THE HOT STORY

Young workers are thriving in the expanding AI jobs market

Young workers are finding success in the expanding field of AI jobs. A LinkedIn report highlights that Gen Z workers account for over two-thirds of hires in high-demand roles such as forward deployed engineer and AI engineer, with median salaries of $199,000 and $166,000, respectively. “To see them taking advantage of the AI labor market in such a robust way was surprising,” observes Kory Kantenga, Head of Economics, Americas, at LinkedIn, However, women are underrepresented, making up only 26% of new hires in AI roles. Kantenga emphasizes the importance of pursuing a computer science degree and gaining practical experience to secure a position in this lucrative field. He advises making sure of having experience working with data, as theoretical knowledge alone is insufficient. While the AI job market is projected to drive up wages, it may also widen the pay gap for those without relevant qualifications.

CNBC

WORKFORCE

Canada moves to tackle manufacturing skills gap

Canada has launched the Advanced Manufacturing Workforce Alliance to address workforce shortages in the manufacturing sector. Jobs and Families Minister Patty Hajdu announced the initiative in Guelph, Ont., saying that many workers lack the necessary skills for current manufacturing demands. The alliance will unite manufacturers, unions, educators, and underrepresented groups to identify workforce gaps and develop training solutions. Jayson Myers, CEO of Next Generation Manufacturing Canada (NGen), said the future of advanced manufacturing ultimately comes down to people: "Advanced manufacturing may involve artificial intelligence, robotics, leading-edge technology, engineering and production processes, and supply chain resilience . . . [but] at the heart of it, it's all about people," he said.

CBC News

The Globe and Mail

LEGAL

Firm sues former CEO

Mortgage lender Better Home & Finance has filed a lawsuit in the U.S. Southern District of New York against former CEO, Vishal Garg, alleging violations of Securities and Exchange Commission rules in his attempt to regain control of the company. The lawsuit claims that Mr Garg conducted a "scorched-earth campaign" and insulted employees, while also attempting to rally shareholders to support his bid. The company cites over $1.5bn in losses and a 90% drop in stock price under his leadership. Garg had allegedly called employees “monkeys” and “dumb dolphins.”

Forbes

OregonLive.com

DOJ accuses William & Mary of discrimination

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has launched a civil rights investigation into the College of William & Mary, focusing on allegations that the university's scholarships and programs favor certain racial and ethnic groups. The DOJ's Civil Rights Division is examining potential violations of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in federally funded institutions. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon said: “Awarding scholarships or offering coveted opportunities to students based on the color of their skin is illegal.” The investigation will assess whether the university's practices, including the Martha L. Muguira Fellowship and the Lemon Legal Scholars Program, unfairly prioritize applicants based on race. The Virginia-based public university must respond to the DOJ's requests by September 8, or face potential legal action and loss of federal funding.

The Hill

ECONOMY

Industrial production rises for second consecutive month

Industrial production rose 0.2% in July, following an upwardly revised 0.3% increase in June, as manufacturing, mining, and utilities output all increased. The Federal Reserve report noted that actory output advanced 0.2%, supported by business investment and AI-related capital spending, with business equipment production up 0.8%, defense and space equipment up 1.8%, and computer and electronic products up 1.9%. Excluding motor vehicles, manufacturing output increased 0.4%, while auto production fell 2.1%, its largest decline since October. Factory capacity utilization edged up to 76%, while manufacturers continued to face higher input costs and supply challenges related to the Iran war.

Bloomberg

TECHNOLOGY

Tesla prepares for imminent launch of Cybercab

Tesla is preparing for a public launch of Cybercab, the company's purpose-built autonomous vehicle without pedals or a steering wheel, starting with a rollout in Austin, Texas, ‌as soon as this month, The Information has reported. Reuters says Cybercab is critical to Tesla's robotaxi ⁠ambitions: the company plans to eventually deploy the vehicle for its autonomous ride-hailing service.

Elektrek

Reuters

The Information

INTERNATIONAL

AI at Hyundai cuts working time by as much as 90%

More than eight in 10 office workers and engineers at Hyundai Motor Group now rely on AI tools that have reduced the time required to complete certain jobs by as much as 90%, the Korean company announced at an event at its Yangjae headquarters in Seoul. Hyundai's internally developed H Chat Pro, a platform that allows secure access to multiple generative AI models, helps staff with tasks including document drafting, information retrieval, data analysis and code development; on the factory floor, AI now performs real-time quality verification, cross-checking vehicle identification numbers against production records. Hyundai says H Chat Pro is in use in some 70 manufacturing sites worldwide, including in Korea, the United States, Europe, India, and the Asia-Pacific region.

Korea Joongang Daily

Global jobs outlook worsens for young people

Young people are increasingly struggling to find stable employment as the global jobs outlook worsens. The International Labour Organization's report, "Global Employment Trends for Youth 2026: Back to the Future," reveals that the unemployment rate for those aged 15 to 24 reached 12.4% in 2025, leaving 67m young people without jobs. The report noted that youth unemployment rose in eight of the world's 11 sub-regions from 2023 to 2025, reversing some of the recovery that followed the pandemic.

Yahoo News Australia

AI 'starting to create jobs in the U.K.'

A quarter of firms in the U.K. are increasingly hiring candidates with AI skills, a fifth are creating new AI-specific roles, and more than half (54%) said the technology led to job creation, according to the Lloyds Business Barometer. Amanda Murphy, CEO of business and commercial banking at Lloyds, said companies must shift from accessing AI to “building the skills, culture and confidence to use it effectively.” The survey polled 1,200 companies in July.

Bloomberg

Pakistan date harvesters work through gruelling heat

In Pakistan's Sindh province, date harvesters face increasingly unbearable heat. Temperatures often exceed 42°C, forcing workers to start before dawn and take breaks to avoid heat-related illnesses. Pakistan, a major date producer, is grappling with the impacts of climate change, including erratic weather patterns that threaten crop yields and the livelihoods of thousands of farmers and seasonal laborers. Multiple workers have told Associated Press they often suffer heatstroke, fainting and fever. "It used to be less intense," Muhammad Idrees, a date harvester, said. Now "the heat is much harsher and the days are extremely hot. We fall ill because of it."

France 24

OTHER

Americans keep traveling despite rising costs by making spending trade-offs

American consumers have continued to prioritize travel despite higher costs, with airfares rising 26% year over year in June, gasoline remaining above $4 a gallon, and travelers planning to spend an average of nearly $2,900 this summer. Consumers, particularly lower- and middle-income households, are offsetting higher travel expenses by taking shorter or fewer trips, traveling closer to home, eating out less, and reducing grocery spending, while middle-income airline spending rose 8% year over year in the second quarter. Credit is also helping sustain demand, with 84% of summer travelers planning to use credit cards, although 23% expect not to repay those charges immediately, highlighting the growing divide between higher-income consumers taking expensive vacations and households making broader budget trade-offs to continue traveling.

CNBC

The Human Times is designed to help you stay ahead, spark ideas and support innovation, learning and development in your organisation.

The links under articles indicate original news sources. Some links lead directly to the source material. Others lead to paywalls where you may need a subscription. A third category are restricted by copyright rules.

For reaction and insights on any stories covered in the Human Times, join the discussion by becoming a member of our LinkedIn Group or Business Page, or follow us on X.

Online

Advertise

This e-mail has been sent to [[EMAIL_TO]]

Click here to unsubscribe