Once a signifier of luxury or novelty, custom products and services are now within reach of the everyday consumer, thanks to the rise of artificial intelligence, algorithm-led platforms, and the COVID-era digitisation boom. Today, everyone wants to be the main character of their brand experience.

The mainstreaming of AI is setting a new precedent for how people relate to non-human sources of intelligence. While automation on a consumer level has typically focused on specific tasks like replying to emails or budgeting, it’s now swiftly expanding to a more dynamic range of applications.

With the need for drastic climate action more apparent than ever, people’s lifestyles choices are coming under intense scrutiny. Is it possible to live in comfort and luxury in a way that minimises harm to the planet? Proponents of ‘hedonistic sustainability’ believe it can be done.

Sustainability has fast become a buzzword in the world of food, whether it’s interpreted as clean eating, plant-based proteins, or locally-sourced produce. But as Americans look to balance both comfort and purpose in their meal choices, what can brands do to secure a piece of the pie?

Families will keep cooking together after the pandemic, says a survey. For those who lived together during COVID-19, meals were an opportunity to find comfort in communal routines. As people return to post-pandemic socializing, there's a desire to keep the closeness that cooking together created.

The COVID-19 pandemic simultaneously exposed people to the impact of climate change and distracted their attention from it, leaving many struggling to make the right decisions and take meaningful action. So, how can brands assist Americans in their next steps towards sustainability?