AI News: Working Between Deals, Rules & Geopolitics 🧭

The situation between the EU, the USA and China is shaped by two forces.

First, the HR and new work technology market is rapidly consolidating . For example, Workday is strengthening its AI expertise with the acquisition of Sana, following Thoma Bravo's takeover of Dayforce private and SAP's acquisition of SmartRecruiters, which increases Europe's clout in the talent market. Second, regulations are changing the rules of the game for work. The EU is negotiating a framework for unavailability and fair teleworking, while California will set new requirements for automated personnel decisions starting in October.

At the same time, China is tightening enforcement of existing working time limits , thus placing the focus on productivity rather than presence, supplemented by guardrails for cross-border remote work.

In the US, however, large employers are taking advantage of their stronger position and increasing the requirement to be present in the office, which is reorganizing the competition for flexible working models.

The geopolitical dimension is evident in access to raw materials and investment controls. The planned acquisition of nickel assets by a China -backed group is being closely scrutinized in Europe, and Washington is sending a clear signal with a ban on Chinese owners.

Together, this creates a labor and M&A market in which AI-driven platforms are being scaled, legal guardrails are being tightened, and strategic resources and security policy are setting the pace across the borders of the EU, USA, and China.

🧩 More themed snacks (see sources below)

1) Workday buys Sana: AI as HR copilot 🚀

Workday is investing $1.1 billion in the Swedish platform Sana. The goal is to bring AI-powered search, learning agents, and knowledge management directly into the HR system.

👉 Signal: AI is moving from an add-on to the core of HR software.

2) Dayforce goes private: $12.3 billion 💰

HCM provider Dayforce is delisting due to Thoma Bravo . Private equity is betting on long-term growth in HR tech.

👉 Signal: Consolidation is gaining momentum - players want to scale more flexibly, without quarterly pressure.

3) SAP + SmartRecruiters: Europe’s recruiting power

SAP completes the acquisition of SmartRecruiters , strengthening its position in the talent market. More AI for applicant management, more "sovereign tech" for Europe.

👉 Signal: Europe's heavyweight doesn't just want to catch up, but also wants to set standards.

4) EU: Right to unavailability 🕰️

The European Commission is launching its second round of consultations. The goal is to establish EU-wide standards for teleworking and disconnecting after work.

👉 Signal: Work-life balance is becoming a compliance issue. Employers must develop new policies.

5) California regulates AI in labor law ⚖️

New rules will apply from October 1, 2025 : AI may not make discriminatory personnel decisions, and data must be stored for four years.

👉 Signal: AI in HR is becoming more legally demanding, audit & fairness by design are mandatory.

6) China stops 996 culture 🛑

Authorities are enforcing the 40-hour workweek to combat excessive overtime. Companies are adapting their systems and time recording.

👉 Signal: Productivity instead of self-exploitation, China is sending a cultural-political signal.

7) China regulates remote work 🌐

New guidelines stipulate: International teams need clear working time regulations , data security and responsibilities.

👉 Signal: Cross-border work is becoming more predictable, but also more bureaucratic.

8) USA: Return-to-Office wave 🏢

Microsoft, NBCUniversal and Paramount are increasing the requirement to be present in the office , some with consequences for violations.

👉 Signal: Employers are leveraging labor market power. Flexibility is becoming a differentiating factor.

9) Nickel deal: China & Europe in a raw materials duel 🪙

The China-backed MMG plans to invest USD 500 million in Anglo American's nickel assets . Brussels is examining the EU security perspective.

👉 Signal: Raw materials are the “new oil” for battery and tech industries – regulation becomes industrial policy.

10) USA blocks China takeover 🛡️

The US Treasury Department bans Chinese owners from the tech sector (Suirui/Jupiter Systems case). National security trumps market interests.

👉 Signal: Investment control is becoming a geopolitical instrument.

📌 Key messages

• HR tech in a billion-dollar rush : Workday, Dayforce, SAP, the industry is consolidating around AI.

• Labor rights are being redefined globally : EU (unavailability), California (Fair AI), China (remote & working hours).

• Flexibility divides : While the US relies on office presence, Europe regulates digital rights and China regulates productivity.

• Geopolitics intervenes in business : Raw materials and M&A blockades make HR strategies indirectly geopolitical.

• Bottom Line : In 2025, work will no longer be a purely HR issue, but a management issue at board level.

  
  

📚 Sources

• Reuters: Workday to acquire AI firm Sana for $1.1 billion (09/16/2025) → Link

• Reuters: Dayforce goes private in $12.3bn Thoma Bravo deal (08/21/2025) → Link

• SAP News: SAP completes SmartRecruiters acquisition (09/11/2025) → Link

• European Commission: Right to disconnect & fair telework (25.07.2025) → Link

• California Civil Rights Council: AI and employment discrimination regulation (June 30, 2025) → Link

• Harris Sliwoski LLP – China Employment Law 2025: 996 is no longer okay (09/12/2025) → Link

• HROne: China Remote Work Regulations (02/19/2025) → Link

• Washington Post: Return to office mandates (September 11, 2025) → Link

• Financial Times: China-backed miner seeks EU approval for $500m nickel deal (09/12/2025) → Link

• US Treasury: Prohibition of Chinese acquisition (Suirui/Jupiter Systems) (July 11, 2025) → Link

  
  

🎯 Conclusion

In 2025, work will no longer be an HR silo , but a playing field in which deals, regulation and geopolitics intertwine.

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