2026 Stories - Page 49

Australian Stories

2026 stories

Poor service could cost Australian retailers AUD $66 billion

Australian retailers risk losing AUD $66 billion this peak season as 41% of consumers cut spending after poor service experiences, warns Qualtrics research.

By Sean Mitchell • 3 min read • Fri, 28th Nov 2025

Advanced Persistent Threat Protection

Australian insurers lag global peers as AI & cyber risks surge

Australian insurers trail global peers by 6.6% in risk preparedness, struggling with AI, cyber threats and rising political pressures, PwC Australia warns.

By Shannon Williams • 4 min read • Fri, 28th Nov 2025

Digital Transformation

Portalink & Shopify target offline B2B sales with automation

Portalink partners with Shopify to automate offline B2B sales orders, cutting costs and errors, available to Shopify Plus customers from January 2026.

By Catherine Knowles • 4 min read • Fri, 28th Nov 2025

Global Stories

2026 stories

Productivity

Singapore launches pilot for flexible executive hiring to boost productivity

Singapore launches a government-backed pilot to boost productivity by pairing firms with flexible, fractional executive hires for short-term leadership roles.

By Melania Watson • 3 min read • Tue, 2nd Dec 2025

Data Analytics

EIU launches AI tool to aid decision-making in global markets

EIU unveils Viewpoint AI, a tool that uses generative AI to simplify global market insights and support strategic decision-making in over 200 markets.

By Sean Mitchell • 2 min read • Tue, 2nd Dec 2025

Malware

AI & cyber warfare set to reshape security threats by 2026

By 2026, AI advances and cyber warfare will enable wider access to sophisticated malware, increasing threats from insiders and state-backed attacks, warns CyXcel.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • Mon, 1st Dec 2025

Storage

Agentic AI to transform APJ businesses & security by 2026

Agentic AI will transform Asia-Pacific and Japan businesses by 2026, boosting productivity but raising new insider risks and security challenges.

By Sean Mitchell • 6 min read • Mon, 1st Dec 2025

Digital Transformation

Info-Tech: AI transformation needs real expectations, not speed

Businesses must temper expectations, as high hallucination rates, weak multi-step reasoning, and architectural complexity continue to derail AI projects.

By Jake MacAndrew • 4 min read • Sat, 29th Nov 2025

Digital Transformation

Budget sparks industry concerns over pensions, LISAs & AI plans

Chancellor's Budget sparks industry fears over pension caps, LISA reforms, and urges UK firms to tackle digital and AI readiness amid £16bn productivity cost.

By Kaleah Salmon • 5 min read • Fri, 28th Nov 2025

Commonwealth Bank of Australia

CommBank partners with AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026

CommBank becomes Official Regional Partner for the AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026, supporting women's football as the tournament returns after 20 years.

By Kaleah Salmon • 2 min read • Fri, 28th Nov 2025

Storage

Cyber resilience, AI & energy shape IT strategies for 2026

Experts predict that cyber resilience, AI infrastructure, and energy constraints will redefine IT strategies across the UK and Australia in 2026.

By Shannon Williams • 7 min read • Fri, 28th Nov 2025

Encryption

CISOs face AI, deep-fakes & regulatory minefield in 2026

In 2026, CISOs will confront growing AI risks, deep-fakes, geopolitical threats, and tougher regulations, demanding new strategies for business resilience.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • Fri, 28th Nov 2025

Stories from Other Regions

2026 stories

Marketing Technologies

IDHL acquires Vervaunt with GBP £1.5 million AI investment plan

IDHL has acquired Vervaunt, adding over 70 experts and investing GBP £1.5 million in AI to boost eCommerce and digital marketing capabilities.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • Mon, 1st Dec 2025

Biometrics

Reducing the impact of AI-driven fraud in 2026

AI-driven fraud, including synthetic identities and real-time deepfake attacks, surges in financial services, prompting urgent defence upgrades for 2026.

By Bobby Joseph • 5 min read • Mon, 1st Dec 2025

Data Analytics

A human revival: Will 2026 redefine work as we know it?

In 2026, HR technology, blending AI, data, and culture, promises to transform work by making it more human, connected and measurable than ever before.

By Tom Short • 6 min read • Sat, 29th Nov 2025

Digital Transformation

UK 2025 Budget sparks debate over innovation, tax & AI policy

The UK 2025 Budget sparks debate as tech leaders praise innovation boosts but warn on tax burdens and the need for clearer AI policies.

By Kaleah Salmon • 4 min read • Fri, 28th Nov 2025

Government

Autumn Budget pension changes spark concerns over IHT & new cap

New Budget rules clarify pension inheritance tax but raise concerns over delays and introduce a £2,000 salary sacrifice pension cap from 2029, sparking employer caution.

By Shannon Williams • 3 min read • Fri, 28th Nov 2025

Customer Experience

AI & ethical messaging set to shape UK customer experience

Infobip forecasts that AI, ethical messaging, and new channels like RCS will transform UK customer experience by 2026, focusing on real-time personalisation and trust.

By Catherine Knowles • 2 min read • Fri, 28th Nov 2025