European labour markets are showing clear signs of cooling after a brief period of employee leverage during the pandemic.
Slower industrial growth, easing wage momentum and increased adoption of AI are encouraging firms to limit hiring instead of expanding headcounts, while workers are becoming more cautious about changing jobs.
Economic indicators suggest employment growth across the EU will slow over the coming years, with fewer vacancies and stabilising migration flows reducing labour market dynamism.
Germany, France, the UK and several central and eastern European economies are already reporting higher unemployment expectations, particularly in manufacturing sectors facing high energy costs and weaker global demand.
Despite broader caution, labour shortages persist in specific areas such as healthcare, logistics, engineering and specialised technical roles.
Southern European countries benefiting from tourism and services growth continue to generate jobs, highlighting uneven recovery patterns instead of a uniform downturn across the continent.
Concerns about automation are further shaping behaviour, as surveys indicate growing anxiety over AI reshaping roles rather than eliminating work.
Analysts expect AI to transform job structures and skill requirements, prompting workers and employers alike to prioritise adaptability instead of rapid expansion.
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Consumer hardware is becoming more deeply embedded with AI as robot vacuum cleaners evolve from simple automated devices into intelligent household assistants.
New models rely on multimodal perception and real-time decision-making, instead of fixed cleaning routes, allowing them to adapt to complex domestic environments.
Advanced AI systems now enable robot vacuums to recognise obstacles, optimise cleaning sequences and respond to natural language commands. Technologies such as visual recognition and mapping algorithms support adaptive behaviour, improving efficiency while reducing manual input from users.
Market data reflects the shift towards intelligence-led growth.
Global shipments of smart robot vacuums increased by 18.7 percent during the first three quarters of 2025, with manufacturers increasingly competing on intelligent experience rather than suction power, as integration with smart home ecosystems accelerates.
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NVIDIA and Eli Lilly have announced a joint AI co-innovation lab aimed at advancing drug discovery by combining AI with pharmaceutical research.
The partnership combines Lilly’s experience in medical development with NVIDIA’s expertise in accelerated computing and AI infrastructure.
The two companies plan to invest up to $1 billion over five years in research capacity, computing resources and specialist talent.
Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, the lab will support large-scale data generation and model development using NVIDIA platforms, instead of relying solely on traditional laboratory workflows.
Beyond early research, the collaboration is expected to explore applications of AI across manufacturing, clinical development and supply chain operations.
Both NVIDIA and Eli Lilly claim the initiative is designed to enhance efficiency and scalability in medical production while fostering long-term innovation in the life sciences sector.
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Morocco is preparing to unveil ‘Maroc IA 2030’, a national AI roadmap designed to structure the country’s AI ecosystem and strengthen digital transformation.
The strategy seeks to modernise public services, improve interoperability across digital systems and enhance economic competitiveness, according to officials ahead of the ‘AI Made in Morocco’ event in Rabat.
A central element of the plan involves the creation of Al Jazari Institutes, a national network of AI centres of excellence connecting academic research with innovation and regional economic needs.
A roadmap that prioritises technological autonomy, trusted AI use, skills development, support for local innovation and balanced territorial coverage instead of fragmented deployment.
The initiative builds on the Digital Morocco 2030 strategy launched in 2024, which places AI at the core of national digital policy.
Authorities expect the combined efforts to generate around 240,000 digital jobs and contribute approximately $10 billion to gross domestic product by 2030, while improving the international AI readiness ranking of Morocco.
Additional measures include the establishment of a General Directorate for AI and Emerging Technologies to oversee public policy and the development of an Arab African regional digital hub in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme.
Their main goal is to support sustainable and responsible digital innovation.
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The eSafety regulator in Australia has expressed concern over the misuse of the generative AI system Grok on social media platform X, following reports involving sexualised or exploitative content, particularly affecting children.
Although overall report numbers remain low, authorities in Australia have observed a recent increase over the past weeks.
The regulator confirmed that enforcement powers under the Online Safety Act remain available where content meets defined legal thresholds.
X and other services are subject to systemic obligations requiring the detection and removal of child sexual exploitation material, alongside broader industry codes and safety standards.
eSafety has formally requested further information from X regarding safeguards designed to prevent misuse of generative AI features and to ensure compliance with existing obligations.
Previous enforcement actions taken in 2025 against similar AI services resulted in their withdrawal from the Australian market.
Additional mandatory safety codes will take effect in March 2026, introducing new obligations for AI services to limit children’s exposure to sexually explicit, violent and self-harm-related material.
Authorities emphasised the importance of Safety by Design measures and continued international cooperation among online safety regulators.
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Teachers across Colorado are exploring how AI can be utilised as an instructional assistant to support classroom instruction and student learning.
Some educators are experimenting with generative AI tools that help with tasks like lesson planning, summarising material and creating examples, while also educating students on responsible use of AI.
The broader trend mirrors state and district efforts to develop AI strategies for education. Reports indicate that many districts are establishing steering committees and policies to guide the safe and effective use of classrooms.
In contrast, others limit student access due to privacy concerns, underscoring the need for training and clear guidelines.
Teachers have noted both benefits, such as time savings and personalised support, and challenges, including ethical questions about plagiarism and student independence, highlighting a period of experimentation and adjustment as AI becomes part of mainstream education.
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The Welsh Government is providing £2.1 million in funding to support small and medium-sized businesses across Wales in adopting AI. The initiative aims to promote the ethical and practical use of AI, enhancing productivity and competitiveness.
Business Wales will receive £600,000 to deliver an AI awareness and adoption programme, following recent reviews on SME productivity. Additional funding will enhance tourism and events through targeted AI projects and practical workshops.
A further £1 million will expand AI upskilling through the Flexible Skills Programme, addressing digital skills gaps across regions and sectors. Employers will contribute part of the training costs to support inclusive growth.
Swansea-based Something Different Wholesale is already using AI to automate tasks, analyse market data and improve customer services. Welsh ministers say the funding supports the responsible adoption of AI, aligned with the AI Plan for Wales.
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Rising living costs and economic instability are the biggest worries for young people worldwide. A World Economic Forum survey shows inflation dominates personal and global concerns.
Many young people fear that AI-driven automation will shrink entry-level job opportunities. Two-thirds expect fewer early career roles despite growing engagement with AI tools.
Nearly 60 per cent already use AI to build skills and improve employability. Side hustles and freelance work are increasingly common responses to economic pressure.
Youth respondents call for quality jobs, better education access and affordable housing. Climate change also ranks among the most serious long-term global risks.
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Teachers across Colorado are exploring how AI can be utilised as an instructional assistant to support classroom instruction and student learning.
Some educators are experimenting with generative AI tools that help with tasks like lesson planning, summarising material and creating examples, while also educating students on responsible use of AI.
The broader trend mirrors state and district efforts to develop AI strategies for education. Reports indicate that many districts are establishing steering committees and policies to guide the safe and effective use of classrooms. In contrast, others limit student access due to privacy concerns, underscoring the need for training and clear guidelines.
Teachers have noted both benefits, such as time savings and personalised support, and challenges, including ethical questions about plagiarism and student independence, highlighting a period of experimentation and adjustment as AI becomes part of mainstream education.
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A US teenager targeted by explicit deepfake images has helped create a new training course. The programme aims to support students, parents and school staff facing online abuse.
The course explains how AI tools are used to create sexualised fake images. It also outlines legal rights, reporting steps and available victim support resources.
Research shows deepfake abuse is spreading among teenagers, despite stronger laws. One in eight US teens know someone targeted by non-consensual fake images.
Developers say education remains critical as AI tools become easier to access. Schools are encouraged to adopt training to protect students and prevent harm.
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