additive manufacturing will increasingly become a core component of global manufacturing infrastructure, integrated alongside traditional processes rather than positioned as a disruptive alternative. 3D Printing Industry
• [New] In summary, over the next decade, 3D printing will evolve from an advanced manufacturing technology into a key infrastructure for the digital manufacturing era, providing more efficient, flexible, and sustainable production methods while playing a central role in global industrial upgrading. 3D Printing Industry
• [New] Over the next decade, additive manufacturing will transition into qualified, large-scale industrial production, driven by process-based certification. 3D Printing Industry
• [New] As technological innovation progresses and grid infrastructure evolves, solar PV panels are expected to remain a cornerstone of the global renewable energy transition. EIN Presswire
• [New] Global electricity demand is forecast to increase at a brisk average annual rate of 3.6% over the 2026-2030 forecast period, supported by rising consumption from industry, electric vehicles, air conditioning and data centers. IEA
• [New] The U.S. energy storage sector illustrates IoT's role in critical infrastructure: operational battery storage exceeded 40 GW by 2025, up from 47 MW in 2010, with projections of 98 GW by 2030 and 5.6 GW installed in Q2 2025 alone. Persistence Market Research
• [New] At MWC 2026, we expect to see an increased focus on a variety of satellite-enabled usage scenarios, including industrial IoT, automotive connectivity, private networks and backup connectivity for data centers and AI workloads. CCS Insight
• [New] Mexico's federal government has put infrastructure back at the center of its growth narrative with the Infrastructure Investment Plan for Development With Well-Being 2026-2030, which aims to mobilize up to MX $5.6 trillion in public and private resources over the five-year period. Mexico Business
• [New] Micron is proposing a new Industrial Sewer District, which will create a new wastewater treatment facility to process the nearly 50 million gallons of industrial wastewater Micron says it plans to discharge daily. WSTM
• [New] Asia Pacific is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR in the coming year, driven by extensive infrastructure development, population growth, and quick urbanization in emerging economies. Precedence Research
• [New] By end-user sector, the industrial sector segment is expected to expand at the fastest CAGR from 2026 to 2035. Precedence Research
• [New] Large-scale programmes such as the National Infrastructure Pipeline, outlining more than USD1.4trn of planned investment across energy, transport and urban development, further expand opportunities for private and foreign capital through PPPs. Passle
• [New] The healthtech opportunity particularly shines in B2B healthcare infrastructure and AI-powered diagnostics, two areas seeing sustained capital deployment in 2026. Wellows
• [New] Asia Pacific is expected to grow at the highest rate with a CAGR of 15.7%, driven by great, untapped demand and rapidly improving digital infrastructure across major economies. Persistence Market Research
• [New] OPEC oil, gas OPEC will remain a central pillar for energy security, infrastructure development, and agricultural stability at least through 2026, even as renewable sources gain traction. Farmonaut
• [New] We expect to increasingly help sponsors, utilities and industrials use cross-border M&A, carve-outs and joint ventures to build resilient Italian platforms that combine renewables, storage and infrastructure with a balanced allocation of regulatory, grid and revenue risk. Passle
• [New] As electrolyzer deployment accelerates worldwide, membranes and electrodes will remain the cornerstone of green hydrogen infrastructure. Precedence Research

Last updated: 22 February 2026