Robots ease labor pressure in Japan.

In response to Japan’s demographics-driven labor shortage, restaurants and care facilities are turning to so-called service robots to lighten workloads. Rather than replacing workers, service robots are designed to help them. At one of the country’s largest restaurant chains, thousands of these robots equipped with 3D sensors assist waiters by carrying heavy plates of food. Compared to their traditional industrial counterparts, service robots are more affordable and don’t require specialized training. Their adoption is also expanding in elder care, with one popular model assisting patients with mobility limitations.

Wellness is reshaping, not replacing, drinking trends.

For all the buzz around nonalcoholic drinks, the category still appears to be in its early innings in the U.S. While headlines suggest young Americans are abandoning alcohol, the reality is more nuanced. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 21-year-olds today do drink less than previous generations. But they tend to catch up by their late 20s. Among those cutting back, health is a primary motivator. For those drinking more, income, not culture, seems to be the bigger driver.

Consumers are warming to heat pumps.

The market for home heat pumps, which are alternatives to oil and gas boilers, is still in its infancy but the long-term outlook is strong. These systems use ambient heat from outdoor air and surfaces to warm air or water. They’re most commonly deployed as water heaters and air conditioners in European homes. The market cooled after a pandemic-fueled surge. But consumers still see them as a hedge against energy price volatility. Though the high price of the pumps and limited installer experience have slowed adoption, top industry players offer strong training programs for installers to learn the ins and outs of the systems.

Artificial intelligence is enabling cyberattacks.

Artificial intelligence is unlocking new frontiers in business efficiency and productivity, but unfortunately also helping cyber criminals. It’s a double-edged sword: AI enables rapid, low-cost scaling that can both strengthen cybersecurity defenses and amplify the impacts of bad actors. For cybersecurity businesses, this is expected to increase customer demand and profitability, as corporate customers attempt to keep pace with the latest developments.