Productivity stories

AI boom gives way to realism as HR chases measurable outcomes, new AI chiefs emerge and skills outshine headcount in 2026 strategies.

UK bosses say AI will transform roles, boost hiring and revenue, as daily use soars but fears over security and tool sprawl persist.

Australia’s National AI plan is set to ignite a 2026 surge in AI adoption, data centre build-outs and subscription-led tech investment.

AI, safety tech and sustainability are set to reshape Australia’s fleets by 2026, as managers race to integrate data and retain drivers.

Sage has been named a leader in IDC’s 2025-2026 global ranking of AI-enabled professional services automation and ERP applications.

Industrial giants warn AI ambitions are stalling as severe talent shortages and ageing systems choke growth and sustainability goals.

Rockwell Automation secures Great Place To Work status in 14 Asia Pacific markets, with 80% of staff calling it a great workplace.

HCLTech unites tech giants in Sydney to plot outcome-driven digital strategies and tighter ecosystem alignment across Australia and New Zealand.

By 2026, AI-savvy HR teams will prize skills, learning speed and ethical guardrails over headcount, rigid CVs and archaeological reviews.

OpenAI launches its first Asia Pacific OpenAI for Countries plan in Australia, pairing sovereign AI infrastructure with major skills drives.

Canada and the UK have struck a new digital pact to deepen cooperation on AI safety, quantum communications and public-sector tech.

UK firms chasing efficiency gains are finding staff lose a day a week to tangled software, undercutting productivity and morale.

Firms that embed AI in digital workplace tools are twice as likely to beat revenue goals, as gaps widen with slower-moving rivals.

Intel launches a Canada laptop guide from CAD $399.99 to CAD $2,199.99, bundling select gaming models with a free blockbuster PC title.

Businesses that treat AI as a shiny toy, not a planned tool, risk waste, security gaps and stagnation as competitors move ahead.

New Zealand’s AI productivity promise will falter unless firms simplify systems, curb shadow AI and strengthen cybersecurity foundations.

Xero launches global beta of JAX-powered bank reconciliation, promising to auto-match over 80% of statement lines in real time.

AI has gone mainstream in wealth management, with most firms reporting positive returns and faster payoffs from early adoption, FNZ study shows.

Orgvue launches Henshaw AI to automate workforce planning, cutting months of data work to minutes and aiding firms like Salesforce in redesign efforts.

A survey reveals 81% of business leaders want AI tools that enhance teamwork, as current individual-focused AI limits collaboration and ROI globally.