Turning Risk into Opportunity
Market Innovation and Leadership
In an environment full of risks, companies must anticipate future developments and address challenges head on to be sustainable longer term. This requires a deep understanding of market dynamics and a culture of innovation to evaluate the major shifts happening in the world and capitalize on the opportunities that arise as a result.
For example, while some jobs will be eliminated as AI continues to take hold, new opportunities are emerging. Technology-related roles are the fastest-growing jobs in percentage terms according to the World Economic Forum, including big data specialists, fintech engineers, AI and machine learning specialists and software and application developers.[1] And, new businesses will form as markets evolve. 451 Research, the technology arm of S&P Global Market Intelligence, expects revenues from generative AI to exceed $52.2 billion in 2028[2] and the software market to see a wave of M&A activity given an increased need for AI governance tools.
Climate change also presents significant opportunities for growth and innovation in key areas like green technologies, renewable energy and sustainable practices. Green and energy transition roles also feature within the World Economic Forum’s top fastest-growing jobs, including autonomous and electric vehicle specialists, environmental engineers and renewable energy engineers.
[1] “The Future of Jobs Report 2025”, World Economic Forum, January 2025, https://www.weforum.org/publications/the-future-of-jobs-report-2025/digest/.
[2] “Generative AI market forecasts revised upward to $52.2B by 2028”, S&P Global Market Intelligence, May 22, 2024, www.spglobal.com/market-intelligence/en/news-insights/research/generative-ai-market-forecasts-revised-upward-to-52-2b-by-2028.
[3] “Time100 Most Influential Companies”, Time, https://time.com/collections/time100-companies-2025/.
[4] “The World’s 50 Most Innovative Companies of 2025”, Fast Company, www.fastcompany.com/most-innovative-companies/list.
There is a long list of firms that have shown the ability to see trends and adjust their business models to seize emerging opportunities. Time magazine’s “TIME100 Most Influential Companies” reflects those showing impact, innovation, ambition and success.[3] Fast Company’s “The World’s 50 Most Innovative Companies of 2025” covers 58 industries, focusing on what the company describes as making what once seemed impossible a reality.[4]
What are the key lessons that can be learned from innovative firms? One certainly is to understand trends and how markets are evolving to uncover new business ideas. An investment bank took note of S&P Global Market Intelligence’s report entitled "Power plays in 2025" that outlined themes influencing the global landscape in 2025. Importantly, this included comments on the energy transition and the significant monies needed to decarbonize global value chains. The demand for critical minerals, essential for renewable energy technologies and electric vehicles, is projected to outstrip supply by 2035, highlighting the need for reliable sourcing of commodities, including lithium and cobalt. Demand is also growing for green materials, such as aluminum and steel produced with methods that generate fewer carbon emissions, driven by new environmental regulations and corporate sustainability initiatives. Technological innovations, particularly in battery recycling, are playing a crucial role in this shift, enabling more efficient production processes and better resource management. These trends helped the investment bank finetune its energy-specific M&A strategy for the next several years.
