61% of US Gen Alpha children spend 2 or more hours daily on mobile devices, the highest multi-hour usage rate across all platforms, according to August 2025 data from Morning Consult.

Most (63%) of global social media users prefer short videos from creators, according to a March impact.com and EMARKETER survey.

Meta axes VR jobs as Reality Labs flounders: Over 100 workers, including staff behind the “Supernatural” fitness app, were cut as the firm pivots away from costly metaverse efforts.

A September 2024 CivicScience/EMARKETER survey reveals consumer hesitancy toward AI tools. But data also pinpoints areas of receptivity, offering brands a blueprint for strategic implementation.

Key stat: 66% of US adults are unaware of, haven’t used, or aren’t interested in augmented reality (AR) shopping apps as of January 2024, according to a January 2025 EMARKETER and CivicScience study.

With the open-platform Android XR and a more budget-friendly headset, they’re opening the doors to immersive tech for everyone, taking on Apple and Meta’s walled gardens.

Retailers are experimenting with generative AI (genAI) across various use cases, from personalized marketing to conversational search. But the strategic risks of being an early adopter of genAI versus waiting for established players to set standards remain unclear.

From voice-activated AI to cutting-edge wearables, Meta's latest updates signal a push to dominate emerging tech markets.

Retailers invest in virtual reality, mobile apps, and AI to improve the customer experience: Walmart, Levi’s, and Family Dollar are among the companies turning to tech to boost sales.

From AI-powered smartphones to virtual shopping assistants, AI is becoming a powerful force in daily digital interactions—reshaping how people live, work, and shop.

Despite economic headwinds and challenges faced by major players, AR and VR adoption is on the rise.

Gen Zers and young millennials are the most likely to splurge on beauty in 2024—but their path to purchase is anything but straightforward.

South By Southwest was last week, and AI and VR were all the buzz. Gen Alpha is growing up with these technologies, which means the next generation of consumers will not just be used to AI and VR—they’ll expect to see it. Here are three takeaways from our analyst regarding tech trends at the event.

Apple’s VR headset, the Apple Vision Pro, became available in the US on February 2. Almost immediately after, brands began announcing immersive experiences that would be available for download on the headset.

Social commerce has yet to reach its potential in the UK. Social buying is still on the rise—and there is plenty of headroom to grow spend.

As Gen Zers grow up and their purchasing power expands, they’re redefining the relationship between brand and consumer, expecting brands to be community-focused, authentic, and culturally relevant.

As Gen Zers grow up and their purchasing power expands, they’re redefining the relationship between brand and consumer, expecting brands to be community-focused, authentic, and culturally relevant.

Retailers look to redefine the customer experience: That’s leading them to invest in immersive experiences such as AR, VR, gamified social shopping, and AI-enabled personalization.

Meta's strong earnings boost stock by 6%, owing to efficient cost-cutting measures, rebounding online ads, increased Reels engagement, and successful AI integrations.

On today's episode, we discuss what AI-generated ads will look like, TikTok testing a new AI chatbot called Tako, Formula One finding a new way to advertise on its cars, ESPN offering its channel as a standalone streaming service, what using VR in a car will look like, visualizing the US workforce as 100 people, and more. Tune in to the discussion with our forecasting writer Ethan Cramer-Flood, director of forecasting Oscar Orozco, and analyst Max Willens.