THE HOT STORY

UAE companies lead EMEA in AI-driven productivity gains

An IBM report, "The Race for ROI," reveals that 77% of UAE organisations have seen significant productivity improvements from AI, surpassing the EMEA average of 66%. The study, which surveyed 3,500 executives, highlighted the importance of openness, interoperability, and choice in AI adoption. Approximately 20% of respondents have already achieved ROI from AI initiatives, with over 44% expecting to do so within a year. Shukri Eid, general manager at IBM Gulf Levant and Pakistan, noted that UAE businesses are linking AI to measurable productivity and workforce transformation, setting a benchmark for the region.

Zawya EN

STRATEGY

Microsoft and G42 to increase UAE data centre capacity

Microsoft and G42 have announced a 200-megawatt expansion of data centre capacity in the UAE, marking part of a $15bn investment commitment by Microsoft in the region. This expansion, which will be facilitated through Khazna Data Centers, is set to be operational by the end of next year, enhancing AI and cloud capabilities in the UAE. Microsoft plans to invest a total of $7.3bn by the end of 2025, with an additional $7.9bn set for 2026-2029, as the company aims to strengthen its Azure cloud services and support the UAE's ambition to become a global AI hub.

Reuters

HIRING

SPF partners with Elevatus to streamline talent acquisition

The Social Protection Fund (SPF) in Oman has partnered with Elevatus to enhance its recruitment process through AI technology. The collaboration aims to streamline hiring, enabling SPF to create branded career pages and publish job listings across 2,000 job boards with ease. The AI algorithms will automate CV screening and facilitate video interviews for better candidate assessments. Yara Burqan, chief executive and founder of Elevatus, said: "Our partnership with the Social Protection Fund marks a significant step in supporting digital transformation and redefining recruitment standards in Oman. Our technologies go beyond automation - they empower institutions to identify qualified talent that aligns with their vision and mission in accordance with Oman Vision 2040."

Zawya EN

WORKPLACE

Goodwin Procter mandates four-day office week

Multinational law firm Goodwin Procter has announced a new policy requiring staff to work in the office at least four days a week, starting next year. Global managing partner Mark Bettencourt and chief operating officer Mary O'Carroll communicated the decision in a memo, stressing the need for "connectivity, collaboration, learning, and showing up with and for each other with intention." While staff can still work remotely on Fridays, most employees in Europe and Asia have already returned to a five-day office week. The firm reported a 14% revenue increase last year, exceeding £146m.

The Times

HEALTH & WELLBEING

Healthy Minds Club launches in the UAE

Healthy Minds Club, a wellbeing platform designed to support individuals, employees, and organisations in building mental resilience, has officially launched in the UAE. Recent studies reveal that UAE businesses lose approximately AED3.9bn annually due to reduced productivity linked to mental health challenges. Furthermore, only 27% of employees in the country are said to be satisfied with their workplace health and wellness benefits, while more than half believe that support for stress and burnout remains insufficient.

Zawya EN

New 'brain atlas' reveals genetic risks for cancer and mental illness

A new AI-assisted "brain atlas" that can help visualise the human brain in unprecedented detail has been developed by researchers at University College London, uncovering possible genetic risk factors for cancers and psychiatric disorders. NextBrain is an atlas of the entire adult human brain that can be used to analyse MRI scans of living patients in a matter of minutes and at a level of detail not possible until now. “By combining high-resolution tissue data with advanced AI techniques, we’ve created a tool that allows researchers to analyse brain scans in a level of detail that was previously unattainable,” explained Juan Eugenio Iglesias, senior author of the research. “This opens up new possibilities for studying neurodegenerative diseases and ageing.”

Financial Times

Nature

UCL

INTERNATIONAL

Lafarge on trial in France on charges of funding jihadists

Cement group Lafarge is on trial in France for allegedly paying jihadist groups, including the Islamic State, to operate its plant in Syria during the civil war there. The company, which pleaded guilty in the US to similar charges, is accused of funding terrorism and violating international sanctions. The trial involves former executives and staff, with Lafarge potentially facing fines of up to $1.2m. The inquiry began in 2017 after media reports and complaints regarding its Syria operations. The trial is expected to last until mid-December.

Daily Sabah

France 24

Japan embraces disability inclusion in workforce

Japanese businesses are hiring more people with disabilities, and major companies including Kirin and Nomura are implementing initiatives to support career development and retention. Kirin provides tools including noise-cancelling earphones and text-to-speech software, while Nomura Kagayaki focuses on tailored measures for its 120 employees, 90% of whom have mental disabilities. Analysts stress the need for ongoing public assistance to ensure long-term employment for disabled workers. Current programs mainly focus on job placement.

The Japan Times Online

'Toxic' work culture at Rotterdam's climate centre

Former employees of the Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) in Rotterdam have reported a toxic work environment characterised by intimidation and burnout. More than 20 former staff and associates told NOS that the atmosphere at the centre was “toxic,” being run by “alpha males” and “roosters." The GCA has denied the claims, although director Patrick Verkooijen conceded his tone “can sometimes be sharp,” but that it stems from “strong involvement and a results-driven way of working.”

NL Times

Bank of Canada to cut 10% of staff

Bank of Canada is to lay off 225 staff to help meet a 15% budget cut and as the bank moves to align with a government-wide spending review announced in prime minister Mark Carney’s first budget since taking office. The cuts will take place “over the next few months” and be completed by June, the bank said.

Bloomberg

Financial Times

OTHER

France's highest audit court slams Louvre security

The Louvre has spent too much on new artworks and not enough on security in recent years, France’s state auditor has said. Pierre Moscovici, the head of the French Court of Auditors, France's highest audit institution, said in a highly critical report on Thursday that last month's heist was a "deafening wake-up call" for museum security, which had been moving at a "woefully inadequate pace."

France 24

Financial Times

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