Cold coffee is booming in the U.S. In 2023, Americans spent about $17.7 billion on out-of-home cold coffee including iced coffee, cold brew and frozen coffee drinks. That is more than double the $8.5 ...

Spending on iced coffee, cold brew and frozen coffee drinks accounts for 20% of the $88 billion U.S. out-of-home coffee market in 2023. In 2016, that number was 13%. Cold beverages now account for a ...

AI slop’s meteoric rise and the impact of synthetic content in 2026

The rise of AI influencers on social media Another subset of synthetic media is the AI-generated influencers. AI (or synthetic) influencers are virtual personas powered by AI, designed to interact with followers, create content, and promote brands across social media platforms.

AI slop’s meteoric rise and the impact of synthetic content in 2026 As AI slop floods digital platforms, questions emerge about trust, incentives, and the future of information governance.

The rise of autonomous vehicles Autonomous driving has moved from the realm of science fiction to a very real possibility during the past twenty years, largely due to rapid developments of radar technology and microprocessor capacity.

The rise of accessible AI tools has intensified digital abuse, highlighting urgent calls for stronger legal frameworks and accountability for technology platforms. AI-generated deepfake abuse is emerging as a serious global threat, with women and girls disproportionately affected by non-consensual and harmful digital content.