At midyear 2026, agility is no longer just a strategic advantage — it is a requirement for navigating structural change. In part two of this two-part series, The Decisive host Kristen Hallam continues the conversation with S&P Global Market Intelligence experts Ken Wattrett, Laurence Allan and Eric Johnson to explore how AI is showing up across the three strategic themes for 2026 outlined in the Age of Agility report.

AI is presented as a connective force across the Age of Agility themes: it is supporting economic growth through major investment, reshaping geopolitical power dynamics through emerging technologies, and forcing companies to adapt to new trade and logistics realities. The discussion also flags a key risk: AI is a powerful growth engine, but dependence on one investment theme could create concentration risks if the boom proves uneven or short-lived.

The experts also discuss what they are watching for the rest of 2026 and into 2027 including:

• Fiscal pressure and debt sustainability
• Middle East conflict and energy market volatility
• AI as a growth driver — and a concentration risk
• Supply chain regionalization
• Trade policy and USMCA negotiations

More S&P Global Market Intelligence Content:

• Age of Agility report
• Global Economic Outlook: June 2026
• Geopolitical Risk Brief: June 2026
• US warehousing expanding faster at key inland hubs

For S&P Global subscribers (login required):

• Monthly Macro Monitor
• Frequently asked question: Do the effects of prior oil price shocks provide any pointers for the period ahead?

Credits:

• Host: Kristen Hallam
• Guests: Ken Wattret, Eric Johnson, Laurence Allan
• Produced By: Debbie Taylor, Kristen Hallam
• Edited By: Marz Marcello
• Published With Assistance From: Sophie Carr, Feranmi Adeoshun