Latest news with #3Gem
Al Etihad
16-07-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
Business leaders trust AI in decision-making as UAE vision boosts confidence
16 July 2025 22:09 MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)Seventy-nine percent of business leaders in the UAE trust artificial intelligence (AI) to make budget decisions and manage talent functions, covering key aspects like compensation, hiring, and performance evaluation, according to a recent research, conducted by next-generation technology services provider Endava in partnership with 3Gem, surveyed 300 UAE business leaders across various industries to explore their views on AI in business, personal life, and survey revealed broad confidence in the technology's capabilities, with 80% of respondents saying they would feel comfortable with AI-driven systems overseeing critical health and safety functions at UAE businesses, adopting AI emerged as the top strategic priority, followed by enhancing client services and investing in other trust extends beyond the workplace into personal decision-making, according to the in five respondents said they would rely on fully automated AI systems for major career decisions, including salary progression and timing for promotions or job equally high percentage trust AI for personal financial management, such as investment and retirement planning, as well as for automated health study also showed that 74% of respondents agree that access to AI is as essential for UAE society as access to utilities like water and energy. Moreover, 79% believe that successful AI implementation will significantly improve the quality of life in the country. National Strategy The UAE is rapidly solidifying its position as a global AI leader with billion-dollar investments in AI infrastructure and innovation announced this momentum appears to resonate with the public, as 46% of those surveyed feel the UAE is ahead of the world in AI adoption and asked to rank global AI leaders, the Middle East was placed third, after the US and China."Trust is the critical enabler of any AI strategy. The UAE's clear national vision, its youthful and tech-savvy demographic, and its digital-first mindset give organisations a unique opportunity to innovate with confidence," said David Boast, General Manager for UAE and Saudi Arabia at Endava."While other regions remain cautious, weighed down by debates over job displacement, our research shows that businesses in the UAE can move forward with certainty, knowing their workforces are not only ready for AI, but actively embracing it."The study's findings indicate optimism about AI's impact on the job market. Nearly 75% of business leaders say their organisations have already created or plan to create dedicated AI roles, such as 'Head of AI.'The same percentage believe AI will improve employee job satisfaction, while 71% report AI has directly boosted their company's is also a sense of urgency: 66% of respondents think their organisation risks losing market share within two years if it fails to advance its AI capabilities, while 35% warn this could happen in less than a year. According to Endava, around 30% of companies plan to significantly increase AI investments in 2025 compared to 2024.
Irish Independent
20-06-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
The benefits of kitchen rescue, from cost savings to sustainability
When it arrived, the builder shook his head. The kitchen units weren't strong enough to support the heavy countertop. If he installed it, there was a risk of collapse. Somewhere amid the complexities of purchasing the kitchen, the discrepancy had been missed. Fortunately, the builder had the experience to spot the problem and the skill to reinforce the units, making them up to the job. This is not an isolated incident. According to new research from The Panelling Centre, 96pc of tradespeople have stepped in to fix or complete a homeowner's DIY attempt at fitting a kitchen. Common mistakes include incorrect measurements (48pc) and failing to consult a professional for advice on design and layout (42pc). 'The measurements are the big one,' says Gary Higgins of the Panelling Centre. 'We've seen people measure a 3.2 metre wall, but write it down as 2.3 metres.' The research, which consulted 750 homeowners and 100 tradespeople, was commissioned by The Panelling Centre and conducted by 3Gem in April 2025. Its purpose was to explore attitudes to DIY fitting versus hiring a professional to do the job. An overwhelming majority (96pc) of tradespeople said they'd had to fix a DIY-fitted kitchen and almost half (40pc) said that 'only some' kitchens fitted by homeowners adhere to the correct safety standards. 'We've seen everything from upside-down cabinets to sinks with no plumbing,' Higgins says. 'We had one client complain that his units were much too low. He'd forgotten to install the legs. I was crying laughing at that!' Luckily, the client saw the funny side of it too. 'At the end of the day, you can't learn to install a kitchen from watching TikTok videos. There are too many moving parts.' On the other hand, 42pc of homeowners who'd installed a kitchen themselves, or knew someone who had, believed the job was done correctly. Just under half admitted to misjudging the measurements, plumbing, and electrical work when installing their kitchen. Two thirds (66pc) of homeowners said they'd rather hire a professional. They perceived that hiring a tradesperson would save time (48pc), avoid mistakes (44pc), and ensure that the plumbing and electrics were correctly and safely installed. 'Another client thought he'd been sent European sockets because he couldn't fit a three-pin plug in the socket,' says Higgins. 'We went out to the house and found the plastic protectors were still in the sockets!' Most customers spend between €6,000 and €8,000 on a kitchen from The Panelling Centre (excluding appliances). Flatpack kitchens are cheaper (from €2,000) but Higgins recommends that you buy the units preassembled, which costs about 20pc more than the price of the flatpack units. 'Once we've assembled them, they fit together like Lego,' he says. 'But we still recommend having the kitchen installed by an expert fitter.' The Panelling Centre doesn't employ fitters, but can put you in touch with professionals in your area. ADVERTISEMENT Installing a new kitchen usually involves getting rid of the old one. Many of these are in good working order – their owners just don't like them any more – but too many go to landfill. 'Most people would love the idea that their old kitchen could be reused by someone else,' says Jenny Williams, CEO of Habitat for Humanity. 'It's difficult to find someone who can dismantle an old kitchen, fix it up, then reinstall it in a new home.' Habitat for Humanity's Kitchen Rescue scheme does precisely that. 'If you're getting rid of a kitchen, our construction supervisor will come out to the house with a team of volunteers,' Williams explains. 'They'll take the kitchen away for basic refurbishment, then we'll display it for resale in one of our Habitat ReStore shops.' There are five stores in Northern Ireland and one in Drogheda, where kitchens sell for between €200 and €600. 'We were offered an exceptional kitchen in Belfast – it had granite worktops and top-of-the-range appliances. We priced it at £2,000 and it sold immediately!' Future plans for Habitat ReStore are focused on opening new outlets. A store in Glasnevin, Dublin, will open later this year. 'At the moment it's not cost-effective for us to rescue a kitchen in Co Cork. But we hope to have four ROI stores up and running in two years' time.' The Kitchen Rescue scheme has recently partnered with Kube Kitchens, who are promoting the scheme to customers who'd like their old kitchen removed and recycled. 'We've been running the scheme for several years, but it works better in partnership with a kitchen company,' Williams says. 'Our aim is to help low-income people improve their homes. We want to offer a steady supply of kitchens for families who simply couldn't afford a new one.' If you're donating a kitchen, expect to pay a token €175 to have it dismantled and removed. It would probably cost more to bring it to landfill. On average, a new kitchen from Kube costs between €15,000 and €25,000, including appliances. Once the old kitchen has been repaired, it is put on display at the Habitat ReStore shop in Drogheda and advertised on Facebook. Where the appliances come with the kitchen, these are resold too. At the moment, demand far exceeds supply. 'There are a lot of people looking for good quality used kitchens,' Williams says. 'Most are low-income families who can't afford a new kitchen – they're choosing a used one because it's cost-effective – but an increasing number of environmental champions and bargain hunters are buying a used kitchen as their first choice.' Not every kitchen is suitable for rehoming. 'When a kitchen is done, it's done!' Kitchen rescue doesn't include delivery or installation, but can recommend a delivery service. Since most of the people who buy a used kitchen are doing so to save money, it's likely that most are installing it themselves or with the help of local handyman. 'When people come to volunteer with us, they learn how to dismantle and repair kitchens and are learning basic joinery skills,' Williams explains. 'It's a win win for everyone!' See and
