Tom Novak is a senior behavioral analyst at Canvas8. After completing his second master's degree in cultural sociology at LSE, he was drawn to cultural insight. Tom has conducted qualitative and ethnographic research from the plazas of Santiago to Coventry's suburbs. In his spare time, he can be seen rowing down the Thames or world-building around feminist science fiction.


Amid the global uncertainty and polarisation, people are seeking the support of online communities, including religious and spiritual ones. Indeed, research conducted by Canvas8 has found that 50% of Americans believe connections they make online can be just as meaningful as those they make in person. "The internet is a massively important vehicle to reach out to people and support them so that they can experience the spiritual and meet like-minded people," 

, a senior lecturer at Royal Holloway, University of London. For example, digital influencer 

 is making an impact by connecting with thousands of young Americans through his theology and lifestyle content, bolstering the appeal of Christianity in digital spaces. Similarly, 

 includes a widget for a digital altar that's helping disaffected young Chinese find moments of hope and spirituality in their daily lives. AI is also finding its place as a figure of worship and spiritual companionship. 

 empowers and guides people on their spiritual journeys and mindful practices, while 

 are providing prayer services, bible verses, and counselling for Korean Christians.

 regularly watching religious services online or on TV, people are increasingly turning to gadgets and tech to practise their religion. Devices like Apple's VR headset 

 could offer people of various faiths immersive experiences of their holy sites and religious objects and give them a space for prayer, meditation, and social interaction around their beliefs. 

 is already facilitating virtual pilgrimages for Muslims through VR, often democratising access to places of worship for older and disabled believers. Research shows that the vast majority of Muslims use specialised 

 to find spouses: 77.8% of Muslims in Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Germany, and the UK have turned to online matchmaking platforms like Salams and Muzz to find a romantic partner. People of different religions and creeds also turn to AI chatbots like 

 to make uncomfortable conversations about funeral planning more manageable.

A Canvas8 survey from September 2023 reveals that 57% of Americans feel uneasy about the potential role of AI in our society. As tech tools are integrated into religion and spirituality, people need guidance and education on using them safely and ethically – especially as they take up new beliefs and quasi-religious practices to ease their anxieties. For example, a 

Public Religion Research Institute survey

 showed that Americans are turning to alternate sources of authority and faith to cope with stress, while 

 are embracing digital prayers and lucky charms to navigate the surging unemployment crisis. Are these new tech-assisted spiritual experiences safe? According to Boston University's 

, the answer seems to be yes, but there are dangers. "Just as intense tech-free meditation experiences can skittle the psychic stability of some people and bring on psychosis, so tech-assisted spiritual experiences might be unhealthy for some people," he says. "Similarly, any technology can be abused and used to harm people."

of Americans agree the connections they make online can be just as meaningful as those they make in person

As Big Tech strives to humanise chatbots, some interactions have raised concerns that AI isn’t as emotionally responsive as people need it to be. Canvas8 spoke to marketing professor Shintaro Okazaki to find out how empathy can be better leveraged in digital customer experiences.




Can robots care? The science of artificial empathy

There is no substitute for therapeutic care or the love of close friends and family at a sorrowful time. But digital innovations like AI therapy bots, after-loss software, and even video games are attempting to bridge the gap between the support we need and that which is accessible.

How is AI changing experiences of grief?

Younger generations are feeling a plethora of pressures, and in China they're using digital Buddhist apps to find some comfort in rituals. Despite not considering themselves Buddhist, many are yearning for spaces that provide emotional support, whether that is on or offline.

Young Chinese citizens turn to apps to boost mindfulness

Smart glasses are back in vogue as tech giants race to dominate the space. Baidu has entered the market with the launch of an AI-powered device that facilitates a range of health and entertainment experiences, offering a cutting-edge alternative to products from brands like Meta and Snap. 

Baidu launches AI-powered smart glasses in China

India's gig economy is booming, with the number of gig workers nationwide set to reach 23.5 million by 2030. However, due to the uncertainty of this income stream, most people remain cautious of their finances. How can brands harness tech and education to bolster a sense of financial security?

How Indians are managing money amid the rise of AI

Loneliness is sadly common among new parents, especially mothers. As social apps emerge to combat the issue by providing supportive communities and peer-to-peer guidance, how can brands tap into the trend authentically and appeal to a new digital-native generation of mums?

How social apps help mums find friendship and community

Due to traffic congestion, rising petrol prices, and pollution, people want sustainable and efficient modes of transportation. In India, Yulu is leading the change with tech-based EVs that reduce pollution and make it easy for people to travel short distances between public transport hubs.

Why Yulu forwards green biking habits to urban Indians

As AI threats continue to grow more complex and widespread, businesses will face increasingly sophisticated scams. Yet despite the growing threats on both an internal and external level, research shows a lag in corporate strategy to safeguard against the risks of AI tools and actors.

Businesses lack preparedness for mounting AI threats

The rise of AI hiring tools and AI in the workplace is resulting in discrimination against older workers. As new technologies present a host of opportunities and challenges, there is a growing demand for business practices that prioritise AI inclusion and education for older professionals.

Older workers face exclusion due to AI bias 

The Australian Government plans to ban social media for under-16s, citing physical and mental health risks. With social media consumption showing no signs of slowing globally and young people feeling deeply affected by platforms, there's a growing need for solutions to protect youth online.

Australia's under-16 social media ban sparks debate

An ageing population and overtime laws are placing pressure on Japan’s trucking industry, with the country projected to have 36% fewer truck drivers than needed by 2030. A new automated cargo transport corridor solution hopes to tackle labour shortages while reducing carbon emissions.

Conveyor belt road proposed to ease trucker shortage

Smile 2 is letting horror fans watch the opening scene for free online – but the video only plays if users smile for the camera while watching. The move has sparked backlash, highlighting growing concerns about data practices and the need for transparency in an era of rapid AI development.

Smile 2 campaign raises concerns about data collection

Analysis of TikTok feeds in the run-up to the US presidential election highlighted a distinct gap in the political content shown to men and women across the platform. With social media serving as a political battleground, the data speaks to a widening ideological divide between genders.

Gender gap emerges in TikTok political content

Accenture’s annual report found that people are increasingly questioning the content and brands they’re engaging with, partly due to the effects of technologies like generative AI. These findings highlight the need for brands to innovate with intention to maintain people's trust.

Trust in brands at risk with increased AI usage

Gen Alpha is all about building, creating, and making things their own. No wonder they love to game – so much so that gaming is to Gen A what social media has been to Gen Z and Y. As this young generation grows, understanding how they see and use digital spaces will be key to capturing and maintaining their interest.

What does Gen Alpha want from gaming?

AI role-playing app Character.AI is facing a lawsuit after a teen user’s suicide. While chatbots could offer a solution to loneliness, they pose serious dangers in replacing human relationships, necessitating robust safeguards from tech companies to protect vulnerable users.

Character.AI lawsuit highlights risks of AI chatbots

Fiverr has launched a campaign to remind people that AI tools are only as good as the creatives using them. Encouraging professionals to focus on outcomes rather than the means used to achieve them, it highlights the enduring importance of human expertise in an increasingly AI-driven world.

Fiverr musical seeks to quell fears about using AI

With more Americans turning to social media for political information, political memes have become a powerful force in shaping US voter perceptions and election discourse. The rise of AI-generated memes adds a new layer to this trend, raising concerns about worsening misinformation and polarization.

What’s behind the memefication of American politics?

Passionfroot is an online marketplace aimed at connecting brands with business-focused content creators. As the creator economy continues to grow, there's an opportunity for brands to level the playing field for creators from diverse backgrounds by offering more ways to monetise their skills.

Berlin start-up launches digital marketplace for creators

A London-based concept store is set to rethink the traditional retail space with ‘TikTok-length attention spans’ in mind. As people become more accustomed to and reliant on a constant flow of stimulation, brick-and-mortar stores are evolving to keep pace with the speed of digital culture.

Future Stores revamps retail to mirror online experience

Emerging technologies are reshaping creative processes, highlighting a tension between digital tools and a growing desire for authentic, human-driven output. Canvas8 spoke to cultural insider Sorrel Salb to explore the current trends and developments that are impacting the creative community.

Sorrel Salb on the impact of tech on the creative community

Following an initial venture into e-books in 2023, TikTok’s parent company, Bytedance, is planning to steer its publishing arm towards print. Capitalising on a BookTok-fuelled reading renaissance, the move falls in line with shifting preferences towards analogue media, particularly among Gen Z.

Bytedance taps BookTok hype in move to print publishing

Spotify has expanded its audiobook service to four new non-English-speaking markets: France, Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg. Offering a library of works in French and Dutch, the platform is appealing to a global audience, especially as the audiobook market continues to grow. 

Spotify expands non-English audiobook range in Europe

AI is changing the way we shop, but what are the new expectations around immersive retail? Where will personalisation preferences show up in the future? How are digital agents changing the purchasing journey? And what does all of this mean for the holiday season? Explore AI-ready retail insights with our Spotlight.


Spotlight on: AI-ready retail

Gamification makes app use a habitual part of daily life, but as people spend more and more time within app ecosystems, the lines between escapism, ease and addiction are beginning to blur. Our Spotlight on gamification asks: how can brands use gamification to create new value and purpose for customers?

Spotlight on: Gamification for good

The charity Girlguiding has unveiled a campaign highlighting gender stereotypes and AI's role in perpetuating some of them. With increased awareness of gender stereotypes in everyday life, the campaign looks to visually inspire girls, showing them that they can truly do anything.

Girlguiding ad challenges AI-enforced gender biases

Thousands of celebrity deepfakes are flooding the web, targeting would-be investors with crypto scams. As people look to the fractured digital space as an authoritative source of information and open-source AI models bring deepfakes to the fore, the scam signals a new frontier for disinformation.

Elon Musk deepfake scam stokes disinformation fears

To help mitigate food waste, the free app Saveful empowers Aussies to turn their leftover pantry ingredients into tasty dishes without sacrificing taste. The brand’s initiatives encourage creativity and personalisation in the kitchen amid the persisting cost of living and food insecurity crises.

How Saveful inspires mindful home cooks to combat waste

Amid a steep decline in relevancy among younger users, Facebook has launched a redesign aimed at tapping into Gen Z’s evolving relationship with social media. In line with a broader shift towards a 'post-platform' internet culture, the changes emphasise local, community-driven features.

Facebook redesign attempts to win back Gen Z users

Airtasker allows users to outsource home tasks and chores, offering convenience for busy Aussies and income opportunities for gig workers. The platform’s huge popularity in Australia and ongoing global expansion highlight the rising role of task outsourcing in people’s busy modern lives.

Why Airtasker outsources chores for busy Australians

A computer vision-based tool is set to be rolled out in Amazon delivery vans to facilitate quicker and more accurate retrieval of packages. As AI permeates every industry’s ways of working, companies face pressure to continually innovate to stay ahead of their competition.

Amazon drivers get help from AI to retrieve packages

The stock of gaming platform Roblox has fallen in light of allegations that it has not done enough to protect children using it. With Gen Z and Gen Alpha spending more time per day on Roblox than any other platform, their safety hinges on how Roblox responds to these accusations.

Roblox stock falls amid safety lapse allegations

JobJump, a trending AI tool for interview prep, exemplifies a broader shift toward tech-driven problem-solving. As people seek to outsmart traditional systems, AI assistance in professional settings raises questions about authenticity in a growing culture of using tech to get ahead.

Live AI can help candidates cheat in job interviews

With the cost of living crisis forcing Aussies to cook and entertain at home more, the kitchen is becoming more like the living room – a central communal area where families and friends come together. But with soaring rents contributing to space constraints, what appliances, design features, and smart solutions are seamlessly blending convenience with style?

What will Aussie kitchens look like in the future?

Latin American SMEs, key to the region's economy, face limited access to credit and complex regulations but many are leveraging fintech, digital connectivity, and new educational models to drive growth. Can they unlock their full potential and spark a local economic renaissance?

What do Latin American SMEs need to thrive?

In recent years, the phenomenon of digital twin technology has emerged as a transformative force across varying industries. What are the benefits of digital twin innovations, and what can brands learn from the rise of these cutting-edge advancements in predictive technology?




How digital twin tech is shaping the future of business

The novelty of online dating appears to have peaked, with disillusioned singles turning to alternatives like run clubs, speed dating, and game nights. In Australia, young singles are prioritising mental health and personal values, signs of a broader shift in how they are approaching settling down.

Swiped-out Aussies seek alternatives to online dating

Social search engine Diem is designed to empower women and nonbinary people by bridging the gender information and disinformation gap. Combining AI-driven insights with community-driven conversations, Diem is creating a trusted, personalized space for candid, essential discussions.

How Diem closes the gender information gap via community

The 2024/25 Generational Snapshot of Gen Z looks at this cohort’s yearning for nostalgia and tangible experiences, the shifting nature of wellness towards being a 24/7 pursuit, young people’s evolving demands from the working world, and attitudes towards politics in a polarised landscape.

2024/25 Generational Snapshot of Gen Z

Joy Machine is a London-based event series showcasing AI filmmaking, with ten creators presenting short films highlighting AI’s creative potential. While it celebrates AI's artistic possibilities, it contrasts with broader concerns over AI’s impact on jobs and creativity within film.

Joy Machine curates creativity with AI Film Festival

Gone are the days of grey hoodies and branded fleeces as the de facto uniform of Silicon Valley’s tech bros. Now a formidable group of tech-optimist visionaries wielding vast wealth and power, what do they want? What makes them such divisive figures? And why are people rallying behind them?

Who are the tech bros?

West Cancer Center is the first in the US to begin using ‘hologram’ technology for some of its doctor visits. With rural Americans facing systemic barriers to healthcare, the tech is expanding access to care, providing a deeper connection between patients and doctors to further build trust.  




Hologram tech expands cancer care to rural Americans 

With AI embedding across more products and services within people's day-to-day, there are risks around exacerbating concerns about data privacy and security. Services like MineOS are aiming to mitigate fears, helping people and businesses navigate AI roll out by offering transparency.


MineOS gains popularity as AI exacerbates privacy fears

A report has found high mobile banking app use across all generations, but also highlighted that 71% are anxious about AI in finance. While AI holds potential to streamline financial services, there's a challenge to balance this with a human touch – especially as financial fragility remains.




People value mobile banking but are weary of AI

Can Labour create a new reality? Will hope shape audience behaviour? Will the AI revolution mean more prosperity? And how can businesses stay connected to the shifting realities of life in the UK? In this Macro chapter of Expert Outlook 2025, Dr Nick Srineck discusses what to expect in the UK in 2025.

2025 Expert Outlook on the UK

The healthcare multinational has launched a digital ecosystem that supports people on their journey to healthy ageing. As Britons’ appetites for digital health and wellness coaching continue to grow, there’s an opportunity to cater to older adults who are often underserved in this space.

Bayer personalises healthy ageing with tech companions

AI-powered creative app Verse facilitates fuss-free self-expression by allowing users to create scrollable, shareable, multi-modal mini-sites. While sensitivity remains around how AI will impact human creativity, Verse positions generative technology as an aide to everyday creative potential.

Verse app platforms Gen Z creativity with AI

Google Research's AI-powered Heat Resilience tool aids cities in combating extreme heat by analyzing satellite images and assessing the impact of cooling measures. Innovations like these help combat climate change, giving people hope for a future where they can live a low-impact life sustainably.

Google helps cities combat extreme heat with AI tool

Meet Grok, the face of AI-powered toy company Curio. The rocket-shaped plushie, voiced by musician Grimes, is designed to have “endless conversations” with kids. But what does the toy tell us about celebrities as creators, American parental burnout, and the perceptions of AI in 2024?

How Curio tells us about AI, parenting, and celebrity marketing

With a quirky design direction and a two-step goal to become the biggest company in the world and empower everyone to design, Aussie start-up Canva targets world domination. The secret behind its success lies in addressing the Australian need for digital creativity on a global scale.

How Canva builds a design democracy from Aussie creativity

In the AI arms race, Google has a powerful advantage – its operating system is used by billions of people worldwide. Their Gemini app has been made available in the UK, making it easy for Britons to access the AI chatbot on the go. This represents an exciting new era for the digital assistant.

How Google’s Gemini AI model is assisting Britons 

What’s next for AI development? Will Gen Alpha’s presence on social media be regulated, and how will they shape these spaces to their needs? How can brands prepare themselves for accelerated innovation? In this part of the 2025 Expert Outlook, we speak to four experts about the future of technology.

2025 Expert Outlook on Technology

Dating app Drybaby is creating a hub for sober curious singletons to connect offline. The hub taps into the shift among young Americans towards more mindful focused forms of leisure. And as dating app fatigue grows, it also shows the opportunity for brands to support a slower approach to dating.

Drybaby dating app caters to sober curious singletons

IKEA is using AI-enabled tech to bridge the gaps between physical and digital shopping, creating a future-oriented retail experience for American customers seeking savings, personalized shopping, and immersive experiences. What does this mean for the shopping landscape in the US moving forward?

Why IKEA uses GenAI and AR to attract American shoppers

With the rise of cryptocurrency, AI-driven fraud, and an evolving regulatory landscape, innovative detection methods and regulatory technology (RegTech) firms that leverage new technologies, like ComplyAdvantage, can disrupt the fintech space in Australia. What is the future of this industry?

How ComplyAdvantage eases Aussie concerns about fraud

Streaming platform SoundCloud empowers artists to build and grow their careers by providing progressive tools, services, and resources. With AI having a huge effect on the music industry, SoundCloud aims to bridge the gap through empowerment, AI assistive tools, and building music communities.

How SoundCloud tunes into British creativity

While virtual K-pop idols have yet to hit the global mainstream, groups like IITERNITI are finding a foothold in South Korea, where Gen Z and Alpha are more open to the possibilities of generative AI. How have they managed to create a solid fanbase while also maintaining a sense of humanity?

How IITERNITI uses tech to grow its AI-curious fanbase

Waves of AI-generated tarot readers have begun popping up on TikTok, hinting at new modes of virtual spirituality. As the world’s relationship with tech evolves, people are seeking solace in the digital space, and while emerging AI tools can offer support, experts stress a need for continued caution.

TikTok tarot bots signal rise of virtual spirituality

Audio manufacturers Bang & Olufsen have released a line of future-proof headphones with modular components designed for easy repair and replacement. As eco-concerns converge with more critical spending habits, perspectives on sustainability are shifting to centre durability and slower consumption

Bang & Olufsen centre durability with modular headphones

Apple has announced that the AirPods Pro 2 will soon double as over-the-counter hearing aids. Designed to expand access to hearing assistance, the product launch highlights the potential of assistive tech to help provide equity and meet the rising demand for disability inclusion.

AirPods upgrade provides accessible hearing assistance

Zillow's upgraded AI-powered search lets people describe their ideal home in conversational text, providing tailored recommendations based on millions of listings. Expectations of search and discovery are increasing as AI becomes increasingly used to enhance personalization.

Zillow enhances home search with AI personalization

Brazil has blocked access to social media platform X after Elon Musk failed to meet legal requirements, furthering debates over free speech and misinformation. While many users have migrated to alternatives like Threads and Bluesky, the ban has left Brazilians feeling disconnected.

Brazilians feel disconnected following X blockade

Spanish Gen Zers are swapping dating apps for pineapples in supermarkets, underscoring a broader movement towards more authentic, experience-driven socialising among the youth. Brands can facilitate real-world interactions by creating innovative spaces and experiences for organic connections.

Spanish Gen Zers add a tropical twist to their dating lives

Chanel has jumped on the wearables bandwagon with the debut of its Première Sound Watch. Unlike other brands that are experimenting with more tech-forward approaches to wearables, the luxury house is putting a modern spin on old-school devices that could resonate with AI sceptics.

Chanel makes loud luxury play with nostalgic tech

Instagram has released a new slate of text-based creative tools for users to apply across their content on the platform. The update is yet another step in Instagram’s active transformation into a more creator-centric platform, offering a variety of tools designed to appeal to content creators.

Instagram update courts desires for creative flexibility

Telegram groups have been spreading nonconsensual deepfake sexual images across South Korea, and the authorities have vowed to crack down on these sex crimes. Technology offers ample opportunity for abuse, and platforms like Telegram need to find a way to protect their users. 

Korean authorities to crack down on digital sex crimes

Software with voice input, accessible on phones, is helping foreign workers at a nursing home in Japan. The tech aims to clear the language barrier and reduce its staff’s workload. As expectations of employers increase, support and upskilling can lead to greater satisfaction and retention of staff.

Tech supports foreign staff in Japanese nursing home

Tesla is advancing its Optimus robots by hiring people to gather movement data for their AI training, which aims to automate unsafe or repetitive factory tasks. However, there is research that suggests that more automation could further disengage workers from job satisfaction.

Tesla recruits people to test humanoid suits

Technology

Seeking comfort in a rapidly shifting reality, people are praying at the altar of tech – or at least using it for their spiritual quests

As people’s relationship with tech evolves, innovations are enhancing theological connection and spiritual wellbeing. Bridging geographical distances and improving accessibility, these developments are helping people find moments of spirituality and clarity in their daily lives.