Blog
News
French employees' cigarette breaks cost companies €5 billion a year, study estimates
The job search website Jobleads based its estimate on tobacco consumption, the number of employees, the smoking rate, the average length of breaks and salary data. However, the figure should be taken with caution. Link: https://www.lemonde.fr/en/employment/article/2026/03/21/french-employees-cigarette-breaks-cost-companies-5-billion-a-year-study-estimates_6751673_103.html :Cat-N
Highlights – EMPL ICM on "Human Work in the Digital Age" – Committee on Employment and Social Affairs
On 15 April, the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) in cooperation with the Directorate for Relations with National Parliaments will hold an Interparliamentary Committee Meeting (ICM) entitled: “Human Work in the Digital Age – artificial intelligence, new forms of working, and work-re... Link: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/committees/en/product/product-details/20260319CAN77100 :Cat-N
Meetings with National Parliaments – Human Work in the Digital Age – 15-04-2026 – Committee on Employment and Social Affairs
The Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) in cooperation with the Directorate for Relations with National Parliaments will hold an Interparliamentary Committee Meeting (ICM) entitled: “Human Work in the Digital Age – artificial intelligence, new forms of working, and work-related stress”... Link: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/committees/en/product/product-details/20260319MNP01782 :Cat-N
Inside China’s robotics revolution
How close are we to the sci-fi vision of autonomous humanoid robots? I visited 11 companies in five Chinese cities to find out Chen Liang, the founder of Guchi Robotics, an automation company headquartered in Shanghai, is a tall, heavy-set man in his mid-40s with square-rimmed glasses. His everyday ... Link: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/mar/19/inside-chinas-robotics-revolution :Cat-N
Top actions for HR leaders from UNLEASH America 2026 Talent & AI summits
UNLEASH America returns to Las Vegas. The 2026 show kicked off with a series of inspiring, exclusive summits, featuring top HR leaders, analysts and academics. For the Talent and AI Summits on Day One of UNLEASH America 2026, CHROs from Grupo OLX and Cardinal Group joined thought leaders including D... Link: https://www.unleash.ai/unleash-america/top-actions-for-hr-leaders-from-unleash-america-2026-talent-ai-summits/ :Cat-N
Film forum in Spain to showcase latest Healthy Workplaces Film Award winner
Our Spanish focal point, the Instituto Nacional de Seguridad y Salud en el Trabajo (INSST), will host the 6th Antonio Iniesta Film Forum on 18 March in Madrid, Spain. The event will include a screening of Sarah Vanagt’s Wishful Filming, winner of the 2025 Healthy Workplaces Film Award, followed by a... Link: https://osha.europa.eu/en/oshnews/film-forum-spain-showcase-latest-healthy-workplaces-film-award-winner :Cat-N
India’s scattered workforce: the chatbot keeping families in touch during emergencies
Covid exposed the lack of data on the country’s 140 million mobile migrant workers, but a new project in Odisha is helping to fill in the gapsRaja Pradhan is sitting cross-legged, scrolling on his phone in his village in eastern India when a green WhatsApp chat bubble pops up on the screen. “Namaska... Link: https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2026/mar/16/chatbot-india-migrant-workers-whatsapp-odisha :Cat-N
From 9 am to 9 pm, six days a week: The rise of '996' work culture in French start-ups
Driven by the race for artificial intelligence, some French start-ups now value total employee commitment and constant availability as key conditions for success. Link: https://www.lemonde.fr/en/economy/article/2026/03/11/from-9-am-to-9-pm-six-days-a-week-the-rise-of-996-work-culture-in-french-start-ups_6751312_19.html :Cat-N
DRAFT REPORT on the implementation of the Council Recommendation of 30 October 2020 on A Bridge to Jobs – Reinforcing the Youth Guarantee and replacing the Council Recommendation of 22 April 2013 on establishing a Youth Guarantee – PE785.214v01-00
DRAFT REPORT on the implementation of the Council Recommendation of 30 October 2020 on A Bridge to Jobs – Reinforcing the Youth Guarantee and replacing the Council Recommendation of 22 April 2013 on establishing a Youth GuaranteeCommittee on Employment and Social AffairsHristo Petrov Source : © Euro... Link: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/EMPL-PR-785214_EN.pdf :Cat-N
Why young people in Sweden are increasingly turning to manual jobs
Security and development. That is what is on 15 to 24-year-olds’ wish list when asked about their future job plans. They want permanent jobs, preferably collective agreements and real opportunities for development. Manual occupations are becoming more popular, and the number of applicants to vocatio... Link: https://www.nordiclabourjournal.org/why-young-people-in-sweden-are-increasingly-turning-to-manual-jobs/ :Cat-N
From winter cold to sudden heat: protecting workers with OiRA
As weather patterns grow more unpredictable, workplaces need to be ready for temperature extremes in every season. The Online interactive Risk Assessment (OiRA) tool on Heat and Cold helps businesses assess thermal risks and take practical steps to protect workers, from recognising signs of heat or ... Link: https://osha.europa.eu/en/oshnews/winter-cold-sudden-heat-protecting-workers-oira :Cat-N
Fiscal Consolidation Costs Europe Jobs and Deepens Inequality
New research reveals that EU fiscal tightening reduces output, raises unemployment, and widens income gaps — especially during recessions. Link: https://www.socialeurope.eu/fiscal-consolidation-costs-europe-jobs-and-deepens-inequality :Cat-N
EGF: Council and Parliament agree to support workers at imminent risk of job loss
The Council and the Parliament have reached a provisional agreement on a proposed regulation that broadens the scope of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund to include support for workers at imminent risk of displacement. Link: https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2026/02/25/egf-council-and-parliament-agree-to-support-workers-at-imminent-risk-of-job-loss/ :Cat-N
Who gets hired in the digital economy? Hiring from the margins to bridge Europe’s skill shortage
Europe’s digital transition is creating both opportunity and imbalance. Link: https://www.cedefop.europa.eu/en/news/who-gets-hired-digital-economy-hiring-margins-bridge-europes-skill-shortage :Cat-N
If AI makes human labor obsolete, who decides who gets to eat?
Amid talk of artificial intelligence taking our jobs, the big unasked question is: how will we be fed?How will we be fed? That’s the biggest question not seriously being addressed amid all this talk about whether or not artificial intelligence will end up taking over all of our jobs.Formidable thoug... Link: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/feb/23/ai-how-will-we-be-fed :Cat-N
ERA measures risk being a ‘further handbrake on hiring’
CIPD research suggests Employment Rights Act likely to weaken permanent job creation and increase employment costs. The post ERA measures risk being a ‘further handbrake on hiring’ appeared first on Personnel Today. Link: https://www.personneltoday.com/hr/employment-rights-act-measures-risk-being-a-further-handbrake-on-hiring/ :Cat-N
January 2026 Jobs Report: Revisions to 2025 Data Made an Already Bad Year Worse
Revisions to 2025 data overshadowed an otherwise decent gain of 130,000 jobs in January 2026. The post January 2026 Jobs Report: Revisions to 2025 Data Made an Already Bad Year Worse appeared first on Indeed Hiring Lab. Link: https://www.hiringlab.org/2026/02/11/january-2026-jobs-report/ :Cat-N
Learning Agility in the AI Era: How Skills-Based Hiring Identifies Future-Ready Talent
Artificial intelligence is reshaping roles, redefining skill sets, and accelerating the rate at which entire industries evolve. The question is no longer if your workforce can adapt, but how quickly. Learning agility—the ability to learn, unlearn, and relearn as conditions change—has become the ski... Link: https://harver.com/blog/learning-agility-roti-ai-era/ :Cat-N
How human skills give PwC the advantage in the AI world of work
In an exclusive UNLEASH interview, Yolanda Seals-Coffield, PwC US Chief People & Inclusion Officer, shared why human skills are a focus for the consulting giant as it seeks to get value from AI. Read on to be inspired into how to practically re-envision skills and learning for this AI moment. Link: https://www.unleash.ai/learning-and-development/how-human-skills-give-pwc-the-advantage-in-the-ai-world-of-work/ :Cat-N
The Anthropic Economic Index report: Economic Primitives – what HR leaders need to know
Want to understand more about how AI is shaping the workforce? UNLEASH takes a deep dive into the latest report from Anthropic to discover what HR leaders need to know. Link: https://www.unleash.ai/artificial-intelligence/the-anthropic-economic-index-report-economic-primitives-what-hr-leaders-need-to-know/ :Cat-N
In Focus – Psychology
Albert Einstein’s brain: What have scientists discovered?
Analysis of lost photos reveals structural anomalies in Einstein’s brain that may explain his extraordinary mathematical and visual abilities. Link: https://www.psypost.org/albert-einsteins-brain-what-have-scientists-discovered/ :Cat-PS
Lab-grown brain models reveal unique electrical patterns in different types of autism
By growing miniature brain models from patient cells, researchers have identified distinct electrical activity patterns linked to various autism profiles. This approach offers a personalized way to study the unique biological roots of neurodevelopmental conditions. Link: https://www.psypost.org/lab-grown-brain-models-reveal-unique-electrical-patterns-in-different-types-of-autism/ :Cat-PS
Parental acceptance and trauma resilience are linked to faster brain development in 9-13-year-olds
New research shows a child’s home environment is closely linked to how their brain matures. A recent study associates parental acceptance with faster brain development, while exposure to household abuse correlates with delayed microstructural brain changes. Link: https://www.psypost.org/parental-acceptance-and-trauma-resilience-are-linked-to-faster-brain-development-in-9-13-year-olds/ :Cat-PS
Neuroscientists just upended our understanding of Pavlovian learning
Published in Nature Neuroscience, new research reveals that timing, not repetition, drives associative learning. By showing the brain prioritizes the delay between rewards, the study upends century-old assumptions and suggests new ways to understand habit formation. Link: https://www.psypost.org/neuroscientists-just-upended-our-understanding-of-pavlovian-learning/ :Cat-PS
Happier people live longer, even in cultures that value emotional restraint
Research often links positive emotions to longevity in Western countries. A new study confirms this association exists in Japan, finding that unhappy adults were significantly more likely to die over a seven-year period than happy ones. Link: https://www.psypost.org/happier-people-live-longer-even-in-cultures-that-value-emotional-restraint/ :Cat-PS
News chatbots that present multiple viewpoints tend to earn the trust of conspiracy believers
People often isolate themselves in online information bubbles. A new study suggests that balanced AI news chatbots provide a trusted source of diverse news, appealing heavily to readers who typically distrust mainstream media narratives. Link: https://www.psypost.org/news-chatbots-that-present-multiple-viewpoints-tend-to-earn-the-trust-of-conspiracy-believers/ :Cat-PS
New study finds link between receptivity to “corporate bullshit” and weaker leadership skills
Using a newly developed "Corporate Bullshit Receptivity Scale," researchers have uncovered a troubling trend: professionals who view jargon-heavy statements as profound actually perform much worse on tests measuring leadership, reasoning, and situational judgment. Link: https://www.psypost.org/new-study-finds-link-between-receptivity-to-corporate-bullshit-and-weaker-leadership-skills/ :Cat-PS
An analysis of data from 75 countries confirms that nature connectedness predicts well-being
Is the psychological benefit of nature a universal human trait or just a Western luxury? A sweeping new study of nearly 37,000 people across 75 countries reveals that feeling connected to the natural world improves well-being globally. Link: https://www.psypost.org/an-analysis-of-data-from-75-countries-confirms-that-nature-connectedness-predicts-well-being/ :Cat-PS
Effects of AI Transparency on Perceived Fairness in AI-Driven Selection Tools: The Mediating Roles of AI Literacy and Attitudes Towards AI
Artificial intelligence is becoming an increasingly prominent feature of modern hiring, creating opportunities to enhance efficiency and consistency in selection. This study examined how AI transparency, AI literacy, and attitudes toward AI shape applicants’ perceptions of fairness when engaging wit... Link: https://digitalcommons.spu.edu/iop_etd/55 :Cat-PS
First test of a new neuroscience theory shows how smart brains coordinate information
By scanning brains while people actively took intelligence tests, neuroscientists discovered that high test scores are linked to highly flexible, diverse neural networks. The findings offer the first physical evidence for a new theory of human intelligence. Link: https://www.psypost.org/first-test-of-a-new-neuroscience-theory-shows-how-smart-brains-coordinate-information/ :Cat-PS
Scientists discover a new brain pathway that rapidly depletes diet-resistant body fat
A new study reveals how the brain triggers the breakdown of stable fat cells that normally resist diet and exercise. This discovery provides evidence for how severe wasting diseases cause dangerous weight loss in vulnerable patients. Link: https://www.psypost.org/scientists-discover-a-new-brain-pathway-that-rapidly-depletes-diet-resistant-body-fat/ :Cat-PS
New psychology research reveals the cognitive cost of smartphone notifications
A recent study in Computers in Human Behavior provides evidence that a single smartphone pop-up derails mental focus for seven seconds. Researchers found that fragmented digital habits cause more cognitive disruption than the total hours spent on devices. Link: https://www.psypost.org/new-psychology-research-reveals-the-cognitive-cost-of-smartphone-notifications/ :Cat-PS
Using AI to verify human advice could damage your professional relationships
You might think using artificial intelligence to prepare for an appointment shows initiative. Instead, a recent study reveals that human professionals feel insulted by the comparison, causing them to subconsciously withdraw effort from tech-savvy clients. Link: https://www.psypost.org/using-ai-to-verify-human-advice-could-damage-your-professional-relationships/ :Cat-PS
Artificial intelligence struggles to consistently evaluate scientific facts
Despite an impressive vocabulary, artificial intelligence often fails to accurately analyze scientific statements. A new study reveals that popular text generators frequently contradict themselves when asked the exact same question multiple times. Link: https://www.psypost.org/artificial-intelligence-struggles-to-consistently-evaluate-scientific-facts/ :Cat-PS
Psychologists implant false beliefs to understand how human memory fails
A new cognitive psychology study reveals that our susceptibility to false memories depends heavily on how believable a suggested event is, and whether we are told it happened just once or repeatedly. Link: https://www.psypost.org/psychologists-implant-false-beliefs-to-understand-how-human-memory-fails/ :Cat-PS
Your personality and upbringing predict if you will lean toward science or faith
A new psychological study reveals how specific childhood experiences and inherent personality traits predict whether adults will use scientific evidence or religious faith to make sense of the world around them. Link: https://www.psypost.org/your-personality-and-upbringing-predict-if-you-will-lean-toward-science-or-faith/ :Cat-PS
Brain-controlled assistive robots work best when they share the workload with users
Researchers have developed a collaborative brain-robot interface for people with severe motor impairments. Their findings suggest that a "shared autonomy" approach provides the best balance of task success, ease of use, and personal independence. Link: https://www.psypost.org/brain-controlled-assistive-robots-work-best-when-they-share-the-workload-with-users/ :Cat-PS
Cognitive deficits underlying ADHD do not explain the link with problematic social media use
Young adults with ADHD symptoms often struggle with social media and gaming addiction. However, a new study reveals that core ADHD cognitive deficits—like poor impulse control and time blindness—don't actually explain this link. Link: https://www.psypost.org/cognitive-deficits-underlying-adhd-do-not-explain-the-link-with-problematic-social-media-use/ :Cat-PS
Scientists identify brain regions associated with auditory hallucinations in borderline personality disorder
A recent study in Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging suggests that hearing voices in borderline personality disorder is tied to reduced gray matter in specific brain regions. This provides evidence for shared physical mechanisms of hallucinations across mental health conditions. Link: https://www.psypost.org/scientists-identify-brain-regions-associated-with-auditory-hallucinations-in-borderline-personality-disorder/ :Cat-PS
How the wording of a trigger warning changes our psychological response
A recent psychology study found that while trigger warnings don't reduce emotional distress, their wording drastically changes our cognitive response. Vague warnings leave the brain guessing, inadvertently causing a spike in intrusive memories days later. Link: https://www.psypost.org/how-the-wording-of-a-trigger-warning-changes-our-psychological-response/ :Cat-PS
In Focus – Knowledge
“The knowledge is there—it takes humans to put it into perspective”
19.03.26 - Christian Lafforgue knows only too well how a professor can influence a student’s academic decisions. He believes that a good teacher is one with a keen sense of humanity. He was named best teacher in the electrical engineering section for 2025. “Ever since I started taking your class, I’... Link: https://actu.epfl.ch/news/the-knowledge-is-thereit-takes-humans-to-put-it-in :Cat-K
New competence centre for satellite data at Lund University
A new national competence centre at Lund University will make satellite data a resource for Swedish social analysis. Link: https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/article/new-competence-centre-satellite-data-lund-university :Cat-K
Youth, Digital Access and Urban Participation in the Global South
09.03.26 - Digital technologies, particularly smartphones and mobile internet, are transforming the way young people learn, interact, organise themselves and participate in social, economic and cultural life around the world. However, access to and effective use of these tools remain unevenly distri... Link: https://actu.epfl.ch/news/youth-digital-access-and-urban-participation-in--3 :Cat-K
AI helps marine scientists track floating debris from space
09.03.26 - Under the EPFL-led ADOPT project, researchers are combining AI satellite-image recognition with drift prediction models to improve the collection of plastic debris in the ocean. The technology has passed the proof-of-concept stage and is ready for field testing. Being able to identify an... Link: https://actu.epfl.ch/news/ai-helps-marine-scientists-track-floating-debris-f :Cat-K
Taster courses at ETH: No applications, no tests – and open to all
ETH Zurich offers vocational training in 15 different professions. Whether apprentices complete their programmes successfully is already determined to some extent when they choose a profession. ETH offers low-threshold taster courses to encourage young people to cultivate professional prospects suit... Link: https://ethz.ch/en/news-and-events/eth-news/news/2026/02/taster-courses-at-eth-no-applications-no-tests-and-open-to-all.html :Cat-K
Podcast: Ageism in the Age of AI
When we think of ageism, we often think of discrimination against older adults. However, ageism occurs across the entire lifespan; in the tech world, for example, being "old" can start as early as 35. In this episode, Dr. Ittay Mannheim joins us to discuss the intersection of ageism, digital technol... Link: https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/news/2026/01/leiden-psychology-podcast---ageism-in-the-age-of-ai :Cat-K
New article in the Journal of Composites Science
25.02.26 - Combined Computational-Experimental Investigation of Crack Kinking Under Mode I Loading in Thick Adhesively Bonded GFRP Composite Joints This study developed a combined computational-experimental approach to investigate crack kinking in thick adhesively bonded Glass Fibre Reinforced Polym... Link: https://actu.epfl.ch/news/new-article-in-the-journal-of-composites-science :Cat-K
Space and quantum join forces at EPFL in new ESDI project
25.02.26 - A call for proposals at the European Space Deep-Tech Innovation Centre (ESDI) awarded five projects for their first Quantum x Space call. One of the selected projects, LINQS, is from EPFL researcher Christophe Galland and the Swiss company CCRAFT. What if every satellite could carry a qua... Link: https://actu.epfl.ch/news/space-and-quantum-join-forces-at-epfl-in-new-esdi :Cat-K
More companies founded, new regulations, new accelerator
ETH Zurich registered the foundation of more new companies than ever before in 2025. For the first time, founders could choose between setting up a spin-off or a start-up, the latter of which could benefit from a new business accelerator. Link: https://ethz.ch/en/news-and-events/eth-news/news/2026/02/mm-more-new-companies-founded-new-regulations-new-accelerator.html :Cat-K
Why human expertise still matters in the age of AI certainty
Artificial certainty versus inherent uncertainty: research by Dr Virginia Leavell of Cambridge Judge Business School shows how experts who strategically modulate AI outputs preserve their authority, while those who over-amplify AI risk creating dangerous illusions of certainty. The post Why human ex... Link: https://www.jbs.cam.ac.uk/2026/why-human-expertise-still-matters-in-the-age-of-ai-certainty/ :Cat-K
Self-Learning Part Feeder Wins “AI-Powered Innovation” Prize
23.02.26 - Since 2019, every year the graduate course “Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Engineering” (MGT-555) brings together students from across EPFL to develop product-innovation projects with industry partners. Led by Prof. Véronique Michaud and Prof. Thomas A. Weber, the Autumn 2025 edition ... Link: https://actu.epfl.ch/news/self-learning-part-feeder-wins-ai-powered-innovati :Cat-K
New AI algorithm is designed to obey the laws of physics
20.02.26 - A team of EPFL researchers has developed an AI algorithm that can model complex dynamical processes while taking into account the laws of physics – using with Newton’s third law. Artificial intelligence has enabled major breakthroughs in several fields, but the models still struggle to ob... Link: https://actu.epfl.ch/news/new-ai-algorithm-is-designed-to-obey-the-laws-of-p :Cat-K
Harnessing AI to push the boundaries of social science
AI is transforming social science but scholars need to ask AI to solve important puzzles rather than just identify gaps in knowledge, says Professor Matthew Grimes of Cambridge Judge Business School, who has developed 2 new AI tools for academics. The post Harnessing AI to push the boundaries of soc... Link: https://www.jbs.cam.ac.uk/2026/harnessing-ai-to-push-the-boundaries-of-social-science/ :Cat-K
Quantum engineering makes you happy
Ananya Amitabh is 21 and studying for a Master’s degree in quantum engineering at ETH Zurich. She is impressed by the diversity and top level of quantum research conducted here. In the video, she explains why she chose this path, how she strikes a balance between her studies, karate and music, and w... Link: https://ethz.ch/en/news-and-events/eth-news/news/2026/02/quantum-engineering-makes-you-happy.html :Cat-K
Record-breaking sediment core may help predict Antarctic ice loss
An international research team has recovered the longest sediment core ever drilled from beneath an ice sheet. The core preserves evidence of climate changes spanning millions of years and will help improve predictions of how the West Antarctic Ice Sheet may respond to ongoing global warming. Link: https://ethz.ch/en/news-and-events/eth-news/news/2026/02/record-breaking-sediment-core-may-help-predict-antarctic-ice-loss.html :Cat-K
When Crisis Strikes, Denmark’s Volunteers Step Forward
A portion of the population is ready to take action when crisis hits and others need help. According... Link: https://news.ku.dk/all_news/2026/02/when-crisis-strikes-denmarks-volunteers-step-forward/ :Cat-K
Prof. M. Hairer on Artificial Intelligence and Mathematical Research
11.02.26 - Prof. Martin Hairer shares his insights on mathematics and artificial intelligence in a recent interview with The New York Times. We are pleased to share a recent interview with our Director, Prof. Martin Hairer, published in The New York Times on February 7, 2026. In this wide-ranging co... Link: https://actu.epfl.ch/news/prof-m-hairer-on-artificial-intelligence-and-mathe :Cat-K
Why everything you thought you knew on local markets is wrong
In many markets, particularly retail ones, competition among firms happens locally. But what is the right way to define the so-called local geographic market? Research on the retail gasoline market in Greece shows that methodologies commonly used by competition authorities and academics to define lo... Link: https://www.jbs.cam.ac.uk/2026/why-everything-you-thought-you-knew-on-local-markets-is-wrong/ :Cat-K
“AI, good servant, bad master”
10.02.26 - AI is making its way into every aspect of our lives, but how ready are we to adopt it, and under what conditions? A report published in French by the EPFL AI Center, in collaboration with the University of Geneva, presents both the perceptions of a sample of French-speaking population of ... Link: https://actu.epfl.ch/news/ai-good-servant-bad-master :Cat-K
Unprecedented interest in Lund University’s international recruitment
The original total of 25 positions has been increased to 45 – researchers from some of the world’s leading universities who are now heading to Lund. Link: https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/article/unprecedented-interest-lund-universitys-international-recruitment :Cat-K
Feed note
The articles displayed in our blog feed are retrieved automatically every three hours. Content is selected by the system on the basis of predefined keywords. Each item is produced by, and sourced from, the website identified in the relevant link. All rights, including ownership, and all responsibility for the content of each individual feed remain with the respective content owner/publisher.