• 76% of surveyed organizations now have a Chief AI Officer, up from 26% a year ago
• 59% of CEO respondents say the CHRO’s influence will increase over the next few years
• Nearly two-thirds of surveyed CEOs are comfortable using AI to help inform major strategic decisions

ARMONK, N.Y., May 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — A new global study from the IBM (NYSE: IBM) Institute for Business Value finds that the accelerating pace of AI is pushing CEOs to redesign how C-suite roles are structured to drive greater business impact across the enterprise.

IBM Institute for Business Value CEO Study

In the foreword of the study, IBM Vice Chairman Gary Cohn writes, “The CEO’s role has always been to lead through disruption. What AI changes is the velocity and consequences of leadership. Enterprises that succeed will operate AI-first – not as a layer of technology, but as a new operating model. Decision cycles will compress. Boundaries between functions will dissolve. Advantage will accrue to those who can learn, adapt, and execute faster than their competitors.”

The annual IBM CEO study,* which surveyed 2,000 CEOs globally, shows that as AI becomes more pervasive in the enterprise, CEOs are under growing pressure to rethink how leadership teams operate, how decisions get made and how organizations are structured.

Among the key findings:

• 76% of surveyed organizations have a Chief AI Officer (CAIO) in 2026, up from just 26% in 2025.
• Analysis shows that organizations with an AI-first approach to C-suite design have scaled 10% more AI initiatives enterprise-wide than their peers.
• 64% of surveyed CEOs say they are comfortable making major strategic decisions based on AI-generated input. 
• 83% of respondents agree that AI sovereignty is essential to business strategy, underscoring the importance of having the right controls as AI plays a larger enterprise-wide role. 
• Surveyed CEOs say only 25% of the workforce is using AI regularly as part of their job, despite 86% believing their employees have the skills to collaborate with AI.

“AI is changing how work gets done, bringing people and software together in new ways, and it’s changing how people come together in the workplace,” said Mohamad Ali, Senior Vice President, IBM Consulting. “The CEOs delivering real results from AI transformation aren’t just deploying AI faster, they’re redesigning their organizations to bring together the best people with the best technology.”

New challenges demand different kinds of leadership

• 85% of respondents say all functional leaders must become technology experts in their domain, signaling that AI accountability is expanding beyond specialized roles. 
• Among organizations with a CAIO, all surveyed CEOs expect the influence of the role to increase by 2030, alongside rising influence across every member of the C-suite. 
• 59% of surveyed CEOs say the CHRO’s influence will increase over the next few years.

As CEOs turn to AI-driven decisions, governance and controls become more critical

• By 2030, surveyed CEOs expect 48% of operational decisions where consistency and guardrails can be codified will be made by AI without human intervention, compared to 25% today. 
• 79% of executives surveyed confirm they are decentralizing decision-making, distributing accountability as AI plays a more significant role enterprise wide. 

Organizations are betting on people to drive AI success

• 83% of CEOs surveyed say AI success depends more on people’s adoption than technology.
• Between 2026 and 2028, respondents expect 29% of employees to require reskilling for a different role and 53% to need upskilling to perform their current role more effectively. 
• Surveyed organizations that redesigned five core business areas — technology, finance, HR, operations and cross-functional collaboration — are four times more likely to have delivered on business objectives. 
• 77% of respondents say talent and technology leadership roles are converging, suggesting tighter integration between talent, technology and enterprise strategy. 

To view the full study, visit: https://www.ibm.com/thought-leadership/institute-business-value/en-us/c-suite-study/ceo

The study also features industry perspectives from senior executives on how business leaders are responding to AI-driven change. A selection of these firsthand views are available in the addendum below.

*Study Methodology
The IBM Institute for Business Value, in cooperation with Oxford Economics, conducted a survey of 2,000 CEOs and equivalent senior leaders across 33 geographies and 21 industries from February to April 2026. The survey explored how leaders are redesigning business models, operating structures and execution capabilities in an AI-driven economy, with additional analysis examining how organizations translate AI ambition into enterprise-wide execution and business value.

The IBM Institute for Business Value, IBM’s thought leadership think tank, combines
global research and performance data with expertise from industry thinkers and leading academics to deliver insights that make business leaders smarter. For more world-class thought leadership, visit: www.ibm.com/ibv. To receive more insights, subscribe to the IdeaWatch newsletter: https://ibm.co/ibv-ideawatch. 

About IBM
IBM is a leading provider of global hybrid cloud and AI, and consulting expertise. We help clients in more than 175 countries capitalize on insights from their data, streamline business processes, reduce costs and gain the competitive edge in their industries. Thousands of government and corporate entities in critical infrastructure areas such as financial services, telecommunications and healthcare rely on IBM’s hybrid cloud platform and Red Hat OpenShift to affect their digital transformations quickly, efficiently and securely. IBM’s breakthrough innovations in AI, quantum computing, industry-specific cloud solutions and consulting deliver open and flexible options to our clients. All of this is backed by IBM’s long-standing commitment to trust, transparency, responsibility, inclusivity, and service.  Visit www.ibm.com for more information.

Media Contact
Marisa Conway
IBM Corporate Communications
conwaym@us.ibm.com

Executive Perspectives:

“It’s not laying AI on top of your existing tools and services. It’s reimagining the entire process.” — Pablo T. Rivero, CEO, Resy and SVP, Global Dining, American Express

“You can’t forecast every disruption, but you can prepare by building organizations that are resilient, adaptable, and ready to operate through change.” — Andrew Anagnost, President and CEO, Autodesk

“AI has moved from the infrastructure layer, largely invisible, to the surface layer of how we work and how we serve customers.” — David Risher, CEO, Lyft

“The introduction of AI is more transformative than the introduction of the internet was at the time – not because of the technology itself, but because of its impact on how people work, decide and collaborate.” — Jan Polkerman, CEO, Dutch Tax and Customs Authority IT

“AI needs to be embedded into how we operate. That means integrating it into workflows across design, merchandising, marketing, stores, and operations—not as a separate initiative, but as part of how the business runs.” – Patrice Louvet, President and CEO, Ralph Lauren Corporation

IBM Corporation logo.

PASAY CITY, Philippines, May 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — SM Investments Corporation (SM), the parent company of the SM group, reported consolidated net income of PHP21.5 billion in the first quarter, up 7% from PHP20.1 billion in the same period last year, reflecting steady performance across its portfolio.

Consolidated revenues for the January to March period rose 5% to PHP159.4 billion, from PHP152.0 billion a year earlier.

“The first quarter continued to deliver good results for us, especially in retail. We are aware of external challenges and will endeavor to maintain our performance by being disciplined on costs and focused on meeting consumer needs even when their spending is constrained,” said Frederic C. DyBuncio, President and Chief Executive Officer of SM Investments.

At SM, a diversified earnings base continues to underpin performance, with banking contributing 49% of reported net earnings, followed by property at 28%, retail at 15%, and portfolio investments at 8%.

Retail performance reflected resilient consumer activity, with SM Retail reporting net income of PHP4.1 billion, up 13% year-on-year. Growth was led by non-food retail, particularly department stores, supported by seasonal demand including graduation-related spending.

Meanwhile, there were steady contributions from specialty and food retail formats. As the Group’s largest consumer-facing business, SM Retail contributes significantly to recurring cash flows at the parent level.

Portfolio investments continued to provide incremental growth and diversification. Atlas Consolidated Mining & Development Corporation benefited from higher copper prices, while 2GO Group recorded growth across its logistics and travel segments. Goldilocks Bakeshop also saw increased demand during the early graduation season.

At the parent level, SM’s scale, recurring income, and broad exposure to the Philippines’ consumer-driven economy enable it to generate cash across cycles and allocate capital toward long-term value creation.

Total assets stood at PHP1.8 trillion, with a conservative capital structure of 30% net debt to 70% equity, supporting continued flexibility in capital allocation.

About SM Investments Corporation

SM Investments Corporation (SM) is an owner-operator of market-leading businesses in retail, banking, and property, with investments in high-growth opportunities in the Philippine economy. Through its portfolio, SM generates resilient cash flows and reinvests with discipline to compound value over the long term.

Its retail operations are the largest and most diversified in the country. Its property arm, SM Prime Holdings, Inc., is the largest integrated property developer in the Philippines. Its banking interests include BDO Unibank, Inc., the country’s largest bank, and China Banking Corporation, one of the country’s largest private domestic banks.

For more information, please visit www.sminvestments.com

Great Sourcing & Networking for Asian Travel Trade & Affluent FIT

HONG KONG, May 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — ITE Hong Kong 2026 – the 40th edition of ITE‑Leisure and the 21st ITE‑MICE – will be held from June 11 to 14 with first two days for trade, next two for public.

Ranked world’s 14th largest market, Hong Kong spent US$28.9 billion on outbound travel in 2024, and its residents made 117 million departures in 2025.

Great for sourcing and networking, ITE2025 saw 88% of exhibitors and 50.2% of buyer/trade visitors from outside Hong Kong, with 70% from the Greater Bay Area, and 70,212 public visitors.

Visitors undaunted by Geopolitical Uncertainties:

• Trade website monthly traffic grew from 84,000 (average) in late 2025 to 168,939 in March 2026, reflecting strong interest from Asia’s travel trade.
• March public visitor survey (688 replies) found visitors undaunted – 62.5% plan to increase 2026 travel budget, and 25.3% will maintain it. 75% took multiple holidays in 2025 confirming they’re frequent, affluent travelers.    
• ITE2025 survey found 43% public visitors interested booking onsite, often via mobile. To generate revenue, exhibitors can promote e-booking sites and Special Offer Codes at ITE.

Roughly, ITE2026 will feature 400+ exhibitors from 55 countries/regions and 8,000 buyer/trade visitors – with 85% and 50% respectively from outside Hong Kong and 74,000 public visitors.

Plenty of Bright Spots

• New official pavilions/stands from: Uganda (Africa), Mongolia (Asia) and Peru (Americas)
• China (Chinese Mainland) Pavilion expands by 35% with 21 participating provinces/cities
• New Ice/Snow Travel Pavilion – exhibitors from northern Canada and Iceland (aurora, glacier tour etc.) and new Chinese exhibitors from Heilongjiang, Xinjiang, Beijing (Winter Olympics host city) and co-host district of Chongli. All famous for ice/snow sports.
• B2B & B2C programs include: Business matching, KOL networking, Industry Forum on Sustainable Tourism, Special Displays on Family Travel, Eco-tourism, trade/public seminars, presentations, and cultural performances.

Panoramic China Pavilion has some provinces and cities having own designs; some hold presentations, cultural performances, and promoting products like “Panda Theme Train from Sichuan to Xinjiang”.

Travel trade can apply online for complimentary Trade Day Pass.  Outbound agents may apply Buyer Subsidy Scheme for additional benefits but required to spend about 2 hours in Business Matching etc.

Organized by TKS Exhibition Services Ltd., ITE Hong Kong celebrates its 40^th anniversary in 2026.

Read Full Version >> https://www.itehk.com/travelexpo/doc/press/ITE26-Preview-May26_en.pdf

For exhibiting / visiting / registration: Email travel@tkshk.com WhatsApp: +852 94008444 Website: https://www.itehk.com

HONG KONG, May 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Meiyume (Group) LTD has achieved the EcoVadis Gold rating for 2026, with the company being in the 96th percentile globally and among the top-performing companies for sustainability.

EcoVadis evaluates companies across environment, labour and human rights, ethics, and sustainable procurement. The Gold rating reflects Meiyume’s strong performance and continued commitment to embedding sustainability across its supply chain.

A supplier’s commitment to sustainability is increasingly important to brands, as they work to meet rising regulatory requirements and evolving consumer expectations for transparency and responsible practices. In this landscape, choosing the right partners is essential. Partners like Meiyume play a key role in enabling more responsible, future-ready solutions while helping to strengthen sustainability standards across the supply chain.

A Holistic Sustainability Strategy: Meiyume’s 5Ps Framework

Meiyume’s sustainability approach is guided by its 5Ps framework: Product, Process, Places, People, and Principle, ensuring a comprehensive integration across the business:

Product – Advancing sustainable innovation in formulations and packaging

Process – Strengthening responsible sourcing and supply chain practices

Places – Enhancing operational efficiency and environmental performance

People – Fostering an inclusive and supportive workplace

Principle – Upholding strong governance and compliance standards

Sustainability as an Ongoing Journey

While the EcoVadis Gold rating marks an important milestone, Meiyume views sustainability as an ongoing journey. The company remains committed to strengthening its sustainability performance and supporting beauty and personal care brands in achieving their sustainability goals.

About Meiyume:

Formerly LF Beauty, Meiyume offers end-to-end beauty solutions—packaging, ODM, OEM —grounded in sustainability and insights. Powered by it’s Beauty Intelligence Platform and a global sourcing network, Meiyume brings visions to life with agility, intelligence, and responsibility.

https://meiyume.com/
2/F HK Spinners Industrial Building, Phases I & II, 800 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong

HONG KONG, May 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — BeGiftHK, a leading professional corporate gift company in Hong Kong, today officially released the “2026 Corporate Gift Purchasing Trends Report.” The report highlights that following profound changes in corporate culture in the post-pandemic era, the Hong Kong B2B gift market has officially moved away from the “low-price, high-volume” model. It has been replaced by a new purchasing logic centered on “Employee Wellness” and “Brand Specialization.”

Pickleball Customization: The New Corporate Sports Social Favorite of 2026

The most prominent trend highlighted in the report is the strong rise of “sports social gifts.” Data shows that in the first quarter of 2026, inquiries for Pickleball customization equipment surged by 210% compared to the same period last year.

A spokesperson for BeGiftHK analyzed: “In 2026, a corporate gift is no longer just an object; it is a brand touchpoint. Due to its low entry barrier and high participation across all age groups, Pickleball has become the top choice for large enterprises for hosting Team Building and ESG promotion activities. The professional-grade T700 carbon fiber paddles we provide, combined with high-quality customized designs, successfully transform the act of gifting into a highly social brand experience.”

Technology Defines Authority: Full-Color UV Digital Printing Enhances Corporate Image

Regarding the craftsmanship requirements for gift customization, purchasers in 2026 have demonstrated unprecedented attention to detail. The report indicates that over 85% of multinational organizations and financial enterprises prioritize the precision of printing technology when selecting a Hong Kong corporate gift company.

BeGiftHK has addressed the limitations of traditional screen printing, such as the inability to render gradients and high-precision logos, by introducing cutting-edge “Full-Color UV Digital Printing” technology. This commitment to professionalism has led BeGiftHK to frequently receive high praise as a “Souvenir Recommendation of the Year” in various commercial evaluations.

ESG Transformation: From “Green Products” to “Social Responsibility”

The report concludes by emphasizing that ESG factors have permeated every stage of the purchasing decision. In 2026, the demand for “Recycled PET (RPET)” materials and “Sustainable Sports Solutions” among Hong Kong enterprises consistently accounted for over 40% of the market share. Through its robust supply chain accumulated over years of deep cultivation in the Hong Kong market, BeGiftHK not only provides eco-friendly materials but also assists organizations in planning gift solutions with social impact, integrating “ESG narratives” into every exquisite gift box.

Rooted in Hong Kong, Defining the Future

As an established authoritative brand in the market, BeGiftHK, with its keen market insights and excellent execution, has successfully provided one-stop corporate gift customization services for numerous NGOs, educational institutions, and Fortune 500 companies. Looking ahead, the company will continue to drive industry innovation, creating the most valuable brand souvenirs for Hong Kong organizations with a more professional and forward-looking vision.

About BeGiftHK

BeGiftHK is a professional gift solution provider headquartered in Hong Kong. The company is committed to providing customers with closed-loop gift customization services, including design, production, quality inspection, and logistics, through innovative technology and a unique industry perspective. With the core concepts of “Professionalism, Design, and Value,” BeGiftHK is a designated gift partner for many large-scale events and corporate anniversary celebrations in Hong Kong.

Media Inquiries, please contact:

• Contact Person: BeGiftHK Customer Service Department
• Company Name: Ideas Promotion Ltd (BeGiftHK)
• Phone: +852 3490 6532
• Email:info@ideaspromotion.com.hk
• Website:https://begifthk.com

SINGAPORE, April 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Organised by Arts House Group, Singapore International Festival of Arts (SIFA) returns from 15 to 30 May 2026 with the tagline “Let’s Play!”, inviting audiences to explore, experiment and connect through the arts. Led by Festival Director Chong Tze Chien, the Festival enters a new three-year curatorial arc tracing Singapore’s performing arts landscape – honouring the past, examining the present and imagining the future.

SIFA 2026’s five programming pillars offer diverse ways to experience the arts: Festival Stage for large-scale productions, Festival Village at the historic Empress Lawn for open-access performances against the city’s National Monuments, Festival Play!Ground for interactive works and parades, Festival House for family-friendly experiences, and Festival Late Nites for night-time programming. Offerings span the Civic District to Singapore’s newest digital district, bringing the Festival into the heartlands.

SIFA 2026 brings together powerful artistic voices from Singapore and around the world:

• Last Rites by Liu Xiaoyi (Singapore) features theatre veterans from different cultures exploring themes of endings and legacy
• Salesman之死 by playwright Jeremy Tiang and director Danny Yeo (Singapore) reimagines Arthur Miller’s 1983 Beijing production of Death of a Salesman, questioning cultural ownership in an interconnected world
• Strangely Familiar《熟悉的陌生》by T.H.E Dance Company (Singapore) features performers from the region exploring how culture, digital identities, and everyday norms intertwine in contemporary lives
• Noli Timere by Rebecca Lazier (Canada) with Janet Echelman (United States) combines contemporary dance and avant-garde circus in an aerial performance
• LACRIMA by Caroline Guiela Nguyen (France) explores the human world behind a fictional Parisian haute couture royal wedding commission
• Hedda Gabler stars Lee Hye-young (South Korea) in a contemporary reimagining of Ibsen’s classic, exploring desire, frustration, and societal constraints
• Hamlet by Teatro La Plaza (Peru) features actors with Down syndrome, sharing their desires and frustrations through Shakespeare’s tragedy
• The Lighthouse by Patch Theatre (Australia) beckons families to an immersive performance that is part installation, part scientific quest, part rave
• AUTOMATA, a late-night series curated by Hothouse (Singapore) explores ritual and machine bodies, featuring artists such as music producer Guzz (China)

For the full festival lineup and ticket sales, visit sifa.sg.

Media Contact:
Lee Say Hua, sayhua.lee@tateanzur.com, +65 96684605