News

California Governor Gavin Newsom and state lawmakers have come to an agreement with rideshare companies Uber and Lyft to allow drivers to join a union and collectively bargain for better wages and benefits. This compromise represents a significant step in the ongoing battle between labor unions and tech companies, with the potential for more than 800,000 rideshare workers in California to join a union while still being classified as independent contractors.

The legislative package includes measures to reduce insurance requirements for accidents caused by underinsured drivers, ultimately lowering costs for passengers. This move towards collective bargaining rights for rideshare drivers highlights the importance of empowering workers and addressing key issues such as fair pay, basic protections, and benefits.

Following a deadly attack on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) headquarters in Atlanta by gunman Patrick Joseph White, the agency has informed staff that they are expected to return to offices by September 15. Despite the physical damage caused by the shooting, the CDC is working to provide alternative workspaces on its campus for employees whose offices remain impacted.

MongoDB, Pure Storage, Snowflake, and Autodesk all experienced significant stock gains as a result of the artificial intelligence boom. MongoDB’s stock closed out its best week ever, with a 44% rally, while Pure Storage and Snowflake saw impressive gains as well. The rise in stock prices for these companies is attributed to the increasing adoption of AI technologies in various industries.

The global online safety movement has led to the development of artificial intelligence-powered products aimed at protecting children from harmful content on the internet. In the U.K., the Online Safety Act mandates tech companies to safeguard children from age-inappropriate material, hate speech, bullying, fraud, and child sexual abuse material, with fines for non-compliance. Similarly, regulations in the U.S. are pushing for social media platforms to be accountable for protecting children online.

Taco Bell’s chief digital officer has revealed that the company is currently in discussions regarding the appropriate use of artificial intelligence (AI) in their drive-through operations. Despite successfully implementing AI-powered voice ordering at over 500 locations, there have been instances of customers trying to exploit the system with viral pranks.

Siemens CPO Klaus Staubitzer, in his recent LinkedIn post, says AI has finally shifted ‘from experiment to everyday’ in procurement.

Early AI “companions” failed due to poor data and immature tech. Today, cleaner data, smarter tools, and broader acceptance mean AI can deliver real value.

At the center is the digital buyer twin – an AI agent that automates routine tasks, learns from supplier data, and explains decisions in plain language. Unlike traditional automation, it adapts to context and helps humans focus on strategy.

Staubitzer’s message: companies must empower existing teams with AI, not replace them – and hesitating now risks falling behind.

Billionaire entrepreneur and investor Mark Cuban is shaking up the healthcare industry with Cost Plus Drugs, a new venture aimed at making prescription medications more affordable and transparent for consumers.

By pricing drugs based on cost rather than market demand, Cuban is disrupting the traditional pharmacy model and taking on pharmacy benefit managers who set opaque drug prices.

With a focus on transparency and affordability, Cuban’s approach is changing the game in an industry known for high prices and artificial shortages. By refusing to play by the rules and challenging established players in the industry, Cuban is setting a new standard for how drugs are priced and sold to consumers.