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Generative AI Instantly Elevates the Aptitude of Knowledge Workers: Consultants Achieve up to 49 Percentage Point Improvement on Complex Tasks Outside Their Skillset

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New Research by the BCG Henderson Institute Examines Impact of GenAI on Consultants’ Performance of Data Science Tasks Beyond Their Existing Capabilities

BOSTON, Sept. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Generative AI (GenAI) is creating a new type of knowledge worker who can code faster and summarize documents instantly. But can the tool also enable people to meet the shifting demands of their roles? A new scientific experiment conducted by the BCG Henderson Institute in collaboration with BCG X and Emma Wiles from Boston University, as described in GenAI Doesn’t Just Increase Productivity. It Expands Capabilities, examines what happens when, instead of using GenAI to improve performance within their current skillset, people use the technology to complete tasks beyond their existing capabilities.

In the experiment, 480 BCG consultants completed two of three short tasks that mimic the daily activities of a data scientist: writing Python code to merge and clean datasets, building a predictive model, and validating ChatGPT-generated statistical analyses. These tasks were designed to present a significant challenge for any consultant and could not be fully automated by the GenAI tool (Enterprise ChatGPT with GPT-4 and its Advanced Data Analysis Feature). To help evaluate participants’ performance, their results were compared with those of 44 BCG data scientists who worked without the assistance of GenAI.

“Our findings suggest that GenAI-augmented workers can adeptly handle new tasks beyond their existing skills in fields that are in the tool’s capabilities,” said Dan Sack, a BCG managing director and partner, and coauthor of the study. “Executives need to be ready for this future, redefining expertise and identifying the skills to grow and retain their talent for the long term.”

Instant Aptitude Expansion for New Tasks 

When using GenAI, the consultants in the study were able to instantly expand their aptitude for new tasks. Even when they had no experience in coding or statistics, consultants with access to GenAI were able to write code, appropriately apply machine learning models, and correct erroneous statistical processes. The biggest skill expansion was observed in coding, where participants were tested on their ability to write code in Python, a common programming language by data scientists. Participants who used GenAI achieved an average score equivalent to 86% of the benchmark set by data scientists, a 49 percentage point improvement over participants not using GenAI. The GenAI-augmented group also finished the task roughly 10% faster than the data scientists.

GenAI as a Powerful Brainstorming Partner

For the predictive analytics task, the experiment participants encountered a significant challenge: neither they nor the GenAI tool had a high level of proficiency in this area. Predictive analytics was the task which the GenAI-augmented consultant was least likely to perform on par with a data scientist, regardless of previous experience in coding or statistics, as the GenAI tool is likely to misunderstand the reliability prompt without trial and error or rephrasing of the question. As a result, participants with access to GenAI were more likely to be led astray than their nonaugmented counterparts.

With the support of GenAI, participants were able to brainstorm with the tool, combining their knowledge with GenAI’s knowledge to discover new modelling techniques and identify the correct steps to solve the problem successfully. The GenAI-augmented participants were 15 percentage points more likely to select and appropriately apply machine-learning methods than their counterparts who did not have access to GenAI.

“Doing GenAI” Doesn’t Mean Learning to Do 

Reskilling is defined as individuals gaining new capabilities or knowledge that enables them to move into a new job or industry. The study revealed that GenAI-augmented workers were in a sense “reskilled” in that they gained new capabilities that were beyond what either the human or GenAI could do on their own. But GenAI was only an exoskeleton; the humans alone were not intrinsically reskilled, because “doing” with GenAI does not immediately nor inherently mean “learning to do.”

While each participant was assigned just two of the three tasks in the experiment, everyone was given a final assessment with questions related to all three tasks to test how much they learned. Everyone was asked a coding syntax question, even though not all participants had done a coding task. Surprisingly, those who did this task scored the same as those who didn’t, indicating that performing the data science tasks did not increase their knowledge. It should be noted that the participants were not informed that they would be tested, and it is likely that with repetition and intention, learning would happen.

In addition, GenAI-augmented participants with moderate coding experience performed 10 to 20 percentage points better on all three tasks than their peers who self-identified as novices, even when coding was not involved. In fact, those with moderate coding experience were fully on par with data scientists for two of the three tasks—one of which had zero coding involved.

“As a parent, I often get asked what kids should study, and it’s something I think about when it comes to my own children,” said Sack. “This research has reinforced my belief that learning to code holds significant value, even if the prevailing opinion suggests that coding might be a thing of the past. It’s the engineering mindset that coding helps develop—like the ability to break down complex problems into manageable parts that can be efficiently tested and refined—that truly matters.”

Download the publication here:
https://www.bcg.com/publications/2024/gen-ai-increases-productivity-and-expands-capabilities

Media Contact:
Eric Gregoire:
+1 617 850 3783
gregoire.eric@bcg.com 

About the BCG Henderson Institute
The BCG Henderson Institute is the Boston Consulting Group’s think tank, dedicated to exploring and developing valuable new insights from business, technology, economics, and science.

The Institute engages leaders in provocative discussion and experimentation to expand the boundaries of business theory and practice and to translate innovative ideas from within and beyond business. For more ideas and inspiration from the Institute, please visit bcghendersoninstitute.com. To receive BHI’s latest research publications, please sign up here.

About Boston Consulting Group
Boston Consulting Group partners with leaders in business and society to tackle their most important challenges and capture their greatest opportunities. BCG was the pioneer in business strategy when it was founded in 1963. Today, we work closely with clients to embrace a transformational approach aimed at benefiting all stakeholders—empowering organizations to grow, build sustainable competitive advantage, and drive positive societal impact.

Our diverse, global teams bring deep industry and functional expertise and a range of perspectives that question the status quo and spark change. BCG delivers solutions through leading-edge management consulting, technology and design, and corporate and digital ventures. We work in a uniquely collaborative model across the firm and throughout all levels of the client organization, fueled by the goal of helping our clients thrive and enabling them to make the world a better place.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/generative-ai-instantly-elevates-the-aptitude-of-knowledge-workers-consultants-achieve-up-to-49-percentage-point-improvement-on-complex-tasks-outside-their-skillset-302238695.html

SOURCE Boston Consulting Group (BCG)

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IMDA and Tencent Debut “Beyond the Screen” to Champion Real-World Connection through Digital Play

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4 hours ago

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May 2, 2026

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The launch is marked by the signing of an agreement between IMDA and Tencent to advance healthy digital habits and safe, responsible use of digital technologies among youths, parents, and families.

SINGAPORE, May 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) and Tencent today jointly launched “Beyond the Screen: Healthy Digital Play”, a new digital wellbeing campaign that encourages healthy digital habits by bringing families into the conversation and strengthening real-world connection through healthy gameplay.

The campaign encourages families to bridge the gap between play and purpose through gaming. It showcases how digital play can foster deeper understanding, facilitate balanced routines, and build stronger connections at home.

“Digital spaces are already a natural part of how young people learn, play, and connect today,” said Mr Murphy Zhao, Country Manager of Tencent Singapore and Head of Tech Group, Tencent Games. “As a company with deep expertise across digital entertainment and communications, we want to play a constructive role by helping families build meaningful digital habits that extend beyond the screen.”

Advancing Family Digital Wellness In Partnership with IMDA

As part of the launch, IMDA and Tencent also signed an agreement to strengthen collaboration on initiatives in digital wellbeing. The agreement was signed by Ms Joanna Lam, Cluster Director for Digital Readiness, IMDA, and Mr Murphy Zhao, Country Manager of Tencent Singapore and Head of Tech Group, Tencent Games. The collaboration builds on Tencent’s ongoing cooperation with IMDA, in support of the national Digital for Life (DfL) movement, focusing on promoting online safety and healthy digital habits among youths, parents, and families.

Tencent will co-develop educational content with IMDA, as well as organise four community outreach activities, reaching out to an estimated 4,000 participants. The company will also commit S$ 25,000, which totals to S$ 50,000 with the government’s dollar-to-dollar matching, to the DfL Fund. The DfL Fund provides support for projects and activities promoting digital inclusion, digital literacy and digital wellness. 

“Ensuring digital wellness is increasingly important, particularly for our children who are digital natives,” said Ms Joanna Lam, Cluster Director for Digital Readiness, IMDA. “Tencent has been a DfL partner since 2022, and I thank them for their continued commitment to the DfL cause. We look forward to deepening our collaboration with Tencent to empower parents and youths with practical guidance to build healthy digital habits and navigate the digital world safely together.”

Leading the Conversation on Healthy Digital Play

The inaugural Singapore launch event was officiated by Ms Jasmin Lau, Minister of State, Ministry of Digital Development and Information, and also hosted social service organisations from Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines. At the event, families participated in gamified quiz experiences and took home educational materials designed to transform gaming into healthier routines at home. 

The programme also featured a parenting talk that shared practical guidance on utilising games as a bridge for conversation at home. The session highlighted how, when guided by constructive routines, gaming can support the development of soft skills such as communication, teamwork, strategic thinking, and persistence.

During the event’s expert insights session, Mr Narasimman S/O Tivasiha Mani, psychotherapist and co-founder of local youth charity Impart, said, “Healthy gaming is not built through one-off rules. It grows through rapport, shared understanding, and everyday conversations. Through a collaborative process between educators, families, and the wider community, it becomes easier to set shared expectations and support balanced habits that carry beyond the screen.”

Building a Scalable Digital Wellbeing Framework for Southeast Asia

While digital habits may look different across the region, the underlying need is the same — helping families build healthier, more confident relationships with the digital world.

“Beyond the Screen” is part of Tencent’s broader commitment to fostering intentional digital play, equipping youths, parents, and educators with practical resources to build balanced routines, encourage respectful interactions, and strengthen open communication at home.

Insights from the Singapore launch will inform the rollout of the campaign across Southeast Asia in 2026, with local adaptations to meet the needs of diverse communities in the region.

About Digital for Life Movement

A Digital Future for All – In our increasingly digital world, everyone can play a part to help create a more inclusive digital future.

The Digital for Life (DfL) national movement, launched on 8 February 2021, aims to galvanise the community across the 3Ps (Private, Public and People) to help Singaporeans embrace digital as a lifelong pursuit and enrich lives through digital technology.

The DfL fund was also set up to support projects and activities promoting digital inclusion, digital literacy and digital wellness. Learn more about the DfL movement at digitalforlife.gov.sg.

About Infocomm Media Development Authority

The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) leads Singapore’s digital transformation by developing a vibrant digital economy and an inclusive digital society. As Architects of Singapore’s Digital Future, we foster growth in Infocomm Technology and Media sectors in concert with progressive regulations, harnessing frontier technologies, and developing local talent and digital infrastructure ecosystems to establish Singapore as a digital metropolis.

For more news and information, visit www.imda.gov.sg or follow IMDA on LinkedIn (IMDAsg), Facebook (IMDAsg) and Instagram (@imdasg).

About Tencent 

Tencent is a world-leading internet and technology company that develops innovative products and services to improve the quality of life of people around the world. Our communication and social services connect more than one billion people around the world, helping them to keep in touch with friends and family, access transportation, pay for daily necessities, and even be entertained. Our financial technology business covers payment, credit, wealth management and insurance sectors, as we support our partners’ business growth and assist their digital upgrade through FinTech and other enterprise services. We also publish some of the world’s most popular video games and other high-quality digital content, enriching interactive entertainment experiences for people around the globe. Tencent was founded in Shenzhen, China, in 1998, and has been listed on the Main Board of the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong since 2004.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/imda-and-tencent-debut-beyond-the-screen-to-champion-real-world-connection-through-digital-play-302760594.html

SOURCE IMDA; Tencent

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Does Your Building Have Fire Sprinklers?

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4 hours ago

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May 2, 2026

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Fast Guard Service alerts real estate owners and property managers: 2026 fire code updates to NFPA 25 will significantly affect sprinkler system compliance requirements — and insurance implications could not be more serious.

SAN JOSE, Calif., May 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Fast Guard Service, one of the nation’s leading providers of licensed fire watch and security guard services, is urging commercial and residential property owners to take immediate stock of their fire sprinkler systems as sweeping 2026 updates to NFPA 25 — the national standard governing water-based fire protection system inspection, testing, and maintenance — take effect across the country.

The timing could not be more consequential. Private insurers are exiting fire-risk markets at an accelerating pace, dropping policyholders and limiting coverage in states from California to Florida. In this environment, a sprinkler system that fails a compliance check is no longer a routine maintenance issue. It is a potential grounds for claim denial or policy cancellation.

The 2026 edition of NFPA 25 introduces several changes property owners must act on now. Fire pump failures are formally classified as system impairments requiring immediate response. Supervisory valve testing moves to a semiannual schedule. Annual internal inspections are now mandatory for all dry, preaction, and deluge valves. And where corrosion-control technology has been used to justify smaller pipe sizes, ongoing maintenance of that equipment is now a codified legal obligation — not a recommendation.

Critically, any sprinkler system impairment — whether triggered by repair, renovation, freeze damage, or a compliance-driven upgrade — legally requires a certified fire watch for the duration of the outage under NFPA 1, NFPA 101, and local fire authority mandates. This is a condition of occupancy, not an option.

“The 2026 code updates will send a wave of sprinkler systems into inspection and repair cycles,” said a spokesperson for Fast Guard Service. “Every one of those impairment windows requires a fire watch on-site. We are prepared to be there.”

Fast Guard Service deploys certified fire watch personnel 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, anywhere in the United States — typically within hours of a client’s call. Guards conduct continuous patrols, maintain documentation accepted by insurers and code enforcement authorities, and coordinate directly with fire departments when needed.

Property owners who are unsure whether their sprinkler systems meet 2026 NFPA 25 requirements are encouraged to contact Fast Guard Service for guidance.

Founded in August 2013 and headquartered in Hollywood, Florida, Fast Guard Service is a fully licensed, bonded, and insured private security company operating in all 50 states. The company specializes in armed and unarmed security guards, fire watch services, executive protection, mobile surveillance, event security, and emergency response. Fast Guard Service is trusted by Fortune 500 companies, government entities, healthcare systems, commercial developers, and private clients nationwide.

All operations are tracked through the proprietary Fast Guard App, providing clients with real-time GPS reporting, live guard location updates, and digital incident documentation.

For an instant quote or same-day service, visit www.fastguardservice.com or call (844) 254-8273.

Press Release Service provided by 24-7PressRelease.com.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/does-your-building-have-fire-sprinklers-302760491.html

SOURCE Fast Guard Service

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First Online Conversations Are Changing in 2026, According to New Secretmeet Research

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5 hours ago

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May 2, 2026

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New research from Secretmeet reveals that the classic “Hey” opener is dying out — and the way people initiate connections online in 2026 looks nothing like it did just three years ago.

GIBRALTAR, May 2, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — People are rethinking the first move. Not just what to say, but when to say it, how long to make it, and what emotional tone to lead with. Across the board, data from Secretmeet’s latest research study shows a clear shift in how online conversations begin in 2026.

The single-word opener? Largely gone. The copy-paste compliment? People spot it instantly. Secretmeet noted that what’s replacing them is more interesting — and more human.

The Death of the One-Word Opener

For years, “Hey,” “Hi,” and “Hello 👋” dominated opening messages on dating platforms. They required no effort and, accordingly, generated little response. According to data published by the Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, conversational openers that include a specific reference to the recipient’s profile generate significantly higher response rates than generic greetings.

Secretmeet’s research confirms the trend is accelerating. In 2026, users who open with a question — particularly one tied to something specific in a profile — see measurably stronger engagement in the first exchange. The bar for a “good” first message has risen.

This doesn’t mean people need to write an essay. Short still works. But purposeful short beats lazy short every time.

One of the more striking findings from Secretmeet: wit is winning. Openers with a light, humorous tone — a playful observation, a self-aware joke, a clever hypothetical — are outperforming earnest, serious introductions in early conversation engagement.

The Timing Shift Nobody Expected

When people send that first message matters more than most realize. In a Secretmeet review of activity trends, data points to a notable behavioral change: users in 2026 are increasingly active during morning hours — particularly between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. — a window that was almost entirely quiet just a few years ago.

Evening hours still dominate overall volume. But morning messages show a disproportionately high response rate. The theory? People checking their phones with coffee and no agenda are more present, less distracted, and more open to genuine interaction than those scrolling at midnight.

It’s a small tactical insight with a surprisingly large emotional implication: presence matters more than timing, and mornings are when people show up fully. Secretmeet’s data makes that case clearly.

What This Means for How We Connect

The bigger picture here isn’t about tactics. It’s about expectations. People arriving at online dating platforms in 2026 want something more immediate and more genuine than they did in 2020. The pandemic years accelerated a kind of emotional directness online — and that hasn’t reversed.

People want to feel seen in a first message. They want to laugh. They want a reason to respond. A Secretmeet review of first-message engagement data suggests that users are increasingly capable of signaling — and detecting — authentic intent right from the very first line.

The opening message has always mattered. What’s changed is how clearly people understand that now.

About Secretmeet

Secretmeet is an online dating platform built around one straightforward idea: conversations should feel good. Not stressful, not performative — genuinely enjoyable. The platform is designed for people who want warmth, a little wit, and the kind of back-and-forth that actually goes somewhere. Whether you’re looking for something serious or just a spark of something new, Secretmeet reviews its features continuously to ensure that the first message has a real chance of turning into something worth remembering.

Media Contact

Alice Ross, Secretmeet, 1 14844760121, smm@secretmeet.com, https://secretmeet.com/

View original content:https://www.prweb.com/releases/first-online-conversations-are-changing-in-2026-according-to-new-secretmeet-research-302759958.html

SOURCE Secretmeet

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