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] The Ada Lovelace Institute has warned that AI transcription tools are being rapidly adopted across social work despite limited and light-touch approaches to ethics and evaluation. UKAuthority
• [New] From 2027, the Language Elective Programme will expand, adding schools for Chinese and Tamil languages to offer more students advanced mother tongue learning and cultural exposure. ST
• [New] In spring 2027 it will bring in a social media ban for under-16s, which will include platforms like Instagram, TikTok and YouTube. / UK The Guardian
• [New] Business leaders cited in Deloitte's 2026 Gen Z and Millennial survey said they worry that an early reliance on technology could hinder human capabilities such as critical thinking, communication, empathy, influence, and social skills when looking at younger generations coming into the workforce. City AM
• [New] Singapore's ageing society creates significant opportunities for innovation and technology adoption. ST
• [New] Latest Developments Observed The threat actor is suspected of targeting government organizations, military personnel, and critical entities in Ukraine through a recent campaign leveraging ClickFix social engineering, compromised websites, and counterfeit security software as initial access vectors. CYFIRMA
• [New] Social work graduates often remain to serve high-need communities through OPT or advanced research positions, helping to meet the projected 6% growth in social work jobs from 2024-34, which is expected to create over 74,000 new positions. Federal Register
• [New] Social commerce revenue is projected to exceed $1 trillion globally by the end of 2026. Web Tonic
• [New] A future high speed rail network will connect Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne and regional communities in between - creating generations of opportunity for all Australians. AusRAIL - The largest rail event in Asia-Pacific region
• [New] Links remain the dominant delivery method: Microsoft found 78% of email threats were link-based, and KnowBe4 put links (including QR codes) at 60.1% of payloads, ahead of attachments (30.6%) and pure social engineering. PhishEye
• [New] The net primary school enrolment rate fell to 94.5% in 2025 for the second consecutive year, while the Community Basic Education program - focused on indigenous communities - will face a real reduction of 20% in 2026. BNamericas
• [New] UNHCR's Baltic calls run 2027 to 2029 and embed refugees into national asylum, housing, and social-protection systems rather than delivering relief. / Iraq Impact Funding
• [New] Social media platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, and X are seen as major contributors to disinformation, highlighting the risks companies face in digital ecosystems. Metro Atlanta CEO
• [New] The Cabinet Office will lead AI adoption across the civil service. UKAuthority
• [New] Responsibility for AI strategy, public sector AI adoption and the AI Security Institute moves to the Cabinet Office, which will also lead AI adoption across the civil service. UKAuthority
• [New] By 2030, overseas opportunities and internships will increase, and a new Youth Policy Network will engage young people in policymaking and social issues. ST
• [New] AI will have a negative impact on society; only 16% said it would be positive. / USA Business Insider
• [New] AI and Indigenous interests will never be a non-issue - Indigenous communities face ongoing threats to self-determination as data is extracted globally without consent, and participation in the AI landscape is not optional. The Collaboratory for Indigenous Data Governance
• [New] AI and digital communities offer matching tools and virtual spaces, but WHO warns against over-reliance without human elements. Socialworkin
• [New] The positive outlook is that wide-scale humanoid adoption will herald an unprecedented era of global abundance, automating mundane and dangerous labour while ushering in post-scarcity societies. Time
• [New] The Civil Justice Council is to continue exploring proportionate transparency on the use of AI in preparing witness statements for trial but will not extend it to other documents. Legal Futures
• [New] Build Capacity Against Hybrid Threats: India must adopt a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to counter hybrid threats that blend terrorism, cyber attacks, disinformation, and economic coercion. Drishti IAS
• [New] Technological risks are rising globally, with misinformation and disinformation ranking 5th worldwide, reflecting growing threats to democratic processes and social trust. Drishti IAS

Last updated: 03 August 2026