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Workers for Toyota in Brazil have overwhelmingly voted to approve a plan for temporary layoffs following storm damage to one of the company’s factories in Sao Paulo. The Porto Feliz factory, where engines are manufactured, suffered severe damage from heavy rain and winds, leading to a halt in production. The layoff plan, aimed at protecting jobs and incomes, is set to begin on October 21 after a 20-day emergency vacation period. The company is assessing the damage and expects it to be months before work can resume at the plant.

In the meantime, Toyota is exploring alternative engine suppliers from other countries to resume vehicle production at its other plants. The Metalworkers’ Union of Sorocaba and vicinity reported that over 96% of workers voted in favor of the layoff proposal, with a key negotiation ensuring full payment for employees earning up to 10,000 reais per month during the layoff period. This proactive response demonstrates a collaborative effort to navigate the challenges posed by the storm damage, prioritizing the well-being and financial security of the workforce.

South Korea has expressed its inability to pay $350 billion upfront as suggested by President Donald Trump for investment in the United States. Despite a handshake deal in July to lower US tariffs from 25% to 15%, South Korea clarified that the investment would be in the form of loans, loan guarantees, and equity, not a cash payment upfront. Seoul’s National Security Adviser emphasized that such a massive outlay could lead to a financial crisis for Asia’s fourth largest economy.

With South Korea unable to meet Trump’s upfront payment demand, discussions are ongoing to find alternative solutions. The deadlock in formalizing the trade deal stems from US demands for control over the funds. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung highlighted the risk to the economy without safeguards like a currency swap, raising concerns about plunging into a crisis. As both sides work towards finalizing the agreement, the upcoming APEC summit hosted by South Korea could be a crucial platform for resolving the impasse.

Anthropic, a $183 billion artificial intelligence startup, is making significant strides in its international expansion efforts. With a rapidly growing customer base exceeding 300,000 in just two years and a shift towards global demand, the company is tripling its international workforce and expanding its applied AI team fivefold in 2025. This move comes as nearly 80% of Anthropic’s activity now originates from outside the United States, with countries like South Korea, Australia, and Singapore exceeding U.S. adoption rates.

The company’s Chief Commercial Officer, Paul Smith, highlighted the unexpected success of Anthropic’s international growth, citing rapid adoption in sectors like life sciences and sovereign wealth management. With plans to recruit country leads in key global markets and establish new offices across Asia and Europe, Anthropic is positioning itself as a dominant player in the enterprise AI space. As competition in the industry intensifies, Anthropic’s focus on providing a pure-play AI experience with direct access to cutting-edge models like Claude Code sets it apart from traditional players like OpenAI, Microsoft, and Google.

Researchers at BetterUp Labs and Stanford Social Media Lab have identified a concerning trend in the workplace: workslop. This term refers to low-quality, AI-generated work content that appears to be productive but lacks the substance needed to advance tasks effectively. The insidious nature of workslop can be seen in the 95% of organizations that invest in AI but fail to see any return on that investment, as it often leads to more work for employees who must interpret, correct, or redo the content.

A recent survey of 1,150 U.S.-based employees revealed that 40% had experienced workslop in the past month, highlighting the widespread impact of this issue. To combat workslop, workplace leaders are urged to model thoughtful AI use and establish clear guidelines for acceptable use within their teams. By taking proactive steps to address workslop, organizations can ensure that AI technologies are used effectively to enhance productivity and drive innovation.

Renowned roboticist Rodney Brooks has a stark message for investors pouring billions into humanoid robot startups: it’s a fruitless endeavor. In a new essay, Brooks dissects the unrealistic approach of companies trying to train robots to mimic human dexterity through watching videos, highlighting the vast gap in touch data technology. He predicts that successful “humanoid” robots in the future will be vastly different from the current human-like models, featuring wheels, multiple arms, and specialized sensors.

Brooks’ skepticism extends to the realm of AI as well, debunking the myth of generative AI exceeding its capabilities and even potentially creating more work. Despite the buzz surrounding AI development, recent studies have shown that AI tools can actually slow down tasks, contrary to popular belief. With companies like Figure raking in billions in funding, Brooks warns of the dubious nature of these investments and advocates for a more realistic approach to robotics and AI development.

Jaguar Land Rover’s production shutdown due to a cyberattack is causing significant repercussions for businesses in Britain’s West Midlands region, with some already resorting to making redundancies or reducing staff hours. The luxury carmaker, owned by Tata Motors, has had to extend its shutdown until October, affecting the livelihoods of many in the area around Birmingham.

A survey of 84 businesses in the region revealed that the cyberattack had negatively impacted over three-quarters of them, with financial losses, reduced working hours, and job cuts being reported. The ripple effects of this event are being felt across the entire automotive supply chain, highlighting the interconnected nature of the industry in the West Midlands. Efforts are being made to provide financial support to the affected businesses, underscoring the importance of the region as a powerhouse of automotive production in the UK.

Southwest Airlines has agreed to pay $18.5 million to settle a class action lawsuit accusing the carrier of failing to provide paid leave to employees who took short-term military leave. This preliminary settlement, filed in San Francisco federal court, requires a judge’s approval. Employees alleged that Southwest denied pay for military leave of 14 days or fewer, despite providing compensation for other absences such as sick leave and jury duty.

The settlement will benefit around 2,791 eligible employees, who will receive an average of $4,421 after legal fees are deducted. Additionally, Southwest will offer up to 10 days of paid short-term military leave per calendar year from 2026 to 2030. The Dallas-based carrier denied any wrongdoing but opted to settle to avoid the risk and cost of litigation. This case echoes a similar settlement in 2019, where nearly 2,000 Southwest pilots were compensated for the same issue.