<img src="https://ml.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/d0c282b6-d496-45a8-a941-33fa5c3e824c?size=2" nborder="0" align="left" hspace="5" vspace="5" title="BCC Logo 1200-630.png" alt="BCC Research LLC"/>“Market is projected to grow from $7.8 billion in 2025 to $13.1 billion by 2031 at a 9.7% CAGR as autonomous systems and AI infrastructure scale.”Boston, Aug. 25, 2026 <a href="https://www.globenewswire.com" target="_blank">(GLOBE NEWSWIRE)</a> -- The global State of the Digital World Industry market is projected to grow from $7,779.5 million in 2025 to $13,122.9 million by 2031, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.7% from 2026 to 2031, according to BCC Research's latest analysis, <a href="https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=y85cM4ornVYrx3_sauJydzjxTYI0fviPmYsC3hMBuojRWAvCZH70WC6lrxza8JLm1ZRYooY-SqyjJyEba4LRADZ3zRLOzt9epDD5JoseJuGQsS8gdYbQ1yfLxiJ8IqP8vu6ztn9v7bf4Tmw8MaNmgqIdV2Q1JTuWe-fkkdb-85uDpydc8wm2zrjHBedjlHj4rX_AXL0E7nKpUbeyKAMntHp4krs9c-M939FEYeTUA6i5iwAci9eLyBXHKGuZgvrioK6M3tZivcoGqIGpdU9h8HQUxyAs9I9OC6bLRzhJz5aOOHmhA0r9TNI_heoQY_E-psSrGuDcc-Au84Qjm7M8IcPjhukJZbqiVFGeuYWRW3E=" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="State of the Digital World Industry - 2026 Second Quarter Review">State of the Digital World Industry - 2026 Second Quarter Review</a>. The report spans autonomous ground systems, AI infrastructure, photonics, and advanced computing technologies converging to redefine both military and commercial operations globally. Key Findings • The market is forecast to reach $13,122.9 million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 9.7% (2026–2031), underpinned by accelerating military procurement of autonomous systems and commercial adoption of AI-driven platforms across agriculture, logistics, and critical infrastructure. • North America is the largest regional market, valued at $3,023.5 million in 2025, reflecting substantial defense budgets, early-mover advantage in autonomous systems procurement, and leadership in AI and accelerated computing infrastructure deployment. • Increased military spending on fleet modernization — encompassing robots for border patrol and urban surveillance — is a primary structural driver, with defense agencies prioritizing unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) and AI-native platforms to reduce personnel exposure in contested environments. • Commercial sector adoption is accelerating, with autonomous systems deployed for high-tech farming, crop monitoring, and precision spraying to address acute labor shortages, while the Robot-as-a-Service (RaaS) model lowers financial barriers for smaller enterprises seeking access to advanced automation capabilities. • Emerging technologies reshaping the landscape include multi-sensor fusion architectures combining LiDAR, radar, and high-resolution imaging; AI-native navigation leveraging visual odometry (VO) and simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) for GPS-denied environments; Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T); photonic integrated circuits (PICs); post-quantum cryptography (PQC); and solid-state LiDAR — collectively enabling higher operational autonomy, security, and energy efficiency. • Key players active across this space include BAE Systems, Milrem Robotics, Rheinmetall AG, L3Harris Technologies, Teledyne FLIR Defense, Oshkosh Corp., Leonardo DRS, Forterra, Shield AI, Hanwha Aerospace, Thales, NVIDIA, IBM, HPE, Corning Incorporated, Credo Technology Group Holding Ltd, and Persistent Systems LLC, among others. Market Drivers The digital world industry is being reshaped by two mutually reinforcing structural forces: the militarization of autonomous systems and the commercialization of AI infrastructure. On the defense side, nations are accelerating investment in UGVs with embedded AI, edge processing, and swarm intelligence capabilities to meet evolving battlefield requirements — including operations in GPS-denied zones such as underground tunnels and contested urban environments. The integration of Micro-Drone Launch Systems with UGV platforms and the expansion of MUM-T doctrines represent a significant maturation of robotic warfare strategy. Simultaneously, the rapid expansion of AI, machine learning, cloud computing, and large-scale data center infrastructure is generating substantial demand for photonics technologies — particularly PICs for high-speed, low-latency data transmission — alongside accelerated computing platforms and quantum computing advances. High-speed 5G connectivity is enabling real-time data sharing and fleet-scale management, while edge AI facilitates local intelligence processing closer to the point of action. Digital twin technology and Software-Defined Vehicles (SDVs) with over-the-air updates further extend operational lifecycles and predictive maintenance capabilities across both sectors. Investment Considerations For investors, the convergence of defense modernization mandates, commercial automation demand, and foundational AI infrastructure buildout positions this market as a multi-vector growth opportunity over the forecast horizon. Companies with diversified exposure across autonomous systems hardware, AI-native software, and photonics infrastructure — such as NVIDIA, Rheinmetall AG, BAE Systems, Corning Incorporated, and Shield AI — are well positioned to capture value across defense and commercial verticals. Key risks include high platform costs limiting broader UGV adoption, persistent digital security vulnerabilities including susceptibility to signal interference and hacking, and terrain and GPS-dependency constraints that continue to cap operational envelopes. Investors should monitor the pace of PQC standardization and hybrid quantum-classical computing commercialization as potential catalysts for the next phase of market expansion. About the Report <a href="https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=y85cM4ornVYrx3_sauJydzjxTYI0fviPmYsC3hMBuojRWAvCZH70WC6lrxza8JLm1ZRYooY-SqyjJyEba4LRAMcNxnAEVaPc5V0ZcgdzyAisRPVHw3gCZme252mGItV5vkLFQbcidvrWy-bYlDIzAzKhK92vvtUVyt2G9WEpAxd9UZVrdy5uMweIUfOpuTveCYsRZN2eY5_veWaSPcct4TqPxQyYOv48SBDFgSsT6caGnpyaW1p2fcMWL-XQ7Gu_owIVF3nXX-Z3Qip0ePuXh4FcOVv65xB-Rorl3Dn_UctByWeYaS9-T-XZXIGCd3WNS0K4VV86bDkWKodpZzMF1vMX9GuneCxlPhjtcamyHbc=" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="State of the Digital World Industry - 2026 Second Quarter Review">State of the Digital World Industry - 2026 Second Quarter Review</a> provides comprehensive market sizing, segmentation analysis, competitive intelligence, and forecasts through 2031, covering autonomous ground systems, AI and accelerated computing infrastructure, photonics, and adjacent digital technologies. About BCC Research BCC Research provides objective, unbiased measurement and assessment of market opportunities with detailed market research reports. Our experienced industry analysts assess growth trends, identify and evaluate new and changing market opportunities, and provide critical information and innovative decision support tools to help inform the strategic decision-making process. For media inquiries, email <a href="https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=05XxA_x_lb7W2wLMM0GkywSGy0b-u3K36aFGqyxe4BqAsrMq1OMAsZuXNanyij5TlKmiewUBL-Ny7_GCaMb5Oex__Zzsp5AUQXTu3W4MmKE=" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="press@bccresearch.com">press@bccresearch.com</a> or visit our <a href="https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=VZpPRxP76zxwm44VV2FSiXla86a9zcxUBFVtYSiZLv1dxpecY2941KsFqpJbWXX_Gt-_OeoKXOhQe3470SEuIzVhX6qPsF2di8wqtrAj67qXYl1eqrtknk3Jbxa0EBgB_pLhQX2-QiApzjMQYedT2STa_fGSlJhWaAF85X__qpg2NM4Av4wK0LqCsaIXbFHx" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="media page">media page</a> for access to our market research library. Any data and analysis extracted from this press release must be accompanied by a statement identifying <a href="https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=KIvpKbeGO0ERYTtSKLxditdGyhHPlrnw5-7F6nMJQcRgDBlwZQhDh8QsgP69SBGOyBWPT3hSeqTkdKEukhhAY5nyRSgs4GkbWYbkp9nvyG_Z3O2-ZnXVAGS_k5OFEt8uoTyTKloFPmQ3ZFltXeZVcQ48feqASijQZdH2INqmFaVAoyG3Z54O3WXjboXwUqmV" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="BCC Research LLC">BCC Research LLC</a> as the source and publisher. <pre>CONTACT: BCC Research LLC
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State of the Digital World Industry to Reach $13.1 Billion by 2031, Driven by AI Integration and Autonomous Systems Deployment

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