AI at Work: PwC’s US Chief People Officer says boards and CEOs now expect HR to deliver measurable capability, while the firm rolls out AI tools to 80,000 staff and tracks outcomes via employee nominations. EU AI Act Compliance: Anthropic says it added watermarks to Claude output to meet the EU AI Act deadline, a reminder that marketing AI may face disclosure and manipulation limits. Global Payroll Friction: A new look at cross-border payroll calls fragmentation an “infrastructure problem,” citing billions in inefficiencies from FX markups, manual errors, and compliance gaps. Health Benefits Pressure: Marsh forecasts health benefit costs rising 8.2% in 2027, with a new $480,000-a-year pancreatic cancer drug adding to employer cost stress. Workforce Retention: Cannabis retailers report very high budtender turnover, pushing employers to rethink pay and benefits to keep staff. Education-to-Work: A dual-enrollment pilot in Delaware paid students while earning college credits, building a hospitality and tourism talent pipeline. Labor Relations: Logan Health primary care providers voted no confidence in leadership, citing morale and patient-care concerns. Work Permits & Exams: Nigeria’s INEC offered biometric support to JAMB to strengthen exam integrity. HR Leadership: Avante Corp approved stock options for a senior employee, reflecting ongoing talent incentives.