Latest news with #C-level
Entrepreneur
3 days ago
- Business
- Entrepreneur
What Is 'Gray Work'? Productivity Killer Impacts 2 Industries
New research indicates that the rise in workplace tools isn't always for the best. These days, rapidly evolving workplace technology, like AI, has many professionals grappling with new productivity tools on a regular basis. But not all employees believe the benefits outweigh the pain points. One in seven workers refuse to use new tools, and 39% of them identify as reluctant users, according to the 2025 Workplace Tech Resistance report by Yooz, a provider of cloud-based purchase-to-pay automation solutions. Software company Quickbase's 2025 Gray Work Report, which surveyed more than 2,000 full-time working professionals including C-level, manager-level and director respondents, took a closer look at how workplace tools impact professionals and productivity. Related: Avoid These 10 Business Habits to Increase Workplace Productivity What is "gray work"? Quickbase defines "gray work" as the "hidden costs of disconnected data and manual workarounds" that often come with increased use of workplace tools and lead to declines in productivity. According to the research, 80% of respondents reported increased investment in productivity, work management and collaboration tools, up from 66% in 2024, yet 59% agreed it feels harder than ever to be productive. What's more, 73% of respondents said using multiple project management software solutions prevents sharing information easily and 75% said they make it difficult to see all data in one place. As a result, many workers asserted such tools cause delays (50%), reduce impact (53%) and waste time (59%). Related: 10 Tips to Boost Employee Productivity and Skyrocket Performance This tool-based productivity challenge spans different industries but is especially prevalent in the financial services/insurance and professional services industries, which saw manual work rise by 67% and 63% respectively compared to last year, per the report. The research suggests that increased AI adoption could help streamline productivity with workplace tools but isn't without its own challenges. Nearly three-quarters (72%) of respondents anticipate that their organization will increase its budget for AI tools in 2025; however, 89% of respondents have concerns around data security, compliance and privacy. But there are ways to reduce gray work and optimize AI for productivity, per the study. Learn more here.
Zawya
3 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Saudi Arabia to host global IoT Congress 2025
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: Saudi Arabia has emerged as the Middle East and North Africa's largest digital economy, with a market value exceeding SAR495 billion over the past few years. Meanwhile, the Kingdom's IoT market specifically is estimated to grow 12-18% year-on-year to reach a market size of SAR25.8 billion, reflecting the technologically progressive approach that Saudi Arabia has taken to building the country's future. The Kingdom also ranks first among the top three Arab countries in smart city investments and leads the Arab world in the Government AI Readiness Index as well as the 2024 Government Electronic and Mobile Services Maturity Index. Global investments in IoT are forecast to exceed SAR4.5 trillion by 2026, and in the Middle East and North Africa, the IoT market is projected to reach SAR90 billion by the same year. As the region's largest IoT market, The Global Internet of Things Congress 2025 (GIoTC 2025) is poised to be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on 21st October 2025. The three-day event will put Riyadh in the spotlight as a regional powerhouse of emerging IoT technologies and is the largest dedicated IoT event in Saudi Arabia and the wider MENA region. More than 200 prominent exhibitors and speakers ranging from industries like IoT, Artificial Intelligence (AI), smart cities, energy, healthcare, and other emerging technologies, are expected from all over the world to address more than 5,000 high-profile attendees such as industry leaders, c-level businesspeople and governmental stakeholders. The Congress, organized by the Internet of Things Association (IoTA) is set to host public entities, academic institutions, private companies, investors, entrepreneurs, and media representatives from all over the world in this landmark event that will feature keynote sessions, interactive workshops, a technology exhibition, and strategic partnership announcements. On the announcement of the Global IoT Congress 2025, Eng. Abdullah bin Salem Al Bedaiwy, Chairman of the Board at the IoT Association, said, 'As a non-profit organization, the Association is committed to development and innovation, encouraging investment, enhancing local content, and increasing localization within the Internet of Things sector. Our initiative aims to launch a global IoT platform in its largest market, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. We extend our sincere gratitude to all our partners who contributed to making this vision a reality, and we look forward to the support of both the public and private sectors to ensure the success of this global event on Saudi soil.' As a non-profit organization, the IoT Association is committed to fostering innovation and advancing both human and technological capital in the IoT sector. Our vision is to host the region's largest dedicated IoT event in its biggest market, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. We extend our sincere gratitude to all our partners who have contributed to making this possible, and we look forward to the support of both the public, and the private sector, to ensure the success of this global gathering in Saudi Arabia.' GIoTC 2025 aims to cultivate cross-border and cross-sector knowledge exchange, drive innovation, and unlock investment opportunities, aligned with the objectives of digital transformation in Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030.
