THE HOT STORY

Many companies struggle to unlock benefits from AI

A PwC poll of more than 4,000 chief executives from 95 countries indicates that just over a quarter (26%) of firms have managed to drive down costs following investment in artificial intelligence, while 30% have boosted their revenue as a result of spending on the technology. More than half (56%) of the CEOs surveyed said AI hasn't produced revenue or cost benefits for their businesses to date. "A small group of companies are already turning AI into measurable financial returns, while many others are still struggling to move beyond pilots," said Mohamed Kande, PwC's global chairman. "That gap is starting to show up in confidence and competitiveness - and it will widen quickly for those that don't act."

Financial Times

Business Insider

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LEGAL

Ninety-eight days paid maternity leave proposed for UAE public sector

The UAE's Federal National Council (FNC) has recommended extending paid maternity leave in the government sector to 98 days. The proposal aligns with global best practices and aims to support Emirati mothers in balancing work and family responsibilities. The recommendations also include implementing flexible work arrangements and enhancing protections against domestic violence. Currently, government employees receive 90 days of maternity leave, while private sector employees are entitled to 60 days.

Gulfnews.com

HIRING

UAE aviation jobs soar

Sanad, a provider of aircraft engine Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) solutions, plans to recruit 1,000 staff by the end of 2026. The announcement was made during the inaugural Civil Aviation Career Fair, which attracted over 13,000 registrants. Omar bin Ghaleb, deputy director general of the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), noted the fair's significance in connecting job seekers with aviation roles. Etihad Airways also said the career fair aligns closely with its Emiratisation strategy. Fatima Al Hammadi, senior manager for HR Business Partners and National Development at Etihad, said the airline aims to recruit 1,200 Emiratis over five years, with around 200 roles already secured for this year.

Gulfnews.com

Ajman Bank welcomes new employees

Ajman Bank has welcomed a new group of employees as part of its Emiratization and talent development strategy. Chief executive Mustafa Al Khalfawi said: "Developing national talent is a cornerstone of Ajman Bank's long-term strategy." The new hires will undergo a week-long orientation programme through ETHRAA, the Bank's Emiratization framework, in collaboration with the Emirates Finance Institute. Hend Ismail Al Ali, chief human resources officer, noted that the programme empowers national talent and provides structured pathways for professional growth. Ajman Bank's efforts were recognised with a first-place award at the Nafis Awards for its commitment to Emirati talent.

Khaleej Times Online

TECHNOLOGY

Business leaders weigh benefits and challenges of integrating AI

Writing for Time, Ayesha Javed reports that business leaders shared their perspectives on the impact of scaling up new technologies including AI during a TIME100 Talks panel discussion in Davos on January 20. Abhijit Dubey, chief executive and chief artificial intelligence officer at NTT Data, observed that, unlike all other innovations, AI is the “first technology that will actually be non-human driven.” Raj Sharma, global managing partner for growth and innovation at EY, said the key ingredients in the AI era would be trust, tools, and talent. “You have to balance the equation between [the] three to make sure that AI is adopted.”

Time

AI start-up Humans& raises $480m in seed financing ‌round

AI start-up Humans& has raised $480m in an outsized seed financing ‌round that Reuters says is indicative of the intense investor interest in next-generation AI labs as companies race to build systems that ‌go beyond chatbots and agentic tools. The seed round values the company, which was founded by former OpenAI, Alphabet and xAI researchers, at $4.48bn. Humans& is said to be working on human-centric ‍AI tools for communication and collaboration to launch early ‌this ‌year. "The model will coordinate with people, and other AIs where appropriate, in order to allow people to do more and to bring them together," CEO Eric Zelikman told Reuters.

Reuters

INTERNATIONAL

Spanish train drivers call strike after two fatal crashes

Spain's biggest train drivers' union has called a three-day nationwide strike for February 9-11 to call for measures to guarantee railway safety following three derailments within 48 hours which caused crashes that left dozens dead, including two drivers. SEMAF said it would “demand criminal liability from those responsible for ensuring safety in the railway infrastructure,” adding “This situation of constant deterioration of the railway is unacceptable.”

Aljazeera

Reuters

The Times

FTC to scrutinize Big Tech's talent acquisition deals

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission is scrutinising big tech firms that hire employees of a start-up instead of buying the companies outright. The growing practice is seen as a way to sidestep antitrust review. "We are beginning to examine these acqui-hires to make sure they are not an attempt to get around" the agency’s merger review process, FTC chairman Andrew Ferguson said in an interview with Bloomberg Television. He blamed the Biden administration's aggressive antitrust enforcement for encouraging companies to increase the practice.

Bloomberg

Many Dutch employers still don't have formal hybrid working agreements

The Netherlands leads Europe with around 5m hybrid workers, yet many employers lack formal agreements for remote work. A study by employment lawyer Niels van der Neut and economist Weteke Conen reveals that nearly half of hybrid employees still operate under informal arrangements. Van der Neut, referencing concerns about issues including ergonomics and work-life balance, said: "If no measures are taken to address this, there's a greater risk of burnout." Dutch employers nevertheless remain committed to hybrid work, believing it enhances productivity and motivation.

NL Times

Korea moves to extend labour protections

The South Korean Ministry of Employment and Labor plans to introduce new rights for freelancers and platform workers by May 1. The proposed Basic Rights of Working People Act will presume worker status in civil disputes, shifting the burden of proof to employers. The change aims to protect up to 8.6m workers, allowing them to claim unpaid wages and severance. The act also strengthens labour inspectors' authority. However, critics argue it falls short, as it does not redefine "worker" in the Labor Standards Act, thus limiting its effectiveness. Yoon Ji-young from Workplace Gapjil 119 noted the need for stronger enforcement.

The Korea Times

OTHER

UAE shines in 2026 Global Soft Power Index

The United Arab Emirates has secured its position among the top ten countries in the 2026 Global Soft Power Index by Brand Finance for the fourth consecutive year. Announced at the World Economic Forum in Davos, the UAE ranked tenth overall, second in generosity, and third in future economic growth potential. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum noted the UAE's growing global presence and respect for its development model. The report highlights the UAE's strengths in governance, security, and cultural diplomacy, reinforcing its status as a reliable global partner.

Zawya EN

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