How A New Wave Of Digital Innovation Is Reshaping Global Enterprises
Global enterprises now face a new inflection point defined not by incremental upgrades but by exponential change. Emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, quantum computing, edge infrastructure and Web3 are not just reshaping how companies work; they are redefining what is possible.
And the pace is staggering. Global digital transformation spending is projected to reach $3.9 trillion by 2027, with enterprises investing heavily in technologies that promise greater agility, smarter automation and scalable innovation. Impressively, companies leading in technology adoption are now outperforming their peers by two to six times on total shareholder returns (TSR).
Here are four key transformative forces reshaping enterprises today, backed by real-world use cases and data-driven insights — and what enterprises should do about it:
1. AI: The Intelligence Layer Powering Decision-Making
AI is no longer experimental. Fifty-six percent of enterprises now incorporate AI in at least one business function, a sharp increase over prior years. From automating customer service to optimizing supply chains, the impact is measurable.
For example, major retailers are automating supplier negotiations, streamlining operations and minimizing delays using AI-powered logistics systems. This is not just innovation for the sake of it. It is changing the very definition of operational excellence.
And we are only scratching the surface. As agentic AI gains traction, the next wave of transformations will likely move beyond automation into creative problem-solving, product innovation and even strategic planning. Increasingly, AI is visible at the center of how modern enterprises think, move and compete.
2. Quantum Computing: A Disruptor For Complex Problems
Though quantum computing is arguably still in its early stages, its long-term potential is nothing short of a disruptive breakthrough. Unlike classical computing, which processes data in binary bits, quantum computers use qubits that can exist in multiple states simultaneously. This allows them to solve complex problems that are currently beyond the reach of even the most powerful supercomputers.
Enterprises in high-stakes industries are already exploring the possibilities. Goldman Sachs has identified quantum computing as the next leap forward for advanced risk modeling and portfolio optimization. In the pharmaceutical sector, companies are using quantum simulations to accelerate drug discovery by modeling molecular interactions with unprecedented precision.
Early-stage collaborations with leaders like IBM, D-Wave and Rigetti are helping organizations test quantum's practical applications in areas such as cryptography, logistics, and supply chain optimization. IBM's Quantum Network now includes more than 200 companies and institutions experimenting with use cases that were once considered theoretical.
While commercial-scale deployment is still years away, enterprise investment in quantum R&D is rapidly growing. The global quantum computing market could generate up to $850 billion in annual value by 2040. For forward-thinking companies, now is the time to explore proofs of concept and develop quantum-ready strategies that could become a competitive advantage in the not-so-distant future.
3. Edge Computing + 5G: Moving Power To The Periphery
Edge computing is quickly becoming a game-changer for how businesses handle data. Instead of sending everything to the cloud and waiting for it to process, edge tech makes it possible to handle information right where it's created — on the factory floor, in a delivery truck or even inside a wearable device. And with the speed and bandwidth of 5G, local processing becomes even faster and more reliable.
Analysts predict the edge computing market will grow from $16.45 billion in 2023 to nearly $156 billion by 2030, fueled by the demand for real-time insights and ultra-low latency systems. It is a massive shift that is already underway.
Smart factories are using edge computing to catch equipment issues before they become costly breakdowns. Logistics companies are tracking shipments in real-time without lag. Even autonomous vehicles are relying on edge-powered decision-making to stay safe on the road.
What used to be a futuristic concept is now a practical tool, helping businesses make faster, smarter decisions, right where they are needed most.
4. Web3: Real-World Transformation In Enterprise
For all the hype that surrounds Web3, its real value is starting to come into focus, especially for enterprises looking to rethink how they manage data, engage users and monetize digital assets. At its core, Web3 is about ownership and decentralization, which opens the door to entirely new business models.
One company putting these ideas into action is MILC, which describes itself as 'the AWS of Web3.' MILC helps enterprises move beyond experimentation and pilots by offering end-to-end support across areas like content DAOs, retail monetization and white-label licensing. Their approach is practical and collaborative, using tokenization, smart contracts and metaverse integration to create real-world solutions, not just theoretical frameworks.
Web3 is more than a mere emerging technology trend. As more businesses look for ways to unlock new revenue streams and build trust through transparency, partners like MILC are proving that Web3, when applied thoughtfully, can drive truly significant transformation at scale.
Why Now? The Convergence Factor
What makes this moment so pivotal is not just the rise of singular technologies. It is the way they are beginning to converge, working together to unlock entirely new capabilities. These systems are no longer evolving in isolation. Instead, they are increasingly being designed to complement and amplify one another:
The data backs up this convergence.
IDC predicts global data volume will surpass 175 zettabytes by 2025, driving demand for scalable, hybrid architectures. Stanford's AI Index reveals that enterprise AI adoption has doubled in just three years.
Meanwhile, Deloitte found that 70% of executives are already exploring quantum computing, despite widespread adoption still being three to five years away. The blockchain market will reach $67.4 billion by 2026, growing at a staggering 68% CAGR. Beyond parallel lines, these trends are intersecting in ways that signal a real inflection point for enterprise strategy and long-term competitiveness.
How Enterprises Should Respond
1. Prioritize Interoperability
Do not silo innovation. Interconnected ecosystems, including AI, edge, quantum, blockchain, can unlock multiplier effects when designed to work together.
2. Adopt A Portfolio Strategy
Not every tech suits every business. Run parallel pilots in different areas and recalibrate based on real outcomes, not buzz.
3. Invest In Skills And Governance
New tech demands new talent. Invest in data scientists, quantum engineers, blockchain architects and AI-native skills. Governance frameworks must evolve alongside.
4. Leverage Expert Partners
Tapping into specialized infrastructure and consulting partners can help enterprises accelerate adoption, bridge capability gaps and reduce implementation risk.
Catch The Wave
This next wave is not just about adopting new tools. It is about reimagining the very nature of enterprise. Leaders must build thoughtful innovation portfolios that include AI, quantum computing, edge infrastructure and decentralized technologies.
Those who focus on integration, strong governance and real-world testing will be the ones shaping the competitive landscape over the next decade. This is more than digital transformation. It is a full-scale digital metamorphosis: intelligent, resilient, commercially viable and built to scale globally.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Forbes
2 hours ago
- Forbes
Outsourcing Emotional Intelligence: The Tools We've Built Aren't The Tools We Need
Just a few years ago, I could have confidently started every single one of my Forbes posts by saying, 'Every reader of this post is human.' Today, I can't say that. Why? A.I. is consuming information faster than it's delivering it. So, what's my point? I recently had a conversation with a friend. She was frustrated at work. Apparently, since the advent of A.I. all communications she received from her supervisor were written by A.I. 'At first, I didn't care,' my friend told me. 'But, I just celebrated my twenty-year anniversary at the company. The recognition email I received from my boss was not sincere at all. It was obviously written by A.I.' Think about the difference between employee recognition and employee appreciation. Recognition is an action taken by a boss. Appreciation is an emotion felt by a boss. Both are necessary. So, what was actually frustrating my friend? Her manager outsourced emotional intelligence to A.I. Curious about the present and future of humankind's emotional intelligence, I decided to seek answers from an expert. CEO and Co-Founder of Six Seconds Joshua Freedman 'A.I. is already having an impact on emotional intelligence,' said Joshua Freedman, one of the world's top thought-leaders, and bestselling authors, on the concept of emotional intelligence. 'Every big tech advancement has created a huge impact on our social and emotional wellbeing. Of course, the impact changes depending on how we use the technology.' 'What made you chase the concept of emotional intelligence?' I asked Freedman on our recent video chat. Without hesitation, Freedman smiled, and responded, 'I was bad at it.' He then told me how he had spent his early career as a teacher. 'My 13 year old students seemed more emotionally intelligent than I was. As I started learning and practicing, I found it made all the difference for me, first as a teacher, then as a leader, husband, father, and person.' Fast forward to today, Joshua Freedman is the co-founder and CEO of Six Seconds, the global non-profit dedicated to teaching people how to use emotional intelligence (EQ). He owns the million-member EQ Network group on LinkedIN, and is a master certified coach. He teaches professionals all around the world practical tools to measure and create value with emotional intelligence. 'You've created quite the impact since you realized you needed to improve and understand your own emotional intelligence,' I told Freedman. 'You've helped organizations like FedEx, Qatar Airways, the US Navy, P&G, Microsoft, Intel, Amazon, HSBC, and the United Nations, use emotional intelligence to improve results. That's quite a list.' Again, Freedman smiled. 'It's so far beyond what I imagined 28 years ago,' he replied. 'I feel deeply honored to see the difference this makes in companies and in people's lives. Six Seconds' practical tools and science take emotional intelligence to the next level. When people practice emotional intelligence they improve their outcomes -- you can feel it, and you can measure it. That's why we do this. It's transformational.' Then, Freedman, a man who loves to laugh, paused. His face turned serious. 'The issue is, our data from 169 countries shows that the world is in a five-year decline of E.Q. Over that time-period, optimism dropped by 8.6%. And, for younger generations, the decline is nearly double that. I could go on with other markers. But, in short: we're in a global emotional recession with sustained declines in our capacity to connect, adapt, and move ahead.' That last statement caught my attention. A global emotional recession is a scary thought. And, it's no surprise. For the past couple years I've written numerous posts about the record-high increases in anxiety, depression, and even suicide. That matches Six Seconds' research on global emotional intelligence: rising levels of burnout, declines in empathy, trust, motivation, and increased loneliness. A perfect storm that is battering our wellbeing. 'Is A.I. contributing to this recession?' I asked. 'We're already outsourcing so much of our thinking, and even our feelings, to machines. That's only advancing. I don't think it helps to point fingers, but let's be strategic about this: As A.I. grows, we also need to grow. That's why I decided to write my new book, Emotion Rules – a practical guide to using feelings as resources. The real question is, how do we continue to improve our skills with emotions, and help others improve their emotional intelligence?' He's right. So, I asked him, 'What advice would you give individuals or leaders who want to improve emotional intelligence for themselves, their teams, or for their organizational culture?' 'You get what you measure,' replied Freedman. 'Many leaders overly rely on traditional intelligence, or I.Q., yet now machines have higher I.Q. than most people. We need to shift our focus to Emotional Intelligence (E.Q.) The great news is that E.Q. and I.Q. can work together so we can see and solve the challenges we're facing. I work with a lot of very smart people, and when they take the emotional intelligence assessment and see that EQ is actually logical, measurable, and practical, they love it.' According to Six Seconds, here's how practice emotional intelligence: Step 1: Get the Data 'Notice emotions. Name emotions. Track emotional reactions to every aspect of your life, work, relationships,' says Freedman. 'Smart people love data, and companies collect tons of it. We're also suggesting including data about your emotions, your employees emotions, or even your customers emotions. Literally, you're simply collecting emotional data. You felt something. What was it? What do you call it? How did you react to it?' Step 2: Appraise the Data 'You recorded the data on what you felt and how you reacted,' said Freedman. 'Now your job is to assess it. How did it go? Did you like your reaction and the response you got from others? What other options could you choose? We don't get to choose what happens, but we choose how we respond to it. This is about switching off autopilot and making that response more intentional.' Step 3: Connect with Purpose 'You've collected and analyzed the data,' said Freedman. 'The final step is connecting with your purpose. What is the impact you really want to have? The point is, we're having an impact every day, and when we use our emotional intelligence, we can make that impact count. It's not easy being human. It's not easy having emotions. But, when we can understand and process them, emotions can actually help us become the best spouse, the best parent, the best friend, employee, leader we can be. When used well, emotions literally give us energy to change, grow and thrive.' As we concluded our conversation, I circled back to my friend's story. 'Any advice for my friend?' I asked. 'Her feelings matter. They're messages to help her navigate a difficult situation. Now she can use emotional intelligence to move forward.'
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
AppLovin Stock Surges 47% in 3 Months: Still Time to Ride the Wave?
AppLovin Corporation APP has soared 47% over the past three months, outpacing the industry's 38% rally and leaving major players like Alphabet GOOGL and Meta Platforms META behind, with gains of 22% and 39%, respectively. As digital ad giants regain momentum, investor sentiment is turning increasingly bullish on ad tech. This article explores whether AppLovin still offers a compelling buying opportunity amid the rising tide. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research AppLovin has solidified its leadership in mobile advertising, powered by its next-gen AI engine, Axon 2, which launched in the second quarter of 2023. Since its debut, Axon 2 has radically enhanced AppLovin's ad performance, helping to quadruple advertising spend on its platform. This explosive growth has led to an estimated $10 billion annual run rate in ad spend from gaming clients, pushing APP into the upper echelon of global ad tech firms by valuation. Axon 2's importance goes far beyond mere optimization. In a post-Identifier for Advertisers environment that disrupted mobile user acquisition strategies, Axon 2 served as a critical catalyst for recovery. While Western mobile gaming experienced stagnation in 2022, Axon 2 reignited ad-driven momentum. Though in-app purchases are seeing modest, mid-single-digit growth, AppLovin's MAX publisher base is expanding at a significantly faster rate, underscoring Axon 2's strategic advantage. Google, Microsoft MSFT and Salesforce CRM are rapidly advancing generative AI. Microsoft integrates AI in Office via Copilot and expands Azure's AI. Google embeds AI in Workspace and enhances Vertex AI. Salesforce incorporates AI across its CRM, especially through Einstein Copilot and Data Cloud. Microsoft is also focusing on AI governance, while Google is strengthening AI security. Salesforce further refines dynamic customer experiences. While these giants focus on enterprise productivity and CRM, Applovintakes a different route, using AI to drive direct monetization in mobile advertising. AppLovin's financial performance has matched its technological breakthroughs. In the first quarter of 2025, revenues surged 40% year over year, reflecting strong market demand. Adjusted EBITDA jumped 83% year over year, showcasing improved operational efficiency. Net income skyrocketed 144% from the prior year, demonstrating APP's ability to translate revenue growth into significant profitability. For the full year 2024, revenues climbed 43% year over year, while adjusted EBITDA surged 81%, underscoring AppLovin's ability to seize market opportunities while maintaining efficiency. Analyst expectations reflect continued optimism. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for second-quarter 2025 earnings is $2 per share, up 124.7% from the year-ago period. Revenue for the same quarter is expected to reach $1.21 billion, indicating 12.2% year-over-year growth. Looking further ahead, full-year 2025 earnings are projected to grow by 84.8%, with 2026 earnings expected to rise another 48.5%. Revenues are also expected to increase by 16% in 2025 and 21% in 2026. These projections underscore confidence in the company's monetization engine and its ability to deliver strong earnings amid digital ad market expansion. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research AppLovin's recent rally is not merely hype; it is rooted in tangible performance, cutting-edge technology, and an expanding advertiser base. The success of Axon 2, coupled with soaring financial metrics and bullish analyst forecasts, supports a bullish outlook. While broader tech firms are steering AI toward enterprise productivity, AppLovin is capitalizing on AI's power to drive direct, scalable monetization in mobile advertising, a strategy that is paying off. AppLovin remains a strong buy for investors seeking exposure to high-growth AI-powered tech with proven execution. APP currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) : Free Stock Analysis Report Salesforce Inc. (CRM) : Free Stock Analysis Report AppLovin Corporation (APP) : Free Stock Analysis Report Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL) : Free Stock Analysis Report Meta Platforms, Inc. (META) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
How the Trump tax bill could help China win at A.I.
Republicans in Congress produced a surprise winner this week when they axed hundreds of billions of dollars in federal clean-energy subsidies: China's artificial intelligence industry. China is pouring money into energy production to support its bid to dominate AI. America's tech industry, meanwhile, has been scrounging for more energy to run power-hungry AI data centers and strongly urged Congress not to wipe out solar and wind tax credits. Subscribe to The Post Most newsletter for the most important and interesting stories from The Washington Post. Solar panels and windmills are the fastest-growing sources of power in the United States, accounting for 80 percent of new energy being added to the grid. Yet Republican lawmakers and Trump administration officials remain intent on stifling clean energy progress in America, calling it Biden-era folly. Now the consequences of the massive cuts in the GOP tax and budget bill are coming into focus. Modeling of the package by energy economists shows they will substantially reduce the amount of electricity added to the U.S. power grid in the coming years, even as China races ahead. Wind and solar power 'is critical in the near term,' said Ben King, director of the U.S. energy program at the Rhodium Group, a research firm that has developed projections of the bill's impact. 'This creates a risk that energy projects just won't get built. At the same time, China is adding staggering electricity capacity.' The wind and solar electricity that China added to its power grid in just the first five months of this year is more than quadruple all the new electricity the U.S. added to its grid from all sources in 2024. China is simultaneously rapidly expanding its fleet of fossil fuel and nuclear plants. The Trump administration plans to accelerate new electricity generation from natural gas and nuclear power, but those efforts will take years, experts warn. There are no major new nuclear plants under construction, and they can take a decade or more to build. A global backlog of gas turbines means it can take five years just to build a single gas-powered plant. 'We need a huge amount of electricity after 20 years in which we did not have to deal with rising demand,' said Jason Bordoff, director of the Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University. 'Other countries are moving fast and being quite innovative. If we are not adding new power to the grid, companies are going to have to get it from other places.' According to the think tank Energy Innovation, the cuts in the Senate's version of the bill, which survived the House vote intact Thursday, would reduce the amount of new electricity the U.S. is able to bring online over the next decade by 344 gigawatts - enough to power nearly half the homes in the country. The loss of such generation would create an immense challenge for not just AI companies, but other industries needing to power factories as well as residential customers struggling with rising utility costs. The models are built on the premise that the loss of tax credits will boost development costs, which would require solar and wind operators to force up rates, rattling investors and risking the viability of projects. The 344 gigawatts in new power that Energy Innovation estimates would be lost is based on an assumption that solar and wind development drops 50 percent by 2035. The Trump administration waves away such warnings as overblown. The president says the tax credits that have propelled the growth of renewable energy in the U.S. are a 'scam,' arguing that wind and solar installations are a blight on the landscape. The administration contends intermittent energy produced by wind and solar, despite advances in battery technology, don't meet the needs of industry, especially the enormous, 24/7 demands of AI data centers. Energy Secretary Chris Wright calls renewable energy a 'parasite' on the power grid, undermining its stability and consuming transmission-line capacity that could be delivering more stable gas or nuclear energy. "Winning the AI race will require a significantly larger supply of around-the-clock, reliable, and uninterrupted power – unfortunately, this was not a priority of the last administration,' he said in a statement Wednesday night. Tech firms and their industry groups say eliminating the tax incentives for clean power hamstrings their ability to compete with Chinese AI development. They also say it could lead to soaring electricity prices in the United States. Both the Data Center Coalition and the Clean Energy Buyers Association, industry groups led by tech firms, warned lawmakers that the imperiled tax credits are needed for domestic AI growth. The key tax credits for large wind and solar installations will be phased out for projects not under construction by the end of June 2026 under the bill, which Trump hoped to sign Friday following expected House passage. The Biden-era incentives would have extended into the 2030s. There are thousands of eligible projects that have been announced but not yet started, amounting to a half-trillion dollars in planned investment, according to Energy Innovation. Now the question is how many of those projects can start construction before the deadline. Depending on how many projects can get shovels in the ground quickly, said Aaron Zubaty, chief executive of Eolian, a large clean energy developer, 'the U.S. has a fighting chance to keep major data center developments domestic and not lose them to the Middle East.' But, he said, China's advantage is nonetheless cemented by the budget bill. 'I've had multiple people I work with in Europe say to me that it is pretty clear who is going to be the dominant superpower in a decade, and that it will not be the U.S.,' he said. 'Dominance now depends on who has the most electricity. And by only building new gas, coal, and nuclear power plants you are not going to be able to grow U.S. supply quickly enough.' Industry officials say countries like Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates are aggressively courting American AI projects, offering plentiful, cheap power from renewables and gas. But locating major U.S. AI infrastructure in a region where alliances are constantly shifting and enemy combatants are an arm's length away 'is not good for America's national security interests or its economy,' Bordoff said. To keep up with the demands of AI and other industries, federal regulators say the United States needs to add to its grid by 2035 the amount of power used by all of California, Texas and New York combined. Many companies are feeling burned by the abrupt reversal of clean energy incentives, said Jason Grumet, chief executive of the American Clean Power Association, which represents several large companies heavily invested in both gas and renewables. As the Trump administration encourages investment in gas plants, companies are left to wonder if the federal support will still be there after a new president is in office. 'Every part of the energy economy is worried that they will make investments that in four years will be disfavored by the next administration,' Grumet said. 'We need durable energy policy.' Related Content Arthur Ashe's knack for reinvention led him to history at Wimbledon Newlywed detained by ICE freed after 141 days and two deportation attempts The Met opens a dazzling wing of non-European art
