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The proportion of Czech businesses using artificial intelligence has doubled over the past year, according to figures released by the Czech Statistical Office on Thursday. AI is now used by 35 percent of companies with more than ten employees, including nearly three-quarters of large firms, half of medium-sized businesses and almost a third of small enterprises. The most common applications include generating text, computer code and human-like speech. Around one-fifth of companies use AI to create images, videos or music. The survey also found that 60 percent of Czech businesses pay for cloud services, more than three times the proportion a decade ago.

Bomb disposal teams found no explosives or other dangerous objects aboard four aircraft that received bomb threats while flying to Prague on Thursday. The planes, two from Britain and one each from Ireland and Greece, landed safely between 9:45 and 10:30 a.m. Similar threats targeted commercial flights elsewhere in Europe, including three aircraft in Bulgaria and flights landing in Vienna and Brussels. Additional searches of Prague Airport and its surroundings found nothing suspicious, and security measures were lifted before noon. Airport operations were unaffected. Czech police are examining possible links, with the National Counterterrorism, Extremism and Cybercrime Centre leading the investigation.

Czech carmaker Škoda Auto says it will reconsider sponsoring the Ice Hockey World Championship if Russia returns to the tournament. The company, a main sponsor since 1993, opposes a ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport allowing Russian teams back into International Ice Hockey Federation competitions. Škoda says Russia's continuing aggression against Ukraine makes its participation incompatible with the company's values. The Russian team could return at the 2027 championship in Germany. Other sponsors, including Czech betting company Tipsport and brewery Plzeňský Prazdroj, have also raised objections, while several foreign sponsors have threatened to withdraw.

Trade unions at Czech carmaker Škoda Auto say employees could limit voluntary overtime unless they receive adequate pay. Union leader Jaroslav Povšík said weekend and summer overtime could be restricted, although no strike is currently planned. The warning follows Volkswagen's reported demand to freeze wages, bonuses and other remuneration until 2030, which unions reject. Škoda's Czech factories remain among the profitable parts of Volkswagen, which is struggling in Germany. The company is one of Czechia's largest employers and a major driving force of its economy.