Global Scans · Design · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: Design thinking will increasingly play a key role in improving systems and customer experiences. Companies will re-learn their approach to innovation and embrace human-centred design principles. Designers will begin to apply knowledge of human interaction, specifically in the area of how we earn trust and respect, to AI systems.

• [New] Tunisia's new digital-development agenda provides an opportunity to connect fintech with e-government, digital identity and e-commerce rather than treating financial innovation as a standalone sector. The Fintech Times
• [New] The EU's Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, requiring that all new buildings achieve near-zero energy performance by 2028, is simultaneously driving demand for high-performance thermal insulation glazing systems where structural silicone sealants are an indispensable component. Persistence Market Research
• [New] Canopies are expected to witness the fastest growth rate of 23.1% from 2026 to 2033, fueled by technological innovations in parachute fabric, design, and maneuverability, enhancing performance and safety. Data Bridge Market Research
• [New] Battery design and optimization is expected to be the fastest-growing application, expanding at nearly 45.2% CAGR through 2033. Persistence Market Research
• [New] By the end of 2026, the 27 states within the European Union are expected to have infrastructure in place to do age verification within a mini-wallet app that will live inside the EUDI (European Digital Identity) Wallet. Techdirt
• [New] A China-origin semiconductor company will invest RM700.0 million to establish a state-of-the-art 12-inch WLCSP (Wafer-Level Chip Scale Packaging) mass production facility, specifically optimised for automotive CMOS image sensors. Invest Malaysia
• [New] TIER IV has joined JST's Next-Generation Edge AI Semiconductor R&D Program and plans to open-source the logic design, compiler, and toolchain for a Level 4 autonomous driving AI chip. Self Drive News
• [New] IBM intends to deploy its new modular cryogenic architecture in 2027, with near-term systems using two to three cells supporting around 1,000 qubits in total. Live Science
• [New] By 2026, 30% of enterprises will no longer view standalone identity verification checks as reliable in isolation, and Deloitte estimates that generative AI could drive total fraud losses in the U.S. $40 billion by 2027. Identity Week
• [New] Shufti's new research reveals a rapid surge in deepfake AI-powered identity fraud which is projected to increase by 495% by the end of 2026, fuelled by document deepfakes and synthetic identities. Identity Week
• [New] The growing U.S. air fryer ownership trend is creating new extruded snack opportunities, as consumers increasingly seek extruded pellet snacks and half-products designed for air fryer preparation that deliver restaurant-quality results with reduced oil content. Woodstone Research & Consulting
• [New] The Joby electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft is designed to carry a pilot and four passengers and is expected to reduce the trip from Dubai International Airport to Palm Jumeirah to just 10 minutes instead of a 45-minute car ride. curt.cultice@trade.gov
• [New] HDR's architecture practice in Australia has identified seven megatrends expected to shape the built environment in 2026, reflecting a shift toward sustainability, adaptive reuse, digital integration and holistic urban thinking. Melbourne Build Expo 2025
• MySpace's original strengths - music, creativity, and personal expression - could still resonate, but only with more accessible design. BBC News
• The Scottish Government is working in partnership with industry, regulators, local authorities, and delivery partners to design and deliver the infrastructure that will serve Scotland for decades to come. UKAuthority
• A partnership with Microsoft, using Microsoft Discovery, is supporting the development of machine learning models that predict and optimize chemical processes, including identifying materials for energy storage and the design of microbes with specific functions. AZOM
• Several hyperscalers have set water-positive goals by 2030 with zero-water cooling emerging as a key design principle for new data center construction. AI Business Weekly
• Nature-inspired concepts will play an increasingly important role in architectural lighting design throughout 2026. Lena Lighting
• Arlington County expects the 30% design milestone in fall 2026, but construction is projected for fiscal year 2031 and is expected to take about two years. FoxesSellFaster.com
• Upgrading residential buildings will help Australia develop a clean energy grid and ultimately achieve net zero emissions. Climateworks Centre

Last updated: 24 August 2026