THE HOT STORY

Singapore moves to safeguard against rogue AI agents

Singapore's Infocomm Media Development Authority has launched the Model AI Governance Framework for Agentic AI. The framework addresses risks associated with AI systems that can operate independently, such as unauthorised payments and data theft. Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo noted that while the framework is not fully developed, it establishes essential expectations for organisations. It emphasises the need for human accountability and limits on AI agents' access to tools. The framework aims to ensure safe AI deployment while fostering equitable knowledge among companies, including SMEs.

Straits Times

TECHNOLOGY

Robots only half as efficient as humans, says leading Chinese producer

Michael Tam, chief brand officer at leading Chinese humanoid robot maker UBTech, has told the Financial Times that its latest machines are at most half as efficient as human workers.

Financial Times

TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT

Companies 'must invest in redesign and training to gain from AI'

EY global vice chair Julie Teigland has told Reuters that firms are learning that artificial intelligence is not plug-and-play, and ROI requires organisational redesign and training, not just the deployment of tools. She cited work by EY indicating that intensive training can be linked to productivity improvements, observing that around 81 hours of training per employee could translate into roughly 14% weekly productivity gains, in concert with role redesign. AI's labour impact will be "multi-generational," changing entry-level positions and routine white-collar tasks, Teigland said, with employees needing to shift from "doing the task to supervising the task," and becoming "above the loop."

Reuters

RISK

US National Defense Strategy downplays China threat

The Trump administration's National Defense Strategy, released Friday evening, takes a softer tone toward China, and calls for deterrence "through strength, not confrontation." The strategy frames migration and narcotics in the Western Hemisphere as greater threats than those posed by foreign adversaries, and prioritises protecting the US homeland, securing its borders, and reinvigorating domestic technology development and manufacturing capability. The strategy identifies North Korea as “a direct military threat to South Korea and Japan,” but also warns that its nuclear ambitions could imperil the US.

Bloomberg

Le Monde

NBC News

WORKFORCE

Kerala minister announces projects to strengthen local employment sector

V Sivankutty, Kerala's Labour Minister, has announced that the state's government will launch several initiatives in the next three months to improve the local employment sector and enhance skills training for youth. Key areas of focus include financial assistance, worker welfare, and high-tech education. A Karmachari project will promote a work-study culture, while students will receive dual vocational training in Germany. The first Indo-German Training Fair is set for February, and an Innovation and Research Park will be established in Kottarakkara. Additional projects include a skill complex and renovations of Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs).

The Times of India

LEGAL

South Korea repatriates 73 scam suspects from Cambodia

South Korea has repatriated 73 individuals suspected of participating in online scams in Cambodia. The suspects allegedly defrauded over 800 South Koreans, amassing around $33m. The group arrived at Incheon International Airport on Friday, where police escorted them from their plane. A South Korean police official warned: "It's a big mistake if you think you can evade punishment if you commit a crime outside the country."

Yahoo News Australia

CORPORATE

Palantir signs HD Hyundai deal

Palantir Technologies has secured an agreement with HD Hyundai involving hundreds of millions worth of software sales aimed at speeding the shipbuilding process in South Korea. Palantir chief executive Alex Karp expressed optimism about the Korean market, describing it as "one of the more innovative" places globally. The deal marks a significant expansion of a previous collaboration, with the potential to increase ship production efficiency by around 30%.

Reuters

INTERNATIONAL

AI firm sued over 'secret' job scoring

Eightfold, an artificial intelligence ‌hiring platform used by Microsoft, PayPal and many ‌other Fortune 500 companies, is being sued for allegedly scoring job candidates without their knowledge. The lawsuit filed in California was brought by job seekers Erin Kistler and Sruti Bhaumik, who claim Eightfold compiles detailed talent profiles, including personality descriptions and “fit scores” that function as consumer reports under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).

U.S. News & World Report

Business Today (India)

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

Israel moves to allow Uber and Lyft amid transport reform

An Israeli ministerial committee has approved a law permitting ride-hailing services including Uber and Lyft to operate there, aiming to reduce taxi fares and improve transport access. The proposed legislation will regulate technology-based transport operators and includes safety measures, driver screening, and a transition plan for the existing taxi industry. Transportation Minister Miri Regev described the law as a "historic step" towards dismantling outdated monopolies and enhancing competition for the public.

Reuters

OTHER

Mixue enters US with Hollywood site

Mixue, a rapidly expanding boba chain, has opened its first US location on Hollywood's Walk of Fame, offering drinks under $5 and ice cream for about $1. Spokesperson Xu Ping said the choice of Hollywood targets both tourists and locals. Following this, Mixue plans to open more stores in New York and California. The chain, founded in 1997, has over 53,000 locations globally. UCLA professor Christopher Tang noted that Mixue's low prices stem from its vertical integration and grab-and-go model.

Los Angeles Times

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