10 Things You May Not Know About the Future of Our Economy and Technology
As you may know, both Mark and I are big fans of economics, history and the study of the future. Recently, we were discussing why today’s world seems to be in perpectual turmoil?
It comes down to change. The world is changing much, much faster than most people realize. And hidden behind the daily headlines are breakthrough shifts in energy, finance, trade, and technology that will reshape how we live and work in the coming years.
So we’ve gone over 10 things you may not know—but should—about just a few of the things that are unfolding right now.
But before you do that, we could not find a better explanation of the time we’re living in than in this fanatastic video by Peter Lyden. He suggests that 2025 may just be the most important year in the history of the world. That really puts things into perspective.
1. Canada’s First LNG Exports to Asia
For decades, Canadian natural gas has been landlocked, destined only for the U.S. market. Now, for the very first time, liquefied natural gas (LNG) is being shipped across the Pacific to China and other Asian nations. This represents a seismic shift in Canada’s role in global energy.
The ramifications are enormous. By supplying Asia directly, Canada not only diversifies its trade but also strengthens its energy security footprint. Asian buyers get a cleaner fuel compared to coal, and Canada finally taps into one of the world’s fastest-growing energy markets—potentially reshaping its trade balance and boosting domestic investment in infrastructure.
2. RBC Launches a Military Startup Bank
Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) has quietly created a specialized banking division to fund Canadian startups focused on defense and military technology. Until now, early-stage defense companies often struggled to find financing outside of government contracts.
The ripple effects could be huge. By unlocking capital for innovation, Canada positions itself to become a key global player in military AI, robotics, cybersecurity, and aerospace. This move could spur a domestic defense-tech ecosystem, with spillover benefits into civilian industries like telecom, space, and advanced manufacturing.
3. 3D Printing “Moon Bricks” in China
A Chinese 3D printer has successfully produced prototype bricks made from simulated lunar soil. The idea: one day, astronauts won’t need to carry building materials into space—they’ll print their habitats directly on the Moon.
If successful, this technology paves the way for permanent lunar bases, cheaper missions, and a serious leap forward in space colonization. The know-how could also boomerang back to Earth, revolutionizing how we build in extreme conditions—think deserts, disaster zones, or remote Arctic outposts.
4. Kuwait Powers Desalination with LNG
Kuwait has launched a major initiative using LNG to fuel desalination plants, tackling two issues at once: energy demand and water scarcity. With much of the Middle East dependent on desalination, this innovation could reduce costs and improve reliability.
The global significance is clear. As climate change worsens drought conditions worldwide, coupling abundant LNG with advanced desalination could ensure water access for millions. Expect this model to spread across regions like North Africa, South Asia, and coastal America.
5. CATL’s Sodium-Ion Battery Revolution
China’s CATL, the world’s largest battery maker, has unveiled a new salt (sodium-ion) battery line to enter mass production in December of this year. Unlike lithium, sodium is cheap and abundant. Even better, these batteries promise energy storage at just $0.19 per kWh—roughly 1/3rd the cost of today’s battery prices. They work down to -40%c and will recharge at room temperature to 80% in 15 minutes vs hours.
This could democratize energy storage. Cheaper batteries mean more viable solar and wind farms, affordable electric vehicles, and accessible microgrids in developing countries. In short, sodium-ion could be the key to making clean energy truly universal.
6. A New Free Trade Deal Replacing USMCA
In 2026, a new trade pact should replace the existing Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (USMCA). Negotiations have focused on modernizing digital trade rules, strengthening supply chains, and addressing new energy realities.
For consumers, this could mean cheaper cross-border goods, faster e-commerce flows, and more North American collaboration on technology. For businesses, it’s a chance to scale across borders with fewer barriers—an economic boost when regional resilience has never been more important.
7. Helium-3 and Fusion Power Dreams
Helium-3, a rare isotope found in abundance on the Moon, has reentered discussions as a potential fuel for fusion reactors. Meanwhile, terrestrial fusion and advanced fission technologies are edging closer to commercial viability.
If fusion breakthroughs align with helium-3 mining, the dream of near-limitless, clean energy could actually materialize. While still years away, these technologies hold the potential to end our reliance on fossil fuels entirely and usher in an era of abundant, sustainable power.
8. AI Agents Are Entering the Workplace
Beyond chatbots, AI agents are now being deployed as autonomous decision-makers in logistics, finance, and customer service. These systems don’t just respond—they plan, negotiate, and optimize in real time.
The upside is enormous productivity gains and entirely new business models. The flip side is a workforce that must adapt quickly, learning to supervise, collaborate with, and complement intelligent digital colleagues. The future office may look more like a human-machine partnership hub than a cubicle farm.
9. Quantum Chips Are Finally Scaling
For years, quantum computing seemed like science fiction. But companies like IBM and IonQ are now scaling up the number of stable qubits on their processors. They’re not yet replacing classical chips, but they’re already outperforming them in highly specialized tasks.
This means industries like drug discovery, cryptography, and supply chain optimization could leap forward. A single breakthrough algorithm could save years of R&D and billions of dollars. The era of useful quantum advantage is no longer decades away—it’s arriving.
10. Africa Is Becoming the Next Green Energy Hub
Countries from Kenya to Morocco are investing massively in solar, wind, and geothermal. Some projects are so large they’ll export green electricity to Europe via undersea cables.
The ramifications are uplifting: energy independence for African nations, new jobs, and a more balanced global energy market. For the rest of the world, this could mean stable green energy imports and reduced geopolitical tensions over fossil fuels. Africa may just leapfrog into the clean-energy future.
Final Thought
From lunar bricks to sodium batteries, from Canadian LNG to African solar, the world is brimming with change that’s as promising as it is disruptive. The future is arriving fast—sometimes quietly, sometimes boldly—and those who understand these shifts will be best positioned to thrive.
