How digital breakdowns affect supply chains — and endanger the global economy

Global supply chains rely heavily on the flow of information, which is as crucial as the movement of goods. Digital designs, inventory management, and logistics all depend on data. When these data exchanges fail due to outages or cyber incidents, it can cause significant disruptions and economic losses, as seen in a 2024 incident where a software update led to a global IT outage costing billions. Despite their importance, information flows are not systematically tracked, which is problematic as digital technologies and cybersecurity threats grow. For example, a 2025 blackout in Spain and Portugal severely impacted internet and payment systems. Businesses are increasingly choosing locations based on access to reliable energy for data centers, highlighting the intertwined nature of energy, computation, and information. This underscores the need for a statistical tool to track digital data flows, which are vital for modern economies. QUESTION: How might the increasing reliance on digital information flows impact the way businesses and economies operate in the future?