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] By 2027, AI chatbots will handle 80% of all customer inquiries on social media. HyScaler
• [New] In 2026, the social media world will face a fundamental realignment: artificial intelligence and algorithms will automate almost every aspect of social media marketing, while users will simultaneously crave more authenticity. infludata
• [New] Nearly every service and program is at risk of cuts in 2026, including in health care, and that reducing the size of the civil service, closing small schools and selling off provincial properties are all being considered. 650 CKOM
• [New] Social Security's Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund will deplete in six years (2032). Penn Wharton Budget Model
• [New] We will see a massive shift back toward community-driven platforms like Reddit, Discord, and Substack. HyScaler
• [New] By 2026, two-thirds of Gen Z and Gen Alpha are projected to spend more time gaming than on social media. IDC
• [New] Families across Idaho could lose Medicaid-funded home care services that allow people with significant disabilities to remain in their homes rather than move into institutions or hospitals, a change that would affect communities statewide, including rural areas with limited alternatives. RuralOrganizing
• [New] Idaho's Republican-led legislature is weighing $22 million in Medicaid cuts that could gut in-home and community-based care for people with disabilities, forcing some into nursing facilities that are not equipped to meet their needs. RuralOrganizing
• [New] About 47% of U.S. social buyers are expected to make purchases through Instagram in 2026. Social Media Marketing & Management Dashboard
• [New] Global social commerce will hit $2.11 trillion by the end of 2026. HyScaler
• [New] If CVS successfully integrates digital platforms with its vast physical footprint, it could influence how care is delivered outside traditional medical settings, from community pharmacies to virtual care interfaces and beyond. SNS Insider
• [New] India emerges as the fastest-growing country in Asia Pacific, expected to achieve 8-10% growth between 2026 and 2033, driven by rising disposable incomes, accelerating urbanization, and a deep cultural affinity for Ayurvedic and herbal formulations. Persistence Market Research
• [New] The alignment of US, UK, and Australian advisories at the lowest possible risk level reflects genuine conditions: low violent crime, political stability, functional tourism infrastructure, and a welcoming culture for international visitors. Wirestork
• [New] The coming, highly likely severe global downturn will push Australia's brittle social and economic systems to the brink of collapse. Alex White | Strategy | Advocacy | Policy | Communicati
• [New] In February, the UN Human Rights Council warned in a new report that Israeli policies in the West Bank - including the systematic unlawful use of force by Israeli security forces and unlawful demolitions of Palestinian homes - aim to uproot Palestinian communities. Al Jazeera
• [New] Few trust private developers, but the next four years could see more communities building their own renewable schemes. The Guardian
• [New] There is increasing fear about the economic, social, environmental, and institutional crises the world faces, and answers seem to be getting more plentiful, technical, and confusing. Sparx Publishing Group
• [New] In 2026, with climate change, over-tourism, and cultural erosion threatening many destinations, travelers must prioritize conscious, eco-friendly, and culturally respectful choices. MEXC
• [New] The spate of targeted strikes sparked fear among Jewish communities already reeling from the surge in antisemitism after the Gaza war. The Guardian
• [New] Air pollution is the world's leading environmental health risk, driving respiratory and cardiovascular disease, asthma, and premature births, with lower-income communities most affected. Positive News
• [New] As AI technology improves and leverages the underregulated space it inhabits to creep further into modern society, the risks it brings have become a major topic of public discussion over the past year or so. Gizmodo
• [New] Socialists and class struggle oriented unionists will emphasize the class nature of Trump's attack and the working class composition of the immigrant communities under attack. / USA International Viewpoint - online socialist magazine

Last updated: 30 March 2026