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] Social search is expected to become a key brand discovery channel in 2025, with 84% of marketers agreeing that consumers will search for brands on social media this year. Hubspot
• [New] Social media platforms, such as Instagram and TikTok, will increasingly serve as platforms for bookings, recommendations, and experiences. Travel And Tour World
• [New] Over six in 10 surveyed envision Singapore as a cohesive society, with diverse and inclusive communities where people care for one another and treat each other with kindness and empathy. ST
• [New] Young people in Singapore have indicated that they aspire to make a positive impact and want a society that celebrates non-traditional success, encourages risk-taking and embraces failure. ST
• [New] Early-stage innovation is vital to turning the challenges that come with Asia's demographic shifts into meaningful opportunities for communities across the region. Ainvest
• [New] The integration of AI into Saudi society presents transformative opportunities, enhancing the quality of life for citizens and promoting sustainable development. Meer
• [New] With plans to expand in key Asian markets like Japan, Korea, and China, the Shiba Inu community is growing globally, which could drive further adoption and value. TechBullion
• [New] Neighborhood-Level Resilience: Microgrids paired with thermal optimization will allow communities to operate semi - independently during grid failures, especially important in places like Texas and California. TechBullion
• [New] A newly disclosed vulnerability in an AI-powered coding tool favored by Coinbase has raised alarms across the cybersecurity and crypto communities. CryptoRank
• [New] Participants gain value directly from engagement rather than advertising, with projections indicating Web3 social platforms could reach $471 billion by 2034. Calibraint
• [New] Deepfake communications are creating a world where threat actors can position themselves to be anyone and say anything to disrupt and influence society. MIT OpenCourseWare
• [New] The FBI has issued warnings about increasingly sophisticated AI-powered attacks, including deepfake-enabled social engineering and automated vulnerability exploitation. HP Online Store
• [New] Confidence in the peace process will quickly erode without clear action from Turkey in the form of democratization and a credible commitment to respecting Kurdish cultural, political and economic rights. The Conversation
• [New] Investment will help councils improve transport for local people, from cleaner buses to safer cycling routes for communities across England. GOV.UK
• [New] Dubai has moved a step closer to becoming a cashless society by the end of 2026, after two Government departments signed a Memorandum of Understanding last week. Travel Gossip - Home
• [New] California is providing communities the opportunity to safely access help, care and resources to prevent gun violence. California State Portal
• [New] Local governments might invest in green infrastructure, creating urban spaces that are not only climate-resilient but also conducive to community well-being, enhancing the quality of life in a world undergoing drastic change. GreenPacks
• [New] For developing countries such as Kenya, Nigeria, India, and Sri Lanka, CEA contributes to food security, safety and quality while promoting social equity and providing job opportunities. Nature
• [New] As artificial intelligence replaces entry-level jobs, California's universities and community colleges are offering a glimmer of hope for students: free AI training that will help them master the new technology. Dictionary.com
• [New] The free trade is expected to boost bilateral trade by £25.5 billion and relax social security payments for short-term Indian workers in the UK for a maximum of 3 years. en_US
• Giving civil service employees access to Microsoft 365 Copilot AI could indeed save them an average of 26 minutes per day on office tasks. The Register
• The international intelligence community has been warning that China targets intellectual property in western nations for years. The Register
• The threat of money laundering has profound implications for governance, social development and gender equality. The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News

Last updated: 08 September 2025