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Middle East Edition
24th April 2025
 
THE HOT STORY
Half of Dubai government staff worry about AI job risks
A study reveals that 94% of Dubai government employees are optimistic about the impact of generative artificial intelligence (AI) on the workplace - but about half (55%) say they are concerned about the job displacement risks associated with the technology. The report - titled "Generative AI Adoption Amongst Dubai Government Employees" - was launched by the Dubai Government Human Resources Department (DGHR) in partnership with the Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government (MBRSG) during a special session at Dubai AI Week. It is based on responses from more than 1,530 public sector employees across at least 34 Dubai government departments, and includes in-depth interviews with Chief Artificial Intelligence Officers.
WORKFORCE
Oman launches Employer Survey
Oman's Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation in Muscat has launched the Employers Survey 2025, aimed at assessing the alignment of higher education outcomes with the national labour market's needs. The initiative, led by the Department of Statistics and Information, will gather data on graduates employed between 2018 and 2025 during the first half of the year. Dr. Rahma Ibrahim Al Mahrouqi, the Minister of Higher Education, said the project is "a fundamental pillar in devising educational policies" to meet the demands of the labour market, supporting the objectives of Oman Vision 2040.
Bahrain to cut repatriation costs
Bahrain's parliament is preparing to review amendments to the 2006 Labour Market Regulatory Law aimed at reducing employers' expenses for repatriating expatriate workers. The proposal, introduced by MP Jalal Kadhem Al Mahfoodh, stipulates that employers will only be responsible for repatriation costs if the worker was employed at the time of their death. This change is expected to alleviate financial burdens on employers, making it easier for them to manage workforce-related expenses.
HIRING
Dandelion Civilization looks to boost hiring efficiency
Dandelion Civilization, a Dubai-based talent management company, is set to launch a game-based assessment platform next month, aiming to transform recruitment by focusing on behaviour rather than traditional CVs. The platform promises to enhance hiring efficiency by up to 40%, particularly for roles requiring soft skills. Dandelion has already piloted its assessments with students from top UAE universities and is in talks with major regional employers to integrate its tools into hiring and development programmes.
TECHNOLOGY
AI economic gains 'likely to outweigh emissions cost'
The International Monetary Fund has said that the economic gains from artificial intelligence - global output is expected to be boosted by around 0.5% a year between 2025 and 2030 - will outweigh the costs of rising carbon emissions by the data centres that are needed to run AI models. "Despite challenges related to higher electricity prices and greenhouse gas emissions, the gains to global GDP from AI are likely to outweigh the cost of the additional emissions," the IMF said. "The social cost of these extra emissions is minor compared with the expected economic gains from AI, yet it still adds to the worrisome build-up of emissions," the group said in its report titled "Power Hungry: How AI Will Drive Energy Demand."
LEGAL
Qatar's leap towards equality in rights
Qatar has made significant strides in achieving equality in education, health, and employment, according to Maryam bint Abdullah al-Attiyah, Chairperson of the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC). She noted that "Qatari women have been appointed as judges since 2010" and have taken on roles in various sectors, including the military and civil aviation. The NHRC has been classified as an "A" institution by the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions since 2010, reflecting its commitment to human rights. Key legislative reforms have been introduced to protect workers' rights, including the establishment of the Labour Disputes Settlement Committee and the Wage Protection System. These initiatives aim to ensure timely wage payments and improve workers' conditions.
STRATEGY
Intel to cut over 20% of workforce
Intel is to unveil plans this week to cut more than 20% of its workforce in a move to streamline operations and reduce bureaucratic inefficiencies. The layoffs are part of a broader strategy to refocus on an engineering-driven culture.
INTERNATIONAL
Danish brewer adds AI ‘colleagues' to human team
Royal Unibrew in Denmark has introduced five artificial intelligence (AI) "colleagues" to enhance workplace efficiency and creativity. The Danish brewer's marketing director Michala Svane said: “What we as humans are good at is our creativity, our empathy, our knowledge of our customers,” and working together with their digital colleagues, human employees will “get help for more routine-based work and finding information.” The AI assistants, developed with Danish company Manifold AI, include a brand specialist, market analyst, data gatherer, sommelier, and trade specialist. Employees interact with these virtual colleagues through chats and emails. Employees nevertheless need to be mindful that they maintain their critical thinking skills, one of the managers warned. “You need to be critical of everything that comes from [AI brand specialist KondiKai] because he is a machine,” Lise Knuppert Hordam said, adding “What he says is based on all the data we gave him. So it is valid what he says, but it needs a human touch and creative thinking.” It is noted that the company has made photos of the AI agents — three men and two women, "all attractive and fit."
UK labour chief backs workers' rights plans
Paul Nowak, general secretary of the UK's Trades Union Congress (TUC), says the Employment Rights Bill will force bad employers to "up their game" and argues that the legislation is "about weaning a layer of employers off low-paid insecure employment." Despite warnings from major business groups about a potential negative impact on economic growth, Mr Nowak argues that similar claims were made when the minimum wage was introduced. He adds that critics of legislation that supports workers "are proven wrong time and time again." The Confederation of British Industry, Make UK, Institute of Directors, Federation of Small Businesses and British Chambers of Commerce last week warned policymakers that the Bill would have "deeply damaging implications" for economic growth. The bill, which will soon enter the House of Lords, proposes significant changes, including enhanced union powers, measures to block fire-and-rehire tactics, greater certainty about shift patterns and improved sick pay.
Canadian firms warn against US travel
Executives from major Canadian institutions are advising employees to avoid traveling to the United States unless absolutely necessary due to rising concerns over privacy and border scrutiny. Vera Etches, chief executive of the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, emphasised the need for caution, highlighting “escalation of issues and volatility in the US.” Institutions including the Alberta Investment Management Corp. have restricted staff from visiting the US for business meetings, while the Canadian Association of University Teachers recommends that academics refrain from travel, especially if they have criticised US policies. The Canadian government has also issued warnings about US border agents' rights to search electronic devices without cause. To mitigate risks, Etches suggested using “burner” phones, while Ontario's University of Waterloo is providing “clean” laptops for safer access to information.
One in three German companies plans job cuts this year
More than one in three German companies plan to cut jobs this year, according to a survey by the German Economic Institute (IW). Employers in the industrial and construction sectors remain particularly pessimistic, the survey of more than 2,000 companies showed. "Donald Trump's whims come at an inopportune time and are a severe test for the German economy," IW's head of macroeconomics, Michael Groemling, said about the tariffs recently announced by the US President.
 


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