Workday publishes a global study that reveals a key paradox of AI usage: while artificial intelligence delivers significant time savings, many organizations are not fully capturing its value. Much of the time saved is eaten up by rework - correcting errors, rewriting content and validating the outputs of generic tools.

The AI productivity paradox

The study «Beyond productivity: What AI is really worth» shows clear discrepancies between the promise of productivity and the actual benefits. In Switzerland, around 71% of employees report that they have been significantly more productive in the last twelve months thanks to the use of AI. Overall, more than a third (44%) use AI tools or technologies in their daily work.

But the flip side: around 54% say that they spend one to two hours a week on reworking the time saved with AI. This leads to a false impression of productivity and ROI. AI contributes by increasing capacity - but all too often roles, skills and processes have not evolved to turn that capacity into consistently better results.

Investment gap in further training

Another problem can be seen in training measures: Around 63 percent of managers surveyed say their organization has prioritized reinvesting AI-powered efficiency gains in skills training and education. However, only 36 percent of employees report increased organizational investment in new or expanded training and development programs. This shows a clear disconnect between leadership intent and employee experience.

Although most organizations agree that the productivity gains from AI should benefit employees, in practice these investments often flow elsewhere. Companies are more likely to reinvest savings from AI in technology (39 percent) than in employee development (30 percent). Instead of using the time gained specifically for skills development, the workload is often simply increased (32%).

What successful companies do differently

The organizations that actually achieve measurable success take a different approach. Employees with positive AI experiences are significantly more likely to use the time saved to increase the value of their work - for example, through deeper analysis, more informed decisions and strategic thinking (57%), rather than simply taking on additional tasks. They are also significantly more likely to have benefited from extended qualification and further training measures (79%).

«Too many AI tools push the hard questions of trust, accuracy and repeatability onto individual users,» says Gerrit Kazmaier, President of Product and Technology at Workday. «At Workday, we've spent years delivering AI as simple, human-centered solutions - not pure technology - so customers don't have to wire everything up themselves and check every answer. Our philosophy is that AI should do the complex work in the background so humans can focus on judgment, creativity and connection. That's how organizations turn AI-powered speed into sustainable, human-led advantage.»

The study makes it clear that reinvesting in people is the fastest way to reduce rework, improve results and turn AI speed into sustainable business value. The organizations that realize the most value from AI treat saved time as a strategic resource and invest in upskilling their teams.

About the study

The data comes from the global study «Beyond Productivity: What AI is Really Worth», a survey conducted by Workday and carried out by Hanover Research in November 2025. The study included 3,200 respondents from North America, Asia Pacific and Europe, the Middle East and Africa. All respondents were full-time employees in organizations with annual revenues of $100 million or more and were active users of AI technology.

Source: Workday

Windows shape rooms, provide light and create atmosphere. At Swissbau 2026 in Basel, EgoKiefer is focusing on these qualities with two new product lines. From January 20 to 23, visitors can experience the innovations of the leading Swiss window and door supplier live in Hall 1.1, Stand A60.

Wooden window line: naturalness meets innovation

Wood is much more than just a building material: it creates a warm, inviting atmosphere, regulates the indoor climate in a natural way and gives every home character. As a renewable raw material, it combines aesthetics with sustainability and offers excellent opportunities for modern, energy-efficient construction.

EgoKiefer picks up on these qualities with its new timber window family. Ego®Allstar stands for modern architecture, Ego®Selection for design-oriented construction - with flush frames, concealed fittings and clear lines. The range is complemented by listed windows that combine a historic look with contemporary technology. The new timber windows combine natural materials with innovative technology, increase energy efficiency and create a contemporary light, view and atmosphere.

PVC-U and PVC-U/aluminum windows Ego®Prime

The new Ego®Prime window range offers maximum energy efficiency, durability and design freedom. Thanks to its greater installation depth and optimized profiles, it offers outstanding thermal insulation values, effective sound insulation and a high level of ease of use.

The Ego®Prime PVC-U window impresses with easy-care surfaces, high basic security and great variety - for example with a wide selection of color and decor variants. The Ego®Prime PVC-U/aluminum window complements these advantages with a weather-resistant aluminum shell, which makes the window particularly robust and opens up additional design options. Both systems combine functionality and aesthetics and thus make a tangible contribution to greater quality of living in everyday life.

Consulting along the entire project process

EgoKiefer supports building owners, architects and planners throughout the entire project process - from consultation and planning to installation. With nine sales locations, over 350 specialist partners and its Ego®Service team, the number 1 for windows and doors in Switzerland guarantees quality and reliability from a single source.

At Swissbau 2026, visitors can experience the new windows live, receive individual advice and find the right solution for their living environments together with EgoKiefer specialists. Further information on the new products can be found at https://www.egokiefer.ch/de/fenstersortiment.

LIS Logistische Informationssysteme is presenting a new function of its web-based transport management system (TMS) WinSped Web at LogiMAT: order entry via optical character recognition (OCR). This uses integrated artificial intelligence based on ChatGPT, which does not require any prior training. The extension makes it possible to read and create orders directly from uploaded PDF files and scanned handwritten documents or images in just a few seconds. Users benefit from fast data capture and reduced manual input. The new function will be available from the first quarter of 2026.

AI closes the gap in transport logistics

«The handling of transport processes is becoming increasingly digital. However, in many places, data is still typed manually from PDFs and handwritten documents when entering orders. This work step no longer fits in with the increasing digitalization and fast pace of transport logistics. It is precisely this gap that we are closing with the OCR function in WinSped Web,» says Magnus Wagner, Co-CEO of LIS. WinSped Web is one of the first TMSs on the market to use an integrated AI based on ChatGPT (OpenAI) for text recognition and to quickly capture document content in a structured manner and create it as an order.

With optical text recognition in WinSped Web, users save valuable time in order entry: what used to take several minutes of manual input is now done in a few seconds by the integrated AI. Intelligent text recognition also minimizes transcription errors and allows employees to concentrate on more demanding tasks. Wagner emphasizes that the OCR function consistently follows the philosophy of WinSped Web: «With the browser-based application, we have emphasized intuitive and future-oriented operation right from the start. With the new OCR function, we are increasing the efficiency of order entry by a further step.»

Long-term technology path

The Greven-based software company is thus continuing on its long-term technology path: the new, fully web-based WinSped version WinSped Web has been available since this year and offers users location- and device-independent access, scalability and an optimized web architecture. The OCR function marks one of the first AI-supported steps, which LIS will follow up with further functions in the course of 2026.

Visitors to this year's LogiMAT can get to know the new WinSped function: LIS will be exhibiting in Hall 4 at Stand 4B65 from March 24 to 26, 2026.

The MAZ, Switzerland's leading competence center for journalism and communication, is a new partner member of the Perikom association. The association is thus expanding its expertise in the areas of storytelling, writing and AI-supported content production. Perikom now has sixteen partner members who, among other things, regularly organize evening events for HR and communication managers to exchange experiences.

Tanja Maniglio Hofer, Head of Corporate Communications at the MAZ, explains the interest in the partnership: «Internal communication is a key success factor for companies - especially in times of transformation and skills shortages. With our expertise in leadership and crisis communication, corporate storytelling, newsroom management as well as appearance and dialogue skills, we support organizations in strengthening trust and actively involving employees so that internal communication and HR strategies can work together to achieve maximum impact.».

Events and training opportunities

The association's activities mainly comprise regular events for communication and HR experts, such as the annual Swiss HR/Internal Communication Conference, as well as the development of further training courses. In addition, Perikom initiates and supports research work and studies on the topic of internal communication.

The next Swiss HR/Internal Communications Conference will take place on May 21, 2026 on the topic of employee engagement.

In addition to the MAZ, Perikom's partner members include: Ahead, Beekeeper, Farner Consulting, Flowit, Heads Corporate Branding, Hirschtec, Lucerne School of Business, HWZ Zurich University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Icommit, Isolutions, Linkgroup, Re-Thinking Diversity, Trans4m, ZGP. Zürcher Gesellschaft für Personal-Management and ZHAW, IAM, Institute for Applied Media Studies.

Ebay is expanding its Circular Fashion Fund in 2026 and opening applications to companies and start-ups in the EU, Switzerland and Canada for the first time. Eight selected companies will each receive USD 50,000 in funding and mentoring to develop innovative solutions that extend the life of clothing and reduce textile waste.

The annual program, which was first launched in 2022, supports entrepreneurs who are tackling the environmental footprint of the fashion and textile industry from production to end of life. One outstanding company is also named the «Global Winner» of the Circular Fashion Fund and receives the opportunity to receive an additional investment of USD 300,000 from Ebay Ventures.

Total funding amount reaches USD 1.9 million

With this expansion, Ebay's total global funding through the program is expected to reach USD 1.9 million by the end of 2026. In addition to this year's expansion into new markets, the Circular Fashion Fund is building on its established presence in the UK, Germany, Australia and the US. Applications for 2026 are open now in all markets until March 8, 2026.

Alexis Hoopes, Vice President and Global Head of Fashion at Ebay, said: «When we launched the Circular Fashion Fund, our goal was to support businesses that are moving from ambition to action in the circular economy. Over the past three years, we've seen promising solutions emerge in areas such as textile recycling, resale and repair, but these businesses need capital and support to grow. With this expansion, we are helping more founders build the infrastructure to make circular fashion a permanent part of the fashion industry.»

Focus on Swiss innovation culture

Paolo Levoni, General Manager Switzerland at Ebay, explains: «Switzerland has an incredibly strong culture of innovation and many creative minds who are committed to sustainability. That's why we are particularly pleased to be launching the Circular Fashion Fund here too. We are convinced that Swiss start-ups with their smart solutions have the potential to advance the circular economy in fashion not only locally, but also globally. I would like to invite all entrepreneurs to seize this opportunity and apply.»

Since 2022, Ebay's Circular Fashion Fund has supported over 25 companies with funding and mentoring. This helps to overcome one of the biggest challenges for fashion start-ups: access to the right partners, contacts and industry networks needed for growth.

Success story Refiberd

This is shown by the example of Refiberd: the company from California was named «Global Winner» in 2025 and received an additional investment of USD 300,000 from Ebay Ventures. With its AI technology, it can identify the exact fiber composition of clothing. This enables very precise recycling and helps the company to expand its business model more quickly.

The new participants will be advised by a jury of well-known industry experts. These include Marianne Perkovic (Chairwoman of the Australian Fashion Council), Steven Kolb (CEO of the CFDA) and Scott Lipinski (CEO of the Fashion Council Germany). A special highlight: Sarika Bajaj, the co-founder of Refiberd, is also a former winner on the jury.

«Ebay's support has been truly transformative for our company,» says Sarika Bajaj, co-founder of Refiberd. «The funding and mentorship has allowed us to scale our technology faster and expand our reach in the circular economy ecosystem. The program has also given us access to Ebay's expertise as a long-standing player in the industry and opened up new opportunities for collaboration and partnerships. All of this together allows us to offer our solution to a wider network of brands, recyclers and ultimately consumers who are committed to a more sustainable future for fashion.»

The Zurich-based media agency Sir Mary Media is further developing its range of services and will combine the expertise of Hutter Consult under one roof in future. The result is an even stronger offering at the interface of creativity, media and performance - with the unchanged goal of providing clients with holistic support and achieving measurable impact along the entire funnel.

This move underscores the growth trajectory of the next-gen 360° media agency, which was founded in spring 2025 and now has over 30 media specialists. The existing management team at Sir Mary Media will remain unchanged and will be strengthened by the addition of Thomas Besmer from Hutter Consult. As part of this merger, Hutter Consult will no longer operate on the market as an independent agency brand. The existing activities and competencies will continue to be fully integrated into Sir Mary Media.

«We want to be the first choice for our clients when it comes to innovative, technology-driven and success-oriented communication solutions. The merger is an important step on our way to becoming one of the top 5 media agencies in Switzerland,» says Fabian Habisreutinger, Managing Director of Sir Mary Media.

Networking where it creates added value

The further development is part of the strategic orientation within the Myty Group. Myty is deliberately not pursuing a one-size-fits-all approach: agency brands remain independently positioned, but are networked where it creates the greatest added value for clients.

«We are bundling what is tried and tested and placing it in strong hands. The integration of Hutter Consult into Sir Mary Media creates a clearly focused and powerful media offering for customers. At the same time, this is a logical step for me to hand over responsibility and create space for new developments within the Myty Group,» says Thomas Hutter.

«The integration of Hutter Consult into Sir Mary Media shows how we see Myty: not as a consolidation octopus, but as a networked system of specialized brands. We consolidate expertise where it makes sense from a professional and client perspective - and thus create scalable excellence in media, creation and technology,» says David Rost, CEO and founder of the Myty Group.

Myty brings together specialized agencies from all over Europe and offers its clients networked excellence in strategy, marketing, creation and technology. The range of services extends from Brand & Experience to Performance, Growth & Media, eCommerce & Digital Products, Influencer Marketing, Data & AI Transformation and Reputation & Public Voice.

Sir Mary unites creative and media agencies under one roof, with the common philosophy: We think brands holistically and results-oriented. The agency develops strategies, ideas and technologies for brands that make an impact in a digital world.