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Are we on track to become a cashless society?

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Australia and New Zealand have some of the lowest rates of cash used in the world, so what does it mean for businesses as consumer behaviours shift?

Bob Dylan once penned a famous song called “The Times They Are A-Changin'” back in 1963, and that title could not be truer 60 years later.

With the ability to move – and transact with – money without needing to have it in your hand, things have been progressing towards a cashless society.

Goods and services can be purchased at the tap of a card or a beep on your phone, and this trend has been noted in FIS Global‘s annual report, the Global Payment report.

“What we’re seeing at the moment is a clear trend of consumers moving towards digital alternative payment methods,” Senior Vice-President & General Manager, Global eCom, APAC at Worldpay from FIS Phil Pomford described to Ticker News Insight. “Customers are really looking for choice and convenience.

“If you look at the Buy Now, Pay Later scene, there’s been huge growth over time, and continue to maintain a sort of market share – around about 14 per cent – in the next three to four years.”

Pomford notes a transition from even using credit cards to having a digital wallet.

“Digital wallets have really overtaken credit card usage, especially online,” he adds. “And they’re now around about 31 per cent in Australia versus 28 per cent in the credit cards, and we think that trend will continue.”

So, what does the future of the cashless society start to look like a few more years down the track?

“We’ll see an evolution of the Buy Now Pay Later space with some regulations, obviously, coming down the pipe as well,” Pomford revealed.

“It will still remain a really strong popular choice to consumers.”

If that’s the consumer side, what about business merchants? How are they preparing their companies for this new ‘way’ of doing things without exchanging physical cash or swiping cards?

“I think it’s critical that businesses merchants, as we call them, really do stay ahead of the trends,” Pomford asserts. “They need to be aware of what, and where, consumers are moving towards.

“For example, making sure you’re providing the right wallets for your consumers to use in your market – that might be Apple Pay or Samsung Pay just to name a few.

“It is also ensuring you invest in your technology, making sure it is a seamless, safe and convenient experience for the consumer.”

For more information about FIS Global, head to their website, or view more information about the report here.

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AI and automation reshape future tech careers

AI transformation reshapes tech careers, creating demand for new roles and skills, says Promise Akwaowo from Royal Mail Group

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AI transformation reshapes tech careers, creating demand for new roles and skills, says Promise Akwaowo from Royal Mail Group

In Short:
– AI is rapidly changing tech careers, creating new roles like AI business analyst and AI engineer.
– ICT professionals need to develop skills in AI, data literacy, and cybersecurity to stay competitive.

Promise Akwaowo, CBAP®, is a business analyst and product owner working across enterprise automation, data governance, and large-scale digital transformation.

In this discussion, Promise highlights how AI and automation are rapidly reshaping tech careers, creating entirely new roles across the global ICT landscape. According to him, AI has become a core requirement in tech hiring, with around 78% of job listings now referencing artificial intelligence.

Roles such as AI business analysts and AI engineers are growing quickly, with seven of the ten fastest-growing tech jobs linked to AI. At the same time, rising concerns around data use, privacy, and trust are driving demand for governance specialists and analysts focused on AI ethics.

Data literacy

To remain competitive, ICT professionals are expected to expand their skill sets, with data literacy, cloud fluency, cybersecurity, and automation projected to be essential by 2026. For businesses, investing in AI-ready talent is key to improving efficiency and supporting long-term growth.

Promise has also worked across sectors, including logistics, higher education, and investor relations technology, focusing on turning complex concepts into scalable digital products. His projects often apply human-centred design principles while emphasising clearly defined performance outcomes.

 


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Investing in shares: Insights for fluctuating markets

Jabin Hallihan discusses share investing strategies and market insights from Family Financial Solutions ahead of 2026

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Jabin Hallihan discusses share investing strategies and market insights from Family Financial Solutions ahead of 2026

In Short:
– Jabin Hallihan advises diversifying portfolios and buying shares during fluctuating markets, emphasising long-term strategies.
– He highlights AI and copper as promising sectors, predicting strong earnings for BHP in 2026.

Jabin Hallihan from Family Financial Solutions shares expert advice on investing in shares as markets fluctuate. He highlights the difficulty of timing the market and echoes Warren Buffett’s philosophy: the best time to buy shares was yesterday. For investors, understanding market timing is crucial.

The ASX 200 is currently valued at around 8,500, slightly below its October peak of 9,000. With a price-to-earnings ratio near 17, above the long-term average of 14, expected earnings for the coming year look promising at 10–11%. Hallihan emphasises the importance of a diversified portfolio and identifies AI as a continuing investment theme, while high-quality stocks like BHP and Rio Tinto offer resilience during downturns.

For funding acquisitions, consider taking profits from outperforming US tech stocks and reallocating into leading Australian resource companies. Looking into 2026, AI investment by major firms is set to accelerate, and the Australian mining sector—particularly copper—could provide significant upside. Jabin Hallihan can be contacted through Family Financial Solutions in Heatherton, Victoria.


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Innovative plant-based smoked salmon launching in January

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Baruch Dach discusses SimpliiGood’s innovative plant-based smoked salmon made from solar-powered spirulina aimed at tackling climate change

In Short:
– Baruch Dach founded SimpliiGood, focusing on sustainable protein from solar-powered, desert-grown spirulina for plant-based smoked salmon.
– The company targets the restaurant industry and will launch its product in Israel, followed by Europe and the US.

SimpliiGood is redefining sustainable protein by turning solar-powered, desert-grown spirulina into whole-cut alternatives like plant-based smoked salmon.

Founder and CTO Baruch Dach explains how spirulina’s unique biology enables it to efficiently convert solar energy into complete protein while maintaining a structure similar to muscle fiber.

Baruch breaks down how the controlled desert environment, powered by renewable energy, allows for scalable, clean, and climate-resilient food production. The conversation dives into how spirulina’s natural properties make it an ideal base for delicate proteins like fish, something many plant-based brands struggle to replicate.

With spirulina at the centre of their innovation, SimpliiGood is pushing the boundaries of clean-label, nutrient-rich protein alternatives.

 SimpliiGood’s smoked salmon is set to launch in January, targeting restaurants, bagels, and sushi markets. Initial sales will be in Israel, expanding to Western Europe, with plans to register with the FDA for a US launch.

The company positions itself as an ingredient supplier in the plant-based and hybrid markets, aiming to provide products that create a satisfying consumer experience, whether they are entirely plant-based or contain small amounts of fish or meat.

For more information, visit SimpliiGood

Ahron Young traveled to Israel as a guest of the Foreign Ministry climate delegation.
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