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Japanese bank Mizuho plans major AI shift across administrative operations

Mizuho Financial Group plans to reduce work equivalent to 5,000 administrative positions over the next decade by introducing AI systems to improve operational efficiency. Around one-third of its 15,000 clerical staff nationwide will see their duties reshaped rather than eliminated.

Administrative employees currently manage processes such as document checks and data entry when opening accounts at subsidiary branches. Management expects many of these routine activities to be handled by AI as automation expands across operations.

Company leaders confirmed no layoffs are planned, with affected employees set to move into roles requiring direct customer interaction. Staff will transition towards investment product sales, corporate services and other positions where human engagement remains essential.

Mizuho intends to invest up to 100 billion yen by fiscal 2028 to develop and deploy AI technologies supporting business reform. An internal department overseeing clerical work will also be renamed the ‘Process Design Group’, signalling a stronger focus on AI-driven transformation.

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Dell expands AI PC strategy to support human creativity

Dell is accelerating development of AI PCs, positioning them as the next standard for personal computing rather than a niche category. Industry forecasts suggest AI-enabled devices could account for more than half of global PC sales by 2026.

Dedicated neural processing units allow AI tasks to run directly on devices, freeing central and graphics processors for demanding creative workflows. Dell says such hardware enables faster editing, improved generative tools and smoother multitasking for designers, editors and digital creators.

Louise Quennell, UK Senior Director at Dell Technologies, emphasised that AI should support creativity rather than replace it. Automating repetitive tasks aims to give professionals more time for experimentation, artistic decision-making and higher-value creative work.

AI assistants are increasingly capable of managing scheduling, summarising information and reducing routine digital administration. Dell believes reducing these ‘digital chores’ could significantly improve productivity, particularly for freelancers balancing creative production with business responsibilities.

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Karnataka chief minister says AI should support not replace artists

Speaking at the Bengaluru GAFX Conference, a major event for the Games, Animation, Visual Effects and Extended Reality (AVGC-XR) sector, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah positioned AI as a tool to augment artistic work rather than replace human creators.

He highlighted the importance of ethical AI adoption, respect for intellectual property, data privacy, and ensuring fair compensation for artists and creative professionals as the sector grows.

Siddaramaiah underscored that the ‘soul of storytelling’ and human emotion cannot be fully replicated by algorithms, stressing that technology should amplify human potential without erasing it.

He also urged industry leaders to invest in original content, educational institutions to modernise curricula, and global partners to collaborate with Karnataka’s burgeoning creative ecosystem.

The remarks came amid efforts to develop the AVGC-XR sector through policy support, infrastructure, skill development, and the creation of digital creative clusters beyond Bengaluru in cities like Mysuru, Mangaluru and Hubballi-Dharwad.

Siddaramaiah framed this approach as both an economic and cultural opportunity that must be inclusive and ethically grounded.

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AI in healthcare drives strategic transformation in hospital systems

AI is expanding across healthcare systems in Asia, particularly in diagnostics and hospital operations. Adoption is increasing, but governance frameworks and institutional guidance remain uneven.

In South Korea, a survey by the Korea Health Industry Development Institute(KHIDI) found that nearly half of registered doctors have used AI, mainly for medical image interpretation in diagnosis and screening. However, only a small proportion of medical institutions have formal AI guidelines, and limited training and legal uncertainty remain key barriers.

In response, KHIDI has indicated it will prioritise legal clarity, trust-building, and structured education in future policy development. Follow-up assessments are expected to inform regulatory approaches to medical AI.

Digital health integration is also advancing elsewhere in the region. The National Taiwan University Hospital has launched an electronic prescription system linked to telemedicine, enabling QR code-based dispensing at community pharmacies.

In India, Yashoda Medicity has introduced an AI-enabled e-ICU connected to a public district hospital. The system centralises clinical data and uses AI-driven analytics to support risk monitoring and specialist oversight.

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AI in the workplace raises critical governance and shadow use challenges

AI adoption in the workplace is accelerating faster than corporate governance frameworks are evolving. Experts warn that many organisations are unprepared for the risks associated with widespread AI use, creating gaps in oversight and accountability.

A study by the University of Melbourne and KPMG found that nearly half of surveyed professionals admitted to misusing AI at work. Many employees also reported witnessing colleagues misuse AI tools, often without formal authorisation.

Standard practices include uploading sensitive company data to public AI platforms, using AI during internal assessments, and presenting AI-generated work as original output. A significant number of employees also reported reducing their effort because they rely on AI assistance.

Experts caution that this trend creates an illusion of productivity and competence. Managers may receive polished reports generated by AI, while employees may not fully understand or verify the content, exposing organisations to poor decision-making, security vulnerabilities, and compliance risks.

Data protection concerns are particularly significant. Feeding confidential or proprietary information into public AI systems can lead to data leakage and legal exposure, especially when misuse results in financial harm or regulatory breaches.

To address these risks, experts recommend clear internal rules, approved AI tools, monitoring of sensitive data flows, and mandatory human oversight in critical processes. Training programmes should focus on practical guidance and reinforce that employees remain responsible for the accuracy and legality of AI-assisted work.

Analysts note that similar patterns emerged during the early stages of internet adoption. As AI use expands, governance frameworks, enforcement mechanisms, and organisational cultures will need to evolve to manage long-term risks.

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Topshop unveils AI shoppable catwalk in Manchester

Topshop has staged what it describes as a world-first AI-driven shoppable catwalk in Manchester, as part of its UK brand revival. The Manchester event combined physical runway looks with real-time digital purchasing through a bespoke Front Row AI app.

Guests in Manchester were able to buy outfits instantly as models walked, while also trying on virtual versions after the show. The experience was adjudicated by the World Record Certification Agency and positioned as a new model for immersive retail in the UK.

The Manchester showcase formed part of Topshop’s regional strategy beyond London, highlighting the North West’s role in the UK fashion sector. Students from the University of Salford and Manchester Metropolitan University designed and presented the finale in Manchester.

Topshop’s broader comeback in the UK includes pop ups in John Lewis stores, a standalone website relaunch and a partnership with Liberty in London. Executives said Manchester marked a new phase where AI and commerce converge to reshape retail experiences.

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AI data centre planned for East Manchester

Latos Data Centres is preparing plans for a 28,000 sq ft data centre in Monsall, East Manchester, aimed at serving rising demand for AI computing. The scheme would occupy a three acre brownfield site at Bower Street and Ten Acres Lane in Manchester.

The East Manchester project is designed as a neural edge data centre, bringing AI processing closer to end users than traditional cloud facilities. Latos said the Manchester development would form part of a broader plan to deliver 30 UK sites by 2030.

A live consultation in Manchester will run until 16 March, with Create Architecture leading the design. Advisers on the Manchester scheme include Euan Kellie Property Solutions on planning and SK Transport Planning on transport matters.

Latos said the Manchester facility would regenerate a vacant industrial plot and operate to high environmental and safety standards. The developer is also delivering a separate data centre in Tees Valley as it expands its AI-focused portfolio across the UK.

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McKinsey claims agentic AI will reshape global banking

Agentic AI is set to transform banking operations in the US and Asia, according to a McKinsey podcast featuring senior partners from New York, Mumbai and London. The technology goes beyond traditional automation by handling less structured tasks and supporting end to end decision making.

Research cited in the discussion suggests many banks are experimenting with AI, yet few report material financial gains. Leaders in the US and Asia are urged to avoid narrow pilot projects and instead redesign workflows, teams and governance around AI at scale.

McKinsey partners said successful banks in the US and Asia are aligning chief executives, technology leaders and risk officers behind a shared strategy. Operations, risk management and frontline services are seen as areas where AI could deliver significant productivity and quality gains.

Banks in India and other Asian markets are also benefiting from regulatory engagement, including guidance from the Reserve Bank of India. Speakers argued that workforce training, cross functional collaboration and clear accountability will determine whether AI delivers lasting impact in the US.

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OpenAI expands London research hub

OpenAI is turning its London office into its largest research hub outside the US, marking a strategic shift towards deeper engagement with the UK’s rapidly developing AI landscape. The move places the company in direct competition with Google DeepMind for scientific talent.

An expansion that strengthens OpenAI’s long-term presence in Europe by building a substantial research base rather than relying on satellite operations. The firm aims to attract researchers seeking strong academic links, regulatory clarity and access to the UK’s growing AI ecosystem.

The enlarged London team is expected to support frontier model development and experimental work that aligns with OpenAI’s international ambitions. Senior leadership framed the decision as a vote of confidence in the UK’s capacity to become one of the most influential centres for advanced AI research.

The announcement intensifies debate over global competition for expertise, as major labs seek locations that balance research freedom with responsible oversight.

OpenAI’s investment signals a belief that the UK can offer such conditions while positioning itself as a key player in shaping the next generation of AI capabilities.

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Pakistan’s digital transformation highlighted as UNESCO advances AI ethics

UNESCO used the Pakistan Governance Forum 2026 to highlight the need for a structured Ethical AI and Data Governance Framework as the country accelerates its digital transformation.

Federal leaders, provincial authorities and civil society convened to examine governance reforms, with UNESCO urging Pakistan to align its expanding digital public infrastructure with coherent standards that protect rights while enabling innovation.

Speaking at the Forum, Fuad Pashayev underlined that Pakistan’s reform priority should centre on the Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, adopted unanimously by all 193 Member States.

Anchoring national systems in transparency, accountability and meaningful human oversight was framed as essential for maintaining public trust as digital services reshape access to benefits and interactions between citizens and the state.

To support the shift, UNESCO promoted its AI Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM), which is already deployed in more than 50 countries. The tool helps governments identify regulatory gaps, strengthen institutional coordination and design safeguards against discrimination and algorithmic bias.

UNESCO has already contributed to Pakistan’s draft National AI Policy, ensuring alignment with international ethical frameworks while accommodating national development needs.

Capacity building formed a major pillar of UNESCO’s engagement. In partnership with the University of Oxford, the organisation launched a global course on AI and Digital Transformation in Government in 2025, attracting over nineteen thousand enrolments worldwide.

Pakistan leads participation globally, reflecting both the country’s momentum and growing demand for structured training.

UNESCO’s ongoing work aims to reinforce data governance, improve AI readiness and embed ethical safeguards across Pakistan’s digital transformation strategy.

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