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When evaluating what makes an effective accounting software interface, consider the importance of user-friendly design and intuitive navigation. A well-organized menu structure allows quick access to crucial features, whereas customizable dashboards can improve your overall experience. Robust reporting tools and automation features streamline financial management, ensuring efficiency. Furthermore, regular updates based on user feedback can adapt the interface to meet changing needs. Comprehending these elements can greatly impact your choice of software for managing finances effectively. Key Takeaways A user-friendly design with intuitive navigation reduces the learning curve and enhances task completion efficiency. Customizable dashboards allow users to focus on key financial metrics relevant to their specific needs. Strong reporting features with real-time data visualization facilitate informed decision-making and financial monitoring. Robust security measures, such as encryption and multi-factor authentication, protect sensitive financial information. Continuous improvement through user feedback ensures the software evolves to meet changing user needs and preferences. Importance of User-Friendly Design When you consider the role of accounting software in managing finances, it’s important to recognize the significance of a user-friendly design. A well-designed accounting software interface can reduce the learning curve by up to 50%, enabling you to navigate and utilize billing software for accountants efficiently. Intuitive layouts with clear labeling not only improve productivity but can also enhance task completion times by 20-30%. Furthermore, incorporating helpful prompts guarantees you experience less frustration, leading to a 70% increase in satisfaction during your initial use. Responsive designs that allow mobile access are important too, with over 60% of users preferring to manage finances on-the-go. A consistent layout promotes familiarity, improving user retention rates by 40%, which is critical for effective accounting workflow management software. Intuitive Navigation and Layout When you use accounting software, a clear menu structure and logical workflow design are vital for efficiency. You’ll find it easier to navigate fundamental functions like invoicing and expense tracking when these elements are well-organized. A thoughtfully designed interface not just streamlines your tasks but furthermore improves your overall experience by minimizing confusion and errors. Clear Menu Structure A clear menu structure is vital for effective accounting software, as it allows users to navigate through various functions with ease. This is particularly important in workflow software for accountants, where efficiency is key. Here are three fundamental features of a clear menu structure: Logical Categorization: Functions like invoicing, expense tracking, and reporting should be grouped logically. Visual Cues: Icons and other visual elements can guide users, making it easier to find what they need, regardless of whether they’re unfamiliar with accounting terminology. Consistent Design: Consistency across different modules helps users predict where to find features, reducing confusion and speeding up task completion. Additionally, incorporating a search functionality improves user experience by allowing quick access to specific features, minimizing frustration. Logical Workflow Design An effective accounting software interface prioritizes logical workflow design, enabling users to navigate effortlessly between various functions while minimizing the number of clicks needed to complete tasks. Intuitive layouts, with clear labeling and organized categories, improve your experience and boost productivity, whether you’re a novice or an expert. Consistency in design elements, like color schemes and button placements, helps you quickly familiarize yourself with the interface, making it easier to locate tools. Incorporating visual cues, such as icons and tooltips, guides you through complex processes, streamlining workflows and reducing data entry errors. Regularly gathering user feedback is essential for refining the interface, ensuring it meets your needs for logical navigation and ease of use. Customization Options for User Preferences When using accounting software, having customization options is crucial for tailoring your experience. You can create personalized dashboard layouts to highlight the metrics that matter most to your business, as well as choosing themes and colors that align with your brand identity. This level of customization not only improves usability but also guarantees that your workspace feels uniquely yours. Personalized Dashboard Layouts How can personalized dashboard layouts transform your experience with accounting software? By allowing you to customize how you view key financial metrics, these layouts improve usability and efficiency. With options like drag-and-drop functionality, you can easily rearrange widgets to prioritize the information that matters most to you. Here are three benefits of personalized dashboard layouts: Tailored Metrics: Select which data points to display, such as cash flow, profit margins, or expense tracking, ensuring you focus on your crucial operations. Pre-built Templates: Utilize customizable templates that fit various business needs, making data visualization simpler and more effective. Increased Engagement: Improved personalization features lead to higher user satisfaction, encouraging you to adopt the software that best aligns with your working style. Theme and Color Choices Customizing theme and color choices in accounting software can greatly improve your overall user experience, making it a crucial feature for many users. By selecting specific hues like blue, which promotes trust, or green, which encourages a calm environment, you can improve your comfort during long sessions. Furthermore, an effective interface should allow you to adjust font sizes and styles, catering to different readability needs for better accessibility. Personalized interfaces not merely boost engagement but likewise lead to a more efficient workflow. For instance, creating customizable dashboards with color-coded charts helps you interpret data quickly, improving your decision-making processes. Overall, these customization options guarantee that the software aligns with your personal preferences and working style. Clear Dashboards and Reporting Features A well-designed accounting software interface includes clear dashboards and strong reporting features that greatly improve user experience and decision-making. With these tools, you can easily monitor your financial health at a glance, without getting lost in multiple screens. Here are three crucial elements: Customizable Reports: Tailor your financial reports to meet specific business needs, making data more relevant and useful. Intuitive Visualizations: Use graphs and charts to simplify complex financial data, helping you spot trends and anomalies quickly. Real-Time Reporting: Access the latest financial information, ensuring timely decisions and responsiveness to market changes. Integration With Other Business Tools Though many businesses rely on accounting software for financial management, integration with other business tools is essential for maximizing efficiency and accuracy. Effective accounting interfaces seamlessly connect with CRM systems, e-commerce platforms, and payroll services, facilitating smooth data flow. This integration supports real-time data synchronization, keeping financial information current and reducing manual entry errors. For instance, automating invoice generation from sales data captured in a CRM can greatly improve productivity. Furthermore, compatibility with third-party applications allows you to tailor your accounting solution to specific needs, such as linking inventory management tools. Research shows that businesses using integrated accounting solutions can experience up to a 20% increase in operational efficiency, underscoring the importance of cohesive software ecosystems. Accessibility Across Devices How vital is it for accounting software to be accessible across multiple devices? In today’s fast-paced world, it’s imperative. A mobile-responsive design allows you to access your financial data and perform tasks on smartphones and tablets, perfect for remote work or on-the-go management. Here are three key benefits: Cross-Platform Compatibility: You can switch between devices without losing functionality or data integrity, boosting productivity. User-Friendly Design: Intuitive elements like touch-friendly buttons make managing finances easier on smaller screens. Consistent Experience: Familiar layouts across devices minimize the learning curve for new users, leading to quicker adoption. Ultimately, 70% of users prefer accounting software that’s easily accessible across devices, highlighting its significance in user satisfaction. Responsive Customer Support Availability In addition to device accessibility, responsive customer support availability plays a significant role in the overall effectiveness of accounting software. You’ll want options like 24/7 live chat and phone assistance, ensuring that any issues you encounter can be quickly resolved. An extensive knowledge base with how-to articles and FAQs improves your experience by providing immediate access to solutions. Video tutorials help you learn at your own pace, whereas user forums create a collaborative environment for sharing tips and guidance. Timely updates and proactive outreach from support teams build trust and satisfaction. Support Feature Description 24/7 Live Chat Instant assistance anytime you need it Phone Support Speak directly to a representative for complex issues Knowledge Base Access to articles and FAQs for self-help Video Tutorials Learn software features at your convenience User Forums Connect with other users for shared experiences Security Features and Data Protection When selecting accounting software, security features and data protection should be top priorities, as these elements safeguard your sensitive financial information from potential threats. Effective software offers several key security measures: Advanced Encryption Protocols – These protect your data during transmission and storage, ensuring it remains confidential. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) – This adds an extra layer of security by requiring multiple identity verifications, making unauthorized access more difficult. Regular Software Updates – Timely updates and patches address vulnerabilities, keeping your software resilient against emerging cyber threats. Additionally, user permissions and audit trails bolster security by limiting data access and tracking user activity, ensuring that only authorized personnel can view sensitive information. Prioritizing these features helps secure your financial data effectively. Automation of Routine Tasks Even though many businesses still rely on manual processes, automating routine tasks through effective Intuit software can greatly improve efficiency and accuracy. By automating invoicing, expense tracking, and payroll processing, you could save up to 40 hours a month. Automation features likewise generate timely financial reports, providing real-time insights. Data entry is simplified through bank feeds and receipt scanning, which can improve data accuracy by up to 80%. Automated reminders for payment due dates help maintain consistent cash flow and reduce late payments by about 30%. Many software solutions offer customizable workflows customized to your specific business needs, enhancing overall productivity. Task Manual Process Time Automated Process Time Invoicing 10 hours 2 hours Expense Tracking 12 hours 3 hours Payroll Processing 15 hours 4 hours Financial Reporting 8 hours 1 hour Regular Software Updates and Improvements Regular software updates and improvements play a crucial role in maintaining the security and functionality of accounting software. By regularly updating, you’re not just fixing bugs; you’re elevating your overall experience and keeping your data secure. Here are three key benefits: Security Improvement: Approximately 60% of data breaches happen because of unpatched vulnerabilities, so updates are critical for protecting your information. User Interface Enhancements: Well-designed updates can boost user satisfaction by 50%, making navigation and functionality more intuitive. Compliance Adjustments: Updates often reflect changes in tax regulations, helping you avoid penalties and ensuring compliance. Incorporating user feedback into these updates can additionally reduce the learning curve, making your accounting tasks smoother and more efficient. Onboarding and Training Resources Effective onboarding and training resources are vital for ensuring you get the most out of your accounting software. Step-by-step tutorials simplify initial setups and functionalities, boosting your confidence from the start. Thorough training programs like webinars and interactive demos cater to different learning styles, ensuring everyone grasps fundamental concepts. A well-organized knowledge base offers searchable how-to articles, allowing you to troubleshoot independently. Access to live support during onboarding provides immediate assistance for quick resolutions. Continuous learning opportunities, including refresher courses and updates on new features, keep you informed and engaged. Resource Type Description Benefits Step-by-Step Tutorials Guides you through the setup process Builds user confidence Webinars Live sessions covering fundamental features Engages different learning styles Knowledge Base Searchable articles for troubleshooting Reduces support reliance Live Support Immediate help during onboarding Quick resolution of questions User Feedback for Continuous Improvement Gathering user insights is essential for improving your accounting software interface. By implementing an iterative design process, you can make adjustments based on real feedback, ensuring that the changes align with user needs. This approach not just improves functionality but additionally cultivates a more user-friendly experience, making your software more effective for everyone involved. Gathering User Insights How can you guarantee your accounting software continuously meets user needs? Gathering user insights is essential for ongoing improvement. By actively seeking feedback, you can identify which features are underutilized and address usability issues effectively. Consider these key strategies: Regular Feedback Sessions: Host sessions to gather insights directly from users, which can boost satisfaction by 20-25%. Implement Feedback Mechanisms: Use tools like surveys and focus groups to gather real-time feedback, nurturing community and improving retention. Incorporate User Input: Adjust your software based on user suggestions, leading to faster adoption rates and addressing pain points swiftly. Iterative Design Process Even though user feedback remains vital for refining accounting software, implementing an iterative design process can greatly improve its effectiveness. This approach involves gathering user insights through surveys, interviews, and usability testing, helping you identify areas for improvement. Regularly scheduled feedback sessions, like bi-weekly or monthly check-ins, guarantee that user insights are continuously integrated into design updates. You can analyze data from user interactions, such as navigation patterns and feature usage, to inform design decisions effectively. Prototyping and A/B testing enable you to compare different interface designs, refining features based on user preferences. Establishing a feedback loop is critical; collecting user input and acting upon it leads to a more intuitive and efficient accounting software interface that meets real user needs. Implementing Suggested Changes To effectively implement suggested changes based on user feedback, it’s essential to establish a systematic approach that guarantees ongoing improvements to the software interface. Consider these key steps: Regularly collect user feedback through surveys and interviews to identify areas for improvement, ensuring users feel heard and valued. Analyze user interaction data to pinpoint common challenges and friction points within the interface. This helps target upgrades that improve usability. Implement a structured feedback loop where users can suggest changes directly within the software. This facilitates an ongoing dialogue between users and developers. The Role of Aesthetic Design in Usability Aesthetic design plays a crucial role in the usability of accounting software, as it directly influences how users perceive and interact with the interface. Studies reveal that 94% of first impressions are design-related, which greatly impacts usability and user satisfaction. A visually appealing interface can boost user engagement, leading to a 20-50% increase in retention. Consistent design elements, like color schemes and typography, create familiarity, making navigation easier and reducing the learning curve. Effective use of whitespace lowers cognitive load, allowing you to focus on critical tasks without feeling overwhelmed. Furthermore, user-centered design principles, such as responsive layouts and clear visual hierarchy, enable you to complete tasks quickly and accurately, enhancing overall productivity in managing finances. Frequently Asked Questions What Are Key Features of Accounting Software? Key features of accounting software include automation for invoicing and expense tracking, which helps you save time and reduce errors. Thorough reporting tools allow you to generate real-time financial analyses, aiding in decision-making. Multi-currency support is crucial for businesses operating internationally, ensuring accurate transactions. Furthermore, robust security features like encryption and multi-factor authentication protect your sensitive data from unauthorized access, making them fundamental for maintaining compliance and safeguarding financial information. What Is an Interface in Accounting? An interface in accounting is the visual and interactive framework that enables you to navigate the software efficiently. It includes elements like menus, icons, and dashboards that display vital financial metrics. A user-friendly interface allows you to access functions such as invoicing and reporting quickly. Effective interfaces often feature prompts and tooltips, which help guide you through complex tasks, reducing the time needed to learn how to use the software effectively. What Features Should Be There in an Ideal Accounting System? An ideal accounting system should include features like invoicing, expense tracking, and payroll management to simplify financial processes. You’ll benefit from robust reporting tools that provide real-time insights and customizable reports for informed decision-making. Multi-currency support is vital if you operate globally, allowing smooth transactions across different currencies. Furthermore, verify the software complies with tax regulations to avoid legal issues and maintain accurate financial records, streamlining your accounting tasks effectively. What Are the 5 Characteristics That Are Common to All Effective Accounting Systems? Effective accounting systems share five key characteristics. First, they offer intuitive navigation, so you can easily perform tasks without extensive training. Second, they provide real-time dashboards, helping you quickly assess financial health. Third, customizable reporting tools enable personalized insights. Fourth, integration with other business systems streamlines workflows and improves data consistency. Finally, strong security measures, like encryption and multi-factor authentication, protect sensitive information, ensuring your financial data remains safe and trustworthy. Conclusion To conclude, an effective accounting software interface relies on user-friendly design, intuitive navigation, and customizable features. By prioritizing clear dashboards, robust reporting tools, and seamless integration with other business tools, you improve usability and efficiency. Regular updates and user feedback guarantee the software evolves to meet changing needs. Aesthetic design furthermore plays an essential role in maintaining user engagement. In the end, focusing on these elements leads to a more effective and satisfying user experience in financial management. Image via Google Gemini This article, "What Makes an Effective Accounting Software Interface?" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

AI is helping teams build software and tools faster than ever—but that doesn’t mean we’re building smarter. I’ve seen entire prototypes spin up in a day, thanks to AI coding assistants. But when you ask how they were built, or whether they’re secure, you get a lot of blank stares. That’s the gap emerging now, between what’s possible with AI, and what’s actually ready to scale. What looks like progress can quickly become a liability. Especially when no one’s quite sure how the thing was built in the first place. Before you go all-in on AI-assisted coding, check these five fault lines: 1. You can’t govern what you can’t see. Perhaps the most overlooked risk of AI-assisted coding isn’t technical, it’s operational. In the rush to deploy AI tools, many companies have unintentionally created a layer of “shadow engineering.” Developers use these tools without official policies or visibility, leaving leaders in the dark about what’s being built and how. As Mark Curphey, cofounder of Crash Override, told me: “AI is accelerating everything. But without insight into what’s being built, by whom, or where it’s going, you’re scaling chaos with no controls.” That’s why visibility can’t be an afterthought; it’s what makes both governance and acceleration possible. Platforms like Crash Override are designed to surface how AI is being used across the engineering org, offering a real-time view into what’s being generated, where it’s going, and whether it’s introducing risk or value. And that visibility doesn’t exist in isolation. Tools like Jellyfish help connect development work to business goals, while Codacy monitors code quality. But none of these tools can do their job well if you don’t know what’s happening under the hood. Visibility isn’t about surveillance, it’s about building on a solid foundation. 2. Productivity is up. So is your risk exposure. A 2025 study Apiiro, an application security firm, found that AI-assisted developers are shipping 3 to 4 times more code with GenAI tools. But they’re also generating 10 times more security risks. These weren’t just syntax errors. The increase included hidden access risks, insecure code patterns, exposed credentials, and deep architectural flaws—issues far more complex and costly to resolve over time. 3. AI-generated code is a potential legal risk. Because AI coding tools are trained on vast libraries of public code, they can generate snippets governed by restrictive open-source licenses. That raises important compliance questions, especially with licenses like GPL or AGPL, which could, in theory, require companies to open-source any software built on top of that output. But it’s worth clarifying: No company has been sued (yet) for using AI-generated code. The lawsuits we’ve seen (like the GitHub Copilot class action) have targeted the AI toolmakers, not the teams using their output. And the majority of GitHub’s claims were ultimately thrown out. Still, this is a fast-evolving area with real implications. Auditboard’s 2025 study found that 82% of enterprise organizations were already deploying AI tools, but only 25% report having any sort of official governance in place. That disconnect may not be a courtroom issue today, but it’s a visibility and audit issue that leaders can’t afford to ignore. 4. Speed is great, until only one person knows how it works. The “bus factor” has long described a worst-case scenario: What happens if the one person who knows how your software works suddenly disappears? “Powered by AI, an average developer becomes 100 times more productive. A superstar becomes 1,000 times,” Curphey noted. “Now imagine two of them are pushing all of that code into production. If they disappear, the company’s in serious trouble.” But the goal isn’t zero risk—it’s coverage. Just like test cases help ensure software is resilient, teams need to ensure knowledge and ownership are distributed. That includes understanding who’s building what, where the AI is involved, and how those systems will be maintained over time. Ironically, GenAI can help with this. It can surface patterns, identify gaps, and map ownership in ways traditional tooling can’t. More than just a productivity boost, it can be a tool for reducing fragility across your team and your codebase. 5. It’s easy to end up with “software slop.” Good, scalable AI-assisted code starts with the prompt. AI will generate exactly what you ask for. But if you don’t fully understand the technical constraints, or the risks you’re overlooking, it might give you code that looks good but has critical flaws in security or performance under the hood. You certainly don’t have to be a developer to use these tools well. But you do need to know what you don’t know, and how to account for it. As Curphey notes in a company blog post, “If you wouldn’t accept that level of vagueness from a junior engineer, why would you accept it from yourself when prompting?” Otherwise, you’re moving fast and creating a kind of digital brain rot: systems that degrade over time because no one really understands how they were built. FROM VIBE CHECK TO REALITY CHECK The takeaway: AI may accelerate output, but it also accelerates risk. Without rigorous review and governance, you may be shipping code that functions, but isn’t structurally sound. So while AI is changing how software gets built, we need to be sure we’re building on a solid foundation. It’s no longer enough to move fast or ship often. As leaders, we need to understand how AI is being used inside our teams, and whether the things getting built are actually stable, scalable, and secure. Because if you don’t know what your team is using AI to build today, you may not like what you’re shipping tomorrow. Lisa Larson-Kelley is founder and CEO of Quantious. View the full article

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday pitched India as a central player in the global artificial intelligence ecosystem, saying the country aims to build technology at home while deploying it worldwide. “Design and develop in India. Deliver to the world. Deliver to humanity,” Modi told a gathering of some world leaders, technology executives and policymakers at the India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi. Modi’s remarks came as India — one of the fastest-growing digital markets — seeks to leverage its experience in building large-scale digital public infrastructure and to present itself as a cost-effective hub for AI innovation. The summit was also addressed by French President Emmanuel Macron, Google CEO Sundar Pichai and U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres, who called for a $3 billion fund to help poorer countries build basic AI capacity, including skills, data access and affordable computing power. “The future of AI cannot be decided by a handful of countries, or left to the whims of a few billionaires,” Guterres said, stressing that AI must “belong to everyone.” India aims to ramp up its AI scale India is using the summit to position itself as a bridge between advanced economies and the Global South. Indian officials cite the country’s digital ID and online payments systems as a model for deploying AI at low cost, particularly in developing countries. “We must democratize AI. It must become a tool for inclusion and empowerment, particularly for the Global South,” Modi said. With nearly 1 billion internet users, India has become a key market for global technology companies expanding their AI businesses. Last December, Microsoft announced a $17.5 billion investment over four years to expand cloud and AI infrastructure in India. It followed Google’s $15 billion investment over five years, including plans for its first AI hub in the country. Amazon has also pledged $35 billion by 2030, targeting AI-driven digitization. India is also seeking up to $200 billion in data center investment in the coming years. The country, however, lags in developing its own large-scale AI model like U.S.-based OpenAI or China’s DeepSeek, highlighting challenges such as limited access to advanced semiconductor chips, data centers and hundreds of local languages to learn from. The summit has faced troubles The summit opened Monday with organizational glitches, as attendees and exhibitors reported long lines and delays, and some complained on social media that personal belongings and display items had been stolen. Organizers later said the items were recovered. Problems resurfaced Wednesday when a private Indian university was expelled from the summit after a staff member showcased a commercially available Chinese-made robotic dog while claiming it as the institution’s own innovation. The setbacks continued Thursday when Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates withdrew from a scheduled keynote address. No reason was given, though the Gates Foundation said the move was intended “to ensure the focus remains on the AI Summit’s key priorities.” Gates is facing questions over his ties to late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. —Associated Press View the full article

Oracle has rolled out significant enhancements to its Fusion Cloud Supply Chain & Manufacturing platform, specifically aimed at aiding small to midsize businesses engaged in process manufacturing. This move comes as organizations are increasingly pressured to achieve operational excellence while adhering to stringent regulatory standards. In sectors such as life sciences, chemicals, and food and beverage, manufacturers grapple with the challenge of delivering consistent quality amid variations in materials, yields, and production processes. The new features from Oracle are designed to tackle these issues head-on, enabling businesses to gain real-time visibility into their production workflows, thus ensuring greater compliance and quality assurance. Derek Gittoes, group vice president of SCM product management at Oracle, emphasized the significance of these advancements, stating, “Process manufacturers in complex, regulated industries must deliver consistent quality at scale despite high variability in materials, yields, and production conditions.” Among the latest capabilities, a key focus is on enhanced recipe and yield management. Oracle’s features allow for automatic synchronization of formula changes with recipes, which not only maintains product quality but also helps in adhering to regulatory requirements. Manufacturers can use AI-assisted “what-if” scenarios to analyze how changes may impact batch outcomes, thus making informed adjustments to their processes. Additionally, the platform introduces flexible batch manufacturing execution. This allows manufacturers to define batch size ranges that correspond to fluctuating demand, ensuring they can meet customer needs without overproducing. The system dynamically tracks actual materials and outputs, making it easier for businesses to maintain accurate production records. Another standout feature is the connected process execution, which fosters improved traceability and reduces errors. By enabling manufacturers to issue materials multiple times within a single operation and manage co-products efficiently, the platform aims to streamline production processes. Notably, Oracle has also implemented advanced materials traceability and control capabilities. Features such as lot-specific unit of measure conversions enhance inventory management and help keep track of lot quality. The system automatically prevents the use of expired materials, minimizing waste and risks associated with subpar products. For small business owners, these innovations could lead to optimized operations and enhanced product quality, potentially boosting customer satisfaction and retention. However, there are some challenges to consider. Transitioning to a cloud-based solution involves an initial investment in technology and training. Additionally, ensuring that all staff are adept at using the new tools might require ongoing training and development. Still, small businesses can leverage Oracle’s capabilities to transform their operational landscape. The consolidation of supply chain processes into a single AI-powered platform can lead to improved resilience and adaptability as market conditions evolve. Embedded AI features can analyze data and automate workflows, providing manufacturers with actionable insights to navigate supply challenges. As Oracle continues to enhance its offerings, small businesses in the manufacturing sector have the opportunity to benefit from advanced technologies that promote efficiency and compliance. The evolving landscape of process manufacturing, when coupled with these innovations, can ultimately help small manufacturers remain competitive in a challenging market. Learn more about Oracle’s latest innovations in supply chain and manufacturing at Oracle SCM. For the original press release detailing these advancements, visit Oracle News Release. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Oracle Unveils Enhancements for Real-Time Production in Process Manufacturing" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Oracle has rolled out significant enhancements to its Fusion Cloud Supply Chain & Manufacturing platform, specifically aimed at aiding small to midsize businesses engaged in process manufacturing. This move comes as organizations are increasingly pressured to achieve operational excellence while adhering to stringent regulatory standards. In sectors such as life sciences, chemicals, and food and beverage, manufacturers grapple with the challenge of delivering consistent quality amid variations in materials, yields, and production processes. The new features from Oracle are designed to tackle these issues head-on, enabling businesses to gain real-time visibility into their production workflows, thus ensuring greater compliance and quality assurance. Derek Gittoes, group vice president of SCM product management at Oracle, emphasized the significance of these advancements, stating, “Process manufacturers in complex, regulated industries must deliver consistent quality at scale despite high variability in materials, yields, and production conditions.” Among the latest capabilities, a key focus is on enhanced recipe and yield management. Oracle’s features allow for automatic synchronization of formula changes with recipes, which not only maintains product quality but also helps in adhering to regulatory requirements. Manufacturers can use AI-assisted “what-if” scenarios to analyze how changes may impact batch outcomes, thus making informed adjustments to their processes. Additionally, the platform introduces flexible batch manufacturing execution. This allows manufacturers to define batch size ranges that correspond to fluctuating demand, ensuring they can meet customer needs without overproducing. The system dynamically tracks actual materials and outputs, making it easier for businesses to maintain accurate production records. Another standout feature is the connected process execution, which fosters improved traceability and reduces errors. By enabling manufacturers to issue materials multiple times within a single operation and manage co-products efficiently, the platform aims to streamline production processes. Notably, Oracle has also implemented advanced materials traceability and control capabilities. Features such as lot-specific unit of measure conversions enhance inventory management and help keep track of lot quality. The system automatically prevents the use of expired materials, minimizing waste and risks associated with subpar products. For small business owners, these innovations could lead to optimized operations and enhanced product quality, potentially boosting customer satisfaction and retention. However, there are some challenges to consider. Transitioning to a cloud-based solution involves an initial investment in technology and training. Additionally, ensuring that all staff are adept at using the new tools might require ongoing training and development. Still, small businesses can leverage Oracle’s capabilities to transform their operational landscape. The consolidation of supply chain processes into a single AI-powered platform can lead to improved resilience and adaptability as market conditions evolve. Embedded AI features can analyze data and automate workflows, providing manufacturers with actionable insights to navigate supply challenges. As Oracle continues to enhance its offerings, small businesses in the manufacturing sector have the opportunity to benefit from advanced technologies that promote efficiency and compliance. The evolving landscape of process manufacturing, when coupled with these innovations, can ultimately help small manufacturers remain competitive in a challenging market. Learn more about Oracle’s latest innovations in supply chain and manufacturing at Oracle SCM. For the original press release detailing these advancements, visit Oracle News Release. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Oracle Unveils Enhancements for Real-Time Production in Process Manufacturing" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

The social media trial brought by a 20-year-old Californian plaintiff known as Kaley or KGM, putting Meta and YouTube in front of a jury, has captured the world’s attention. The bellwether trial is a test case for the liability of social media platforms and how much they could be on the hook financially if found to have caused harm to their users. KGM, for her part, alleges that she faced anxiety, depression and body image issues after using Instagram. The proceedings could establish the first real legal boundaries for what has been up to now largely unregulated algorithmic design, determining whether amplifying harmful content amounts to negligence. A verdict against Meta or YouTube in this bellwether case could open the door to other suits, and finally force disclosure of internal research that has so far remained confidential. The first day that Mark Zuckerberg, Meta’s CEO, was on the stand on February 18 was a major moment—not necessarily for what Zuckerberg said, but for the fact the case has gotten this far. “This is a significant moment in terms of these platforms finally being seen to be held to account by their own users,” says Steven Buckley, lecturer in media digital and sociology at City St George’s, University of London. While Zuckerberg withstood rigorous questioning from Mark Lanier, the lawyer representing Kaley GM, the fact that he was there at all and the case got to trial is a significant happening. As Fast Company has previously reported, 2026 is the year that the world is getting tough on online safety, particularly for kids. And this trial is notable because it managed to sidestep the usual way social networks swerve liability: Claiming Section 230 protections, which have been in place since the mid-1990s and insulate platforms from bearing responsibility for the actions of their users. If jurors agree that product design, rather than user behavior, is the root cause of harm, big tech’s decades-long legal shield could begin to fracture. That possibility alone has Silicon Valley watching nervously, with billions in potential damages on the line. Prior to the trial beginning, Snap and TikTok settled with the claimant without admission of liability, leaving YouTube and Meta to fight the trial. A Meta spokesperson tells Fast Company the firm “strongly disagree with these allegations and are confident the evidence will show our longstanding commitment to supporting young people.” They add: “The evidence will show she faced many significant, difficult challenges well before she ever used social media.”(YouTube responded to Fast Company’s request for comment.) “It’s not particularly surprising that these large platforms are finally facing some legal repercussions from their actual users,” says Buckley. A steady drumbeat of reporting, alongside other smaller legal cases, have revealed information that suggests social media can be harmful to younger users. This case is therefore a potential watershed because the plaintiffs argue that Instagram’s and YouTube’s underlying product design—features like the infinite scroll, autoplay and recommendation algorithms that serve up progressively more engaging content—constitutes a defective product. But most of those other cases haven’t received as much attention because they’ve not gotten as far as this one has—nor have been as likely to succeed in some way. “Zuckerberg did not come across as someone with children’s best interests at heart,” says Tama Leaver, professor of internet studies at Curtin University in Australia. Leaver contrasts Zuckerberg’s performance in court with Adam Mosseri a few days earlier, who the researcher says “had the tenacity to argue that the term addiction is being misused”. In contrast, “Zuckerberg didn’t feel like someone who’d done their homework, but rather someone who was surprised they had to turn up and answer these questions,” Leaver explains. “If his job was to convince the listening world that he could be a trusted figure in the lives of teens and young people, then he failed.” Despite that poor performance by Zuckerberg, and despite the strength of the case in comparison to others that have gone before, some think that a decision against the social media firms—or a general movement to recognize the issues inherent with social media—could backfire. “One concern I have is that people will think that the simple solution to many of the issues raised in these lawsuits is to simply ban under-16s from using the platforms,” says Buckley. “This is a woefully misguided reaction. The scientific evidence regarding the link between social media use at a young age and addiction is still not well established.” Whether the jury agrees with that assessment or not, the trial has already achieved something that years of congressional hearings and regulatory hand-wringing haven’t: Putting the people who designed these systems under oath and making them answer difficult questions—then be responsible for the consequences of what they say. “One of the reasons I think we have gotten to this stage is that some people have come to the conclusion that their governments are not going to do anything meaningful to hold these companies to account and so have felt compelled to take them on themselves,” says Buckley. The rest of the tech industry will be watching closely to see what comes next. View the full article

Tariffs paid by midsized U.S. businesses tripled over the course of last year, new research tied to one of America’s leading banks showed on Thursday — more evidence that President Donald The President’s push to charge higher taxes on imports is causing economic disruption. The additional taxes have meant that companies that employ a combined 48 million people in the U.S. — the kinds of businesses that The President had promised to revive — have had to find ways to absorb the new expense, by passing it along to customers in the form of higher prices, employing fewer workers or accepting lower profits. “That’s a big change in their cost of doing business,” said Chi Mac, business research director of the JPMorganChase Institute, which published the analysis on Thursday. “We also see some indications that they may be shifting away from transacting with China and maybe toward some other regions in Asia.” The research doesn’t say how the additional costs are flowing through the economy, but it indicates that tariffs are being paid by U.S. firms. It’s part of a growing body of economic analyses that counter the administration’s claims that foreigners pay the tariffs. The JPMorganChase Institute report used payments data to look at businesses that might lack the pricing power of large multinational companies to offset tariffs, but may be small enough to quickly change supply chains to minimize exposure to the tax increases. The companies tended to have revenues between $10 million and $1 billion with fewer than 500 employees, a category known as “middle market.” The analysis suggests that the The President administration’s goal of becoming less directly reliant on Chinese manufacturers has been occurring. Payments to China by these companies were 20% below their October 2024 levels, but it’s unclear whether that means China is simply routing its goods through other countries or if supply chains have moved. The authors of the analysis emphasized in an interview that companies are still adjusting to the tariffs and said they plan to continue studying the issue. The The President administration has been adamant that the tariffs are a boon for the economy, businesses, and workers. Kevin Hassett, director of the White House National Economic Council, lashed out on Wednesday at research by the New York Federal Reserve showing that nearly 90% of the burden for The President’s tariffs fell on U.S. companies and consumers. “The paper is an embarrassment,” Hassett told CNBC. “It’s, I think, the worst paper I’ve ever seen in the history of the Federal Reserve system. The people associated with this paper should presumably be disciplined.” The President increased the average tariff rate to 13% from 2.6% last year, according to the New York Fed researchers. He declared that tariffs on some items like steel, kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities were in the national security interest of the country — and declared an economic emergency to bypass Congress and impose a baseline tax on goods from much of the world last April at an event he called “Liberation Day.” The high rates provoked a financial market panic, prompting The President to walk back his rates and then engage in talks with multiple countries that led to a set of new trade frameworks. The Supreme Court is expected to rule soon on whether The President surpassed his legal authority by declaring an economic emergency. The President was elected in 2024 on his promise to tame inflation, but his tariffs have contributed to voter frustration over affordability. While inflation has not spiked during The President’s term thus far, hiring slowed sharply and a team of academic economists estimate that consumer prices were roughly 0.8 percentage points higher than they would otherwise be. —Josh Boak, Associated Press View the full article

You don't need to do much digging online to find complaints about the iPhone keyboard: From typos and spelling mistakes to lag and missed keystrokes, there are multiple issues being reported by users, across multiple versions of iOS. While the root causes of these problems tend to vary, there are some broad fixes you can try that should go some way to giving you an iPhone keyboard experience you can rely on—besides waiting for the next bug-squashing iOS update from Apple. Reset the keyboard dictionary on your iPhone Resetting the keyboard on iOS. Credit: Lifehacker Over time, the iOS keyboard tries to build up smarter autocorrect suggestions for you, but these aren't always helpful: The further away these suggestions get from the defaults, the worse they can get, which risks turning your sentences into gibberish. To clean the slate and go back to the beginning, open up Settings, then tap General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Keyboard Dictionary. Type in your handset's unlock code, then choose Reset Dictionary. Add custom words and shortcuts to your iPhone's dictionaryThis may seem to contradict the previous tip, but by explicitly teaching your iPhone the words it often gets wrong, you can reduce the likelihood of those frustrating moments where iOS suddenly replaces the word you were typing with something else (e.g. "he'll yeah" or "what the duck"). From Settings, tap General > Keyboard > Text Replacement. Tap on the + (plus) button in the top right corner, then enter your word or phrase—you can add a shortcut for it too to help you type it more quickly, but it's optional. Tap Save to confirm. Adjust other iPhone keyboard settings If a keyboard setting isn't helping, turn it off. Credit: Lifehacker There are more keyboard settings that are worth taking a look at under General > Keyboard in iOS Settings. You can turn Auto-Correction off completely, for example, and disable Slide to Type if your fingers have a tendency to slip across the keyboard. There are additional tweaks you can make through the Accessibility menu in Settings: Under Touch > Touch Accommodations, you can change the sensitivity of double-taps and press-and-holds, among other settings, which may help improve typing accuracy. Change your iPhone's keyboard layoutThere's not a lot you can do with the iPhone keyboard layout to improve your typing experience and eliminate bugs, but there is a one-handed mode you can try in order to minimize glitches and ensure your keypresses match up with what's on screen. To switch to the one-handed layout, tap and hold on the globe icon in the lower left corner of the keyboard, then tap one of the icons at the bottom of the pop-up menu: You can move the keyboard to the left, or the right, or put it back to normal. Switch to a different keyboard on the iPhone You've got several options for iOS keyboards. Credit: Lifehacker If you're still struggling with the vagaries of the keyboard on iOS, you can always opt to install a third-party alternative: We've covered a bunch here, including Gboard and SwiftKey, and they typically offer more customization options than the Apple default. Once you've installed an alternative keyboard or two, you can manage them from iOS Settings by choosing General > Keyboard > Keyboards. To actually switch between keyboards when typing, press and hold on the globe icon (lower left). Or avoid a keyboard altogetherThere are also some more extreme measures you can take that maybe haven't crossed your mind. The first is to use a Bluetooth keyboard (via Bluetooth in Settings), which will give you a more convenient (if less portable) way of typing text into your iPhone. The second is to ensure dictation is enabled in General > Keyboard in Settings, then tap the mic icon in the lower right corner of the keyboard, and speak out your text. You can handle emojis, line breaks, text editing, and more, using your voice. View the full article

A phrase from the 1990s altered America’s sense of itself — and its political trajectoryView the full article

Collapse follows revelations about former peer’s relationship with Jeffrey EpsteinView the full article

New data highlights spiralling import costs as president seeks to quell growing backlash over his flagship policiesView the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. The 75-inch LG evo AI Mini LED 4K Smart TV (75QNED85AUA) is down to $896.99 from $1,396.99 on Amazon, which is the lowest price it has hit so far, according to price trackers. It lands in the middle of LG’s QNED range, sitting above the QNED82A and below the QNED92A. In practical terms, that means you’re getting a big 75-inch screen with Mini LED backlighting and local dimming, plus LG’s latest α8 AI Processor Gen2 handling the picture. LG 75-Inch Class QNED evo AI QNED85A Series Mini LED 4K Smart TV $896.99 at Amazon $1,396.99 Save $500.00 Get Deal Get Deal $896.99 at Amazon $1,396.99 Save $500.00 There are four HDMI ports, and all of them can do 4K at 120Hz, so it pairs well with a PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X. It supports common HDR formats like HDR10 and HLG, and it has Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, and eARC if you want to hook up a soundbar. LG’s 2025 version of webOS runs the interface, and the company says it will provide software updates for five years through its Re:New program. In day-to-day use, this TV does a lot right. Regular HD channels and cable broadcasts look solid once you tweak the basic settings. Colors in standard viewing modes look natural instead of overly saturated. Older or lower-resolution content, like DVDs or heavily compressed streams, looks cleaner than you might expect on a screen this large. Motion is handled well for most shows and sports. Slow camera pans in movies look smooth, without that distracting stutter. For gaming, having four HDMI ports that all support 4K at 120Hz is convenient, especially if you have more than one console. Plus, variable refresh rate (VRR) helps cut down on screen tearing during fast gameplay. Where it falls short is in contrast and brightness. Because it is edge-lit, the black levels are not especially deep, and you can sometimes see a faint glow around bright objects on dark backgrounds. HDR movies do not have the same pop you’d get from a brighter or more advanced panel. And fast, dark action scenes may show a bit of blur. It can also struggle in a very sunny room, where glare becomes noticeable. Still, at under $900 for 75 inches, this is a lot of screen for the money. Our Best Editor-Vetted Tech Deals Right Now Apple AirPods 4 Active Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds — $139.99 (List Price $179.00) Apple iPad 11" 128GB A16 WiFi Tablet (Blue, 2025) — $329.00 (List Price $349.00) Google Pixel 10a 128GB 6.3" Unlocked Smartphone + $100 Gift Card — $499.00 (List Price $599.00) Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 46mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - M/L. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant — $329.00 (List Price $429.00) Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus — $29.99 (List Price $49.99) Bose QuietComfort Noise Cancelling Wireless Headphones — $229.99 (List Price $349.00) Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 64GB Wi-Fi 11" Tablet (Silver) — $159.99 (List Price $219.99) Deals are selected by our commerce team View the full article

Can AI help neurodivergent adults connect with each other? That’s the bet of a new social network called Synchrony, which believes AI and a well-designed social network with the right safeguards can reduce social atomization and calm the overwhelming cacophony of socializing online. Launching February 19, the social network debuts during a moment when social media, chatbots, and doomscrolling has made digital communications a hot button topic for parents. “No other app for the neurodiverse is focusing primarily on reducing social anxiety and encouraging friendship,” says cofounder Jamie Pastrano. “I think that’s the biggest piece of it, and no other app is focusing on building an authentic community.” Synchrony also has support from Starry Foundation and Autism Speaks, two large U.S. advocacy groups, and approval from the Apple App Store. “I was really blown away about what they’re trying to do,” says Bobby Vossoughi, president of the Starry Foundation. “These kids are isolated and their social cues are off. They’re creating something that could really change this community’s lives for the long term.” A parenting challenge without a solution The idea for Synchrony came from Pastrano, a former management consultant and executive sales leader, whose son, Jesse, 21, is autistic. As Jesse experienced teenagerhood, Pastrano became frustrated with the challenges she saw her son facing around the friendship gap; she saw him as a social kid, but planning, timing, even saying the appropriate thing often tripped him up. Unlike other challenges she’d faced as a mother of a neurodivergent child, this one didn’t seem to have a solution. Research shows that people with autism or neuro developmental differences—roughly 1 in 5 people according to the Neurodiversity Alliance—face increasing loneliness as they transition between adolescence and adulthood. New social responsibilities and expectations for life after school, combined with the loss of support systems that may have been embedded in secondary and university education, can lead to isolation. One of the cofounders, Brittany Moser, an autism specialist who teaches at Park University in Missouri, says that she’s held crying students who, forced to operate in a world that’s not built for them, are desperate for social connection. She hopes this network can foster it. “Autism doesn’t end at 18,” Pastrano says. “There was this huge gap in services to support social, emotional, and community needs.” Pastrano sold her company in 2024 and devoted herself to solving the issue with what would become Synchrony. Part of Pastrano’s inspiration came from reality television. The dating show Love on the Spectrum piqued her interest, causing her to think not about romance, but about connection, friendship, and community. She even contacted a coach on the show, who suggested she get certified at the PEERS program at UCLA, which teaches social and dating skills to young adults on the spectrum. Broadly speaking, Synchrony is built with the same digital infrastructure as a dating site, but is meant for fostering friendships amid a unique population. A big part of the design challenge was making sure it was suitable for the audience, and wasn’t too distracting or loud. Profiles focus much more on interests, Pastrano says, since interests weigh much more heavily as a reason to communicate among this population. There’s also a space to list neurodiversity classifications and communication style and preferences (“I prefer text to phone calls,” or “I take a few days to reply,” etc.) as part of the effort to front-load key details. Simplified menus and colors and no ads help reduce distractions. Pastrano also wants to respect the community and focus on healthy experiences and not push for rapid growth; users pay a monthly fee of $44.99 after a free 30-day trial, allowing the network to avoid advertisements. Part of the registration process includes two-step verification—both the user and a trusted person, either a teacher, doctor, or parent needs to input personal details and a photo ID—to make sure bad actors outside the community aren’t given access. Social Coach, or ‘Seductive Cul-de-sac’ Part of Synchrony’s strategy is the use of Jesse (named after Pastrano’s son), marketed as an “AI-powered social support tool that goes far beyond chat assist technology.” By providing real-time conversation support, the chatbot aims to overcome social anxiety and a lack of confidence around socialization. Talking with Jesse online, developers claim, will bolster user self-assurance and communication skills, eventually manifesting in real life. When Synchrony users get stuck in an online conversation, they can tap an icon to summon Jesse, who will provide editable solutions to advance or end an interaction. The AI coach offers three main options: a tool to help express yourself, that will offer solutions to continuing the conversation; a button that can help parse through the conversation to help better understand what happened, and whether something might have been meant as flirty or friendly; and a final option to protect, and offer suggestions to set boundaries and exit a conversation quietly. Built using the Amazon Bedrock large language model and trained by Synchrony staff, Jesse is scanning conversations constantly to provide social coaching when asked. The use of AI among the neurodivergent population has sparked the same debates as the technology’s use among the population at large. Research by a team at Stanford found that an AI chatbot they developed called Noora, designed to improve communication skills, can improve empathy among users with autism. Some members of the community have claimed AI coaches have helped them with relationships and “transformed” their lives. At the same time, some advocacy groups have warned that chatbot’s emotional manipulation can be more severe for the neurodiverse, and some researchers are concerned AI might reinforce bad communication habits. British researcher Chris Papadopoulos sums up the state of play in a recent paper, concluding that while “the technology holds the potential to democratize companionship… left unchecked, AI companions could become a seductive cul-de-sac, capturing autistic people in artificial relationships that stunt their growth or even lead them into harm’s way.” Amid awareness of the sometimes destructive and even deadly consequences of chatbot use, there are significant guardrails built into Jesse, says Moser, including a long list of activities and actions to avoid, like not sharing personal addresses. Jesse is also told not to dispense medical advice. Jesse is not a therapist, and as the founders are clear to note, this isn’t a clinical app. If users start asking Jesse about off-topic concepts, Moser says it will be programmed to reply something to the effect of, “Hmm, I don’t know if that’s really going to help you connect with the other members.” There will also be warnings if someone is spending too much time just talking with Jesse. Synchrony is launching with human moderation to provide extra safeguards. Lynn Koegel, a professor and researcher at Stanford University who has studied autism and technology, says her team has spent time updating and changing their models of Noora, to make sure it’s not too harsh, such as not reinforcing communication attempts or being too strict around grammar issues. She says it’s very important to do more in-depth studies and clinical research to make sure these tools do work well and as intended (she has not seen or tested Synchrony). “My gut feeling is these tools can be very good support,” she says. “The jury is out about whether individual programs that haven’t been tested can be assistive.” As the Synchrony team works out bugs and final design issues before launch, the challenge becomes building a robust enough community to drive more organic growth. Early user testing that started in December, both an alpha test of 14 users, and closed beta tests among university support groups for autistic students, helped them refine the model and layout. The marketing strategy at launch doesn’t focus on the users themselves, but rather neurodiverse employer groups, universities that have neurodiverse programs (who can create their own closed-loop, campus versions of the app), advocates, and relevant podcast hosts. “Success is about awareness and attention,” says Pastrano. “It’s not a numbers game for me. It’s a really personal game.” View the full article

Military build-up and fraught rhetoric leave a narrow path to securing a deal that would allow both sides to save faceView the full article

If the thought of AI smart glasses annoys you, you’re not alone. This week, the judge presiding over a historic social media addiction trial took a harsh stance on the AI-powered gadgets, which many bystanders find invasive of their privacy: Stop recording or face contempt of court. Here’s what you need to know. What’s happened? Yesterday, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg took the stand in a trial that many industry watchers say could have severe ramifications for social media giants, depending on how it turns out. At the heart of the trial is the question of whether social media companies like Meta, via its Facebook and Instagram platforms, purposely designed said platforms to be addictive. Since the trial began, many Big Tech execs have taken the stand to give testimony, and yesterday it was Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s turn. But while Zuckerberg was there to talk about his legacy products—Facebook and Instagram, particularly—for a brief moment, the presiding judge in the case, Judge Carolyn B. Kuhl, turned her attention to a newer Meta product: the company’s Ray-Ban Meta AI Glasses. Judge warns AI smart glasses wearers According to multiple reports, at one point during yesterday’s trial, Judge Carolyn B. Kuhl took a moment to issue a stark warning to anyone wearing AI glasses in the courtroom: stop recording with them and delete the footage, or face contempt. Many courts generally forbid recording during trials, though there are exceptions. However, while the judge did seem to be worried about recording in general, she also had another concern: the privacy of the jury. “If your glasses are recording, you must take them off,” the judge said, per the Los Angeles Times. “It is the order of this court that there must be no facial recognition of the jury. If you have done that, you must delete it. This is very serious.” Currently, Meta’s AI glasses do not include the ability to identify the names of the people a wearer views through them, but that’s not likely what the judge meant in her concerns about “facial recognition.” Instead, it is likely the judge was concerned that the video recorded by the AI glasses could then be later viewed and run through external facial recognition software to identify the jury in the video. Some of Meta’s AI glasses can record video clips up to three minutes long. From reports, it does not appear as if the judge singled out any specific individuals in the courtroom, but CNBC reports that ahead of Mark Zuckerberg’s testimony, members of his team, escorting him into the building, were spotted wearing Meta Ray-Ban artificial intelligence glasses. As the LA Times reported, the judge’s “admonition was met with silence in the courtroom.” Broader social concerns over AI glasses The privacy of jurors is critical for fair and impartial trials, as well as their own safety. Given that, it’s no surprise that the judge did not mince words when warning about AI glasses recording. But the judge’s courtroom concerns also mirror many people’s broader concerns over AI glasses: People are worried about wearers of the glasses violating their privacy, either by recording them or using facial recognition to identify them. This concern first became evident more than a decade ago after Google introduced its now-failed smart glasses called Google Glass. Wearers of the device soon became known as “glassholes” due to what many bystanders felt was their intrusive nature. When talking to a person wearing smart glasses, you can never be sure you aren’t being recorded—and that freaks people out. That apprehension about smart glasses has not gone away in the years since Google Glass’s demise. Modern smart glasses are much more capable and concealed. At the same time, everyday consumers are more concerned about their privacy than ever. These privacy concerns will continue to be a major hurdle to AI smart glasses adoption—especially as AI smart glasses manufacturers, including Meta, reportedly plan to add facial recognition features in the future. The judge’s admonishment of AI glasses wearers in the courtroom yesterday won’t help the devices’ already strained reputation. View the full article

To effectively boost customer loyalty, it’s vital to adopt best practices that improve retention rates. Start by prioritizing exceptional customer service, which sets a solid foundation for positive experiences. Next, actively seek and value customer feedback, allowing you to comprehend their needs better. Personalizing interactions can make customers feel valued, whereas implementing loyalty programs rewards their continued support. Finally, nurturing a culture of continuous improvement guarantees your strategies remain relevant. Recognizing these fundamentals is key to long-term success. Key Takeaways Prioritize exceptional customer service to enhance satisfaction and retention, as 70% of consumers make purchases based on service quality. Actively seek and value customer feedback to foster a sense of community and improve loyalty through systematic analysis. Personalize customer interactions by offering tailored recommendations and understanding generational preferences to boost engagement and satisfaction. Implement effective loyalty programs with immediate rewards and exclusive perks to encourage repeat purchases and brand loyalty. Foster a culture of continuous improvement by using customer insights to refine strategies and ensure consistent service across all channels. Prioritize Exceptional Customer Service In today’s competitive market, prioritizing exceptional customer service is vital for retaining customers and nurturing loyalty. Studies show that 70% of consumers have made purchases based on the quality of service they received. By focusing on customer service, businesses can achieve a 90% increase in customer retention, emphasizing its direct correlation with loyalty. Empowering and training your staff improves their ability to provide knowledgeable service, as 63% of customers prefer returning to businesses that exhibit expertise. Furthermore, timely responses to inquiries boost satisfaction rates by 87%, highlighting the need for quick resolutions. In the end, implementing these customer retention best practices can greatly increase customer lifetime value, with loyal customers generating ten times more revenue than one-time buyers, reinforcing the importance of exceptional service. Actively Seek and Value Customer Feedback Exceptional customer service creates a strong foundation for customer loyalty, but actively seeking and valuing feedback can take that loyalty to the next level. To effectively learn how to retain customers, implement regular feedback collection through surveys and direct communication. Research shows that 96% of professionals prioritize gathering customer insights to identify improvement areas. By systematically analyzing this feedback, you can adapt your offerings, leading to higher satisfaction and loyalty. When customers see their opinions valued, they feel appreciated and are more likely to stay engaged with your brand. Furthermore, involving customers in the feedback process cultivates a sense of community, which improves loyalty and encourages positive word-of-mouth referrals, ultimately increasing your retention rates and strengthening your brand. Personalize Customer Interactions When businesses prioritize personalization in customer interactions, they greatly improve their chances of retaining customers. With 71% of consumers expecting customized experiences, it’s vital to integrate customer retention marketing strategies that focus on individual preferences. For instance, sending personalized recommendations based on past purchases can greatly improve customer satisfaction. Nonetheless, less than 50% of businesses currently provide such customized suggestions in their loyalty programs, revealing a considerable opportunity for improvement. Furthermore, comprehending generational communication preferences allows you to engage effectively; younger customers may prefer digital interactions, whereas older customers may favor in-store experiences. Implement Loyalty Programs Implementing effective loyalty programs can greatly improve customer retention and drive repeat purchases for your business. To improve your program, consider these strategies on how to increase customer retention: Offer Immediate Rewards: Consumers love discounts and points. Providing instant benefits encourages repeat visits and purchases. Create Tiered Programs: By implementing levels of rewards, you incentivize higher spending and cultivate brand loyalty through exclusive perks and recognition. Personalize Marketing Efforts: Use customer data to offer customized recommendations, which can markedly improve satisfaction and engagement. Foster a Culture of Continuous Improvement Nurturing a culture of continuous improvement is vital for businesses aiming to boost customer retention and satisfaction. By regularly gathering customer feedback, you can identify areas for refinement that directly impact loyalty. For instance, 96% of Voice of Customer professionals use surveys to analyze customer input. Implementing changes based on this feedback, like hardware stores adjusting inventory according to contractor needs, can lead to increased satisfaction. Additionally, since 87% of customers seek service consistency across channels, engaging in a continuous improvement cycle helps you adapt swiftly to their expectations. By leveraging insights from unstructured feedback, you can refine your customer service retention strategies, ensuring long-term growth and higher retention rates through consistently meeting customer needs. Frequently Asked Questions How Can Small Businesses Implement Customer Retention Strategies Effectively? To implement customer retention strategies effectively, you should focus on comprehending your customers’ needs. Start by collecting feedback through surveys or direct communication to identify areas for improvement. Next, personalize your services or products based on this feedback to improve customer experience. Furthermore, create loyalty programs that reward repeat purchases, and guarantee your customer service is responsive and helpful. Regularly engaging with customers through newsletters or social media can likewise strengthen relationships. What Role Does Social Media Play in Customer Retention? Social media plays an essential role in customer retention by facilitating direct communication between you and your customers. It allows you to share updates, respond to inquiries, and gather feedback quickly. For instance, you can use platforms like Facebook or Instagram to post engaging content that keeps customers informed about promotions or new products. Furthermore, showcasing customer testimonials on these platforms can improve trust and encourage loyalty, making customers feel valued and connected to your brand. How Can Data Analytics Improve Customer Retention Efforts? Data analytics can greatly improve your customer retention efforts by identifying trends and behaviors. By analyzing purchase history, you can tailor marketing strategies to meet customer preferences. For instance, segmenting customers based on their buying patterns allows you to create personalized offers. Furthermore, tracking customer feedback through surveys helps pinpoint areas for improvement. Implementing these insights guarantees you address customer needs effectively, leading to increased satisfaction and loyalty over time. What Are Common Mistakes to Avoid in Customer Retention Strategies? When developing customer retention strategies, avoid common mistakes like neglecting feedback, failing to personalize communication, and ignoring data analytics. If you don’t listen to customer concerns, you miss opportunities for improvement. Personalization helps customers feel valued, so generic messages can alienate them. Furthermore, not leveraging data analytics means you might overlook trends and behaviors that indicate when a customer is likely to disengage. Prioritizing these aspects can improve your retention efforts greatly. How Often Should We Review Our Customer Retention Practices? You should review your customer retention practices at least quarterly. This frequency allows you to assess the effectiveness of your strategies and make timely adjustments. For instance, if you notice a drop in engagement, you can quickly analyze customer feedback and adapt your approach. Furthermore, annual reviews can help you evaluate long-term trends. Regular assessments guarantee you stay aligned with customer needs and market changes, ultimately improving retention and loyalty. Conclusion Incorporating these five best practices can greatly improve your customer retention efforts. By prioritizing exceptional service, valuing feedback, personalizing interactions, implementing effective loyalty programs, and promoting continuous improvement, you create a more engaging experience for your customers. These strategies not merely strengthen loyalty but also encourage long-term relationships. When customers feel valued and understood, they are more likely to return and recommend your business to others, finally driving sustained growth and success. Image via Google Gemini and ArtSmart This article, "5 Essential Best Practices for Customer Retention to Boost Loyalty" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

To effectively boost customer loyalty, it’s vital to adopt best practices that improve retention rates. Start by prioritizing exceptional customer service, which sets a solid foundation for positive experiences. Next, actively seek and value customer feedback, allowing you to comprehend their needs better. Personalizing interactions can make customers feel valued, whereas implementing loyalty programs rewards their continued support. Finally, nurturing a culture of continuous improvement guarantees your strategies remain relevant. Recognizing these fundamentals is key to long-term success. Key Takeaways Prioritize exceptional customer service to enhance satisfaction and retention, as 70% of consumers make purchases based on service quality. Actively seek and value customer feedback to foster a sense of community and improve loyalty through systematic analysis. Personalize customer interactions by offering tailored recommendations and understanding generational preferences to boost engagement and satisfaction. Implement effective loyalty programs with immediate rewards and exclusive perks to encourage repeat purchases and brand loyalty. Foster a culture of continuous improvement by using customer insights to refine strategies and ensure consistent service across all channels. Prioritize Exceptional Customer Service In today’s competitive market, prioritizing exceptional customer service is vital for retaining customers and nurturing loyalty. Studies show that 70% of consumers have made purchases based on the quality of service they received. By focusing on customer service, businesses can achieve a 90% increase in customer retention, emphasizing its direct correlation with loyalty. Empowering and training your staff improves their ability to provide knowledgeable service, as 63% of customers prefer returning to businesses that exhibit expertise. Furthermore, timely responses to inquiries boost satisfaction rates by 87%, highlighting the need for quick resolutions. In the end, implementing these customer retention best practices can greatly increase customer lifetime value, with loyal customers generating ten times more revenue than one-time buyers, reinforcing the importance of exceptional service. Actively Seek and Value Customer Feedback Exceptional customer service creates a strong foundation for customer loyalty, but actively seeking and valuing feedback can take that loyalty to the next level. To effectively learn how to retain customers, implement regular feedback collection through surveys and direct communication. Research shows that 96% of professionals prioritize gathering customer insights to identify improvement areas. By systematically analyzing this feedback, you can adapt your offerings, leading to higher satisfaction and loyalty. When customers see their opinions valued, they feel appreciated and are more likely to stay engaged with your brand. Furthermore, involving customers in the feedback process cultivates a sense of community, which improves loyalty and encourages positive word-of-mouth referrals, ultimately increasing your retention rates and strengthening your brand. Personalize Customer Interactions When businesses prioritize personalization in customer interactions, they greatly improve their chances of retaining customers. With 71% of consumers expecting customized experiences, it’s vital to integrate customer retention marketing strategies that focus on individual preferences. For instance, sending personalized recommendations based on past purchases can greatly improve customer satisfaction. Nonetheless, less than 50% of businesses currently provide such customized suggestions in their loyalty programs, revealing a considerable opportunity for improvement. Furthermore, comprehending generational communication preferences allows you to engage effectively; younger customers may prefer digital interactions, whereas older customers may favor in-store experiences. Implement Loyalty Programs Implementing effective loyalty programs can greatly improve customer retention and drive repeat purchases for your business. To improve your program, consider these strategies on how to increase customer retention: Offer Immediate Rewards: Consumers love discounts and points. Providing instant benefits encourages repeat visits and purchases. Create Tiered Programs: By implementing levels of rewards, you incentivize higher spending and cultivate brand loyalty through exclusive perks and recognition. Personalize Marketing Efforts: Use customer data to offer customized recommendations, which can markedly improve satisfaction and engagement. Foster a Culture of Continuous Improvement Nurturing a culture of continuous improvement is vital for businesses aiming to boost customer retention and satisfaction. By regularly gathering customer feedback, you can identify areas for refinement that directly impact loyalty. For instance, 96% of Voice of Customer professionals use surveys to analyze customer input. Implementing changes based on this feedback, like hardware stores adjusting inventory according to contractor needs, can lead to increased satisfaction. Additionally, since 87% of customers seek service consistency across channels, engaging in a continuous improvement cycle helps you adapt swiftly to their expectations. By leveraging insights from unstructured feedback, you can refine your customer service retention strategies, ensuring long-term growth and higher retention rates through consistently meeting customer needs. Frequently Asked Questions How Can Small Businesses Implement Customer Retention Strategies Effectively? To implement customer retention strategies effectively, you should focus on comprehending your customers’ needs. Start by collecting feedback through surveys or direct communication to identify areas for improvement. Next, personalize your services or products based on this feedback to improve customer experience. Furthermore, create loyalty programs that reward repeat purchases, and guarantee your customer service is responsive and helpful. Regularly engaging with customers through newsletters or social media can likewise strengthen relationships. What Role Does Social Media Play in Customer Retention? Social media plays an essential role in customer retention by facilitating direct communication between you and your customers. It allows you to share updates, respond to inquiries, and gather feedback quickly. For instance, you can use platforms like Facebook or Instagram to post engaging content that keeps customers informed about promotions or new products. Furthermore, showcasing customer testimonials on these platforms can improve trust and encourage loyalty, making customers feel valued and connected to your brand. How Can Data Analytics Improve Customer Retention Efforts? Data analytics can greatly improve your customer retention efforts by identifying trends and behaviors. By analyzing purchase history, you can tailor marketing strategies to meet customer preferences. For instance, segmenting customers based on their buying patterns allows you to create personalized offers. Furthermore, tracking customer feedback through surveys helps pinpoint areas for improvement. Implementing these insights guarantees you address customer needs effectively, leading to increased satisfaction and loyalty over time. What Are Common Mistakes to Avoid in Customer Retention Strategies? When developing customer retention strategies, avoid common mistakes like neglecting feedback, failing to personalize communication, and ignoring data analytics. If you don’t listen to customer concerns, you miss opportunities for improvement. Personalization helps customers feel valued, so generic messages can alienate them. Furthermore, not leveraging data analytics means you might overlook trends and behaviors that indicate when a customer is likely to disengage. Prioritizing these aspects can improve your retention efforts greatly. How Often Should We Review Our Customer Retention Practices? You should review your customer retention practices at least quarterly. This frequency allows you to assess the effectiveness of your strategies and make timely adjustments. For instance, if you notice a drop in engagement, you can quickly analyze customer feedback and adapt your approach. Furthermore, annual reviews can help you evaluate long-term trends. Regular assessments guarantee you stay aligned with customer needs and market changes, ultimately improving retention and loyalty. Conclusion Incorporating these five best practices can greatly improve your customer retention efforts. By prioritizing exceptional service, valuing feedback, personalizing interactions, implementing effective loyalty programs, and promoting continuous improvement, you create a more engaging experience for your customers. These strategies not merely strengthen loyalty but also encourage long-term relationships. When customers feel valued and understood, they are more likely to return and recommend your business to others, finally driving sustained growth and success. Image via Google Gemini and ArtSmart This article, "5 Essential Best Practices for Customer Retention to Boost Loyalty" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

A party that once mocked the ‘magic money tree’ appears to have built its own house in the branchesView the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. The OnePlus Buds Pro 3 are down to $129.99 on Amazon, from their usual $179.99. That is their lowest price so far, according to price trackers. PCMag gave them an “excellent” rating, largely because they deliver strong sound and active noise cancellation without pushing into premium pricing. At this price, they sit in the crowded midrange category, but they offer a feature set that competes with more expensive earbuds. OnePlus Buds Pro 3 Wireless ANC Earbuds (Midnight Opus) $129.99 at Amazon $179.99 Save $50.00 Get Deal Get Deal $129.99 at Amazon $179.99 Save $50.00 These IP55-rated earbuds use a dual-driver setup, with 11mm and 6mm drivers working together to produce a wide 10Hz–40kHz range. In practice, that means deep bass that feels full but not bloated, and highs that stay clear instead of sounding harsh. The Buds Pro 3 support Bluetooth 5.4, multipoint connectivity, and codecs like AAC, SBC, and LHDC 5.0 for compatible devices. If you own a recent OnePlus phone, you can access high-res audio and most settings directly through the Bluetooth menu. On other Android or iOS devices, the HeyMelody app unlocks nearly everything, including five EQ presets, a six-band custom EQ, and features like a fit test and Golden Sound tuning (which adjusts the audio profile to match the unique shape of your ear canal). As for its ANC performance, it holds up well for the price. It cuts down low engine rumble on planes and buses and reduces background chatter in busy cafes. That said, its transparency mode (while serviceable) sounds slightly artificial, notes this PCMag review. Battery life is solid but not class-leading. With noise cancellation on, you get up to six hours per charge, plus another 19 hours from the case. Turn ANC off and that jumps to about 10 hours, with 33 more from the case. It charges via USB-C and also supports wireless charging. At $129.99, these are not flawless, but they cover the essentials well. You get strong sound and noise cancellation, and a long list of features that are often reserved for pricier models. te View the full article

Rapid Support Forces sought to eliminate non-Arab communities in and around El Fasher, report findsView the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Claire Danes is grieving mother and author Aggie Wiggs; struggling with her next book, she decides to focus it on her neighbor—which is obviously a good idea, even more so because he was accused of murdering his first wife. What could go wrong? Matthew Rhys plays Nile Jarvis, the maybe-murderer neighbor, who gets caught up in the mix when Abbie's story becomes about way more than just one death. You can stream The Beast in Me on Netflix, and then check out some of these other shows about deadly secrets, vicious lies, and phenomenally bad decisions. The Girlfriend (2025 – ) In a similar "am I just being paranoid?" vein, The Girlfriend stars Robin Wright as Laura Sanderson, a wealthy art gallery owner in London. Her son (Laurie Davidson) brings home a new, working-class girlfriend, Cherry Laine (Olivia Cooke) who immediately strikes Laura as not-our-kind. But is there more to it? Can someone with the name "Cherry Laine" truly be trusted? There's definitely something off, and we're kept guessing as to whether or not this is the story of a dangerous con artist or an overbearing mom—or maybe a little of each. It was released as a miniseries, but there's some interest in continuing the story, so TBD on a second season. Stream The Girlfriend on Prime Video. The Girlfriend (2025 – ) at Prime Video Learn More Learn More at Prime Video Surface (2022 – ) There's a theme in these shows about the extent to which women can trust their own instincts—this one cuts to the heart of that in the story of Sophie Ellis (Gugu Mbatha-Raw), who survives an (apparent) attempt at death by suicide to find that she's lost huge chunks of memory. She settles back into life with her husband, but learns that she'd been having an affair. And that her husband might have been embezzling money, among other things, though it all turns on how much she can trust the men in her life and her own fragmented memories, questions which lead her to take on an entirely new identity and sort it all out. Stream Surface on Apple TV+. Surface (2022 – ) at Apple TV+ Learn More Learn More at Apple TV+ Fool Me Once (2024) Based on a Harlan Coben novel, Fool Me Once is a bit more on the political-thriller end of whatever spectrum we're on here, but the vibes aren't dissimilar: Michelle Keegan plays Maya Stern, a former special ops pilot dealing with the murder of her husband—whom she then catches playing with their daughter on a nanny cam. The resulting mystery ties into the earlier death of her sister, and leads to a web of conspiracy involving her husband's family and a shady pharmaceutical company. Stream Fool Me Once on Netflix. Fool Me Once (2024) at Netflix Learn More Learn More at Netflix Disclaimer (2024) Created, written, and directed by four-time Oscar winner Alfonso Cuarón, Disclaimer has as impressive a pedigree as you could hope for on streaming TV. Cate Blanchett and Kevin Kline (both, incidentally, Oscar winners) star alongside Sacha Baron Cohen and Leila George. Blanchett plays Catherine Ravenscroft, an award-winning journalist who receives a mysterious manuscript—a novel in which she, herself, appears to be the main character, and which reveals secrets of her past that she thought were long buried. Stream Disclaimer on Apple TV+. Disclaimer (2024) at Apple TV+ Learn More Learn More at Apple TV+ Sharp Objects (2018) Author on the hunt for a new story that leads her into danger and treachery? Check. In this adaptation of the Gillian Flynn novel, Amy Adams stars as Camille Preaker, a troubled reporter with substance abuse issues who's only recently been released from a psychiatric hospital. I'm not sure what step of recovery involves returning to her hometown of Wind Gap, Missouri in order to investigate the murder of one girl and the apparently related disappearance of another—all under the watchful, critical eye of her socialite mother Adora (Patricia Clarkson). Stream Sharp Objects on HBO Max. Sharp Objects (2018) at HBO Max Learn More Learn More at HBO Max His & Hers (2026) The first of at least three Alice Feeney thrillers getting streaming series adaptations, His & Hers is a glossy and appropriately twisty mystery starring Tessa Thompson and Jon Bernthal. Thompson plays Annie Andrews, a has-been news reporter who decides to get back on the horse when she learns of a murder in her Georgia hometown. Bernthal is the local detective on the case and—surprise!—he's also her ex. Can she trust him? Things are definitely going to get personal. Stream His & Hers on Netflix. His & Hers (2026) at Netflix Learn More Learn More at Netflix Down Cemetery Road (2025 – ) The genre here isn't quite the same as that of The Beast in Me—this one's more of a detective story with some spy stuff thrown in. Where there's overlap, though, is in its protagonist: a woman who dives into a mystery without understanding quite how deep and dark and personal things are going to get. Ruth Wilson plays Sarah Trafford, a married art restorer who nobody takes very seriously (including her husband), even after she becomes invested in the fate of a young girl whose family is killed in an (allegedly) accidental gas explosion down the street. Emma Thompson co-stars as hard-living, hard-drinking private investigator Zoë Boehm, who gets involved, rather against her will. The orphaned girl disappears into the system, and no one really seems to care until Sarah hires Zoë and her husband to look into it. Both women soon find they are in way over their heads, as the missing girl points to a much broader conspiracy. Stream Down Cemetery Road on Apple TV+. Down Cemetery Road (2025 – ) at Apple TV+ Learn More Learn More at Apple TV+ Behind Her Eyes (2021) Any psychological thriller worth your time is going to swing for the fences—big twists are the essential ingredients in all of these shows. And then there's Behind Her Eyes, which builds to a climax so cuckoo bananas that you'll either applaud its audacity or cackle at its outrageousness. Louise (Simona Brown) is a single mother who starts an affair with her boss—and his wife. And then gets involved with his former mistress following a mysterious death. It all turns on the increasingly complicated set of relationships before it gets really wild. Stream Behind Her Eyes on Netflix. Behind Her Eyes (2021) at Netflix Learn More Learn More at Netflix The Undoing (2020) David E. Kelley brought us this twisty psychodrama (adapted from the Jean Hanff Korelitz bestseller You Should Have Known) starring Nicole Kidman as Grace Fraser, a Manhattan psychologist married to oncologist Jonathan (Hugh Grant). She keeps running into a woman named Elena whose increasingly strange behavior disturbs Grace, more so when the woman is murdered. Things get really alarming, though, when she tries to contact Jonathan, who's disappeared, leading her into a web of secrets in lies that are entirely too close to home. Stream The Undoing on HBO Max. The Undoing (2020) Learn More Learn More Smother (2021 – 2023) Smart and addictive, Smother starts with a body on a beach and then flashes back to a 50th birthday party for Val (Dervla Kirwan) hosted by her husband, Denis. That celebration takes a turn when Denis announces, in front of their kids and assorted guests, that he and Val are getting a divorce and that she's going to live with her rather much younger boyfriend, who Denis tacitly threatens. Naturally, it's Denis whose body we saw earlier, and, while there a lot of people with motives, Val is determined to get to the bottom of it. Stream Smother on Peacock. Smother (2021 – 2023) at Peacock Learn More Learn More at Peacock Agatha Christie's Seven Dials (2026 – ) A bit of counter-programming here, perhaps, in that we're traveling back to the Jazz Age for an explicitly Agatha Christie-style detective story. And yet! Mia McKenna-Bruce's Bundle Brent has a lot in common with the modern-era women in the rest of these shows: She's smart, curious, and surrounded by men (mostly) looking to gaslight the hell out of her. Bundle lives with her mother (Helena Bonham-Carter) in a decaying manor house that they rent out to pay the bills. A party hosted by a steel magnate ends with one of the guests dead—a friend who'd been hinting all night that he planned to propose to Bundle but, according to the police and pretty much everyone else, he died by suicide. Nothing to do but move on. She doesn't, of course, and manages to convince Christie mainstay Superintendent Battle (Martin Freeman) that there might be more to it, especially when things start to tie back to the death of her father years earlier. Stream Agatha Christie's Seven Dials on Netflix. Agatha Christie's Seven Dials (2026 – ) at Netflix Learn More Learn More at Netflix The Last Thing He Told Me (2023 – ) Jennifer Garner stars as Hannah Hall, a successful woodturner (which, I've learned, is a thing) trying to forge a bond with her stepdaughter—in order to help solve the mystery of her missing husband. The standalone first season ranked as Apple's most watched limited series ever, so we're getting a second based on another bestseller from Laura Dave. Stream The Last Thing He Told Me on Apple TV+. The Last Thing He Told Me at Apple TV+ Get Deal Get Deal at Apple TV+ View the full article

Generative AI has rapidly become core infrastructure, embedded across enterprise software, cloud platforms, and internal workflows. But that shift is also forcing a structural rethink of cybersecurity. The same systems driving productivity and growth are emerging as points of vulnerability. Google Cloud’s latest AI Threat Tracker report suggests the tech industry has entered a new phase of cyber risk, one in which AI systems themselves are high-value targets. Researchers from Google DeepMind and the Google Threat Intelligence Group have identified a steady rise in model extraction, or “distillation,” attacks, in which actors repeatedly prompt generative AI systems in an attempt to copy their proprietary capabilities. In some cases, attackers flood models with carefully designed prompts to force them to reveal how they think and make decisions. Unlike traditional cyberattacks that involve breaching networks, many of these efforts rely on legitimate access, making them harder to detect and shifting cybersecurity toward protecting intellectual property rather than perimeter defenses. Researchers say model extraction could allow competitors, state actors, or academic groups to replicate valuable AI capabilities without triggering breach alerts. For companies building large language models, the competitive moat now extends to the proprietary logic inside the models themselves. The report also found that state-backed and financially motivated actors from China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia are using AI across the attack cycle. Threat groups are deploying generative models to improve malware, research targets, mimic internal communications, and craft more convincing phishing messages. Some are experimenting with AI agents to assist with vulnerability discovery, code review, and multi-step attacks. John Hultquist, chief analyst at Google Threat Intelligence Group, says the implications extend beyond traditional breach scenarios. Foundation models represent billions in projected enterprise value, and distillation attacks could allow adversaries to copy key capabilities without breaking into systems. The result, he argues, is an emerging cyber arms race, with attackers using AI to operate at machine speed while defenders race to deploy AI that can identify and respond to threats in real time. Hultquist, a former U.S. Army intelligence specialist who helped expose the Russian threat actor known as Sandworm and now teaches at Johns Hopkins University, tells Fast Company how AI has become both a weapon and a target, and what cybersecurity looks like in a machine-versus-machine future. AI is shifting from being merely a tool used by attackers to a strategic asset worth replicating. What has changed over the past year to make this escalation structurally and qualitatively different from earlier waves of AI-enabled threats? AI isn’t just an enabler for threat actors. It’s a new, unique attack surface, and it’s a target in itself. The biggest movements we will see in the immediate future will be actors adopting AI into their existing routines, but as we adopt AI into the stack, they will develop entirely new routines focused on the new opportunity. AI is also an extremely valuable capability, and we can expect the technology itself to be targeted by states and commercial interests looking to replicate it. The report highlights a rise in model extraction, or “distillation,” attacks aimed at proprietary systems. How do these attacks work? Distillation attacks are when someone bombards a model with prompts to systematically replicate a model’s capabilities. In Google’s case, someone sent Gemini more than 100,000 prompts to probe its reasoning capabilities in an apparent attempt to reverse-engineer its decision-making structure. Think of it like when you’re training an analyst, and you’re trying to understand how they came to a conclusion. You might ask them a whole series of questions in an effort to reveal their thought process. Where are state-sponsored and financially motivated threat groups seeing the most immediate operational gains from AI, and how is it changing the speed and sophistication of their day-to-day attack workflows? We believe adversaries see the value of AI in day-to-day productivity across the full spectrum of their attack operations. Attackers are increasingly using AI platforms for targeting research, reconnaissance, and social engineering. For instance, an attacker who is targeting a particular sector might research an upcoming conference and use AI to interpret and highlight themes and interest areas that can then be integrated into phishing emails for a specific targeted organization. This type of adversarial research would usually take a long time to gather data, translate content, and understand localized context for a particular region or sector. But using AI, an adversary can accomplish hours worth of work in just a few minutes. Government-backed actors from Iran, North Korea, China, and Russia are integrating AI across the intrusion lifecycle. Where is AI delivering the greatest operational advantage today, and how is it accelerating the timeline from initial compromise to real-world impact? Generative AI has been used in social engineering for eight years now, and it has gone from making fake photos for profiles to orchestrating complex interactions and deepfaking colleagues. But there are so many other advantages to adversary—speed, scale, and sophistication. Even a less experienced hacker becomes more effective with tools that help troubleshoot operations, while more advanced actors may gain faster access to zero-day vulnerabilities. With these gains in speed and scale, attackers can operate inside traditional patch cycles and overwhelm human-driven defenses. It is also important not to underestimate the criminal impact of this technology. In many applications, speed is actually a liability to espionage actors who are working very hard to stay low and slow, but it is a major asset for criminals, especially since they expect to alert their victims when they launch ransomware or threaten leaks. We’re beginning to see early experimentation with agentic AI systems capable of planning and executing multi-step campaigns with limited human intervention. How close are we to truly autonomous adversaries operating at scale, and what early signals suggest threat velocity is accelerating? Threat actors are already using AI to gain scale advantages. We see them using AI to automate reconnaissance operations and social engineering. They are using agentic solutions to scan targets with multiple tools and we have seen some actors reduce the laborious process of developing tailored social engineering. From our own work with tools such as BigSleep, we know that AI agents can be extremely effective at identifying software vulnerabilities and expect adversaries to be exploring similar capabilities. At a strategic level, are we moving toward a default machine-versus-machine era in cybersecurity? Can defensive AI evolve fast enough to keep pace with offensive capabilities, or has cyber resilience now become inseparable from overall AI strategy? We are certainly going to lean more on the machines than we ever have, or risk falling behind others that do. In the end, though, security is about risk management, which means human judgment will have to be involved at some level. I’m afraid that attackers may have some advantages when it comes to adapting quickly. They won’t have the same bureaucracies to manage or have the same risks. If they take a chance on some new technique and it fails, that won’t significantly cost them. That will give them greater freedom to experiment. We are going to have to work hard to keep up with them. But if we don’t try and don’t adopt AI-based solutions ourselves, we will certainly lose. I don’t think there is any future for defenders without AI; it’s simply too impactful to be avoided. View the full article

United Parcel Service (UPS) is planning to close dozens of packaging facilities this year, the shipping giant revealed in a court filing this week. The plans include shuttering facilities in Texas, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, and several other states. It includes locations that have union employees, according to a docket made public as part of a lawsuit between UPS and the Teamsters Union. UPS revealed in January that it will cut 30,000 jobs over the coming year. The move was announced as its partnership with Amazon was winding down and amid a broader push toward automation. At the time, it also revealed plans to close 24 total facilities, though it did not reveal the locations. Now the locations of 22 of those facilities have been made public. In the court filings, UPS said “the applicable Local Unions have been notified of these closures and informed of the anticipated impacts.” Which UPS package facilities are closing? The facilities marked for closure are spread across more than 18 states. They appear below: Jamieson Park facility in Spokane, Washington Chalk Hill facility in Dallas, Texas Jacksonville, Illinois Rockdale, Illinois Devils Lake, North Dakota Laramie, Wyoming Pendleton, Oregon North Hills, California Las Vegas North in Las Vegas, Nevada Quad Avenue in Baltimore, Maryland Wilmington, Massachusetts Ashland, Massachusetts Sagamore Beach, Massachusetts Miami Downtown Air in Miami, Florida Camden, Arkansas Blytheville, Arkansas Kosciusko, Mississippi Atlanta Hub in Atlanta, Georgia Columbia Hub in West Columbia, South Carolina Kinston, North Carolina Austinburg, Ohio Cadillac, Michigan What has UPS said about the closures? “We’re well into the largest U.S. network reconfiguration in UPS history, creating a nimbler, more efficient operation by modernizing our facilities and matching our size and resources to support growth initiatives,” a UPS spokesperson told Fast Company when reached for comment. “Some positions will be affected, though most changes are expected to occur through attrition. We’re committed to supporting our people throughout this process.” The facility closures were reported earlier by Freight Waves. Last year, UPS also shed 48,000 workers. The primary drivers for the closures are a broader rightsizing effort, outlined back in 2024. Shares of United Parcel Service Inc (NYSE: UPS) are up almost 15% so far in 2026. But the stock is down significantly from highs it had seen during the early pandemic years. However, the impact of the closures will affect members of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. In response, the Teamsters filed a lawsuit over a planned voluntary buyout program for union drivers, called the Driver Choice Program, or DCP, saying it violates its contract. The Teamsters have asked the court for an injunction pending the two sides’ initiation of the grievance process outlined in their contract. In a statement, the Teamsters have said that they have “detailed at least six violations of its National Master Agreement by UPS in the rollout of the buyout program, including direct dealing of new contracts with workers, elimination of union jobs when UPS contractually agreed to establish more positions, and erosion of the rights and privileges of union shop stewards, among other charges.” “For the second time in six months, UPS has proven it doesn’t care about the law, has no respect for its contract with the Teamsters, and is determined to try to screw our members out of their hard-earned money,” said Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien, in comments included in the statement. UPS’s spokesperson tells Fast Company that the company is “disappointed” in the response. “The world is changing, and the rate of change is accelerating,” UPS says. “As we navigate these changes and continue to reshape our network, our drivers appreciate having choices, including the option to make a career change or retire earlier than planned.” This story is developing… View the full article

Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush’s 2016 presidential campaign is remembered a decade on for the exclamation point in its “Jeb!” logo, but Jesse Jackson’s campaign actually used the punctuation 28 years before him. Jackson, the civil rights activist who died Tuesday at the age of 84, ran for president twice, in 1984 and 1988. At the 1988 Democratic National Convention, his supporters held red signs that said “Jesse!” in white. Jackson came in second in the 1988 primary with nearly 30% of the vote against the party’s nominee Michael Dukakis, and since then, candidates from Bush to 2012 Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney and former U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander, a Tennessee Republican, have used the punctuation mark in their logos to give their names some added emphasis. Though Jackson never held political office, the visual brand of his historic campaigns still resonates today for standing out in a sea of sameness. A protege of Martin Luther King Jr., Jackson was the founder of the civil rights nonprofit Operation PUSH (People United to Serve Humanity) when he announced his campaign in 1983 without any experience in elected office and became the first Black presidential candidate for a major party since Shirley Chisholm. Jackson’s exclamation mark logo was far from the only logo used in support of his presidential campaigns in a time before standardized, consistent branding was expected for political campaigns. He campaigned in serifs and sans serifs, and sometimes in bright yellow, a color that signaled a break from the standard red, white, and blue color palette of U.S. politics at the time. His campaign used slogans like “Now is the Time” and “Keep Hope Alive.” During a speech at the 1984 Democratic National Convention, Jackson explained his idea of the nation as a rainbow, a symbol that became associated with his candidacy and advocacy. “Our flag is red, white, and blue, but our nation is a rainbow—red, yellow, brown, black, and white—and we’re all precious in God’s sight,” he said. That message, along with Jackson’s push to build a “rainbow coalition” that transcended racial and class lines, inspired rainbow-themed buttons and ephemera. Buttons depicted rainbows that were red, white, and blue or the full ROYGBIV spectrum. In the window after designer Gilbert Baker designed the Pride flag in 1978 but before the rainbow became as closely associated with the LGBTQ movement as it is now, Jackson’s political brand made the symbol its own. Jackson’s political branding remains an inspiration today for candidates and designers looking for a more unconventional political aesthetic, from added punctuation or color schemes that break from tradition. The Jackson political brand has also proven strangely popular overseas. A K-pop star wore a shirt in a 2018 music video showing Jackson’s 1988 campaign logo, and Jackson ’88 tees for a time became a trend in Asia. It wasn’t about Jackson, specifically, but about the generic look of a nostalgic American political logo. A candidate unlike any other, Jackson had a visual brand that stood apart at the time. Today, it just looks all-American. View the full article

Jailing of couple on motorcycle trip for alleged spying ‘totally unjustifiable’, foreign secretary Yvette Cooper saysView the full article