As a discussion club widely known for focusing on global politics and world affairs, it is appropriate and timely under the circumstances that we start brainstorming and debating the possible structure of a new world order. This is because, on the one hand, the relatively stable balance of power achieved after the Second World War is gon, writes Nelson Wong, President of the Shanghai Centre for RimPac Strategic and International Studies,…
In a world where visual identity can make or break a brand, the Marks and Spencer v Aldi case has brought design right infringement to the forefront of UK intellectual property law. This legal dispute revolves around allegations that Aldi copied Marks and Spencer’s premium gin packaging, specifically its distinctive “M&S Gin” bottles. The case highlights the critical importance of design rights in protecting unique product designs and maintaining brand…
During a time of both rapid transformation and intense scrutiny, today’s energy industry leaders are increasingly turning to advanced solutions in AI and data management to drive sustainability and efficiency as the global community works to combat climate change. This is a time-sensitive effort, as increased energy demand and the continued role of fossil fuels mean emissions could keep rising through 2035.1 As energy leaders look to reduce greenhouse gas…
Editor's note: The following is an excerpt from chapter one of Fintech, Small Business & the American Dream, written by Karen G. Mills, senior fellow at Harvard Business School. The second edition was published in 2024 by Palgrave Macmillan.The cycle of fintech innovation in small business lending is not yet complete, but we can already see its promise. As technology opened the doors to vast troves of data, opportunities emerged…
Of all the various AI technologies, generative AI (gen AI) has arguably captured the most excitement among organizations in the business world and the public sector. Its ability to automate activities across a range of functions—customer interactions, content generation, and computer coding, for example—promises to reshape how much work gets done and boost performance.McKinsey research has estimated that the application of gen AI to 63 use cases could generate global…
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Quick Hits Two German federal ministries have drafted legislation that would provide more legal certainty for employers regarding how to handle employee data. The legislature also wants to allow the use of AI applications, but within certain limits. The draft legislation would provide a detailed regulation on the basics of employee data processing. The aim of the legislation is to provide more legal certainty for employers. They inevitably collect and…
Over the last year, the cybersecurity industry faced a significant surge in QR code phishing campaigns, with some attacks increasing at a growth rate of 270% per month.1 A QR code (short for “Quick Response code”) is a two-dimensional barcode that can be scanned using a smartphone or other mobile device equipped with a camera. The codes can contain information like website URLs, contact information, product details, and more. They…
If a chatbot can Slack convincingly in the boss’s voice, will employees follow orders once they realize the CEO is actually a machine?A novel two-part study finds that an artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot trained to write like a technology company’s CEO responded to questions so believably that many employees thought the answers came from the boss himself. But there’s a caveat: When employees perceived that a response came from AI—even…
Residential battery energy storage systems (BESS) primarily serve two purposes for homeowners. First, they capture energy generated by solar panels and store it for use when needed, such as in periods of inclement weather or when grid electricity rates increase. Second, they can act as backup generators, providing power during potential outages.In recent years, the European residential BESS manufacturing industry experienced exponential demand growth, fueled partly by consumer desire for…
The authors also highlight how NbS can create 'win-win' scenarios, such as raising income and creating jobs while enhancing biodiversity and supporting climate adaptation. These attributes make NbS an essential approach for countries as they transition to clean and efficient circular economies. Specific examples covered by the research include the Working for Water* (WfW) programme in South Africa, which cleared invasive species from over 1 million hectares of land while…
The accumulation of discoveries and innovations in history takes time, but their rapid development and widespread implementation - sometimes reaching revolutionary proportions - usually begins during and after crises (and during conflicts). At the moment, the world has emerged from the Covid-19 economic crisis, but it is in a state of geopolitical overstrain. This is the best time to find technological solutions to business-related, national and global problems, as well…
Claudia explains how her passion for advocacy arose following her father’s illness, and how moving away from images of a cancer ‘’battle’’ helps us to see our bodies as allies, rather than adversaries. She also highlights the barrier to healing created by the language of competition, how she found inspiration from the Princess of Wales, and why no patient should feel like they are a burden. Show Topics ‘’How is…
What our model showsAs energy companies continue to install bigger wind turbines further offshore in the name of maximising energy output, our results counter the conventional wisdom that associates larger turbines with higher efficiency and profitability. The findings shed light on the inherent trade-offs in turbine size and wind farm site selection on economic viability. Our results reveal that the trend can in fact undermine the economic viability of wind farms.…
To engage customers responsibly, businesses need to find a balance between strong marketing efforts and fair commercial practices. The European Union (EU) has strict regulations to protect consumers from unfair commercial practices, and it’s vital for e-commerce companies to understand and comply with these rules. Failure to do so can result in legal penalties and harm a brand’s reputation. What Are Unfair Commercial Practices? Unfair commercial practices cover a wide…
Mustering adequate human resources for healthcare is a significant challenge for most health systems globally. Everywhere you look, countries are facing shortages in qualified healthcare personnel, uneven distribution of workers, inadequate training, and challenging work environments. These issues are most acute in low- and middle-income countries, particularly in Africa, which carries an estimated 25 percent of the world’s disease burden but accounts for only 3 percent of the global healthcare…
Australia’s general insurers have been facing more frequent and more severe natural disasters, rapid inflation of claims costs, and increased scrutiny from regulators—all while trying to achieve sustainable financial performance. At the same time, the cost of insurance has become increasingly unaffordable for consumers. Insurers trying to outperform in this competitive environment and offer affordable products should look at step-change productivity improvements such as the three levers described in this…
1. Credit for this example is due to X user Dean Buono (@deanbuono); credit for subsequent examples in this section is due to Colin Fraser (@colin_fraser). 2. L. Berglund, M. Tong, M. Kaufmann, et al., “The Reversal Curse: LLMs Trained on ‘A Is B’ Fail to Learn ‘B Is A,’” arXiv, submitted Sept. 21, 2023, https://arxiv.org. 3. E. Mollick, “Google’s Gemini Advanced: Tasting Notes and Implications,” One Useful Thing, Feb.…
Q: Blood transfusions are so commonplace they don’t get much attention. Would you give some context on the importance of transfusions and the business of the blood supply? It is just expected that blood will be available for transfusion. Whether it’s cancer treatment, maternal postpartum hemorrhage, sickle cell, transplant surgery, anemia, or bleeding trauma from an auto accident or gunshot wound, they can all require substantial transfusions. The blood supply…
In 2021, we asked whether the private-brand trend would last. At the time, consumers were eagerly snapping up retailers’ owned brands, which were lower-priced and more readily available than similar products from many national brands. Fast-forward to today: our research clearly shows that consumers are continuing to opt for private brands. The trend is continuing in both Europe and the United States. McKinsey’s latest consumer sentiment research shows that nearly 75…
The cold war didn’t remain cold of its own accord. In the absence of the rising global peace discourse fostered by postwar peace movements, the cold war would have been even more dangerous and, perhaps, never-ending.The original, and most powerful, postwar peace movement was led by the World Peace Council (WPC) – a global network of millions of activists that from the 1940s through to the 1960s had a huge…
The 7 key success factors in B2B pricing 1. Align pricing with your business objective When it comes to pricing strategies, there is no one-size-fits-all. Every company needs a pricing strategy that fits its unique situation. Your pricing strategy should align with your overall business objectives, whether that is maximising profit, entering a new market or retaining customers. Consider how different approaches – value-based, dynamic or AI-based pricing – can…
“There is nothing permanent except change… from differences results the most beautiful harmony” Heraclitus of Ephesus, 5th century BC If there is a central theme to this year, it is probably the world getting accustomed to the lack of predetermined scenarios. Discussions focusing on international order are fading; the former order no longer functions, and there’s no knowledge what the new one, if it ever materialises, will look like.…
Google explores how its technology can help solve global challenges like access to emergency health services.
Generative AI (gen AI) promises to transform business processes. The value added from gen AI could reach $ 4.4 trillion per year, according to McKinsey analysis. Historically, the packaging industry has lagged behind other industries in adopting new digital technologies—including traditional AI and machine learning. However, even in this industry, excitement is building around generative AI. We conducted a survey of more than 200 paper and packaging executives across substrates…
Learn about Google's four-pillar health strategy aimed at improving global health.
Quick Hits The NJDPA goes into effect on January 15, 2025, with its opportunity to cure provision sunsetting six months later on July 15, 2025. The NJDPA’s “sensitive data” definition encompasses more than is typical in comparable laws. The NJDPA applies to non-profit organizations and institutions of higher education in addition to for-profit businesses. Scope The NJDPA applies to companies that: conduct business in New Jersey OR produce products or…
Quick Hits A recent GAO report includes several recommendations for how OSHA should evaluate its national emphasis program on warehousing and distribution centers to “more fully protect workers” from ergonomic hazards. The GAO found that three major hazards—falls, slips, and trips; objects and equipment; and overexertion/bodily reaction—were the leading causes of most injuries and illnesses in general warehousing and last-mile delivery services. The GAO recommendations include revising the OSHA Form…
Google’s new course teaches you how to design effective prompts in 5 easy steps, making AI work for you — no experience necessary.
Learn how to develop a successful procurement strategy with these valuable tips. Enhance your procurement process and achieve your organization’s goals. Procurement has evolved beyond simple transactions. In today’s fast-paced business world, a solid procurement strategy is essential. It allows organizations to adapt to market changes, streamline operations, and drive cost savings. Additionally, it fosters innovation, sustainability, and long-term growth. Strategic procurement also minimizes supply chain risks and enhances…
Quick Hits Under SB 729, effective July 1, 2025, certain health insurance policies in California will be required to cover the diagnosis and treatment of infertility. Insured health plans with at least 101 participants will be required to provide coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of infertility; insured plans with up to 100 participants will be required to offer coverage. SB 729 does not affect employers that “self-fund” their health…
In October 2024, some key building blocks for Phase 2 have been put in place. They include Government approval of the South-Coast Designated Maritime Area Plan and a Decision on Grid Connection Policy. South-Coast Designated Maritime Area Plan (“SC-DMAP”) The Oireachtas has approved the SC-DMAP, which is available at the link here. The SC-DMAP identifies four proposed maritime areas off the South Coast within which fixed offshore wind farms may…
Quick Hits Voters in three states—Alaska, Missouri, and Nebraska—will have a chance to vote on establishing paid sick leave in their states. The states could join the eighteen states and Washington, D.C., that already have paid sick leave laws. Election day is Tuesday, November 5, 2024. Each state has proposed measures to ensure workers have access to paid time off for health-related needs, reflecting a growing national trend toward expanding…
From tech to media to management consulting firms, layoffs are back.Downsizing during a healthy economy can help lay the foundation for efficient growth or make space for new roles that harness newer technology, such as artificial intelligence. Companies such as Dropbox and Intel have also announced staff cuts in reaction to slowing or declining demand. US government data from October suggests that employers remain cautious, adding just 12,000 new positions…
By Investment Desk | 30 Oct, 2024 After a robust first half of the year, risk markets experienced heightened volatility in the third quarter. In part, this could have been due to the lingering disconnect between risk markets and economic growth trends in the West: markets are pricing in a soft landing, whereas economic indicators suggest a wider array of outcomes. Additionally, the unwinding of the Japanese yen carry trade…
Learning through experience is dynamic, not static. As you’ll hear in this episode with artist Kim Weston, her photography is a way of deepening understanding of ourselves and the world around us, seen and unseen. Through compelling story and image, Kim takes us on a journey where each photograph tells a story of heritage, community and spirit. As she says, “Our ancestors are with us; the people we loved in…
In early 2019, Olivier Blanchard, the former head of the International Monetary Fund, suggested that there was no fiscal cost to the United States from running ever-bigger budget deficits. The federal government could essentially grow its way out of overspending, and investors could be confident in the continued safety of the Treasury bonds used to finance those deficits. This sanguine view of the United States’ fiscal health was not unusual…
You might see the Halloween season as the perfect opportunity to enjoy some horror films, dress up in scary costumes, and carve spooky pumpkins with your family. Yet, one area where you won’t want any frightening surprises is your financial plan. Unfortunately, when creating an investment portfolio there are some simple mistakes that could make achieving your financial goals a nightmare. Read on to learn three terrifying investment mistakes to…
1 November 2024By Piero CipolloneAs they juggle various cards, apps and devices, most Europeans find that digital payments have fallen short of their promise to provide a convenient euro area-wide solution. The ECB’s Piero Cipollone explains how a digital euro would blend the simplicity of cash with digital convenience. Twenty-five years ago, the introduction of the euro transformed Europe. For the first time, people in different countries were using the…
Today the world is at an early stage of a global crisis, as evidenced by a sharp increase in conflicts as states vie to become centres of power. This concerns, in particular, the Ukraine conflict, the situation in the Middle East, a set of problems in relations between India and China, and the Taiwan problem. Despite this consistent growth of contradictions, the volatility indicates that following their conclusion, a new world…