Technology

55% of businesses admit wrong decisions in making employees redundant when bringing AI into the workforce

Published

12 months ago

April 29, 2025

Falling expectation among business leaders that AI will replace people but more fear it will lead to unintended consequences

80% of business leaders plan to reskill employees to use AI in the workplace.

41% say they have increased their L&D budgets to ensure employees have the right training to work with AI.

LONDON and NEW YORK, April 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Annual research released today by Orgvue, the organizational design and planning software platform, reveals that 39% of business leaders made employees redundant as a result of deploying AI. Of those, 55% admit they made wrong decisions about those redundancies.

Orgvue first conducted its international survey of 1,000 C-suite and senior decision makers at medium and large organizations in 2024. This year, the research highlights growing caution in deploying AI and acknowledgment that businesses need to reskill people to work with the technology.

Although the findings suggest leaders regret questionable redundancy decisions, fewer leaders are concerned that AI will replace people in their organization (48% compared to 54% in 2024). Yet business leaders also report feeling less responsibility to protect their workforce from redundancies (62% compared to 70% in 2024), while 34% admit they have had employees quit as a direct result of AI.

47% say that employees using AI without proper controls is one of their biggest fears, such that 80% of business leaders plan to reskill employees to use AI effectively and 51% say they are introducing internal policies to inform how AI is used in the workplace. 51% of leaders believe reskilling is strategically important in preparing their workforce for AI and 41% say they have increased their L&D budgets to ensure employees have the right training.

Oliver Shaw, CEO of Orgvue, commented:
“While 2024 was the year of investment and optimism, businesses are learning the hard way that replacing people with AI without fully understanding the impact on their workforce can go badly wrong.

“We’re facing the worst global skills shortage in a generation and dismissing employees without a clear plan for workforce transformation is reckless. Some leaders are waking up to the fact that partnership between people and machines requires an intentional upskilling program if they’re to see the productivity gains that AI promises.”

Skills is a clear theme in this year’s research. 35% of organizations acknowledge a lack of AI expertise as one of the biggest barriers to successful deployment. One in four (25%) admit they don’t know which roles can benefit most from AI and 30% don’t know which are most at risk from automation. As a result, 43% say they are working with third parties that specialize in AI to help prepare their workforce (up 6% from 2024).

Nevertheless, AI remains the dominant driver of workforce transformation, with 72% of leaders saying they believe it will remain so for the next three years (up 3% from 2024). Investment in AI also remains strong, with 2025 likely to see continued growth. 80% of businesses that invested in AI in 2024 said they plan to increase their investments in 2025.

Similarly, 76% of business leaders are confident that their organization will be taking full advantage of AI by the end of 2025. Yet this is in stark contrast to the 27% of leaders who admit they don’t have a clearly defined roadmap for AI, and the 38% that say they still don’t understand the impact that AI will have on their business.

Shaw concludes:
“As in 2024, businesses remain confident that AI will solve their biggest business challenges and will define how they structure their organization and workforce in the future. But our research suggests this confidence could be misplaced.

“While it’s encouraging to see investment in AI continue to grow, businesses need a better understanding of how the technology will change their workforce in the coming months and years. Questions remain unanswered over whether AI will yield enough return on investment in the near term to justify the costs associated with lost talent and downturn in productivity.”

About Orgvue

Orgvue is an organizational design and planning platform that empowers your business to transform its workforce by understanding the work people do and the skills they have. Our platform connects strategy to structure, providing clarity of vision, so you can build a more adaptable, better performing organization that thrives in a constantly changing world of work.

The world’s largest and best-known enterprises and consulting firms use Orgvue to visualize and model current and future states of the organization and make faster, more informed decisions. The company is headquartered in the United Kingdom, with offices in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Australia.

About the research
The survey was conducted by Vitreous World and commissioned by Orgvue between February and March 2025. We spoke to 1,163 C-suite and senior business leaders at organizations with a minimum of 2,000 seats in US, Canada, UK, and Ireland; and a minimum of 500 seats in Australia, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Singapore.

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SOURCE Orgvue

Technology

Neptune Robotics Invests US$12mn in New Singapore Factory to Drive Five-Fold Increase in Autonomous Ship Hull Cleanings

Published

50 minutes ago

April 20, 2026

Move to capture a larger share of Singapore’s hull cleanings at berth and anchorage
New R&D operations enhances cutting-edge robotics and AI capabilities

SINGAPORE, April 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Neptune Robotics (“Neptune”), a pioneer in AI-powered robotic hull cleaning services with a presence in 61 ports across Singapore and China, today announced a major manufacturing and R&D expansion in Singapore. This is part of the company’s continuing ambition to tackle biofouling, one of the shipping industry’s costliest issues with significant environmental impact.

On the back of a US$52 million Series B round led by Granite Asia in September 2025, the new facility will accelerate Neptune’s mission to slash maritime carbon emissions and fuel wastage through automated hull maintenance.

“Our investment in Singapore is a strategic milestone that will enhance our service provision to clients and position us to meet their current and future needs,” said Elizabeth Chan, Co-Founder and CEO of Neptune Robotics. “With operators facing mounting fuel cost and emissions pressures, we’re scaling autonomous hull cleaning to help mitigate these issues and empower our clients to run more sustainable shipping operations.”

A growing number of shipowners are realizing the benefits of Neptune’s solutions. Biofouling — the buildup of marine growth on hulls — can increase ship greenhouse gas emissions by up to 25-30%[1] depending on vessel characteristics and conditions. Neptune’s AI robots remove this growth without damaging hull coatings, providing an immediate ROI for shipowners facing volatile energy markets and evolving sustainability regulations.

The new facility will bring a number of benefits including:

Increased capacity: By the end of 2026, Neptune will increase its local autonomous cleaning capacity by 400% with plans to reach 60 daily hulls by 2027.Advancing AI and robotics: The new facilities in Singapore will house dedicated R&D operations to advance the company’s proprietary computer vision and machine learning capabilities. This will ensure robots can operate 24/7 in challenging conditions including extreme weather, strong currents and low-visibility water.

With a global network now covering 61 strategic ports across Singapore and China, Neptune is scaling AI-driven hull maintenance to the heart of global trade. The company now services 70% of Asia’s primary shipping lanes, providing standardized, robotic hull cleaning at more than half of the world’s international merchant stops.

Since entering the Singapore market in 2024, Neptune has seen significant growth even as the local competitive landscape has thinned. By automating the hull cleaning process, Neptune eliminates the need for human divers in dangerous environments while ensuring vessels remain fuel efficient at sea.

Neptune will be exhibiting at Booth D19 during Singapore Maritime Week (SMW), April 20–24, 2026.

– ENDS –

About Neptune Robotics

Neptune Robotics is a technology company specializing in robotics-driven vessel cleaning and energy efficiency optimization.

Its robotic system can clean full draft capesize vessels within 24 hours, counter 4-knot currents, and operate day and night in both clear and murky waters. With coverage across 61 ports in Singapore and China — representing around 70% of major trade routes — Neptune supports shipowners at scale.

Neptune’s services are trusted by the world’s top five bulk carrier and container ship fleets. Its approach has earned endorsement from a leading silicone paint manufacturer for protecting hull coatings. Capable of cleaning all vessel types, Neptune helps clients cut fuel use, lower emissions, and advance their 2050 net-zero goals.

In September 2025, Neptune raised US$52 million in Series B funding led by Granite Asia to drive R&D, new robotic systems, and global expansion.

Company website: Neptune Robotics | ROV Underwater Hull Cleaning

[1] https://shipandbunker.com/news/emea/266832-imo-publishes-final-biofouling-report

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SOURCE Neptune Robotics

Technology

transcosmos organizes a well-digging volunteer project in Vietnam

Published

50 minutes ago

April 20, 2026

Aiming to address community-specific, long-term challenges through continuous efforts in environmental conservation, child support, and infrastructure support projects

TOKYO, April 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — transcosmos today announced that transcosmos technology Vietnam co., ltd. (Headquarters: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; CEO: Daisuke Kamada; transcosmos Technologies Vietnam, TTV), its wholly owned subsidiary specializing in agile software development services in Vietnam, has organized a well-digging volunteer project in Kon Tu Ma Village, Mang Den, Kon Plong District, Quang Ngai Province, located in Vietnam’s Central Highlands.

In 2022, TTV initiated an employee-led TTV Volunteering Club to boost unity and foster social awareness among employees. Today, approximately 20 employees participate in volunteering activities, led by 10 club members, engaging in initiatives such as environmental conservation, child support, and infrastructure support projects.

This time, the project was carried out in Mang Den, a beautiful place known as “the second Da Lat.” Nestled amidst gently sloping mountains and abundant virgin forests, Mang Den is located on a tranquil plateau with a comfortable, cool climate throughout the year. Many ethnic minority groups sustain themselves mainly through agriculture; however, they face various challenges related to their living environment, medical care, and education. Children living in remote mountainous areas, in particular, face severe conditions.

In Mang Den, TTV has been carrying out volunteering activities for these children by providing meals and clothing, as well as recreational events and interaction programs. To further deepen these initiatives, TTV has dug a well to provide clean water to Kon Tu Ma Village and has also provided food and daily necessities.

With the Village Mayor, A Reo, and Mr. Hia, who is in charge of public safety, in attendance, TTV handed over the completed well at the grand opening ceremony. At the ceremony, Mayor A Reo commented, “This will not only help improve daily life, but also provide a secure environment even during dry seasons. We appreciate TTV’s support and thank you for your continued assistance.”

With the aim of establishing safe and sustainable water supply systems, TTV will continue to consider possibilities for supporting the development of water storage facilities and water purification systems. Guided by the belief that helping communities address community-specific, long-term challenges—going beyond temporary support—is the ideal approach, TTV is committed to continuing its volunteering activities.

*transcosmos is a trademark or registered trademark of transcosmos inc. in Japan and other countries.

*Other company names and product or service names used here are trademarks or registered trademarks of respective companies.

About transcosmos inc.

transcosmos launched its operations in 1966. Since then, we have united superior “people” with cutting-edge “technology” to enhance the competitive strength of our clients by providing them with superior and valuable services. transcosmos currently offers services that support clients’ business processes, focusing on both sales expansion and cost optimization through our 186 bases across 36 countries/regions with a focus on Asia, while continuously pursuing Operational Excellence. Furthermore, following the expansion of the e-commerce market on a global scale, transcosmos provides comprehensive One-Stop Global E-Commerce Services to deliver our clients’ excellent products and services to consumers in 46 countries/regions around the globe. transcosmos is committed to treating the challenges of its clients and society as its own—discussing and addressing their issues from planning to execution—and Make It Real, Together. Visit us here https://www.trans-cosmos.co.jp/english/

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SOURCE transcosmos inc.

Technology

Agoda Launches brand new ‘What a Save!’ campaign in India

Published

50 minutes ago

April 20, 2026

NEW DELHI, April 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Digital travel platform Agoda is ready to save the day and travelers’ wallets with its fresh “What a Save!” campaign. This lighthearted set of digital ads, including three unique videos, blends humor with creativity to highlight real savings of up to 50% off on domestic hotel bookings.

In the campaign’s videos, viewers are treated to unexpected acts of heroism. One shows a beachgoer rescuing a dolphin washed ashore, with the crowd exclaiming “What a save!” only for the hero to cheekily add, “Actual savings happen on Agoda.” Another video features a girl performing the Heimlich maneuver on a choking peacock, with a grateful mom echoing the same sentiment about Agoda’s savings.

Gaurav Malik, Country Director India at Agoda, shared, “With the new ‘What a Save!’ campaign, we’re blending humor with genuine value. Agoda aims to make travel planning as enjoyable as the journey itself. Wherever travelers venture, booking with Agoda ensures they’ll be amazed and exclaim, ‘What a Save!’.”

In addition to the videos, Agoda is rolling out digital creatives and teaming up with popular creators like Aparshakti Khurana, Raghu and Rajiv of Roadies fame, and Gajraj Rao. This dynamic content lineup is set to engage audiences and highlight Agoda’s knack for great deals and a delightful booking experience.

Agoda’s “What a Save!” campaign is now live on Meta platforms, YouTube and other digital channels. It showcases the platform’s vast offerings, including over 6 million holiday properties, more than 130,000 flight routes, and over 300,000 activities, all of which can be combined in a single booking. Travelers can explore these offerings and find the best deals on Agoda’s mobile app. For more information, visit Agoda.com or download the Agoda mobile app.

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2959229/What_a_Save_Campaign_Visual.jpg

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2567836/Agoda.jpg

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