Something Big Could Be Coming After 2029 — And It’s Time We Start Thinking About It
#Issue 22 Why investors and institutions must start thinking beyond cycles — and prepare for a decade of structural rewiring
Over the last few weeks, I’ve been thinking more deeply about what the world might look like beyond this decade. Not just in terms of stock markets or quarterly results, but in terms of the bigger structural shifts that could change how countries, businesses, and people function.
Most of us — whether as investors, professionals, or even policymakers — focus on the short to medium term: the next few quarters, the next fiscal, or maybe the next election. But if we look at the speed and scale at which things are evolving today — especially around AI, geopolitics, and economic power — it feels increasingly likely that 2030 could mark a very different kind of turning point.
This isn’t a prediction or a forecast. But it’s something I believe is worth paying attention to — starting now.
We’re Not Just Upgrading Tech — We’re Rebuilding the System
We’ve had tech upgrades before — from the rise of the internet in the 90s, to mobile and cloud in the 2010s. But what’s happening now with artificial intelligence feels like more than just another productivity leap.
AI is slowly moving from being a helpful tool to becoming part of the core infrastructure of decision-making across sectors:
In businesses, it’s handling customer support, analysing legal documents, optimising logistics, and even assisting in product design.
Governments are using it for public service delivery, surveillance, and early-stage policy planning.
Militaries globally are embedding AI into autonomous systems, strategy simulations, and cybersecurity.
This goes beyond “tech disruption.” It’s more like a re-architecture of how decisions are made — and by whom.
By 2030, AI won’t just be part of our workflow. It may be deeply woven into everything from capital allocation to healthcare decisions, and from how wars are fought to how courts evaluate data.
Why 2030 Feels Like More Than Just Another Year
What makes this different from previous cycles is that it’s not just technological — it’s happening alongside geopolitical, social, and institutional uncertainty.
Here’s why I think 2030 might be a real global inflection point:
Technology is scaling faster than we can regulate or understand
Many governments are still trying to figure out the basics of AI regulation, even as its capabilities expand rapidly. That gap creates long-term risks — and possibly, missteps.Geopolitical power is becoming more about tech dominance than military strength
Nations that control semiconductors, AI models, and quantum computing may end up controlling more than just their own economies.Social systems are under pressure
Job markets are being reshaped. Information is getting harder to verify. And many systems — education, healthcare, law — haven’t yet figured out how to adjust.
This doesn’t automatically mean crisis. But it does mean deep change. And historically, when multiple systems evolve at the same time, the results are unpredictable — and often uneven.
What This Means for How We Think as Investors
The next 3–4 years (up to 2029) could be very strong in terms of market performance. AI, defence, automation, and digital infrastructure will likely remain dominant investment themes. India’s own structural story — driven by formalisation, capex recovery, and digital adoption — also remains a positive.
But if you’re investing with a 7–10 year view, or thinking about building long-term exposure to megatrends, then I believe this is a good time to start asking:
What kind of world are we investing into after 2029?
Some considerations that come to mind:
Will large global tech platforms become too powerful to regulate effectively?
Could data localisation and digital borders fragment the internet and disrupt business models?
Will labour-intensive sectors face structural headwinds as automation deepens?
And what happens to small businesses, regulators, and even democracies when algorithms influence more of the narrative?
These aren’t abstract ideas. They’re questions we’ll need to answer sooner than we think — especially if we want to build portfolios that can thrive through a system shift, not just a market cycle.
Where the Money Might Flow
While long-term questions deserve attention, the near and medium term still offer actionable themes for investors.
Near Term (12–18 months):
Expect capital to chase sectors showing demand revival:
Consumer Discretionary: Rural recovery is already underway, while urban demand is likely to rebound in H2FY26.
Key sub-sectors: Auto & Auto Ancillaries, Retail, Travel & Leisure.
Medium Term (3–5 years):
Watch for a pivot toward more structural plays:
Industrials: A new private capex cycle is building. Capital goods, engineering, and infra players should benefit.
Financials: Corporate lenders and NBFCs are poised to ride the wave of rising credit demand.
Power & Utilities: Especially transmission, renewables, and grid/battery infrastructure.
What I’m Watching More Closely from Here
I’m not going to pretend to know how this plays out — but here are a few areas I’ve started to monitor more intentionally:
AI infrastructure: The backbone layer — chips, compute, cloud, and energy needs
Digital trust & security: Cybersecurity, data governance, and algorithm audits
Critical raw materials: Copper, lithium, rare earths — anything that powers the digital+electric age
Regulatory direction: Especially in the US, EU, China, and India — who sets the tone?
Geopolitical posturing: Especially how nations use AI for strategic advantage — in trade, defence, and influence
Also — how do companies re-skill their workforce and rebuild trust in an AI-first world? That may become one of the biggest long-term differentiators.
Final Thought: Not a Forecast, But a Frame
This post isn’t a forecast. I’m not saying 2030 will bring a market crash, a world war, or a tech collapse. In fact, there’s a decent chance that innovation continues to unlock enormous opportunity.
But I do believe we’re entering a new phase — where the rules of how the world functions may begin to shift in ways that aren’t immediately visible in stock prices.
Sometimes, preparing for the future isn’t about knowing what will happen. It’s about being open to the idea that the future might look very different from the present — and then asking better questions, earlier.
Thanks for reading. Would love to hear your thoughts on this.
— Priyank
What about Defence? Middle East, US-China, Russia-EU are going to be major buyers of defence equipment and materials.