Welcome to your daily digest of global IT and technology news. This briefing focuses on key trends and events relevant to IT leaders.
Streaming Services and the Future of Content
Subscribers can expect further evolution in streaming services in 2026. After years of seemingly infinite content, the landscape may begin to feel more constrained, signaling a potential shift away from the 'endless' model of streaming. IT leaders should monitor these developments as they impact content costs and customer expectations.
AI: From Hype to Practical Tools
2025 marked a return to reality for Artificial Intelligence. Following a period of significant, often overblown promises, AI has largely transitioned into a realm of practical software tools. This shift suggests that future AI investments and strategies should focus on concrete implementations and measurable outcomes rather than futuristic visions.
Key IT & Supply Chain Failures and Successes
The past year has seen notable failures across supply chains, AI implementations, and cloud services. Understanding these setbacks is crucial for building future resilience. Simultaneously, it's important to identify and learn from the successes that emerged in these challenging domains.
Infrastructure Innovation in Response to Climate Change
Innovative programs are emerging to address increasing flood severity and rising sea levels. New Jersey, for example, has a successful program buying out and demolishing properties in flood-prone areas, offering a model for climate change adaptation.
Other Notable Stories
- Marvel released the first trailer for its "Wonder Man" series.
- Researchers shared intriguing findings across various scientific disciplines, from astronomy to biomechanics.
- The best films of 2025 were largely from streaming platforms, with big-budget blockbusters and superhero sagas underperforming.
- Scientific research explores when and why individuals choose to self-censor.
- A lawsuit concerning the rejection of medical research grants by the Trump administration has been settled.
- News surrounding alleged "fraud" related to the DOGE cryptocurrency points to complex narratives around digital assets.
- The "Stranger Things" series finale is approaching, with an unusual theatrical release planned.
Sources:
- Ars Technica: Supply chains, AI, and the cloud: The biggest failures (and one success) of 2025
- Ars Technica: From prophet to product: How AI came back down to earth in 2025
- Ars Technica: “Streaming stops feeling infinite”: What subscribers can expect in 2026
- Ars Technica: NJ’s answer to flooding: it has bought out and demolished 1,200 properties