2026 Stories - Page 48

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

Artificial Intelligence

Australian workers lack AI support as job security fears grow

Seven in ten Australian workers feel unprepared for AI at work, with most employers failing to offer training amid growing job security fears.

By Catherine Knowles • 3 min read • Fri, 28th Nov 2025

Global Stories

2026 stories

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

Malware

AI-powered cybercrime to become fully automated by 2026

By 2026, AI will power fully automated cyber attacks, escalating the scale and speed of online threats, warns Trend Micro's latest forecast.

By Catherine Knowles • 3 min read • Fri, 28th Nov 2025

Digital Entertainment

Realise Music launches VR singing game on Meta Quest with 1m tracks

Realise Music launches VR singing game on Meta Quest with over 1 million licensed tracks, blending music, wellness, and interactive gameplay.

By Melania Watson • 3 min read • Fri, 28th Nov 2025

Marketing Technologies

Prezzee launches PrezzeePay to simplify global digital gifting

Prezzee launches PrezzeePay, enabling retailers worldwide to offer unified digital gift cards without costly system changes, targeting cashless Gen Z shoppers.

By Sean Mitchell • 3 min read • Thu, 27th Nov 2025

Data Analytics

UNESCO launches AI disaster response system in Solomon Islands

UNESCO will deploy the AI-driven EDiSON disaster response system in the Solomon Islands to enhance early warnings for cyclones and floods by 2026.

By Melania Watson • 3 min read • Thu, 27th Nov 2025

Stories from Other Regions

2026 stories

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

Digital Transformation

Benefit & Ant International to launch QR payments in Bahrain

BENEFIT and Ant International will launch cross-border QR payments in Bahrain in 2026, enabling 15,000 merchants to accept Alipay+ wallet payments.

By Kaleah Salmon • 3 min read • Fri, 28th Nov 2025

Artificial Intelligence

AI-4U offers barrier-free mental health support for workers

WellbeingSolutions' AI-4U offers SMS-based mental health support to help UK, NZ, and Australian firms meet new 2025 psychosocial risk regulations.

By Kaleah Salmon • 3 min read • Fri, 28th Nov 2025

IT Industry

Western Europe's PC market surges as Windows deadline looms

Western Europe's PC market surged in October with double-digit revenue growth ahead of Windows 10's support deadline driving widespread device upgrades.

By Sean Mitchell • 3 min read • Thu, 27th Nov 2025

Digital Transformation

The evolving role of the Chief People Officer (CPO): Redefining HR leadership

The Chief People Officer role is evolving from HR lead to strategic partner, blending people, technology, and business to drive growth and innovation.

By Victoria Marshall-Rice • 3 min read • Thu, 27th Nov 2025