SignalHire Reveals Top 10 Most In-Demand AI Jobs for 2026: Data Engineers Lead Recruiter Searches

Analysis of 850M+ professional database shows AI-skilled workers now earn 56% more than peers in identical roles

SignalHire has released its 2026 AI Jobs Analysis, revealing the artificial intelligence positions generating the highest recruiter interest worldwide.

 The findings show Data Engineers leading demand, more than double any other AI position, as organizations race to build the data infrastructure essential for AI deployment.

Top 10 In-Demand AI Positions

Based on recruiter search patterns across SignalHire’s 850M+ professional database:

Data Engineer ($130K–$200K+)

AI Engineer ($140K–$180K)

Data Scientist ($139K–$180K+)

Machine Learning Engineer ($158K–$245K)

AI Developer ($120K–$160K)

Automation Engineer ($100K–$140K)

Deep Learning Engineer ($150K–$220K)

ETL Developer ($90K–$130K)

NLP Engineer ($140K–$200K)

AI Infrastructure Engineer ($150K–$200K)

Key Market Findings

The analysis aligns with broader industry research:

56% wage premium: PwC’s 2025 Global AI Jobs Barometer shows AI-skilled workers earn 56% more than colleagues without AI abilities in identical roles—up from 25% the previous year

50% job listing growth: Deloitte reports generative AI developer positions increased 50% between 2022 and 2024

35% projected growth: Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts Data Scientist employment will grow 35% through 2032

Entry Points for Career Changers

The research identifies three accessible pathways into AI careers:

Automation Engineer: Ideal for professionals with programming and business process knowledge

ETL Developer: Natural transition for database administrators and SQL experts

Data Engineer: Logical progression for software engineers with database experience

Why Data Engineers Lead

“While AI Engineers and Data Scientists generate most media attention, Data Engineers topped our recruiter searches by a significant margin,” the analysis notes. “Organisations have recognised that AI models require clean, accessible data infrastructure before any machine learning can occur.”

https://www.signalhire.com

Blog: https://blog.signalhire.com

Expromet Technologies Group expands UK manufacturing capabilities with acquisition of Tiverton Fabrications Limited

Expromet Technologies Group, a top precision engineering group serving global OEMs, Tier 1s and associated supply chains, has announced the acquisition of Tiverton Fabrications Limited, a renowned,  trusted provider of fabricated and welded solutions.

The acquisition further strengthens Expromet’s position as a turnkey manufacturing partner, broadening its UK footprint and enabling the group to offer fully integrated casting, machining, welding, fabrication and assembly across its sites.

Based in Tiverton, Devon, Tiverton Fabrications specialises in performance-critical welded solutions, including bespoke vessels, vacuum chambers, cylinders and tubes in a variety of materials including aluminium, stainless steel and speciality alloys, for customers across the UK and worldwide. 

By joining Expromet, Tiverton Fabrications strengthens its position within a robust and high-growth organisation, whilst supplementing customers’ access to advanced engineering processes across the Group.

Rob Guest, CEO of Expromet Technologies Group, told That's Business: “We're delighted to welcome Tiverton Fabrications to Expromet.

"This acquisition marks another important step in Expromet’s strategy to build a group of complementary precision engineering businesses. Tiverton Fabrications’ wealth of expertise across engineering processes is a natural extension of our existing casting, welding and machining capabilities, allowing us to offer customers a comprehensive manufacturing solution from concept to finished assembly.”

Noel Sugden, Production Director of Tiverton Fabrications added: “Joining Expromet opens up new opportunities for our customers and our team, and we look forward to working with Expromet Group. Expromet’s investment, technical capability and global industry experience will allow us to expand our capabilities while continuing to deliver the high standards and personal service that our customers expect.”

Alongside Expromet’s other group companies Haworth Castings (sand and gravity die casting), Investacast (investment casting and pressure die casting), and Metaltech Precision (CNC machining and fabrication), Tiverton Fabrications will bolster the Group’s domestic manufacturing scope as part of a unique end-to-end offering. 

Customers will benefit from a single, trusted source for design, casting, machining, fabrication and assembly, with the added flexibility of overseas sourcing through Expromet’s long-standing partners.

By integrating these complementary capabilities, Expromet helps customers de-risk and streamline their supply chains, improve traceability, and gain greater assurance of quality and delivery performance.

Rob Guest added: “Our goal is to make it easier for customers to source complex, high-quality components and assemblies. With Tiverton Fabrications joining the Group, we can deliver a broader range of manufacturing processes under one roof, supported by global sourcing partnerships that provide resilience and efficiency to customers requiring performance critical components across demanding supply chains.”

https://expromet.com

Customs Declarations UK Launches ICS2 Declarations Support, Enabling Seamless EU Safety and Security Filings Across All Transport Modes

Customs Declarations UK (CDUK), a leading provider of cloud-based customs declaration software, has announced the launch of its ICS2 (Import Control System 2) solution. 

Following integration with the European Union's updated Import Control System, CDUK now enables businesses to file EU Entry Summary Declarations (ENS) across all transport modes, helping traders meet the EU's enhanced pre-arrival safety and security requirements with confidence and ease.

The ICS2 system, mandated by the EU under the Union Customs Code, represents a fundamental shift in how safety and security data is collected for goods entering or transiting through the EU, Norway, Switzerland, and Northern Ireland. 

As of September 1, 2025, ICS2 became the sole system for managing advance cargo information across air, maritime, road, and rail transport, replacing the legacy ICS1 system entirely.

Comprehensive Coverage for All EU-Bound and Intra-EU Movements

Customs Declarations UK's ICS2 solution provides comprehensive support for businesses moving goods from Great Britain into the European Union, as well as for intra-EU movements where goods are transported from one EU Member State to another. This capability is critical for logistics providers, freight forwarders, carriers, and traders operating across multiple European jurisdictions who must comply with ICS2 requirements regardless of the shipment's origin or final destination within the EU customs territory.

"The implementation of ICS2 represents a significant evolution in EU customs compliance, and we recognized early on that our customers needed a solution that could handle the full complexity of these requirements" Jawahir Lal Lund, CEO of Customs Declarations UK told that's Buisiness.

"Whether you're shipping office equipment from Manchester to Rotterdam, or coordinating intra-EU movements between multiple Member States, our platform provides the same guided, validated filing experience that has made CDUK the trusted choice for thousands of UK customs declarations. We've designed this solution to remove the complexity from ICS2 compliance, allowing businesses to focus on moving goods efficiently rather than navigating regulatory requirements."

Built for Simplicity, Designed for Compliance

The CDUK ICS2 solution integrates seamlessly into the platform's existing customs declaration infrastructure, offering users a familiar, intuitive interface enhanced with ICS2-specific functionality:

Step-by-step guided wizards that adapt to each shipment's transport mode and business model

Support for all ICS2 filing types across air, maritime, road, and rail transport

Real-time validation checks to ensure data completeness and accuracy before submission

Reusable party and commodity profiles to streamline repeat filings

Clone functionality to replicate previous declarations with minimal data re-entry

Secure cloud-based architecture with full audit trail and status tracking

Dedicated customer support and technical assistance

Getting Started with ICS2 on Customs Declarations UK Platform

Businesses with upcoming EU movements requiring ICS2 ENS filings can begin using the CDUK platform immediately. The onboarding process is streamlined, with the CDUK support team available to confirm requirements, configure accounts, and provide guidance on filing workflows.

For more information about Customs Declarations UK's ICS2 solution, or to discuss specific compliance requirements and volume-based pricing, businesses can contact the CDUK team via the company website at www.customs-declarations.uk.

Why Calm, Consistent Leadership Matters More Than Ever

In a world where leadership is often loud, performative, and driven by constant urgency, particularly in the wake of burnout, disengagement, and sustained organisational change, 

If Bears Did Leadership offers a quieter, more reflective alternative.

Written by Karl Wood, an author and senior people and culture leader with nearly three decades of international experience, If Bears Did Leadership draws on twelve timeless lessons from the forest to explore what effective leadership looks like in modern workplaces. 

Using bears as quiet teachers rather than heroic symbols, the book focuses on presence, consistency, and care, qualities often overshadowed by speed, status, and performance.

Rather than presenting leadership as a set of rigid frameworks or quick fixes, Wood uses storytelling and metaphor to examine the everyday behaviours that build trust and credibility over time. 

Each chapter blends simple narrative with grounded professional experience, encouraging leaders to slow down, reflect, and practise leadership in ways that feel authentic and sustainable.

Beautifully illustrated by David Hallangen, the book is designed to be both a lasting resource and a thoughtful gift. Each of the twelve themes follows a repeatable four-week rhythm of reflection, thinking, action, and rest, supporting individual reflection, team discussion, and leadership development without urgency or pressure.

The foreword is written by Dr S. Y. Quraishi, former Chief Election Commissioner of India, whose experience leading one of the world’s largest democratic institutions reinforces the book’s emphasis on ethical, humane leadership and long-term responsibility.

Wood describes leadership as something shaped through daily behaviour rather than performance. Throughout the book, he explores how presence, reflection, and care create trust over time, encouraging leaders to step away from constant urgency and rediscover a calmer, more human way of leading.

If Bears Did Leadership is out on 27 February 2026 and is intended for leaders, managers, HR professionals, and organisations seeking a steadier, wiser approach to leadership in complex and demanding environments.

https://www.winchr.uk

Standardisation, compliance and the simple ‘Get out of Jail Free card’ that could help your company avoid a £60,000 fine

With less than a month to go before the new code of practice for Right to Work comes into full legal effect, UK employers are being warned that a simple administrative slip-up could now cost a business up to £60,000 per illegal worker.

Speaking on the Recruitment Reimagined webinar series, hosted by Reach ATS, Right to Work (RTW) experts Paul Herring and James Marsden from Rightcheck discussed how businesses can protect themselves, and their employer brand, as fraudsters adopt increasingly sophisticated tactics.

As the Home Office moves to a ‘digital by default’ enforcement model, Marsden and Herring discussed the need for company-wide standardisation, and how the secret to staying safe lies in a simple ‘get out of jail free card’ known as the statutory excuse.

Herring warns against the dangers of ‘trusting’ rather than verifying, “your only protection is to have done the check correctly according to the Home Office rules in the first place, because then you have a statutory excuse. Without that statutory excuse you’re liable…”

“It’s not the company, it’s the government”

Perhaps one of the greatest challenges with RTW tests is ensuring that candidates aren’t alienated by what can feel like an overly intrusive process. Of course, it’s vital businesses look out for potential fraud, modern slavery or domestic abuse, but they also need to ensure that the candidate experience doesn’t start to feel like an interrogation, Herring says, “Don’t forget the candidates in all of this, their experience is very important… make it easy, acceptable, accessible”.

Marsden agrees, “robust checks and awareness throughout the hiring lifecycle [helps] to spot potential vulnerabilities as well, and protect both the business, and the individuals.”

This can also be a useful approach for internal communications, observed Herring, particularly when trying to impress the importance of standardised RTW checks on diverse hiring teams. “It’s quite important that the people that conduct the checks out there in the field, at the warehouse, at different sites understand that it’s not the company asking them to do this check. It’s actually the Government you’re conducting the check on behalf of.” This reframing shows colleagues, and candidates you’re not being difficult, you’re simply the one ensuring the candidate is protected and the business is compliant.

From deepfake to compliant proof

From entire departments made up of workers using fake identification to candidates using deepfake AI during interviews, Marsden and Herring made clear just how real the risk for businesses is. A webinar attendee mentioned they had also encountered a candidate using deepfake AI to impersonate someone else in an interview, showing just how widespread these issues are.

But alongside these concerning examples, the Rightcheck experts offered practical advice to help businesses spot fraud, tighten their hiring processes and protect their employer brand. Their most crucial takeaway was clear: “The main thing is to have a very standardised process,” says Herring. “If you have a process in place that is doing that check to a standard, that’s the most important thing for an organisation…even if it’s to a manual standard, that’s fine.”

He continues, “Every sector has its own risk profile… it’s more about understanding where pressure points lie within the business and putting the right controls in place.”

And the four main actions they would recommend all businesses do right now?

1. Standardise when RTW checks are done within the hiring process across your business

2. Follow the government frameworks to protect your businesses

3. Use digital tools where possible to verify identities

4. Use the three-point visual check: ensure the face on the documentation matches the candidate, that the age is consistent, and the documents are in date.

The Rightcheck experts again stressed how important a standardised process is, Herring says, “The whole recruitment process and conducting a Right to Work check is spread out amongst disparate stakeholders in the process… but, if you delegate that task to one person in your business that hasn’t a clue what they’re doing, you’ve got a single point of failure. 

"Because their errors could be that 60,000 fine or worse. So, control, and visibility of the checks, from the moment you ask for it, to the end, is really important.”

For more information on Right to Work compliance checks, and how businesses can use technology to combat fraud and support Right to Work, watch the full webinar: Recruitment Reimagined: Right to Work 2026 – What UK Employers Need to Know. https://reach-ats.com/articles/candidate-attraction/webinar-recap-right-to-work-2026-what-uk-employers-need-to-know

That's Business suggests that every business watches this webinar.

Faking positivity at work is causing leaders to burn out

Being forced to fake their emotions in the workplace is causing leaders to burn out, according to new research by emlyon business school.

The researchers say that this ‘surface acting’ creates a scientifically proven exhaustion loop that drains the very resources necessary to function well in interpersonal environments. 

As a result, cognitive capacity declines, authenticity erodes, and team trust suffers in ways that makes engaging in leadership more difficult in the future.

The study, conducted by Gordon Sayre, Professor of Management at emlyon business school, alongside colleagues from Pennsylvania State University, and National Sun Yat-Sen University, explored a common behaviour known as surface acting - where individuals present emotions they do not genuinely feel to meet professional expectations.

While often seen as part of being “professional,” the research shows that this emotional masking depletes leaders’ energy, increases exhaustion, and creates a self-reinforcing cycle that becomes harder to escape the longer it continues.

Participants took part in two intensive studies, with 55 employees in the first and 87 in the second, reporting on their emotional energy, emotion regulation, and recovery activities several times per day across multiple working days.

According to the findings, employees who begin the day feeling emotionally drained are more likely to engage in surface acting, and this behaviour further intensifies fatigue by the end of the day. Over time, this traps individuals in a spiral of maladaptive surface acting that can be difficult to break free from. It also reduces leaders’ capacity to remain present, authentic, and effective in their roles, affecting the quality of their interactions with colleagues and teams.

Professor Gordon Sayre explained to That's Business that “employees may surface act not out of their own volition but rather because they are ‘stuck’ in a loss spiral.” 

This means employees continue to put on a positive front not because it is effective or healthy, but because depleted energy and emotional resources leave them without the capacity to engage in more genuine, adaptive forms of emotional regulation.

Importantly, the research also highlights how leaders can break this cycle. Recovery, involves replenishing depleted emotional energy by reducing demands and creating distance from work.

Professor Sayre went on to say that “recovery after work effectively breaks the loss spiral of surface acting. By building in moments of emotional recovery, leaders are better equipped to shift from surface acting to more authentic emotional engagement, reducing strain, strengthening trust, and preventing exhaustion from taking hold.”

The researchers state that it is not about eliminating emotion, but about engaging with it more honestly. By doing so, leaders can preserve their energy, improve decision-making, and foster more resilient and authentic workplace relationships.

The researchers suggest organisations need to move beyond resilience rhetoric and address the conditions that create emotional strain in the first place. Allowing time for genuine recovery, setting clearer boundaries around emotional demands, and reducing customer mistreatment can help prevent leaders and employees from becoming locked into cycles of exhaustion.

Supporting more authentic emotional engagement not only alleviates stress but also strengthens trust, decision-making and long-term performance.

https://em-lyon.com/en

Feedr Data Suggests the Working Week Is Rebalancing as Office Attendance Spreads Beyond Midweek

Office attendance patterns are starting to shift beyond the typical post-Covid midweek peak, according to new data from corporate food platform Feedr.

Analysis of workplace catering and employee lunch benefit data from 2025 shows that while Tuesday to Thursday remain the most popular days for office attendance, the start and end of the week are experiencing a steady rise in engagement, supported by more deliberate investment in food and workplace experiences.

Midweek Remains Strong, While the Week Rebalances

Tuesday to Thursday continue to anchor office life, accounting for the clear majority of weekday catering activity and reinforcing their role as the core days for collaboration, meetings and in-person connection.

However, Feedr’s data indicates office engagement is becoming more evenly distributed across the working week.

Renewed Engagement at the Edges of the Working Week

Alongside sustained midweek demand, Feedr observed renewed activity on Mondays and Fridays in 2025.

- Friday orders increased year-on-year, reversing the typical end-of-week drop-off.

- Monday and Friday saw the strongest growth in total daily spend, signalling increased employer investment on traditionally quieter days.

- Friday saw a 44.89% increase in total spend, while Monday rose by 28.31% - significantly higher than Tuesday (20.08%), Thursday (19.16%) and Wednesday (11.41%).

Together, these shifts suggest that employees are increasingly choosing to attend the office on Mondays and Fridays, as employers make these days more attractive through improved workplace experiences, such as high quality catering, helping to smooth activity across the working week without forcing a return to pre-pandemic patterns.

More Consistent Investment in Workplace Food

Feedr also analysed data from Cloud Canteen, its individual meal plan service where employers provide daily lunch credits that can only be used for meals ordered to the workplace. By increasing the value of these credits, employers are making in-office lunches more appealing to employees, signalling a deliberate investment in improving the office experience to encourage attendance.

In 2025, Feedr recorded a 6.26% year-on-year increase in typical employer-provided credit spend across Cloud Canteen main meals, rising from approximately £10.70 in 2024 to £11.37 in 2025. This points to a consistent increase in employer investment on in-office days, rather than short term or one-off changes.

At the same time, broader ad hoc catering behaviour remained stable year-on-year, with nearly 65% of orders placed more than a week in advance, indicating that companies continue to plan office food deliberately as part of wider workplace and attendance strategies.

Workplace Food Reflects Evolving Employee Expectations

Beyond timing and spend, Feedr’s data highlights a shift towards more thoughtful, experience-led workplace food.

- Pop-up food activations increased by 22.2%, reflecting growing appetite for variety and moments of engagement at work.

- Seasonal and cultural moments continue to drive the highest demand for corporate catering with Christmas, Black History Month, Pancake Day and Summer Parties leading the way.

This suggests food is increasingly being used to create shared moments and reinforce workplace culture, rather than serving a purely functional role.

“What stood out in 2025 wasn’t how often people came into the office, but how thoughtfully employers invested when they did,” Katie Fenton, Managing Director of Feedr told That's Food and Drink.

“Food has become a strategic tool for connection and culture, helping organisations encourage attendance without losing the flexibility employees value.”

Looking Ahead to 2026

Feedr expects this gradual rebalancing of the working week to continue throughout 2026, as organisations focus on maintaining strong midweek collaboration while encouraging more consistent attendance across the full week through flexible incentives.

Feedr is a leading corporate catering platform helping businesses deliver flexible catering and employee lunch benefits for modern, hybrid teams. Feedr works with hundreds of UK workplaces, connecting them to high-quality, diverse food suppliers while giving employers full control over spend and employee experience.

For more information about Feedr visit: Feedr Website https://feedr.co

UK manufacturers sleepwalking into DPP crisis, new research reveals

New research from European software provider Forterro reveals many UK manufacturers and wholesalers are completely unprepared for the introduction of the EU’s Digital Product Passport (DPP), with less than half (47%) even aware of it and what it entails.

Even fewer (43%) say they are actually ready for DPP, a major new regulatory initiative set to begin in 2027 and transform product traceability and lifecycle transparency across Europe. It applies to any business exporting to the EU. 

The findings are part of Forterro’s 2025 research - The Digital Future of the European Industrial Midmarket – which also revealed that around one in five (19%) were unsure whether their business would be affected at all.

The main barriers to DPP readiness identified by UK industrial midmarket companies include the complexity of requirements (47%), a lack of suitable technology to manage compliance, and insufficient internal compliance resources. On average, UK firms expect to spend £28,000 on managing their DPP obligations over the next few years.

“The Digital Product Passport will be to product manufacturing what GDPR was to data — it is that impactful,” Claudia Schmidhäuser, Senior Principal, Product Management, Forterro, said to That's Business.

 “But it’s much more than a compliance issue; it’s an opportunity for greater transparency, sustainability and customer trust. We saw what happened when companies weren’t ready for GDPR, and too many UK midmarket firms are still unaware or underprepared. DPP requirements are approaching fast, so companies must act now to ensure their systems and data are ready.”

The DPP - a structured digital record that holds key information on a product’s identity, composition, lifecycle, repairability, and more - is being rolled out in a phased approach, depending on product category. Battery products are expected to begin in 2027, followed by other product categories like textiles or iron and steel. DPP will require detailed digital records of a product’s lifecycle, covering everything from materials sourcing to repair and recycling.

When the regulation is in place, no product without a DPP will be able to be placed on the EU market. Member states will set the exact financial penalty for failure to comply, but it is expected to be up to 5% of annual EU turnover.

Environmental regulation was seen as the area of compliance posing the greatest challenge for UK industrial midmarket firms, while 45% of respondents said that compliance influences their operational and technology purchasing decisions, as businesses seek to stay competitive and avoid potential penalties. Almost half believe compliance gives them a competitive advantage rather than being an administrative burden.

The research also revealed some of the other challenges faced by the UK industrial midmarket. Adjusting to exports in the light of recent US tariffs was cited as the main challenge by around one-third of respondents, reflecting the ongoing trade tensions affecting key industrial goods such as steel, aluminium and vehicles. This was followed by ongoing global economic and political uncertainty and protecting the supply chain.

“It’s a complex world to navigate for midmarket firms that might lack the expertise enjoyed by some of their larger counterparts,” continued Claudia Schmidhäuser, Forterro. “But it’s true that compliance and competitiveness now go hand-in-hand. Whether it’s DPP, environmental reporting, data protection or staying on top of rapidly changing tariffs, the companies that modernise their systems first will gain an advantage in efficiency, visibility and customer confidence. It can take a while to be ready for any new legislation, especially during the preparatory phase, so UK companies should begin now.”

The full report - The Digital Future of the European Industrial Midmarket – can be downloaded here: https://www.forterro.com/en/resource/digital-future-research-report

Taxi Booking Platform, Cabbidder, Appoints James Sorolla as CTO

Cabbidder, the UK-wide taxi and private hire marketplace helping taxi drivers and operators reduce dead mileage through live quoting, has appointed James Sorolla as Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and Board Member.

James joins Cabbidder to further develop the existing system while leading the delivery of a new Cabbidder-owned platform, designed to accelerate the company’s technical roadmap, improve scalability, and support future dispatch integrations.

Thus making it easier for operators and drivers to access quote requests, share work within the trade, manage jobs, and grow revenue more efficiently.

Cabbidder enables customers to post their journey details once and receive multiple quotes from licensed taxi drivers and private hire operators — helping the trade fill empty return legs and maximise vehicle utilisation, while giving customers transparent choice and competitive pricing. The new platform will further enhance Cabbidder by enabling the trade to share and outsource jobs across the UK, helping operators meet customer expectations and service KPIs.

Matt Young, Founder of Cabbidder, told That's Business: “James joining us as CTO is a major step forward for Cabbidder. His experience and the platform technology we’re building will strengthen Cabbidder’s market position and significantly accelerate our development roadmap, including dispatch integrations and operator onboarding. 

"This is a key milestone as we scale nationally and continue building the infrastructure the trade needs to work smarter, not harder.”

James Sorolla, CTO of Cabbidder, added: “I’m excited to be joining Cabbidder at such an important stage. The vision is clear — reduce inefficiency across the industry, increase utilisation, and build technology that supports operators and drivers at scale. I’m looking forward to delivering the new work-sharing platform and helping accelerate integrations and ongoing development.”

FREZYA releases ‘FURTIVA’ as a clearance-ready, royalty-free music asset for gaming, film and online creators

Lokidio Lab has announced that the debut single from virtual vocalist FREZYA, the seven-minute cinematic track “FURTIVA”, is now available to global creators as a commercial, royalty-free audio asset with a clearly defined license.

Rather than being released as a conventional single only, FURTIVA is positioned as a classified audio asset: a long-form, Leonida-aesthetic–inspired “midnight heist” piece designed for use in interactive and narrative media. 

Musically, FURTIVA blends dark, Mariachi-inspired brass with phonk-weight 808s and an Amapiano-leaning rhythmic grid – a modern hybrid built for night-drive sequences, high-risk missions and extended set-piece storytelling.

In parallel with the track, Lokidio Lab is launching the LPSV-01 Open framework - a license standard that treats music as a technical asset rather than a subscription product. Under LPSV-01 Open, FURTIVA is released as a clearance-ready track with:

- full commercial, royalty-free usage rights for eligible creators (no subscription, no per-use fees, no revenue share for covered uses)

- a PDF certificate that can be presented to platforms, publishers or partners as proof of license

- protocol metadata designed to support verification and reduce Content ID / DMCA friction wherever reasonably possible

“Our goal is for music to function like a predictable, verifiable digital asset – something creators and studios can integrate without worrying that a single track will take their project down,” the Lokidio Lab team told That's Business.

“FURTIVA is the first iteration of that approach, particularly for gaming, streaming and story-driven environments that lean into the Leonida-style heist aesthetic.”

LPSV-01 Open is aimed at streamers and VTubers, RP communities, game developers, trailer and promo teams, and film, TV and streaming productions that require a clearly documented, verifiable source of music for long-term projects.

FURTIVA is available for listening, direct download (MP3/WAV) and certificate access via the dedicated FREZYA portal:

https://frezya.ai/

https://lokidiolab.com

Paris Haute Couture Week Spotlight: Supermodel Sofia Miagkikh Announces Women-Focused Empowerment Platform

In the midst of Haute Couture Week in Paris, where she walked for Yanina Couture by Yulia Yanina, international fashion model Sofia Miagkikh has announced the forthcoming launch of a landmark platform focused on women’s empowerment—beginning in the Gulf region.

Miagkikh says the initiative responds to what she believes is a growing challenge for young women today: visibility is rising, but relatable role models remain limited. 

In a recent interview, she noted: “A record number of women have become visible across business, media, and creative industries—and yet that has created an equally large number of young women seeking role models who reflect both ambition and their cultural identity.”

Through her social channels, Miagkikh has built a reputation for coaching and encouraging women with practical guidance on confidence, mindset, presentation, and self-discipline. Her content has resonated strongly with audiences in Qatar and Saudi Arabia who want access to modern opportunities while staying aligned with conservative values.

The platform is rooted in Miagkikh’s belief that empowerment is most sustainable when it is practical and culturally aware. Rather than adopting polarizing narratives, her approach emphasizes personal development, professional readiness, and positive representation.

Despite her young age, Miagkikh has built international fashion credentials through editorial milestones and global work, including features in Vogue Thailand, ELLE Greece, and France’s Gala, along with collaborations with luxury fashion and jewelry houses such as Armani and Bvlgari, and work associated with Ferragamo. She says those experiences shaped her worldview and deepened her commitment to supporting women—especially young women—in navigating public life, ambition, and identity with clarity and dignity.

“Fashion taught me that confidence is not something you perform—it’s something you build,” Miagkikh said. “I want young women in the Gulf to feel they can grow, be seen, and succeed without compromising who they are or what they value. 

"I have been working with an incredible group of both global and regional stakeholders that include some of the most influential women in their respective fields.  Through this initiative I hope to match the impact that visionairies such as Princess Reema Al Saud, Sheikha Al Mayassa Al Thani and others in their positions have been able to accomplish for women all over the world.”

As part of the platform’s launch, Miagkikh has begun media collaborations to help use her voice to catalyze a broader movement to bring together a network of thought leaders in the industry that will host events and international collaborations that bring women from all over the world exposure to positive role models that can can help them develop their skills and make an impact in their local communities and maintaining individual values and beliefs.

https://sofiamiagkikh.com

Clean Planet Technologies Awarded UK Government SAF Clearing House Funding

Clean Planet Technologies (CPTech), part of the Clean Planet Group, has been awarded funding by the UK Department for Transport (DfT) through the UK Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) Clearing House, supporting the next phase of qualification and testing for its waste-plastics-to-Sustainable Aviation Fuel (P2SAF) technology.

The award forms part of a funding package announced today by the DfT, supporting four SAF innovators, Avioxx Ltd, Clean Planet Technologies Ltd, Green Lizard Technologies Ltd, and Zero Petroleum Ltd, to accelerate the testing, certification and commercialisation of next-generation sustainable aviation fuels.

The UK SAF Clearing House plays a central role in the UK’s aviation decarbonisation strategy, providing technical guidance, access to recognised testing facilities, and support for the ASTM qualification process. The programme underpins the UK’s ambition to lead globally in SAF deployment, alongside the SAF Mandate and wider measures to derisk first-of-a-kind SAF production.

Matthew Jee, Director of the UK SAF Clearing House, told That's Business: “The UK SAF Clearing House is delighted to support [Clean Planet Technologies] as they move through the critical stages of fuel qualification. 

"The testing we facilitate provides the robust evidence base that producers and industry needs to build confidence, unlock investment and accelerate the deployment of new fuels. These awards underline the UK SAF Clearing House’s commitment to working closely with innovators to scale sustainable aviation fuel production and to deliver meaningful progress towards a more sustainable aviation sector in the UK.”

Advancing the UK’s first Plastics-to-SAF pathway

For Clean Planet Technologies, the funding will support detailed fuel characterisation, materials compatibility testing, and data generation required for progression through the ASTM qualification process for plastics-derived aviation fuels.

CPTech is developing the SAFe-P2SAF platform — a proprietary system combining pyrolysis and advanced hydroprocessing to convert hard-to-recycle waste plastics into ultra-clean, low-carbon jet fuel. Their technology was unveiled publicly at the SAF Global Summit, where CPTech presented the UK’s first end-to-end Plastics-to-SAF pathway.

The programme builds on CPTech’s patented pyrolysis-oil upgrading technology, now protected in the UK, United States and Saudi Arabia, and is being advanced through the company’s upcoming UK pilot facility, planned for opening in April 2026.

Dr Andrew Odjo, CTO of Clean Planet Energy and CEO of Clean Planet Technologies, said: “We are delighted to be supported by the UK SAF Clearing House programme, enabling us to accelerate the validation of our innovative plastics-to-SAF technology. 

"Every molecule of virgin fossil fuel that we can replace with our oils brings waste back into the value chain, and significantly reduces lifecycle carbon emissions and plastic pollution. The UK is at the forefront for advanced fuels, and this support helps ground-breaking technologies like ours reach commercial deployment. We’re proud to contribute to the future of sustainable aviation and to the UK’s Net Zero ambitions whilst removing waste from the environment.”

Dr Katerina Garyfalou, COO of Clean Planet Technologies, added: “This support allows us to move faster and with greater technical confidence through the SAF qualification process. Fuel testing and certification are essential steps in bridging innovation and commercial reality, and the UK SAF Clearing House plays a critical role in reducing risk for new fuel pathways. This award strengthens our roadmap from pilot-scale validation to commercial deployment.”

Supporting UK SAF scale-up and feedstock diversity

With UK and EU SAF mandates coming into force and increasing pressure on traditional bio-based feedstocks, alternative circular feedstocks such as waste plastics are gaining strategic importance. CPTech is an active contributor to the ASTM task force for plastics-to-SAF and is working alongside industry partners, including OMV, whose forthcoming annex is expected to establish the regulatory route for this new class of fuels.

Each stage of the Clearing House programme brings CPTech closer to commissioning its first commercial-scale Plastics-to-SAF unit, targeted later this decade, and to supplying meaningful volumes of low-carbon SAF into the aviation market.

https://www.cleanplanet.com

First Advantage launches Enhanced DBS checks for self-employed workers as new safeguarding rules come into force

First Advantage has launched a fast, digital application service enabling self-employed individuals to obtain their own Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks, following a major legislative update designed to strengthen safeguarding across the UK.

For the first time, self-employed professionals including private tutors, carers, and therapists can request their own Enhanced DBS check, giving personal employers greater confidence when inviting workers into their homes and places of work. 

Previously, only organisations such as schools, churches, hospitals, or care providers could request these checks, leaving private employers without access to the same level of safeguarding information.

The legislative update, announced in November 2025, responds to recommendations from the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA), which called for stronger measures to protect children and vulnerable adults.

A streamlined digital route for self-employed professionals

As a global background screening leader processing more than one million UK criminal record checks each year, First Advantage is supporting the change through the provision of a seamless online process that uses digital identity verification to speed up and improve the accuracy of applications.

Enhanced DBS checks provide details of relevant spent and unspent convictions and cautions, along with any additional police information deemed proportionate to disclose. Where eligible, they can also include checks of the children’s and adults’ barred lists, the highest level of safeguarding available.

Having an up-to-date Enhanced DBS certificate can help self-employed workers to secure roles more quickly, demonstrate their commitment to safeguarding, and build immediate trust with potential clients.

Rolf Bezemer, Executive Vice President and General Manager International at First Advantage, told That's Business: “Extending Enhanced DBS checks to self-employed workers is a transformational step for safeguarding in the UK. 

"Historically, personal employers have not had access to the same level of information and protection available to institutions such as schools or care providers. This change finally closes that gap.

“At First Advantage, we welcome this progress and are proud to support it with a digital application process designed for speed, accuracy, and security. Self-employed professionals rely on trust to build their client base, and being able to evidence their suitability through an Enhanced DBS certificate helps them do exactly that.

“As one of the UK’s largest processors of criminal record checks, we see firsthand how important clear, reliable screening is for safeguarding. This update gives personal employers real confidence in the people they invite into their homes, and it gives workers a simple way to demonstrate their commitment to safety and professionalism.”

https://fadv.co.uk/services/personal-background-checks

Why Net Zero Starts with Facing the Data

As organisations strive to meet net zero commitments, the biggest challenge often isn’t ambition, it’s action.

And at the heart of that action lies one critical step: establishing a carbon emissions baseline.

The foundation for progress

A carbon emissions baseline provides a clear starting point for measuring and reducing greenhouse gas emissions across Scope 1, 2, and 3. Without it, even the most well-intentioned sustainability strategies risk drifting into irrelevance.

Baselining is essential for:

• Understanding your environmental impact.

• Setting meaningful targets.

• Planning effective reductions.

• Meeting growing regulatory and reporting expectations.

What is the barrier for organisations?

Despite its importance, many organisations postpone baselining. Common barriers include fragmented data, unclear ownership, and fear of inaccuracies. But these delays can stall progress and increase risk as compliance requirements tighten.

The human factor

The challenge isn’t just technical, it’s organisational. Internal silos, legacy systems, and budget hesitations often slow decision-making. Sustainability can remain sidelined when leadership waits for perfect data or a dedicated team.

Start where you are

The most effective approach is pragmatic: begin with what you have. Use estimates. Be transparent. Build from there. Practical steps include:

• Embedding emissions tracking into core responsibilities.

• Leveraging unified data platforms for clarity across all scopes.

• Creating a culture of accountability around sustainability reporting.

Why now is the best time to start

With regulatory expectations rising and public scrutiny growing, the cost of inaction is increasing. Baselining isn’t just a compliance requirement, it’s the cornerstone of measurable, lasting change. And as we step into a new year, organisations have a unique opportunity to set the tone for their sustainability journey.

Recent government updates reinforce this urgency. The latest EPC reforms confirm that commercial properties must have a valid EPC before marketing, and while the carbon-based Environmental Impact Rating remains the headline metric, tighter compliance and clearer links to MEES obligations are on the way. 

Later in 2026, expect further changes to Display Energy Certificate (DEC) cycles, EPC and DEC data use, auditing standards, and air conditioning inspection reporting. All signalling a stronger emphasis on transparency and accountability.

Starting now means:

• You’ll be ahead of upcoming policy refinements.

• You’ll avoid last-minute compliance scrambles.

• You’ll build credibility with stakeholders and customers who increasingly demand proof of progress.

The message is clear: don’t wait for perfect data or future deadlines, use this new year as your launchpad for action. Baselining today sets the foundation for every net zero commitment tomorrow.

To learn more visit https://www.teamenergy.com

Rudell The Jewellers Highlights Opportunities as Gold Hits Record Highs

Gold has reached an all-time high, creating exciting opportunities for jewellery owners and collectors across the United Kingdom. 

Local jewellers, such as West Midlands-based Rudell The Jewellers, are emphasising the benefits of this historic milestone for customers who own, trade, or are considering purchasing gold jewellery.

The surge in gold prices reflects a combination of global factors, including geopolitical tensions, financial market volatility, and continued central bank purchases in countries such as China, India, and Poland.

Currency fluctuations and low interest rates in major economies have further strengthened gold’s appeal as a safe-haven asset. While these dynamics impact investors worldwide, jewellery owners are experiencing tangible benefits closer to home.

For those who already own gold jewellery, the rise in prices enhances the intrinsic value of their collections. According to Glenn Jenkinson-Deakin, Store Manager at Rudell The Jewellers Wolverhampton, who told That's Business: “Our customers are seeing the real-world value of pieces they have cherished for years increase significantly. 

"Jewellery that was purchased for personal enjoyment now represents sentimental and financial worth. This historic market milestone is a reminder of the strength of gold through generations.”

Even for customers considering new purchases, gold jewellery remains a compelling investment, holding additional worth through its design, craftsmanship, and sentimental value. 

Glenn further explains, “Purchasing gold jewellery now is not about investment. It is about acquiring a piece that carries lasting beauty, quality, and personal meaning. The high price of gold also means each piece purchased today has greater long-term value, creating a tangible store of wealth alongside its aesthetic appeal.”

Rising gold prices also create opportunities for strategic buying. Smaller designs, mixed metals, and lower carat options allow customers to acquire high-quality jewellery while navigating higher raw gold prices. These choices provide flexibility, ensuring that jewellery remains attainable while still retaining value. Furthermore, high gold prices mean that any new purchase has the potential to grow in value over time.

The historic peak in gold prices also highlights the value of local expertise. At Rudell The Jewellers, customers benefit from guidance on trade-ins, upgrades, and new purchases, helping them navigate a complex market with confidence. 

“We focus on ensuring that every customer understands the benefits and opportunities of the current gold market,” Glenn said. 

“For customers looking to purchase a new piece, upgrade an existing item, or assess their collection’s value, our priority is to provide practical, informed guidance.”

Historically, gold has maintained its status as a reliable store of wealth, and the current record underscores its continuing relevance. 

For jewellery owners in the West Midlands, this surge reinforces the importance of careful collection management and informed decision-making. It also demonstrates that jewellery is a tangible, long-lasting asset that combines financial value with beauty and personal significance.

The record-high gold prices represent a positive development for jewellery owners. They enhance the value of existing collections, provide opportunities for trade-ins and upgrades, and create long-term benefits for those acquiring new pieces. 

Residents in the West Midlands can take comfort in knowing that, with expert guidance from trusted local jewellers like Rudell The Jewellers, gold jewellery remains a meaningful and valuable investment, even during times of historic market growth.

www.rudells.com

Ignore the doom-mongers – e-commerce had a strong December and crushed Christmas, says Parcelhero

Reports of online’s death this peak season were greatly exaggerated, says Parcelhero. The latest ONS retail figures show 2025’s results smashed 2024’s December and golden quarter results.

There’s still gold in retail’s golden quarter, says the home delivery expert Parcelhero. Forget talk of  ‘Drab December’ – online peak sales values for October-December 2025 surged by 8.4% compared to the same period in 2024.

The latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) retail sales bulletin for December 2025 reveals online in particular enjoyed a mini-boom, while overall sales for online and High Street stores were also up in December 2025 compared to both the previous month and December 2024.

Parcelhero’s Head of Consumer Research, David Jinks M.I.L.T., told That's Business: "Despite talk about a “Drab December” and lacklustre Christmas peak, the latest ONS retail sales figures show online sales had a strong December. Non-store retailers (the majority of which are online) saw their sales volumes (the amount we bought) rise 4.2% in December compared to November. The end of the so-called “golden quarter” was literally that, with online jewellers reporting a resurgence in demand for precious metals in December.

"In terms of online sales values (the amount we spent), spending was up 1.8% in December compared to November and, encouragingly, soared a whopping 11.1% compared to December 2024. 

"E-commerce sellers enjoyed a strong Christmas-BFCM (Black Friday/Cyber Monday) peak overall, in terms of the amount Brits spent online. The October-December golden quarter saw sales values rise by 2.1% over the previous quarter (though they slipped -1.5% in terms of sales volumes) and values also rose an impressive 8.4% over 2024’s peak period.

"Nor did online’s successful December come at the expense of High Street sales. In fact, overall retail sales volumes (in-store and online) were up 0.4% in December compared to November and 2.5% over December 2024. In terms of the entire peak season, while volumes did fall slightly (-0.3%) against the previous quarter (July-September, 2025) they were up 2.1% against 2024’s seasonal peak. Likewise, in terms of the value of total sales (in-store and online) December’s spending topped November’s by 0.8%.

"With December being the final month of 2025, the ONS also had some good news looking back on the year as a whole. Retail sales volumes overall rose by 1.3% in 2025 over 2024 with non-store sales (mostly online) in particular rising 3.6% over the previous year.

"In short, online sellers can be heartened by this largely positive set of results and can plan for Christmas 2026 with more confidence!

"Ultimately, however fickle or strong key retail periods of the year prove to be, it's those stores with a combined High Street and online offering that are most protected against unexpected events.

Parcelhero’s influential report “2030: Death of the High Street” has been discussed in Parliament. It reveals that retailers must develop an omnichannel approach, embracing both online and physical store sales. Read the full report at: https://www.parcelhero.com/content/downloads/pdfs/high-street/deathofthehighstreetreport.pdf

Local playlists measurably improve hotel experience. HearDis! and Motel One present music study

What people feel in a place is shaped not only by architecture, design, or service, but also by music. 

A new European pilot music study by HearDis! in collaboration with Motel One provides the first data-driven evidence of how local music influences the hotel experience. 

The results demonstrate clear positive effects on sense of place, guest satisfaction, and cultural curiosity.

HearDis! has long been creating music programmes for Motel One and The Cloud One Hotels. These playlists form part of the Motel One Group’s brand commitment to making cities and their identities holistically tangible. The study examined the measurable contribution local music makes to guests’ sense of arrival and overall quality of stay.

The findings show a strong impact of local music on the guest experience. Guests exposed to local playlists were almost three times more likely to feel connected to the destination than those listening to non-local playlists. 

Overall satisfaction also rose significantly, with guests rating their stay as good or very good rising from 66% to 79%. Local playlists also strengthened cultural curiosity and the impulse to discover new artist.

The pilot study was conducted as part of the EU-funded Horizon Europe research project OpenMusE, which investigates innovative and fair usage contexts for music across Europe. Six Motel One Group hotels participated.

Each hotel played two brand-fit music programmes across two phases, identical in atmosphere and brand alignment. The sole variable was content locality: one playlist without local references and one featuring local artists, language, or regional context. Guests and employees evaluated their experience anonymously without knowing the study purpose, enabling a reliable comparison.

“Our guests should not just stay in a city – they should truly arrive, emotionally and culturally. This study shows that music is a highly effective yet often underestimated part of the guest journey” Susan Schramm, CMO of the Motel One Group told That's Business. 

“Local music strengthens the sense of place and measurably enhances the overall experience – regardless of age, gender, or musical taste. 

"This proves that music serves as a strategic component of modern hospitality experience, which we will continue to develop and scale together with Motel One,” adds Sören Maisch, Director In-Store Music at HearDis!.

The study highlights that effectiveness is not driven by song recognition, but by music’s ability to convey the character of a place. Local playlists make a destination’s identity audible and create a cultural connection between brand, city, and traveller.

Motel One and HearDis! will further develop and expand local music programs to embed local profiles consistently along the guest journey while increasing visibility for local artists.

www.motel-one.com 

That's Food and Drink: BRULO raises over £1m as Zoopla, Beavertown and Fu...

That's Food and Drink: BRULO raises over £1m as Zoopla, Beavertown and Fu...: BRULO, the premium alcohol free beer brand which is redefining modern drinking culture, has raised over £1 million in its first funding roun...

Swiss AI Academy Launches Framework to Keep Humans in Charge as AI Scales

Swiss AI Academy has launched the Bionic Context Protocol (BCP), a 14-principle framework designed to prevent the erosion of human judgment and capability as artificial intelligence spreads across societies worldwide. 

The announcement was made during an independent auxiliary unDAVOS event alongside the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting.

"How you use AI matters as much as whether you use AI," Shaje Ganny, (PICTURED) Co-Founder of Swiss AI Academy, told That's Business. 

"When people passively accept AI outputs, capabilities degrade. When AI is designed to keep humans thinking and challenging, capabilities strengthen."

The problem: adoption outpacing safeguards

AI adoption is moving faster than governance and human capability safeguards. A 2025 MIT Media Lab study found that people who relied on AI writing tools showed weaker brain connectivity and struggled to recall their own work, a phenomenon researchers termed "cognitive debt." Current responses remain siloed: researchers study the problem, ethicists debate principles, organizations develop internal policies. BCP unifies this work into a coherent protocol that moves from discussion to implementation

The evidence: four decades of automation research

BCP is built on research into automation bias, skill decay, and human-machine interaction from safety-critical industries including aviation and healthcare. Studies from these fields show that when humans become passive observers of automated systems, their ability to intervene during failures declines.

The framework: three levels of protection

The protocol operates at three levels: individual, protecting personal agency and independent thinking; organisational, ensuring human needs are not subordinated to efficiency metrics; and societal, preserving the capacity of communities to shape their collective future.

The distinction: evolution versus erosion

BCP distinguishes between capability evolution, where societies intentionally choose which skills to develop or retire, and capability erosion, where skills disappear as an untracked side effect of systems optimized for speed or cost.

The call: global recruitment for five workstreams

The framework is released as version 0.6, a consultation draft intended to be completed through public contribution. Swiss AI Academy is recruiting workstream leaders and contributors across five areas: governance architecture, evidence synthesis, implementation tools, measurement systems, and sector-specific applications.

"A small group cannot carry this alone," Ganny said. "We need researchers, practitioners, educators, and policymakers who understand what is at stake."

The full framework and contributor registration are available at bcporg.info.