Human Times

European Edition

27th May 2026

THE HOT STORY

AI unlikely to lead to 'jobs apocalypse', Altman says

Speaking virtually at a Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) conference in Sydney, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said he was initially concerned about the impact AI would have on global employment levels, but believed the rapid development ‌and adoption of the technology would not lead to a global "jobs apocalypse." Altman said his executive team had been "roughly right" on the technological predictions made by OpenAI when it launched ChatGPT in 2022, but were "pretty wrong" on the social and economic implications. "I'm delighted to ⁠be wrong about this, I thought there would have been more impact on entry-level white-collar jobs being eliminated by now than has actually happened," Altman said, adding that he didn't think the human interaction required in ⁠many jobs would be replaced by AI. "I don't think we're going to have the kind of jobs apocalypse that some of the companies in our space advocate or talk about."

Reuters

RISK

No obligation to pay salaries amid drone threat

The Federation of Finnish Enterprises has said that employers are not required to pay salaries if employees cannot reach work due to a drone threat. Atte Rytkönen-Sandberg, vice president of the federation, noted that such threats do not constitute a "normal business risk." He suggested that compensation for lost earnings could be addressed through a separate daily allowance. The Finnish Minister of Employment, Matias Marttinen, is set to meet with labour market organisations to discuss preparedness for such disruptive situations following updated public guidelines on drone threats.

YLE Uutiset

Putin signs law on use of army abroad

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a law which allows him to deploy the military to overseas countries to aid Russian citizens who have been detained or face prosecution. Bloomberg says it’s not immediately clear in what circumstances the Kremlin would invoke the law, but its adoption comes as Western governments step up efforts to curb Russia’s so-called shadow fleet carrying crude oil.

Bloomberg

WORKFORCE

Special Report: Europe’s Best Employers

The inaugural Europe’s Best Employers covers 1,000 companies across 26 industries. Workers were asked to give their opinions on statements about their current employer on factors including working conditions and company image.

Financial Times

WORKPLACE

Climate advisers warn UK must prepare for extreme heat

The Climate Change Committee has urged the government to prepare for temperatures reaching 45C, warning that heatwaves, floods and droughts increasingly threaten daily life in the UK. Recommendations include installing shutters, expanding air conditioning, introducing maximum workplace temperatures and adapting schools after classroom temperatures exceeded 36C last summer. The committee also called on councils to plant more climate-resilient trees and support measures such as roof gardens to reduce urban heat and flooding risks. Advisers warn that nine in ten UK homes are not designed for future heat extremes and estimate heat-related deaths could reach 10,000 annually by 2050 without further action. They also highlighted growing concerns over long-term water shortages.

LEGAL

Shell in court fight over call to cut emissions

Shell has faced off with climate activists at the Dutch Supreme Court over demands for legally enforceable emissions cuts. The Netherlands branch of Friends of the Earth, Milieudefensie, was seeking to convince judges that the London-based oil and gas giant has a duty to reduce its CO2 emissions to 45% below 2019 levels by 2030 to keep its net zero 2050 target on track. Shell argues that lawmakers, and not courts, should have the power to set limits on a company. The court is expected to make a ruling in the case in the first half of next year.

Bloomberg

AFP

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

BP axes chair over governance, oversight and conduct concerns

UK energy giant BP has removed chair Albert Manifold with immediate effect. The oil firm was reportedly concerned over allegations of "bullying" and "overbearing" behaviour. In a statement, the firm cited "serious concerns" related to "important governance standards, oversight and conduct." Senior independent director Amanda Blanc said BP's board had been "surprised and disappointed" to learn of "issues it deems unacceptable," adding that the firm "has taken decisive action." Senior independent director Ian Tyler has been appointed interim chair. Manifold, who joined BP in September 2025 as a non-executive director, was appointed chair the following month.

REMUNERATION

Minimum wage workers in Netherlands to earn more

Starting July 1, minimum wage earners in the Netherlands will see a monthly increase of €23 to €31. The net salary for those on a 36-hour contract will rise to €2,214.35, while 38-hour workers will earn €2,300.68. Those working 40 hours will receive €2,378.84. Part-time workers will see a smaller euro increase, but a larger percentage rise of 1.86%, bringing their salary to €1,275.96.

NL Times

REGULATION

Google to be hit hard in EU antitrust probe

Germany's Handelsblatt newspaper has reported that the European Union is planning to hand Alphabet's Google the largest penalty it has so far imposed for a ⁠breach of its Digital Markets Act (DMA). The investigation is focused on concerns that Google favours its own services in search results and seeks to ensure compliance with local rules. "The changes we've already made to Search under the DMA represent the biggest downgrade in the product's history, creating a second-rate experience ⁠for Europeans to the benefit of a few self-interested complainants," a Google spokesperson said.

Reuters

INTERNATIONAL

Singapore wants banks to use AI to create better jobs

Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong ‌has called on the country's banks and financial companies to use artificial intelligence to create better jobs and train workers for higher-value roles, rather than simply to cut costs. "For Singapore, the answer cannot be to hold back change. If we slow AI adoption, we will weaken our competitiveness and ultimately hurt workers more, not less," Gan said at an event in Singapore. "When firms implement AI, they should not only ⁠ask: how much cost can we save? They should also ask: What new roles can we create? How can existing workers be trained for them."

Reuters

One in three Japan firms using or considering AI robots

One-third of Japanese companies are already using or considering deploying AI-powered robots, according to a Reuters survey. About 4% of respondents are already using AI robots, 5% plan to deploy them, and 25% are considering doing so; the ⁠remaining 66% have no such plans. Reuters notes that Japan's government expects the introduction of AI robots into the workplace ‌to be key in coping with the country's chronic labour shortage.

Reuters

OTHER

Pope urges AI regulation

Pope Leo XIV has issued an encyclical titled "Magnifica Humanitas," which addresses the need for regulation of artificial intelligence to ensure it serves humanity rather than profit. He criticises the "culture of power" driving AI advancements, particularly in warfare, saying: "It is not permissible to entrust irreversible, lethal decisions to AI systems." The pope called for robust legal frameworks and independent oversight to protect vulnerable populations, urging developers to prioritise ethical considerations. Taylor Black, a Microsoft AI executive and director of Catholic University of America's AI institute, said the document would prompt people “at the forefront of these tools” to ask questions such as “What does it mean to be human?”

Los Angeles Times

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