Human Times

North American Edition

28th October 2026

THE HOT STORY

Walmart reports that AI training programs boost employee confidence

Walmart has reported increased employee confidence in AI following the introduction of AI training and certification programs across its 2.1m-strong workforce. A company survey, which received more than 1.7m responses, found that 77% of office-based employees were excited about AI's potential to improve their work, while 84% of U.S. frontline workers felt confident using digital tools. Employees who completed OpenAI training reported a 27% improvement in confidence using AI, supported by free learning programs developed in partnership with OpenAI and Google. Walmart also reported that automation has created more quality assurance roles in some operations, rather than resulting in widespread job losses.

CNBC

LEGAL

Hispanic workers allege abuse at HelloFresh warehouse

A class action lawsuit has been filed against HelloFresh and staffing agencies, alleging that Hispanic employees faced assault, harassment, and discrimination at a Newark, N.J., warehouse. The six plaintiffs claim they were hired as temporary workers while non-Hispanics received permanent positions with better pay. The lawsuit states: “HelloFresh regularly assigned Hispanic workers jobs that were more physically demanding,” and highlights instances of physical assault and derogatory remarks from supervisors. Female plaintiffs reported further abuse, including sexual harassment. HelloFresh denies the allegations, asserting that they conducted an internal investigation and found the claims to be “entirely without merit.” The lawsuit also alleges violations of the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act and seeks various damages, including compensatory and punitive damages.

NJ.com

Grand jury refuses to indict former White House aide

A Washington grand jury has refused to indict Cassidy Hutchinson, the former White House staffer who provided testimony against President Donald Trump before a House committee investigating the 6 January 2021 U.S. Capitol insurrection. Republican lawmakers had accused her of lying under oath in her testimony in 2022 about Trump's behavior on Jan. 6. Associated Press says the DOJ's failure to secure a grand jury indictment against Hutchinson is the latest setback in its efforts to charge perceived adversaries of Trump.

CNBC

Washington Post

Associated Press

HIRING

IRS plans to hire nearly 1,200 employees following major federal workforce cuts

The IRS has announced plans to recruit approximately 1,175 employees following significant workforce reductions linked to the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The agency intends to hire around 1,000 workers across its Small Business/Self-Employed and Large Business and International divisions, alongside approximately 175 employees for its Criminal Investigation unit. Previous federal workforce reduction initiatives resulted in the departure of roughly 25% of IRS employees, including 35% of staff in the small business division and 20% in the large business division. The staffing losses have strained tax enforcement and administrative operations, prompting greater reliance on artificial intelligence to maintain services. Officials also acknowledged that assigning criminal investigators to immigration enforcement and other federal priorities has reduced the agency's capacity to conduct tax-related investigations.

Bloomberg Tax

TAX

Hollywood agencies and producers back 20% federal film tax credit

The American Entertainment Alliance (AEA), representing major Hollywood talent agencies and independent producers, has endorsed a proposed 20% federal tax credit for domestic film and television production as an initial step toward revitalizing the U.S. entertainment industry. The coalition, which includes CAA, WME, UTA, Blumhouse, and Imagine Entertainment, supports the legislation but is seeking adjustments to benefit independent producers, including improvements to a proposed 5% bonus incentive. The group is also advocating separate reforms to increase competition in streaming, including requiring platforms to acquire 50% of their original programming from independent producers and limiting exclusivity periods. While industry supporters hope the tax credit will pass by the end of 2026, the AEA plans to pursue broader ownership and competition reforms in the next Congress.

Variety

WORKFORCE

Healthcare costs soar for families

The average annual cost of employer-provided healthcare for U.S. families reached $28,303 in 2025, marking a 5% increase from the previous year, according to a survey by health policy nonprofit KFF. Workers are contributing an average of $7,471, which is 9% more than last year. Matthew Rae, an associate director at KFF, said: “There are real affordability challenges for the millions of Americans who get coverage this way.” Over 40% of employers reported increasing the share of premiums paid by workers. Employers are also facing rising costs for diabetes and weight-loss drugs, with many implementing restrictions on coverage. Despite these challenges, over a third of large firms have added new virtual providers to expand care options, and employers are exploring alternative prescription services to maintain affordability.

Los Angeles Times

TECHNOLOGY

Trump says he will ban the term 'artificial intelligence'

President Donald Trump has said he would ban the term ‌artificial intelligence in documents "and everything else", as he questioned why the Wall Street Journal was not ⁠using his preferred term, super intelligence. "When will The Wall Street Journal start calling Artificial Intelligence (AI), a very bad and inaccurate name, SI (Super Intelligence), the name which ‌virtually ⁠everyone else is using, or soon will be," Trump wrote on Truth ⁠Social. "In short order, we will be officially BANNING the term, “AI/Artificial ⁠Intelligence,” in all relevant documents, and everything else, ⁠due to its inaccuracy."

Microsoft AI tool can diagnose like a doctor

Microsoft has developed an AI tool that the company says can diagnose conditions up to four times more accurately than human doctors. The model identifies and coordinates ‌the questions that should be asked of a patient, and also the exams and tests that should be ordered, by employing a simulated panel of clinical experts partnering to solve diagnostic cases. Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman has nevertheless told The Verge that even though he predicts the arrival of “something that is indistinguishable from human performance on medical superintelligence in the next couple of years,” human clinicians should and will always have a central role in patient care.

Reuters

The Verge

INTERNATIONAL

Uber faces Australian class action over sexual assaults

Uber is facing a class action lawsuit in Australia from women who have experienced sexual assault or harassment while using its services. Law firm Slater and Gordon is investigating whether Uber's policies adequately protect female passengers and if the company has responded appropriately to complaints of driver misconduct. Cindy Bors, the firm's practice group leader, emphasized that the legal action focuses on Uber's responsibility for passenger safety, saying: “Women should be able to get home in an Uber safely.” The investigation follows numerous legal actions globally regarding Uber's handling of such claims. Despite Uber's insistence that its drivers are independent contractors, Bors argues that this should not shield the company from accountability in cases of sexual assault. Taylor Mostacci, a victim of an indecent assault by an Uber driver, highlighted the lasting impact of her experience, saying: “I'll never risk being in an Uber by myself.”

Sydney Morning Herald

Volvo Cars announces 2,500 job cuts

Volvo Cars is to eliminate 2,500 jobs globally, primarily in Sweden, as part of a cost-cutting strategy amid fierce competition and declining sales. The company reported an adjusted operating loss of 3.7bn Swedish crowns ($373m) for the third quarter, a significant drop from a profit of 5.8bn crowns the previous year. "The third quarter of 2026 was very disappointing and reflects a year that ⁠has become far more challenging than originally anticipated. Our ongoing turnaround plan therefore ⁠needs a decisive reinforcement," CEO Hakan Samuelsson said. "We are convinced that we have the right long-term strategy addressing these challenges," he added. The jobs cuts would be made "through natural attrition and by targeted exit packages to employees," Volvo said.

Daily Sabah

France 24

YLE Uutiset

OTHER

Etsy bans AI-generated recipes and patterns in crackdown on misleading listings

Etsy has announced a ban on AI-generated recipes, craft patterns and instructions as part of efforts to restore consumer trust and protect its reputation for handmade goods. The online marketplace will also prohibit fully automated product listings and require sellers to include at least one unedited photograph of the actual item being sold. AI-generated artwork will remain permitted, provided sellers disclose its use and demonstrate meaningful human involvement. The changes follow growing concerns over misleading AI content, which Etsy identified as one of the top three barriers preventing customers from shopping more frequently on its platform.

CNBC

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