Wednesday newspaper round-up: Trade unions, Apple, Smith & Nephew

(Sharecast News) - Some companies are "stuck in neutral" in their approach to artificial intelligence, according to Microsoft's UK boss, who said a significant number of private and public sector organisations lack any formal AI strategy. A Microsoft survey of nearly 1,500 UK senior leaders across public and private sectors, as well as 1,440 employees, found that more than half of executives feel their organisation has no official AI plan. Roughly the same proportion report a growing gap in productivity - a measure of economic efficiency - between employees who use AI and those who do not. - Guardian

Trade unions have declared victory as Labour bolstered a string of measures in its workers' rights bill, amid criticism of the government from business groups saying there had been no "meaningful change" despite engagement. Union sources said they were delighted there had been no watering down of any key measures in the employment rights bill, which will face its final vote in the Commons next week, after wrangling between ministers, unions and businesses. - Guardian

Apple has launched a legal battle against Yvette Cooper's secret order for the tech giant to install a backdoor in the iPhone. The company has lodged an appeal with the Investigatory Powers Tribunal, the court that oversees Britain's surveillance laws, over the demand to provide access to encrypted iPhone messages and pictures. - Telegraph

The company that makes Tasers is poised to roll out a "covert" weapon to satisfy a surge in demand from nervous chief executives after the head of America's biggest health insurer was shot dead in New York. Axon has told investors that fear among corporate bosses in the wake of the assassination presented a huge growth opportunity for the company. - Telegraph

The owner of Boots, the high street chemist, is nearing a $10 billion deal to be taken private by an American private equity firm. Walgreens Boots Alliance, the US-listed drugstore chain, is in negotiations with New-York based Sycamore Partners to agree a takeover. The parties are aiming to reach a deal as soon as Tuesday, The Wall Street Journal reported. - The Times

Smith & Nephew has opened the door to a possible break-up amid activist pressure to consider a separation of the FTSE 100 company's largest division. The 169-year-old company, one of the world's biggest and oldest medical equipment manufacturers, has outlined scenarios under which it could evaluate strategic options for its struggling orthopaedics division, in a shift in its public position. - The Times