INTHEBLACK July 2026 - Magazine - Page 13
Trending topics
FOLLOW
Research, video and podcast content worth talking about
CPA Australia
VIDEO
Global debt: Sustaining debt
market resilience in 2026
and beyond
OECD: Global debt: Sustaining debt market resilience in 2026 and beyond
CLICK TO LAUNCH VIDEO IN A NEW WINDOW
The Organisation for Economic
Co-operation and Development (OECD)
Global Debt Report 2026 reveals that
government and corporate borrowing
reached a record US$27 trillion
(A$37.31 trillion) in 2025. Debt markets
have managed to remain resilient,
even in the face of geopolitical stress,
trade tensions and economic uncertainty.
Still, pressures are rising, including
higher borrowing costs and increased
AI-related spending. The OECD urges
governments to ensure the sustainability
of their debt by practising fiscal
prudence, spending public sector funds
more efficiently and preserving strong
monetary frameworks.
Watch the video
PODCAST
ARTICLE
REPORT
Jakob Fugger: The richest
man in history
When not to use AI
More coffee-harming heat
due to carbon pollution
This episode of the Everything
Everywhere Daily podcast tells the story
of Jakob Fugger. During the fifteenth
century, his wealth equalled about two
per cent of Europe’s GDP — roughly
US$512 billion (A$707.58 billion) today.
Having started his career as a
bookkeeper, he joined his family’s
merchant banking business, directing
investments into income-generating
ventures such as mines and loans.
He went on to pioneer large-scale
international finance, moving capital
across borders and lending to monarchs
and other powerful groups. It is a
fascinating history that brings to light
Fugger’s influence on trade, politics,
religion, culture and philanthropy.
Listen to the podcast
With AI tools taking many tasks
off workers’ hands, deciding what
to delegate to technology can be
challenging. This article proposes that
AI is best suited to “groundwork” tasks,
including gathering data, outlining
reports and identifying patterns.
While AI is a good starting point,
human judgement remains essential,
particularly when making decisions that
rely on values, nuance or relationships.
It suggests real-world situations where
AI can — and should — be deployed,
along with tips to reduce over-reliance
on the technology. Together, these
lessons encourage the careful,
professional use of AI to complement,
rather than replace, human work.
Read the article
Coffee lovers are well aware
of the rising cost of a daily brew.
Analysis from Climate Central
attributes part of the price escalation
to the impacts of climate change.
Brazil, Vietnam, Colombia, Ethiopia
and Indonesia — which produce
about three-quarters of the world’s
coffee — now experience more than
144 days of heat each year that harm
coffee crops, far above historical
averages. Likewise, drought, pests
and diseases associated with changing
weather patterns are driving price
volatility. The future availability and
affordability of coffee will largely
depend on how well farmers can
adapt to evolving climate conditions.
Read the report
intheblack.cpaaustralia.com.au 13
