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Dear Readers,
What if the biggest transformation in the workplace isn’t about layoffs, but about judgment — who gets to make it? As AI quietly moves into HR departments, it’s no longer just sorting résumés; it’s deciding who gets hired, promoted, or let go. We’re watching algorithms step into deeply human terrain, forcing us to ask what happens when fairness, bias, and emotion are reduced to data points.
Today’s issue zooms in on that shift -from AI-driven HR decisions to OpenAI’s staggering $15 million daily burn rate for Sora, Wikipedia’s battle against data scraping, and the next wave of humanoid robots entering real-world industries. It’s a day of blurred lines between human and machine judgment, cost and ambition, assistance and autonomy. Dive in - every story here hints at what comes after the first wave of automation: the age of delegation.
In Today’s Issue:
🤖 One-third of HR roles are slated for AI replacement by 2026
☢️ Humanoid robots are entering high-risk industries
♿ Assistive mobility advances as Northeastern University unveils an autonomous wheelchair with a robotic arm
🚶 XPENG unveils its next-gen humanoid robot
✨ And more AI goodness…
All the best,
OpenAI’s Sora spending hits $15 million/day
The AI powerhouse OpenAI - valued at about $500 billion and projecting $20 billion in annual recurring revenue - is reportedly spending circa $15 million per day (or over $5 billion annually) on its new video-generation app Sora, which churns out tens of millions of 10-second clips daily. While the economics are “completely unsustainable” for now (as even OpenAI admits), the gamble is that by building massive usage and data first, the company can later monetise and dramatically reduce cost per video through scaling efficiencies.
iPhone Air launch delayed amid slump
Apple has reportedly postponed the next-generation iPhone Air - initially scheduled for fall 2026 - because the current model has under-performed in sales and production is already being shuttered. The thin design and high price (starting at $999) didn’t translate into strong demand, prompting Apple to rethink both timing and specs for the model.
Wikipedia demands paid API, ends free scraping
Wikimedia Foundation, which runs Wikipedia, announced it will push AI companies to access its content via its paid product (Wikimedia Enterprise) instead of scraping the site for free - while at the same time urging proper attribution to human editors. The move comes as Wikipedia reports an 8 % year-on-year drop in human page-views and a spike in bot traffic that scraped data by masquerading as users.
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One-Third of HR Going AI
The Takeaway
👉 One-third of firms plan to replace HR roles with AI by 2026.
👉 Core functions like hiring, onboarding, and evaluation are being automated.
👉 Ethical design and transparency will define whether this improves or undermines workplaces.
👉 The AI-HR shift is an early test of how far we’ll trust machines with human judgment.
Nearly one in three companies now plan to replace parts of their HR departments with AI systems by 2026. From recruiting and onboarding to performance tracking, algorithms are moving from “assistants” to decision-makers. The change isn’t theoretical anymore - it’s operational.
AI tools can already automate CV screening, handle employee queries, and analyse workforce data faster and cheaper than humans. But the real story isn’t efficiency - it’s power. As companies let AI decide who gets hired, promoted, or let go, they’re reshaping the social contract at work. The HR office becomes a data engine, and “human” management turns algorithmic.
The big question: can AI-run HR stay fair, transparent, and accountable - or will it quietly replicate bias at scale?
Why it matters: This marks a structural shift in how organisations value and govern people. HR automation isn’t just a tech trend - it’s redefining workplace ethics, trust, and labour relations in real time.
Sources:
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Humanoid Robots Enter High-Risk Industry
Capgemini and Orano deployed a humanoid robot called “Hoxo” in a nuclear-sector facility, combining AI vision with advanced robotics to manage operations in hazardous environments. The novelty: real-world deployment of humanoid robotics in complex infrastructure, not just labs. Relevance: high-risk sectors may become early adopters of humanoids. Future-potential: shifts in staffing, safety, and human-robot collaboration in critical industries.
Assistive Mobility Gets a Robot Arm
Researchers at Northeastern University unveiled an autonomous wheelchair equipped with a robotic arm designed for people with severe mobility limitations. It integrates navigation, object manipulation and AI-based perception. What’s new: a step beyond motorized chairs into truly autonomous assistive systems. Relevance: accessibility tech is advancing from enhancement to independence. Future-potential: wider rollout could reshape how society supports individuals with disabilities and rethink mobility-aid standards.
XPENG Unveils Next-Gen Humanoid Robot
XPENG’s new humanoid robot “IRON” marks a leap in robotics: it boasts 82 degrees of freedom (22 per hand), a tri-chip architecture delivering about 2,250 TOPS compute, and uses an all-solid-state battery for enhanced safety and energy density. The company plans commercialization in controlled commercial settings (retail, offices) by 2026, leveraging its EV supply-chain muscle.
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