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

EBOOK

A Guide to Happier, High-Performing Teams

Modern workplaces are under pressure. Hybrid work, rising mental health concerns, and disengagement are reshaping how organisations operate. Happiness Works: The Science of Thriving at Work offers a practical, research-backed response.

This eBook presents a proven five-step framework to help HR leaders and people managers build more inclusive, connected, and resilient teams. Grounded in psychology and real-world experience, it moves beyond surface-level wellbeing initiatives to focus on what genuinely drives engagement and performance.

You’ll explore practical approaches to fairness and transparency, building resilience, strengthening workplace relationships, and redefining productivity in a healthier way. Written by leadership and culture consultant Jessica Weiss, drawing on work with global organisations, it’s designed for professionals looking for evidence-based solutions they can apply immediately.

Usually priced at $28, this resource is available free for a limited time.

Download the eBook now

HIRING

Malaysia's new expat salary rules are among region's strictest

Malaysia's pay threshold for expatriate visas is to be doubled from June to boost local hiring. The salary threshold for expatriate Employment Pass (EP) holders will be substantially increased as the Ministry of Home Affairs seeks to reduce the country's reliance on overseas labour and develop pathways to work for its citizens. Employers will each month need to pay non-local senior managers US$4,940, up from US$2,470, and skilled workers a doubled rate of US$2,470. Malaysia's move places it among the strictest regimes for expatriate hiring in Southeast Asia.

South China Morning Post

ECONOMY

Japan's Rengo urges government to stabilise forex

Japan's 7m member-strong union umbrella group Rengo is urging the government to steer economic policy toward stabilising foreign exchange rates. "We believe that the yen's current depreciation is fuelling inflation through (higher) import costs," Rengo chief Tomoko Yoshino said, adding :"We'd like to call on the government to conduct macroeconomic management that stabilises prices and exchange rates." The group has set a target of 5% or more for the 2026 spring pay talks, which typically conclude in mid-March.

Reuters

TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT

Strengthening Singapore's workforce in the age of AI

Singapore Management University (SMU) has announced the launch of the Resilient Workforces Institute (ResWORK), a new university-level research institute advancing workforce resilience and lifelong learning amid accelerating technological change. It is among the first institutes in Singapore and the region to jointly study adult-learning and the future of work through an integrated, interdisciplinary lens spanning economics, management, behavioural science and technology.

OpenGov Asia

WORKFORCE

Young Asians demand structured finance solutions

A study by Prudential, titled "Financial Mindset of Young Adults in Asia", has found that over 71% of young adults prefer structured financial planning. The research revealed that 70% are optimistic about their finances improving in the next 5-10 years, while 77% prioritise financial security above all else. Despite uncertainty, 64% believe they will accumulate sufficient wealth for retirement. The study also highlighted a reliance on both digital tools and personal advice, with 64% preferring to consult financial advisers for insurance decisions. Priscilla Ng, Prudential's Chief Customer and Wealth Officer, noted: "This generation is redefining how financial management and security are approached."

Asia Insurance Review

TECHNOLOGY

Domestic start-ups drive Chinese dominance of humanoid robot market

A report from Counterpoint Research reveals that more than four out of five installations of humanoid robots in 2025 took place in China, with the majority of such robots used for data collection and research, and in the logistics, manufacturing and automotive sectors. Two Chinese manufacturers, the start-ups AgiBot and Unitree Robotics, accounted for just over half of global installations between them. The report notes that the market for humanoid robots is expected to grow from 16,000 units in 2025 to more than 100,000 units by 2027.

South China Morning Post

DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION

Diversity drives better science, says expert

Dr Ritu Dhand, chief scientific officer at academic publishing company Springer Nature, argues that diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies enhance scientific research. Speaking to the Times, she said that these policies are not politically motivated but lead to better science and drugs, observing: "More diverse voices being published in research literature leads to more diverse collaborations." Dhand highlighted the need for collaboration between Western and Asian scientists, noting that Chinese researchers have surpassed their Western counterparts in both quantity and quality of research.

The Times

INTERNATIONAL

EU's ‘Made in Europe’ law aims to boost industrial production

The European Commission will later this month propose new rules to ensure investment decisions prioritise local companies, and key foreign investments are subjected to strict conditions around sharing technologies, hiring local workers and establishing joint ventures with European companies. The proposal aims to strengthen the resilience of the EU's supply chains and safeguard the bloc's single market and industrial capacity. The proposed conditions in the draft Industrial Accelerator Act, which Bloomberg says upends a free-trade philosophy that has governed decades of policy, will also introduce strict new rules on public procurement processes, including requirements for a minimum percentage of European-origin content in purchased products.

Bloomberg

US workers rally against Trump's immigration policies

Thousands of workers and students protested across the US yesterday, on the first anniversary of President Donald Trump's second term, in opposition to his immigration policies. Demonstrations were sparked by the recent fatal shooting of 37-year-old Renee Good by federal agents in Minneapolis. Protesters gathered in cities including New York and Washington. Organised by groups such as Indivisible and various labour unions, the protests highlighted widespread disapproval of the use of force by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. "No hate, no fear, refugees are welcome here," chanted students in Cleveland.

France 24

Reliance on China 'puts UK jobs at risk'

UK jobs are at risk due to reliance on trade with China, according to the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR). The report highlights that around 90,000 jobs, particularly in clean energy and automotive sectors, could be threatened by geopolitical tensions. Pranesh Narayanan, senior research fellow at IPPR, said: "These shocks ultimately hurt the UK economy because we rely so much on trade to source the essentials." The report calls for the UK government to adopt strategies including stockpiling, investment partnerships and keepshoring - which involves the retention domestic production capacities - to mitigate risks from potential disruptions.

City AM

The Guardian

OTHER

K-culture experiences take centre stage at Korea’s duty-free shops

Despite a 15.4% surge in foreign tourists to Korea in 2025, domestic duty-free sales fell 12%, prompting major retailers to shift focus from traditional luxury goods to immersive Korean cultural experiences. Lotte Duty Free revamped its Myeong-dong store into a K-pop-centric cultural space, while Shilla Duty Free and Shinsegae Duty Free introduced events and hands-on attractions featuring K-pop, desserts, and interactive promotions. With expectations of further growth in Chinese tourists, the industry is cutting back on airport store footprints and investing in experiential content to boost profitability and stay competitive.

ChosunBiz

The Human Times is designed to help you stay ahead, spark ideas and support innovation, learning and development in your organisation.

The links under articles indicate original news sources. Some links lead directly to the source material. Others lead to paywalls where you may need a subscription. A third category are restricted by copyright rules.

For reaction and insights on any stories covered in the Human Times, join the discussion by becoming a member of our LinkedIn Group or Business Page, or follow us on X.

Online

Advertise

This e-mail has been sent to [[EMAIL_TO]]

Click here to unsubscribe