Global Scans · Economy · Weekly Summary

DRIVER: The global economy still faces serious headwinds and political uncertainty potentially balanced by the enormous promise of technological advancements in many fields. Read on to get a solid handle on the opportunities and risks you and your organization may likely face and set your sails accordingly.

• [New] By aligning with a multipolar economic axis, Algeria would reduce its vulnerability to EU trade pressure while exploring asymmetrical free trade agreements tailored to its structural needs. Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung
• [New] Whether used in targeted modeling or enterprise-wide tools, AI will become a force multiplier for the financial system, and in the broader U.S. economy. Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
• [New] By 2027, 50% of people in advanced economies are expected to use AI personal assistants for daily tasks, including product discovery. Shopify
• [New] The energy crunch is also driving up costs and threatening Bangladesh's garment exports, the backbone of its economy, business leaders say. WHEC.com
• [New] Rising energy prices are expected to strain Bangladesh's finances, with the government likely to spend an additional $1.07 billion on LNG subsidies in the April-June quarter alone if global prices remain high. WHEC.com
• [New] The Asian Development Bank in late April cut growth forecasts for developing Asia and the Pacific, warning that war-driven energy disruptions would slow economies and fuel inflation. WHEC.com
• [New] Artificial intelligence and blockchain are poised to be two of the most transformative forces in the global economy over the next five years, unlocking major opportunities for companies' digital transformation especially in payments. J.P. MORGAN
• [New] Despite continued uncertainty, the U.S. economy is expected to remain resilient, benefiting from investment in AI and other industries. American Gaming Association
• [New] Electricity consumption from UK data centers alone is expected to quadruple by 2030. www.hoganlovells.com
• [New] Economic resilience has silenced fears of a slowdown in global growth, while concerns that massive investments in hyperscalers and adjacent industries would not translate into tangible profit growth appear equally overdone. financialpost
• [New] As production scales globally, purchase prices are also expected to move closer to petrol and diesel equivalents across many mainstream segments. heycar
• [New] Establishing a strategic reserve could position the U.S. as a leader in the cryptocurrency space, enhancing its economic influence as other nations explore similar reserves. Kavout
• [New] As Bitcoin appreciates over time, it could provide a buffer against inflation and enhance the U.S. position in the global economy. Kavout
• [New] Average consumer price inflation is projected to edge up from 8.3% in 2025 to 8.7% in 2026, ranging from 3.2% in Nepal and 4.1% in India to 35.4% in the Islamic Republic of Iran. India
• [New] Globally, concentrated AI infrastructure could push data center consumption above 5 to 6%. Scientific American
• [New] The collision between the clashing exponential curves of renewable energy supply and AI energy demands will determine not just the trajectory of the global energy system but whether the renewable energy transition succeeds before another technology consumption binge derails it entirely. Scientific American
• [New] While AI spending and US economic resilience fuel optimism, falling oil reserves and tightening supplies could lead to shortages and a significant global GDP contraction. Economic Times
• [New] Reliable baseload power could become one of the most valuable strategic assets in the digital economy over the next decade. Highways Today
• [New] India's GDP growth is set to moderate to 6.6% in the coming fiscal year, as persistent energy disruptions triggered by the West Asia conflict ripple through trade, inflation and financial conditions. Down To Earth
• [New] India's debt-to-GDP ratio is projected to rise from 56.1% in FY2026 to 57.5%, reversing the downward trajectory that fiscal consolidation had established. Discovery Alert
• [New] Central banks remain accommodative, with the Federal Reserve expected to cut rates by 50 to 75 basis points in 2026 amid sticky inflation. Sprott ETFs
• [New] With the UAE leaving, OPEC will lose about 15% of its total production capacity. Bastillepost
• [New] With the constraints of OPEC membership removed, Abu Dhabi is now aiming to raise its production capacity to five million barrels per day by 2027, according to Free Malaysia Today. Market Research Company - Blackridge Research & Consult

Last updated: 12 May 2026