Chief financial officers predict AI will shift finance from experimentation to enterprise-wide impact in 2026. Real-time insights, scenario modelling and strategic decision-making are expected to become central to finance functions.
Success depends on trusted data, strong governance, modernised architectures and human judgement. AI will not replace expertise, but rather reveal gaps and reward organisations that integrate AI with their strategy.
CFOs plan to use AI for capital allocation, forecasting, risk management and operational efficiency. The focus is moving from efficiency gains to transformative, high-value work that drives measurable outcomes.
Enterprise-wide adoption of AI will require robust oversight and upskilling of finance teams. Leaders who modernise systems and combine AI with human expertise will gain a competitive edge.
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AI is transforming how news is produced and consumed, moving faster than audiences and policies can adapt. Journalists increasingly use AI for research, transcription and content optimisation, creating new trust challenges.
Ethical concerns are rising when AI misrepresents events or uses content without consent. Media organisations have introduced guidelines, but experts warn that rules alone cannot cover every scenario.
Audience scepticism remains, even as journalists adopt AI tools in daily practice. Transparency, apparent human oversight and ethical adoption are key to maintaining credibility and legitimacy.
Europe faces pressure to strengthen its trust infrastructure and regulate the use of AI in newsrooms. Experts argue that democratic stability depends on informed audiences and resilient journalism to counter disinformation.
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TikTok removed fake adverts for weight loss drugs after a company impersonating UK retailer Boots used AI-generated videos. The clips falsely showed healthcare professionals promoting prescription-only medicines.
Boots said it contacted TikTok after becoming aware of the misleading adverts circulating on the platform. TikTok confirmed the videos were removed for breaching its rules on deceptive and harmful advertising.
BBC reporting found the account was briefly able to repost the same videos before being taken down. The account appeared to be based in Hong Kong and directed users to a website selling the drugs.
UK health regulators warned that prescription-only weight loss medicines must only be supplied by registered pharmacies. TikTok stated that it continues to strengthen its detection systems and bans the promotion of controlled substances.
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Rising demand for AI is pushing data centre servers to operate at extreme speeds and temperatures. Traditional air cooling is no longer sufficient for the most powerful computer chips.
Liquid cooling systems use sprays or immersion baths to remove heat more efficiently. These methods allow continuous high performance while reducing the risk of hardware failure and overheating.
Environmental concerns are growing as data centres consume vast amounts of energy and water. Closed-loop liquid cooling cuts electricity use and limits water withdrawal from local supplies and ecosystems.
Concerns persist regarding certain cooling chemicals and their potential climate impact. Researchers and companies are developing safer fluids and passive cooling inspired by natural systems and biological processes.
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AI is becoming central to Vietnam’s urban development as major cities adopt data-led systems. Leaders at the Vietnam–Asia Smart City Summit said AI now shapes planning, service delivery and daily operations nationwide.
Experts noted rising pressure on cities, with congestion, pollution and population growth driving demand for more innovative governance. AI is helping authorities shift towards proactive management, using forecasting tools, shared data platforms and real-time supervision.
Speakers highlighted deployments across transport control, environmental monitoring, disaster alerts and administrative oversight. Hanoi and Da Nang presented advanced models, with Da Nang recognised again for achievements in green development and digital operations.
Delegates agreed that long-term progress depends on strong data foundations, closer coordination and clear strategic roadmaps in Vietnam. Many stressed that technology must prioritise public benefit, with citizens placed at the centre of smart-city design.
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Google Cloud’s 2026 AI Agent Trends Report shows AI agents are moving from experimental tools to central business systems. Employees are shifting from routine execution to oversight and strategic decision-making.
The report highlights agents managing end-to-end workflows across teams, thereby improving efficiency and streamlining complex processes. Personalised customer service is becoming faster and more accurate thanks to these systems.
Security operations are seeing benefits as AI agents handle alerts, investigations and fraud detection more effectively. Human analysts can now focus on higher-value tasks while routine work is automated.
Companies are investing in continuous training to build an AI-ready workforce. The report emphasises that people, not just technology, will determine the success of AI adoption.
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A drone school in northeastern Japan is developing AI drones to detect bears. The system will send real-time locations to authorities via a smartphone app.
The drones have night-vision and infrared cameras and follow bears automatically once detected. Each drone flies for one hour before handing off surveillance and returning to base.
AI was trained using photos of black and brown bears from a local zoo. Officials hope it will reduce dangerous encounters and offer non-lethal ways to manage bears.
Other companies are testing similar systems in Fukushima and selling AI-equipped drones commercially. The academy aims to prevent human-bear conflicts and keep people and wildlife separate.
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Microsoft’s first New Zealand hyperscale cloud region has celebrated one year, providing local businesses and services with AI-powered tools and secure data storage. Organisations are using these capabilities to innovate, improve operations and enhance customer experiences.
Collaborations with Spark and Whakarongorau Aotearoa show AI can reduce administrative workloads and strengthen service delivery. Initiatives also support skills development, helping students, teachers and job seekers gain technology-focused credentials.
The datacentre operates sustainably, using renewable energy and waterless cooling systems to lower carbon emissions. These technologies help public services and businesses become more efficient while reducing environmental impact.
Looking ahead, Microsoft plans to expand AI adoption across New Zealand, supporting productivity, community services and responsible innovation for the next phase of digital growth.
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Google’s new study, The Future Report, surveyed over 7,000 teenagers across Europe about their use of digital technologies. Most respondents describe themselves as curious, critical, and optimistic about AI in their daily lives.
Many teens use AI daily or several times a week for learning, creativity, and exploring new topics. They report benefits such as instant feedback and more engaging learning while remaining cautious about over-reliance.
Young people value personalised content recommendations and algorithmic suggestions, but emphasise verifying information and avoiding bias. They adopt strategies to verify sources and ensure the trustworthiness of online content.
The report emphasises the importance of digital literacy, safety, balanced technology use, and youth engagement in shaping the digital future. Participants request guidance from educators and transparent AI design to promote the responsible and ethical use of AI.
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Britain plans to banAI-nudification apps that digitally remove clothing from images. Creating or supplying these tools would become illegal under new proposals.
The offence would build on existing UK laws covering non-consensual sexual deepfakes and intimate image abuse. Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said developers and distributors would face harsh penalties.
Experts warn that nudification apps cause serious harm, mainly when used to create child sexual abuse material. Children’s Commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza has called for a total ban on the technology.
Child protection charities welcomed the move but want more decisive action from tech firms. The government said it would work with companies to stop children from creating or sharing nude images.
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