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DASHBOARD RESEARCH KEYNOTES EVENTS
FuturistU > Tactics > The 18 Megatrends > Module 1 / 7

Intro to Megatrends

Instructor: Armida Ascano
Megatrends
Download the Megatrends Trend Report
Every major or minor shift in a given industry can be traced back to evolving consumer desires. To understand where your opportunities lie, you need an understanding of what your customer truly wants and why. The 18 Megatrends matrix unpacks consumer desire using Trend Hunter's Patterns of Opportunity as a base.

Our Chief Insights Officer, Armida Ascano, will guide you through the methodology of the 18 Megatrends, what each of them means, and how to effectively use them. If you're looking to implement more consumer-centricity into your product or service, this course is perfect for you.
Related Trend Report: Megatrends
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Insights by Trend Hunter AI

Finance Bot
Generative AI is being used to simplify financial planning and literacy
Trend - Artificial intelligence is being used improve financial literacy and planning tools--compiling relevant information communicated in a way that's accessible to users. These AI assistants create a more customized and accessible experience than automated customer service tech allows.
Workshop Question - How could AI help your brand better communicate with its customers or users?
6
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
AI Customer Service Chatbots
AI Customer Service Chatbots
LAQO Introduced a First-of-Its-Kind Digital Assistant for Fintech
As artificial intelligence becomes more capable, it’s becoming better at handling complex requests, so much so that many major companies are introducing customer service chatbots. Croatian... MORE
Scientific AI Assistants
Scientific AI Assistants
Yseop Copilot is a Generative AI-Based Assistant Service for Scientists
‘Yseop Copilot’ is a content automation solution that leverages generative AI and pre-trained language models to help scientific writers in regulated industries such as... MORE
AI-Backed Crypto Chatbots
AI-Backed Crypto Chatbots
Crypto.com Announces a New Generative AI Companion Called Amy
Crypto.com, a crypto exchange platform, has announced the arrival of a new AI companion called ‘Amy.’ Amy primarily focuses on industry insights, including real-time token prices,... MORE
Finance-Focused Virtual Assistants
Finance-Focused Virtual Assistants
Wells Fargo's New Virtual Assistant Carries Out Banking Tasks
Multinational financial services giant Wells Fargo is launching a brand new virtual assistant that is designed to use the wonders of artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies to... MORE
P2P Return
E-commerce marketplaces are facilitating direct peer-to-peer returns for efficiency
Trend - E-commerce networks are implementing peer-to-peer (P2P) returns networks that directly connect returned products to consumers purchasing used or previously-owned products. These systems save on items being shipped twice, saving both money and environmental impact for the parties involved.
Workshop Question - How could your brand leverage peer-to-peer systems to improve aspects of its business?
5.8
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Peer-to-Peer Returns Networks
Peer-to-Peer Returns Networks
'greenlist' Enables Eco-Friendly, Cost-Effective P2P Returns
‘greenlist’ is a marketplace solution and mobile application that facilitates peer-to-peer returns networks. The founder and CEO of greenlist, Jess Owens, quit her previous consulting... MORE
P2P Marketplace Apps
P2P Marketplace Apps
'Storr' Lets Anyone Open a Free Store from Their Phone in Three Clicks
‘Storr’ is a disruptive new P2P marketplace concept that is setting itself apart for its unique ability to let “anyone to open a store from their phone in three clicks.” With... MORE
Sustainable Clothing Return Networks
Sustainable Clothing Return Networks
Good For Sunday Debuts a New Green Initiative, Ecoturns
Good For Sunday aims to tackle the highly pollutive return industry—currently responsible for contributing a million tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere with a new sustainable initiative dubbed... MORE
Peer-to-Peer Returns Services
Peer-to-Peer Returns Services
Frate Initiates Cost and Eco-Conscious Peer-to-Peer Returns
Founded in Toronto, Canada, Frate is a peer-to-peer returns startup that aims to “reinvent returns for the betterment of the planet.” In recent years, a growing demand for e-commerce products... MORE
Trackable Package Return Programs
Trackable Package Return Programs
Uber Launches a New Package Return Service with Live Tracking
Food delivery and ride service company Uber is venturing into the realm of reverse logistics through the launch of its new package delivery service. The company has introduced an innovative “... MORE
Informed Restaurant
Restaurants are using AI forecasting tools to determine future menu items
Trend - Restaurants are using artificial intelligence (AI) analytics and forecasting tools to determine demand for each menu item. These tools use restaurant-specific and market-wide data to determine future-facing consumer interests, helping determine menu item creation and sales numbers.
Workshop Question - How could your company leverage its data with AI to improve its existing and upcoming services?
7.6
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
AI-Generated Food Concepts
AI-Generated Food Concepts
PepsiCo's 'Off the Eaten Path' Fulfills Unrealized Consumer Needs
In an effort to develop new products that, unbeknownst to consumers, they desire, PepsiCo leveraged AI and data analytics “to uncover what people are eating and why.” Through the use of... MORE
AI-Powered Foodservice Tools
AI-Powered Foodservice Tools
Datassential’s Menucast Predicts the Future of Food & Flavor
Datassential’s Menucast is an AI-powered tool that uses food and beverage industry data to help bring products to life faster. The artificial intelligence tool helps with sparking inspiration,... MORE
Food-Focused GenAI Tools
Food-Focused GenAI Tools
FoodGPT is a Generative AI Tool for Food and Beverage Development
Ai Palette empowers CPG companies with artificial intelligence and machine learning and FoodGPT is an innovation that’s poised to support the future of food and beverage development. This... MORE
Restaurant Demand Forecasting Tools
Restaurant Demand Forecasting Tools
'Lineup.ai' Uses Market Data to Predict Restaurant Demand
‘Lineup AI’ is a new artificial intelligence (AI)-powered demand forecasting tool designed for the restaurant industry. This tool works by analyzing both restaurant-specific and market-... MORE
Table Payment
Companies are releasing POS devices with convenient technological enhancements
Trend - Companies are upgrading Point of Sale (POS) systems with contemporary technology for use in restaurants or food service establishments. These upgrades include self-ordering capabilities, small-scale designs, and anti-overspending tools.
Workshop Question - How can your brand enhance its customer service through personalized offerings?
5.4
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Self-Ordering Table Systems
Self-Ordering Table Systems
GoTab Launches the Self-Ordering Kiosks for Table Service Businesses
GoTab is introducing Self-Ordering Kiosks, which facilitate high-speed mobile POS payments for businesses offering table service. The system comes with a variety of straightforward features,... MORE
Anti-Overspending POS Systems
Anti-Overspending POS Systems
The 'Impress' Wealth Management POS Concept is Advanced
The ‘Impress’ wealth management POS concept has been designed by Woojin C as a customer-focused solution that would help them to keep an eye on their spending. The system features an... MORE
Affordable Payment Acceptance Devices
Affordable Payment Acceptance Devices
Pine Labs Launches the 'Mini' QR Device with Card Acceptance
Pine Labs has made waves with the introduction of ‘Mini,’ an innovative QR and Card acceptance device. The new device is expected to redefine payment acceptance for small merchants. One... MORE
Compact Payment Devices
Compact Payment Devices
Dojo Releases a Pocket-Sized Card Machine for Convenient Table Payments
Dojo Pocket is a groundbreaking card machine designed with the utmost convenience in mind. Compact and streamlined to the dimensions of a modern smartphone, this device seamlessly fits into the... MORE
Custom Chatbot
Brands are launching services that enable fast creation of personalized chatbots
Trend - Businesses offer tools enabling clients to build fully-functional chatbots quickly. These bots are trained on custom datasets, making them suitable for internal, consumer-facing, or consulting purposes. Businesses across numerous industries can benefit from personalized low-cost chatbots.
Workshop Question - How can your brand leverage personalized chatbot technology to enhance customer service or streamline workflow?
6.4
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Custom AI Chatbots
Custom AI Chatbots
Poe’s AI Chatbot App Lets You Make Your Own Chatbots Using Prompts
Users may now create their own chatbots utilizing prompts and an existing bot, such as ChatGPT, as the foundation thanks to a software called Poe. After being set up, the bot will have a special URL... MORE
Free AI Chatbot Creators
Free AI Chatbot Creators
'BotPenguin' Offers Free Custom Chatbots for Websites or Messengers
BotPenguin’s Chatbot Maker is a free and AI-powered platform that allows users to create and deploy chatbots for various purposes, such as lead generation, appointment booking, customer support,... MORE
Personalized Chatbot Builder Tools
Personalized Chatbot Builder Tools
IBM's 'Watson Assistant' can be Used to Create a Useful Chatbot
IBM added a new service to its artificial intelligence chatbot ‘Watson Assitant.’ The new service enables the Watson Assitant to work with customers, or brands, to create a personalized,... MORE
Chatbot-Building AI Tools
Chatbot-Building AI Tools
Landbot is a No-Code AI Chatbot Builder for Websites and Businesses
Landbot is a powerful no-code platform that creates artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots for businesses to incorporate into their operations. Landbot offers a suite of conversational experiences... MORE
Customized AI-Generating Tools
Customized AI-Generating Tools
Amazon is Launching the Bedrock Cloud Service Tool for AI
Amazon is launching Bedrock, which joins the generative AI pool as it is a new API for Amazon Web Services. It allows developers to use and customize AI tools that ultimately are able to generate... MORE
AI Support
Businesses are incorporating AI chatbots for instant customer service at scale
Trend - Businesses are moving customer service units toward artificial intelligence. AI chatbots for customer service have complete knowledge of any trained dataset, and can deliver instant answers to any related question to any number of customers at a time. This scalability saves money for the business and time for the consumer.
Workshop Question - How can your brand utilize trained AI chatbots to improve the online shopping experience, or post-sale support experience, for customers?
6.8
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Furniture Retailer AI Chatbots
Furniture Retailer AI Chatbots
IKEA Launches the BILLIE Chatbot To Tackle Customer Inquiries
IKEA introduces its new AI chatbot named BILLIE, which is named after its notable BILLY bookcase. The chatbot is developed to help with customer queries in this progressive world. The brand programs... MORE
Personalized Chatbot Builder Tools
Personalized Chatbot Builder Tools
IBM's 'Watson Assistant' can be Used to Create a Useful Chatbot
IBM added a new service to its artificial intelligence chatbot ‘Watson Assitant.’ The new service enables the Watson Assitant to work with customers, or brands, to create a personalized,... MORE
AI Customer Service Chatbots
AI Customer Service Chatbots
LAQO Introduced a First-of-Its-Kind Digital Assistant for Fintech
As artificial intelligence becomes more capable, it’s becoming better at handling complex requests, so much so that many major companies are introducing customer service chatbots. Croatian... MORE
Intuitive E-Commerce Chatbots
Intuitive E-Commerce Chatbots
E-Commerce Conversational AI Startup Zowie Offers Smart Assistance
Zowie is a conversational AI startup that creates “specialized chatbots combining customer support and sales functions for consumer brands looking to improve customer relationships and up... MORE
Communicative Delivery
Customer service is made easier with communicative delivery platforms
Trend - B2B delivery platforms are prioritizing communication to enhance the delivery process for businesses and their customers. This approach ensures frequent updates and quick responses using both automation and reps--balancing efficiency with a more "human" approach to customer service.
Workshop Question - In what areas could your brand improve its customer service experience to build trust and brand loyalty?
6
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Real-Time-Adjustable Logistics Companies
Real-Time-Adjustable Logistics Companies
Vexsys Offers On-Toes Support for Delivery and Logistics
Vexsys is a leading provider of customer communications and order-tracking solutions. It offers businesses a powerful tool to manage their customer interactions, order fulfillment, and delivery... MORE
AI-Enabled Delivery Chatbots
AI-Enabled Delivery Chatbots
Uber Eats Launches an AI Chatbot to Help Improve User Experiences
Uber Eats is expected to launch a new artificial intelligence chatbot on its food delivery platform. The new chatbot is designed to bolster user engagement by offering tailored recommendations,... MORE
Cloud-Based Delivery Platforms
Cloud-Based Delivery Platforms
DispatchTrack Uses AI-Optimized Routes and Quick Communications
DispatchTrack is a cloud-based delivery management platform that provides cutting-edge last-mile delivery and after-sales support services for businesses. With its innovative and user-friendly... MORE
Intuitive E-Commerce Chatbots
Intuitive E-Commerce Chatbots
E-Commerce Conversational AI Startup Zowie Offers Smart Assistance
Zowie is a conversational AI startup that creates “specialized chatbots combining customer support and sales functions for consumer brands looking to improve customer relationships and up... MORE
Communicative Delivery Companies
Communicative Delivery Companies
MyTrooperS Provides Delivery Solutions for Users and Businesses
‘MyTrooperS’ is a French logistics service that provides last-mile delivery to businesses and single-charge deliveries for individuals. Its delivery drivers are always connected,... MORE
Dine-In Tech
Technology to improve the dining experience through guest insights is on the rise
Trend - The restaurant and QSR industries are bouncing back from the Pandemic by better gathering insights on what consumers care about. Technologies dedicated to listening to and implementing suggestions for improving the dining experience are increasing in popularity. This can be done by gathering data on ordering platforms, surveys, and more.
Workshop Question - How could you better bridge the gap between your various guests' often opposing needs?
4.8
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Contactless Dine-In Features
Contactless Dine-In Features
Panera Bread Has Announced A New Digital Dining Feature
In its newest step toward becoming a fully “digitally-enabled cafe,” Panera Bread has announced an upcoming contactless dine-in feature for select consumers. This feature will combine... MORE
Insights-Focused Dining Menu Apps
Insights-Focused Dining Menu Apps
The 'Menura' Restaurant Menu App Keeps Customers Happy
The ‘Menura’ restaurant menu app is a feature-rich solution for administrators that will enable them to provide an impressive experience for diners, while also enjoying immersive... MORE
Restaurant Ordering-and-Payment Platforms
Restaurant Ordering-and-Payment Platforms
OrderUp Lets Users Scan, Order, and Pay via a Smartphone
OrderUp, the technology startup, helps provide restaurants with a cost-effective dine-in digital ordering system. It requires no app downloads, no hardware, and most importantly, no fees for... MORE
Dine-In Loyalty Apps
Dine-In Loyalty Apps
'Lynq' Provides Benefits to Consumers who Dine in Partnered Restaurants
The ‘Lynq app’ is a rewards program focused on the hospitality industry at large. Rather than being bound to one restaurant or company, Lynq partners with restaurants and credit card... MORE
Premium Seating Platforms
Premium Seating Platforms
'Tablz' Works with Restaurants to Sell Premium Seating During Peak Hours
‘Tablz’ is a Toronto, Canada-based startup with a platform that offers restaurants a new, heightened revenue stream. The Tablz platform uses artificial intelligence and algorithms to... MORE
SMS Support
Text-based customer support services prioritize convenience and quick communication
Trend - Traditional forms of customer support like going in-store or calling in and being put on hold are slowly being pushed aside for more modern, convenient options. Now, SMS-based customer support programs offer quicker service that requires less patience from both parties.
Workshop Question - How could your brand reduce friction in the customer service journey?
3.4
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Omnichannel Customer Support Services
Omnichannel Customer Support Services
Thryv Offers CX and Growth Solutions to Small Businesses
‘Thryv’ is a customer experience (CX)-focused company that provides omnichannel solutions to small businesses. The customer service offerings include consolidated customer service across... MORE
Centralized Customer Support Platforms
Centralized Customer Support Platforms
Gorgias Launched a New Social Media Integration Service
‘Gorgias’ is a customer support-focused company that originally launched in the mid-2010s with a focus on service through email chains and live chats. Gorgias has since adapted to the... MORE
SMS-Based Lead Generation Tools
SMS-Based Lead Generation Tools
Verse.io's New CallConnect Tool Aims Streamline Customer Support
Verse.io, a software provider specializing in customer outreach automation and AI-enabled conversational texting, has announced the launch of CallConnect, a new addition to the brand’s... MORE
Convenient Repair Services
Convenient Repair Services
Samsung Canada Has Launched Its 'Your Service' Portal for Galaxy Users
Samsung Canada has announced its newest service that will make customer service experiences hassle- and stress-free. The company is launching its new ‘Your Service’ repair portal for... MORE
24-Hour Wedding Customer Support
24-Hour Wedding Customer Support
David's Bridal Offers 24/7 Support to Future Brides and Grooms
David’s Bridal is a leading bridal and special occasion company in the United States. Wedding planning can be a stressful task. Consumers often need guidance throughout the planning process,... MORE
Metaverse Support
The customer service experience will become more immersive through the metaverse
Trend - As the metaverse expands, customer service in the metaverse is becoming a recognized innovation that can create more valuable support experiences. Brands in this space are already finding ways to better engage with customers that foster mutual empathy and more efficient processes.
Workshop Question - How could your brand use the metaverse to enhance its customer support services?
4.3
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Metaverse Medical Support Centers
Metaverse Medical Support Centers
TMRW Launched the World's First Medical Center in the Metaverse
‘TMRW’ is a future-facing company that crowns itself as the first entity to launch a medical customer support center in the metaverse. The center itself was sanctioned by the United Arab... MORE
Metaverse Customer Support
Metaverse Customer Support
Helpshift Launched a Free Plan for Metaverse Support
With its first free plan, Helpshift offers in-app metaverse customer support. As part of the new Feedback+ plan rollout, mobile in-app and augmented reality experiences will be supported. The San... MORE
play_circle_filled Metaverse User Support Companies
Metaverse User Support Companies
Helpshift Launched 'Metashift' to Target Customer Service in VR
‘Helpshift,’ the mobile-first customer service platform, has launched ‘Metashift’ as a Metaverse-ready customer service solution. Helpshift is famous for its customer service... MORE
Tailored Metaverse Support Platforms
Tailored Metaverse Support Platforms
ModSquad Offers Comprehensive Customer Service for Businesses
‘ModSquad’ is a customer support company that began in the early 1970s as a telephone contact center business. In 2022, ModSquad has fully refocused its services toward the metaverse.... MORE