Global Scans · Social · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: In the years to come, social commerce will become more widespread and the level of personalization will improve with advanced AI solutions & chatbots. The number of worldwide social media users is projected to grow from 2.1 billion in 2016 to 2.5 billion by 2018.

• [New] In 2026, audiences expect brands to take a stance on social and environmental issues, and to do so with authenticity. MailChimp
• [New] As real-world community noise exposure data from eVTOL demonstration flights in UK and comparable markets accumulates and public familiarity with eVTOL operations builds, community acceptance barriers are expected to progressively diminish. Mobility Foresights
• [New] The upcoming elections in Colombia and Brazil are likely to face similar challenges and increased risks of social unrest. ZeroFOX
• [New] Up to 140,000 jobs could be lost in Australia's disability and social assistance sector over four years, following major National Disability Insurance Scheme reforms. Access Information News
• [New] 70% of organizers believe recent political events will result in a decline in inbound incentive travel; 65% think that the complex visa process and travel restrictions are making the U.S. less attractive; and 46% point to shifting views around DEI and the LGBTQ community. Skift Meetings
• [New] As older people take up a greater share of society, the likelihood that society as a whole will adopt new technologies more slowly may increase. Kellogg Insight
• [New] Singapore will officially become a super-aged society in 2026, with one in four citizens aged 65 and above by 2030. Asiamd
• [New] In 2026, with global challenges such as climate change, migration and technological disruption, cultural diplomacy is more important than ever. Hotel Washington
• [New] The Iranian regime poses a direct threat to dissidents and the Jewish community in Britain. 115771908788438436647
• [New] People who have limited access to quality housing, education, social protection and job opportunities have a higher risk of illness and death. PubMed Central (PMC)
• [New] The lithium triangle has become emblematic of the enormous risks posed by the rush for transition minerals and of the impacts of policies that fail to centre frontline communities' voices and guarantee corporate accountability. International Federation for Human Rights
• [New] $400 million over five years, starting in 2026-27, to maintain access to high-quality primary care services, including nurses, nurse practitioners, and paramedics for First Nations in rural and remote on-reserve communities. Assembly of First Nations
• [New] Social media recruiting on LinkedIn, online job boards, company career pages, and AI-powered sourcing platforms allow recruiters to surface passive candidates who are not actively searching but are open to the right opportunity. Frontline Source Group
• [New] Greece has announced plans to prohibit children under the age of 15 from using social media platforms starting in 2027, joining a growing number of EU countries pursuing similar measures. EU DisinfoLab
• [New] The Social Security Administration assumes the United States will grow by another 100 million residents by the end of this century. Deseret News
• [New] In Mexico City, a boutique hotel will reinterpret the city hotel concept with bold design, a courtyard pool and a rooftop cocktail bar that draws the creative community. Stay Experience
• [New] Marketing messages that promote prevention of diseases and avoiding health risks are more persuasive in Chinese societies. FoodNavigator-Asia.com
• [New] With a commitment to transitioning municipal operations to 100% clean and renewable energy by 2050, they are integrating smart land use, conservation, and community engagement into its planning. American Planning Association
• [New] Agentic AI could support the automatic switching of products, reducing inertia, and potentially encourage a saving and retail investment culture. Passle
• [New] Non-US persons who pay could face civil and criminal enforcement liability if payments cause US persons, such as insurers and financial institutions, to violate sanctions. BBC News
• [New] Insider threats and social engineering remain critical weak points. MEXC
• [New] Latimpacto emphasized a need to distinguish between rural and urban community development in Latin America and to develop more nuanced categories of marginalized communities, including economic vulnerability, identity-based exclusion, and racial marginalization. Stanford Social Innovation Review

Last updated: 11 May 2026