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YouTube is upgrading its Promotions tool, letting creators target potential viewers by interests, not just age, gender, or location. What’s new. Creators can now target users by interest categories like Food & Dining. These categories are built from aggregated, anonymized signals, including search behavior and viewing habits. Example: Users who frequently search for recipes and watch cooking content may be grouped into a food-related interest segment. How it works.YouTube uses patterns across Google services to infer interests, then applies those signals at scale — without exposing individual user data. Why we care. Creators who pay to promote videos can now reach users based on what they actually care about — a shift that makes promotions more efficient and more competitive with traditional Google Ads. The big picture. YouTube promotions have historically been blunt instruments, relying mostly on demographics. Interest-based targeting brings the tool closer to full-funnel advertising and makes paid promotion more attractive for: Growing channels trying to find their first real audience Established creators launching new formats Brands using creator-led content for reach What’s next: The feature is desktop-only for now A mobile rollout is expected in the future First seen. This update was first spotted by Google Ads Specialist Georgi Zayakov which he shared on LinkedIn Bottom line. YouTube is giving creators better tools to find the right viewers — not just more viewers — and narrowing the gap between creator marketing and traditional digital advertising. View the full article

This week the conforming 30-year fixed rate mortgage fell 10 basis points, with Optimal Blue data showing it broke through, at least briefly, the 6% level. View the full article

A reader asks: A while back, an employee who reported to me (I’m a man) became visibly pregnant soon after she started. But she never brought it up. Not with me, not with HR, not with anyone. I didn’t ask her about it, though nearly everyone else in our office asked me. I cringed when I responded since it was obvious she was pregnant but I felt that I needed to protect her privacy. I felt like I was walking around on pins and needles with this very obvious elephant in the room. Her job description included occasionally lifting objects up to 40 pounds, and the only way I treated her differently was that I went out of my way to pick up anything remotely heavy. Eventually, she was put on bed rest and had her baby a week later. She did not return to the organization. The office was a very friendly place, and I know the employees would have loved to have thrown her a baby shower and all those fun things. But I realize I was handed a hot potato, from several different angles. Should I have addressed this directly with her? Or was I fine to ignore it? Green responds: You were right to ignore it, awkward and strange as it felt. Sometimes when people think someone looks obviously pregnant, they actually aren’t. Sometimes that’s just their body shape, even if it’s new. Other times they’re pregnant but know they won’t be carrying the baby to full-term because of a medical situation and don’t want to talk about that at work. I know the argument is that the employer needs to plan for the person’s maternity leave (or departure in this case). And generally people do eventually announce their pregnancies at work for that reason. But when someone chooses not to, there’s usually a reason for that choice—and as a manager I’d err on the side of respecting that. After all, other situations can cause someone to suddenly need medical leave without any heads-up or to need to resign without notice, and employers deal with those and make do. Of course, the counterargument to this is that if an employee knew months in advance that they’d need several months off for, say, surgery, and didn’t bother to tell anyone until the day before, that would be a problem. But again, we don’t know the full story here, most pregnant people do announce their pregnancies, and the fact that she didn’t likely indicates she had a reason for wanting privacy. If we get an epidemic of people not announcing their pregnancies until the day before they go on leave, thus leaving employers everywhere in the lurch, we can revisit that, but right now it’s not typical, it’s reasonable to assume something was up, and you were right to err on the side of respecting her privacy. One last thing: It’s important to note that any concern should be solely confined to the employer’s ability to plan for the employee’s sudden absence. The office’s interest in giving this person a baby shower is 100% not relevant. If she had wanted that, she would have shared the pregnancy. She didn’t, and that matters much more than anyone’s desire to celebrate with her. View the full article

Here are four updates from past letter-writers. 1. My husband doesn’t want anyone I work with to know we’re married Thank you for publishing my letter — it was quite reassuring to read that this particular request from my husband was giving others pause as well. There was a lot of speculation in the comments, which was quite amusing to read, and lots of excellent points being made too! I do want to add that my husband has always been very conscious about sharing “private” info, but to be clear — he’s never hidden the fact that he is a married (straight) man, but he won’t go around telling his coworkers my name or my employer. Like you said, this was more of a husband problem than a work problem. As recommended, I had another sit down with my husband and explained again why the situation made me uncomfortable and how awkward this could be for Jeff, too. I wish I could tell you that this fixed everything, but it didn’t. The argument actually got a little heated, and we could not get on the same page. This might sound unbelievable, but my man is generally emotionally intelligent (one of the many qualities I adore in him) and yet I could not get him to see things from mine or Jeff’s point of view. I can’t remember there ever being a subject between us where it was so hard to find common ground (and we’ve been a great team through far worse). Disappointing, sure, but it is what is. I did let him know that I would not be crossing that line of lying — either implicitly (by omission) or explicitly — again with Jeff. He wasn’t happy about it, I wasn’t either, but at least it was clear where we both stood on the matter. A few weeks after that, Jeff found out anyway (as I always assumed would happen at some point, it’s really hard to keep a mutual connection secret in this day and age!). Jeff asked me about it at a company event, and I kept it very matter-of-fact (“Yup, that’s my husband, he prefers to keep that info private, kinda weird but oh well”) and that was … it? Jeff made no fuss about it, so if he thought it was weird, he kept it to himself. Jeff hasn’t brought it up with my husband either. My husband knows the cat’s out of the bag because I told him, and he got a little huffy at first, then dropped it. I see Jeff weekly at tennis now, and all is well. I’m a bit more mindful than usual about the things I share but we have plenty of other common interests to talk about so my husband doesn’t really come up as a topic of conversation. Not the most exciting of updates, sometimes you’re just going to clash with your person. 2. Why does job-searching feel like actual torture? I wrote in earlier this year about being unhappy in my job but feeling unable to make myself search for a different one. Well, I now have a new job! I really lucked out because a role opened up at my company in a department I’ve worked with the entire time I have been here. I immediately talked to the decision-makers for that department and accepted the job a few weeks later after the role was reworked specifically for me (!). I’ve been slowly transitioning from the old job to the new one over the past couple months and officially transferred a couple weeks ago. It’s a step down in pay but still a comfortable wage for me, and I’m SO much happier with the work and the team … plus I don’t have to change any of my benefits, learn a new office culture, or kiss my unvested retirement funds goodbye! This situation made me realize how much anxiety was affecting me and how much extra anxiety my previous job was creating. I knew I had anxiety, but I didn’t realize the full effect until I started feeling like I was on the brink of a panic attack one day at work, which was a new experience. I’ve been on an antidepressant for several years, but after that day, I went to my doctor and added an anti-anxiety medication, which has been incredibly helpful. It’s made a huge difference at work and basically every other part of my life (imagine that)! My plan now is to stay in my new role for at least three years. I think it’s likely that having this job on my resume will open a lot more doors for me next time I end up job-searching, both because of the skills I’m developing and because it will make sense to employers that I’m applying for jobs that I previously wouldn’t have looked as qualified for. I’m also hopeful that better management of my anxiety will make job-searching feel more doable in the future. Thank you again for answering my letter! 3. How do I apply for a job internally without my boss knowing? I did apply to the internal job. I read my employee handbook and it said I need to let my manager know, so I did that and then let the hiring manager know I had applied. While I tried to play it cool, I pinned a lot of hopes on this new position. Just a couple weeks later, guess what happened? A partner org outside my company contacted me (I do a lot of answering outside partner questions as part of my role) to ask about being put in touch with new hire Samantha. Samantha? Who was that and what role did she get? My dream role, that’s what she got. I was in shock. I was so upset not only that I didn’t get the job but that this is how I found out. No notice from the hiring manager, who I spoke to on a regular basis, not even a form email from HR. As I sat there in shock, who came around the corner? Samantha herself, being given the tour of the office. It took all my strength to smile and welcome her — it wasn’t her fault, of course. The most upsetting thing about all this was that the hiring manager, who I thought I had rapport with, never once mentioned this to me. She never again brought up the role or our conversation about it. It was hurtful, not gonna lie. My own manager had my back and even though I was trying to leave her team, she was furious on my behalf! While there are good things about working where I do, clearly my workplace has its issues. I’m contemplating what to do from here. 4. How do I give 360 feedback to my clueless coworker? Thank you for the advice! I did end up consulting Bob’s boss with similar language to what you suggested and additionally noting that the 360 review was adding stress during a busy period. His boss looked at me and said, “He’s leaving for grad school in three months anyway, so don’t worry about it.” So, I didn’t end up saying anything in his review, and I helped hire and onboard his replacement, who is much better. The post updates: my husband doesn’t want anyone I work with to know we’re married, and more appeared first on Ask a Manager. View the full article

With a ring of massive columns and seating for more than 70,000 people, President Donald The President may be getting the football stadium of his dreams. Renderings have just been released of the proposed design for a new stadium for the Washington Commanders NFL team, and the aesthetic is right in line with an architectural style the The President administration has been championing with increasing passion. The stadium is an oval of dozens of white columns recalling the classical-influenced architecture of some of the capital’s most recognizable buildings. Designed by the architecture firm HKS, the stadium’s concept takes one of the most familiar elements of classical architecture—the column—and turns it into the defining feature of the building. Cascading around the stadium’s perimeter with heights upward of 100 feet, the columns are topped by a concave ellipse, also a marble-like white, that holds a semi-transparent roof. Glass between the columns offer views into the structure, which would glow from within during events. The stadium’s design is a reflection of the The President administration’s desire for an official embrace of the classical and neoclassical architecture that has typified federal buildings since the earliest days of the republic. Drawing influence from the columns and pediments abundant in the buildings of ancient Greece and the Roman empire, this classical architecture style can be seen at the White House, the Capitol Building, and the Supreme Court, among many other buildings across the city and country. It’s a style the The President administration has sought to reassert as the federal standard, issuing executive orders in both of his terms to make classical architecture the preferred style for new federal projects. The group behind this effort, the National Civic Art Society, has been working for decades to convince national leaders that traditional design, not the modernism that emerged in the postwar years, is the most appropriate style for federal architecture. The President’s architectural preferences The President, the longtime real estate developer, has made this a key part of his agenda. His desire for more classical architecture has trickled down through The President appointees to the agency that oversees the design of all significant projects in Washington D.C., the National Capitol Planning Commission (NCPC). NCPC chair Will Scharf, appointed to the commission in July 2025 by The President, recently called on officials from the Washington Commanders to ensure the new stadium “incorporates architectural features in keeping with the capital more generally—classical, neoclassical elements.” Speaking at a recent NCPC meeting, Scharf said, “I think really going back to classical antiquity, arenas and stadiums have played a vital role in the urban cityscape… I think there were several decades in American history where we unfortunately really got away from that, much to the detriment of the fan experience.” The stadium would sit on the site of the demolished Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium, the team’s former home. That site aligns directly with Washington D.C.’s L’Enfant Plan, the city’s 1790 urban plan that criss-crossed the area with diagonal axes and carefully configured views of buildings like the Capitol, the Washington Monument, and the White House. The President’s preference for classical architecture in the capital is beginning to influence development in the city. Under the NCPC’s authority, the stadium project could be its most imposing expression. The design from HKS shows a willingness to play along. In a press release, HKS global venues director Mark A. Williams says the project’s design was guided by its “significance of place.” “Monumental in presence, grounded in the L’Enfant Plan, and scaled to the urban fabric of the District, the stadium design will be a bold civic landmark that carries the city’s architectural legacy forward in a way that is confident, dynamic, and unmistakably Washington, D.C.,” he says. It could also become unmistakably The President, as the president’s architectural preferences reverberate through the capital. (The President has also called for the stadium to be named after himself.) Construction on the Commanders stadium could start in 2027, with an opening date in 2030, a year after the constitutionally mandated end of The President’s final term. View the full article

In an increasingly digital-first world, small businesses can enhance their employee benefits offerings with the latest collaboration between Paychex and PayPal. This new partnership integrates PayPal Direct Deposit into the Paychex Flex® Perks platform, allowing employees easy access to their wages, including the possibility of receiving paychecks up to two days early. For small business owners looking to attract and retain talent, this could represent a game-changing opportunity. Cory Mau, Paychex’s vice president of corporate strategy, emphasized the partnership’s focus on financial wellness: “In today’s economy, workers face numerous financial pressures. We are pleased to announce another financial wellness solution available to the employees of our customers through PayPal.” This service aims to address financial issues faced by employees, especially those who may be unbanked—approximately 5.6 million U.S. households as per a recent Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation report. Not having enough money to meet minimum bank balance requirements is the primary reason for these households remaining unbanked. With this integration, employees can seamlessly set up PayPal Direct Deposit within the Paychex Flex system. This feature not only allows for early access to wages but also opens the door to various financial products offered by PayPal. Employees can tap into the full suite of services, such as the PayPal Debit Mastercard®, which provides a unique cash-back rewards program, and high-yield PayPal Savings accounts with a competitive annual percentage yield (APY) of 3.65%. There are compelling reasons for employers to consider this new benefit. First, offering early paycheck access can significantly improve employee satisfaction. The benefit enhances financial flexibility, allowing employees to transfer their wages directly to PayPal and manage their finances in a more agile manner. As Scott Young, SVP of Consumer Financial Services at PayPal, noted, “PayPal is helping consumers make the most of their money, optimizing cash back and rewards while also offering a trusted, flexible, and seamless experience.” For small businesses, integrating Paychex Flex Perks could provide a competitive edge. With 25 employee benefit offerings now available, companies of all sizes can tap into a solution designed for today’s diverse workforce. Employees can enroll in these benefits easily through the cloud-based Paychex Flex platform without incurring additional costs for the employer. This democratization of enterprise-level benefits enables smaller companies to attract top talent similarly to larger firms. However, small business owners should remain aware of potential challenges accompanying this integration. Employees who are not familiar with digital wallets may require additional guidance in setting up their accounts. Particularly for enterprises with a multi-generational workforce, training sessions or resource materials could enhance understanding and speed up adoption. Compliance considerations should also be on the radar. Utilizing a third-party payment platform like PayPal requires businesses to ensure that they adhere to financial regulations, which can vary by state. Ensuring a smooth payroll process while integrating a new payment method is essential for maintaining employee trust and satisfaction. The collaboration extends beyond mere financial benefits. It also signals a shift towards more comprehensive employee engagement strategies, which can include wellness programs focused on financial literacy and money management. The investment in employee satisfaction through initiatives like early pay access can yield greater productivity and loyalty in return. As the demand for employee benefits evolves, businesses can position themselves competitively by partnering with platforms that adapt to these changing needs. Employers interested in exploring employee benefits through Paychex Flex Perks can visit Paychex’s official site for more details. In a world where financial health increasingly influences job satisfaction, offering innovative benefit solutions can help small businesses thrive in an intensely competitive labor market. For more information, you can view the original press release here. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Paychex and PayPal Collaborate to Offer Early Direct Deposit Solutions" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

In an increasingly digital-first world, small businesses can enhance their employee benefits offerings with the latest collaboration between Paychex and PayPal. This new partnership integrates PayPal Direct Deposit into the Paychex Flex® Perks platform, allowing employees easy access to their wages, including the possibility of receiving paychecks up to two days early. For small business owners looking to attract and retain talent, this could represent a game-changing opportunity. Cory Mau, Paychex’s vice president of corporate strategy, emphasized the partnership’s focus on financial wellness: “In today’s economy, workers face numerous financial pressures. We are pleased to announce another financial wellness solution available to the employees of our customers through PayPal.” This service aims to address financial issues faced by employees, especially those who may be unbanked—approximately 5.6 million U.S. households as per a recent Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation report. Not having enough money to meet minimum bank balance requirements is the primary reason for these households remaining unbanked. With this integration, employees can seamlessly set up PayPal Direct Deposit within the Paychex Flex system. This feature not only allows for early access to wages but also opens the door to various financial products offered by PayPal. Employees can tap into the full suite of services, such as the PayPal Debit Mastercard®, which provides a unique cash-back rewards program, and high-yield PayPal Savings accounts with a competitive annual percentage yield (APY) of 3.65%. There are compelling reasons for employers to consider this new benefit. First, offering early paycheck access can significantly improve employee satisfaction. The benefit enhances financial flexibility, allowing employees to transfer their wages directly to PayPal and manage their finances in a more agile manner. As Scott Young, SVP of Consumer Financial Services at PayPal, noted, “PayPal is helping consumers make the most of their money, optimizing cash back and rewards while also offering a trusted, flexible, and seamless experience.” For small businesses, integrating Paychex Flex Perks could provide a competitive edge. With 25 employee benefit offerings now available, companies of all sizes can tap into a solution designed for today’s diverse workforce. Employees can enroll in these benefits easily through the cloud-based Paychex Flex platform without incurring additional costs for the employer. This democratization of enterprise-level benefits enables smaller companies to attract top talent similarly to larger firms. However, small business owners should remain aware of potential challenges accompanying this integration. Employees who are not familiar with digital wallets may require additional guidance in setting up their accounts. Particularly for enterprises with a multi-generational workforce, training sessions or resource materials could enhance understanding and speed up adoption. Compliance considerations should also be on the radar. Utilizing a third-party payment platform like PayPal requires businesses to ensure that they adhere to financial regulations, which can vary by state. Ensuring a smooth payroll process while integrating a new payment method is essential for maintaining employee trust and satisfaction. The collaboration extends beyond mere financial benefits. It also signals a shift towards more comprehensive employee engagement strategies, which can include wellness programs focused on financial literacy and money management. The investment in employee satisfaction through initiatives like early pay access can yield greater productivity and loyalty in return. As the demand for employee benefits evolves, businesses can position themselves competitively by partnering with platforms that adapt to these changing needs. Employers interested in exploring employee benefits through Paychex Flex Perks can visit Paychex’s official site for more details. In a world where financial health increasingly influences job satisfaction, offering innovative benefit solutions can help small businesses thrive in an intensely competitive labor market. For more information, you can view the original press release here. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Paychex and PayPal Collaborate to Offer Early Direct Deposit Solutions" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Embrace artificial intelligence in your accounting practice. By Jackie Meyer Go PRO for members-only access to more Jackie Meyer. View the full article

Embrace artificial intelligence in your accounting practice. By Jackie Meyer Go PRO for members-only access to more Jackie Meyer. View the full article

An ailing astronaut returned to Earth with three others on Thursday, ending their space station mission more than a month early in NASA’s first medical evacuation. SpaceX guided the capsule to a middle-of-the-night splashdown in the Pacific near San Diego, less than 11 hours after the astronauts exited the International Space Station. Their first stop was a hospital for an overnight stay. “Obviously, we took this action (early return) because it was a serious medical condition,” NASA’s new administrator Jared Isaacman said following splashdown. “The astronaut in question is fine right now, in good spirits and going through the proper medical checks.” It was an unexpected finish to a mission that began in August and left the orbiting lab with only one American and two Russians on board. NASA and SpaceX said they would try to move up the launch of a fresh crew of four; liftoff is currently targeted for mid-February. NASA’s Zena Cardman and Mike Fincke were joined on the return by Japan’s Kimiya Yui and Russia’s Oleg Platonov. Officials have refused to identify the astronaut who developed the health problem last week or explain what happened, citing medical privacy. While the astronaut was stable in orbit, NASA wanted them back on Earth as soon as possible to receive proper care and diagnostic testing. The entry and splashdown required no special changes or accommodations, officials said, and the recovery ship had its usual allotment of medical experts on board. The astronauts emerged from the capsule, one by one, within an hour of splashdown. They were helped onto reclining cots and then whisked away for standard medical checks, waving to the cameras. Isaacman monitored the action from Mission Control in Houston, along with the crew’s families. NASA decided a few days ago to take the entire crew straight to a San Diego-area hospital following splashdown and even practiced helicopter runs there from the recovery ship. The astronaut in question will receive in-depth medical checks before flying with the rest of the crew back to Houston on Friday, assuming everyone is well enough. Platonov’s return to Moscow was unclear. NASA stressed repeatedly over the past week that this was not an emergency. The astronaut fell sick or was injured on Jan. 7, prompting NASA to call off the next day’s spacewalk by Cardman and Fincke, and ultimately resulting in the early return. It was the first time NASA cut short a spaceflight for medical reasons. The Russians had done so decades ago. Spacewalk preparations did not lead to the medical situation, Isaacman noted, but for anything else, “it would be very premature to draw any conclusions or close any doors at this point.” It’s unknown whether the same thing could have happened on Earth, he added. The space station has gotten by with three astronauts before, sometimes even with just two. NASA said it will be unable to perform a spacewalk, even for an emergency, until the arrival of the next crew, which has two Americans, one French and one Russian astronaut. Isaacman said it’s too soon to know whether the launch of station reinforcements will take priority over the agency’s first moonshot with astronauts in more than a half-century. The moon rocket moves to the pad this weekend at Florida’s Kennedy Space Center, with a fueling test to be conducted by early next month. Until all that is completed, a launch date cannot be confirmed; the earliest the moon flyaround could take off is Feb. 6. For now, NASA is working in parallel on both missions, with limited overlap of personnel, according to Isaacman. “If it comes down to a point in time to where we have to deconflict between two human spaceflight missions, that is a very good probMARCIA DUNN AP Aerospace Writerem to have at NASA,” he told reporters. ___ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content. —Marcia Dunn, AP aerospace writer View the full article

Welcome to AI Decoded, Fast Company’s weekly newsletter that breaks down the most important news in the world of AI. I’m Mark Sullivan, a senior writer at Fast Company, covering emerging tech, AI, and tech policy. This week, I’m focusing on how and why AI will grow from something that chats to something that works in 2026. I also focus on a new privacy-focused AI platform from the maker of Signal, and on Google’s work on e-commerce agents. Sign up to receive this newsletter every week via email here. And if you have comments on this issue and/or ideas for future ones, drop me a line at sullivan@fastcompany.com, and follow me on X (formerly Twitter) @thesullivan. Our relationship with AI is changing rapidly Anthropic kicked off 2026 with a bang. It announced Coworker, a new version of its powerful Claude Code coding assistant that’s built for non-developers. As I wrote on January 14, Coworker lets users put AI agents, or teams of agents, to work on complex tasks. It offers all the agentic power of Claude Code while being far more approachable for regular workers (it runs within the Claude chatbot desktop app, not in the terminal as Claude Code does). It also runs at the file system level on the user’s computer, and can access email and third-party work apps such as Teams. Coworker is very likely just the first product of its kind that we’ll see this year. Some have expressed surprise that OpenAI hasn’t already offered such an agentic tool to consumers and enterprises—it probably will, as may Google and Microsoft, in some form. I think we’ll look back at Coworker a year from now and recognize it as a real shift in the way we think about and use AI for our work tasks. AI companies have been talking for a long time about viewing AI as a coworker or “copilot,” but Cowork may make that concept a reality for many nontechnical workers. OpenAI’s ChatGPT, which debuted in late 2022, gave us a mental picture of how consumer AI would look and act. It was just a little dialog box, mainly nonvisual and text-based. This shouldn’t have been too surprising. After all, the chatbot interface was built by a bunch of researchers who spent their careers teaching machines how to understand words and text. Functionally, early chatbots could act like a search engine. They could write or summarize text, or listen to problems and give supportive feedback. But their outputs were driven almost entirely by their pretraining, in which they ingested and processed a compressed version of the entire internet. Using ChatGPT was something like text messaging with a smart and informed friend. Large language models do way, way more than that today. They understand imagery, they reason, they search the web, and call external tools. But the AI labs continue to try to push much of their new functionality through that same chatbot-style interface. It’s time to graduate from that mindset and put more time and effort into meeting human users where they live—that is, delivering intelligence through lots of different interfaces that match the growing number of tasks where AI can be profitably applied. That will begin to happen in 2026. AI will expand into a full workspace, or into a full web browser (à la OpenAI’s Atlas), and will eventually disappear into the operating system. As we saw at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show, it may go further: An AI tool may come wrapped in a cute animal form factor. Interacting with AI will become more flexible, too. You’ll see more AI systems that accept real-time voice input this year. Anthropic added a feature to (desktop) Claude in October that lets users talk to the chatbot in natural language after hitting a keyboard shortcut. And Wispr Flow lets users dictate into any input window by holding down a function key. Signal creator Moxie Marlinspike launches encrypted AI chatbot People talk to AI chatbots about all kinds of things, including some very personal matters. Personally, I hesitate to discuss just anything with a chatbot, because I can’t be sure that my questions and prompts, and the answers the AI gives, won’t somehow be shared with someone who shouldn’t see them. My worry is well-founded, it turns out. Last year a federal court ordered OpenAI to retain all user inputs and AI outputs, because they may be relevant to discovery in a copyright case. And there’s always a possibility that unencrypted conversations stored by an AI company could be stolen as part of a hack. Meanwhile, the conversational nature of chatbots invites users to share more and more personal information, including the sensitive kind. In short, there’s a growing need for provably secure and private AI tools. Now the creator of the popular encrypted messaging platform Signal, who goes by the pseudonym Moxie Marlinspike, has created an end-to-end encrypted AI chatbot called Confer. The new platform protects user prompts and AI responses, and makes it impossible to connect users’ online identities with their real-world ones. Marlinspike told Ars Technica that Confer users have better conversations with the AI because they’re empowered to speak more freely. When I signed up for a Confer account, the first thing the site asked was that I set up a six-digit encryption passkey, which would be stored within the secure element of my computer (or phone), which hackers can’t access. Another key is created for the Confer server, and both keys must match before the user can interact with the chatbot. Confer is powered by open-source AI models it hosts, not by models accessed from a third party. Confer’s developers are serious about supporting sensitive conversations. After I logged in, I saw that Confer displays a few suggested conversations near the input window, such as “practice a difficult conversation,” “negotiate my salary,” and “talk through my mental health.” Google is building the foundations of agentic e-commerce Agents, of course, will do more than work tasks. They’ll be involved in more personal things, too, like online shopping. Right now human shoppers move through a long process of searching, clicking, data input, and payment-making in order to buy something. Merchants and brands hope that AI agents will one day do a lot of that work on the human’s behalf. But for this to work, a whole ecosystem of agents, consumer-shopping sites, and brand back-end systems must be able to exchange information in standardized ways. For example, a consumer might want to use a shopping agent to buy a product that comes up in a Google AI Mode search, so the shopping agent would need to shake hands with the Google platform and the product merchant, and they’d both have to connect through a payment agent in the middle. Google is off to a strong start on building the agentic infrastructure that will make this all work. On January 11, the company announced a new Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP) that creates a common language for consumers, agents, and businesses to ensure that all types of commerce actions are standardized and secure. The protocol relieves all parties involved from having to create an individual agent handshake for every consumer platform and tech partner. UCP now standardizes three key aspects of a transaction: It offers a standard for guaranteeing the identity of the buyer and seller, a standard for the buying workflow, and a standard for the payment, which uses Google’s Agent Payment Protocol (AP2) extension. Vidhya Srinivasan, Google’s VP/GM of Advertising & Commerce, tells Fast Company that this is just the beginning, that the company intends to build out the UCP to support more parts of the sales process, including related-product suggestion and post-purchase support. Google developed UCP with merchant platforms including Shopify, Etsy, Target, and Walmart. UCP is endorsed byAmerican Express, Mastercard, Stripe, Visa, and others. More AI coverage from Fast Company: Why Anthropic’s new ‘Cowork’ could be the first really useful general-purpose AI agent Governments are considering bans on Grok’s app over AI sexual image scandal Docusign’s AI will now help you understand what you’re signing CES 2026: The year AI got serious Want exclusive reporting and trend analysis on technology, business innovation, future of work, and design? Sign up for Fast Company Premium. View the full article

In 2025, employers cited artificial intelligence as the rationale for nearly 55,000 layoffs at companies like Amazon and Microsoft. And with the new year barely underway, we’re already seeing a new crop of AI-related job cuts. Citigroup is cutting over a thousand jobs, according to Bloomberg, and in a memo this week, CEO Jane Fraser warned of more layoffs later this year. “Over time, we can expect automation, AI and further process simplification to reshape how work gets done,” she added. Meanwhile, Meta is conducting more layoffs in its virtual reality division, cutting about 1,500 jobs as part of a broader strategic shift to invest further in AI. Given these reports, many observers have been quick to believe that workers are losing jobs to generative AI. But there is little evidence that automation is displacing workers en masse just yet—or even drastically changing how businesses operate. According to a recent analysis by the Brookings Institution and the Budget Lab at Yale University, the proportion of workers in jobs that are ripe for AI disruption has remained steady since ChatGPT launched in 2022. What’s more, there are all kinds of forces shaping the labor market right now, including changes in immigration policy that have curbed employment growth. “What we’re seeing overall right now is consistent with a labor market that has been hit with a lot of uncertainty in the macroeconomic environment,” says Martha Gimbel, executive director of the Budget Lab. “The immigration changes are making it really hard to interpret changes in the jobs numbers. And if you look for any signs of changes that seem to be due to AI, those are not yet showing up.” Still, a number of experts have pointed to AI adoption to explain the recent spike in labor productivity, which measures hourly worker output. In the third quarter of 2025, labor productivity climbed by 4.9%, the highest increase in two years. Some economists have speculated this is a sign that the growing adoption of AI across companies may in fact be boosting efficiency, despite the slow rate of hiring in 2025. But Gimbel argues productivity is too “noisy” a metric to accurately capture the impact of AI, particularly over just one quarter. “Productivity growth will be really high or really low in one quarter,” she says. “And if it fits their preferred narrative, people will jump on that.” A single quarter of high productivity should not be seen as a clear indicator of anything, she says, in part because labor productivity is imprecise and vulnerable to measurement error. That has been especially true in recent years because the pandemic threw a wrench in the system that is still being sorted out. “You had all these issues with productivity measurement in the pandemic because people largely fired low-wage workers who tend to be less productive,” Gimbel says. “So you saw this huge jump in productivity, and then it came back down as those people were hired back. Was there actually a change in productivity in the economy? No.” Research also shows that while AI might improve efficiency to some extent, it creates additional work that can hamper productivity. A new Workday report found that nearly 40% of the time saved by using AI is lost to rework; on average, workers spend 1.5 weeks annually correcting or otherwise fixing AI-generated content. As for whether AI is eliminating jobs, that’s not evident in jobs data just yet—and unemployment figures do not reflect any notable changes either. While the most recent jobs report does indicate a marked decline in employment across specific sectors, namely professional and business services, Gimbel says it’s too soon to say whether any of that is actually due to AI. She says it might take an economic downturn to really see that shift. “The place to start looking for the impacts of AI is when we have a recession,” she says. “That is usually when technological change really takes off.” All that said, Gimbel is closely watching sectors that have high adoption of AI, which includes not just tech, but also the arts and education. Even if concerns about AI usage in the workplace are overblown at the moment, workers will certainly start to feel the effects of it in the years to come. “It would be unusual for a new technology to have no impact on the labor market,” Gimbel says. “We just still need to find out how fast, and where.” View the full article

Today's Bissett Bullet: “In writing a proposal for a potential client, it serves us to remember that they want us to help them create history more than record it.” By Martin Bissett See more Bissett Bullets here Go PRO for members-only access to more Martin Bissett. View the full article

Today's Bissett Bullet: “In writing a proposal for a potential client, it serves us to remember that they want us to help them create history more than record it.” By Martin Bissett See more Bissett Bullets here Go PRO for members-only access to more Martin Bissett. View the full article

Iranians have not become monarchists — they are seeking anyone who can replace a despotic regime at war with its own peopleView the full article

I was born an only child, but now I have a twin. He’s an exact duplicate of me—down to my clothing, my home, my facial expressions, and even my voice. I built him with AI, and I can make him say whatever I want. He’s so convincing that he could fool my own mother. Here’s how I built him—and what AI digital twins mean for the future of people. Deepfake yourself From the moment generative AI was born, criminals started using it to trick people. Deepfakes were one of the first widespread uses of the tech. Today, they’re a scourge to celebrities and even everyday teenagers, and a massive problem for anyone interested in the truth. As criminals were leveraging deepfakes to scam and blackmail people, though, a set of white-hat companies started quietly putting similar digital cloning technologies to use for good. Want to record a training video for your team, and then change a few words without needing to reshoot the whole thing? Want to turn your 400-page Stranger Things fanfic into an audiobook without spending 10 hours of your life reading it aloud? Digital cloning tech has you covered. You basically deepfake yourself—cloning your likeness, your voice, or both—and then mobilize your resulting “digital twin” to create mountains of content just as easily as you’d prompt ChatGPT or Claude. I wanted to try the tech out for myself. So I fired up today’s best AI cloning tools and made Digital Tom—a perfect digital copy of myself. Hear me out I decided to start by cloning my voice. A person’s voice feels like an especially intimate, personal thing. Think back on a loved one you’ve lost. I’ll bet you can remember exactly how they sounded. You can probably even remember a specific, impactful conversation you had with them. Cloning a voice—with all the nuance of accent, speaking style, pitch, and breath—is also a tough technical challenge. People are fast to forgive crappy video, chalking up errors or glitchiness in deepfakes to a spotty internet connection or an old webcam. Content creators everywhere produce bad video every day without any help from AI! A bad AI voice sounds way creepier, though. It’s easier to land in the uncanny valley unless every aspect of a voice clone is perfect. To avoid that fate, I turned to ElevenLabs. The company has been around since 2022 but has exploded in popularity over the last year, with its valuation doubling to more than $6.6 billion. ElevenLabs excels at handling audio—if you’ve listened to an AI-narrated audiobook, interacted with a speaking character in a video game, or heard sound effects in a TV show or movie, it’s a good bet you’ve inadvertently experienced ElevenLabs’ tech. To clone my own voice, I shelled out $22 for a Creator account. I then uploaded about 90 minutes of recordings from my YouTube channel to the ElevenLabs interface. The company says you can create a professional voice clone with as little as 30 minutes of audio. You can even create a basic clone with just 10 seconds of speech. ElevenLabs makes you record a consent clip in order to ensure that you’re not trying to deepfake a third party. In a few hours, my professional voice clone was ready. Using it is shockingly easy. ElevenLabs provides an interface that looks a lot like ChatGPT. You enter what you want your clone to say, press a button, and in seconds, your digital twin voice speaks the exact words you typed out. I had my digital twin record an audio update about this article for my Fast Company editor. He described it as “terrifyingly realistic.” Then, I sent a clip to my mom. She responded, “It would have fooled me.” In my natural habitat I was extremely impressed with the voice clone. I could use it right away to spin up an entire AI-generated podcast, prank my friends, or maybe even hack into my bank. But I didn’t just want a voice. I wanted a full Digital Tom that I could bend to my will. For the next stage in my cloning experiment, I turned to Synthesia. I originally met Synthesia’s CEO Victor Riparbelli in 2019 at a photo industry event, when his company was a scrappy startup. Today, it’s worth $4 billion. Synthesia specializes in creating digital “Avatars”—essentially video clones of a real person. Just as with ElevenLabs, you can type text into an interface and get back a video of your avatar reading it aloud, complete with realistic facial expressions and lip movement. I started a Synthesia trial account and set about creating my personal avatar. Synthesia asked for access to my webcam, and then recorded me reading a preset script off the screen for about 10 minutes. A day later, my avatar was ready. It was a perfect digital clone of my likeness, right down to the shirt I was wearing on the day I made it and my (overly long) winter haircut. It even placed me in my natural habitat: my comfy, cluttered home office. As with my voice clone, I could type in any text I could imagine, and in about 10 minutes I would receive a video of Digital Tom reading it aloud. Synthesia even duplicated the minutiae of my presenting style, right down to my smile and tendency to look to the camera every few seconds when reading a script from the screen. If I recorded a video with Digital Tom for my YouTube channel, I’m certain most users would have no idea it’s a fake. The value of people My experiment shows that today’s AI cloning technology is extremely impressive. I could easily create mountains of audio content with my clone from ElevenLabs, or create an entire social media channel with my Digital Tom as the star. The bigger question, though, is why I’d want to. Sure, there are tons of good use cases for working with a digital twin. Again, Synthesia specializes in creating corporate training videos. Companies can rapidly create specialized teaching materials without renting a studio, hiring a videographer, and shooting countless takes of a talking head in front of a green screen. They can also edit them by altering a few written words—for example, if a product feature changes subtly. For their part, ElevenLabs does a brisk business in audiobooks and customer service agents. But they also provide helpful services, like creating accessible, read-aloud versions of web pages for visually impaired users. But my experiment convinced me that there are fewer good reasons to work with your digital twin. In an internet landscape where anyone can spin up a thousand-page website in a few minutes using Gemini, and compelling videos are a dime a dozen, thanks to Sora, content is cheap. There are not many good ways left for users to sort the wheat from the chaff. Personality is one of the few remaining ones. People like to follow people. For creators, developing a personal relationship with your audience is the best way to keep them consuming your content, instead of cheaper (and often better) AI alternatives. Compromising that by shoving an undisclosed digital twin in their face, however convincing it might be, seems like the fastest possible way to ruin that relationship. People want to hear from the meat-based Thomas Smith, even if the artificial intelligence version never forgets a word or gets interrupted by his chickens mid-video. I could see using one of ElevenLab’s or Synthesia’s built-in characters to create (fully disclosed) content. But I can’t see putting my digital twins to real-world use. I can see one use for the tech, though. It struck me during my experiment that the best reason to build an AI digital twin isn’t to replace your voice or likeness, but to preserve it. I sometimes lose my voice, and it’s incredibly disruptive to my content production. If I was ever affected by a vocal disorder and lost it permanently, it’s nice to know that there’s a highly realistic backup sitting on ElevenLabs’ servers. It’s also cool to think that in 10 years—when I’m inevitably older and wrinklier than today—I could bring my 2026 Digital Tom back to life. He’d be frozen in time, a perfect replica of my appearance, mannerisms, and environment in this specific moment, recallable for all eternity. I won’t be using Digital Tom to augment my YouTube channel, get into podcasting, or read my kids a bedtime story anytime soon. But there’s a strange part of me that’s happy he’s out there, just in case. View the full article

Elon Musk’s AI chatbot Grok won’t be able to edit photos to portray real people in revealing clothing in places where that is illegal, according to a statement posted on X. The announcement late Wednesday followed a global backlash over sexualized images of women and children, including bans and warnings by some governments. The pushback included an investigation announced Wednesday by the state of California, the U.S.’s most populous, into the proliferation of nonconsensual sexually explicit material produced using Grok that it said was harassing women and girls. Initially, media queries about the problem drew only the response, “legacy media lies.” Musk’s company, xAI, now says it will geoblock content if it violates laws in a particular place. “We have implemented technological measures to prevent the Grok account from allowing the editing of images of real people in revealing clothing such as bikinis, underwear and other revealing attire,” it said. The rule applies to all users, including paid subscribers, who have access to more features. xAI also has limited image creation or editing to paid subscribers only “to ensure that individuals who attempt to abuse the Grok account to violate the law or our policies can be held accountable.” Grok’s “spicy mode” had allowed users to create explicit content, leading to a backlash from governments worldwide. Malaysia and Indonesia took legal action and blocked access to Grok, while authorities in the Philippines said they were working to do the same, possibly within the week. The U.K. and European Union were investigating potential violations of online safety laws. France and India have also issued warnings, demanding stricter controls. Brazil called for an investigation into Grok’s misuse. The British government, which has been one of Grok’s most vociferous critics in recent days, has welcomed the change, while the country’s regulator, Ofcom, said it would carry on with its investigation. “I shall not rest until all social media platforms meet their legal duties and provide a service that is safe and age-appropriate to all users,” Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said. California Attorney General Rob Bonta urged xAI to ensure there is no further harassment of women and girls from Grok’s editing functions. “We have zero tolerance for the AI-based creation and dissemination of nonconsensual intimate images or of child sexual abuse material,” he said. California has passed laws to shield minors from AI-generated sexual imagery of children and require AI chatbot platforms to remind users they aren’t interacting with a human. But Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom also vetoed a law last year that would have restricted children’s access to AI chatbots. —Elaine Kurtenbach, AP business writer Pan Pylas in London contributed to this report. View the full article

Microsoft Advertising is starting 2026 with a broad set of updates aimed squarely at search-first marketers, with a focus on better controls, clearer insights, and easier campaign management across the platform. Driving the news. In its latest product roundup, Microsoft is rolling out new Performance Max capabilities, expanding audience targeting options, improving imports from Google, and automating more creative elements in search ads. The big picture. Performance Max continues to be the centerpiece. Microsoft is introducing a new customer acquisition goal in open beta, allowing advertisers to either prioritize net-new customers or exclusively target them within PMax campaigns tied to purchase goals. Advertisers can also assign higher conversion values to new customers, helping the system optimize toward long-term growth rather than short-term revenue. At the same time, Microsoft is expanding transparency and controls inside PMax. Share of voice metrics — including impression share and losses due to budget or rank — are now available, offering a clearer view into competitiveness across Search and Shopping placements. Asset group–level URL options and tracking templates also give advertisers more granular measurement without restructuring campaigns. What’s changing under the hood. Imports from Google are getting smoother. PMax campaigns now support up to 50 search themes, and asset group imports are more forgiving — meaning ineligible images or auto-generated logos won’t block the rest of an asset group from importing. Beyond PMax, Content Targeting for Audience ads is now generally available. Advertisers can target specific Microsoft-owned placements like MSN and Outlook, or align ads with content categories such as Finance or Travel. A new reporting view shows where ads actually appear, helping advertisers refine contextual strategies. Why we care. These updates give them more control over how automation drives growth, especially when it comes to acquiring net-new customers. New customer acquisition goals and added Performance Max visibility make it easier to optimize for long-term value, not just immediate conversions. Combined with smoother imports and smarter creative automation, these changes help advertisers scale performance without sacrificing visibility or control. On creative automation. Autogenerated assets are now being rolled out as a default setting for newly created Responsive Search Ads, globally excluding China and South Korea. Microsoft says advertisers using autogenerated assets are seeing roughly a 5% lift in CTR, as the system dynamically creates and tests additional headlines and descriptions based on website content. Sensitive verticals remain opt-in only, and existing RSAs are unaffected. The bottom line. Microsoft Advertising’s January updates aim to make automation more usable, measurable, and advertiser-friendly — especially for marketers managing Performance Max across multiple platforms. View the full article

If you’re considering starting or enlarging a business in New York, comprehending the available small business loan options is crucial. From SBA loans that provide substantial funding to more flexible solutions like lines of credit, each option has unique benefits customized to different needs. Knowing which loans suit your situation will help you make informed decisions. Let’s explore the top choices that could support your entrepreneurial path effectively. Key Takeaways SBA 7(a) Loans: Offer up to $5 million for business growth and have flexible repayment terms ranging from 10 to 25 years. SBA Microloan Program: Provides loans up to $50,000 with a quick application process, ideal for startups and small businesses. Business Lines of Credit: Access revolving credit up to $300,000, helping manage cash flow and cover unexpected expenses effectively. Pursuit Loans: Customized options for working capital and commercial real estate, tailored to meet diverse business needs. New York Forward Loan Fund 2: Offers loans up to $150,000 with flexible requirements, supporting local businesses in New York. Understanding Small Business Loans in New York When you’re looking to start or grow a business in New York, comprehending small business loans is imperative to accessing the capital you need. Small business loans in New York offer fundamental funding for various needs, like startup costs, working capital, and equipment purchases. The most common types include SBA loans, working capital loans, and lines of credit, which allow you to choose financing that fits your specific situation. To secure loans in NYC, you’ll need to prepare by identifying your loan purpose and checking your eligibility. Comparing lenders is significant, as funding decisions can take hours to weeks. Notable providers like TD Bank and Pursuit offer customized options and flexible repayment terms. Top Loan Options for New York Entrepreneurs New York entrepreneurs have access to a variety of loan options designed to meet their diverse business needs. You can start with SBA 7(a) loans, offering up to $5 million in flexible, low-rate financing for launching or growing your business. If you need smaller amounts, the SBA Microloan program provides up to $50,000 with a quick online application process. For more flexible borrowing, consider small business lines of credit, which allow you to access revolving credit up to $300,000, paying interest only on the amounts drawn. Pursuit also offers customized business loans for various needs like working capital and commercial real estate, available statewide. Furthermore, the New York Forward Loan Fund 2 provides loans up to $150,000, designed with flexible requirements to support local entrepreneurs. Each option serves specific business needs, ensuring you can find the right fit for your goals. Advantages of SBA Loans for Small Businesses When you consider SBA loans for your small business, you’ll find several advantages that can make a big difference. These loans offer flexible repayment terms and lower interest rates, which can ease your financial burden. Plus, with government backing, lenders are more willing to provide funds, giving you a better chance of securing the capital you need. Flexible Repayment Terms Flexible repayment terms are a significant advantage of SBA loans for small businesses, as they allow you to choose loan durations that best suit your financial situation, typically ranging from 10 to 25 years. You can tailor your repayment plans with options for monthly, quarterly, or annual payments, which helps accommodate your cash flow needs. For example, the SBA 7(a) loan program offers low-interest rates and longer repayment periods, easing financial management. Furthermore, some SBA loans permit deferment periods, giving you time to stabilize your operations before repayments begin. This flexibility improves budgeting and reduces financial strain during slower business cycles. Loan Type Duration Payment Frequency SBA 7(a) 10-25 years Monthly/Quarterly SBA Micro Up to 6 years Monthly CDC/504 10-25 years Monthly CAPLines 5-10 years Monthly Government Guarantee Benefits One of the key benefits of SBA loans is the government guarantee, which greatly reduces the risk for lenders and makes it easier for small businesses to obtain financing. This guarantee covers up to 85% of the loan amount for loans under $150,000, giving lenders confidence to approve applications, even from those with less than perfect credit. By facilitating access to financing, SBA loans enable you to secure higher amounts, up to $5 million for 7(a) loans, which can be critical for significant growth opportunities. Furthermore, these loans often come with flexible repayment terms, helping you manage your cash flow more effectively. This combination of support and flexibility makes SBA loans an attractive option for small business owners. Lower Interest Rates Lower interest rates are a significant advantage of SBA loans, making them an appealing choice for small businesses in need of financing. SBA loans often come with rates starting around 6% to 8%, which is lower than many conventional loans. The SBA 7(a) loan program can provide up to $5 million, allowing for flexible terms as it reduces overall borrowing costs. Since these loans are partially guaranteed by the government, lenders feel encouraged to offer better rates and repayment terms. Moreover, the SBA Express loan program facilitates loans up to $500,000 with quick approval and competitive rates, enhancing your cash flow management. With repayment terms extending up to 25 years for real estate, you can enjoy lower monthly payments and improved financial planning. Exploring Lines of Credit for Flexibility How can a line of credit improve your business’s financial flexibility? A line of credit functions like a credit card, allowing you to draw funds as needed and only pay interest on the amount you use. With limits up to $300,000, it offers excellent flexibility for various business needs. Manage cash flow effectively during slow seasons. Purchase inventory without depleting your cash reserves. Cover unexpected expenses quickly, thanks to fast approvals from lenders. Benefit from reduced fees or better rates if you have an active checking account with your lender. You can choose between secured and unsecured lines of credit, with secured options often providing lower interest rates owing to reduced risk for lenders. Many lenders, like TD, can approve your application within hours, ensuring you have immediate access to funds when you need them most. Fixed and Variable Rate Term Loans When considering fixed and variable rate term loans, it’s crucial to understand how each rate structure impacts your finances. Fixed rate loans provide stability with consistent payments, whereas variable rate loans may start lower but can fluctuate over time based on market conditions. Evaluating your cash flow and long-term goals will help you choose the right option for your business in New York. Rate Structures Explained Comprehending the different rate structures for small business loans is essential for making informed financial decisions. Fixed rate term loans offer a consistent interest rate throughout the loan’s duration, which makes your monthly payments predictable, aiding in budgeting. Conversely, variable rate term loans’ interest rates fluctuate based on market conditions, potentially resulting in lower initial payments but greater long-term risk. Fixed rates typically range from 5% to 10%, providing stability. Variable rates can start as low as 3%, but may rise based on index changes. Fixed loans are easier for budgeting, whereas variable loans may save money initially. Evaluate how each structure impacts your financial situation to select the best loan option. Choosing the Right Option Choosing the right option between fixed and variable rate term loans is crucial for your business’s financial health, as each has distinct advantages and risks. Fixed-rate term loans provide predictable monthly payments, which can simplify budgeting for small businesses in New York. Conversely, variable-rate term loans often start with lower interest rates, but your payments may fluctuate over time, impacting your cash flow based on market conditions. Many lenders, like TD Bank, offer both options, allowing you to align your choice with your financial strategy. Furthermore, the SBA 7(a) loan program typically features fixed rates, providing stability for long-term investments. Assess your financial situation, risk tolerance, and potential interest rate changes to make an informed decision. Unique Financing Solutions for Startups How can startups in New York find the right financing solutions to fuel their growth? You’ve got several unique options customized to meet your needs. The SBA Microloans can provide up to $50,000 with low-interest rates through an easy online application. Another choice is the New York Forward Loan Fund 2, offering up to $150,000 with flexible requirements particularly for startups. Pursuit’s SmartLoans allow you to secure up to $100,000, enhancing your growth potential. If you’re a veteran, specialized loan programs offer preferred rates to support your entrepreneurial path. Consider these options for your startup financing: SBA Microloans: Up to $50,000 with low-interest rates. New York Forward Loan Fund 2: Loans up to $150,000 with flexible terms. Pursuit SmartLoans: Access up to $100,000 for various business needs. Community Lending and CDFIs: Flexible qualifications for alternative financing. How to Prepare for the Loan Application Process Preparing for the loan application process is crucial for securing the funding your startup needs, as it impacts your chances of approval. Start by clearly identifying the loan’s purpose, whether it’s for startup costs, working capital, or equipment purchases, to align with lender requirements. Next, check the eligibility criteria for each loan type, as they can vary greatly based on factors like your time in business and credit score. Compare different lenders to find the best fit, considering interest rates, repayment terms, and any associated fees. Gather all necessary documentation in advance, such as business plans, financial statements, tax returns, and personal identification, to streamline your application. Finally, apply early to avoid financial crunches, as funding decisions can take anywhere from hours to weeks, depending on the lender’s process. By being well-prepared, you improve your chances of securing the loan you need to grow your business. TD Bank’s Small Business Loan Offerings When exploring financing options for your small business, TD Bank offers a range of loan products designed to meet various needs. Their offerings include SBA Express Term Loans up to $500,000 and SBA 7(a) loans reaching up to $5 million, catering to diverse requirements. Conventional and healthcare small business term loans are available up to $1 million. Qualified borrowers may benefit from fee waivers, including up to $2,500 off the SBA packaging fee. An online pre-qualification process simplifies your application experience, with funding decisions available in as little as two hours. Customers consistently report high satisfaction owing to TD Bank’s personalized support throughout the loan process. With flexible terms and a straightforward application process, TD Bank stands out as a viable option for small business owners looking to secure funding efficiently. Alternative Lending Options for Small Businesses Even though traditional lending options like those offered by TD Bank cater to many small business owners, alternative lending options likewise play a significant role in providing access to necessary funds. Here are some popular alternatives: Lending Option Description Best For Merchant Cash Advances Provides upfront capital based on future credit/debit card sales. Businesses with fluctuating revenue Invoice Factoring Allows businesses to sell unpaid invoices for immediate cash. Improving cash flow Business Lines of Credit Flexible borrowing up to a specified limit, with interest only on the amount used. Ongoing operational expenses Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) Offer loans with flexible criteria, targeting underserved markets. Small businesses in need Data-Driven Alternative Lenders Use factors beyond credit scores for approval, focusing on cash flow and performance. Accessible financing options These alternatives can help you secure funding when traditional methods may not fit your needs. Customer Experiences With Small Business Loans in New York Customer experiences with small business loans in New York reveal a setting where many entrepreneurs find efficient and user-friendly processes. Quick approval times are a standout feature, with some lenders offering approvals in less than two hours and same-day funding options. Customers appreciate the straightforward loan offers and the absence of pressure during applications, which promotes a more comfortable environment. Key insights include: Personalized assistance from loan officers contributes to high satisfaction ratings. Effective communication and problem-solving lead to repeat business. A diverse range of loan programs, such as SBA loans and Impact Loans, cater to various business needs. Positive feedback highlights the importance of transparency throughout the funding experience. These factors combine to create a positive lending experience, allowing you to focus more on growing your business rather than steering through complex financial processes. Frequently Asked Questions Which Bank Is Best for a Small Business Loan? Choosing the best bank for a small business loan depends on your specific needs and qualifications. Traditional banks like TD Bank offer various options, including SBA loans, whereas online lenders often promise quicker approval times and same-day funding. Pursuit provides customized loans for diverse funding needs. Consider eligibility criteria, such as your business’s age and credit score, to determine which lender aligns best with your financial situation and goals. What Is the Monthly Payment on a $50,000 Business Loan? The monthly payment on a $50,000 business loan varies based on the interest rate and loan term. For instance, at a 6% interest rate over five years, you’ll pay about $966 monthly. If you extend the term to ten years, the payment drops to around $555. Nevertheless, a higher interest rate of 10% over five years results in payments close to $1,065. Always consider additional fees, as these can affect your total payment. Can a New LLC Get a Small Business Loan? Yes, a new LLC can secure a small business loan, but you’ll likely need to meet specific requirements. Most lenders prefer that you’ve been in business for at least six months and have a solid business plan. Programs like the SBA 7(a) loan can offer considerable funding. Furthermore, demonstrating consistent monthly revenue of around $15,000 and maintaining an active business account can greatly improve your chances of getting approved. What Is the Easiest SBA Loan to Get Approved For? The easiest SBA loan to get approved for is usually the SBA Microloan, which provides up to $50,000 with a straightforward application process. If you need more funding, consider the SBA 7(a) loan, offering up to $5 million and flexible terms. To boost your chances of approval, keep a strong credit score above 500 and demonstrate consistent revenue, typically around $15,000 per month. Preparing necessary documentation is essential for a smoother application experience. Conclusion In summary, New York offers a diverse range of small business loan options, catering to various financial needs. From SBA 7(a) loans for larger investments to flexible lines of credit and alternative financing solutions, entrepreneurs can find suitable support. Comprehending the application process and preparing adequately can improve your chances of securing funding. By exploring these options, you can position your business for growth and success in a competitive market. Make informed decisions to meet your financial goals. Image via Google Gemini This article, "10 Best Small Business Loans in New York" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

If you’re considering starting or enlarging a business in New York, comprehending the available small business loan options is crucial. From SBA loans that provide substantial funding to more flexible solutions like lines of credit, each option has unique benefits customized to different needs. Knowing which loans suit your situation will help you make informed decisions. Let’s explore the top choices that could support your entrepreneurial path effectively. Key Takeaways SBA 7(a) Loans: Offer up to $5 million for business growth and have flexible repayment terms ranging from 10 to 25 years. SBA Microloan Program: Provides loans up to $50,000 with a quick application process, ideal for startups and small businesses. Business Lines of Credit: Access revolving credit up to $300,000, helping manage cash flow and cover unexpected expenses effectively. Pursuit Loans: Customized options for working capital and commercial real estate, tailored to meet diverse business needs. New York Forward Loan Fund 2: Offers loans up to $150,000 with flexible requirements, supporting local businesses in New York. Understanding Small Business Loans in New York When you’re looking to start or grow a business in New York, comprehending small business loans is imperative to accessing the capital you need. Small business loans in New York offer fundamental funding for various needs, like startup costs, working capital, and equipment purchases. The most common types include SBA loans, working capital loans, and lines of credit, which allow you to choose financing that fits your specific situation. To secure loans in NYC, you’ll need to prepare by identifying your loan purpose and checking your eligibility. Comparing lenders is significant, as funding decisions can take hours to weeks. Notable providers like TD Bank and Pursuit offer customized options and flexible repayment terms. Top Loan Options for New York Entrepreneurs New York entrepreneurs have access to a variety of loan options designed to meet their diverse business needs. You can start with SBA 7(a) loans, offering up to $5 million in flexible, low-rate financing for launching or growing your business. If you need smaller amounts, the SBA Microloan program provides up to $50,000 with a quick online application process. For more flexible borrowing, consider small business lines of credit, which allow you to access revolving credit up to $300,000, paying interest only on the amounts drawn. Pursuit also offers customized business loans for various needs like working capital and commercial real estate, available statewide. Furthermore, the New York Forward Loan Fund 2 provides loans up to $150,000, designed with flexible requirements to support local entrepreneurs. Each option serves specific business needs, ensuring you can find the right fit for your goals. Advantages of SBA Loans for Small Businesses When you consider SBA loans for your small business, you’ll find several advantages that can make a big difference. These loans offer flexible repayment terms and lower interest rates, which can ease your financial burden. Plus, with government backing, lenders are more willing to provide funds, giving you a better chance of securing the capital you need. Flexible Repayment Terms Flexible repayment terms are a significant advantage of SBA loans for small businesses, as they allow you to choose loan durations that best suit your financial situation, typically ranging from 10 to 25 years. You can tailor your repayment plans with options for monthly, quarterly, or annual payments, which helps accommodate your cash flow needs. For example, the SBA 7(a) loan program offers low-interest rates and longer repayment periods, easing financial management. Furthermore, some SBA loans permit deferment periods, giving you time to stabilize your operations before repayments begin. This flexibility improves budgeting and reduces financial strain during slower business cycles. Loan Type Duration Payment Frequency SBA 7(a) 10-25 years Monthly/Quarterly SBA Micro Up to 6 years Monthly CDC/504 10-25 years Monthly CAPLines 5-10 years Monthly Government Guarantee Benefits One of the key benefits of SBA loans is the government guarantee, which greatly reduces the risk for lenders and makes it easier for small businesses to obtain financing. This guarantee covers up to 85% of the loan amount for loans under $150,000, giving lenders confidence to approve applications, even from those with less than perfect credit. By facilitating access to financing, SBA loans enable you to secure higher amounts, up to $5 million for 7(a) loans, which can be critical for significant growth opportunities. Furthermore, these loans often come with flexible repayment terms, helping you manage your cash flow more effectively. This combination of support and flexibility makes SBA loans an attractive option for small business owners. Lower Interest Rates Lower interest rates are a significant advantage of SBA loans, making them an appealing choice for small businesses in need of financing. SBA loans often come with rates starting around 6% to 8%, which is lower than many conventional loans. The SBA 7(a) loan program can provide up to $5 million, allowing for flexible terms as it reduces overall borrowing costs. Since these loans are partially guaranteed by the government, lenders feel encouraged to offer better rates and repayment terms. Moreover, the SBA Express loan program facilitates loans up to $500,000 with quick approval and competitive rates, enhancing your cash flow management. With repayment terms extending up to 25 years for real estate, you can enjoy lower monthly payments and improved financial planning. Exploring Lines of Credit for Flexibility How can a line of credit improve your business’s financial flexibility? A line of credit functions like a credit card, allowing you to draw funds as needed and only pay interest on the amount you use. With limits up to $300,000, it offers excellent flexibility for various business needs. Manage cash flow effectively during slow seasons. Purchase inventory without depleting your cash reserves. Cover unexpected expenses quickly, thanks to fast approvals from lenders. Benefit from reduced fees or better rates if you have an active checking account with your lender. You can choose between secured and unsecured lines of credit, with secured options often providing lower interest rates owing to reduced risk for lenders. Many lenders, like TD, can approve your application within hours, ensuring you have immediate access to funds when you need them most. Fixed and Variable Rate Term Loans When considering fixed and variable rate term loans, it’s crucial to understand how each rate structure impacts your finances. Fixed rate loans provide stability with consistent payments, whereas variable rate loans may start lower but can fluctuate over time based on market conditions. Evaluating your cash flow and long-term goals will help you choose the right option for your business in New York. Rate Structures Explained Comprehending the different rate structures for small business loans is essential for making informed financial decisions. Fixed rate term loans offer a consistent interest rate throughout the loan’s duration, which makes your monthly payments predictable, aiding in budgeting. Conversely, variable rate term loans’ interest rates fluctuate based on market conditions, potentially resulting in lower initial payments but greater long-term risk. Fixed rates typically range from 5% to 10%, providing stability. Variable rates can start as low as 3%, but may rise based on index changes. Fixed loans are easier for budgeting, whereas variable loans may save money initially. Evaluate how each structure impacts your financial situation to select the best loan option. Choosing the Right Option Choosing the right option between fixed and variable rate term loans is crucial for your business’s financial health, as each has distinct advantages and risks. Fixed-rate term loans provide predictable monthly payments, which can simplify budgeting for small businesses in New York. Conversely, variable-rate term loans often start with lower interest rates, but your payments may fluctuate over time, impacting your cash flow based on market conditions. Many lenders, like TD Bank, offer both options, allowing you to align your choice with your financial strategy. Furthermore, the SBA 7(a) loan program typically features fixed rates, providing stability for long-term investments. Assess your financial situation, risk tolerance, and potential interest rate changes to make an informed decision. Unique Financing Solutions for Startups How can startups in New York find the right financing solutions to fuel their growth? You’ve got several unique options customized to meet your needs. The SBA Microloans can provide up to $50,000 with low-interest rates through an easy online application. Another choice is the New York Forward Loan Fund 2, offering up to $150,000 with flexible requirements particularly for startups. Pursuit’s SmartLoans allow you to secure up to $100,000, enhancing your growth potential. If you’re a veteran, specialized loan programs offer preferred rates to support your entrepreneurial path. Consider these options for your startup financing: SBA Microloans: Up to $50,000 with low-interest rates. New York Forward Loan Fund 2: Loans up to $150,000 with flexible terms. Pursuit SmartLoans: Access up to $100,000 for various business needs. Community Lending and CDFIs: Flexible qualifications for alternative financing. How to Prepare for the Loan Application Process Preparing for the loan application process is crucial for securing the funding your startup needs, as it impacts your chances of approval. Start by clearly identifying the loan’s purpose, whether it’s for startup costs, working capital, or equipment purchases, to align with lender requirements. Next, check the eligibility criteria for each loan type, as they can vary greatly based on factors like your time in business and credit score. Compare different lenders to find the best fit, considering interest rates, repayment terms, and any associated fees. Gather all necessary documentation in advance, such as business plans, financial statements, tax returns, and personal identification, to streamline your application. Finally, apply early to avoid financial crunches, as funding decisions can take anywhere from hours to weeks, depending on the lender’s process. By being well-prepared, you improve your chances of securing the loan you need to grow your business. TD Bank’s Small Business Loan Offerings When exploring financing options for your small business, TD Bank offers a range of loan products designed to meet various needs. Their offerings include SBA Express Term Loans up to $500,000 and SBA 7(a) loans reaching up to $5 million, catering to diverse requirements. Conventional and healthcare small business term loans are available up to $1 million. Qualified borrowers may benefit from fee waivers, including up to $2,500 off the SBA packaging fee. An online pre-qualification process simplifies your application experience, with funding decisions available in as little as two hours. Customers consistently report high satisfaction owing to TD Bank’s personalized support throughout the loan process. With flexible terms and a straightforward application process, TD Bank stands out as a viable option for small business owners looking to secure funding efficiently. Alternative Lending Options for Small Businesses Even though traditional lending options like those offered by TD Bank cater to many small business owners, alternative lending options likewise play a significant role in providing access to necessary funds. Here are some popular alternatives: Lending Option Description Best For Merchant Cash Advances Provides upfront capital based on future credit/debit card sales. Businesses with fluctuating revenue Invoice Factoring Allows businesses to sell unpaid invoices for immediate cash. Improving cash flow Business Lines of Credit Flexible borrowing up to a specified limit, with interest only on the amount used. Ongoing operational expenses Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) Offer loans with flexible criteria, targeting underserved markets. Small businesses in need Data-Driven Alternative Lenders Use factors beyond credit scores for approval, focusing on cash flow and performance. Accessible financing options These alternatives can help you secure funding when traditional methods may not fit your needs. Customer Experiences With Small Business Loans in New York Customer experiences with small business loans in New York reveal a setting where many entrepreneurs find efficient and user-friendly processes. Quick approval times are a standout feature, with some lenders offering approvals in less than two hours and same-day funding options. Customers appreciate the straightforward loan offers and the absence of pressure during applications, which promotes a more comfortable environment. Key insights include: Personalized assistance from loan officers contributes to high satisfaction ratings. Effective communication and problem-solving lead to repeat business. A diverse range of loan programs, such as SBA loans and Impact Loans, cater to various business needs. Positive feedback highlights the importance of transparency throughout the funding experience. These factors combine to create a positive lending experience, allowing you to focus more on growing your business rather than steering through complex financial processes. Frequently Asked Questions Which Bank Is Best for a Small Business Loan? Choosing the best bank for a small business loan depends on your specific needs and qualifications. Traditional banks like TD Bank offer various options, including SBA loans, whereas online lenders often promise quicker approval times and same-day funding. Pursuit provides customized loans for diverse funding needs. Consider eligibility criteria, such as your business’s age and credit score, to determine which lender aligns best with your financial situation and goals. What Is the Monthly Payment on a $50,000 Business Loan? The monthly payment on a $50,000 business loan varies based on the interest rate and loan term. For instance, at a 6% interest rate over five years, you’ll pay about $966 monthly. If you extend the term to ten years, the payment drops to around $555. Nevertheless, a higher interest rate of 10% over five years results in payments close to $1,065. Always consider additional fees, as these can affect your total payment. Can a New LLC Get a Small Business Loan? Yes, a new LLC can secure a small business loan, but you’ll likely need to meet specific requirements. Most lenders prefer that you’ve been in business for at least six months and have a solid business plan. Programs like the SBA 7(a) loan can offer considerable funding. Furthermore, demonstrating consistent monthly revenue of around $15,000 and maintaining an active business account can greatly improve your chances of getting approved. What Is the Easiest SBA Loan to Get Approved For? The easiest SBA loan to get approved for is usually the SBA Microloan, which provides up to $50,000 with a straightforward application process. If you need more funding, consider the SBA 7(a) loan, offering up to $5 million and flexible terms. To boost your chances of approval, keep a strong credit score above 500 and demonstrate consistent revenue, typically around $15,000 per month. Preparing necessary documentation is essential for a smoother application experience. Conclusion In summary, New York offers a diverse range of small business loan options, catering to various financial needs. From SBA 7(a) loans for larger investments to flexible lines of credit and alternative financing solutions, entrepreneurs can find suitable support. Comprehending the application process and preparing adequately can improve your chances of securing funding. By exploring these options, you can position your business for growth and success in a competitive market. Make informed decisions to meet your financial goals. Image via Google Gemini This article, "10 Best Small Business Loans in New York" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

If you're subscribed to Spotify, start checking your inbox. The music streaming service is sending emails to customers letting them know about yet another price hike coming next month. To Spotify's credit, the price hike is pretty minor. But starting on whatever your February billing date is, individual premium plans will jump from $11.99/month to $12.99/month, while student plans will go from $5.99/month to $6.99/month. More extensive plans will see a slightly more costly jump. The Duo plan, which gives premium access to two people at the same address, is going from $16.99/month to $18.99/month. The Family plan, which gives premium access to up to six people at the same address, will also see a $2 increase, now costing $21.99/month rather than $19.99/month. The price hikes are set to affect the U.S., Estonia, and Latvia, according to Spotify's announcement. The company's rationale for all this? According to the post, "occasional updates to pricing across our markets reflect the value that Spotify delivers." Truthfully, $1 to $2 does seem like a pretty minor change, but the update follows another U.S. price hike in 2024, where Individual plans went up by $1, Duo plans went up by $2, and Family plans went up by $3. And that came after a price hike in 2023, where the Individual, Student, and Family plans went up by $1, while the Duo plan went up by $2. Certain subscribers outside of the U.S. also saw their own price increases in 2025. I can't help but feel like a frog in a slowly boiling pot. The continual barrage of price hikes is a bit of a disappointment for subscribers who had gotten used to a steady price for Spotify since its U.S. launch in 2011, as the service went for 12 years before its first price change. If all these price hikes are starting to get to you, you might be able to get around them. If you can find one at a store near you, you can pay upfront for a discounted annual subscription using a Spotify gift card, although it won't apply to Spotify's Family or Student plans. Unfortunately, Spotify does not have an annual subscription plan available on its website. View the full article

Noodles & Company is set to close additional restaurants. In a January 12 press release, Noodles & Company announced plans to close between 30 and 35 restaurants in 2026, with the aim of improving financial health and profitability. As of December 30, 2025, the fast-casual noodle chain had 340 company-owned restaurants and 83 franchise restaurants. The eatery already reduced its footprint last year, when it closed 42 restaurants (33 were company-owned, and nine were franchise locations). “Decisions like this are made thoughtfully and with a long-term view of the business,” Joe Christina, CEO and president of Noodles & Company, shared in the company press release. “Our fourth quarter results reinforce that when we concentrate our resources on restaurants with the strongest opportunity to perform, Noodles can drive meaningful top-line growth. That performance gives us added confidence as we continue to refine our portfolio in 2026.” “These actions are intended to strengthen the overall health of the brand and our financial position, helping to ensure we are well-positioned for profitable growth and long-term value creation for our shareholders,” Christina continued. Retail and restaurant closures are becoming more common Noodles & Company isn’t the only company announcing closures. Unfortunately, it’s becoming more common. Last week, the fast-casual salad and wrap chain Salad & Go confirmed it would close 32 locations by January 11. The company shuttered 25 stores in Texas and seven in Oklahoma. As a result, Salad & Go no longer operates restaurants in either state. Macy’s has also continued to reduce its footprint. The department store announced it would close 150 “underproductive” stores by the end of January 2027. In a January 9 news release, Macy’s confirmed a list of 66 locations set to close, two of which have already closed. Video game retailer GameStop also plans to shutter more stores early this year. The company has not yet announced how many stores it will close in 2026. But in recent days, customers have taken to social media to share store closure signs. In its third-quarter earnings report on December 9, GameStop shared that it had closed 590 stores in the U.S. in the previous fiscal year. And after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in November 2025, American Signature is set to permanently close all Value City Furniture and American Signature Furniture stores. View the full article

Tensions remain high in the state following last week’s killing of a protester by a federal immigration agent View the full article

Satellite communications networks have proved resilient amid a crackdown. Amid growing protests and escalating violence in Iran, the country’s government has blocked access to domestic communications systems and imposed a nearly week-long internet blackout. But Starlink, the satellite internet service run by SpaceX, only uses personal terminals that connect to its constellation, and doesn’t rely on any regime-controlled infrastructure. As a result, technology has now become a lifeline, and one of the only ways people in Iran can bring their disturbing reality on the ground to the rest of the world. “The biggest part of the communication [in the country] is being handled by Starlink,” Amir Rashidi, the director of internet security and digital rights at the Miaan Group, an organization that’s been tracking the communications blackout in Iran, tells Fast Company. “Without the Starlink, you won’t see any of these videos, or you won’t receive any news.” Indeed, it is still incredibly difficult to ascertain firsthand information from inside Iran. Foreign reporters only have limited access to the country, and phone calls have also been restricted by the government. The full extent of the carnage is unclear, but some officials suspect thousands of people may already be dead. More may happen with Starlink in Iran in the coming days. SpaceX has now waived the initial Starlink subscription fee for users in Iran, and organizers have been sharing details on how to use the technology, as securely as possible, amid a brutal crackdown. President Donald The President said earlier this week he plans to communicate with Elon Musk about expanding service in the region. “The The President Administration is committed to helping to preserve and protect the free flow of information by the most effective means to the people of Iran in the face of the Iranian regime’s brutal repression,” a State Department spokesperson, declining to share more specifics, told Fast Company on Wednesday. SpaceX did not respond to a request for comment. The situation is a reminder that, in an emergency—and amid political upheaval—internet access can be a critical tool. Indeed, it’s easy to view Starlink as a fundamentally authoritarian-proof technology. But satellite internet, like any platform, isn’t completely immune from authoritarian intimidation. And while SpaceX is providing a critical service in the moment, the company, and Elon Musk, are private entities whose goals aren’t guaranteed to align with values of free speech, or even the foreign policy interests of the United States. “The fundamental issue is that the interests of Elon Musk are not the interests of the United States,” Gordon LaForge, a researcher at the think tank New America, tells Fast Company. “Sometimes they might be in alignment, but sometimes they won’t be.” Limited access Right now, even as protests overtake much of the country, only a small number of Iranians there have access to Starlink terminals, which are generally needed to connect to the country’s constellation of low-Earth satellites. This hardware can be difficult to come by. Iran doesn’t have authorized Starlink sellers, which means ordinary people need to find them on the black market, where they’re expensive, as Forbes previously reported several years ago. Right now, there just aren’t that many terminals overall, though reports indicate the number has grown recently. As of December 2022, Elon Musk had said there were around 100 terminals in the country. By the end of 2024, there were reportedly about 20,000 Iranian users, and there are possibly tens of thousands more there now, Rashidi says. Still, 90 million people live in Iran, which means most people won’t have Starlink anytime soon. But the Iranian government is also taking active steps to disrupt the service. The Iranian legislature passed a law banning Starlink last year, and people who use it face the risk of going to prison, or, potentially, the death penalty, if they’re accused of using the technology for espionage. Though the Iranian government has, in the past, complained about how easy it is to hide Starlink devices—some hardware can fit in a backpack—officials have also reportedly started scanning the country for signs of terminals, even using drones to hunt for dishes and terminals that might be installed on rooftops. Starlink might also be susceptible to jamming. The Iranian government appears to have partially interfered with the service, in some places, by jamming the GPS connection that Starlink relies on, and, in effect, reducing Starlink’s total capabilities. One Iranian internet access group, in a post on X, said they were able to collaborate with SpaceX on a software update that blunted the impact of this interference. Notably, these issues don’t seem to have taken Starlink completely offline, and Penn State professor Sascha Meinrath, who studies satellite constellation bandwidth, told Fast Company that this method may only work in “fairly constrained areas.” Rashidi, from the Miaan Group, likened the jamming to a nuisance. “It was like a fly sitting on your face or on your nose. You can easily move your hand and push the fly away,” he told Fast Company. “You feel uncomfortable, but that won’t kill you.” Still, this disruption may foreshadow future attempts by other governments to try to undercut Starlink service, and shows there are ways to undermine the service. Down the line, as SpaceX’s commercial infrastructure becomes increasingly enmeshed in U.S. national security and defense systems, there’s also an increasing incentive for foreign adversaries to investigate ways to take it down. Researchers in China have already studied ways to jam a service like Starlink with a swarm of drones. Who benefits? Starlink often becomes a key communication platform in places experiencing incredible political upheaval, including—most recently—in Ukraine, Gaza, and Venezuela. In emergencies, it might even help provide the service. SpaceX provided free terminals to Ukraine, and is providing free Starlink connections in Venezuela until next month. Internet access is critical for people on the ground, but they’re also geopolitical: These deals have further lubricated SpaceX’s relationship with the U.S. government, and, today, the company now holds myriad contracts with both civilian and defense agencies. The State Department is even actively promoting the Starlink service globally, particularly in Africa, as ProPublica reported last year. But while these deals might read through the lens of anti-authoritarianism, or internet freedom, they should primarily be understood as efforts to advance U.S. foreign policy interests, and the interests of SpaceX and Elon Musk, experts tell Fast Company. There’s always the risk that Musk, or SpaceX leadership, will switch off the service in order to effect a desired political outcome. In one critical example: a few years ago, Musk suddenly ordered the shutdown of the Starlink service in one contested area in Ukraine, leaving troops without communications and disrupting their counteroffensive, according to Reuters reporting last year. “Take Ukraine, where Starlink is indispensable to the Ukrainian military,” Gordon LaForge, a senior policy analyst at the liberal think tank New America, tells Fast Company. “When Musk threatened to withdraw Starlink, the Pentagon stepped in to pay for the service. And of course Musk personally attains a level of direct geopolitical influence that few other individual businesspersons or private citizens of any sort can achieve.” “SpaceX uses geopolitical conflicts to showcase its ability and the indispensability of its services for secure communications,” adds Joscha Abel, a researcher based at the University of Tübingen who has written about the service. “Tech corporations like SpaceX frequently align themselves with the geostrategic objectives of the U.S. government to earn profitable public contracts and see their technologies embedded in national security and military planning.” In other words, Starlink had been marketed to Ukraine as a liberatory technology that would help them in their fight against Russia, but depending on it ultimately subjected its troops to the political preferences of the company’s leadership. And while Musk has fashioned himself a free speech advocate, he has, in the past, taken steps to silence critics on his social media platform, X. Like many other leaders, he also has business ties in some authoritarian countries, places operating open platforms won’t always necessarily suit his business interests. “When an essential technological instrument of U.S. policy is in the hands of a private individual—and a mercurial one at that,” explains LaForge, “it increases the risk of policy capture and outcomes that are not in the public interest.” View the full article

Movies and TV shows are notorious for getting things wildly wrong about real-life jobs. What’s something ridiculous about your profession that you’ve seen in movies or on TV? Please share in the comments. The post what’s something ridiculous about your profession that you’ve seen in movies or on TV? appeared first on Ask a Manager. View the full article