#GlobalTrends

In a remarkable blend of performance art and therapy, a pioneering program led by a Canadian counselor and stand-up comic is showing the world how humor can change lives for people with mental health challenges. The Stand Up For Mental Health™ (SMH) initiative, founded by a counselor and comedian with lived experience of bipolar disorder, teaches stand-up comedy skills to individuals living with mental health issues, equipping them with newfound confidence and resilience through the healing power of laughter (Psychology Today).

Public school enrollment across the United States continues to decline, with new data showing student numbers have not bounced back to pre-pandemic levels—a trend that is accelerating nationwide and sending ripples through education systems globally. The latest findings, reported by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), indicate that K-12 public school enrollment peaked at 50.8 million in autumn 2019 but is projected to drop by nearly four million to just 46.9 million by 2031, representing a significant 7.6% fall in enrollment over the next several years (Virginia Mercury via WTOP).

A surge of recent research and media reports has illuminated a worrisome trend: even as more young people enroll in university, many are struggling with basic reading and comprehension skills expected at the college level. The debate has intensified following the publication of several national surveys and firsthand accounts from professors across the United States, which paint a picture of declining literacy among today’s college students. This issue resonates far beyond American borders, carrying important implications for Thai higher education and the nation’s long-term competitiveness.

A new study has confirmed the suspicions of many young job seekers: Gen Z graduates are entering a job market far harsher than the one faced by their millennial predecessors. According to Kickresume, 58% of graduates in the past year are still searching for their first job, nearly twice the rate seen among millennials and Gen X at the beginning of their careers. The challenges are so severe that only 12% of recent graduates have secured a full-time position by the time they leave university—one-third the proportion seen in prior generations. This shift marks a fundamental break from the age-old assumption that a college degree guarantees a career path, and its ripple effects are being felt globally, including in Thailand, where young people are also facing rising uncertainty about their economic futures (Fortune).

Abandoned and forgotten places across the globe are experiencing an unlikely revival — as must-see tourist attractions, according to a recent overview by CNBC. Once neglected due to war, natural disasters, industry collapse, or the inexorable passage of time, these evocative spaces are drawing travelers in ever-growing numbers, offering both a thrill and a powerful lesson in history and resilience. The transformation of derelict ruins, shipwrecks, ghost towns, and relics of war into popular travel destinations signals a broader shift in tourism, where fascination with the uncanny and a hunger for unique experiences collide with heritage preservation and community revitalization efforts.

A new nationwide study reveals that pastors, traditionally seen as frontline counselors in their communities, are now providing less counseling than a decade ago, have fewer resources for referrals, and are increasingly isolated with their own struggles. The Lifeway Research survey, involving over 1,500 evangelical and Black Protestant pastors across the United States, underscores an important shift in how spiritual leaders participate in mental health care—a development with broad implications for faith communities worldwide, including Thailand.

Psychologists have finally cracked the code on what it means to be “cool”—and it turns out, the definition is strikingly universal. New research involving diverse participants from around the globe has identified six core personality traits that make someone universally perceived as cool: extraversion, hedonism, power, adventurousness, openness, and autonomy. This breakthrough challenges the idea that coolness is purely cultural or subjective and provides new insights into how these attributes transcend borders and societies (New York Post, The New York Times).

A new international study has turned a spotlight on the ever-elusive concept of “coolness,” revealing that the quality might be less about trendsetting or attitude, and more about six key personality traits. Published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, this research offers fresh insights not just into pop culture, but also into the ways global media and Western values shape our perceptions—even here in Thailand, where local and global cultures intersect constantly (NYTimes).

A remarkable coalition of over 250 CEOs—including leaders from Microsoft, Airbnb, and Uber—has issued a joint call urging policymakers to make computer science and artificial intelligence (AI) education a mandatory part of school curricula in the United States. Their concerns arise as China directs children as young as six to attend formal AI classes, fueling fears that nations lacking such initiatives may fall dangerously behind in global technological competitiveness (Fortune).

The rapid rise of generative artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly undermining the foundations of democracy worldwide, according to new research and official warnings. Tools that generate realistic fake images, videos, and audio are being weaponized to deceive voters, influence election outcomes, and foster distrust in democratic processes—often with little oversight or effective countermeasures from authorities or technology firms. This wave of AI-driven disinformation has already played a pivotal role in elections from Europe to Asia, prompting urgent debates on safeguarding electoral integrity and political discourse.

A sweeping new study by Pew Research Center finds that the United States stands out for its high religious identity and spiritual beliefs compared to other wealthy nations, revealing patterns that illuminate both global diversity and unique features of American private faith.

For Thai readers keen to understand both their position in a changing world and evolving global values, this research sheds light on how different societies experience religion and spirituality in daily life. With the survey encompassing 36 countries representing nearly half the world’s population, Thailand gains insight into international religious and spiritual trends that may shape local views, policy, and social debate.

A new era of digital inequality is emerging worldwide, as recent research reveals that artificial intelligence (AI) computing power is rapidly becoming concentrated in just a handful of countries and companies. This growing divide between AI “haves” and “have-nots” is set to disrupt economies, fuel geopolitical rivalries, and shape the scientific and social futures of entire nations, according to a major new investigation by Oxford University researchers and reporting by The New York Times (nytimes.com).

Recent attention has focused on the formative practices instilled in Japanese children, revealing cultural foundations that foster discipline, empathy, and a sense of community. Drawing from a recent article, “10 things Japanese children are taught in childhood” published by the Times of India (source), as well as supporting research and educational policy reviews, this report unpacks these quintessentially Japanese values, examines their impact, and explores lessons for Thai families and educators.

A new artificial intelligence platform, OhChat, is making global headlines by merging celebrity culture, technology, and intimacy into an unprecedented online experience. Marketed as a futuristic “OnlyFans for the AI era,” OhChat hosts AI-powered digital twins of real-world celebrities, allowing fans to interact with hyperreal simulations that never sleep, never eat, and never log off. The platform’s rapid rise reflects profound shifts in both how digital consumers seek connection and the boundaries of personal branding and technology.

A single dose of psilocybin, the psychoactive compound found in so-called “magic mushrooms,” has been revealed in new research to offer substantial relief from depression that can last for at least five years in most patients, according to a small but significant study highlighted by LiveScience. The findings, while preliminary, add to a growing body of global evidence suggesting that psychedelic-assisted therapy might hold promise as a long-term treatment for major depressive disorder—an illness affecting millions worldwide, including many here in Thailand.

A significant academic integrity scandal has erupted at Yale University after “clear evidence of AI usage” was flagged in roughly one-third of submissions in a popular computer science course, raising urgent questions on the reliability of AI-detection and the evolving role of artificial intelligence in education. Over 150 students were enrolled in Computer Science 223 (“Data Structures and Programming Techniques”) when students and faculty alike were thrust into the center of a debate that echoes far beyond Yale’s campus.

A dramatic new wave of research suggests global fertility rates are in unprecedented decline, with millions of people around the world struggling to have the number of children they desire—often not because of changing attitudes, but because of mounting social and economic obstacles. Recent studies—including a large survey conducted by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)—show that in both high- and middle-income countries, including Thailand, the costs of parenthood, job insecurity, insufficient welfare support, environmental anxieties, and evolving cultural priorities are driving birth rates to historic lows Time, BBC, Al Jazeera.

A wave of skepticism is sweeping across the United States as a new generation of young adults—especially those from Generation Z—are increasingly questioning the value of a college degree. Recent research reveals that more than half of young Americans now view their college education as a waste of money, a significant shift with profound implications for individuals, educational institutions, and global workforce dynamics.

This generational disillusionment comes at a time when tuition costs have soared, student debt continues to climb, and the traditional advantages of holding a degree are increasingly in doubt. For Thai readers, these trends bear close watching, as they reflect global currents in higher education and could foreshadow developments in Thailand’s own educational landscape.

A new Gallup poll finds that more Americans now believe religion is gaining influence in their society, marking a notable shift in public perception after years of secular trends. According to the June 2025 report, 34% of U.S. adults say that religion is increasing its influence in national life, up sharply from just 20% the previous year. Conversely, while a majority—59%—still think religion is losing ground, that proportion has fallen dramatically from 75% in 2024 (Gallup).

A wave of advocacy is sweeping across the education landscape as more than 250 top corporate leaders, together with Code.org—one of the world’s most influential computer science non-profits—have urged policymakers to make artificial intelligence (AI) and computer science classes a standard requirement in high schools. Their call, encapsulated in an open letter published earlier this month, highlights mounting pressure on the US and global education systems to ensure that today’s students are equipped for an era dominated by AI-powered technologies. This ambitious push, already supported by research and global industry trends, holds important lessons and opportunities for Thailand as it grapples with its own transformation in education and workforce preparation.

Walking has long been a staple in daily Thai life, weaving through the rhythms of city streets and countryside paths alike. But as urban lifestyles grow more sedentary and gym culture rises, many are left wondering whether this simple, accessible activity can genuinely help us build muscle, burn fat, or both. Recent research, highlighted in a comprehensive GQ feature, draws on a global body of evidence and new scientific studies that shed fresh light on the true impact of walking—insights that offer practical guidance for Thais seeking healthier habits.

The safety and efficacy of mRNA vaccines have returned to the spotlight following new regulatory actions and heightened public debate, but the scientific community continues to reaffirm their vital role in combating the COVID-19 pandemic. Recent scrutiny, triggered by policy changes from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), is prompting fresh discussion amid persistent misinformation and growing public concerns—even as evidence underscores overwhelming benefits for both individuals and public health at large (ABC News).

A promising new study has shed light on mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) as an effective, affordable treatment for people whose depression persists despite standard care, with implications for improving support strategies in Thailand’s mental health services. The research, recently highlighted by The Conversation, found that MBCT could fill a crucial gap for the so-called “missing middle”—patients left behind after common therapy and medication fail to fully relieve their symptoms.

Around 30% of people living with depression face an unyielding daily struggle: even after therapy and medication, the fog of low mood, fatigue, and hopelessness lingers. This phenomenon not only takes a toll on individuals, but also affects Thai families, workplaces, and the broader economy, echoing trends observed globally. Depression, already a leading cause of disability in Thailand, imposes significant direct and indirect costs on society, including lost productivity and higher health care expenditures (WHO Thailand).

Recent international research has spotlighted a growing crisis of loneliness among young men in the United States, with a scale and gender disparity that stands out even among wealthier Western countries. According to aggregated data from 2023 and 2024 by Gallup, one in four American men aged 15 to 34 reported feeling lonely “a lot” of the previous day—significantly higher than both the national average (18%) and the rate among young American women (also 18%) (Gallup; UPI; Fortune). Experts warn that these findings suggest not only a deepening emotional health problem among U.S. young men, but also an exceptional pattern rarely mirrored elsewhere in the developed world.