Trends Identified

Machine learning
“Machine learning has the potential to be one of the biggest disruptors over the next decade,” says DeLaney.
2017
5 big disruptive trends investors should watch
Morgan Stanley
Autonomous vehicles
Autonomous driving will be facilitated by the data-processing capabilities of machine learning, but its disruption capabilities are so widespread that Delaney considers it a separate category.
2017
5 big disruptive trends investors should watch
Morgan Stanley
Augmented reality
We can see this being useful in education and training because it basically overlays virtual images onto reality.” Augmented Reality (AR) can simulate real-world scenarios. “That allows orientations or training to take place in a safe environment vs. a real-world environment that can be more dangerous. Surgeons will be able to practice complex procedures before operating on patients, for instance.” AR might also have entertainment value, by enabling consumers to enjoy unique experiences like sitting on the field at a sporting event or traveling to exotic locations.
2017
5 big disruptive trends investors should watch
Morgan Stanley
Blockchain
In theory, Blockchain could disrupt any transaction that requires sharing a document or contract. Financial firms are most likely to see disruption because Blockchain’s shared-ledger approach could dramatically affect the time, cost and complexity around how transactions are recorded and how custodial business is done, says DeLaney
2017
5 big disruptive trends investors should watch
Morgan Stanley
Crispr
CRISPR is a new tool for genetic research that allows scientists to locate specific segments of DNA and then easily replace or delete them. “This could cause huge disruption to the way healthcare can be delivered today,” says DeLaney. “It offers the ability to cure a disease at the genetic level. For investors, it has the potential to create new industries and disrupt existing medical treatments.”
2017
5 big disruptive trends investors should watch
Morgan Stanley
Global Publics More Upbeat About the Economy
Views of the economy have rebounded in several large and economically powerful countries. In 2009, during the Great Recession, just 10% of Japanese, 17% of Americans and 28% of Germans rated their country’s current economic situation as good. By 2017, these shares had increased by at least 30 percentage points in each country, including a 58-point jump in Germany, where 86% of the public now describes the nation’s economy as good.
2017
6 trends in international public opinion from our Global Indicators Database
Pew Research Center
Public divided on prospects for the next generation
Even in some places where views of economic conditions have improved, there is pessimism when it comes to the financial future of the next generation. About half of people (52%) in Germany, 58% of Americans and 72% of Japanese say that children today will grow up to be worse off financially than their parents were. Other countries where majorities hold this view include South Korea (55%), the United Kingdom (68%) and Australia, Canada and Spain (69% each). While views in countries with advanced economies tend to be pessimistic, opinions are more mixed in developing and emerging economies. Roughly three-quarters of people in India (76%) and Nigeria (72%) expect children today to be better off than their parents, as do 95% of people in Vietnam. On the other hand, after years of economic struggles, 51% of Venezuelans say children today will grow up to be worse off than their parents, up from just 21% in 2013.
2017
6 trends in international public opinion from our Global Indicators Database
Pew Research Center
NATO’s Image Improves on Both Sides of Atlantic
Views of NATO have ticked upward in many member countries. Opinions about the North Atlantic Treaty Organization have improved on both sides of the Atlantic over the past year. The share of the public with a favorable view of the alliance increased by 9 percentage points in the U.S. and 10 points in Canada, along with a rise of 7 points in the Netherlands, 8 points in Germany, 9 points in Poland and 11 points in France, where it had fallen 15 points between 2015 and 2016. At least six-in-ten people in each of these countries now have a favorable view of NATO. In the U.S., the recent uptick in approval has mainly been driven by Democrats, while Republican views have remained largely unchanged.
2017
6 trends in international public opinion from our Global Indicators Database
Pew Research Center
Russia’s standing among Europeans has slipped
Views of Russia were at their most positive in several European countries in 2011, but they have fallen since then and have remained consistently low over the past few years. Between 2011 and this year, the share of people with a favorable opinion of Russia has declined by double digits in France, Germany, Poland, Spain and the UK. The biggest drop occurred in the UK, where just 26% of the public now sees Russia favorably, down from 50% in 2011. Today, no more than 36% of the public in any of these five countries holds a favorable view of Russia.
2017
6 trends in international public opinion from our Global Indicators Database
Pew Research Center
Less confidence in Trump compared with Merkel and other world leaders
Globally, more people have confidence in Angela Merkel than in Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin or Donald Trump. A global median of 42% across 37 countries has confidence in the German chancellor when it comes to world affairs, compared with 28% for China’s leader, 27% for Russia’s leader and 22% for the American president. Confidence in Merkel is especially high in Europe, where about nine-in-ten Dutch and Swedish people (89% each) and about eight-in-ten Germans (81%) and French (79%) trust the chancellor on the world stage. But Merkel also draws considerable confidence in South Korea (74%), Vietnam (72%), Australia (70%) and Japan (67%).
2017
6 trends in international public opinion from our Global Indicators Database
Pew Research Center