Author: Connected World
AI spending will reach $2.59 trillion in 2026. That’s 47% increase. @Gartner forecasts worldwide AI (artificial intelligence) spending will reach $2.59 trillion in 2026, representing a massive 47% increase compared to the previous year. The growth reflects how quickly organizations are moving from experimenting with AI tools to making long-term investments in infrastructure, software, and services that support enterprise-scale adoption. But that is only part of the story. According to Gartner, much of the current spending is still being driven by technology vendors and hyperscalers building out the foundation for AI systems. AI infrastructure alone is expected to account for…
For all robot aficionados, this popped up in the June 7, 2026, morning edition of JSTOR Daily, highlighting an article written in May by Livia Gershon: “Did the First Robot Come from Oz?” If so, then I nominate it for the title of “The Great Grandad of Artificially Intelligent Robots” and have gained a newfound appreciation for foundational literature such as The Wizard of Oz series. I never thought of The Wizard of Oz (book or movie) as a piece of science fiction, but this article has me now appreciating it as such. What Frank Baum, in 1907, created has…
Last month Connected World Editorial Director Peggy Smedley interviewed Twisthink CEO Dave Moelker about the importance of contextual data for OEMs (original-equipment manufacturers). In this conversation she asks Moelker to highlight Twisthink’s strengths around strategy, teamwork, depth of talent, human-centered design, data architecture, workflow integration, and digital product acceleration when it comes to helping clients move from point A to point B. CW: How should OEMs prioritize which connected-product features to build first? DM: It is all about user value. Understand where your connected product creates tangible value and how it impacts the day-to-day workflows of your users. In many…
Fact of the Week: DERs Target 32 Million by 2030 Virtual power plants are becoming a major force in the energy industry. In fact, Berg Insight estimates the installed base of residential DERs (distributed energy resources) connected to VPP (virtual power plant) platforms reached 13.9 million across Europe and North America at the end of 2025. These systems include smart thermostats, EV (electric vehicle) chargers, home batteries, heat pumps, and rooftop solar systems working together to support the electric grid. But that is only part of the story. According to the report, the residential VPP market is expected to continue…
As technology continues to evolve, researchers are finding new ways to make devices faster, smarter, and more efficient. Now, a new breakthrough in optical sensor technology could help surgical robots, space rovers, and other intelligent systems analyze information instantly without relying on cloud computing or large AI (artificial intelligence) processors. Researchers at Texas A&M University have developed a new framework called electrochromic hyperspectral embedding, which allows optical sensors to compress and analyze data directly within the sensor itself. Unlike traditional systems that collect data and send it elsewhere for processing, this technology enables realtime decision-making while reducing energy use, costs,…
For years, the “Amazon effect” has shaped customer expectations in the consumer world. Realtime updates. Seamless experiences. Total transparency from order to delivery and beyond. Now, that expectation has crossed over into every industrial context. Whether it’s a plant manager, a maintenance technician, dealers, or sales teams, the question is starting to sound very familiar: “Why can’t I see and control my assets the way I track a package?” The One Feature Customers Want Most If there’s one “Amazon-like” feature customers in industrial environments are asking for most often today, it’s visibility and control. More specifically: Realtime visibility into equipment…
As AI (artificial intelligence), advanced manufacturing, and biotechnology continue to evolve, universities and industry leaders are forming major partnerships to accelerate the future of medicine discovery and pharmaceutical production. Across the country, organizations are investing in AI-driven research environments to strengthen innovation and workforce development. As one example, Purdue University and Eli Lilly and Company recently expanded their long-standing collaboration through the Lilly-Purdue 360 Initiative, a partnership supported by a planned investment of up to $250 million over eight years. The initiative focuses on accelerating pharmaceutical innovation through artificial intelligence, robotics, machine learning, and advanced manufacturing technologies. What makes this…
#Factoftheweek: $63 trillion by 2030 Cross-border payments are undergoing a major structural shift for several reasons. Chiefly, traditional banking systems are being challenged by faster, more transparent digital models. In fact, new research from Juniper Research projects the value of global cross-border payments will reach approximately $63 trillion by 2030, reflecting strong growth across B2B payments, eCommerce, and remittance flows. This expansion is being driven by increasing global trade activity, rising digital commerce adoption, and the growing need for more efficient international payment infrastructure. What makes this especially significant is the accelerating shift in how cross-border transactions are processed. The…
As AI (artificial intelligence) and high-performance computing continue to evolve, universities and research institutions are investing heavily in advanced GPU (graphics processing units) infrastructure to support next-generation innovation. Across the country, organizations are expanding their computing capabilities. As one example, The University of Nebraska recently deployed its NSF-funded PLUMAGE GPU infrastructure through the Holland Computing Center. The project provides researchers access to GPU technology designed to accelerate artificial intelligence, machine learning, and advanced scientific computing across multiple disciplines. What makes this especially innovative is the flexibility of the PLUMAGE system, which allows researchers to use both traditional supercomputing environments and…
#Factoftheweek: 30% of marketing organizations are prepared to scale AI. Is AI investment finally becoming a mainstream line item in marketing budgets? New research from Gartner suggests adoption is accelerating rapidly, though many organizations still lack the operational readiness to scale effectively. According to Gartner’s 2026 CMO Spend Survey, CMOs are now allocating an average of 15.3% of marketing budgets toward AI initiatives. Yet despite growing investment, only 30% of marketing organizations say they are prepared to scale AI capabilities across the business. One of the more notable takeaways from the research is AI is evolving beyond an experimental productivity…