Highlights and insights from Navigate: Now and Next 2026 Hong Kong. Leading through complexity and fragmentation. Hong Kong's discussions centred on leadership in an increasingly fragmented environment. The emphasis was on navigating short-term commercial pressures while maintaining long-term thinking, managing increasingly complex customer journeys and recognising that strong leadership and human judgement are essential in a world of accelerating automation.

This is a behavioural science series of articles exploring the human capabilities AI may make more - not less - valuable. AI is a technological tidal wave, it will change so many ways in which we operate, work and even live. As the new world evolves, we need to ask increasingly important questions of leaders, brands and organisations, namely what remaining human advantages is we need to identify, give salience to, nurture and protect.

As economic uncertainty reshapes spending habits, brands must earn loyalty through transparent pricing, tangible value and everyday convenience rather than relying on habit or discounts alone, insights from Canvas8

As AI transforms the way consumers discover, evaluate and purchase products, brands must rethink how they show up online. This session explored the growing influence of AI on shopping behaviour and what marketers need to do to remain visible and relevant in an increasingly AI-driven marketplace.

Heritage brands face a unique challenge: balancing innovation with the authenticity and trust that have been built over decades. This article explores how established brands can evolve, remain relevant, and thrive in an increasingly AI-driven and fast-changing world.

A summary of The CMO Pathway: Inside the leap to the top marketing role - a recent event in New York, by Robert Wills, Chief Marketing Officer, VCCP who adds his own insights and take-aways.