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] The National Weather Service has warned of dangerous wind gusts and heavy snow from the Northwest to the North-Central regions, posing hazardous travel conditions and potential infrastructure impacts. / USA NewsRadio WFLA
• [New] Canadian businesses must continue to invest in innovation and productivity to adjust to the new economic reality and the trends that will shape our future. BDC.ca
• [New] On the government level, the Trump Administration's new approach to most-favored-nation (MFN) drug pricing, through things like direct-to-consumer (DTC) medication platforms expected to launch in 2026, is set to further shake up the pharmacy industry. Drug Topics
• [New] What is seemingly the best avenue for industry-wide financial reform, pharmacies and their advocacy groups continue to call for long-awaited federal pharmacy benefit manager reform as 2026 looms. Drug Topics
• [New] Congresswoman Julia Brownley has introduced the PROTEIN Act to bolster US leadership in protein innovation amid rising global meat demand expected to double by 2050. SeafoodNews
• [New] The introduction of export duties on fish in Russia will not significantly affect the level of its shipments abroad but may impact the economy of the fishing industry. SeafoodNews
• [New] The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Innovation Center will launch a new, outcome-aligned payment model for providers offering technology-supported care to individuals with Original Medicare for managing common chronic conditions. American Hospital Association | AHA News
• [New] Data centers and digital infrastructure are accelerating into 2026, fueled by AI adoption and record construction spending. The CCIM Institute
• [New] Approximately 65% of industry leaders expect fundamentals like leasing activity, rental rates, vacancies, and cost of capital to improve through 2026, signaling continued confidence despite volatility. The CCIM Institute
• [New] The UAE, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa are expected to drive demand through the modernization of defence, aerospace component manufacturing, and industrial machinery applications. Precedence Research
• [New] Achieving zero emissions by 2050 will require a massive effort from everyone in the semiconductor industry. Microchip USA - TRANSPARENCY INNOVATION EFFICIENCY
• [New] Bipartisan Infrastructure Law allocated USD 1.2 Trillion for transportation improvements, while India plans to spend USD 1,727.05 Billion on infrastructure through 2030. Journal
• [New] Regulatory bodies, especially in the Americas and Europe, are refining spectrum allocations, fostering industry alliances, and reducing fragmentation risks. Yahoo Finance
• [New] Energy outlooks toward 2035 indicate that global renewable energy capacity could triple, while transmission and distribution infrastructure would need to double to keep pace with electrification, storage deployment and new demand patterns. Strategic Energy Europe
• [New] By matching industrial software developers with manufacturing companies, Beijing hopes to create a virtuous cycle in which more centralized demand drives advances in software, which boosts factory performance, creating more demand for better software. Merics
• [New] Natural gas will continue to account for almost a quarter of global energy demand, with its role in electricity generation and industrial applications expected to grow. Domestic Drilling and Operating
• [New] As global demand for natural gas continues to rise, particularly in emerging markets and regions transitioning to cleaner energy sources, the need for robust infrastructure is expected to grow. Domestic Drilling and Operating
• [New] Oracle's earnings bombshell dominates headlines: the cloud giant missed revenue estimates and hiked 2026 capital spending by $15 billion to $50 billion for AI infrastructure, fueling fears of an AI bubble and dragging Nasdaq futures down 0.4% while sinking its shares 13%. Tickeron
• [New] Global AI infrastructure spending is expected to surpass $2 trillion in 2026. pulumi
• [New] Economic value will increasingly flow through all levels of the global AI supply chain, driving historic opportunity and demand for energy, critical minerals, semiconductors, manufacturing, technological hardware, infrastructure, and new markets not yet invented. United States Department of State
• [New] China's major internet platforms are sharply increasing investment in artificial intelligence infrastructure, fueling expectations that domestic semiconductor and optical module suppliers will be key beneficiaries. Balfour Capital Group
• [New] Amazon announced plans to invest $35 billion in India by 2030, with stated goals including expansion of AI capabilities, boosting exports, expanding logistics infrastructure, and creating jobs. News, Events, Advertising Options
• [New] In 2026, AI will become fully integrated into cloud infrastructure. Digital IT News

Last updated: 21 December 2025