News/Operations
Former ClickUP leader: Work sprawl is killing productivity, but here’s how AI can fix it
A few years ago, while serving as ClickUp's General Vice President of Solutions and Success, I found myself staring at a whiteboard, trying to map out how my teams actually got work done. What started as a simple organizational diagram quickly turned into a tangled web—lines connecting people, tools, and processes in every direction. It was a moment of clarity: our biggest challenge wasn't a lack of effort or talent. It was the invisible sprawl that made even simple projects feel overwhelming. If you've ever wondered why your team's best intentions get lost in the shuffle, or why progress feels...
read Sep 19, 2025AI data centers use 2.7M gallons of water daily, stressing North Carolina communities
A single AI data center could consume as much water as a small town, with industry estimates showing a 250-megawatt facility using about 2.7 million gallons daily or nearly a billion gallons annually. This massive water demand is raising critical questions for North Carolina communities about resource planning, climate resilience, and whether the economic benefits of data centers justify their environmental costs. What you should know: AI data centers require enormous amounts of water for cooling systems, and unlike other water users, much of this water is lost to evaporation rather than returned to the ecosystem. "It's a meaningful chunk...
read Sep 19, 2025GM prevented 75 factory shutdowns this year with impressive AI implementation
General Motors has developed a sophisticated AI system that predicted Hurricane Helene's impact on a key North Carolina supplier and helped the automaker avoid costly production shutdowns. The technology has already prevented at least 75 factory stoppages this year, demonstrating how artificial intelligence can transform supply chain resilience in an industry still recovering from pandemic-era disruptions. The big picture: GM's four-pronged AI system combines predictive modeling, real-time data analysis, and automated news scanning to monitor thousands of suppliers across multiple tiers, extending far beyond traditional first-tier partnerships. Why this matters: The automotive industry faced severe production halts from 2020-2023 due...
read Sep 19, 2025UAE’s e& enterprise triples Serbia’s data center capacity to 40MW
UAE technology group e& enterprise has signed a deal with Serbia to triple the Balkan country's data center capacity to 40 megawatts, marking the latest expansion in the Emirates' global AI infrastructure push. The agreement represents part of a broader strategy by UAE-backed firms to establish digital infrastructure across Europe as growth slows in their domestic markets. The big picture: The UAE is systematically building a global network of data centers and AI infrastructure through state-backed investment vehicles, with Serbia joining a growing list of European partnerships. Key details: The Serbian deal builds on a series of recent European expansions...
read Sep 18, 2025Korean tech giants move AI research to Silicon Valley amid work restrictions
Korean AI robotics companies are relocating their research operations to Silicon Valley to access top-tier talent, with Samsung, LG, and Hyundai establishing or expanding facilities in the region. This exodus reflects growing concerns about Korea's restrictive research environment, which industry experts say could undermine the government's ambitious goal to become a global leader in "physical AI" despite plans to invest $4.3 billion over five years. The talent exodus: Major Korean conglomerates are betting their robotics future on Silicon Valley expertise rather than domestic capabilities. Samsung Research America hired Kris Hauser, a University of Illinois professor with awards from IEEE and...
read Sep 17, 2025No Fortune 500 company will fully replace customer service agents with AI by 2028, claims report
A new Gartner report predicts that no Fortune 500 company will completely replace human customer service agents with AI by 2028, challenging widespread expectations about AI's rapid displacement of service jobs. The research also suggests that half of organizations currently planning to slash their workforce in favor of AI systems will abandon those plans by 2027, indicating that the current AI adoption surge may be experiencing bubble-like characteristics. What you should know: Human agents remain irreplaceable for handling complex customer interactions that require nuance and relationship-building skills.• While AI excels at routine tasks like collecting customer information and looking up...
read Sep 17, 2025Walmart’s 98% automated distribution centers use AI to cut food waste
Walmart has deployed AI-powered distribution centers across multiple states to optimize fresh food inventory management and reduce waste that erodes profit margins. The retail giant's automated facilities use machine learning algorithms to predict demand by analyzing external factors like weather patterns and sporting events, moving beyond traditional sales-based forecasting to create more strategic pricing and inventory decisions. What you should know: Walmart's high-tech distribution centers represent a significant shift from traditional inventory management to AI-driven supply chain optimization. Over the past four years, Walmart has constructed automated grocery distribution centers in California, South Carolina, and Texas that use robotics and...
read Sep 16, 2025Google cuts 200+ elite AI contractors amid unionization efforts
Google has laid off more than 200 contractors who work on improving its AI products, including Gemini and AI Overviews, in at least two rounds of cuts last month. The layoffs come amid an ongoing dispute over pay, working conditions, and alleged retaliation against workers attempting to unionize at outsourcing company GlobalLogic, which is owned by Hitachi. What you should know: These AI raters are highly skilled contractors responsible for training Google's chatbots and search features to provide more human-like responses. Most raters are required to have master's degrees or PhDs and include writers, teachers, and creative professionals who evaluate...
read Sep 12, 2025Lights, camera, robots! Shotoku unveils Swoop cranes to automate broadcast studios
Shotoku Broadcast Systems has unveiled its new Swoop robotic crane line at IBC2025, designed to replace manually operated cranes and jibs in studio environments. The launch represents a significant advancement in studio robotics, offering broadcasters enhanced creative possibilities and operational flexibility while integrating seamlessly with existing robotic camera systems. What you should know: The Swoop line launches with two models featuring different boom arm reaches and base options to match various production needs. Swoop 140 offers a 140 cm (4'7") boom arm reach, while Swoop 220 extends to 220 cm (7'3"). Both versions can be configured with either a SmartPed...
read Sep 12, 2025DroneDeploy reaches break-even, raises $15M for autonomous job sites
DroneDeploy, a company that specializes in capturing real-world data using drones, has reached break-even profitability and secured $15 million in strategic funding to accelerate its AI and robotics capabilities. This milestone allows the reality capture company to reinvest all earnings into product development, positioning it to lead the transformation of construction sites, inspections, and drone operations through autonomous technology. What you should know: The break-even achievement marks a turning point for DroneDeploy after a decade of growth, setting it apart from competitors who struggled after the overfunded 2021 cycle. CEO and cofounder Mike Winn explained that "reaching break-even means we've...
read Sep 11, 2025OpenSpace launches AI indoor positioning that cuts documentation time by 50%
OpenSpace has introduced an AI-powered auto-location service that provides real-time indoor positioning for smartphones on construction sites, eliminating the need for additional hardware like Bluetooth beacons. The technology addresses a longstanding pain point in construction workflows where GPS fails to work effectively indoors once buildings are enclosed, potentially transforming how contractors document and manage jobsite progress. How it works: OpenSpace's Spatial AI compares real-time sensor data from smartphones with maps generated from pre-existing 360° captures of indoor spaces on the platform. The system progressively refines location estimations even as jobsites change over time, using entirely software-based solutions rather than requiring...
read Sep 10, 2025RFK Jr. mandates ChatGPT for all HHS employees amid staff revolt
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has mandated that all Department of Health and Human Services employees begin using ChatGPT, according to an internal email sent Tuesday titled "AI Deployment." The directive comes amid significant backlash against Kennedy's leadership, with over 1,000 current and former HHS employees calling for his resignation in an open letter citing actions that "endanger the nation's health." What you should know: The ChatGPT deployment will be overseen by HHS's new Chief Information Officer Clark Minor, a former employee of Palantir, a data analytics company. Deputy Secretary Jim O'Neill sent the email stating that "artificial intelligence is beginning...
read Sep 10, 2025Custody bank BNY joins the 5% of companies seeing real AI ROI with internal tool
BNY, one of the world's largest custody banks, is among just 5% of companies seeing meaningful return on investment from artificial intelligence initiatives, according to the bank's Chief Information Officer. The company has developed an internal AI tool called "Eliza" and is working toward 100% employee adoption of AI technology, positioning itself as a leader in enterprise AI implementation. What you should know: BNY stands out in a crowded field where most companies struggle to demonstrate concrete AI ROI. Only 5% of organizations are currently seeing meaningful returns on their AI investments, according to Leigh-Ann Russell, BNY's Chief Information Officer...
read Sep 10, 2025Volkswagen invests $1.2B in AI to cut vehicle development time by 25%
Volkswagen has committed up to 1 billion euros (roughly $1.17 billion) to artificial intelligence investments by 2030, positioning AI as central to accelerating vehicle development and strengthening industrial operations. The German automaker expects efficiency gains and cost avoidance of up to 4 billion euros by 2035 from scalable AI deployment across its value chain, while aiming to cut vehicle development cycles to as little as 36 months—about 25% faster than current timelines. What you should know: Volkswagen already has more than 1,200 AI applications in use across its operations, with hundreds more under development. The company announced its AI investment...
read Sep 10, 2025The Big Rethink: Klarna CEO admits company shifted from AI cost-cutting after $15B IPO
Klarna's CEO Sebastian Siemiatkowski admitted the Swedish fintech company moved too aggressively with AI implementation, prioritizing cost-cutting over service improvements after raising $1.37 billion in its U.S. IPO. The admission comes as the buy-now-pay-later lender, valued at $15 billion, shifts its AI strategy toward enhancing customer and merchant experiences rather than simply reducing operational expenses. What you should know: Klarna has spent the last six months course-correcting its AI approach after recognizing it "over indexed" on cost reduction. The company cut its workforce from 5,000 to 3,800 employees last year, with AI chatbots handling customer queries that previously required 700...
read Sep 8, 2025AI cuts 3D movie conversion costs from $5M to pennies
3D cinema is experiencing a notable resurgence, with North American ticket sales jumping 34% year-over-year from May through July 2025, according to RealD's analysis of comScore data. The revival is being fueled by audience willingness to pay premium prices—averaging $18.51 for 3D tickets versus $14.51 for 2D—and emerging AI technology that could dramatically reduce conversion costs from $5 million to a fraction of that price. The numbers: Seven of the top ten new releases from May to July generated $222 million on 3D screens, representing 13% of all tickets sold during that period. Premium formats like RealD 3D, 4DX and...
read Sep 4, 2025Leaning into lean: Smarsh cuts support staff from 20 to 5 with Salesforce AI agents
Smarsh, a compliance and surveillance technology company serving over 6,200 customers including 18 of the top 20 global banks, has deployed Salesforce's Agentforce platform to power AI agents for customer support. The deployment represents a strategic shift for the company, which specializes in creating AI agents for compliance monitoring but is now leveraging Salesforce's expertise to enhance customer service operations while achieving significant efficiency gains. What you should know: Smarsh has implemented multiple AI agents through Salesforce Agentforce to automate various customer service functions, starting with knowledge base creation and expanding to customer-facing support. The company replaced its traditional customer-facing...
read Sep 4, 2025The ol’ standby: Companies hire freelancers to fix broken AI output they can’t use
Companies that initially replaced human workers with AI are now hiring freelancers to fix the subpar output generated by artificial intelligence systems. This emerging "slop fixer-upper" market spans creative fields, writing, and software development, revealing significant gaps in AI capabilities that require human intervention to address. What you should know: Freelancers across multiple industries are finding steady work correcting AI-generated content that companies can't use as-is. Lisa Carstens, a Spain-based illustrator, now spends much of her time fixing AI-generated logos with fuzzy lines and garbled text, sometimes requiring complete redraws that take longer than creating original designs. Freelance writer Kiesha...
read Sep 4, 2025MagicDoor raises $4.5M to automate property management for small landlords, petty bourgeois
MagicDoor, an AI-driven property management platform, has raised $4.5 million in seed funding led by Okapi Venture Capital and Shadow Ventures. The platform addresses a critical gap for small landlords and independent property managers who have been underserved by traditional software designed for large institutional portfolios, offering automated solutions for everything from listing vacancies to maintenance dispatching and tenant communication. What you should know: MagicDoor transforms property management into a unified, AI-powered experience that handles routine tasks automatically. The platform allows landlords to communicate their needs, then takes over by prioritizing requests, dispatching vendors, and keeping tenants informed in their...
read Sep 4, 2025OpenAI acquires Statsig for $1.1B to boost ChatGPT development
OpenAI has acquired product development startup Statsig for $1.1 billion, marking one of the company's largest acquisitions to date as it continues expanding ChatGPT's capabilities. The deal brings Statsig's A/B testing and real-time data analysis platform directly into OpenAI's operations, while Statsig CEO Vijaye Raji will join OpenAI as technology chief for the applications unit. What you should know: Statsig specializes in experimentation platforms that power A/B testing, feature flagging, and real-time decision-making for major companies. The Seattle-based startup was already working alongside OpenAI to test features and integrate real-time data into daily operations before the acquisition. "As part of...
read Sep 3, 2025Onboard or get off board: Coinbase CEO fires engineers who refused to use AI coding tools
Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong has mandated that all software engineers use AI coding tools like Cursor and Copilot, firing employees who failed to comply with the directive by a set deadline. The cryptocurrency exchange now generates approximately 33% of its code using AI and aims to reach 50% by the end of the quarter, while expanding AI adoption beyond engineering into decision-making processes across the company. What you should know: Armstrong took a direct approach to enforcing AI adoption, personally meeting with engineers who hadn't onboarded the required tools. Engineers who failed to use AI coding tools by the deadline...
read Sep 2, 2025Kiwis and clouds: AWS launches New Zealand region with NZ$7.5B investment
Amazon Web Services has officially launched its Asia Pacific (New Zealand) Region, allowing organizations to store data and run applications within the country for the first time. The infrastructure investment represents Amazon's largest commitment to New Zealand's digital economy, with plans to spend NZ$7.5 billion over 15 years while creating over 1,000 jobs annually and contributing an estimated NZ$10.8 billion to the country's GDP. What you should know: The new AWS region begins operations with three Availability Zones located in the Auckland area, each consisting of one or more data centers designed to improve redundancy and resilience. Organizations can now...
read Sep 2, 2025Salesforce cuts 4K support jobs as AI handles 50% of customer service
Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff revealed that the company has eliminated 4,000 customer support jobs this year after deploying AI agents to handle nearly half of all customer interactions. The workforce reduction, which cut the support team from 9,000 to 5,000 employees, demonstrates how AI automation is directly replacing human workers at one of San Francisco's largest private employers while allowing the company to reallocate resources to sales and growth areas. The big picture: Salesforce's AI transformation represents a concrete example of how enterprise automation is reshaping workforce dynamics in real time. AI agents now handle 50% of all customer conversations,...
read Sep 1, 2025Gatineau, Canada transit deploys $1M AI system to predict bus breakdowns by 2026
The Société de transport de l'Outaouais (STO), Gatineau's public transit authority, plans to deploy AI-powered sensors across its entire bus fleet by 2026 to monitor engine conditions and predict maintenance needs. The initiative, backed by a three-year, $1 million contract with Memphis-based Preteckt, aims to improve service reliability as the transit authority grapples with an aging fleet and operational challenges. What you should know: STO's predictive maintenance system will use real-time data collection and AI analysis to detect potential engine failures before they occur. Sensors will continuously monitor engine conditions and alert maintenance teams when vehicles are at risk of...
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