AI - WORLDEF

AI Earthquake at Oracle: Thousands of Employees Are Being Laid Off

US-based technology giant Oracle is preparing to part ways with thousands of employees while accelerating its artificial intelligence investments. The company’s new wave of layoffs launched on a global scale stands out as one of the most striking examples of the growing “AI-focused restructuring” trend in the technology sector.

According to sources close to the matter, although Oracle has not yet made an official announcement, it has started a downsizing process affecting thousands of employees worldwide. It is stated that the company, which had approximately 162,000 employees as of 2025, took this step in order to optimize costs and redirect resources.

Oracle’s Layoffs Could Reach 30,000 People

According to some analyses, if the layoffs reach between 20,000 and 30,000 people, the company could achieve an increase of between $8 billion and $10 billion in free cash flow. This shows that Oracle aims to strengthen its financial structure.

This decision by Oracle is directly linked to its major investments in artificial intelligence infrastructure. The company is expanding capacity to support artificial intelligence workloads, especially by increasing GPU- and CPU-based data center investments.

Oracle’s recent announcement of a $50 billion debt and equity financing plan reveals the scale of the investment. In addition, following the company’s agreement with OpenAI worth more than $300 billion, its total remaining performance obligations reached $455 billion.

Stock Pressure and Competition Were Influential

The company’s stock performance was also an important trigger in this process. While Oracle shares lost approximately 25% of their value during 2026, investors are voicing concerns about the company’s rising debt load and declining cash flow. At the same time, Oracle, which competes with giants such as Amazon, Microsoft, and Google in the field of generative artificial intelligence, is pursuing an aggressive investment strategy in order not to fall behind in this race.

Industry Players Focused on Restructuring for AI

Oracle is not alone. Recently, technology giants such as Meta, Amazon, and Atlassian have also made similar layoffs and redirected their resources toward artificial intelligence investments. According to experts, this shows that companies have entered a transformation process toward “AI-first organizations.”

Analysts emphasize that these layoffs do not mean that artificial intelligence is directly replacing employees, but rather that companies are restructuring costs in order to invest in future growth areas.

The Long-Term Goal Is to Increase AI Revenues

Oracle management, however, believes that the investments made will pay off in the long term. The company states that demand for artificial intelligence infrastructure exceeds supply and that there is strong growth potential in this area. All these developments reveal that the balance in the technology sector is changing rapidly and that companies are now reshaping their growth strategies around artificial intelligence.

Deloitte Middle East Launches Oracle AI Agents Centre for Autonomous Systems

Fortuna Expands AI Customer Service with 40+ Language Support for E-Commerce

Fortune Global Limited has launched Fortuna, a new AI customer service platform designed for e-commerce merchants looking to automate support operations and improve response times. According to the company, the platform connects directly to online store databases, allowing it to access live order details, shipping updates, product information, and store policy documents when responding to customer inquiries.

The launch reflects a wider shift in online retail, where merchants are increasingly turning to automation to manage growing volumes of customer questions without expanding support teams at the same pace. Fortuna is positioned as a solution that can handle customer support emails using real-time store data, rather than relying only on pre-set scripts or static FAQs.

How Fortuna works for merchants

Once connected to a merchant’s store, Fortuna can pull information from order records, carrier tracking systems, product catalogues, and policy documents to generate answers for customer support requests. For example, the platform can provide delivery status updates for tracking-related questions and respond to product-related inquiries using catalogue data.

For more sensitive actions such as refunds, the company says the platform operates under a merchant-controlled approval system. In those cases, Fortuna provides its analysis and a suggested action, but the final decision remains with the merchant. No financial transaction is completed without explicit approval.

The company also says the platform supports customer communication in more than 40 languages with automatic language detection. Setup is offered through a plugin or app installed on a merchant’s e-commerce platform, with no developer resources or complex API configuration required for deployment. Fortuna is also designed to run continuously, helping merchants manage customer service requests around the clock.

Fortuna’s pricing starts at $47 per month for up to 250 conversations, while higher-tier plans range from $199 to $1,599 per month, depending on conversation volume. Additional Scale and Apex tiers are also available for larger operations.

Fortune Global Limited, which is registered in the Isle of Man, describes Fortuna as part of its broader push to develop AI-powered software products for e-commerce businesses serving global markets.

Source: FinancialContent

AI Visibility Debate Deepens as 84% of Australian Marketers Disagree on Ownership

Australian marketers are increasingly divided over who owns AI visibility, as businesses struggle to adapt to the rise of AI-driven search and discovery.

A recent study by Sefiani found that 84% of marketing and communications leaders disagree on ownership of AI visibility, highlighting a lack of clear responsibility across organisations.

At the same time, 91% of respondents said they are already changing strategies to better influence how brands appear in AI-generated answers. However, only 16% reported having an integrated approach, with responsibilities split across data, brand, communications and performance teams.

Fragmentation Risks Undermining AI Visibility Strategies

The lack of alignment is creating operational challenges. Around 77% of leaders said internal silos caused major issues over the past year, including inconsistent messaging and slower response times.

More critically, one in four organisations reported incorrect or outdated brand information appearing in AI-generated responses, raising concerns about reputational risk in AI-led environments.

This shift reflects a broader transformation in how discovery works. AI tools are moving beyond traditional search, forcing companies to rethink how their information is structured and distributed.

Budget allocation is also evolving. Nearly half of respondents said they have assigned 5% to 10% of marketing budgets to AI visibility, while another 30% are investing up to 20%. Most of this spend is being redirected from traditional digital and brand channels.

Industry experts warn that AI visibility is no longer tied to a single channel. Instead, it depends on consistency across content, media coverage, social signals and search authority. Without alignment, fragmented strategies can weaken how brands appear in AI-generated outputs.

As AI continues to reshape digital discovery, the debate is shifting from search rankings to a more complex question: who controls how a brand is represented inside AI systems.

Source

Global Retail Faces Harsh AI Reality as Only 5% See Real Returns Despite 95% Adoption

The global retail sector is entering a more pragmatic phase of AI adoption, as new research reveals a significant gap between experimentation and real business impact. A joint report by Voyado and Retail Economics shows that while 95% of companies have already tested AI in marketing or e-commerce, only 5% report clear and scalable returns.

The findings highlight a critical shift in the AI narrative-from rapid adoption to measurable performance-raising new questions about how retail businesses can turn AI investments into tangible results.

Data and Organizational Gaps Hold Back AI Performance

According to the report, the challenge is not access to AI tools, but the lack of strong data foundations and organizational readiness. Retail companies that achieve meaningful results typically rely on significantly more data sources and have more mature internal systems.

A major barrier remains internal capability. Around 58% of respondents identified skills shortages as the primary obstacle, while most of the top challenges were linked to organizational structure rather than technology itself.

This suggests that many retailers are still operating AI in isolated pilots rather than embedding it into core workflows.

AI Investment Set to Reshape the Retail Sector by 2030

Despite current limitations, the long-term impact of AI across the retail industry remains substantial. The report estimates that 39% of marketing and e-commerce budgets will be exposed to AI by 2030, representing approximately €14.9 billion annually.

Businesses are increasingly expecting AI to become a standard part of operations. Around 71% believe AI will be fully integrated into marketing workflows within two years, while 45% expect it to deliver measurable returns within the same timeframe.

The shift indicates that while adoption is already widespread, the next phase will be defined by execution-where only companies with strong data infrastructure and operational alignment are likely to capture real value.

Source: My Newsdesk

AI Reshapes Product Display in 2 Key Ways as Waddle Expands to U.S.

AI is taking on a more active role in e-commerce as South Korean startup Waddle expands into the U.S. AI is taking on a more active role in e-commerce as South Korean startup Waddle expands into the U.S. market with its commerce agent “Gentoo.”

Unlike traditional chatbots, Gentoo operates as a digital salesperson, engaging users in real time, identifying hesitation points, and guiding them toward purchase decisions.

This shift is redefining how products are displayed to users, turning static storefronts into more interactive and conversion-driven experiences.

From Static Pages to Intelligent Shopping Experiences

One of the biggest changes introduced by AI commerce is how online stores manage product display.

Instead of relying on fixed layouts and manual merchandising, Gentoo adapts how products are displayed based on user behavior and intent. It can initiate conversations, highlight relevant items, and guide users through complex product choices.

At the same time, the system functions as an AI store manager, helping retailers optimise both customer experience and overall display performance.

Closing the Conversion Gap

A long-standing challenge in e-commerce is the gap between browsing and purchasing. Many users explore products but leave before completing transactions.

Waddle addresses this through real-time conversational engagement, improving how products are displayed and discovered based on user needs.

This approach mirrors the experience of an in-store salesperson, bringing personalised guidance into digital environments while improving conversion rates.

Early Signals from the U.S. Market

Waddle’s expansion into the U.S. has already shown early traction. Within two months, the company secured 11 clients and engaged with more than 260 prospective customers.

The company also benefits from its collaboration with OpenAI, including winning a global hackathon and maintaining close ties with its developer ecosystem.

These milestones reinforce the growing demand for AI-driven commerce solutions.

Data and the Future of Product Display

According to the company, data is the key differentiator. Modern e-commerce environments combine text, images, video, and behavioral signals – requiring more than simple conversational responses.

By leveraging contextual data, Gentoo improves how products are displayed in real time, delivering more accurate recommendations and more relevant shopping experiences.

Looking ahead, trends such as “vibe shopping” suggest that product display will increasingly be shaped by emotion, mood, and overall experience – not just price or specifications.

Source: The Elec

For more global e-commerce, technology, and fintech news, explore the latest updates on WORLDEF.

Istanbul Chamber of Commerce Signals Positive Shift With 3 AI Expansion Priorities

The Istanbul Chamber of Commerce is accelerating its focus on artificial intelligence, outlining a strategic push to expand AI adoption across industries as part of its broader economic vision.

The initiative reflects a growing recognition that AI is no longer optional but a core driver of competitiveness, particularly for businesses navigating digital transformation and global market pressures.

AI Moves From Experimentation to Business Core

According to chamber representatives, artificial intelligence in Türkiye is transitioning from early experimentation to structured, large-scale implementation across sectors.

This shift is being driven by increasing demand for:

automation and efficiency
data-driven decision-making
scalable digital business models

The Istanbul Chamber of Commerce is positioning itself as a key facilitator in this transition, helping companies integrate AI into their operations more effectively.

Expanding AI Ecosystem in 2026

The chamber’s strategy includes expanding AI-related initiatives, partnerships, and knowledge-sharing platforms throughout 2026.

Türkiye is already strengthening its position as a regional hub for AI innovation, supported by upcoming global events such as major technology gatherings in Istanbul aimed at accelerating investment and collaboration.

These developments are expected to:

boost AI adoption among SMEs
attract international investors
strengthen the country’s digital economy

Supporting Businesses Through Transformation

With over 300,000 registered members, the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce plays a critical role in shaping business strategy and supporting companies through technological change.

Its AI expansion agenda focuses on:

increasing awareness and training
enabling access to new technologies
fostering collaboration between startups, enterprises, and institutions

Türkiye Positions Itself for AI-Driven Growth

As global competition intensifies, Türkiye is placing artificial intelligence at the center of its economic roadmap.

The Istanbul Chamber of Commerce’s push highlights a broader trend:
AI is becoming a foundational layer of business, not just a technological upgrade.

Source: Hürriyet Daily News

Business Faces 5 Rising Cybersecurity Threats as AI Traffic Surges

The rapid rise of artificial intelligence is fundamentally reshaping the internet and with it, the global cybersecurity landscape. According to the latest industry findings, AI-driven traffic is growing at an unprecedented pace, forcing business leaders to rethink how they manage digital trust and security.

In 2025, automated traffic expanded significantly, growing nearly eight times faster than human-generated traffic, signaling a major shift in how online activity is created and managed. At the same time, AI-driven traffic surged by 187% over the year, nearly tripling in volume and becoming the fastest-growing segment of internet activity.

How AI Traffic Is Transforming Business and Security

One of the most notable developments is the rise of AI agents-systems that no longer just browse the web but actively interact with it. These agents are now capable of performing complex tasks such as product discovery and even completing transactions, marking a new phase in digital commerce.

This shift is particularly important for business ecosystems, as AI-driven traffic is heavily concentrated in high-value industries. More than 95% of this activity is focused on sectors such as e-commerce, streaming and travel, where real-time data and frequent transactions create strong incentives for automation.

However, this rapid growth is also introducing new cybersecurity risks. The report highlights a sharp increase in malicious activity, including scraping attacks and account takeover attempts. In fact, scraping-related traffic alone is approaching 20% of total global traffic, nearly doubling compared to previous years.

At the same time, post-login account compromise attempts have surged dramatically, with hundreds of thousands of incidents detected per organization on average. These trends suggest that as AI becomes more capable, the line between legitimate automation and cyber threats is becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish-creating new challenges for business operations.

The Growing Challenge for Business in the AI Era

For business leaders, the implications are significant. As AI-driven automation becomes more common, organizations must adapt to a new reality where not all traffic is human-and not all automated activity is harmful.

This creates a critical challenge: identifying which AI interactions are beneficial, such as customer-facing automation, and which represent potential fraud or cyber threats. Traditional security approaches focused on blocking bots are no longer sufficient. Instead, companies are being pushed toward building “trust layers” that can differentiate between good and malicious automation.

Looking ahead, the continued growth of AI traffic is expected to further transform how businesses operate online – from customer engagement and marketing to fraud prevention and platform security. As AI systems become more autonomous, cybersecurity strategies will need to evolve just as quickly.

Ultimately, the rise of AI-driven traffic marks a turning point for the digital economy. For global business leaders, balancing innovation with security will be essential to navigating this new era of intelligent, automated internet activity.

Source: HUMAN Security

Business Enters a New Era as 2026 Marks the Rise of AI-Run E-Commerce Stores

Artificial intelligence is moving beyond support tools and into full operational control, as a new generation of AI agents begins to manage entire e-commerce businesses. Emerging platforms like Genstore are introducing a model where autonomous AI systems can build, launch and operate online stores with minimal human involvement.

This shift marks a significant evolution in digital commerce. Instead of relying on fragmented tools for design, marketing, analytics and operations, AI agents now function as a coordinated “virtual team,” handling multiple roles simultaneously. These systems can generate storefronts, optimize product listings, manage campaigns and even support customer interactions.

According to industry insights, AI-native platforms are designed to remove the complexity that has traditionally slowed down e-commerce adoption. By analyzing product data, market trends and design patterns, AI can create a ready-to-sell store within minutes – dramatically reducing time to market.

How AI Agents Are Reshaping Business Operations

The key innovation lies in the concept of agent-based automation. Unlike traditional AI tools that assist with individual tasks, AI agents are capable of executing complete workflows across the e-commerce lifecycle.

These agents can take on specialized roles, such as product management, marketing execution and customer support. In practice, this means that what previously required a full team can now be handled through a single interface powered by conversational AI.

For business owners, this represents a major shift in how online stores are built and managed. Instead of focusing on technical setup and operational tasks, founders can concentrate on strategy, branding and growth while AI handles execution in the background.

At the same time, this transformation aligns with a broader trend across the industry. AI agents are increasingly being deployed not just to generate content, but to perform actions and complete transactions, signaling a move toward more autonomous digital ecosystems.

The Rise of Autonomous Commerce

The emergence of AI-managed stores introduces a new phase often described as AI-native commerce. In this model, automation is no longer an add-on but the foundation of the entire business structure.

Platforms like Genstore are positioning this as a step toward fully self-running commerce environments, where AI systems continuously optimize performance, adapt to market conditions and scale operations without constant human input.

This approach could significantly lower barriers to entry, particularly for small businesses and solo entrepreneurs. By reducing the need for technical skills, capital investment and operational experience, AI-driven platforms are making it easier to launch and manage online businesses at scale.

However, this shift also raises important questions about control, differentiation and long-term competitiveness. As more businesses rely on similar AI systems, maintaining unique brand identity and customer experience may become more challenging.

What It Means for Business Leaders

For business leaders, the rise of AI agents signals a fundamental change in how digital commerce will operate in the coming years. The focus is shifting from manual execution to orchestrating intelligent systems that can act independently.

While the benefits of speed, efficiency and scalability are clear, companies will also need to rethink governance, oversight and strategy in an environment where AI is increasingly making operational decisions.

Ultimately, the transition toward AI-run e-commerce stores reflects a broader transformation across industries: from human-led processes to AI-driven execution at scale. Businesses that adapt early to this shift may gain a significant competitive advantage in the evolving digital economy.

Source: Forbes

Amazon Acquires Humanoid Robotics Startup Fauna Robotics

Amazon has acquired New York-based Fauna Robotics to strengthen its presence in the humanoid robot market. While the financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed, it was reported that the company’s founding team and employees will join Amazon. This move shows that Amazon is expanding the robotics infrastructure it has built over the years in warehouse automation toward a new generation of robots that interact directly with humans.

At the center of the acquisition is the humanoid robot called “Sprout,” which Fauna Robotics introduced recently. Standing at approximately 3.5 feet tall, the robot was designed to establish safe and friendly interaction in human-dense environments such as homes, schools, and social spaces. Its soft exterior and size, which allows it to communicate at eye level with children, are cited among the main features that distinguish Sprout from conventional industrial robots.

Fauna Robotics Is Used in Research, Education, and Social Robotics

Fauna Robotics had developed Sprout not for carrying heavy loads, but rather for research, education, and social robotics applications. The presence of brands such as Disney among its early users also points to the product’s potential for entertainment- and experience-focused use. It is stated that Sprout is positioned as an open platform for developers and offers a testing ground for consumer-facing robotics applications.

For Amazon, this acquisition means more than simply adding a new product. Until now, the company had stood out mainly with robot systems used in logistics centers and had announced that it had deployed more than 1 million robots in its warehouse operations.

Amazon Opens a New Chapter in Consumer Robotics

The Fauna Robotics move indicates that Amazon now wants to bring robotics into areas such as customer experience, in-home use, and human-robot interaction. In this sense, the acquisition can also be interpreted as Amazon’s effort to open a new chapter in consumer robotics after Alexa and the unsuccessful iRobot attempt. This final assessment is an inference drawn from the strategic connection between the company’s existing robotics background and the new acquisition.

At a time when Tesla, Figure AI, and other robotics startups are accelerating the humanoid robot race in global technology competition, this acquisition shows that e-commerce giants are also beginning to take more aggressive steps in the field of physical automation. It is not yet clear what kind of product roadmap Amazon will follow with Fauna Robotics; however, it is already evident that Sprout will play an important role in the company’s robotics vision.

Global Strategy Is Breaking Old Rules as 6 Forces Reshape the Business Landscape

Corporate strategy is entering a more volatile era in 2026, as global business leaders warn that uncertainty is no longer a temporary disruption but a permanent operating condition. According to insights shared at the World Economic Forum’s Industry Strategy Meeting in Munich, companies are being forced to rethink how they plan, invest and grow amid geoeconomic fragmentation, AI disruption, energy volatility and mounting workforce pressure.

The meeting brought together around 330 strategy leaders, alongside policymakers and academics, to discuss what serious strategy leadership now requires. Rather than simply naming the risks, participants focused on six urgent needs that are reshaping the corporate agenda in 2026.

Global Strategy Must Adapt to a New Baseline of Uncertainty

One of the clearest messages from the meeting was that the old foundation of corporate planning has eroded. Stable trade rules, predictable capital flows and relatively reliable multilateral structures can no longer be taken for granted. For many companies, uncertainty has become the baseline rather than the exception.

This shift is already changing how businesses design supply chains and allocate capital. Cost efficiency alone is no longer enough. Companies are increasingly prioritizing resilience, diversification and the ability to respond quickly to geopolitical shocks and tariff dynamics. Scenario planning, once treated as a periodic exercise, is now becoming a core strategic discipline.

AI Strategy Moves Beyond Pilots Toward Proven Business Value

AI was another major theme at the meeting, but the conversation has clearly evolved. In 2026, the challenge is no longer experimenting with AI tools. The focus is now on proving real business value.

Leaders argued that many organizations spent the last year running pilots and proofs of concept without generating meaningful returns. The next phase requires a more strategic approach, starting with business outcomes and redesigning processes around them. Executives also stressed that top-down vision alone is not enough. AI adoption must also be earned from the bottom up through trust, explainability and employee involvement.

This marks a broader shift in how AI is being positioned inside companies. Rather than being treated as an isolated innovation layer, AI is increasingly becoming part of the operational flow of work itself.

Digital Sovereignty Becomes a Competitive Question

Another major issue raised by strategy leaders was sovereignty. In practice, this goes far beyond regulation. It includes questions around where data is stored, whose infrastructure companies depend on, and whether proprietary business logic remains under enterprise control.

This debate is becoming especially important in Europe, where leaders pointed to the gap between innovation and large-scale commercialization. Rather than calling for isolation, participants emphasized the need for standards and regulatory frameworks that allow companies to use global technologies without losing control over critical systems and data.

Workforce Transformation Is Now a Leadership Challenge

The workforce transition also emerged as a central strategic issue. Participants repeatedly argued that the biggest barriers to AI deployment are not purely technical. They are organizational, cultural and psychological.

That means leaders must do more than introduce new tools. They need to build trust, reshape incentives and guide employees through a changing work environment. Discussions also highlighted the broader structural challenges of retraining, policy coordination and market signals that still reward labor reduction more than long-term transformation.

Energy Strategy and Long-Term Thinking Return to the Forefront

Energy volatility added another layer of pressure to the discussion. Participants highlighted grid infrastructure, transition planning and climate-related risk as central issues for long-term competitiveness. New investment decisions are increasingly being judged not only by growth potential, but also by resilience, affordability and alignment with sustainability goals.

At the same time, leaders stressed that strategy cannot become entirely reactive. Even in a fast-moving environment, companies still need long-term thinking. The challenge is balancing immediate disruptions with a broader view of industrial competitiveness, technological change and planetary boundaries.

Outlook for Global Strategy in 2026

The World Economic Forum’s Industry Strategy Meeting makes one thing clear: the rules of strategy have changed. In 2026, success depends less on operating in stable conditions and more on building organizations that can adapt continuously.

For global businesses, the new strategic agenda is no longer just about growth. It is about resilience, AI execution, workforce leadership, energy readiness and the ability to make decisions in a structurally uncertain world.

Source: World Economic Forum