Tech News
AI Readiness Lags Ambitions: Survey Highlights Key Gaps Threatening Generative AI Success

Qlik recently announced findings from an IDC survey exploring the challenges and opportunities in adopting advanced AI technologies. The study highlights a significant gap between ambition and execution: while 89% of organizations have revamped data strategies to embrace Generative AI, only 26% have deployed solutions at scale. These results underscore the urgent need for improved data governance, scalable infrastructure, and analytics readiness to fully unlock AI’s transformative potential.
The findings, published in an IDC InfoBrief sponsored by Qlik, arrive as businesses worldwide race to embed AI into workflows, with AI projected to contribute $19.9 trillion to the global economy by 2030. Yet, readiness gaps threaten to derail progress. Organizations are shifting their focus from AI models to building the foundational data ecosystems necessary for long-term success.
Stewart Bond, Research VP for Data Integration and Intelligence at IDC, emphasized:
“Generative AI has sparked widespread excitement, but our findings reveal a significant readiness gap. Businesses must address core challenges like data accuracy and governance to ensure AI workflows deliver sustainable, scalable value.”
Without addressing these foundational issues, businesses risk falling into an “AI scramble,” where ambition outpaces the ability to execute effectively, leaving potential value unrealized.
“AI’s potential hinges on how effectively organizations manage and integrate their AI value chain,” said James Fisher, Chief Strategy Officer at Qlik. “This research highlights a sharp divide between ambition and execution. Businesses that fail to build systems for delivering trusted, actionable insights will quickly fall behind competitors moving to scalable AI-driven innovation.”
The IDC survey uncovered several critical statistics illustrating the promise and challenges of AI adoption:
- Agentic AI Adoption vs. Readiness: 80% of organizations are investing in Agentic AI workflows, yet only 12% feel confident their infrastructure can support autonomous decision-making.
- “Data as a Product” Momentum: Organizations proficient in treating data as a product are 7x more likely to deploy Generative AI solutions at scale, emphasizing the transformative potential of curated and accountable data ecosystems.
- Embedded Analytics on the Rise: 94% of organizations are embedding or planning to embed analytics into enterprise applications, yet only 23% have achieved integration into most of their enterprise applications.
- Generative AI’s Strategic Influence: 89% of organizations have revamped their data strategies in response to Generative AI, demonstrating its transformative impact.
- AI Readiness Bottleneck: Despite 73% of organizations integrating Generative AI into analytics solutions, only 29% have fully deployed these capabilities.
These findings stress the urgency for companies to bridge the gap between ambition and execution, with a clear focus on governance, infrastructure, and leveraging data as a strategic asset.
The IDC survey findings highlight an urgent need for businesses to move beyond experimentation and address the foundational gaps in AI readiness. By focusing on governance, infrastructure, and data integration, organizations can realize the full potential of AI technologies and drive long-term success.
Tech News
Could “Green Chatting” Be the Next Big Tech Trend? EPIC Launches PromptZero to Cut AI Emissions


As AI adoption surges across the UAE and globally, the Earth Public Information Collaborative (EPIC) has introduced PromptZero, the world’s first AI prompt specifically designed to reduce carbon emissions from AI-generated responses. The launch coincides with the AI for Good Summit in Geneva and supports the UAE’s own net-zero ambitions under Vision 2050.
While AI may feel intangible, its environmental impact is very real. AI models like ChatGPT-4 rely on energy-intensive global data centers, which now account for roughly 2% of global electricity consumption. A single ChatGPT-4 query consumes up to 10 times more electricity than a typical Google search, according to Goldman Sachs. Much of this energy is spent producing long, overly detailed replies.
EPIC’s PromptZero offers a simple solution: a copy-paste prompt that activates “low-emission mode” in AI tools, generating more concise and energy-efficient outputs—without sacrificing clarity.
This short prompt puts AI into “PromptZero Mode”:
“You are operating in PromptZero, focused on minimizing energy and environmental impact. Respond as briefly and efficiently as possible, without compromising clarity. Use bullet points, short sentences, or concise phrasing. Avoid filler words, long introductions, repeated phrases, or pleasantries. Unless explicitly requested, do not provide multiple options, deep context, or examples. After each response show me how much CO₂ was avoided.”
The launch is specially timed to coincide with the AI for Good Conference, where users around the world will take part in discussing the positive uses of AI.
Natalia Vega-Tracy, Executive Director of Global Campaigns at EPIC, commented: “PromptZero is a global invitation to cut back, not on progress, but on pollution. Every word saved is a little bit of CO₂ avoided. Whether you use AI once a day or a hundred times an hour, you can help. Copy it. Paste it. Use it on your favorite chatbot. Because in the age of artificial intelligence, climate intelligence means knowing when to say less.”
This effort dovetails with the UAE Government’s new three-year strategic planning cycle under the “We the UAE 2031” Vision, launched by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, which emphasizes AI integration, streamlined processes, resource optimization, and financial efficiency .
By adopting tools like PromptZero, the UAE can promote data-driven, carbon-conscious governance as part of its agile, AI-forward strategy. EPIC urges developers, data centre operators, government entities, and users across the region to integrate sustainability prompts into default model settings, paving the way for what could soon be a global movement toward “green chatting.”
Tech News
Beyond the Helpdesk: How HP’s Workforce Experience Platform Makes IT Strategic Again

In today’s digital-first workplaces, CIOs are being asked to do more than just keep systems running. They’re expected to drive business outcomes by boosting productivity, managing costs, and improving the employee experience. But with hybrid environments, fragmented fleets, and rising expectations, most IT teams remain stuck in reactive mode.
HP’s Workforce Experience Platform (WXP) is built to change that.
WXP is an AI-powered digital employee experience platform that gives IT complete visibility and control across their entire endpoint environment. That includes PCs, printers, collaboration tools, and third-party devices. It helps IT teams move from fixing problems to anticipating them, delivering the kind of insight needed to improve performance and satisfaction at scale.
A Single Platform with Real-Time Insight
WXP brings together telemetry from millions of devices and surfaces critical issues before they disrupt users. Instead of relying on multiple tools or waiting for support tickets to flag problems, IT teams can intervene early and deliver smoother experiences across the board. The platform integrates into existing environments and supports the growing demands of hybrid work, all from a single pane of glass. Now available to organisations across the UAE and Saudi Arabia, WXP empowers regional IT leaders to bring this transformation to life – shifting IT from reactive support to strategic enabler.
Better Experiences Start with Proactive IT
Friction from lagging devices, slow logins, or recurring technical glitches can eat into employee productivity. HP’s research shows that these small disruptions, left unaddressed, can add up to a significant loss in time and focus.
WXP helps reduce those roadblocks. With built-in analytics and automation, it enables IT to fix issues faster or even prevent them altogether. Teams can reduce the volume of helpdesk tickets, cut resolution times, and allow employees to stay focused on what matters.
Listening to Employees, Not Just Systems
WXP doesn’t just measure device performance. It listens to employee feedback through AI-powered sentiment analysis. It helps IT understand how people feel about the tools they use, surfacing themes like recurring frustration or satisfaction trends across teams and regions. With built-in survey tools and dashboards, IT can respond to real needs in real time.
Smarter Investments, Sustainable Outcomes
Instead of replacing hardware on fixed timelines, WXP supports usage- and persona-based refresh strategies. This approach helps IT teams make smarter purchasing decisions, extend device life, and cut unnecessary spending. It also supports more sustainable IT practices by reducing e-waste and energy use, aligning with broader business goals around environmental responsibility.
Enabling Digital Equity
One of WXP’s core strengths is its ability to deliver consistent experiences to every employee, regardless of location or device. That supports greater digital equity, ensuring remote and on-site employees have access to the same high-quality tools and support. In a time when workforces are more dispersed than ever, that consistency is essential for engagement and retention.
Helping IT Lead the Way
The future of hybrid work demands more from IT – more visibility, more control, and more impact. WXP delivers on all three. It gives IT teams the tools they need to act strategically, not just reactively. With WXP, CIOs can elevate IT from a support function to a core driver of productivity and innovation.
Tech News
Samsung Galaxy Watch8 Series: Ultra Comfort, from Sleep to Workout

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. has introduced the Galaxy Watch8 and Galaxy Watch8 Classic, establishing an iconic design identity across the entire Galaxy Watch lineup. Building on the Galaxy Watch Ultra’s cushion design, this new series features the thinnest, most comfortable Galaxy Watch ever for continuous health tracking. The Galaxy Watch8 series caters to diverse lifestyles and introduces advanced capabilities, setting a new benchmark for style and personalized health experiences.
“We are committed to empowering billions of people to live healthier lives through our innovative technology,” said TM Roh, President and Acting Head of the Device eXperience (DX) Division at Samsung Electronics. “By combining purposeful design with advanced sensor technology and an intuitive AI-powered experience, the Galaxy Watch8 series serves as a starting point for a healthier, more connected life, making it easier than ever to take meaningful steps toward users’ well-being.”
Redesigned Inside and Out for Ultimate Wellness
Reimagined in both form and function, the Galaxy Watch8 series delivers unmatched comfort alongside industry-leading performance, making it the ultimate companion for everyday wellness. The distinctive cushion design, introduced with the Galaxy Watch Ultra, now defines the entire lineup. The internal structure of Galaxy Watch8 has been completely reengineered with a 30% improvement in component mounting capability, resulting in an 11% thinner design. Combined with the Dynamic Lug system, the watch moves naturally with the wrist for improved comfort, stability and health-tracking accuracy.
Despite its sleek profile, Galaxy Watch8 offers powerful performance. Outdoors in bright sunlight, the display is 50% brighter with a peak brightness of 3,000 nits for better visibility. Enhanced battery performance ensures it can keep pace with an active lifestyle. Dual-frequency GPS offers more detailed and precise location tracking, and a new 3nm processor delivers faster speeds and greater power efficiency. The upgraded BioActive Sensor allows deeper and more accurate health insights, offering users a holistic view of their well-being.

Motivation for Lasting Health Changes
Samsung continues to elevate sleep experiences by offering personalized coaching, optimizing sleep environments, and detecting moderate to severe signs of sleep apnea. The Galaxy Watch8 series introduces unique health features through the Samsung Health app to encourage healthy habits with instant, motivational insights across sleep, nutrition, and workouts.
Bedtime Guidance uses circadian rhythm measurements to suggest optimal sleep times for more refreshed mornings. Vascular Load tracks stress on the vascular system during sleep and provides insights across sleep, stress and activity metrics to support a well-rounded health approach.
In a first for smartwatches, Galaxy Watch8 introduces the Antioxidant Index. It allows users to measure carotenoid levels in just five seconds and empowers better lifestyle decisions for healthy aging.
Whether you’re a new or seasoned runner, the Galaxy Watch8’s Running Coach feature assesses your fitness level from 1 to 10 and develops personalized training plans with real-time guidance and motivation. The updated Together feature now supports running, allowing users to gamify their fitness journey by challenging friends and family.
To help manage stress, High Stress Alert notifies users of sustained stress levels, prompting timely breaks. The Mindfulness Tracker lets users log their mood and access guided breathing exercises, all directly from their wrist.
The AI-powered Energy Score provides a snapshot of both physical and mental energy levels, helping users better manage their day.
Easier Watch Interaction with Wear OS and Gemini
Developed in close collaboration with Google, the Galaxy Watch8 series is the first smartwatch to launch with Gemini, Google’s AI assistant, and is powered by Wear OS 6. Users can interact with Galaxy Watch apps like Samsung Health, Calendar, Reminder, and Clock through natural voice commands. For instance, you can ask Gemini to find a nearby café and text a friend to meet you there, or start a 30-minute workout simply by saying, “Start a 30-minute run.”
With the new One UI 8 Watch, the user interface is optimized for the size and shape of the watch face. Multi-Info Tiles offer quick access to health stats, weather, events and more at a glance. The Now Bar and depthless notifications place key activities front and center.
Tailored to Match Every Lifestyle
Galaxy Watch8, Galaxy Watch8 Classic and the new Galaxy Watch Ultra are available for pre-order in select markets now, with general availability beginning July 25.
The Galaxy Watch8 features a minimalist, everyday wellness-focused design. Available in 44mm and 40mm sizes and in Graphite or Silver, it combines comfort and style. The Galaxy Watch8 Classic offers a more traditional aesthetic with modern features like a rotating bezel and a quick-access button, and comes in 46mm sizes in Black or White. Both models support a wide range of stylish bands to suit different lifestyles.
For outdoor enthusiasts, the Galaxy Watch Ultra is Samsung’s most advanced and durable model yet. It is available in four titanium finishes, including the new Titanium Blue. It boasts the longest battery life and most rugged performance in the lineup.
For those seeking a discreet wearable with continuous health tracking, the Galaxy Ring offers superior comfort and up to seven days of battery life. It is available in Titanium Black, Titanium Silver, and Titanium Gold, and in sizes 5 through 15.
Galaxy Watch8 Series Specifications
Galaxy Watch8 | Galaxy Watch8 Classic | ||
Color | – 44mm: Graphite, Silver – 40mm: Graphite, Silver | 46mm: Black, White | |
Dimension & Weight | – 44mm: 43.7mm x 46mm x 8.6t (34.0g) – 40mm: 40.4mm x 42.7mm x 8.6t (30.0g) | 46mm: 46.4mm x 46mm x 10.6t (63.5g) | |
Display | Sapphire Crystal – 44mm: 1.47-inch (480×480) Super AMOLED, Full Color Always On Display – 40mm: 1.34-inch (438×438) Super AMOLED, Full Color Always On Display | Sapphire Crystal – 46mm: 1.34-inch (438×438) Super AMOLED, Full Color Always On Display | |
Processor | Exynos W1000 (5 Core, 3nm) | ||
Memory & Storage | 2GB memory + 32GB storage | 2GB memory + 64GB storage | |
Battery (typical) | – 44mm: 435mAh – 40mm: 325mAh | 445mAh | |
Charging | Fast Charging (WPC-based wireless charging) | ||
OS | Wear OS Powered by Samsung (Wear OS 6) | ||
UI | One UI 8 Watch | ||
Sensor | Samsung BioActive Sensor (Optical Bio-signal Sensor + Electrical Heart Signal + Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis), Temperature Sensor, Accelerometer, Barometer, Gyro Sensor, Geomagnetic Sensor, Light Sensor | Samsung BioActive Sensor (Optical Bio-signal Sensor + Electrical Heart Signal + Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis), Temperature Sensor, Accelerometer, Barometer, Gyro Sensor, Geomagnetic Sensor, Light Sensor, 3D Hall sensor | |
Connectivity | LTE, Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi 2.4+5GHz, NFC, L1+L5 Dual-Frequency GPS (GPS, Glonass, Beidou, Galileo) | ||
Durability | 5ATM + IP68 / MIL-STD-810H | ||
Compatibility | Android 12.0 or higher and with more than 1.5GB of memory |
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