THE HOT STORY

GCC executives to lead new regional study on human-tech readiness

The Human-Tech Synergy Summit in Dubai on September 29 will explore leadership readiness for AI adoption. Organised by human-technology leadership consultancy CLD, the summit will gather 60 senior executives from the GCC to contribute to the Human-Tech Readiness Report. This research will focus on four dimensions: mindset, skillset, culture set, and system set, rather than just technological access. Omar Hayat, director at CLD BLOOM, emphasised the importance of aligning leadership with rapid technological changes, saying: "Organisations only transform as far as their people are prepared to transform with them." The study aims to provide insights specific to the GCC context.

Khaleej Times Online

RISK

HSBC moves board meeting from Dubai to London amid safety concerns

Board members from HSBC will convene in London instead of Dubai later this month amid concerns over safety as the US-Iran war continues to roil executive travel to the region.

Financial Times

UAE deepfake scams impersonate HR Ministry officials

The UAE's Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has issued a warning about deepfake scams that use advanced technology to create realistic videos, voices, and images. These fraudulent materials can impersonate MoHRE officials to deceive individuals into sharing sensitive information or transferring money. The ministry advised the public to verify communications through official channels before taking action. "Don't be fooled. What you see may not be real," the ministry said, as it emphasised the importance of caution in the face of increasingly sophisticated AI tools.

Gulfnews.com

TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT

Gulf Air and BAC conclude youth development programmes

Gulf Air and Bahrain Airport Company (BAC) have concluded a number of youth development and workforce readiness programmes aimed at supporting Bahraini talent and preparing young people for careers in aviation and the wider economy. The Summer Internship Programme provided 135 university students with two months of practical experience in the aviation sector. Additionally, 39 school students participated in the FLY Summer Internship Programme, which included workshops and site visits. Meanwhile, the Social Work Programme offered 60 participants workplace exposure. Mohamed Matar, chief people officer of Gulf Air Group, said: “Investing in young talent is an investment in the Kingdom of Bahrain’s future.”

Trade Arabia

LEGAL

New Saudi exit visa rules for domestic workers during probation

Saudi Arabia has introduced new regulations for final exit visas for domestic workers during their 90-day probation period. Employers can now issue these visas via the Absher platform, even if workers have not yet received residency permits. To qualify, workers must be present in Saudi Arabia, have no outstanding traffic violations, and possess a passport valid for at least 60 days. The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development mandates a written employment contract, allowing both parties to terminate the contract during the probation period. "Employers can assess a worker's competence," said a ministry spokesperson.

Gulfnews.com

ECONOMY

OECD raises 2026 global growth forecast but warns of mounting risks

The OECD has raised its forecast for global economic growth in 2026 to 2.9% from 2.8%, as stronger-than-expected activity, including an AI-driven investment boom, has offset the impact of persistently high energy prices. The organisation has increased its US growth forecast to 2.2% this year and 2.1% in 2027, while raising its 2026 outlook for India to 7.1% and South Korea to 3.7%; however, it now expects Saudi Arabia’s economy to contract by 1.8%. G20 inflation is forecast to average 4.1% this year, prompting expectations for further modest interest rate increases, including a quarter-point Federal Reserve hike before year-end. The OECD has warned that prolonged high oil prices, El Niño-related increases in food prices, falling equities, and rising bond yields could weaken global growth to as little as 2.3% in 2027.

Bloomberg

Reuters

Wall Street Journal

INTERNATIONAL

Tesla faces major trial for alleged bias against Black workers

The California Civil Rights Department's lawsuit against Tesla, which accuses the company of allowing widespread race discrimination at its Fremont assembly plant, was set to go to trial on Monday. The lawsuit, filed in 2022, alleges that Black workers faced harassment, including racial slurs and graffiti, and were paid less than their peers while being denied promotion opportunities. Kevin Kish, director of the California Civil Rights Department, said the agency looks forward to holding Tesla accountable. The trial, to be overseen by Judge Peter Borkon, is expected to last until October 30. Unlike federal law, California law does not cap damages, meaning Tesla could face significant financial repercussions if found liable. Reuters says Tesla's high profile and the thousands of workers involved in the case make it among the most significant involving employment discrimination claims against a major US company to go to trial in recent years.

Reuters

Starbucks plans global tech centre in India

Starbucks has signed an agreement to establish a global capability centre (GCC) in the ‌southern Indian city of Chennai and hire around 800 technology professionals. The coffee chain's technology chief Anand Varadarajan said the availability of a skilled workforce, lower attrition and good infrastructure would be a boon to the business. Reuters notes that Starbucks' pact with the Tamil Nadu government came only days after US pharmacy chain Walgreens signed a deal with the southern Indian state to set up a GCC in Chennai, the state capital that is already home to tech centres of global business groups including Citi, Barclays and American Express.

Reuters

New UK rights for family bereavement and pregnancy loss

A new legal right in the UK to unpaid time off work after suffering a bereavement will cover step and half relatives, as well as foster, kinship care and adoptive relationships, which currently hold no statutory protection in terms of workplace leave. Women and their partners who suffer a pregnancy loss prior to 24 weeks, including a miscarriage, a termination and an unsuccessful IVF embryo transfer, will be entitled to up to two weeks of unpaid leave. Previously only parents who have lost a child aged under 18 or stillborn from 24 weeks had a legal right to bereavement leave.

Brazilian police seize devices in trade secrets investigation

Brazilian police have conducted a search-and-seizure operation against a former iFood employee suspected of downloading confidential information before joining food delivery rival 99Food. The investigation, led by police inspector Angelo Lages, aims to uncover the extent of corporate espionage in Brazil's competitive food delivery market, which is valued at approximately $20bn. "The purpose of the search was to collect electronic devices so we can conduct forensic analysis and determine what happened to the data," Lages said. iFood holds about 80% of the local food delivery market.

U.S. News

OTHER

Finland's Supreme Court backs police use of force to remove hijabs

Finland's Supreme Court, by a 4–1 vote, has ruled that police acted lawfully when they removed the hijabs of two asylum seekers for registration photographs. The case, which began in 2017, involved the women refusing to remove their headscarves during the asylum application process. The court upheld previous rulings that the police had the authority to use necessary force to ensure compliance. Justice Tuija Turpeinen dissented, arguing that the women could have adjusted their hijabs to allow for identification.

Helsinki Times

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