Global Scans · Digitalization · Weekly Summary

• [New] The global digital economy is forecast to grow 9.5% in 2026 and reach an estimated USD $28 trillion, according to a new outlook from the Digital Cooperation Organization. IT Brief UK
• [New] Digital activity will account for about 22% of global GDP in 2027. IT Brief UK
• [New] In 2026, as digital sovereignty takes center stage, digital workplace transformation and AI driven operations will demand updated infrastructure strategies, unified network-security approaches and robust safeguards. F5, Inc.
• [New] In 2026, AI will finish what digital transformation began: it will automate the consulting layer. The Medicine Maker
• [New] Gartner's strategic trends point to AI security platforms designed to anticipate threats and respond faster, including risks specific to AI systems such as prompt injection or rogue agent behaviour. The Daily Star
• [New] Cyber attacks in 2026 will increasingly try to erode public confidence in digital public services by targeting UK government bodies. TechRound
• [New] The use of digital wallets and digital identification will continue to accelerate globally in 2027. TechRound
• [New] Looking to 2026, digital wallet use will grow even faster. worldline
• [New] Digital wallets are expected to dominate 51.7% to 61% of all global ecommerce payments by 2026. Wiserreview
• [New] In 2026, digital identity wallets and verified digital credentials will help people prove who they are more quickly and securely - whether accessing financial services, confirming age or conducting higher-value transactions - while also helping platforms verify who they are dealing with. Financial IT
• [New] A unified digital platform for Free Trade Agreement (FTA) management, enhanced with blockchain and AI, could streamline compliance and unlock the full benefits of Singapore's FTA network. Voice of Alexandria
• [New] To bolster digital trust, Singapore could establish a regional Trusted AI mark to drive harmonization and innovation. Voice of Alexandria
• [New] Digital identity will be a key element, especially with the entry into force in 2026 of the obligation to offer a digital identity portfolio in each European member state. Telefonica
• [New] We expect many tens of gigawatts of new hyperscale data center capacity to come online over the next two to three years, driven by AI workloads supporting both internal platforms and large, strategic customer deployments. DataCenterKnowledge
• [New] In the year ahead, AI will move from a promising tool to a core part of digital infrastructure. DataCenterKnowledge
• [New] Digital twin technologies will reach $273 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of over 34%. AIMultiple
• [New] In 2026, observability will move from an engineering tool to a strategic enabler of digital trust, resilience, and competitive advantage. Express Computer
• [New] Digital transformation and insurtech integration The integration of emerging technology will accelerate in 2026. IFA Magazine
• [New] Cybersecurity The reason why cybersecurity will dominate as one of the top IT skills in 2026 is that digital threats are increasing, and organizations are having a hard time locating individuals with the appropriate expertise. https://www.uscsinstitute.org/cybersecurity-insights/bl
• [New] The digital economy will expand around three times faster than overall global economic output. IT Brief UK
• [New] By 2030, one-quarter of all national treasury disbursements will be executed using digital currency, specifically deposit tokens. BeInCrypto
• [New] As the world faces shifting geopolitical alignments, digital disruption, and urgent sustainability challenges, GWF 2026 will address a defining trinity: Sovereignty, Economy & Society-affirming geospatial's place as an anchor of resilience, equity, and innovation. Geospatial World Forum
• [New] Regulatory risks to digital assets have decreased, and Bitcoin, in particular, has become readily accessible via ETFs offered by large investment firms such as Fidelity and BlackRock. Sound Mind Investing

Last updated: 11 January 2026