Global Scans · Technology · Weekly Summary

• [New] In Hangzhou (China), civil servants adopted a control system powered with image recognition and deep learning technologies that provides real-time traffic recommendations and corrective measures to reduce congestion and optimise responses in case of incidents or disruptions. UITP
• [New] 2020 will be the first year whereby AI technologies will create more jobs than they displace, with a net growth of 2 million jobs between 2020 and 2025. UITP
• [New] Canada's Department of Defence and Canadian Armed Forces published its Quantum Science & Technology Strategy Implementation Plan in 2023, also known as Quantum 2030, which sets forth a roadmap for ensuring DND/CAF is better prepared for the disruptive potential of quantum technologies. International Trade Administration | Trade.gov
• [New] Over 60% of bauxite alumina facilities will adopt smart automation technologies by 2025. Farmonaut
• [New] Over 70% of new mining projects in 2025 will implement automated ERT systems for tailings dam monitoring. Farmonaut
• [New] The EV / AI sector is a $1.2 trillion opportunity by 2030, driven by demand for autonomous systems, AI-powered user interfaces, and sustainable mobility. Ainvest
• [New] From improving flight booking systems and hotel reservations to creating more efficient airport operations, the digital transformation discussed at GITEX will make travel easier, faster, and more enjoyable for tourists visiting Nigeria. Travel And Tour World
• [New] New Zealand-based Halter will make its virtual fencing technology available to more US ranchers via a new partnership with the Bureau of Land Management and it's charitable arm, the Foundation for America's Public Lands. AgFunderNews
• [New] Safe Pro Group Inc. has achieved a significant milestone by integrating its AI-enabled drone technology with the U.S. Army's systems, enhancing the military's capability to detect explosive threats in real time. citybuzz
• [New] Cisco has issued a patch for a maximum-severity bug in its Secure Firewall Management Center (FMC) software that could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to inject arbitrary shell commands on vulnerable systems. The Register
• [New] Researchers at MIT have proposed a new kind of AI benchmark to measure how AI systems can manipulate and influence their users - in both positive and negative ways - in a move that could perhaps help AI builders avoid similar backlashes in the future while also keeping vulnerable users safe. Wired
• [New] Aggregate forecasts give at least a 50% chance of AI systems achieving several AGI milestones by 2028. MIT Technology Review
• [New] Key developments include massive data breaches affecting telecommunications providers, airlines, and financial institutions, alongside emergency government directives addressing critical vulnerabilities in Microsoft Exchange and SharePoint systems. FireCompass
• [New] By 2025, breakthroughs in battery technology will further enhance the reliability and efficiency of solar energy, making it a dominant power source worldwide. Arka
• [New] Globally, the International Energy Agency projects electricity demand will rise by 2.7% annually through 2026, driven by three primary forces: Data center expansion linked to AI and cloud computing, which alone could add 160-200 TWh annually by 2030 in the U.S. Connect Money
• [New] 75% of all new applications will be created using low code / no code technology by 2026. Raj Kumar
• [New] In 2025, agentic AI will drive strategic decisions across industries, integrating with IoT and blockchain for efficiency in healthcare and finance, while quantum computing advances complex problem-solving and cryptography. WebProNews
• [New] By 2025, anticipated spend on tax technology leapt from 65% (2024) to a striking 74%, with the number of departments actively exploring AI/GenAI tools climbing from 28% to 42%, as reported in the Corporate Tax Technology Report (2025). Tax & Accounting Blog Posts by Thomson Reuters
• [New] Private 5G Network will fuel Edge computing and push enterprises to the Edge. Thinkers360
• [New] 27% of manufacturing enterprises have already deployed edge computing, and 64% plan to have it deployed by the end of 2027. Global Business
• [New] As global industries and governments ramp up investments in green infrastructure, electrification, and advanced defence systems, British Columbia will continue to meet rising copper demands without sacrificing ecological or social responsibility. Farmonaut

Last updated: 18 August 2025