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] AI becomes core business infrastructure Artificial intelligence is expected to move beyond early adoption and into the center of business operations in 2026. The Daily Star
• [New] The orbital economy is moving fast, and its infrastructure will be as critical to the planet's economy as ports, highways, and data centers are on Earth. Payload
• [New] In 2026, data centers will be redefined as AI growth drives power demands, operational challenges, and sustainability innovation. DataCenterKnowledge
• [New] In 2026, your payment infrastructure will not just process transactions-it'll generate competitive intelligence. Trust Payments
• [New] Businesses should treat 2026 as a year to strengthen their resilience infrastructure - localize supply chains, prepare for future disclosure demands, and hard-wire climate risk into operations. Ivey Business School
• [New] 2026 will be a year of reckoning when organizations regroup and focus on a more pragmatic approach to AI, developing solutions that are industry-native and respond to real needs. SME Magazine
• [New] Inspired by the successful lobbying effort of the German car industry to weaken its climate goals for 2035, the first companies are calling for the abolition or weakening of the carbon pricing scheme for electricity and industry. Clean Energy Wire
• [New] Convergence of APTs and Cybercrime: The line between nation-state actors and criminal gangs will blur as they share infrastructure and tactics, accelerating the scale and sophistication of global attacks. Breached Company
• [New] Industry-specific solutions, AI-native modernization blueprints, and scalable engineering frameworks will be jointly developed to support secure, enterprise-grade adoption. Analytics India Magazine
• [New] To ensure secure, enterprise-grade adoption, Infosys and Cognition will jointly develop industry-specific solutions, AI-native modernization blueprints, and scalable engineering frameworks, supported by co-innovation labs and enablement programs. CNW Group
• [New] In 2026, industrial connections between China, Japan, and South Korea drive the main economic risks in the Asia-Pacific region. SpecialEurasia
• [New] In 2026, agentic AI will become a cornerstone of industrial innovation, transforming operations in both Life Sciences and Food & Beverage manufacturing. The Manufacturer
• [New] For ResourceWise, 2026 represents a pivotal year in which trade dynamics, capacity rationalization, carbon-related value creation and capital discipline will continue to reshape the global pulp, paper and forest products industry. Paper Advance
• [New] The Wall Street Journal reports Nvidia unveiled faster AI chips sooner than expected, accelerating a cadence that could reshape how cloud providers plan capacity and how AI infrastructure firms finance hardware. Tech Startups - Tech News, Tech Trends & Startup Fundin
• [New] Visible progress on major infrastructure projects could provide a much needed confidence boost to the business community in what is shaping up to be a tough year for Canada's economy. Ivey Business School
• [New] The future Alto High-Speed Rail project will be one of Canada's largest infrastructure investments in the decades to come. TravelMole
• [New] As investment in subsea cables continues to rise, the convergence of data centers, subsea infrastructure, and edge connectivity will define the next chapter of global digital transformation. FlippingBook
• [New] The United States will run Venezuela until a transition and will bring American firms to restore oil infrastructure. The Asia Cable
• [New] As global interconnectivity and reliance on technology expand, the need for data centers and digital infrastructure rises, which consumes more energy and water for cooling, thus contributing to climate risk. Actuarial Review Magazine
• [New] The period leading up to 2026 will likely determine whether Vietnam can transition from a high growth emerging economy to a sustainable, innovation driven powerhouse. PDLegal LLC
• [New] For U.S. equities, the current policy mix-industrial incentives, tax cuts, and AI-driven capex - has supported risk assets and driven opportunities in sectors like technology and manufacturing. Morgan Stanley
• [New] Israel will presumably make dismantling Hamas's military infrastructure and demilitarizing Gaza a prerequisite for reconstruction, while other actors will emphasize the importance of a clear political horizon to build public trust and foster disengagement. The Washington Institute
• [New] Global investment in AI infrastructure is expected to reach $2 trillion in 2026, and the potential for packaging is immense. WhatTheyThink

Last updated: 11 January 2026