Global Scans · Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure · Weekly Summary

In September 2015, 193 world leaders agreed to 17 Global Goals for Sustainable Development. If these Goals are completed, it would mean an end to extreme poverty, inequality and climate change by 2030.
Goal 9: Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation.

• [New] U.S. electricity demand is forecast to soar in the coming years driven by consumer needs, data center growth, increased AI use, and the industrial sector's need for constant power. Energy.gov
• [New] By strengthening trade barriers, the US hopes to raise export costs for Chinese companies, diminishing their competitiveness in global markets, slowing China's rise in high-tech industries, and revitalising domestic production through reshoring. Outlook India
• [New] The low carbon liquid fuels industry will be a key beneficiary of the AUD 1.7 billion Future Made in Australia Innovation Fund, with the Federal Government allocating AUD 250 million to accelerate its domestic growth. Westpac IQ
• [New] Private sector innovation and efficiency are expected to maximize revenue generation for the Egyptian government, improve airport infrastructure and efficiency, and attract more passengers. IFC
• [New] Guangdong provides up to 50 million RMB for robotics companies and RMB 10 million for AI firms, and Shenzhen has set bold targets for embodied intelligence, aiming to cultivate more than ten companies valued at more than 10 billion RMB and achieve an industry scale exceeding RMB 100 billion by 2027. ThinkChina - Big reads, Opinion & Columns on China
• [New] China's AI Software Revenue Growth: China is expected to dominate the Asia-Pacific region in AI software revenue growth by 2030, driven by its robust technological infrastructure and government support for AI development. 9cv9 Career Blog
• [New] Global AI Adoption Growth Rate (2025): In 2025, the global AI adoption rate is expected to increase by about 20%, driven by the expanding use of AI in various sectors for automation and innovation. 9cv9 Career Blog
• [New] Australia's model aims to create a hub-and-spoke system linking ISACs, industries, and companies, enhancing actionable threat intelligence sharing on a larger scale. The Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs
• [New] The UK's Industry 100 initiative, the United States Joint Cyber Defence Collaborative, and Australia's robust threat intelligence and blocking program are excellent examples of how governments can improve real-time threat intelligence and knowledge sharing between the public and private sectors. The Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs
• [New] Beyond the development targeted in Industrial Strategy, the logistics sector could provide a boost of £7.9 billion per year to the UK's GDP in productivity gains by 2030. Lockton
• [New] Digital and technologies Alongside the US and China, the UK is the only other nation to have a tech ecosystem valued at $1 trillion - infrastructure will be key in enabling UK companies to scale up. Lockton
• [New] The United States will encourage regional energy cooperation that advances projects in the Eastern Mediterranean and through the Abraham Accords framework, to include investing in natural gas, electricity, and other infrastructure with Israel and partner nations. The Heritage Foundation
• [New] AI infrastructure will play an increasingly critical role in driving economic growth across every industry and every region of the world. BlackRock
• [New] AI factories built on NVIDIA's full-stack AI infrastructure will convert data into intelligence that will accelerate every industry and help society achieve unimaginable breakthroughs. BlackRock
• [New] The global buildout of AI infrastructure will benefit every company and country that wants to achieve economic growth and unlock solutions to the world's greatest challenges. BlackRock
• [New] Industry groups in Canada are bracing for the chaos and damage they say will come from U.S. President Donald Trump's 25% tariffs on all vehicle imports, a move that could upend the highly integrated North American auto supply chain. Global News
• [New] US policymakers are worried about losing an innovation race with China in areas like electric vehicles or other green technologies, but putting up barriers to other markets will make us less - not more - competitive in the long term. Carbon Brief
• [New] UKDI will drive significantly faster procurement of innovation, foster a strong UK defence technology sector, and unlock the wider economic benefits of defence spending. Sage Advice United Kingdom
• [New] Should tariffs come into effect next week as promised, they could floor the European car industry, which is already dealing with weak sales and a threat from cheaper Chinese cars entering the EU. Politico
• [New] In 2025, the integration of AI technology is expected to grow further which will play a significantly crucial role in optimizing production, design, and logistics in the packaging industry. Kreafolk
• Foreign investors, particularly from China, South Korea, and Japan, will play a crucial role in financing and developing major projects, including industrial parks, logistics hubs, and residential developments. https://vir.com.vn/
• Private companies' flexibility and innovation could ensure that the U.S. maintains its strategic advantage in space, which is crucial for defence and economic security in the coming decades. The Heritage Foundation
• Nvidia's investment is expected to have a substantial economic impact, contributing to job creation and technological innovation in the U.S. semiconductor industry. Trends Newsline

Last updated: 30 March 2025