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] The youth rebellion in Sterling's 2090s is like the 1960s involving art, music, drugs, and mind-expansion - adding networking, AI, and AR. Classics of Science Fiction
• [New] With continued investment, technological adaptation, and inclusive policy design, Slovenia could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030-mirroring broader European ambitions. Aviator PPG
• [New] Europe will likely see steady growth over the forecast period, with a share of nearly 16.9% in 2026, backed by rising emphasis on premium interior design, renovation activities, and increasing preference for durable and aesthetically appealing surfacing materials. Persistence Market Research
• [New] Quartz-based engineered stones are predicted to lead with a share of approximately 56.2% in 2026, as they provide a combination of durability, low maintenance, and design consistency that natural stones struggle to match. Persistence Market Research
• [New] Sustainability is central to the design, including what is expected to be Costa Rica's largest mass-timber structure. Luxury Travel Expert
• [New] CrowdStrike and Okta offered an even more tangible route to revenue, showing how the rise of autonomous AI agents could create fresh demand for cybersecurity, identity management and enterprise controls. investing.com
• [New] By 2030, AM Intelligence aims to hit 5GW of data center capacity across India, US and Europe, with facilities designed for high-density AI compute and liquid cooling. TahawulTech.com
• [New] By 2030, stronger European capabilities, production capacities, and logistical resilience are expected to reinforce European security as well as enhance the overall strength of the transatlantic defence architecture. Hudson Institute
• [New] By end 2026, all EU member states will launch national EU Digital Identity Wallets to their citizens. Signicat
• [New] In 2027, a truly smart hospital will not simply be highly connected - it will also be designed to remain secure and resilient. BMA
• [New] From 2038, packaging must achieve at least recyclability grade B, pushing companies toward continued improvements in packaging design and material choices. CNS Media
• [New] Multi-Agent Systems command a 53.3% architecture revenue share in 2026 and are forecast to sustain a 43.5% CAGR through 2035 as enterprise workflow complexity exceeds the reliable execution capability of single-agent architectures. evolvancemarketresearch.com
• [New] Digital identity verification and eKYC is projected to expand at a 16.11% CAGR through 2031. Mordor Intelligence
• [New] Mature North American and European markets will emphasize traffic recovery, restaurant productivity and sharper value architecture, while Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America contribute a larger share of net new unit growth. KEN research
• [New] By combining dialog, experimentation and co-design, the CREDEX contribution will demonstrate how micro-credentials can become connectors between education, industry, creative practice and policy, strengthening more responsive and interconnected skills ecosystems across Europe. Consorzio Materahub
• [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

Last updated: 31 August 2026