Global Scans · Consumer · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: Technology will become the new sales assistant, always on, always friendly, always delivering. Consumers will co-create and create products to their exact needs. Brands will have to focus on seizing mobile moments on apps that already have consumer's attention. Instantly explore below how lifestyles, buying behaviors and attitudes are changing and where you fall short in the battle to win consumers hearts and minds.

• [New] The most important use case for IoT devices in the consumer segment are consumer internet & media devices such as smartphones, where the number of IoT devices is forecast to grow to more than 17 billion by 2033. Statista
• [New] AkashML offers one-click model endpoints; Homenode adds consumer GPU contribution; Starcluster plans to acquire ~7,200 NVIDIA GB200 GPUs via vetted Nodekeepers. Canonical
• [New] Crypto firms will need to obtain FCA authorization and comply with new prudential, governance, operational resilience, and consumer protection requirements. Sumsub
• [New] In 2026, companies will use AI not simply to automate repetitive jobs but also to protect cybersecurity, improve consumer experiences, make better decisions, and generate new revenue streams. -
• [New] Asia Pacific is anticipated to lead in 2026 with a share of nearly 37.1%, because it is the global hub for consumer electronics and semiconductor production. Persistence Market Research
• [New] The consumer electronics segment is anticipated to dominate with a share of nearly 40.2% in 2026 because motion sensing is now a core user interface feature. Persistence Market Research
• [New] The convergence of insecurity, population displacement and mobility, and cross-border movements complicate response operations and increase the risk of further geographical spread. BBC News
• [New] Consumer views remain cautious: while 53% expect AI to improve access to care and 46% expect lower costs, only one in three U.S. adults uses AI chatbots for health information. MedTech Daily
• [New] OpenAI's first consumer device is reportedly a screenless, portable ChatGPT smart speaker with cameras, sensors, GPT-Live voice, and moving parts, aiming for a 2027 release. AI-Weekly
• [New] Marketers will need to balance personalized experiences with maintaining consumer trust, ensuring that data is used transparently and securely SAS. Enrich Labs
• [New] The FTC has issued repeated consumer alerts treating voice cloning as an impersonation and deception risk, and the FBI IC3 has published public service announcements warning that AI-generated audio is used in vishing campaigns against families and officials. EyeSift
• [New] Saudi Arabia has been moving forward with Vision 2030 with large-scale smart cities initiatives like NEOM to foster AI, IoT, smart mobility, and digital infrastructure. Precedence Research
• [New] In 2026, the FMCG world is kinda going to be shaped by a mix of economic strain, digital transformation, AI adoption, and consumer expectations that keep shifting. Global Risk Community
• [New] One of the month's most significant developments came from new research by WARC and PHD, which projects that AI agents could facilitate US$ 3.35 trillion in global consumer spending by 2030, representing approximately 3.8% of worldwide consumer expenditure. MediaBUZZ
• [New] AI is reshaping consumer expectations: 76% of consumers believe AI will improve the quality and speed of customer service in the next two to three years. Genesys
• [New] After the unwelcome rise in consumer prices in 2026 from the spike in oil prices, another jolt from 15% tariffs on Mexican and Canadian goods could be unpopular with American voters. Peterson Institute for International Economics
• [New] The geopolitical and macroeconomic landscape remains uncertain, with the onset of the conflict in the Middle East adding to economic and consumer confidence risks. Ecofin Agency

Last updated: 06 August 2026