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Featuring Tarana Burke, Author, Activist, Founder of the “Me Too” Movement. Moderated by Yasmin Gagne, Staff Editor. Just eight years ago, the Me Too movement inspired a viral hashtag, sparked a global conversation, and championed the voices of survivors. But it didn’t take long for opposing forces to mobilize. In the past few years, we’ve seen the overturning of Roe v. Wade, the platforming of influencers who proudly self-identify as incels, and sitting politicians perpetuating sexual abuse. Join Tarana Burke, founder of the Me Too movement and chief visionary officer of Me Too International, for a one-on-one conversation exploring what it means to plan for the movement’s future while existing in a climate that’s hostile to its mission. View the full article

Apple has announced the launch of the latest MacBook Air, featuring the powerful M4 chip, up to 18 hours of battery life, and a new 12MP Center Stage camera. The new MacBook Air models now start at $999, $100 less than the previous version, with an education pricing option of $899. Available in 13-inch and 15-inch sizes, the laptops can be pre-ordered today and will be available in stores starting March 12. The new MacBook Air models are powered by Apple’s latest M4 chip, which features a 10-core CPU and an up to 10-core GPU. According to Apple, the M4 model is “up to 2x faster than the M1 model” and offers “up to 23x faster performance” when compared to Intel-based MacBook Air models. The chip’s Neural Engine, which enhances AI-based tasks, is “up to 3x faster than on MacBook Air with M1.” Apple states that the M4 chip improves efficiency in everyday tasks such as web browsing, spreadsheet calculations, and video editing. Battery life remains a key feature, with Apple claiming “up to 18 hours” of use on a single charge. Apple has introduced an all-new sky blue color option, which joins the existing lineup of midnight, starlight, and silver. The new MacBook Air continues to feature its signature thin and light design, making it portable and suitable for work, study, and entertainment. The updated MacBook Air includes a 12MP Center Stage camera that automatically adjusts to keep users in the frame during video calls. It also now supports “up to two external 6K displays” when the laptop lid is closed, expanding its use for professionals and students who need a multi-screen setup. The new MacBook Air is designed to take advantage of Apple Intelligence, enabling features such as Image Playground for creative visuals, Genmoji for personalized emoji creation, and advanced writing tools. The integration of ChatGPT into Siri and Writing Tools allows users to access AI-powered assistance with built-in privacy protections. The macOS Sequoia operating system enhances the user experience with features such as iPhone Mirroring, improved Safari browsing, and better gaming support. Apple highlights its environmental commitment with the MacBook Air, which features “over 55 percent recycled content,” including a 100 percent recycled aluminum enclosure. The company continues its transition to renewable electricity for manufacturing as part of its Apple 2030 initiative. Customers can pre-order the new MacBook Air models now, with availability beginning on March 12. The 13-inch model starts at $999, while the 15-inch model starts at $1,199, with education pricing available for both. Additional details and configurations are available on Apple’s website. Image: Apple This article, "Apple Unveils New MacBook Air with M4 Chip and Lower Starting Price" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Apple has announced the launch of the latest MacBook Air, featuring the powerful M4 chip, up to 18 hours of battery life, and a new 12MP Center Stage camera. The new MacBook Air models now start at $999, $100 less than the previous version, with an education pricing option of $899. Available in 13-inch and 15-inch sizes, the laptops can be pre-ordered today and will be available in stores starting March 12. The new MacBook Air models are powered by Apple’s latest M4 chip, which features a 10-core CPU and an up to 10-core GPU. According to Apple, the M4 model is “up to 2x faster than the M1 model” and offers “up to 23x faster performance” when compared to Intel-based MacBook Air models. The chip’s Neural Engine, which enhances AI-based tasks, is “up to 3x faster than on MacBook Air with M1.” Apple states that the M4 chip improves efficiency in everyday tasks such as web browsing, spreadsheet calculations, and video editing. Battery life remains a key feature, with Apple claiming “up to 18 hours” of use on a single charge. Apple has introduced an all-new sky blue color option, which joins the existing lineup of midnight, starlight, and silver. The new MacBook Air continues to feature its signature thin and light design, making it portable and suitable for work, study, and entertainment. The updated MacBook Air includes a 12MP Center Stage camera that automatically adjusts to keep users in the frame during video calls. It also now supports “up to two external 6K displays” when the laptop lid is closed, expanding its use for professionals and students who need a multi-screen setup. The new MacBook Air is designed to take advantage of Apple Intelligence, enabling features such as Image Playground for creative visuals, Genmoji for personalized emoji creation, and advanced writing tools. The integration of ChatGPT into Siri and Writing Tools allows users to access AI-powered assistance with built-in privacy protections. The macOS Sequoia operating system enhances the user experience with features such as iPhone Mirroring, improved Safari browsing, and better gaming support. Apple highlights its environmental commitment with the MacBook Air, which features “over 55 percent recycled content,” including a 100 percent recycled aluminum enclosure. The company continues its transition to renewable electricity for manufacturing as part of its Apple 2030 initiative. Customers can pre-order the new MacBook Air models now, with availability beginning on March 12. The 13-inch model starts at $999, while the 15-inch model starts at $1,199, with education pricing available for both. Additional details and configurations are available on Apple’s website. Image: Apple This article, "Apple Unveils New MacBook Air with M4 Chip and Lower Starting Price" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Featuring Paul Feig, Founder, FeigCo; and Director and Producer, Another Simple Favor. Moderated by Kc Ifeanyi, Executive Director of Editorial Programming, Fast Company. Producer and director Paul Feig is looking to strike gold twice with the follow-up to his 2018 hit film A Simple Favor starring Blake Lively, Anna Kendrick, and Henry Golding. Beyond the plot twists and intrigue, Feig’s sequel further exemplifies his commitment to telling women-led stories including Jackpot!, Ghostbusters, Spy, The Heat, and Bridesmaids. Join Feig for a one-on-one conversation on his unique approach to comedic storytelling with complex female lead characters at the center. View the full article

Featuring Tom Basden, Executive Producer, Writer, and Actor; James Griffiths, Director, Executive Producer, Tim Key, Writer, Executive Producer, Actor and Carey Mulligan, Executive Producer, Actress. Moderated by Brendan Vaughan, Editor-in-Chief, Fast Company View the full article

Domestic political opposition to $1.5bn deal for secure communications has mounted amid transatlantic diplomatic tensions View the full article

Democrats should spend less time on gimmicks and more on communicating what they actually stand for View the full article

Highest-paid mandarins at top of organisation will face stricter performance monitoringView the full article

Moscow’s troops gain territory around the Russian town of Sudzha ahead of crucial talks between Kyiv and Washington this weekView the full article

Reforms rather than quick fixes will save more money in the long term View the full article

President Ahmed al-Sharaa calls for calm after attempted pro-Assad uprising escalated into sectarian violenceView the full article

Want more housing market stories from Lance Lambert’s ResiClub in your inbox? Subscribe to the ResiClub newsletter. In the past few years, the housing market has experienced a “lock-in effect,” in which many homeowners with lower monthly payments and mortgage rates (some even below 3%) are unwilling to sell and purchase another home with a significantly higher monthly payment and mortgage rate. Last year, researchers from the Federal Housing Finance Agency estimated that the lock-in effect had resulted in more than a million “lost” home sales. But what mortgage rate would it take for homeowners to consider moving? ResiClub aimed to find out with the ResiClub Housing Sentiment Survey. In total, 650 U.S. adults participated in the survey between February 21 and March 4, 2025. We asked U.S. homeowners—excluding those who said they “plan to never sell” or “would pay all cash” for their next home—what the highest mortgage rate is that they would accept on their next home purchase. Only 16% of homeowners said they’d accept a mortgage rate up to 7% on their next purchase. Just over half of homeowners (54%) said they’d accept a mortgage rate up to 5.5% on their next purchase. Our biggest regret with this survey question is that we didn’t start conducting it quarterly or semiannually back in 2022. Our hypothesis is that, over time, as mortgage rates have remained higher for longer than consumers expected, the mortgage rate that potential homeowners—who are selling to buy—are willing to accept has been rising. Some homeowners are realizing that sub-4% mortgage rates aren’t coming back anytime soon. And as they experience more lifestyle changes (like having more kids) and see increases in their incomes, their personal “switching costs” are shifting. Some are beginning to recognize that they’ll need to make a move at some point. That said, homeowners aren’t going to sell and buy something new if they can’t qualify for or afford their next mortgage at current rates. And many homeowners who have the itch to move have come to realize they fall into that camp. That raises the question: Where do U.S. consumers think the average 30-year fixed-mortgage rate will be at the end of 2025? The majority believe it will stay at 6% or above: 4% of U.S. adults said 7.5% 9% of U.S. adults said 7.0% to 7.5% 34% of U.S. adults said 6.5% to 7.0% 39% of U.S. adults said 6.0% to 6.5% 10% of U.S. adults said 5.5% to 6.0% 3% of U.S. adults said 5.0% to 5.5% 2% of U.S. adults said under 5.0% View the full article

Feeling burned out? It could be costing your company millions of dollars each year in lost productivity and employee turnover. A new study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine estimates that employee burnout in the U.S. costs somewhere between $4,000 and $21,000 per worker per year. Do the numbers, and that adds up to about $5 million per year for a company with 1,000 employees. (Another way to look at it: Employee disengagement, or burnout, can cost 0.2 to 2.9 times the average cost of health insurance, and 3.3 to 17.1 times the cost of training per employee.) The research is based on a computational simulation model developed by the Public Health Informatics, Computational, and Operations Research team based at ​​the CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, working with researchers from Baruch College, Johns Hopkins University, and the University of San Diego Knauss School of Business. The model works by simulating how an employee fares at different stages over time—from active engagement to disengagement and burnout—based on stressors the employee encounters both in the workplace (workload, community, control, rewards, fairness, and value) and outside work (family, cultural and psychological environment, finances, and health). It even looks at how a freelance or hourly employee would do versus a salaried one. The team then ran the model to estimate the resulting cost of employee productivity losses to employers. It found a nonmanagerial hourly worker going through burnout would cost an employer on average $3,999. That average cost rose to $4,257 for a nonmanagerial salaried worker, $10,824 for a manager, and $20,683 for an executive. According to the Mayo Clinic, job burnout is defined as a type of stress linked to work. It includes being worn out physically or emotionally, and may involve “feeling useless, powerless, and empty.” While burnout isn’t a medical diagnosis, it can raise the risk of depression and has been tied to anxiety. A lot has been written about the health consequences of employee burnout, but less has been written about the financial effects. “Our model quantifies how much employee burnout is hitting the bottom line of companies and organizations,” Bruce Y. Lee, CUNY SPH professor and senior author of the study, said in a statement. “Therefore, it can give companies and organizations a better idea of how focusing more on employee well-being could help decrease costs and increase profits.” View the full article

Green tears were flowing when Lencia Kebede made history this week on Broadway, becoming the first Black actor to assume the role of Elphaba full time in the Broadway company of “Wicked.” “It’s hard to even pinpoint a single emotion because I feel that it changes like every five minutes,” she told The Associated Press, still buzzing a day after her debut. “I woke up and I still sort of felt in the world of Oz.” Kebede, a first-generation Ethiopian American from Los Angeles, spent five years touring with “Hamilton,” most recently in the role of Angelica Schuyler. Stepping into “Wicked” on Tuesday marked her Broadway debut. “Defying Gravity” Kebede had already gone through an emotional wringer by the time the curtain finally came down. She sings the Act 1 showstopper “Defying Gravity,” shooting into the air and the power of the moment ripped through her. “When the lights went off at the end of the song, I started sobbing. Not like just a gentle tear. Viscerally, I had to release,” she says. “I really felt like I was flying, is the simplest way to put it. I felt like I’m doing it myself, though my own power — my vocal power, my emotional power, the power of all of my African ancestors.” “If I’m flying solo/At least I’m flying free/To those who ground me, take a message back from me/Tell them how I am defying gravity,” she sang. “Everyone deserves a chance to fly,” says Kebede. “I’m projecting this message that no matter who you are, what you look like, where you come from, you deserve liberation and you deserve empowerment in the way that the character feels in that moment. It just feels like I’m taking the entire audience in my arms.” Thank goodness it was intermission. “I needed to regroup,” she says, laughing. “My makeup artist was like, ‘Just let it out, just cry, and then we can clean it up.’” Who was watching Kebede’s “Wicked” debut? In the audience were some 60 family and friends — mom and her aunts and uncles, her many cousins, her boyfriend, pals from other shows, her agent and casting directors, even her college choir director. “My whole family was in the audience — just everyone who I’ve ever loved, with everyone who has loved me and supported me through my life is just like under me, lifting me and holding me,” she says. “It was just so important to me to have people there that I could share this moment with, so I could say to their faces, ’I couldn’t be here without a piece of your heart that you gave me.’” A sisterhood of Elphabas The popularity of the Cynthia Erivo-led movie hasn’t dampened the appetite for the Broadway version, which opened in 2003 with songs by Stephen Schwartz and a book by Winnie Holzman. Over Christmas, it took in a staggering $5 million over nine performances, marking the highest weekly gross in history for any Broadway show. Kebede joins a sisterhood of green-clad Black women who have played Elphaba, a list that includes Saycon Sengbloh and Lilli Cooper, both Broadway standbys; Brandi Chavonne Massey, a Broadway understudy; and Alexia Khadime, a full-time West End Elphaba. Others who have played the role over the years include Shoshana Bean, Stephanie J. Block, Jessica Vosk, Eden Espinosa, Ana Gasteyer and, of course, Idina Menzel, who won a Tony Award in the role in 2004. A career takes a turn Kebede graduated from Occidental College in 2016 with a double major of diplomacy & world affairs and politics, intending on a career in law or public policy. By her senior year, she had an itch she needed to scratch. “I just had this creative craving in terms of storytelling in the theatrical way that I was missing,” she says. “So I sat my mother down and I was like, ‘Look, I think I need just a couple years to explore this creative endeavor.’” Her first professional job was a production of “Memphis” at Musical Theatre West and then a stint at Tokyo Disney and touring in “Rent.” In addition to years on the road with “Hamilton,” Kebede also sang backup for Beyoncé during her Coachella rehearsals. “The rigorous nature of touring, I think, prepared me immensely for this,” she says. “I do feel very equipped — physically, vocally, emotionally. I feel like I know how to take care of my body and my mind, how I need to cool down emotionally after such an intense experience for three hours.” A magical night On debut night, Kebede tried to keep a set of mental screenshots, a reel of faces and feelings. As she turned to get backstage, she was feeling the love. “My grandmother and my father passed when I was in high school and I just took a moment to connect with my angels,” she says. “It was, oh God, it was electric.” Family came backstage after the show for photos and a tour, she was toasted at a nearby bar by friends, she finally ate something and then got home to try to sleep. “My battery was dead. I mean, I couldn’t even move. I couldn’t move my face. I was just drinking my tea, playing calming jazz. I had to just turn it off,” she says. And then she had to do it all over again the next night. —Mark Kennedy, AP entertainment writer View the full article

Proceeds of deal by Roman Abramovich have been sitting in a fund for more than two years View the full article

Kuwait has stripped nationality from 42,000 people after suspending the region’s only parliament last yearView the full article

Eduardo Bolsonaro seeks support in Washington as his father faces charges of leading a coup plotView the full article

Partner hires on track to hit record high after 155 senior lawyers take new roles in the first two months of 2025 View the full article

Pharma group looks to take advantage as Wegovy and Ozempic start to go off patent next yearView the full article

Support for female equality is edging up but going backwards among young menView the full article

Even Germany’s frugal friends are undergoing policy and sentiment shiftsView the full article

Innovation by world’s biggest suppliers potentially smooths path for self-driving vehiclesView the full article

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. In most of the world, women are the majority of tourism’s workforce. Hotels, for example, employ a large number of local people, offering economic access and opportunity for communities and often underrepresented groups, particularly women. These jobs and incomes directly affect the communities where the properties are based. There are ripple effects on broader social issues such as health, education, and social equity. When tourism represents 10% of global GDP, the opportunity to drive positive social change is enormous. As I learn more about the travel and tourism sector in my new role at Travalyst, I’ve come across some incredible examples of tourism as a force for good such as SASANE in Nepal. SASANE is a social company that trains female survivors of human trafficking to become certified tour and trekking guides. Similarly, there’s Amba Yaalu at Kandalama, Sri Lanka’s first hotel run entirely by women. From resort manager to gardener, the hotel has 80 staff—all women. This groundbreaking commitment to female empowerment is what is possible when business is viewed not just to make money, but to also give back to the people and places it serves. A double-edged sword However, we know all too well that tourism can be a double-edged sword. And on the flip side, unethical and unfair practices are impacting women employed by the travel and tourism industry. For example: Economic vulnerability: Women have historically been concentrated in assistance roles, occupying positions that are often both undervalued and underpaid. In tourism, they are the cleaners working tirelessly in your B&Bs, the waitresses serving delicious local cuisine in the restaurant, and the receptionists dealing with your questions at the front desk. According to the International Labour Organization, women earn on average about 20% less than men. Women tend to perform a large amount of unpaid work in family-run tourism businesses too. Furthermore, these roles are often seasonal, involve long hours, and little job security, leaving workers exposed and unprotected. Women as spectacles: Overtourism often leads to increased risks of sexual harassment, particularly for women working in customer-facing roles. Tourism environments have been described as “hot” climates, where women are often positioned as the site of spectacle, display, and consumption. Think flight attendants, nightclub promoters, and dancers. Tourism practices can amplify this issue by commodifying local cultures and appropriating women’s traditional roles or attire for photo opportunities, such as the Geishas in Japan. Climate change: Extreme weather events are contributing to an increasing number of natural disasters, many of which are in tourism hotspots such as the recent fires in Los Angeles. These destinations, that rely so heavily on tourism, employ a large number of women, and it’s these women that will be looking for work if tourists are put off by the apocalyptic sights of billowing clouds of smoke and the golden-orange glow of flames against the familiar Hollywood backdrop. Tourism can bring economic and social benefits to women, but the lack of fair and equitable systems often results in exploitation and degradation to local communities. According to UN Tourism, by 2030, we’re expecting 1.8 billion international arrivals each year—nearly double the numbers we saw just two decades ago. Accommodating those kinds of numbers can only be sustainable if we focus beyond profit, prioritizing people and places too. A force for good Travalyst is a coalition of some of the biggest names in travel and technology, founded by Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex. Through Travalyst, we are looking to change the way we travel, through our industry collaboration and innovative technology solutions—such as our bold new data hub initiative—our mission is to provide trusted information at scale to empower better decision making and accelerate impact-led change across travel and tourism. Tourism can be both a force with potential to do tremendous good, or if mismanaged, inflict significant harm, including on local communities. We aim to gain a clearer understanding of how tourism can be a genuine force for good and determine what changes are needed to ensure that it delivers on that promise. Amina Razvi is chief partnerships and development officer at Travalyst. View the full article

This week on Small Business Breakdown, our expert panel is back and talking about headlines saying that consumers are turning their attention to small businesses over bigger retailers. Is this actually happening or just something someone is saying? Our panel discusses. They also tackle the topic of creative companies and their use of AI. If these companies do rely on AI technology to provide their products or services, should they be charging less for those products and services? Check out what they have to say on these topics and more in this week’s episode of Small Business Breakdown … Small Business News Roundup – March 8, 2025 Here is a look at the top headlines for small business owners from the past week … Mailchimp Introduces Enhanced Popup Forms and New Marketing Features Intuit Mailchimp has announced a series of product enhancements, including a completely redesigned popup forms experience, now in beta. The new popup forms aim to help marketers effectively target and engage site visitors using branded, interactive forms for improved lead generation and customer growth. Gas Prices Hold Steady as Oil Costs Decline The national average for a gallon of gasoline has declined slightly, dropping one cent from last week to $3.11, according to AAA. The decrease is attributed in part to lower crude oil prices, though market fluctuations and the seasonal transition to summer-grade gasoline may impact prices at the pump in the coming weeks. Salesforce Unveils AgentExchange, Expanding the Digital Labor Market Salesforce (NYSE: CRM) has launched AgentExchange, a new marketplace integrated into its Agentforce platform, aimed at expanding opportunities in the $6 trillion digital labor market. The company announced that AgentExchange debuts with over 200 partners, including Google Cloud, Docusign, and Box, offering trusted AI solutions that businesses can use to build AI agents efficiently. Adobe Brings Photoshop to Mobile Adobe (Nasdaq: ADBE) has launched Photoshop for iPhone, bringing its widely used image editing and design application to mobile devices. The new app, available starting today, delivers Photoshop’s core tools, including layering, masking, and Firefly-powered Generative Fill, in a mobile-friendly interface. An Android version is set to launch later this year. ADP National Employment Report: Private Sector Adds 77,000 Jobs in February The private sector added 77,000 jobs in February while annual pay increased by 4.7% year-over-year, according to the latest ADP National Employment Report released in collaboration with the Stanford Digital Economy Lab. The report, based on payroll data from over 25 million U.S. employees, offers a high-frequency measure of employment trends in the private sector. NFIB Supports Bipartisan REPAIR Act to Aid Independent Auto Shops The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) has announced its strong support for the Right to Equitable and Professional Auto Industry Repair (REPAIR) Act, a bipartisan bill introduced by Rep. Neal Dunn (FL-02). West Virginia Ambulance Business Owner Sentenced to Three Years for Tax Crimes A West Virginia man has been sentenced to three years in prison for failing to pay employment taxes withheld from his employees’ wages and for obstructing the IRS’ efforts to collect those taxes, the Department of Justice announced. Zoho Launches Notebook AI Across Multiple Platforms Zoho Corporation has announced the release of Notebook AI, an AI-powered note-taking assistant now available on iOS, Android, web browsers, and macOS. Users can activate a 15-day trial to explore the app’s features before purchasing, with pricing set at $4.99 per month or $49.99 per year for individual consumers. Wix Launches Native Print-on-Demand Integration with Printful Wix has announced a new native integration with Printful, a leading print-on-demand company, to provide Wix users with direct access to Printful’s fulfillment services. This integration allows merchants, self-creators, and agencies using Wix to create and sell custom-branded merchandise without leaving the Wix platform. Small Biz Breakdown: A New ChatGPT, the Death of Skype … and More The Small Biz Breakdown crew is back this week with more fascinating discussions on some of the hottest topics in small business. Our panel talks about the latest model release from OpenAI, ChatGPT-4.5, and they’re always open to talking about how AI is taking over more aspects of our lives. The crew also talks about the death of Skype and how it will (or won’t) impact their lives. OpenAI Unveils GPT-4.5, Its Most Advanced AI Model to Date OpenAI has introduced GPT-4.5, a research preview of its latest and most advanced AI model, which is now available to ChatGPT Pro users and developers worldwide. The model represents “a step forward in scaling up pre-training and post-training,” according to OpenAI. GPT-4. NSBA Survey Finds Tax Complexity a Major Burden for Small Businesses The National Small Business Association (NSBA) released its 2025 Small Business Taxation Survey, highlighting the challenges small businesses face due to federal tax laws. The report underscores concerns about the expiration of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which many small businesses fear will result in significant tax increases. Community Bank & Trust Introduces Refund Anticipation Loan for Self-Employed Tax Credit Community Bank & Trust has launched a Refund Anticipation Loan for the Sick Leave and Family Leave (SLFL) tax credit, also known as the Self-Employed Tax Credit (SETC), providing immediate financial relief to self-employed individuals. This article, "Small Biz Breakdown: Should Creative Companies Charge Less If They Use AI?" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

This week on Small Business Breakdown, our expert panel is back and talking about headlines saying that consumers are turning their attention to small businesses over bigger retailers. Is this actually happening or just something someone is saying? Our panel discusses. They also tackle the topic of creative companies and their use of AI. If these companies do rely on AI technology to provide their products or services, should they be charging less for those products and services? Check out what they have to say on these topics and more in this week’s episode of Small Business Breakdown … Small Business News Roundup – March 8, 2025 Here is a look at the top headlines for small business owners from the past week … Mailchimp Introduces Enhanced Popup Forms and New Marketing Features Intuit Mailchimp has announced a series of product enhancements, including a completely redesigned popup forms experience, now in beta. The new popup forms aim to help marketers effectively target and engage site visitors using branded, interactive forms for improved lead generation and customer growth. Gas Prices Hold Steady as Oil Costs Decline The national average for a gallon of gasoline has declined slightly, dropping one cent from last week to $3.11, according to AAA. The decrease is attributed in part to lower crude oil prices, though market fluctuations and the seasonal transition to summer-grade gasoline may impact prices at the pump in the coming weeks. Salesforce Unveils AgentExchange, Expanding the Digital Labor Market Salesforce (NYSE: CRM) has launched AgentExchange, a new marketplace integrated into its Agentforce platform, aimed at expanding opportunities in the $6 trillion digital labor market. The company announced that AgentExchange debuts with over 200 partners, including Google Cloud, Docusign, and Box, offering trusted AI solutions that businesses can use to build AI agents efficiently. Adobe Brings Photoshop to Mobile Adobe (Nasdaq: ADBE) has launched Photoshop for iPhone, bringing its widely used image editing and design application to mobile devices. The new app, available starting today, delivers Photoshop’s core tools, including layering, masking, and Firefly-powered Generative Fill, in a mobile-friendly interface. An Android version is set to launch later this year. ADP National Employment Report: Private Sector Adds 77,000 Jobs in February The private sector added 77,000 jobs in February while annual pay increased by 4.7% year-over-year, according to the latest ADP National Employment Report released in collaboration with the Stanford Digital Economy Lab. The report, based on payroll data from over 25 million U.S. employees, offers a high-frequency measure of employment trends in the private sector. NFIB Supports Bipartisan REPAIR Act to Aid Independent Auto Shops The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) has announced its strong support for the Right to Equitable and Professional Auto Industry Repair (REPAIR) Act, a bipartisan bill introduced by Rep. Neal Dunn (FL-02). West Virginia Ambulance Business Owner Sentenced to Three Years for Tax Crimes A West Virginia man has been sentenced to three years in prison for failing to pay employment taxes withheld from his employees’ wages and for obstructing the IRS’ efforts to collect those taxes, the Department of Justice announced. Zoho Launches Notebook AI Across Multiple Platforms Zoho Corporation has announced the release of Notebook AI, an AI-powered note-taking assistant now available on iOS, Android, web browsers, and macOS. Users can activate a 15-day trial to explore the app’s features before purchasing, with pricing set at $4.99 per month or $49.99 per year for individual consumers. Wix Launches Native Print-on-Demand Integration with Printful Wix has announced a new native integration with Printful, a leading print-on-demand company, to provide Wix users with direct access to Printful’s fulfillment services. This integration allows merchants, self-creators, and agencies using Wix to create and sell custom-branded merchandise without leaving the Wix platform. Small Biz Breakdown: A New ChatGPT, the Death of Skype … and More The Small Biz Breakdown crew is back this week with more fascinating discussions on some of the hottest topics in small business. Our panel talks about the latest model release from OpenAI, ChatGPT-4.5, and they’re always open to talking about how AI is taking over more aspects of our lives. The crew also talks about the death of Skype and how it will (or won’t) impact their lives. OpenAI Unveils GPT-4.5, Its Most Advanced AI Model to Date OpenAI has introduced GPT-4.5, a research preview of its latest and most advanced AI model, which is now available to ChatGPT Pro users and developers worldwide. The model represents “a step forward in scaling up pre-training and post-training,” according to OpenAI. GPT-4. NSBA Survey Finds Tax Complexity a Major Burden for Small Businesses The National Small Business Association (NSBA) released its 2025 Small Business Taxation Survey, highlighting the challenges small businesses face due to federal tax laws. The report underscores concerns about the expiration of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which many small businesses fear will result in significant tax increases. Community Bank & Trust Introduces Refund Anticipation Loan for Self-Employed Tax Credit Community Bank & Trust has launched a Refund Anticipation Loan for the Sick Leave and Family Leave (SLFL) tax credit, also known as the Self-Employed Tax Credit (SETC), providing immediate financial relief to self-employed individuals. This article, "Small Biz Breakdown: Should Creative Companies Charge Less If They Use AI?" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article