Digital Lifescapes

There is a pivotal shift within the global smartphone market. Recent data from IDC highlights a more cautious outlook for 2025, with projected worldwide smartphone shipments seeing a significantly reduced growth rate. This revised forecast underscores the intricate interplay of global economic factors and geopolitical dynamics on pervasive personal communication devices. IDC's latest update projects a mere 0.6 percent growth in worldwide smartphone shipments for 2025, a stark reduction from the earlier 2.3 percent expectation. Global Smartphone Market Development This recalibration is largely attributed to prevailing economic uncertainties, including inflationary pressures and rising unemployment, alongside the persistent specter of tariff volatility. Despite these global tensions, it's interesting to note that the United States and China are still identified as the primary drivers of this modest growth. China, a critical market, is forecast to achieve a 3 percent year-over-yea...

The artificial intelligence (AI) server market stands at a crossroads, propelled by the dual engines of agentic AI and inferencing, even as it encounters the headwinds of global tariff pressures. As more organizations across industries race to harness AI's transformative power, the infrastructure underpinning these capabilities has become a focal point for investment, innovation, and strategic maneuvering. Recent findings from ABI Research underscore just how dynamic and lucrative this sector has become, forecasting robust growth and highlighting the technological and geopolitical forces at play. Agentic AI and Inferencing Market Development Agentic AI refers to AI systems capable of making independent decisions and taking actions to achieve specific goals, often with minimal human intervention. Inferencing is the process by which trained AI models generate predictions or decisions from new data inputs. Together, these advancements are driving a surge in demand for specialized serv...

The global digital business arena's relentless expansion drives an unprecedented surge in IT data center demand. This comes with a significant challenge: rising energy consumption costs.  Based on the latest research, I've observed how this trend is reshaping the cloud computing industry and creating both obstacles and opportunities for leaders across the tech spectrum. Data centers are experiencing an infrastructure transformation, primarily fueled by the explosive growth of Artificial Intelligence (AI) workloads. Data Center Energy Market Development According to a recent IDC worldwide market study, AI data center capacity is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 40.5 percent through 2027. This AI-driven demand is reshaping the data center sector and redefining the economics of IT infrastructure. "There are any number of options to increase data center efficiency, ranging from technological solutions like improved chip efficiency and liquid cooling...

The global energy landscape is undergoing a significant transformation. Renewable energy sources like solar and wind are rapidly gaining ground as we transition towards net-zero emissions. However, this transition hinges on a crucial but often overlooked factor: the modernization and expansion of our aging power grids across the globe. For decades the backbone of our electricity delivery system has been largely static. The influx of variable renewable energy sources like solar and wind presents a new challenge. Smart Power Grid Market Development Integrating these resources effectively requires a Smarter, more Responsive grid that can handle fluctuating power generation and efficiently distribute it across vast distances. This is where a new trillion-dollar energy market growth opportunity emerges. According to a recent worldwide market study by ABI Research, global investments in public grid digitalization and transmission network expansion must exceed $4 trillion by 2030 to meet our ...

The telecom sector is undertaking an update of its IT infrastructure. As demand for data continues to soar with the proliferation of 5G and new apps, network operators can't rely on their legacy hardware and network architectures. The process of "Cloudification" offers a path to reduce costs, improve efficiency and scalability, plus meet increasingly ambitious infrastructure sustainability goals. According to the latest market study by Juniper Research, cloudification spending by telecom operators will see tremendous growth in the coming years, rising from $26.6 billion in 2024 to $64.9 billion by 2028 -- that's a 144 percent increase in just four years. Telecom Cloud Apps Market Development "Telecom networks are becoming more complex; requiring increasingly automated network management systems. However, operators must insulate mission-critical traffic when reducing power, to guarantee quality of service for enterprises," said Alex Webb, research analyst at ...

Imagine a building that operates like a self-sufficient island, generating its own clean energy to power everything from lights to air conditioning, all while leaving no carbon footprint. That's the essence of a net-zero energy building, a revolutionary concept poised to transform the real estate landscape. Think of it as cutting the cord on your monthly energy bills, slashing greenhouse gas emissions, and attracting eco-conscious building tenants -- all while potentially boosting your asset value. The count of net-zero energy buildings worldwide will experience significant expansion in the coming years, according to the latest worldwide market study by ABI Research. Net-Zero Energy Buildings Market Development Driven by climate change imperatives, policy support, and maturing technologies, the market is forecasted to grow at a 29 percent Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) through 2027. "With buildings accounting for over one-third of global energy consumption, the real estate...

Growing awareness of sustainability and the threat of a global temperature increase is motivating strategic shifts in government and commercial organizations. Leaders are adopting carbon management tools to address the anticipated 18 percent GDP loss from climate change by 2050. These carbon management tools are used to calculate, manage, monitor, and report emissions, and help measure operational results throughout the global supply chain. According to the latest worldwide market study by ABI Research, the carbon management software solutions market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 19.7 percent, reaching $5.5 billion by 2032. Carbon Management Apps Market Development Scope 3 emissions, which can be 5 to 25 times higher than Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions, constitute up to 90 percent of the overall environmental impact, according to the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP). Accurate measurement of Scope 3 emissions is crucial for government and business leaders to enhance resilience and eff...

The demand for smart traffic management systems has grown due to rising urban populations and increasing vehicle ownership. With more people and cars concentrated in cities, problems like traffic congestion, air pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions are pressing issues. Since the early 2000s, government leaders have been exploring ways to leverage advances in IoT connectivity, sensors, artificial intelligence (AI), and data analytics to address these transportation challenges. The concept of a Smart City emerged in the 2010s, with smart mobility and intelligent traffic management as key components.  Smart Traffic Management Market Development Concerns about continued climate change, as well as cost savings from improved traffic flow, have further motivated local government investment in these advanced systems. According to the latest worldwide market study by Juniper Research, they found that by 2028, smart traffic management investment will be up by 75 percent from a 2023 figure...

As a senior executive, have you considered how the rapidly evolving blockchain and distributed ledger technologies could revolutionize your organization's operations and competitive standing in the Global Networked Economy? Across the globe, the enterprise demand for blockchain applications is on the rise, driven by the need for operational efficiencies, transparency, and security in business transactions. As organizations grapple with the challenges of digital transformation initiatives, blockchain technology offers a promising solution to streamline processes, reduce fraud, and enhance customer trust. Blockchain Market Development Despite the prior volatility and hype cycles associated with blockchain use cases, its potential to revolutionize industries from finance to supply chain cannot be understated. According to the latest worldwide market study by ABI Research , the blockchain and distributed ledger technology (DLT) market is expected to reach a value of $25 billion by 2027...

Government decarbonization targets are specific goals set to significantly reduce or eliminate carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions. These targets are a critical component of global efforts to combat current climate change risks. Governments establish these goals to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change by promoting the adoption of renewable energy sources, enhancing energy efficiency, and sustainable transportation. These targets typically involve setting a timeline with measurable milestones to track progress and ensure accountability toward a cleaner, healthier planet for future generations. Electric Vehicle Market Development With the growing government decarbonization targets, Electric Vehicle (EV) production will increase rapidly this decade. New EV adoption will require a corresponding growth in EV battery output. According to the latest worldwide market study by ABI Research, global EV battery output production will increase nearly six times to 2,585 GWh b...

Climate change has already driven many CFOs and other senior executives to explore the most effective ways to ensure access to electricity that meets demand in the Global Networked Economy. Escalating energy prices pose a formidable obstacle to business leaders worldwide. During 2023, those prices will surge to a global $1.73 trillion enterprise spend on electricity consumption -- which considers the electrification acceleration of vehicle fleets and robots. As a result, the C-suite is now compelled to reassess their energy purchase agreements with utilities, contemplate installing renewable micro-grid systems, and prioritize energy efficiency. To do so, enterprises will invest $70 billion on smart energy solutions by 2030. Smart Energy Market Development In response, ABI Research has launched its Smart Energy for Enterprises and Industries research service to guide leaders on navigating the globally disrupted energy markets, achieving energy independence, and transitioning to renewabl...

Green public policy is about the commitment to sustainability and environmental management. Having a formal policy shows the world that managing environmental issues is a high priority to address climate change. The global public and private investment levels in green urban infrastructure are expected to increase from $606 billion in 2022 to $978 billion in 2030, according to the latest worldwide market study by ABI Research. Growth will evolve across a wide range of Green assets, including city parks, urban forests, blue spaces such as ponds and lakes, rooftop gardens, green walls and buildings, and pedestrianized green streets as part of new urban concepts. Green Technology Market Development Example projects include the Green makeover of the Champs Élysées in Paris for the 2024 Olympics (€250 million), the redevelopment of the former Athens International Airport into the Metropolitan Park and Coastal Front (€8 billion), and the NEOM Regreening and Saudi Green Initiatives ($187 billi...

Global climate change policy initiatives have been an emerging topic for CEOs and their leadership teams, as they look to the future. Many organizations are preparing to play their part and help reduce carbon emissions. Eighty-seven percent of business leaders expect to increase their organization’s investment in sustainability over the next two years, according to the latest worldwide market study by Gartner. Customers are the stakeholder group creating pressure for these organizations to invest or act on sustainability issues -- selected by 80 percent of executives, followed by investors (60 percent) and regulators (55 percent). Sustainability Market Development "Sustainability enables businesses to cope with disruption," said Kristin Moyer, VP analyst at Gartner . "Economic uncertainty, geopolitical conflict and escalating materials and energy costs are forcing businesses to reexamine all forms of expenditure." According to Gartner, this focus on essentialism -- ...

Urban areas within cities account for more than 50 percent of Earth's population and are estimated to be responsible for more than 70 percent of global carbon emissions. To combat this, decarbonization strategies are being employed by forward-thinking city leaders around the globe. According to the latest worldwide market study by ABI Research, smart city technologies will be a critical asset for this transformation. Municipal decarbonization will be a component of local government efforts for Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) policies. Government ESG Market Development "The principles behind smart city technologies, such as increasing efficiency, better data management, and better decision making are also essential for decarbonization and reaching net-zero goals," said  Dominique Bonte, vice president at ABI Research . Technologies such as digital twins, smart street lights, micro-grids, computer vision, smart city management platforms, and micro-mobility are al...

Today's business leaders face mounting pressures to improve their Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) skills. Because the initial steps to the formulation of a sustainable enterprise transformation can be daunting for the C-suite, demand for ESG business strategy consulting has increased. According to the latest worldwide market study by International Data Corporation (IDC), ESG business services spending will grow to $158 billion in 2025 with a five-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 32.3 percent. "In 2022, all enterprises are being pushed to transform and fundamentally change the way they do business to become sustainable enterprises," said Dan Versace, research analyst at IDC . ESG Business Consulting Market Development Owing to increased pressure from customers, investors, and regulators, savvy organizations are just beginning to understand the business case for actionable Corporate Sustainability strategies. Those organizations that develop and implem...

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) proposed rule changes that would require climate-related disclosures and periodic reports -- including risks that are likely to have a material impact on a corporation. Business technologies might be a key component of responding to new SEC requirements. Cloud service sustainability, carbon footprint measurement, and advanced energy grid management software are three environmental technologies that could reach early mainstream adoption within one to three years. "Environmental sustainability cannot be the responsibility of just a few industries -- if our climate is to be protected, sustainable business must be a global priority," said Annette Zimmermann, vice president at Gartner . Sustainability Technology Market Development According to the Gartner assessment, the transition to a net-zero economy will be as disruptive as the industrial revolution or the digital revolution -- requiring new technologies, business models, leade...

Forward-thinking senior executives have taken their lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and used them for much-needed changes to their business operations. They now include new flexible working models (for progressive employees), and newly redesigned office environments (for traditional employees). Meanwhile, given the current business landscape, with rising costs for energy and a focus on reducing carbon emissions, increasing the level of automation in the remaining large metro office buildings will be a major priority. That's a likely place where a Smart Building technology might help a retrospective CEO rationalize their status-quo 'return to office' plan. When combined with higher salaries and better employee benefits, that office experience could help to retain some essential talent that might otherwise resign. Smart Building Market Development According to the latest worldwide market study by Juniper Research, the number of buildings globally deploying 'sma...

Climate change is top of mind within many boardrooms, as executive leaders consider how to react to the predictable new government mandates. Some organizations around the globe have already created climate-related targets for reaching net-zero carbon emissions, including forward-looking telecom service providers. "These telco operators are at the intersection of communications and information technology, putting them in a unique position to offer connectivity and technological solutions that are not only lowering their own carbon emissions but also the emissions of their customers," said Kim Johnson, principal analyst at ABI Research . Telecom Infrastructure Sustainability Market Development Each of the market leaders has transitioned to using more than 50 percent renewable energy for global purchased electricity, and two have reached 100 percent penetration. The use of renewable energy has reduced the leaders’ total carbon emissions by 8.4 million metric tons of carbon dioxi...

The COP26 Summit (in Glasgow, Scotland)  brought parties together to accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. Meanwhile, the circular economy is a key sustainability strategy adopted by industry leaders in their efforts to achieve progress. While the circular economy is still in its infancy in terms of data and metrics, it's a growing phenomenon where technology sectors -- such as the Internet of Things (IoT) for asset tracking -- are set to grow rapidly within the next five years. Global technology intelligence firm ABI Research forecasts that the world will achieve over 10.5 percent circularity by 2030, as sustainability efforts and incoming legislation start to take effect. Circular Economy Tech Market Development "The circular economy is an often-misunderstood concept that goes much further than waste management and can become a blueprint for cities. It is a movement away from our take-make-waste economy ...

What strategies are being employed in leading smart cities? What are the key trends shaping the smart city landscape? And, what is the value of cost savings that can be expected from smart city projects? These are the questions that were asked during a new global market study, and an assessment of the resulting findings. Juniper Research has revealed the top ranking Smart Cities globally for 2015. They are (in order of rank), Barcelona, New York, London, Nice and Singapore. The Juniper Smart City Rankings have been compiled following an analysis of the Smart capabilities offered in each city, with particular focus on their use of smart grids, smart traffic management and smart street lighting. Furthermore, the ranking considered other aspects of a Smart city -- such as technological capability and social cohesion, among others. It was found that the leader, Barcelona, performed consistently well across all metrics and serves as an exciting model of success from which others can...