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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

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?
7.2
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
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?
7.7
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
Sugarcane Package
Brands are using food-safe sugarcane bagasse in consumable goods packaging
Trend - Brands in the several consumables industries, such as cosmetics and food, have begun using containers made out of sugarcane bagasse. This is a pulpy, fibrous material gained from drying and crushing sugarcane. This is affordable, food-safe, biodegradable, and temperature-resistant.
Workshop Question - How can your brand incorporate affordable and sustainable packaging solutions, such as sugarcane bagasse, into your product lineup while still maintaining consumer appeal and affordability?
8
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Non-Coated Sugarcane Packagings
Non-Coated Sugarcane Packagings
'SupraPulp' from W-Cycle is Biodegradable Packaging from Sugarcane
W-Cycle has created a food packaging material called ‘SupraPulp’ that is made from the leftover parts of sugarcane plants. It does not get soggy or leaky when it holds wet or oily food,... MORE
Compostable Sugarcane Containers
Compostable Sugarcane Containers
Eco-Products' WorldView Containers are Foodsafe and Microwavable
WorldView™ Containers from Eco-Products are a line of takeout containers that combine molded fiber bases with clear or molded fiber lids. The bases are made from sugarcane, a rapidly renewable and... MORE
Sugarcane Cosmetics Packagings
Sugarcane Cosmetics Packagings
'Bulldog' Uses Sugarcane Bagasse to Reduce its Carbon Footprint
Bulldog is a UK-based brand that sells natural skincare products for men, such as creams, cleansers and scrubs. Bulldog is the first brand of its kind to make its packaging from sugarcane plastic,... MORE
play_circle_filled Compostable Food Packaging Brands
Compostable Food Packaging Brands
Shanghai Timeco Industrial Uses Sugarcane Bagasse for Packaging
Shanghai Timeco Industrial is a global supplier of eco-friendly food packaging and tableware that can be composted. The company makes its products from materials like sugarcane bagasse, which is the... 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
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
Evolved Education
Post-secondary institutions offer courses specific to Gen Z's hobbies and habits
Trend - Schools are targeting the skills and industries that Gen Z is making influential. In order to maintain their relevance in a rapidly evolving learning environment, honing in on students' personal hobbies and the skills they're self-taught in keeps these institutions evolving with their target market.
Workshop Question - How is your brand evolving with the cultural changes that Gen Z's influence has caused?
4.1
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Digital Fashion Courses
Digital Fashion Courses
Parsons School of Design & Roblox Created a Collaborative Course
The future of fashion is digital and to support it, Parsons School of Design and Roblox collaborated on a digital fashion course. This course will teach students all about digital fashion design, as... MORE
Google-Backed UX Research Programs
Google-Backed UX Research Programs
SCAD Launches New User Experience Research (UXR) Degree Program
The Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) is excited to announce its new user experience research (UXR) degree programme, which will begin this Fall 2022, the first semester. The Bachelor of... MORE
Esports Management Programs
Esports Management Programs
ITTI Sports Launches an Esports Course with Barça Innovation Hub
ITTI Sports taps FC Barcelona’s Barça Innovation Hub for a new partnership to see the Executive Program offered in Esports Management. According to ITTI, the course was created by leading... MORE
Cannabis Business Certificates
Cannabis Business Certificates
NYU School of Professional Studies Boasts a New Offering for 2023
Ingredients like CBD and THC have become a staple in many North American markets and this has happened to such an extent that the NYU School of Professional Studies has introduced a new cannabis... MORE
SMS Commerce
Brands are integrating shopping services into mobile SMS applications
Trend - Retailers are seamlessly integrating text message shopping services into their business models. This allows customers to browse, purchase, and pay for products directly through a text message rather than using a mobile storefront application or website. This reduces online order friction.
Workshop Question - How could your brand benefit from leveraging older, more familiar technology for accessibility?
5.1
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Text-to-Shop Retail Services
Text-to-Shop Retail Services
Walmart Text to Shop Makes it Easier Than Ever to Shop
Convenience remains of key importance to today’s shopper, which is one of the guiding principles for the new Walmart Text to Shop service that’s being launched by the big box retailer.... MORE
Conversational E-Commerce Features
Conversational E-Commerce Features
Attentive Debuts New SMS-Based Text-to-Buy Solution for Shopify
Attentive is a leading “conversational commerce” platform that aims to rethink business-to-consumer communication via SMS-based software solutions. The company’s unique platform... MORE
Text Messenger Checkout Applications
Text Messenger Checkout Applications
'Postscript' Uses Text-To-Buy to Improve Customer Retention
Postscript is a company that offers a text messaging platform for businesses to use as a marketing and sales channel. The company has announced the launch of a new feature called “text-to-buy&#... MORE
SMS Commerce Services
SMS Commerce Services
klaviyo Allows Customers and Brands to Sell or Buy Products via SMS
‘klaviyo’ offers an SMS marketing package that allows customers and brands alike to transact via text messages. For customers who sign up for klaviyo, shoppers can simply text the word &#... 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?
5.4
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
Shoppable TV
Streamers introduce interactive ads to shorten the gap between content and checkout
Trend - Streamers are experimenting with Connected TV technology (CTV), which leverages QR codes, content overlays, and second-screen prompts to allow viewers to instantaneously shop the products that they see on screen. This includes products seen in commercials as well as those featured in actual shows.
Workshop Question - How could your brand take advantage of innovative advertising tactics, like those introduced by Connected TV technology?
5.2
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Shoppable Reality TV Shows
Shoppable Reality TV Shows
NBCU's Peacock Will introduce Shoppable TV for 'Love Island USA'
NBCUniversal (NBCU) has announced that it will be integrating ShoppableTV QR codes into its upcoming Peacock reality show ‘Love Island USA,’ which is set to be released on the platform... MORE
Inspiring Shoppable Series
Inspiring Shoppable Series
Pinterest TV Engages Users with Live, Shoppable Content
Pinterest revealed on its blog that “Pinners are engaging in more immersive formats and actionable entertainment than ever before,” and these consumer behaviors are being supported with... MORE
TV-Streaming Commerce Partnerships
TV-Streaming Commerce Partnerships
Roku Partnered with Walmart to Integrate Shopping with TV Ads
Walmart and Roku partnered up to launch a new Roku shopping service on the popular TV streaming platform. This partnership will allow Roku viewers to quickly and conveniently purchase items they see... MORE
Real-Time TV Shopping Features
Real-Time TV Shopping Features
Discovery+ Introduces 'Showcase Ads' and 'Click-to-Contact' Feature
This spring Warner Bros.’ new streaming platform Discovery+ unveiled a new slew of advertising options for brands, the most notable of which was ‘Showcase Ads’—a new... 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?
3.8
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
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?
4.7
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