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

Guided Autonomy
Brands turn routine requests into supervised AI-run workflows

Trend - As autonomous software takes on more complex service tasks, brands are making oversight features a core part of the experience. AI systems are increasingly able to collect information, apply rules, and complete actions on behalf of users, but greater autonomy is being paired with permissions, disclosures, and escalation paths. These aim to keep the user prominently in control without hindering productivity.

Workshop Question - How could your brand turn a high-friction customer task into a delegated workflow instead of a self-service journey?
6
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
AI Restaurant Sales Agents
AI Restaurant Sales Agents
Kutlerri.ai Uses AI Agents To Handle Restaurant Catering Sales And Orde
Kutlerri.ai is expanding restaurant sales automation with $4 million in backing to build more AI agents that help operators win catering orders and cut costs. The Stafford, Texas-based company runs... MORE
AI Travel Planning
AI Travel Planning
Airbnb Adds Conversational Search and Home Comparisons
Airbnb is integrating AI more deeply into trip planning with tools designed to simplify how travelers discover and compare accommodations. Users in the U.S. can search homes, experiences, and... MORE
AI Receptionist Voice Agents
AI Receptionist Voice Agents
InTouchNow Raises £2.3M to Expand into NHS GP Surgeries
InTouchNow is expanding its AI receptionist services for NHS GP surgeries with fresh seed funding. The company raised £2.3 million to deploy its voice agent in more practices. It turns patient... MORE
Text-Based AI Ordering
Text-Based AI Ordering
DoorDash Turns Text Requests into Completed Orders
DoorDash is making food and grocery ordering conversational by allowing U.S. users to build and complete purchases through text messages. Customers can describe a craving, request recommendations,... MORE
AI Email Intake Agents
AI Email Intake Agents
Amtech's AQQ Fills Quotes Straight From Inbound Emails
Amtech Software is expanding corrugated quoting with an embedded AI agent in 'Amtech Quick Quote' (AQQ) that populates draft quote fields from emailed requests before estimators start typing. Built... MORE
Autonomous Merchandising
Retail systems now recommend and act on product decisions

Trend - Retail AI is moving beyond dashboards into systems that detect patterns, surface recommendations, and initiate merchandising actions. Brands are using these tools to shorten the gap between insight and execution in stores and digital channels. Retailers are also connecting discovery, assortment, and ordering logic more tightly so products can be surfaced and acted on within the same flow. The new value proposition is a move from passive analytics to software that is expected to influence commercial outcomes directly.

Workshop Question - How could your brand turn customer and operational signals into timely actions, not just reports?
6.4
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Action-Oriented Retail AI
Action-Oriented Retail AI
Walmart Scintilla Connects Insights with Supplier Actions
Walmart is expanding supplier analytics through AI commerce intelligence as Scintilla evolves into a platform that connects retail data with faster decision-making. The system brings customer... MORE
Agentic Commerce Feature Updates
Agentic Commerce Feature Updates
Google Unveils Its AI Performance Insights and UCP Tools
Google introduced agentic commerce updates for retailers, including AI performance insights, Business Agent for YouTube ads and expanded Universal Commerce Protocol capabilities. The tools are... MORE
AI-Powered Shelf Intelligence
AI-Powered Shelf Intelligence
DoorDash Brand Center Connects Digital and Physical Retail Data
DoorDash is expanding its retail technology with Brand Center, a platform that combines consumer purchasing data with AI-analyzed shelf signals collected by Dashers. Brands can identify... MORE
Foundation Commerce AI Models
Foundation Commerce AI Models
Topsort Debuts Its First Large Commerce Model
Topsort is giving commerce teams a smarter way to rank products, answer queries, and choose what shoppers see next with 'T-Brain.' The company calls it its first Large Commerce Model, a foundation... MORE
Service Copilots
Businesses are automating repetitive tasks with AI to free staff for exceptions

Trend - Customer-facing software is shifting from simple chat support to systems that can answer calls, field messages across channels, and complete basic service tasks on a company’s behalf. These systems are beneficial for offloading repetitive tasks, reducing wait times, and helping staff invest more time in higher-value work and relationship management.

Workshop Question - How could your brand use automated assistance to remove routine friction while preserving easy access to a person when it matters most?
6.4
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
AI Customer Support Platforms
AI Customer Support Platforms
Saski AI Delivers Automated Multichannel Support For Small Business
Providing fast and reliable customer service can be challenging for small businesses with limited time and resources. Saski AI helps automate support operations through AI-powered agents that can... MORE
play_circle_filledAI Customer Service Software
AI Customer Service Software
MirrorFly Is Introducing AI Agents For Customer Support
Self-hosted CPaaS provider MirrorFly has launched AI agents to help enterprises build their own AI assistance. This can automate and personalize the customer support, and it can be deployed to go... MORE
AI Concierge Assistants
AI Concierge Assistants
Playlist Launches a Specialized Virtual Front Desk Assistant
Playlist — the parent company of Mindbody, ClassPass, Booker, EGYM, and Kite — has launched AI Concierge, a virtual front desk assistant designed to operate around the clock for fitness and... MORE
AI Voice Agent Platforms
AI Voice Agent Platforms
PhinVoice Helps Businesses Automate Phone Calls With Human-Like AI
Managing customer phone calls can be time-consuming, especially for businesses that need to provide support, answer questions, and handle enquiries around the clock. PhinVoice provides AI-powered... MORE
AI Personal Productivity Assistants
AI Personal Productivity Assistants
Lumon Manages Tasks With An AI Assistant That Remembers Them
Managing emails, schedules, and endless to-do lists can become overwhelming when productivity tools lack personal context. Lumon is an AI-powered assistant designed to understand users, remember... MORE
Delegated Shopping
Retailers are outsourcing discovery, selection and purchasing to software

Trend - From discovery and selection to purchase execution, retailers are building systems that let consumers outsource more stages of the buying journey to AI agents. As a result, they’re designing for delegation, not just browsing, and striving to stay useful as shopping increasingly happens through assistants rather than storefronts alone.

Workshop Question - How could your brand make automated recommendations and actions feel transparent enough that people understand why they are seeing them and how to change them?
7.1
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Agentic AI Shopping Experiences
Agentic AI Shopping Experiences
Salesforce Backs Brunello Cucinelli’s AI-Driven Commerce Platform
AI-driven commerce platform Callimacus was developed by Brunello Cucinelli’s Solomei AI team and creates pageless, personalized shopping experiences in real time. Salesforce is backing the... MORE
Agentic Commerce Platforms
Agentic Commerce Platforms
Google Introduced an AI-Powered Universal Cart for Smarter Shopping
Google’s agentic commerce tools demonstrate how online shopping is evolving from manual browsing toward AI-assisted purchasing ecosystems. The company’s new Universal Cart acts as a centralized... MORE
AI eCommerce Creative Tools
AI eCommerce Creative Tools
HuHu AI Helps eCommerce Brands Create Product Visuals With AI
HuHu AI is an AI creative platform designed to help eCommerce businesses create product visuals and virtual try-on experiences. It offers an AI creative agent that supports a wide range of product... MORE
AI Produce Inspection
AI Produce Inspection
Albertsons Uses AI Grading Systems to Standardize Produce Quality Checks
AI produce inspection is transforming grocery supply chains by using computer vision and machine learning to standardize freshness evaluations for highly perishable foods. Albertsons introduced its... MORE
Agentic Shopping Platforms
Agentic Shopping Platforms
Hey Savi Uses AI to Search, Compare and Buy Fashion
Hey Savi is introducing a new approach to online retail with an AI-powered platform that helps shoppers discover, compare and purchase fashion products without leaving the app. The platform allows... MORE
AI Dispensary
Cannabis Dispensaries are Leaning on AI Tools to Improve Operations
Trend - Cannabis dispensaries are integrating AI systems into retail operations to automate compliance tasks, forecast inventory needs, personalize product recommendations and improve staffing efficiency. These tools reduce operational friction, support regulatory accuracy and drive higher margins.
Workshop Question - How might we leverage AI technology to streamline operations and enhance customer experiences in innovative ways within our industry?
6.1
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
AI-Connecting Cannabis Retail Tools
AI-Connecting Cannabis Retail Tools
Flowhub MCP Connects Dispensaries to Popular AI Tools
Flowhub, a regulated commerce platform for cannabis retailers, has launched Flowhub MCP, a connector built on the open Model Context Protocol standard that allows dispensary operators to connect... MORE
Comprehensive AI-Powered Retail Services
Comprehensive AI-Powered Retail Services
Dutchie Consumer AI Boasts Four Tech-Driven Features
Dutchie has introduced a suite of four artificial intelligence products collectively called Dutchie Consumer AI. This retail-focused service integrates voice, online, in-store, and reputation... MORE
Cannabis Dispensary-Focused AI Tools
Cannabis Dispensary-Focused AI Tools
IndicaOnline Debuts IndicaOnline AI to Streamline Operations
IndicaOnline has launched IndicaOnline AI — a data analytics and automation layer for cannabis dispensaries that uses the open Model Context Protocol to allow operators to query their... MORE
Controlled Cannabis Experiences
Controlled Cannabis Experiences
Go Brands expands its light cannabis portfolio
Go Brands is expanding its lineup of light cannabis products with new pre-rolls and cannabinoid-infused edibles designed to support more controlled consumption. The Canadian company is positioning... MORE
Cosmetic Microbiome
Cosmetics and Personal Care Brands Introduce Skin Microbiome Solutions
Trend - Cosmetics and personal care brands are launching microbiome‑boosting creams, patches and targeted treatments that use fermented ingredients to support skin barrier health. Companies position these products as science‑driven solutions that strengthen resilience and reduce irritation.
Workshop Question - How can your brand create innovative products or services that leverage the power of natural microbiome balance to enhance and protect consumer well-being?
7.9
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Intimate Deodorant Sprays
Intimate Deodorant Sprays
Lactomedi's Probiotic-Powered Spray Neutralizes Unwanted Odor
Lactomedi's pH-friendly Intimate Deodorant Spray is a refreshing, probiotic-powered product that gently neutralizes unwanted odor and boosts confidence and freshness on demand. Ready to spritz... MORE
Microbiome-Centred Intimate Wellness Lines
Microbiome-Centred Intimate Wellness Lines
Lactomedi Continues to Expand in the US Market
Lactomedi, a South Korean feminine care brand that focuses on microbiome-centred intimate wellness, has made its entry into American physical retail by launching its core product lineup across more... MORE
Multifunctional Microbiome Skincare Ingredients
Multifunctional Microbiome Skincare Ingredients
Amitose™ R-green
Amitose R-green, developed by SEIWA KASEI Co., Ltd., introduces a multifunctional approach to cosmetic formulation by combining long-lasting hydration, microbiome support, and natural-origin... MORE
Menopausal Support Creams
Menopausal Support Creams
Evvy Estradiol Vaginal Cream Takes a Holistic Approach
Evvy Estradiol Vaginal Cream has been launched by the brand to offer menopause women a product that addresses the root cause of discomfort for a holistic approach to wellness. The product will... MORE
Biotech Beauty Partnerships
Biotech Beauty Partnerships
L'Oréal and Institut Pasteur Team Up to Advance Skin Health Science
Biotech beauty partnerships are redefining how skincare brands approach research and product development, as seen in L’Oréal’s collaboration with Institut Pasteur. By combining expertise in... MORE
Conversational Shopping
Retail Platforms Use Natural‑language AI Models to Guide Shoppers
Trend - Retailers are introducing conversational AI assistants that help customers find the right products through natural‑language dialogue. These systems interpret intent, ask clarifying questions and provide tailored recommendations, making digital shopping feel more intuitive and human‑guided.
Workshop Question - How might we leverage natural-language AI to enhance and personalize the shopping experience for our customers?
6.4
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Conversational Shopping Apps
Conversational Shopping Apps
The Klarna Shopping Search App in ChatGPT Streamlines Discovery
Shoppers are turning to AI for purchasing guidance and to solve frustratingly fragmented experiences, the Klarna Shopping Search app in ChatGPT launched to weave product discovery straight into the... MORE
AI Shopping Assistants
AI Shopping Assistants
Amazon Alexa Uses AI to Personalize Product Search and Purchases
AI shopping assistants are transforming ecommerce through conversational tools that personalize product discovery, automate purchasing tasks and streamline digital retail experiences. Amazon... MORE
Conversational Product Summaries
Conversational Product Summaries
Amazon Launches Its Join the Chat AI Product Summaries
Amazon introduced a shopping feature called Join the Chat that lets customers ask real-time questions while engaging with AI-generated product summaries. The capability combines spoken or displayed... MORE
Home Furnishing Shopping Assistants
Home Furnishing Shopping Assistants
Ask Cleo Recommends Products Based on Shopper Descriptions
Lightopia, a leading online destination for luxury lighting and home décor, announced a new way for shoppers to find the right solutions for their needs with Ask Cleo, an AI-powered conversational... MORE
Mini Shaver
Beard trimmers are being transformed into compact devices for easy carrying
Trend - Grooming tools are being adapted for on the go use, which has resulted in the devices taking a smaller form-factor. Smaller than traditional shavers, these devices can be battery-operated, USB-rechargeable, or even manual, making them perfect for consumers who require a quick refresh during the day.
Workshop Question - How can your brand adapt its product to fit varying consumer lifestyles?
6.5
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Palm-Sized Shavers
Palm-Sized Shavers
The Panasonic Palm Shaver Was Announced at CES 2024
At CES 2024, Panasonic announced the Panasonic Palm Shaver as a compact, five-blade shaver for use at home or on the go. The device lives up to its name with a palm-sized design and it’s a... MORE
Compact Pocket-Sized Beard Trimmers
Compact Pocket-Sized Beard Trimmers
The ZERA M is a Portable Beard Trimmer Fit into a Pocket
The ZERA M is a unique product that highlights function through a compact design. The small beard trimmer is tiny enough to comfortably fit inside of a pocket to bring on the go, measuring about the... MORE
Compact Face Shavers
Compact Face Shavers
The Handyman by Manscaped is a Foil Shaver for Grooming on the Go
The Handyman by Manscaped is an electric, compact face shaver and the brand’s first-ever foil shaver for grooming on the go. This portable, quick-charging and waterproof grooming tool is... MORE
Ergonomic Earbud-Sized Shavers
Ergonomic Earbud-Sized Shavers
The YOOSE Alloy MINI Shaver-Bounty Hunter is Compact and Functional
Introducing the YOOSE Alloy MINI Shaver-Bounty Hunter is a new grooming device created for consumers looking to improve their portability and shave performance. The shaver is compact, drawing... MORE
AI Service Automation
Service as a software AI solutions transform back-office operations
Trend - While consumer-facing AI applications continue to capture public attention, innovative companies are developing AI-powered solutions that transform traditionally human-intensive back-office operations. These solutions are creating new efficiencies in areas like accounting, compliance, customer service, and operational management by augmenting or automating routine tasks while maintaining service quality.
Workshop Question - How could your organization leverage AI to scale its service operations more efficiently?
4.1
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Comprehensive Analytics Platforms
Comprehensive Analytics Platforms
Heap by ContentSquare is a Smart Platform for Customer Analytics
The Heap service from Contentsquare is an advanced analytics platform designed to provide comprehensive insights into user behavior across web and mobile applications. By combining Heap’s... MORE
Restaurant Management Software
Restaurant Management Software
RestautoManager Simplifies Inventory, Staffing, and Online Orders
RestautoManager is a comprehensive restaurant management solution designed to streamline daily operations for food service businesses. This all-in-one software allows restaurant owners and managers... MORE
play_circle_filledAI Booking Agents
AI Booking Agents
MyNestor Affordably Helps Solo Professionals Manage Their Bookings
Being a solopreneur often means juggling every task alone, from marketing to administration, and while hiring outside help isn’t always within a small business’ budget, MyNestor was tailor-... MORE
Simplified SaaS Blogging
Simplified SaaS Blogging
OutBlogMe Streamlines Your Blogging and SEO for Your SaaS Project
OutblogMe is a NextJS boilerplate specifically designed to streamline the blogging and SEO processes for Software as a Service (SaaS) businesses. By providing a comprehensive framework, it allows... MORE
Product Analytics
AI tools are being used to assist managers with analyzing product insights
Trend - SaaS companies are launching Artficial Intelligence (AI)-based tools that gather and analyze both customer feedback and product information to provide recommendations for product managers. These tools are designed to automate monotonous tasks and free up time for managerial action.
Workshop Question - How can we leverage AI tools to streamline data analysis and provide actionable insights for our managers?
6
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
AI Product Insights Tools
AI Product Insights Tools
Zeda IO Offers a Product Discovery Platform and Planning Tool
The Zeda.IO AI tools for product management and product insights are designed to streamline the product discovery and development process by leveraging artificial intelligence to gather and analyze... MORE
Comprehensive Analytics Platforms
Comprehensive Analytics Platforms
Heap by ContentSquare is a Smart Platform for Customer Analytics
The Heap service from Contentsquare is an advanced analytics platform designed to provide comprehensive insights into user behavior across web and mobile applications. By combining Heap’s... MORE
AI-Driven Product Management Platforms
AI-Driven Product Management Platforms
Productboard Pulse Promises to Enhance Efficiency
Productboard has unveiled its latest innovation, Productboard Pulse, which is designed to enhance product management by integrating customer feedback at scale. This AI-driven platform offers product... MORE
AI Product Experience Solutions
AI Product Experience Solutions
Stibo Systems Helps Brands Keep Products Competitive with Data
The Product Experience Data Cloud from Stibo Systems is a comprehensive solution designed to optimize product data management and enhance customer experiences. By consolidating product information... MORE
AI-Driven Consumer Goods Platforrms
AI-Driven Consumer Goods Platforrms
Cpg Radar’s New AI-Driven Platform is Efficient
CPG Radar’s new AI-driven platform is designed to streamline and enhance research and development for companies in the consumer packaged goods sector. By leveraging an extensive dataset that... MORE