Productivity stories
Rapid growth in Gulf digital commerce is pushing fraud, data quality and compliance issues to the top of leaders' agendas.
Firms say the bigger payoff now lies in embedding AI into logistics, security and data systems, while poor governance leaves firms exposed.
The deal gives the lender a cloud-based core banking platform on Microsoft Azure, aimed at easing operations and supporting growth.
Sales and support teams could cut admin time as Microsoft embeds generative AI into Outlook, Teams and Dynamics 365 for routine customer work.
Wider use of AI is raising fresh concerns over security, skills and ROI as businesses race ahead of governance and controls.
Many AI roll-outs miss returns for years because businesses fail to spot customer pain points before automating broken processes.
Aid workers are cutting report times by up to 90% as a new AI system speeds crisis analysis and frees staff for field response.
Enterprises risk wasted spending and bad decisions because governance frameworks cannot fix inaccurate data already in their systems.
Most firms are still increasing AI budgets, even as 57% of CX leaders say the technology has delivered little or no impact on operations.
Households and firms face renewed pressure, as mixed survey data point to the Reserve Bank of Australia staying tight and possibly lifting rates again.
New Zealand telecoms could gain a software-led revenue stream after One NZ's AI project was named among TM Forum's top Catalyst awards.
Retail chains could now have store tasks reshuffled in real time as WorkJam rolls out autonomous AI tools across its frontline platform.
Uneven fibre rollouts and rising AI risks are pushing enterprises to seek partners that can stitch together local needs across Europe.
Australian SMEs could save hours on month-end admin as Budgetly automates transaction coding, GST checks and receipt reviews on selected plans.
Developers spend just 16 per cent of their time coding, leaving Australian firms with hidden costs, slower delivery and rising AI risk.
A survey of 385 workers suggests poor handovers, rework and meeting overload are draining productivity across Australian and New Zealand firms.
Regulated industries may get a safer route to production AI as the tie-up offers tighter control over data, governance and deployment.
Borrowers at the New Jersey credit union can now open consumer loans in six minutes, after automation removed days of manual paperwork.
Retail and hospitality groups are being offered a single daily briefing to turn scattered site data into faster action on the shop floor.
Professional services firms can now query their own data in plain English, with early users already checking cash flow, staffing and overdue invoices.
