Czech-developed AI and workplace projects win ABSL business awards

A Czech-developed AI training program expanding worldwide and a payroll project saving thousands of working hours were among the initiatives recognized at this year’s ABSL Diamond Awards.

The business services association presented 10 awards following an assessment of 40 nominations by an independent, 13-member jury. Johnson & Johnson Global Services received the Business Service Center of the Year award.

The results highlight work being developed in Czechia for international businesses, alongside efforts to improve training and workplace conditions. Awards were presented during ABSL’s annual conference, according to the association.

SAP received a learning and development award for Let’sAI, an employee-led initiative that began in Czechia and is expanding to offices worldwide.

The program combines ongoing training with two-day AI Days events covering basic concepts, practical applications and responsible use. More than 60 training sessions have taken place since October 2025, while the AI Days events alone have attracted over 750 employees.

The concept has reached Manila and Buenos Aires, with SAP planning events at more than 50 locations worldwide.

Prague-based Envista also won in the learning category for Dentellect, a 24-week program teaching artificial intelligence, automation and data analytics through training and practical business projects.

Its first cohort involved 145 employees. According to the release, their work produced more than 16 analytics and visualization solutions, over 10 AI agent-based solutions and at least eight automated workflows.

Johnson & Johnson received a separate technology innovation award for HR2Pay, which identifies errors in personnel data before they affect payroll.

ABSL reported that the project reduced corrections by more than 60 percent and issue-resolution time by 45 percent. It saves more than 40,000 working hours annually across HR and payroll operations and supports approximately 140,000 employees worldwide.

Atlas Copco Services also won for a program accelerating payments between companies within its group and reducing foreign-exchange exposure.

Several awards focused on how companies organize work and respond to employees. Aptar Global Business Services CZ won recognition for an initiative introduced after a staff survey identified problems with communication, trust and visible responses to feedback.

Employees were given responsibility for developing workplace improvements. Over a year, voluntary turnover fell from 10.59 percent to 6.73 percent, according to figures provided in the release.

Aptar also received an operational award for consolidating financial processes from 22 entities into its České Budějovice center. The project shortened monthly financial closing from seven days to five, while reducing operating costs and headcount in local teams by approximately 14 percent.

KBC Global Services Czech Branch was recognized for projects helping employees understand other teams’ work and promoting the company through employee stories.

Kenvue received the workplace award for redesigning its existing offices using refurbished furnishings, recycled materials and locally sourced elements. The space incorporates approximately 3,000 plants.

ABSL Managing Director Jonathan Appleton said the projects reflected the sector’s evolution from support operations toward developing services and solutions used internationally. More information about ABSL and this year's Diamond Awards can be found at the official ABSL website.