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A significant proportion of the U.S. workforce is pushing back against Artificial Intelligence adoption at their jobs. According to a new study by generative AI platform Writer, 31% of employees—including 41% of Gen Z workers—admit to “sabotaging” their company’s AI strategy by refusing to adopt AI tools and applications. As a result, roughly two-third of executives say Generative AI adoption has led to tension and division within their organization, with 42% suggesting it’s “tearing their company apart.” “There’s active resistance where it’s like, ‘I really don’t believe in this strategy whatsoever, and I’m either going to completely ignore it, or do my own thing,’” says Writer’s chief strategy officer Kevin Chung. “And the passive resistance is often, ‘I’ll give it a try, but I’m not going to put my hand up and say here’s how to improve it. I don’t want to waste my time and effort on it.’” Different reasons, same results As the technology matures, the most common fears associated with AI adoption have evolved, though the end result is still the same. “Two years ago, nine times out of 10 it was about ‘why am I training the robot that’s going to take my job away from me?’ and today maybe one or two out of 10 concerns I hear are about job displacement,” Chung says. Instead, he says workers are shying away from the technology because it hasn’t yet proven its usefulness. “Now that they’ve had a chance to play with it, [many employees] are quite disappointed in the results they’ve seen, and that’s why they are disillusioned by it.” That observation is consistent with another survey of 1,100 executives and managers from 2023. It was conducted by Leadership IQ, wherein just 10% said their employees were “excited” about the technology, and another 35% were “cautiously optimistic.” The remaining 55% were either “in denial,” “resistant,” “reluctant” or “indifferent.” Though the results haven’t yet been made public, the research and consulting firm’s founder and CEO Mark Murphy says a recent follow-up study (set to be published next month) found similar results. “The numbers [of those who are “excited” or “cautiously optimistic”] are looking mildly better, but not drastically. There was still a shocking amount of denial,” he says. “The percentage of people who have no experience with AI has dropped considerably, but we haven’t made a dent in [increasing the proportion on] the intermediate and advanced side of things. We’ve just shifted a lot of people from ‘no experience’ to ‘beginner.’” As more American workers utilize AI tools for the first time, Murphy has also found the most common motivations for pushing back have evolved from fear to disappointment. “We’re still playing with it as a one-off tool—something we depart from our normal job and play with for a few minutes, have it answer a question or two, rather than fully integrating it into our work,” he says. “We’re still in that early stage of AI use.” A tense time for employee-employer relationships At the same time, Murphy suggests the adoption push has coincided with a period of strained relationships between workers and their employers, which is likely making it harder for them to proceed with their AI plans. “A potential wrinkle in this right now is that there is . . . a little more of an adversarial dynamic between management and frontline employees,” he says. “You can see this with return-to-office initiatives, for example, and I think this is sort of a harbinger of things to come with AI.” Just as some employers are forcing staff back into the office under threat of losing their job, some are also taking a similarly harsh approach to AI adoption. That could explain some of the high rates of disengagement and active resistance. “There was a little bit less empathy for what employees might be going through,” Murphy says of RTO mandates. “My guess, based on everything else we’ve seen, that a similar mindset will be adopted—and already is, in some cases, being adopted—when it comes to AI.” Finding the right approach Murphy advises employers looking to make an AI push to really emphasize the benefits that adoption will have for the individual employee, as well as the broader organization. “The litmus test is, ‘what sort of training are you providing such that my AI skills are not just sufficient to implement your particular AI, but take me a level up?’” he says. “Getting people to the level where they can essentially train their replacement is one thing. There will also be an abundance of people that master AI to the point where they are fluent and can use it to pursue new strategies that add to their value.” The high rate of AI resistors may be a function of the high rate of AI beginners, who don’t feel like the skills they’ve developed really add anything to their personal value and employability. Getting more people excited about AI, Murphy argues, requires providing the kind of training that they can put on their résumé or showcase in a performance review. “If it feels like a black box that’s sprung on the frontline worker, they probably won’t trust it,” adds Sarah Elk, Bain & Company’s AI, insights and solutions practice leader for the Americas. “You’ll get results far faster if you take the time up front to engage in a thoughtful process with the people who will be impacted.” AI adoption is about people Elk says organizations looking to adopt AI solutions often run into challenges when they focus on the technology rather than the people who will use it, and ultimately determine its success. “If I’m just unleashing [an AI tool] to my entire population without any thought as to how that is helping them or helping the company, I shouldn’t expect dramatic outcomes,” she says. “I believe in broad access. But that has to be paired with leadership and sponsorship, top-down, around areas of value that we’re driving towards.” To make those integrations successful, Elk says organizations need to explain how the technology will solve specific problems for staff, while giving them some latitude to experiment and find new ways to use it to their advantage. “If you’re applying AI with brute force and not being thoughtful about how it relates to the work, to the process, to the outcome, to your competitive advantage—when that isn’t clear—then yes, I could understand why it might be confusing to a frontline worker,” she says. “When you’re doing it right, you don’t face resistance.” View the full article

After Chobani owner and CEO Hamdi Ulukaya and his wife welcomed a baby in late 2015, he started to wonder whether his company was fully supporting its employees as they became parents. When he returned to work, he inquired about the company’s parental leave policy. “I asked, what happens at Chobani when someone has a baby or a new member of their families?” Ulukaya recalled. “The response was: We don’t have [a policy]. We have disability insurance. That insurance in New York offers up to 75% coverage for six weeks, basically. And that’s what we offered for birthing parents.” Ulukaya says he was “shocked” and immediately asked his team what they could do differently. That prompted a major change at Chobani: In 2016, the company started offering six weeks of fully paid leave for all full-time workers—including those in its manufacturing facilities—with the option of adding an additional six weeks at partial pay. Chobani’s new parental leave policy The company found that many birthing parents would take the full 12 weeks of leave, with some workers even tacking on an additional six weeks through short-term disability. As of this week, Chobani is expanding its leave policy further by offering 12 weeks of fully paid leave for all new parents, including those who are fostering or adopting a child. Birthing parents will have access to a total of 18 weeks paid leave, since Chobani will also cover six weeks of short-term-disability leave at 100% pay for any reason—and the new policies will apply to all full-time and part-time employees who work at least 24 hours per week. “Anything you do [for] your employees—anything—is an investment,” Ulukaya says. “It comes back 100% from my experience . . . People know that Chobani has been present on all kinds of social issues, but we start with our own people first. Investing in your people, recognizing the needs of your people, and being there with your people, especially frontline and factory [workers], is really the competitive advantage.” “This is good for business” Chobani has long been known for its progressive workplace policies, from hiring refugees and paying competitive wages to giving its employees a stake in the company’s future through an equity-sharing program. Even so, the parental leave policy has been one of the most popular benefits offered by Chobani, according to Ulukaya—and it has also helped the company attract new talent. “A lot of people come in and say, ‘I just got married, or I’m planning on [starting] a family,’” he says. “’Learning about your parenting policy, it was really attractive to come and join you.’ It’s massively important for a lot of people.” It’s a message Ulukaya also passes along to his peers in the business world. “I tell my colleagues and other CEOs: This is good for business,” he says. “It’s not just a handout. When you have policies like this, what it does to your company is magical.” The new update to its leave policy also makes Chobani somewhat of an outlier in the manufacturing space. A 2023 survey by the Institute for Women’s Policy Research found that a little more than half the respondents had some access to paid family leave. While a significant portion of people with young children (78%) reported having paid maternity leave, far fewer (46%) were entitled to paternity leave. More broadly, paid leave is still hard to come by at many workplaces in the country: As of 2024, only 31% of full-time employees and 14% of part-time employees had access to the benefit. “We could fix this” Some companies that offer more generous leave distinguish between corporate employees and hourly workers—though there are exceptions. Starbucks recently made a similar update to its policy, increasing paid leave for birthing parents to 18 weeks and 12 weeks for all other new parents. Amazon, on the other hand, provides 20 weeks of paid leave to all birthing parents (including hourly workers), though the company offers only six weeks of leave to other new parents or those who adopt. While there has been little progress on a federal paid leave policy since the pandemic, states have continued adopting legislation that has expanded coverage for many workers. Thirteen states and Washington, D.C., have now passed legislation that mandates paid leave. Still, most state laws only guarantee partial pay—and the onerous process of applying for leave stops many workers from taking advantage of those policies. Cultural norms also hold men back from taking leave, even when they’re entitled to do so. With the latest changes at Chobani, Ulukaya is hopeful that lawmakers and business leaders alike will take notice. “We do a lot of things at Chobani [that] I don’t really see the value of talking about,” he says. “I talk about this because I’m hoping that this could impact other businesses and policy makers and society. It doesn’t matter who you are and what kind of view you have when it comes to politics. This is something [where] we can all unite, and we could really fix this.” View the full article

Thousands of tonnes of plastic pollution could be escaping into the environment every year . . . from our mouths. Most chewing gum on sale is made from a variety of oil-based synthetic rubbers—similar to the plastic material used in car tires. If you find that thought slightly unsettling, you are not alone. I have been researching and speaking about the plastic pollution problem for 15 years. The people I talk to are always surprised, and disgusted, when they find out they’ve been chewing on a lump of malleable plastic. Most manufacturers just don’t advertise what gum is actually made of—they dodge around the detail by listing “gum base” in the ingredients. There’s no strict definition of synthetic gum base. Chewing gum brand, Wrigley Extra partners with dental professionals around the world to promote the use of sugar-free chewing gum to improve oral health. The brand’s Wrigley Oral Health Program states that: “Gum base puts the “chew” in chewing gum, binding all the ingredients together for a smooth, soft texture. We use synthetic gum base materials for a consistent and safe base that provides longer-lasting flavor, improved texture, and reduced tackiness.“ It almost sounds harmless. But chemical analysis shows that gum contains styrene-butadiene (the durable synthetic chemical used to make car tyres), polyethylene (the plastic used to make carrier bags and bottles) and polyvinyl acetate (woodglue) as well as some sweetener and flavoring. The chewing gum industry is big business, worth an estimated $48.68 billion (37.7 billion pounds) in 2025. Three companies own 75% of the market share, the largest of which is Wrigley, with an estimated 35%. There are few reliable statistics available about the amount of gum being produced, but one peer-reviewed global estimate states 1.74 trillion pieces are made per year. I examined several types of gum and found that the most common weight of an individual piece of gum is 1.4 grams—that means that globally, a staggering 2.436 million tonnes of gum are produced each year. About a third (30%) of that weight, or just over 730,000 tonnes, is synthetic gum base. If the idea of chewing plastic isn’t disturbing enough, consider what happens after you spit it out. Most people have experienced discarded gum under bench seats, school desks, and on street pavements. But, like other plastics, synthetic chewing gum does not biodegrade and can persist in the environment for many years. In the environment, it will harden, crack, and break down into microplastics but this can take decades. Cleaning it up is not cheap because it is labor intensive. The average cost is $1.94 (1.50 pounds) per square meter, and estimates suggest that the annual cleanup cost for chewing gum pollution for councils in the U.K. is around 7 million pounds (that’s more than $9 million). There have been some efforts to address the problem. In many public locations around the U.K., gum collection pots supplied by Dutch company Gumdrop Ltd. have been installed to collect and recycle used gum. Signage provided by councils encouraging responsible disposal is also now a regular feature in some U.K. high streets, and there is a growing number of small producers offering plant-based alternatives. In the U.K., the environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy launched the chewing gum task force in 2021. This collaboration involves three major manufacturers who have committed to investing up to 10 million pounds in order to clean up “historic gum staining and changing behavior so that more people bin their gum.” But, here lies the crux of the issue. The first objective implies that cleaning up gum is a solution to this form of plastic pollution; it isn’t. Manufacturers making a financial contribution to cleanup efforts is like plastic manufacturers paying for litter pickers and bin bags at volunteer beach cleans. Neither addresses the root cause of the problem. Binning gum is not the solution either. Addressing gum as a plastic pollutant dictates that the prevention of gum pollution should include the well-known tenets, like all plastic pollution, of reduce, reuse, recycle and redesign. It is not only a disposal issue. Another issue that I have uncovered is definition. In the two annual reports published by the gum litter task force since its inception, there is no mention of the word pollution. The distinction between litter and pollution is important. By calling it chewing gum pollution, the narrative changes from an individual negligence issue to a corporate one. That places an onus for accountability on the producers rather than the consumers. Single-use solutions Like single-use plastic items, chewing gum pollution needs to be tackled from all angles—education, reduction, alternatives, innovation, producer responsibility, and legislation. Educating people about the contents of gum and the environmental consequences those ingredients have will reduce consumption and encourage better disposal habits. More transparent labeling on packaging would empower shoppers to make informed choices. Stricter regulations can hold manufacturers to account—a levy tax on synthetic gum can help pay for clean ups. In turn, this would incentivize more investment in plant-based gums and other sustainable alternatives. We can all reduce the environmental consequences of this plastic pollution by kicking the gum habit, calling on councils to enforce stricter pollution penalties, and encouraging governments to put a tax levy on manufacturers to fund cleanups and force them to list the contents of gum base. Throwing away any non-disposable, inorganic products is unsustainable. Chewing gum pollution is just another form of plastic pollution. It’s time we start treating it as such. David Jones is a sessional teaching fellow at the School of the Environment and Life Sciences at the University of Portsmouth. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. View the full article

Official figures will add to pressure on chancellor as she prepares for her Spring Statement next weekView the full article

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San Antonio is launching a new $1.4 million grant program to support small businesses affected by city-led construction projects, according to the latest from San Antonio Report. The initiative, presented by the city’s Economic Development Department, includes three separate grants to provide assistance before, during, and after construction. The largest of the three, the Stabilization Construction Grant, is backed by $1 million and will offer up to $35,000 to eligible businesses along streets like South Alamo and within the Zona Cultural. To qualify, businesses must demonstrate net revenue losses from the past year. An estimated 266 businesses could benefit from this funding. The Mitigation Construction Grant targets businesses preparing for major upcoming projects. This round focuses on the Marbach Road Streets and Drainage Project, expected to begin this fall. Grants of $2,000 will be available for up to 40 businesses to help cover marketing and signage expenses. A total of $80,000 has been allocated for this effort. The third grant, the Accelerate Recovery Grant, supports businesses along roads where construction was recently completed, including Broadway Street and Bulverde Road. With $120,000 in funding, the program will offer $5,000 grants for up to 24 businesses to make exterior or interior improvements—such as painting, signage, or seating upgrades. Applications for the Stabilization and Recovery grants open by May 1, while the Mitigation Grant application period begins June 2. According to San Antonio Report, city data shows past construction-related grants improved small business survival rates, particularly in food and accommodation sectors. This article, "San Antonio Rolls Out $1.4M in Grants to Help Construction-Impacted Small Businesses" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

San Antonio is launching a new $1.4 million grant program to support small businesses affected by city-led construction projects, according to the latest from San Antonio Report. The initiative, presented by the city’s Economic Development Department, includes three separate grants to provide assistance before, during, and after construction. The largest of the three, the Stabilization Construction Grant, is backed by $1 million and will offer up to $35,000 to eligible businesses along streets like South Alamo and within the Zona Cultural. To qualify, businesses must demonstrate net revenue losses from the past year. An estimated 266 businesses could benefit from this funding. The Mitigation Construction Grant targets businesses preparing for major upcoming projects. This round focuses on the Marbach Road Streets and Drainage Project, expected to begin this fall. Grants of $2,000 will be available for up to 40 businesses to help cover marketing and signage expenses. A total of $80,000 has been allocated for this effort. The third grant, the Accelerate Recovery Grant, supports businesses along roads where construction was recently completed, including Broadway Street and Bulverde Road. With $120,000 in funding, the program will offer $5,000 grants for up to 24 businesses to make exterior or interior improvements—such as painting, signage, or seating upgrades. Applications for the Stabilization and Recovery grants open by May 1, while the Mitigation Grant application period begins June 2. According to San Antonio Report, city data shows past construction-related grants improved small business survival rates, particularly in food and accommodation sectors. This article, "San Antonio Rolls Out $1.4M in Grants to Help Construction-Impacted Small Businesses" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

The California Chamber of Commerce has announced the launch of the first Small Business Grant Awards, offering $20,000 in total funding to support small businesses across the state. In partnership with the Sacramento Host Committee, the California Retailers Association, the California Restaurant Association, the California New Car Dealers Association, Western Growers, and Visit California, CalChamber will award four $5,000 grants to selected recipients. Two of the grants will go to small businesses impacted by recent wildfires in Los Angeles—specifically one business affected by the Eaton Fire and another by the Palisades Fire. The remaining two grants will be awarded to small businesses from the Greater California area. In addition to the financial support, each recipient will receive a complimentary one-year Online Membership with CalChamber, valued at $499. To qualify, applicants must meet several eligibility criteria. They must be independently owned and operated, located in California, and have 100 or fewer employees. Additionally, they must have average annual gross receipts of $15 million or less over the previous three years and demonstrate alignment with CalChamber’s mission to enhance California’s economy and business environment. Applicants must also show how their business contributes in the areas of leadership, employee relations, community impact, and innovation. This includes efforts in job creation, financial growth, workforce development, sustainability, and the implementation of unique business solutions. Applicants affiliated with CalChamber’s board or employed by the organization are not eligible. All applicants must be available to attend the California Business Outlook Dinner in Sacramento on June 4, 2025, where the awards will be presented. Applications must be submitted via the official Small Business Grants Submission Form no later than April 11, 2025. The four grant recipients will be announced on May 5, 2025. Grant funds may be used to support business operations, recovery, growth, or other legitimate business needs, but may not be applied to political or lobbying activities. Recipients are solely responsible for any tax liabilities associated with the grant. Award recipients will also be expected to comply with all federal, state, and local regulations, and participate in promotional activities related to the program, such as interviews and testimonials. Failure to comply with the program’s terms may result in forfeiture of the grant and potential legal action. CalChamber and its partner organizations reserve the right to modify or cancel the grant program at any time. All decisions by the selection committee are final and not subject to appeal. Applicants are advised that information submitted will be used solely for program administration and evaluation. Confidential business information will remain protected unless disclosure is required by law. By applying, applicants consent to the use of their business name and general information for promotional purposes. Questions about the Small Business Grant Program can be directed to the Grant Awards Administrator at smallbizgrants@calchamber.com. This article, "CalChamber Launches Small Business Grant Program to Aid California Entrepreneurs" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

The California Chamber of Commerce has announced the launch of the first Small Business Grant Awards, offering $20,000 in total funding to support small businesses across the state. In partnership with the Sacramento Host Committee, the California Retailers Association, the California Restaurant Association, the California New Car Dealers Association, Western Growers, and Visit California, CalChamber will award four $5,000 grants to selected recipients. Two of the grants will go to small businesses impacted by recent wildfires in Los Angeles—specifically one business affected by the Eaton Fire and another by the Palisades Fire. The remaining two grants will be awarded to small businesses from the Greater California area. In addition to the financial support, each recipient will receive a complimentary one-year Online Membership with CalChamber, valued at $499. To qualify, applicants must meet several eligibility criteria. They must be independently owned and operated, located in California, and have 100 or fewer employees. Additionally, they must have average annual gross receipts of $15 million or less over the previous three years and demonstrate alignment with CalChamber’s mission to enhance California’s economy and business environment. Applicants must also show how their business contributes in the areas of leadership, employee relations, community impact, and innovation. This includes efforts in job creation, financial growth, workforce development, sustainability, and the implementation of unique business solutions. Applicants affiliated with CalChamber’s board or employed by the organization are not eligible. All applicants must be available to attend the California Business Outlook Dinner in Sacramento on June 4, 2025, where the awards will be presented. Applications must be submitted via the official Small Business Grants Submission Form no later than April 11, 2025. The four grant recipients will be announced on May 5, 2025. Grant funds may be used to support business operations, recovery, growth, or other legitimate business needs, but may not be applied to political or lobbying activities. Recipients are solely responsible for any tax liabilities associated with the grant. Award recipients will also be expected to comply with all federal, state, and local regulations, and participate in promotional activities related to the program, such as interviews and testimonials. Failure to comply with the program’s terms may result in forfeiture of the grant and potential legal action. CalChamber and its partner organizations reserve the right to modify or cancel the grant program at any time. All decisions by the selection committee are final and not subject to appeal. Applicants are advised that information submitted will be used solely for program administration and evaluation. Confidential business information will remain protected unless disclosure is required by law. By applying, applicants consent to the use of their business name and general information for promotional purposes. Questions about the Small Business Grant Program can be directed to the Grant Awards Administrator at smallbizgrants@calchamber.com. This article, "CalChamber Launches Small Business Grant Program to Aid California Entrepreneurs" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Blaze at nearby electrical substation causes power outage at UK’s main transit hubView the full article

The head of operations at the Federal Housing Finance Agency and two C-suite leaders at the government-sponsored enterprise are out, according to Semafor. View the full article

Move set to intensify split between Netanyahu government and legal authoritiesView the full article

The correlation between reduced crime rates and thriving communities is profound. Lower crime not only ensures the safety of residents but also sets off a chain reaction of positive outcomes that enhance the overall quality of life. In short, crime reduction touches not only the potential would-be victims and families. It also touches the entire neighborhood and community that may not even directly understand the downstream effects. We’ve observed this time and time again over the past 8 years in building Flock Safety, a technology company that builds tools to solve and reduce crime. When cities feel the impact of lower crime, it’s reflected across every aspect of daily life. Here are five downstream areas that can feel the effects. 1. Economic growth and job creation A safe environment is a fertile ground for economic development. Businesses are more likely to invest in areas where crime rates are low, leading to job creation and economic prosperity. Conversely, high crime rates can deter investment and prompt existing businesses to relocate, resulting in job losses and economic decline. A 2021 study tracking the impact of crime on local businesses found that “the estimated effects of property crime and outdoor crimes on consumer visits in the following month are negative, meaningful and strongly significant.” 2. Housing and urban development Safety plays a crucial role in the housing market. Communities with lower crime rates experience higher property values and increased homeownership rates. This not only benefits homeowners but also attracts real estate development, leading to improved infrastructure and amenities in a self-perpetuating benefit cycle. A report by the Center for American Progress highlighted that the largest economic benefits of reducing violent crime arise from the impact on housing values, as safer neighborhoods become more desirable places to live. On average, a reduction in a given year of one homicide in a ZIP code was correlated with a 1.5% increase in housing values in that same ZIP code the following year. 3. Public health and well-being The link between public safety and public health is undeniable. Communities free from violence experience better physical and mental health outcomes. Some of these effects are quite direct—one study tracked a 1% decrease in neighborhood violent crime was associated with a 0.21% decrease in cardiovascular death rates—while others center around a general sense of well-being. The absence of crime fosters a sense of security, reducing stress and anxiety. Moreover, safe neighborhoods encourage outdoor activities, social interactions, and community engagement, all of which contribute to overall well-being. 4. Educational opportunities Safety is a fundamental prerequisite for effective education. Students in secure environments are more likely to attend school regularly and perform better academically. A controlled study with the New York City Department of Education and the New York City Police Department identified that exposure to violence in students’ neighborhoods and an unsafe climate at school led to substantial test score losses. And lower crime creates a positive feedback loop where education leads to better job opportunities, further contributing to community prosperity. 5. Community cohesion and trust Effective public safety outcomes, specifically reduced crime, fosters trust among community members and between residents and law enforcement. This trust is essential for community programs, local governance, and collective efficacy. When people feel safe, they are more likely to participate in community activities, support local businesses, and engage in civic duties, all of which strengthen the social fabric. The ripple effects of reduced crime are vast and transformative. From economic growth and improved public health to stronger community bonds and enhanced educational outcomes, safety is the cornerstone of thriving communities. Garrett Langley is founder and CEO of Flock Safety. The Fast Company Impact Council is a private membership community of influential leaders, experts, executives, and entrepreneurs who share their insights with our audience. Members pay annual membership dues for access to peer learning and thought leadership opportunities, events and more. View the full article

Institute for Fiscal Studies accuses official statisticians of ‘jumbled economic reasoning’, in latest setback for agency View the full article

At a recent groundbreaking for one of our data center campuses, three members of the community told our team, “Great, we’re going to get a Trader Joe’s now.” It may sound funny, but this is one small part of the data center effect. Having Starbucks and Whole Foods establishments in the neighborhood famously have been associated with higher property values. Data centers also boost the communities where they’re located, by creating jobs and supporting revitalization efforts, for example. Of course, the industry faces criticism too, often based on outdated perceptions that don’t reflect advances in design and sustainability. But public opinion is shifting—partly thanks to growing recognition of data centers’ vital role as the digital backbone of the economy and helping enable AI. Those who haven’t seen the data center effect in their community may soon. As of last year, the U.S. was home to almost 5,400 data centers. With facilities under construction expected to reach a new high in 2025 and demand projected to grow almost 10% annually through 2030, development is picking up outside urban cores and in secondary markets. Here are some of the overlooked ways that data centers are transforming the communities where they operate. 1. They are driving the shift to green power Data centers are pivotal in the transition to green energy. This is part of a broader sustainability push, as the industry aims to shrink its environmental footprint while diversifying power sources to keep up with AI’s demand. In fact, our company gets 100% of its electricity from zero-carbon renewable energy. To cool equipment, we leverage a closed-loop system that uses little or no outside water. We also prefabricate electrical and mechanical infrastructure, dramatically reducing waste and minimizing on-site construction. In our home state of Texas and elsewhere, data center providers are seeking more renewable options and funding their development. For example, hyperscalers Amazon, Google, and Microsoft invest heavily in clean energy sources such as wind, solar, and nuclear. By 2029, the U.S. sustainable data center market is expected to double, topping $35 billion. Thanks to such efforts, energy is becoming cheaper and greener, benefiting local communities and society at large. In 2023, 81% of new utility-scale renewable energy projects had lower costs than fossil fuel–powered alternatives. As the price of going green keeps falling, consumers will reap the rewards. 2. Data centers boost the local labor market Like any business that sets up shop in a community, data centers create jobs for local people. We see it in Dallas–Fort Worth, where providers are generating employment opportunities and attracting new talent. As the industry grapples with a labor shortage, reskilling is crucial. In addition to hiring trade school grads to build and maintain our facilities, we’ve filled key technical roles by retraining skilled military veterans. The impact on local labor markets can be profound. In Virginia in 2023, the data center industry provided more than 26,000 operational and construction jobs. In total, it supported some 78,000 jobs, delivering $6.2 billion in pay and benefits and $31.4 billion in economic output. Not including construction, each job in a Virginia data center supports 3.5 more. Data center providers are also partnering with post-secondary institutions to back industry-specific offerings. I sit on the advisory board of Southern Methodist University’s Master of Data Center Systems Engineering program, one of the few degrees of its kind. 3. Data centers attract other businesses Data centers exert their own gravitational pull, drawing other companies to the communities where they establish roots. In fact, the surge in new projects recently prompted Wyndham Hotels & Resorts to open properties near data centers. When a hyperscale data center moves into a market, businesses that support its services follow. If the applications using that facility are latency-sensitive, the need for speed pushes companies to locate nearby, too. The result can be a new business ecosystem for some communities and regions. In Virginia, the companies serving data centers include those in power distribution and management, IT hardware, cybersecurity, design, construction, and management consulting. The cybersecurity that local data centers provide is another business magnet. Meeting the security needs of industries with strict data privacy and storage rules, such as healthcare and financial services—as well as players in the AI arms race—is driving expansion. For customers, data protection combined with zero downtime is a powerful draw. 4. Data centers deliver broader economic benefits When a data center comes to town, the ripple effects are far-reaching. One perk? Better public infrastructure. Upgrades to roads, broadband, power transmission, and other needed services can improve residents’ quality of life. Data center companies can also breathe new life into long-dormant districts, redeveloping brownfields into new campuses. For local governments, data centers can be a major revenue source. Because they’re taxed locally but serve customers globally, they bring in tax revenue from outside. In Virginia in 2022 alone, the industry paid $640 million and $1 billion, respectively, in state and municipal taxes. When using public services, data centers have a high fiscal benefit–to–cost ratio. In Loudoun County, for every dollar of local public services required, data centers pay about $26, versus roughly $4 for manufacturing plants. 5. Data centers create community partnership opportunities In many cases, the data center industry enriches communities by giving back. Being a good neighbor requires asking residents what contributions they need and working with them to deliver. We’ve partnered with a nonprofit to support reforestation near our campuses, teamed up to educate students on industry careers, and provided donations to organizations supporting families in need. As the data center industry keeps growing, many more communities and state and local governments will find themselves approached by providers. Of course, each must make the decision that’s right for them. But the data center effect is worth considering. The industry still has work to do, but data centers can help build strong local economies with more opportunities for people and businesses…and, perhaps, even get their own Trader Joe’s. Andrew Schaap is CEO of Aligned Data Centers. The Fast Company Impact Council is a private membership community of influential leaders, experts, executives, and entrepreneurs who share their insights with our audience. Members pay annual membership dues for access to peer learning and thought leadership opportunities, events and more. View the full article

The Connecticut bank said its newly minted president, Steven Sugarman, successfully led a private placement and signed a long-term employment agreement that makes him a potential CEO. David Lowery, current chief executive of Patriot, plans to step down in April. View the full article

Artificial intelligence and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are rapidly becoming two of the most challenging and consequential communication arenas for modern companies. According to Mission North’s 2025 Brand Expectations Index (BEx), public sentiment is evolving in ways that require corporate leaders to rethink how they communicate about these issues, balancing transparency with strategic messaging to maintain trust and relevance. We conducted BEx 2025 in November 2024, surveying 1,000 members of the general population adults and 500 knowledge workers. The goal was to provide practical and positive guidance for how executives such as CEOs, CCOs, and CMOs can bolster their brand’s reputation while also avoiding actions that might unintentionally harm it. We previously conducted BEx 2024, identifying and measuring leading factors affecting brands today, and used this as a foundation for Bex 2025. AI: BUILDING TRUST IN A FAST-MOVING LANDSCAPE AI adoption is surging, with tools like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini becoming household names. As AI continues to disrupt industries, public perception of AI companies has shifted significantly—though trust remains divided. Top survey findings include: Trust in AI companies and startups jumped 9 points in 2025 over 2024, reflecting increased awareness and adoption. Big tech is leading the trust surge with Google (66%), Amazon (65%), and Microsoft (61%) ranking the most trusted AI companies among the general public.Trust lags significantly for newer players (OpenAI: 41%, Anthropic: 23%). Communication builds trust. Knowledge workers overwhelmingly support transparent AI development, with 81% emphasizing security, 78% ethical oversight, and 77% privacy. Owned content from companies ranks just behind local news as the most trusted source of AI information. Security, privacy, and ethics are big factors in building trust. Security is a top driver of trust in AI companies for 81% of knowledge workers and 69% of the general public. Ethical oversight is also critical: 77% of knowledge workers and 66% of the public support external governance of AI development. Only 40% of the general public trust the government to regulate AI responsibly; 58% of knowledge workers prefer industry self-regulation, reinforcing the need for corporate AI ethics programs. The CEO is your best (or worst) asset, with 67% of knowledge workers and 57% of the public saying a company’s CEO reputation directly influences their trust in the brand. DEI AND ESG: NO LABELS, JUST ACTION In a climate of political and cultural pushback against DEI and ESG initiatives, companies face a paradox: While these programs are under attack, employees and consumers still widely support their underlying principles. The public supports DEI values—but not always the label. While corporate DEI programs face external pressures, 69% of the general public and 78% of knowledge workers believe in incorporating diverse perspectives. However, companies should remember that the DEI term may carry political baggage and could be rebranded to reflect its broader, inclusive mission. Actions speak louder than words. The study reveals a significant perception gap: 73% of the public supports inclusivity measures, but only 49% believe companies are following through. Businesses must showcase real, meaningful action rather than performative statements to bridge this gap. Environmental stewardship remains a priority. Despite shifting political winds, 68% of the general public and 77% of knowledge workers support corporate sustainability initiatives. Public stances on social issues remain divisive. While 65% of knowledge workers support corporate activism, only 50% of the general public feels the same. Companies should weigh external positioning carefully, prioritizing internal action and policies that reflect core values. SO WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE? As AI reshapes industries and DEI/ESG debates continue, communicators must stay ahead of evolving expectations. BEx presents some clear pathways forward: Own your narrative: For companies looking to tell their AI story: take control of your story, educate stakeholders, and focus on security, privacy, and ethical leadership to maintain and build trust. Double down on executive comms: The general public and knowledge workers are looking to CEOs for direction; look closely at how your leaders show up, both in words and actions. Transparency and authenticity are essential elements of an executive platform. Focus less on labels and more on results. Embedding inclusive and sustainable practices into company culture without drawing unnecessary controversy will allow brands to maintain credibility while avoiding political landmines. Direct communications is king. Audiences want to hear from you, and content increases knowledge; 81% of the general public and 84% of knowledge workers rank direct communications from companies (podcasts, long-form articles, and videos on technical and human-interest topics) as one of the most trusted sources of information, second only to local news. COMMUNICATE WITH CONFIDENCE The research makes one thing clear: Companies that proactively shape their narratives around AI and DEI will maintain stronger, more resilient brands. AI is no longer an emerging trend—it’s an operational reality. Meanwhile, DEI and ESG efforts remain essential to corporate success, even requiring strategic repositioning. Companies that take control of their messaging, prioritize transparency, and consistently communicate their values will be best positioned to navigate the challenges and opportunities of 2025. By doubling down on education, trust-building, and authentic storytelling, corporate leaders can ensure their brand survives and thrives in the ever-evolving landscape of AI and DEI. Tyler Perry is co-CEO of Mission North. The Fast Company Impact Council is a private membership community of influential leaders, experts, executives, and entrepreneurs who share their insights with our audience. Members pay annual membership dues for access to peer learning and thought leadership opportunities, events and more. View the full article

Software increasingly makes the world go round. Without this critical digital infrastructure, the economy—and society at large—wouldn’t function. But as recent events like last year’s CrowdStrike outage have shown, enormous leaps in software power and complexity, including the integration of AI into the development process, ratchet up the potential for things to go sideways, fast. How can software teams better harness the supercharged new tools at their disposal? Here’s a look at five things that lie ahead. 1. As consumers lose patience with outages, developers make software more resilient For consumers, the CrowdStrike outage is just the tip of the iceberg. Other recent software disruptions include American Airlines’ holiday stoppage, the global shutdown of Meta’s apps, and a Microsoft 365 failure. When we commissioned a survey of U.S. consumers in 2024, their resentment was palpable. More than half had been impacted by software outages. And for 70%, releasing “bad” code is equal to—or even worse than—supermarkets selling contaminated food. Business leaders are worried too. When asked late last year, almost 90% of global executives expected major IT outages in 2025. The irony is these outages aren’t the result of hackers or security compromises—they’re due to preventable glitches and oversights in the development process itself. The way out of this mess? Moving forward, more companies will fully embrace modern DevOps practices—tools and processes that make software delivery more reliable and efficient. An emerging discipline just a few years ago, DevOps is quickly becoming table stakes across industries. The most crucial safeguard: automating the software development pipeline. If every engineer must follow the same steps for planning, writing, testing, deploying, and maintaining code, the entire process is smoother, faster, and safer. 2. AI transcends the hype Roughly 60% of developers deployed AI in 2024, up almost 20% from the previous year. But so far, we haven’t seen the expected AI productivity gains. That will change going forward. As software teams figure out how to operationalize AI, the technology will start to show its real value. After all, AI’s role in the development lifecycle goes well beyond writing code. Developers now have access to AI-native software delivery platforms that weave AI agents into every stage of the development process, not just coding. For example, a DevOps assistant lets software teams instantly create pipelines—and easily modify them. 3. Security threats (and responses) While invaluable to developers, AI has also been a boon to hackers. For instance, state-backed actors from China, Russia, and Iran have been using OpenAI tools to sharpen their skills and deceive targets. Indeed, the majority of hackers agree that businesses adopting AI have created new attack vectors. One vulnerability increasingly exploited: APIs, the doors and windows into code that allow apps to “talk” to each other. In the past two years, 57% of organizations were hit by an API security breach. And in a survey we conducted, more than two-thirds of businesses said genAI poses a risk to API security. For companies, fighting back requires taking stock of APIs and detecting and preventing attacks. The key steps: conducting an API inventory, ensuring that APIs meet specific security standards, and using smart tools to spot threats. Equally important: integrating security into the developer pipeline. This so-called “shift left” isn’t new—progressive companies have been working for years to get developers in on the ground floor of security initiatives. But we’ll see shift left strengthen—part of a broader effort to close the gap between Dev and functions like FinOps and continuous integration/continuous delivery. 4. DevOps platforms offer developers a one-stop shop As DevOps matures, a significant problem has surfaced: too many tools. Point solutions, handy tools and automations that make developers’ lives easier, are starting to overwhelm them. They add to daily toil instead of alleviating it. Currently, the average developer is asked to manage 14 different vendor tools. This context shifting between different interfaces, workflows, and licenses leads to confusion, cognitive overload, and development inconsistency. This all points to the need for a robust, integrated platform bringing the needed developer tools into one place. Critically, however, all the solutions need to be best of breed. Developers aren’t forgiving and would rather build their own tools than use inferior ones. For all these reasons, expect platform engineering to go mainstream this year. Indeed, Forrester predicts that in 2025, half of enterprises will abandon individual software tools for DevOps platforms. 5. Cloud costs tools become mission-critical For developers, getting a handle on cloud services costs has always been a headache. AI has taken that frustration to a whole new level. Because the latest AI applications use so much processing power, cloud costs can quickly escalate, leading to huge surprise bills. For the average business, cloud spending has leaped 30% in the past year, largely because of generative AI. That’s one reason why FinOps—another emerging discipline that bridges the gap between finance and engineering—is increasingly important. With developer visibility into cloud spending and accountability for it, companies should see significant savings and efficiency gains. But that hinges on new tech and on harnessing AI as part of the solution. AI-powered tools let anyone easily pinpoint cloud waste by asking questions in plain language. Armed with that knowledge, developers can get recommendations on the right fixes. The best cloud cost management tools also automate fixes, forecast cloud spend, and enforce rules for cloud usage. The result is significant savings—as much as 50% at Fortune 1000 companies I know. For software developers, big opportunities lie ahead, along with growing threats. Teams that stay vigilant and take advantage of the best tools will be better positioned to see real productivity gains from AI while avoiding the security and quality pitfalls. Jyoti Bansal is CEO of Harness. The Fast Company Impact Council is a private membership community of influential leaders, experts, executives, and entrepreneurs who share their insights with our audience. Members pay annual membership dues for access to peer learning and thought leadership opportunities, events and more. View the full article

President signs Defense Production Act in attempt to wean the country off critical resources from ChinaView the full article

Verizon Business has introduced Verizon Business Assistant, a generative AI-powered text messaging solution designed to help small businesses automate customer interactions. This tool provides instant responses to frequently asked questions, learns from interactions, and connects customers to live employees when needed. AI-Powered Customer Support Verizon Business Assistant enables small businesses to enhance customer engagement by automating responses via text messaging 24/7. According to Verizon Business, this tool helps businesses save time, serve more customers efficiently, and gain valuable insights into customer needs and preferences. “Small business owners are constantly juggling multiple responsibilities, and want to use technology to improve operations and better connect with their customers,” said Iris Meijer, Chief Product & Marketing Officer, Verizon Business. “Yet access to that technology and AI tools that work for small businesses can be a challenge, which is where we want to help champion them. Verizon Business Assistant is one example of a solution we’re rolling out to support small business owners. It also addresses an increasing customer demand – particularly from younger generations – for easy digital tools to communicate with businesses on simple matters. This allows small business owners to focus on growing their business while ensuring their customers feel valued and connected to the business.” Key Features and Benefits Verizon Business highlights several features of the AI-powered assistant, including: Automated Responses: Provides immediate answers to customer inquiries, reducing the need for manual responses. Live Team Member Handoff: Transfers complex inquiries to a live employee when necessary. Continuous Learning: Builds a knowledge base over time to improve response accuracy. Text Messaging (SMS/MMS): Uses a familiar communication channel to enhance customer engagement. Insights Dashboard: Provides business owners with data on customer interactions and trends. Easy Setup and Customization: Integrates with existing Verizon mobile devices without requiring additional hardware or software. Business owners can customize responses and training to fit their specific needs. Enhancing Small Business Operations Verizon Business notes that the launch of Business Assistant comes as small businesses seek technology solutions to streamline operations and better serve customers. The company references findings from its fifth Annual State of Small Business Report, which indicates that small business owners are increasingly looking for ways to improve efficiency and connect with customers through digital tools. With Verizon Business Assistant, small businesses now have access to AI technology typically leveraged by larger enterprises. By automating routine interactions, the solution allows business owners and employees to focus on higher-value tasks while ensuring customers receive prompt and accurate responses. Verizon Business Assistant is now available and easily deployable for small business owners looking to enhance customer service through AI-driven automation. This article, "Verizon Business Launches GenAI Assistant for Small Businesses" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article