Technology

Over 400 billion PDFs were opened last year. Adobe Acrobat users alone edited 16 billion documents. Today, more than 87% of organisations rely on PDFs for business communication. This widespread use makes them ideal for hiding malicious code.

Within the highly specialised and confidential world of executive search, a new balance is emerging. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is taking over the data processing and pattern recognition that’s required, leaving us humans to thrive in the areas of creative problem-solving and emotional intelligence.

Are there skills gaps in your business? What is the cost of hiring and onboarding a new employee? How should you forecast for overtime? What will your upcoming expenses look like? Is there an easier and faster way to predict and prepare employee bonuses and tax implications? These questions all have answers, hidden inside data generated by Human Resources (HR) and payroll systems.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a futuristic concept or a luxury reserved for tech giants. It has become essential across industries. For many of us, it’s a tool we simply can’t live without. The ride-hailing sector is no different. AI is redefining customer service, trust, operational efficiency and even how we think about growth itself.

Once upon a primetime, advertising had its place. It was neatly slotted between soapies on TV or nestled between the pages of your favourite magazine. Sure, it interrupted, but in a predictable, acceptable, run-of-the-mill kinda way. Then the internet age arrived. Along with it came borderless content and collapsing licensing windows.

With Artificial Intelligence (AI) automating routine Human Resources (HR) tasks like CV screening, skills assessments and employee engagement tracking, HR professionals need new skills, including data literacy and digital fluency. While this may seem daunting, it also creates new career opportunities.

Data is full of hidden clues. If you can find them, you can use them to solve difficult business challenges. Detectives solve mysteries, and business is full of them. For example, you may know who your best channel partners are, but do you know exactly what makes them the best? Can you replicate their success across other partners? Are there early warning signs that a once-loyal partner is drifting away?

The loudest noise at Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona in March was reserved not for new products, but for debates around who gets to set the agenda for the future. With Artificial Intelligence (AI) at the heart of the debate, and technologies like 5G-advanced and quantum computing vying for attention, the focus was almost entirely on the roles played by Europe, China and the USA in regulating and rolling out new technology.

Most businesses understand the competitive advantages of investing in a comprehensive data analytics solution. Yet not all of them enjoy a full return on their investment. This is because, once a preferred solution has been implemented, extracting the most value from a business intelligence (BI) tool requires comprehensive user adoption and engagement.

Prioritising cybersecurity through business risks delivers the highest value protection. Cyberattacks have graduated from "possible" to "probable", according to a major South African insurer. Businesses must act to reduce cyber risks, which many are doing by spending on new security services.