Tag: innovation

Amazon backs AI startup that lets you make TV shows

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What if you could write your own episode of a hit show without a crew or cameras, only a prompt? That’s exactly what a San Francisco startup called Fable is aiming to do with its new artificial intelligence platform, Showrunner.

Now it has Amazon’s backing through the Alexa Fund. While the exact amount of the investment hasn’t been disclosed, Amazon’s involvement signals growing interest in AI-powered entertainment. Fable describes Showrunner as the “Netflix of AI,” a place where anyone can type in a few words and instantly generate an episode.

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HOLLYWOOD TURNS TO AI TOOLS TO REWIRE MOVIE MAGIC

Fable’s Showrnunner harnesses the power of AI to generate new TV episodes without needing a full production crew. (iStock)

A new era of user-generated entertainment

Instead of passively watching shows, Showrunner invites users to co-create them. You can build an episode from scratch or jump into a world someone else started. It’s all done through text: just describe the scene or story, and the AI gets to work. The company officially launched with Exit Valley, a satirical, animated series set in a fictional tech hub called Sim Francisco. Think Family Guy, but aimed at Silicon Valley titans like Elon Musk and Sam Altman. It’s edgy, funny, and powered entirely by AI. If you’re curious, head to the Showrunner website, and you’ll be directed to their Discord server, where episodes are streamed, and new ones are made in real-time.

BILL MAHER BLASTS AI TECHNOLOGY FOR ‘A– KISSING’ ITS ‘EXTREMELY NEEDY’ HUMAN USERS

Amazon is backing the project through its Alexa Fund. (Chloe Collyer/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Backed by big tech, led by a VR veteran

Fable’s CEO, Edward Saatchi, has a history of pushing boundaries. Before launching Fable, he co-founded Oculus Story Studios, a division of Oculus VR acquired by Meta. His latest mission: turn Hollywood from a one-way broadcast into a two-way conversation.

“Hollywood streaming services are about to become two-way entertainment,” Saatchi told Variety. “Audiences will be able to make new episodes with a few words and become characters with a photo.”

That vision has already started to take shape. Fable previously released nine AI-generated South Park episodes that racked up more than 80 million views. Those episodes were made with the company’s proprietary AI engine, fine-tuned for animated storytelling.

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Fable’s Showrunner software will give everyday users the power to create their own animated TV episodes from their computer. (Oliver Berg/picture alliance via Getty Images)

Why animation comes first

Right now, Showrunner is focused entirely on animated content and that’s no accident. According to Saatchi, animation is far easier for AI to handle than photorealistic video. While tech giants like Meta, OpenAI, and Google are racing to create lifelike AI videos, Fable is avoiding that battleground. Instead, the startup wants to give everyday users the tools to become writers, directors, and even stars of their own shows. All it takes is a bit of imagination and a few lines of text.

What this means for you

Whether you’re a writer, a fan of animation, or just someone who’s curious about AI, this shift opens the door to a whole new kind of entertainment. You no longer need a Hollywood budget to tell a story. If you’ve got a creative idea, you can bring it to life instantly, and share it with a community that’s doing the same. Showrunner gives you the power to shape pop culture, not just consume it. You could even remix existing episodes or jump into an AI-generated world with your own twist.

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Kurt’s key takeaways

Amazon’s support of Fable shows that generative AI appears to be the next evolution in how we create and experience entertainment. Tools like Showrunner are turning viewers into creators, and what we consider a “TV show” might soon be as personal as a playlist.

If you could make your own animated series with a single prompt, what story would you tell? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com/Contact

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Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

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September 12, 2025
I Founded a $1.5 Billion Business. Here’s My Success Secret. | Entrepreneur

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This as-told-to story is based on a conversation with Shanaz Hemmati, COO and co-founder of ZenBusiness, a $1.5 billion company that provides an all-in-one platform helping small businesses become official, stay compliant, manage finances and more. Her co-founder is Ross Buhrdorf, who serves as CEO. The piece has been edited for length and clarity.

^{Image Credit: Courtesy of ZenBusiness. Co-founder and COO Shanaz Hemmati.}

I always had an entrepreneurial spirit, but I never really thought about going off and starting my own business.

At the University of Texas at Austin, I studied computer engineering, starting with hardware design before pivoting to software engineering. I truly love technology, and especially software engineering, because you’re coding to solve problems — I still love solving problems.

Related: This Mom’s Creative Side Hustle Started As a Hobby With Less Than $100 — Then Grew Into a Business Averaging $570,000 a Month: ‘It’s Crazy’

My husband’s an entrepreneur who’s always had his own businesses. He’d encourage me to start my own business, but I was too concerned. Sometimes women can think too hard about doing something; that’s what held me back from becoming an entrepreneur.

For women in male-dominated fields, it’s important to seek out mentors who can help you from their experience, even if their journey looked different from yours. You can bounce ideas off them and ask them questions. Mentorship pushes you, but it also gives you assurance and confidence.

Over the course of my career, I learned so much, which helped me when I made the leap to founder.

“Small businesses are what keep the economy growing.”

I first met my ZenBusiness co-founder Ross Buhrdorf when we worked at Excite.com, a web portal company founded in 1994. Several years later, I joined HomeAway, a vacation rental marketplace, where I stayed for 11 years until the company was acquired by Expedia.

Later on, Ross and I met up for coffee, and he started talking about this idea of building something to help entrepreneurs and people who are starting small businesses. I was intrigued and excited. I’d always been passionate about that category in the market: Small businesses are what keep the economy growing and going.

Related: I Walked Away From a Corporate Career to Start My Own Small Business — Here’s Why You Should Do the Same

So Ross and I founded ZenBusiness in 2017.

When it comes to a fast-growing company like ours, we have so many things on our to-do list, but we don’t always have the resources to get them done at the same time, so we have to prioritize.

AI has been one of those priorities. Everybody in business should be using it these days. It’s a great tool that saves time once you get employees on board and using it based on their role and function. Our personalized AI assistant, ZenBusiness Velo, is included with every LLC formation and helps entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses.

Related: Two-Thirds of Small Businesses Are Already Using AI — Here’s How to Get Even More Out of It

“It all comes down to this — people are at the center of any great company.”

For a long time, I’ve had this mantra that’s helped me succeed as a business leader: Be fearless, be ethical, be passionate.

Being fearless means recognizing that nothing is ever going to be perfect, but you just do it anyway. Being ethical means always being honest, to yourself, to your co-workers, to anyone. And being passionate is everything. Loving your work and doing the best job possible will help you progress in your career and build your business.

It all comes down to this — people are at the center of any great company. Anything you do is all about people, whether they’re employees, customers or the community.

ZenBusiness puts this rule into action by hearing and supporting its employees.

For example, we became an early adopter of remote work. The company sent employees home when the pandemic hit, but as we continued to grow and hire more people, we listened to employees who said that they preferred working from home. Remote work gave them the chance to spend time with their families, cut down on commute hours and be more productive.

Related: A CEO Who Runs a Fully Remote Company Has an Unusual Take on Employees Starting Side Hustles: ‘We Have to Be Honest With Ourselves’

“Maybe you launch as a side hustle to test it out.”

All aspiring entrepreneurs should avoid the pitfall of thinking about a business idea for too long before they take action: Do it sooner rather than later.

You don’t have to drop everything else you’re working on to start. Maybe you launch as a side hustle to test it out. Talk to the people you’re trying to solve a pain point for because those conversations will give you a lot of information.

Every day, you’re learning something new, and being able to pivot fast can be the difference between driving your business in the right direction or not. There are always going to be surprises along the way. So remember, it’s all about the people who are around you — it’s all about the people you bring in to help you go through your business journey.

This article is part of our ongoing Women Entrepreneur® series highlighting the stories, challenges and triumphs of running a business as a woman.

This as-told-to story is based on a conversation with Shanaz Hemmati, COO and co-founder of ZenBusiness, a $1.5 billion company that provides an all-in-one platform helping small businesses become official, stay compliant, manage finances and more. Her co-founder is Ross Buhrdorf, who serves as CEO. The piece has been edited for length and clarity.

^{Image Credit: Courtesy of ZenBusiness. Co-founder and COO Shanaz Hemmati.}

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Amanda Breen

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September 11, 2025
How a Mom’s Garage Side Hustle Hit $1 Billion Revenue | Entrepreneur

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This Side Hustle Spotlight Q&A features Sandra Oh Lin, 50, of Los Altos, California. She is the founder and CEO of KiwiCo, a company that provides educational activities for kids meant to spark creativity and problem-solving through hands-on play. Responses have been edited for length and clarity.

^{Image Credit: Courtesy of KiwiCo. Sandra Oh Lin.}

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What was your day job or primary occupation when you started your side hustle?
I had just stepped away from seven years at eBay Inc., where I had launched PayPal Mobile and led the eBay fashion business. I was working on a new fashion-related startup idea before I ended up starting KiwiCo in 2011.

Where did you find the inspiration for the side hustle?
When my kids were younger, I tried to find ways for them to exercise their creativity and put their problem-solving skills to work. I wanted them to grow up to feel like they could envision and better the world around them. As an engineer by training, I saw creating and building through hands-on activities as a way to explore, discover and build creative confidence. At the same time, I was drawing on my own childhood — I have such fond memories of making and building things with my mom while I was growing up.

Related: After College, She Spent $800 to Start a Side Hustle That Became a ‘Monster’ Business Making $35 Million a Year: ‘I Set Intense Sales Targets’

What were some of the first steps you took to get your side hustle off the ground? How much money/investment did it take to launch?
I started by creating hands-on projects for my kids. Then, I started to share them with friends and family during playdates. The parents and kids were so enthusiastic about the activities that it gave me the confidence to take it further. I laid the groundwork to see if there was a market for a real business. Then, I leveraged my network to start conversations with investors. We raised a little more than $10 million in venture funding. From there, we were able to become profitable and cash flow positive — and fund our own growth.

^{Image Credit: Courtesy of KiwiCo}

Are there any free or paid resources that have been especially helpful for you in starting and running this business?
I had a strong background in product design (having worked in R&D at Procter & Gamble) and ecommerce (from time at PayPal and eBay). Yet, I didn’t have any direct experience with fulfillment, supply chain and operations. I had a lot to learn. So I made a conscious effort to surround myself with people who were true experts. One example is Mike Smith, who was the COO of Walmart. He provided invaluable guidance, and he even helped interview our VP of operations candidates when we were hiring. Advisors like Mike were so helpful to us at that time.

If you could go back in your business journey and change one process or approach, what would it be, and how do you wish you’d done it differently?
I had always heard people say that a strong culture is so important to define and cultivate when you build a company. That way, you can point to and reinforce the behavior and values that align. While I was able to grok that academically, I put it aside when I should have addressed it earlier. As a result, some of our hiring was off in the beginning, and we had to course correct, which was costly. It would have been helpful to have put the framework into place from the beginning.

When it comes to this specific business, what is something you’ve found particularly challenging and/or surprising that people who get into this type of work should be prepared for, but likely aren’t?
During the pandemic, one of our toughest challenges was sourcing enough supplies to keep up with surging demand. In the years since, we’ve seen our fair share of ups and downs on that front, but one thing has remained constant: the importance of strong, trusted relationships with our suppliers. They’ve been incredible partners through it all, and those collaborations have been key to helping us navigate post-pandemic growth with resilience and adaptability.

Related: This Mom’s Creative Side Hustle Started As a Hobby With Less Than $100 — Then Grew Into a Business Averaging $570,000 a Month: ‘It’s Crazy’

Can you recall a specific instance when something went very wrong? How did you fix it?
I’ll never forget our very first alpha shipment. We had just 19 crates to send out, and it took a team of five of us the entire day to get them boxed and shipped. By the end, we were exhausted and looking at each other like, There has to be a better way. It was a wake-up call that we needed better systems and processes for fulfillment if we were going to scale. We figured it out along the way, but that moment sticks with me as a reminder of how far we’ve come.

^{Image Credit: Courtesy of KiwiCo}

How long did it take you to see consistent monthly revenue?
With our core business being subscription-based, we’ve seen consistent monthly revenue from the beginning. KiwiCo has been profitable and self-funded for many years now. What started in my garage has grown into a company that has shipped more than 50 million crates to families in over 40 countries and created more than 1,500 hands-on products and activities. It’s amazing to see how far we’ve come, while still staying true to the heart of why we started: sparking creativity and confidence in kids everywhere.

What does growth and revenue look like now?
To date, KiwiCo has generated more than $1 billion in lifetime revenue. This is something I’m incredibly proud of, not just because of the number itself, but because it represents millions of moments of creativity and discovery for kids and families. Additionally, we launched in Target and Barnes & Noble this past year as part of building our wholesale channels.

Related: He Spent $36 to Start a Side Hustle. Now the Business Earns 6 Figures a Year — With Just 1-2 Hours of Work a Day: ‘Freedom.’

What do you enjoy most about running this business?
One of my favorite parts of this journey is that my kids not only understand what I do for work but also are involved in helping shape KiwiCo’s products. My kids were the original source of inspiration for the company, and they continue to be critical testers of our products to ensure we’re creating the best hands-on activities for kids to discover and unleash their creativity and explore as they learn about the world around them.

^{Image Credit: Courtesy of KiwiCo}

What is your best piece of specific, actionable business advice?
Finding a community of founders can be so helpful. Sharing the challenges and the opportunities that come from building a business with others who are in the same boat can be so valuable. You can gather everything from tangible, actionable advice to empathetic ears that have been there and done that.

This Side Hustle Spotlight Q&A features Sandra Oh Lin, 50, of Los Altos, California. She is the founder and CEO of KiwiCo, a company that provides educational activities for kids meant to spark creativity and problem-solving through hands-on play. Responses have been edited for length and clarity.

^{Image Credit: Courtesy of KiwiCo. Sandra Oh Lin.}

The rest of this article is locked.

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Amanda Breen

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September 10, 2025
Taylor Swift and Amazon’s ‘Antifragile’ Secret to Business Success | Entrepreneur

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If you’ve had internet access since 2005, you’re familiar with Taylor Swift.

^{Image Credit: Gilbert Flores | Getty Images}

The superstar musician is the most-streamed artist in the world. She is the first to win album of the year at the Grammy Awards four times. Her Eras Tour generated more than $2 billion in ticket sales. And she has a net worth of $1.6 billion.

She also has something valuable in common with Amazon, the Jeff Bezos-founded ecommerce giant that boasts a $2.5 trillion market capitalization.

Related: Don’t ‘Shake Off’ These 5 Business, Brand and Legal Lessons From Taylor Swift

Aside from Swift and Amazon’s status as two of the most successful brands in the world, the pair shares a rare trait that’s helped them get there, according to former strategist at Harvard Business School Sinéad O’Sullivan.

In her new book, Good Ideas and Power Moves: Ten Lessons for Success From Taylor Swift, O’Sullivan claims that Taylor Swift and Amazon have both reached the pinnacles of their respective industries by being “antifragile.”

“In an increasingly complex and seemingly random world, some systems perform better in chaos than others.”

The concept of “antifragility” relates to a field of physics called chaos theory. Lebanese American scholar of math and financial markets Nassim Taleb coined the term after noticing a peculiar event unfolding in systems and organizations across a wide range of fields, from biology to urban development, healthcare and more.

“What he saw was that in an increasingly complex and seemingly random world, some systems perform better in chaos than others,” O’Sullivan writes.

Essentially, antifragility flouts the human desire for stability and instinct to fear what’s different or unstable.

“The idea of antifragility goes far beyond saying that uncertainty doesn’t have to be bad,” O’Sullivan explains. “It actually says that uncertainty is good. Antifragility isn’t just about surviving chaos; it’s about flourishing in it. It’s about flipping the script and turning adversity into opportunity, uncertainty into innovation and chaos into creativity.”

Related: Embracing Antifragility — How to Leverage Uncertainty, Volatility and Stress for Unprecedented Growth and Innovation

The immune system and winemaking serve as real-life examples of antifragility at work, O’Sullivan notes. A strong immune system has been exposed to pathogens and can better ward off future threats. Great wine often comes from vines under stress because they grow smaller grapes with more concentrated flavor.

“Amazon’s business actually gets stronger because the volatility wipes out its competitors.”

The pandemic helped reveal which companies were antifragile, too — those that didn’t have to wait for share prices to recover because they’d never really fallen in the first place, according to O’Sullivan. As many major retailers struggled to stock their shelves, Amazon maintained total control over its supply chain and saw its online business soar.

“At Amazon, there is no single point of failure that would prevent toilet paper from being passed from millions of available sellers to millions of eagerly awaiting buyers,” O’Sullivan says. “Amazon’s business actually gets stronger because the volatility wipes out its competitors.”

Likewise, Swift has demonstrated remarkable antifragility while building her business over the years. O’Sullivan cites four career moments when Swift took a “destructive” path that weakened the competition and strengthened her brand:

1. In 2014, Swift withdrew her music from Spotify, the fastest-growing music streaming platform at that time, because she believed its compensation model for artists devalued their work.

Why wasn’t the move “fatal,” as many industry experts assumed it would be? The “friendship first” and “music later” relationship she has with her fans plays an important role, according to O’Sullivan.

“Taylor Swift can be compared to a Rolex watch, not a Swatch,” O’Sullivan writes. “The harder it is for people to access her music, the more they crave her and are willing to follow her. By withdrawing her music, Taylor Swift became what is known as a ‘Veblen’ or a ‘luxury’ good.”

When Swift left Spotify, her music was in the playlists of more than 19 million users; the week she returned in 2017, she hit nearly 48 million streams.

Related: 3 Lessons for Entrepreneurs From Spotify, Which Won Over Taylor Swift and Just Made its Billion-Dollar IPO

2. Swift isn’t afraid to “beef” with other musicians and celebrities — like Kanye West after he told her on stage at the 2009 MTV Music Video Awards that “Beyonce had the best video of all time.”

“The more Kanye West beat down Taylor Swift, the stronger her fan base rallied around her, leading to extravagantly higher levels of emotional connection between Taylor and her fans within the Swiftverse,” O’Sullivan says.

O’Sullivan adds that “at least from the outside, Taylor never starts the fights,” which also tends to fit within three main growth-fueling “vibes”: “powerful men taking advantage of less powerful women,” “women who are bitchy and unkind” and “being on the right side of history.”

Related: 7 Business Feuds With More Beef Than Kanye vs. Taylor

3. During the pandemic, Swift released not one but two surprise albums despite marketing limitations amid lockdowns and industry precedents.

“When everybody else was fumbling to get a handle on their life, how was Taylor Swift able to Amazon herself?” O’Sullivan writes. “Well, most of it comes down to the fact that, like Amazon, she has spent her entire career creating, buying and owning her own ‘value chain,’ or the different parts of the music industry that she needs to engage with to release music.”

The Swiftverse is “one hell of a strategic asset,” O’Sullivan notes — and kept her able to deliver core products into the market.

Related: ‘Historically Unprecedented Demand’: Taylor Swift Fans Caused Ticketmaster’s Site To Crash Over 5000 Times

4. Finally, Swift rerecorded her albums after Big Machine Label Group was sold to Scooter Braun‘s Ithaca Holdings.

Some industry leaders considered the lengthy and expensive move one that “would suck the oxygen out of her career” — but because Swift is antifragile, the opposite proved true, O’Sullivan says.

“As Taylor and Amazon both show us, [during a crisis] is exactly when their stock is going to rise,” O’Sullivan writes. “Investors who pay hundreds of millions of dollars to try to own what they think is Taylor Swift’s ‘core product’ (music) simply don’t understand her empire as well as she understands it.”

Related: Taylor Swift Just Made a Surprise Announcement, Revealing the Marketing Genius Behind Her $1.5 Billion Fortune

Going forward, business and strategy leaders who successfully lead through chaos will all be building antifragile organizations — Swift just happens to be ahead of the game, O’Sullivan says.

What’s more, as beneficial as antifragility is, O’Sullivan acknowledges that adopting it isn’t easy. It requires embracing uncertainty and volatility, building resilience and accepting “weird and bad things.”

O’Sullivan’s Good Ideas and Power Moves offers other takeaways from Swift’s career that entrepreneurs and business leaders might find applicable to their own, including how to be a unicorn, have a strategy and stick to it, build a world instead of products, negotiate with authenticity and more.

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Amanda Breen

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September 9, 2025
Why the Future of Finance Won’t Be Built on Innovation Alone | Entrepreneur

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Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Technologies such as artificial intelligence and blockchain are transforming business, governance and everyday life. Yet even while fintech startups continue to grow, their reach is still overshadowed by the global footprint of established financial institutions. That’s because innovation on its own isn’t enough to scale.

A new paradigm has emerged: collaboration, where interconnectedness is taking center stage. The implementation of new, disruptive technologies requires building dynamic, highly integrated ecosystems made possible by partnerships fueled by collaboration.

The definition of success is shifting. Once, it was enough to launch a unique product. Today, especially in industries such as blockchain and virtual assets, isolated solutions often fall short. Real success comes from being part of a larger ecosystem, where startups, institutions and regulators combine their strengths to accelerate adoption, scale faster and establish trust across markets.

Related: How Strategic Partnerships Catapulted My Business to 200% Growth — and How They Can Help You, Too.

The case for a networked mindset

Innovation thrives when diverse players come together, and integrated ecosystems can amplify this effect. To scale disruptive technologies like blockchain and AI, entrepreneurs must learn to build together, co-creating with regulators, pooling infrastructure with competitors and building trust with institutions.

No company can scale in isolation. Partners, whether distribution channels, liquidity providers or trusted institutions, are crucial for transitioning from concept to mass adoption. Just as importantly, organizations that bring regulators and institutions into the process early gain a significant advantage. By co-creating with policymakers and aligning with market standards, entrepreneurs not only accelerate approvals but also distinguish themselves as builders of trust, the ultimate currency in industries where credibility is essential.

Leverage networks, not just capital

Traditionally, financial institutions raced to outpace their competitors. But virtual assets operate differently: Technologies like blockchain depend on shared standards and infrastructure. Tokenized securities, for example, require common frameworks for custody, compliance and settlement. Here, competing harder matters less than collaborating smarter. The entrepreneurs who will thrive are the ones who see that the future of finance, and business at large, can only be built together.

In my own experience, even something as complex as obtaining a regulatory license, a process that can take years, can be dramatically accelerated by partnering with specialists. With the right expertise and network, what could take years can be streamlined into months, proving that collaboration isn’t just valuable, but also transformative.

Related: How Collaboration Can Help Drive Growth and Propel Your Business to New Heights

Think like an industry builder

Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg once said, “Move fast and break things.” The motto encouraged agility and captured the spirit of disruption: Launch first, ask questions later. But what may have worked in the early days of social media is far less sustainable in industries where the stakes are higher. Today’s technologies involve finance and governance, and they challenge systems that have remained unchanged for decades. In these spaces, collaboration becomes essential. Entrepreneurs who want to build with lasting impact must align with regulators, institutions and even competitors to create trusted, scalable and resilient systems.

Research shows that companies engaged in close inter-firm partnerships experience significantly stronger outcomes in innovation. When JPMorgan wanted to test the tokenization of investment portfolios, it didn’t do it alone. It partnered with Apollo, Axelar, Oasis Pro and Provenance Blockchain as part of Singapore’s Project Guardian. The result was Crescendo, a prototype that proved tokenized assets could be managed seamlessly across blockchains. Examples like Project Guardian prove that when multiple players align, entire markets move forward. To make collaboration scalable, industries need permanent frameworks, a principle first captured in Henry Chesbrough’s concept of “open innovation.”

The chamber model

The concept of “open innovation,” coined by Henry Chesbrough of UC Berkeley, argued that companies should not solely rely on internal R&D but instead share ideas, technologies and resources across boundaries. In finance and virtual assets, this principle is evolving into structured collaboration.

Regulatory sandboxes in the UK and Singapore have already shown how powerful these models can be: Startups involved were more likely to raise funding and survive long term. But sandboxes are temporary. What industries need now are permanent, neutral structures that turn collaboration into a repeatable advantage.

Just as chambers of commerce once accelerated global trade, new chambers in finance and virtual assets are emerging as convening spaces where startups, regulators and institutions align on shared standards. These platforms have already supported multibillion-dollar projects, such as gold-backed securities, by bringing issuers, regulators and institutional investors under a common framework.

Related: Not Tech but Collaborations to Be the Next Big Thing for Fintech Industry

For emerging platforms, joining a chamber provides more than credibility; it creates immediate access to capital allocators, regulatory advisors and tokenization partners. As these chambers interconnect globally, they form a unified voice capable of shaping international policy, driving market confidence and speeding adoption worldwide.

Finance has always been global, and so has collaboration. Chambers give entrepreneurs a seat at the same table as regulators and institutions. In a market defined by speed and credibility, those who embrace collaboration not as a concession but as a growth strategy will be the ones who shape the future of finance.

Technologies such as artificial intelligence and blockchain are transforming business, governance and everyday life. Yet even while fintech startups continue to grow, their reach is still overshadowed by the global footprint of established financial institutions. That’s because innovation on its own isn’t enough to scale.

A new paradigm has emerged: collaboration, where interconnectedness is taking center stage. The implementation of new, disruptive technologies requires building dynamic, highly integrated ecosystems made possible by partnerships fueled by collaboration.

The definition of success is shifting. Once, it was enough to launch a unique product. Today, especially in industries such as blockchain and virtual assets, isolated solutions often fall short. Real success comes from being part of a larger ecosystem, where startups, institutions and regulators combine their strengths to accelerate adoption, scale faster and establish trust across markets.

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Farbod Sadeghian

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September 8, 2025
Home From College: Jobs for Young Adults Without Work Experience | Entrepreneur

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Julia Haber, the 29-year-old co-founder of career platform Home From College, was a student at Syracuse University when she started her first business: an experiential marketing agency that brought retail pop-ups to college campuses and worked with brands like Shopify to teach students about entrepreneurship.

^{Image Credit: Courtesy of Home From College. Julia Haber.}

The experience gave Haber valuable insight into what the career landscape looks like for Gen Z — and just how much it had changed over the past six-plus years.

“ This next generation is constantly looking for ways to figure out who they are by doing things,” Haber tells Entrepreneur, “and because it’s such a socially native generation, we see all these people online making money in different ways. This next gen really wants to work with brands they love as well and admire, and it’s a blend of this consumer meets career.”

Related: Gen Z Is Redefining the Workplace — and Companies Must Adapt or Face Losing Talent

Recognizing that many students graduate without knowing what they want to do with their lives — and often with significant debt — Haber wanted to help them build “multi-hyphenate” careers early on.

So Haber launched the Los Angeles-based startup Home From College in 2021 alongside co-founder Kaj Zandvliet, a former banker at PineBridge Investments and financial analyst at Sony Music Entertainment.

“We position ourselves as the translator between companies and college students.”

Home From College provides students with an opportunity to earn their first dollars and work with the brands they love in a “flexible, student-first” environment.

To that end, Home From College only hosts paid job opportunities, 90% of which are remote. Companies can create an account on the platform and list their “gigs,” which could be anything from a one-day project to a lengthier brand ambassador program. Students and recent graduates create their own accounts on the platform and apply for the gigs that interest them — no prior work experience required.

Home From College is free for students to use. The platform offers four subscription tiers for companies, starting at $49 per month, plus a 20% fee on student compensation. All payments take place on the platform via Stripe.

Related: Why Gen Z Is Ditching the Corner Office Dream — and How Businesses Can Adapt

Students typically earn about $30 an hour, and the average ambassador program pays students roughly $1,000 a month. It’s also common for students to work two gigs at once. Some of the top earners have seen “tens of thousands of dollars in a short period of time,” Haber notes — with one dedicated student’s gigs even amounting to a $50,000 paycheck.

“We position ourselves as the translator between companies and college students, and that really resonated,” Haber says.

Home From College raised $1.5 million of pre-seed funding in 2022, then $5.4 million in a seed round led by GV, formerly Google Ventures, last year.

The company is using those funds to continue building a “sustainable, fast-moving” business. Home From College has invested in high-level talent and AI to connect students and brands effectively.

Related: Top Career Motivations of Gen Z and Reasons They Choose an Employer

“We’ve been implementing a ton of new roles that have more of an AI bent to them.”

Additionally, although Home From College initially focused on low- to no-skilled jobs, there’s an interesting opportunity to lean on the hard skills that Gen Z college students and recent graduates often already have — like those related to AI, Haber says.

“We’ve been implementing a ton of new roles that have more of an AI bent to them,” Haber explains, “and helping companies catch up to the students who are already native [in AI]. So that’s been a new frontier of actually having the students be more of the experts in a topic that companies are less proficient in and helping bridge that gap.”

Companies on the platform are also interested in students with a talent for customer success and sales at scale, Haber says.

For example, some consumer brands look to students for help with distribution in challenging markets, like the outskirts of a college campus or the middle of the country. It’s typical for these companies to recruit students to source new locations, such as a nearby deli, to sell products.

Related: Gen Z Talent Will Walk Away — Unless You Try These 6 Strategies

“ So it’s creating almost a business development sales team, boots on the ground at scale, where they can hire hundreds of people for that type of role,” Haber says, “where it’s skill and labor, and then simultaneously social media and content.”

Brands often rely on students to run their TikTok shops too, as it can be a massive undertaking for those that want to launch and scale a meaningful affiliate program, Haber notes.

“[Students] come in and run those programs on behalf of companies,” Haber says, “and it’s great because it helps generate revenue for their business, but simultaneously teaches [the students] marketable skills.”

“You’re not just where you went to school. You’re a bigger version of that.”

Above all, Haber encourages young adults launching their careers to “use your whole self as the opportunity to market who you are” and land the role you want.

Home From College facilitates that by allowing students to share more information about themselves than a typical resume or job application might glean — for instance, having curly hair could make them “really attractive” to a shampoo brand that specializes in curls and needs a social media manager to connect with its target customer base.

Related: Gen Z Is Losing Faith in the College Degree — Here’s 3 Reasons Why It’s Still Important for Them

“You’re not just your major,” Haber says. “You’re not just what your GPA is. You’re not just where you went to school. You’re a bigger version of that.”

This article is part of our ongoing series highlighting the stories, challenges and triumphs of being a Young Entrepreneur®.

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Amanda Breen

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September 8, 2025
Teen’s medical invention saves lives in seconds

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What if stopping life-threatening bleeding could be as simple as injecting a gel? That’s the promise of TRAUMAGEL, a groundbreaking, plant-based bleeding control gel now being used by first responders across the country, including a metro Atlanta fire department that recently used it to save one of their own.

Developed by Cresilon CEO and co-founder Joe Landolina, TRAUMAGEL works in seconds to control bleeding from gunshot wounds and other traumatic injuries. It’s supplied in a compact 30-ml syringe and can be quickly applied in the field before a patient bleeds out, a risk responsible for more than 35% of all prehospital deaths.

STANFORD RESEARCHERS DEVELOP ‘GAME-CHANGING’ STROKE TREATMENT THAT DOUBLES EFFECTIVENESS

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A TRAUMAGEL GEL syringe sits in front of its package. (Cresilon)

A medical breakthrough born in a winery lab

The story behind TRAUMAGEL starts with a teenager in a winery lab. Joe Landolina, now CEO of Cresilon, developed the technology when he was just 17.

“My grandfather was a retired chemist who owned a vineyard in upstate New York,” Landolina explains. “I would work alongside him in his winery laboratory every single day after school from a very young age. During that time, I developed a strong love for chemistry, especially plant-based chemistries from ingredients found in nature around me.”

That love turned into research. “At the age of 17, I was experimenting with polymers extracted from the cell walls of algae and discovered a matrix that would instantly bond to living tissue,” he said.

He took the idea to New York University’s business plan competition, and Cresilon was born. The company now operates out of a 55,000-square-foot biomanufacturing facility in Brooklyn with nearly 100 employees.

TRAUMAGEL works in seconds to control bleeding from severe injuries. (Cresilon)

Real-world impact: Faster bleeding control in the field

TRAUMAGEL is already changing how medics respond in high-pressure trauma situations.

“TRAUMAGEL has impacted how we respond to traumatic injuries in any situation,” says Lt. David Kleiman of Cobb County Fire & Emergency Services. “In the past, with junctional injuries, like the neck, armpit, or groin, we were using traditional methods like digital pressure or wound packing. That required multiple crews and took time.

“With TRAUMAGEL, we can administer a hemostatic agent that controls bleeding in seconds,” he continues. “Crews can move on to quicker assessments and treatments and get the patient to definitive care faster.”

MAN’S DEADLY BRAIN CANCER TUMOR DISAPPEARS AFTER EXPERIMENTAL DRUG TRIAL

How it saved a firefighter’s life

In one recent case, a Cobb County firefighter was injured during a response at an abandoned house. He tripped on a hill, cut his hand on broken glass, and attempted to stop the bleeding himself. But it didn’t work.

“He eventually realized he couldn’t control the bleeding and made his way back to the engine,” Kleiman recalls. “The crew noted that he was pale and sweaty and that his turnout gear was saturated in blood. Traditional methods failed, so they administered TRAUMAGEL. It instantly stopped the bleeding.”

The firefighter was then treated for blood loss and fully recovered after surgery.

Cresilon CEO and co-founder Joe Landolina (center) and his team stand with Cobb County Fire & Emergency Services. (Cresilon)

From fire departments to the Department of Defense

Cresilon’s bleeding control gel is being tested in even more demanding environments.

“In addition to getting TRAUMAGEL into the hands of all first responders across the country,” Landolina says, “our proprietary technology is being studied for broader applications by the U.S. Defense Department’s Walter Reed Army Institute of Research.”

That study is focused on penetrating traumatic brain injuries (TBI). “Preliminary findings demonstrated promising results in the ability of our technology to control bleeding and provide neuroprotection following a TBI,” he says. The team plans to pursue further research based on those results.

What this means for you

Severe bleeding is the number one cause of preventable death from trauma. With TRAUMAGEL, emergency teams can control that bleeding quickly, even before a patient reaches the hospital. This tool isn’t just for battlefield medicine or professional EMS. In the future, you could see it in hospitals, dental offices, and even home first-aid kits. TRAUMAGEL may become a new standard in emergency bleeding control, and that means faster care, better outcomes, and more lives saved.

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Kurt’s key takeaways

From a teenager’s lab experiment to a life-saving tool trusted by fire departments, TRAUMAGEL is reshaping trauma response. It’s fast, effective, and easy to use, exactly what first responders need when time is running out. As more ambulances, hospitals, and emergency personnel adopt the gel, its potential in saving lives continues to grow.

Should every fire department in the U.S. carry this gel? Would you want TRAUMAGEL in your home first-aid kit? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com/Contact

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Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

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September 5, 2025
Why Energy Medicine Is Shaping the Next Wave of Leadership Performance | Entrepreneur
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Every day, I shift between strategy and execution, guiding a team that depends on me to make clear decisions. The constant pressure takes its toll. Stress lingers, energy dips at the wrong moment, and brain fog has a way of showing up when clarity is most needed.

I feel this even more with the added demands of being a working mom and hosting a podcast, where I have to be sharp, present and on my toes no matter what else is happening in my day.

That reality led me to explore an area once dismissed as fringe: frequency-based wellness technologies. For years, energy medicine was viewed as experimental. But as I began to research, I discovered more entrepreneurs and leaders turning to these tools to support resilience and cognitive performance.

Frequency is not about replacing the basics. It complements them. Just as meditation, breathwork and nutrition support clarity and balance, frequency can serve as another layer in the performance toolkit, helping leaders manage stress, maintain patience and stay sharp under pressure.

Categories of frequency in executive life

As I reviewed solutions on the Biohacking Index, three clear categories emerged, each reflecting a different way leaders can incorporate recovery and resilience into their daily routines.

1. Every day frequency support. Wearable and desktop devices are designed to provide subtle energetic fields throughout the day. Some companies in this space, such as Leela Quantum and their Quantum Upgrade, market their solutions as a way to reduce the impact of environmental stressors like EMFs from Wi-Fi and cellular signals.

What makes this category compelling for executives is its accessibility. Wearables and desktop blocks are simple to integrate, running passively in the background without requiring extra time or effort.

2. Immersive recovery systems. The second category encourages deliberate pauses. Full-body and portable mats like the KLOUD from Centropix use Tesla-coil-based PEMF (Pulsed Electromagnetic Field) elements to deliver a spectrum of frequencies intended to support grounding, circulation and balance.

These mats are designed to be used at a desk, at home or while traveling, and they invite professionals to step back from constant task-switching for 15 to 20 minutes. For leaders accustomed to running nonstop, this category represents a structured way to create space for recovery.

Related: I Work Nearly 50+ Hours a Week and Rarely Feel Tired

3. Blended modalities. The third category merges frequency with other healing approaches. Cosmo Health’s NOVACUP and LUNASTONE combine red light, cupping, thermal heat and vibration into a handheld device. It is designed for short bursts of recovery that can be slotted between meetings, easing tension and promoting circulation while layering in energetic support.

Tools that aim to support balance and assist with recovery are being explored as part of strategies to minimize downtime and keep leaders consistently available when it matters most.

Taken together, these blended approaches illustrate how frequency is being woven into everyday routines in ways that address both the physical and cognitive demands of leadership. This is not about chasing gadgets.

It reflects a shift in mindset: high-performing professionals are moving beyond sales training and productivity hacks and beginning to recognize that clarity, patience and resilience depend on how well they manage their own biology.

Related: I Found a Simple Way to De-stress During the Busiest Workdays

Backing it with evidence

While frequency tools vary, the science supporting recovery and energetic balance is beginning to catch up. A number of companies in this space, including Leela Quantum and Centropix, reference double-blind, placebo-controlled studies designed to demonstrate measurable effects of frequency fields on stress, vitality and cognitive markers. While more large-scale research is needed, peer-reviewed studies provide context for why leaders are paying attention.

EMF protection and cognition. Studies have shown that exposure to electromagnetic fields can disrupt brainwave activity during sleep and reduce sleep quality. For example, research published in PLoS One linked EMF exposure in occupational settings to significantly poorer sleep outcomes. Other work suggests that shielding or reducing EMF exposure may help preserve mental sharpness and support restorative rest. For executives, that connection is critical because sleep quality is directly tied to decision-making and cognitive clarity.

PEMF for recovery and resilience. PEMF therapy has been studied for its ability to reduce delayed-onset muscle soreness and support cellular repair. A study published in ScienceDirect found improvements in recovery among athletes using PEMF, suggesting potential benefits for energy and resilience.

While the research originates in athletic contexts, the principle of faster recovery translates well for executives under sustained cognitive load.

Rest as a leadership tool. Beyond frequency, there is strong evidence that intentional rest improves executive performance. Research highlighted in Harvard Business Review shows how frequent short breaks, including wellness resets and naps, significantly improve productivity, stress tolerance and overall cognitive capacity. Devices that encourage structured pauses (such as frequency mats) help leaders implement this evidence in practice.

Leadership shifting inward. Reports from the Financial Times highlight how CEOs are beginning to treat recovery and resilience as competitive advantages. Leaders describe pacing themselves, building margin into their schedules and adopting practices once associated with athletes. This reflects a redefinition of leadership success, from hours logged to sustained clarity and adaptability under pressure.

What this means for executive performance

For entrepreneurs and CEOs, the lesson is not to chase every new device. The real takeaway is that recovery and resilience are now recognized as core components of leadership strategy.

Practical strategies include:
- Start with subtleties. Wearables and desktop devices provide passive support without requiring time away from work.
- Make recovery deliberate. Immersive mats or guided resets encourage leaders to pause and recharge, turning downtime into a performance enhancer.
- Layer your habits. Frequency sessions can be combined with meditation, journaling or breathwork for added impact.
- Vet before you invest. Look for independent validation, peer-reviewed studies or third-party ratings on platforms like the Biohacking Index, which aggregates reviews from practitioners and users.
The future of leadership will not be defined by how many hours we work. It will be defined by how well we recover, adapt and sustain clarity under pressure. Frequency-based wellness tools, EMF awareness and recovery strategies are gaining legitimacy as part of the modern executive toolkit.
Every day, I shift between strategy and execution, guiding a team that depends on me to make clear decisions. The constant pressure takes its toll. Stress lingers, energy dips at the wrong moment, and brain fog has a way of showing up when clarity is most needed.

I feel this even more with the added demands of being a working mom and hosting a podcast, where I have to be sharp, present and on my toes no matter what else is happening in my day.

That reality led me to explore an area once dismissed as fringe: frequency-based wellness technologies. For years, energy medicine was viewed as experimental. But as I began to research, I discovered more entrepreneurs and leaders turning to these tools to support resilience and cognitive performance.

The rest of this article is locked.

Join Entrepreneur+ today for access.

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Lindsay ONeill

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September 4, 2025
How AI Is Turning Hugh School Students Into Entrepreneurs | Entrepreneur

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This is the third installment in the “1,000 Days of AI” series. I’ve had a front-row seat to K-12 education’s transformation — working with school systems worldwide as an AI education consultant to develop school district AI strategies and watching something remarkable unfold. The change didn’t come from curriculum committees or federal mandates, but from students who, as always, refused to wait for permission.

While educators debated whether ChatGPT constituted cheating, 17-year-old high schooler Zach Yadegari built an AI app generating $1.12 million in monthly revenue. He began coding at age seven, initially creating a gaming website to bypass his elementary school’s firewalls. By 16, he’d already sold his first company for $100,000.

Related: How AI Is Transforming Education Forever — and What It Means for the Next Generation of Thinkers

The stark reality: AI has already changed everything

Within 1,000 days, ChatGPT has fundamentally challenged traditional K-12 education. According to ACT research, 70% of high school students used AI tools in 2023-24, up from 58% the previous year. Pew Research confirms ChatGPT usage for schoolwork doubled from 2023 to 2024. But these statistics miss the real story: Students aren’t just using AI to complete assignments — they’re using it to build businesses, forcing schools to rapidly develop AI policies that balance innovation with responsible AI use in education.

The traditional model assumed knowledge was scarce and teachers were gatekeepers. AI shattered both assumptions overnight. Every student now has access to infinite tutoring, instant expertise and tools that turn ideas into products in hours, not years. The question isn’t whether students should learn entrepreneurship — they already are.

From high school hallways to revenue streams

The most successful young entrepreneurs started as intrapreneurs within the school system itself. High school students across the country are transforming their AI skills into real businesses. Students nationwide are selling AI-generated study guides to classmates for $50-$500 monthly.

The irony isn’t lost on me: What adults call cheating, these students call market research. What teachers label shortcuts, investors recognize as minimum viable products. In my work helping districts with developing AI policy for schools, I’ve seen how these entrepreneurial students actually exemplify AI education best practices — they’re solving real problems with real tools.

The intrapreneurs inside our schools

Not all innovation happens outside school walls. Student intrapreneurs are creating AI tutoring programs for struggling peers, building attendance apps for their schools and developing mental health chatbots for counselors. They see school problems as product opportunities, transforming education while living it.

Teachers are becoming intrapreneurs, too. Forward-thinking educators use AI to create personalized learning paths, automate grading to spend more time with students and build tools that spread district-wide. These educator-intrapreneurs bridge institutional requirements and student innovation, creating space for experimentation within existing structures while contributing to AI curriculum development for K-12.

Related: Why We Shouldn’t Fear AI in Education (and How to Use It Effectively)

The federal framework meets grassroots reality

In April 2025, President Trump signed “Advancing Artificial Intelligence Education for American Youth,” establishing the White House Task Force on AI Education. The executive order creates the Presidential AI Challenge to “encourage and highlight student and educator achievements in AI” across multiple age categories. This isn’t just another science fair — it’s federal recognition that K-12 students are already AI practitioners, validating the school district AI strategies that forward-thinking administrators have been developing.

Crucially, the Presidential AI Challenge calls for students to “use AI to address community challenges,” validating what student entrepreneurs have been doing all along. The framework emphasizes that AI education must “spark curiosity and creativity,” but students aren’t preparing to participate — they’re already leading. This federal backing provides the cover innovative schools need to transform detention into incubation and homework into hackathons, establishing new AI education best practices along the way.

3 practical steps for schools right now

1. Implement “innovation hours” aligned with the Presidential AI Challenge:

Dedicate weekly time for students to work on AI projects addressing real community problems. Let students form ventures, not just groups. Let them pursue customers, not just grades. Schools implementing this now will have students ready when the Presidential AI Challenge launches. This approach to AI curriculum development for K-12 turns theory into practice.

2. Transform detention into incubation:

Every student “caught” using AI creatively should be redirected, not punished. Create an “AI Innovation Council” where rule-benders become rule-makers. Have them develop your school’s AI policy and teach AI literacy to younger students. The White House Task Force calls for student-educator collaboration — make your “problem students” your problem solvers. This is responsible AI use in education at its best.

3. Create intrapreneurship pathways:

Establish formal recognition for students improving school operations through AI. Give course credit for building tools the school actually uses. Partner with local businesses for real-world projects. Every pizza shop and dental office needs AI help. Your students can provide it while earning money and credits. These pathways should be central to any school district AI strategy.

The next 1,000 days: Bigger challenges, bigger opportunities

The first 1,000 days proved that students could use AI. The next 1,000 days will prove they can lead with it. As AI becomes more powerful, the gap between students with access and support versus those without will widen exponentially. A student with ChatGPT, supportive teachers and entrepreneurial parents will build companies. A student with restricted access and punitive policies will fall behind — not by years, but by generations.

The mental health implications are staggering. When 14-year-olds can build million-dollar businesses, what happens to those who can’t? When AI can do homework in seconds, how do we measure learning? These aren’t distant philosophical questions; they’re immediate challenges requiring thoughtful approaches to developing AI policy for schools.

The next 1,000 days will see AI-native students enter the workforce. I can’t wait to see how they reshape entire industries. The concept of “entry-level” will dissolve when teenagers arrive with more AI experience than senior executives.

Related: What The UAE’s AI Education Revolution Could Mean for the Future of Classroom Activities: Insights from a Young Entrepreneur

The entrepreneurial imperative

Schools that thrive won’t be those with the best AI policies or detection tools. They’ll be those cultivating intrapreneurs — students and teachers who transform systems from within. Every student who builds a tool to help classmates is an intrapreneur. Every teacher experimenting with AI to improve outcomes is an intrapreneur. Every administrator creating space for innovation enables intrapreneurship.

After 1,000 days of ChatGPT in K-12 education, one truth emerges: Students who embraced AI as a tool for creation rather than completion are building the future economy. They’re intrapreneurs transforming schools from within and entrepreneurs building alternatives from without.

The next 1,000 days will be exponentially more complex. AI will become more powerful, accessible and essential. Students who start building now will have compounded advantages. For educators, parents and policymakers seeking guidance from an AI keynote speaker for education or looking to establish AI education best practices, the path forward is clear: Embrace intrapreneurship, enable entrepreneurship, and expect transformation. The federal government has provided the framework through the Presidential AI Challenge. Now it’s time for local action.

The kids aren’t just alright — they’re already ahead. The question for the next 1,000 days isn’t whether students will use AI to transform education and the economy. They will. The question is whether we’ll help them build something better or watch them build around us.

Coming next in the “1,000 Days of AI” series: Legal’s AI transformation — where precedent meets algorithms, and why your next lawyer might be an AI that passed the bar exam on its first try.

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Alex Goryachev

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September 3, 2025
AI video tech fast-tracks humanoid robot training

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One of the biggest hurdles in developing humanoid robots is the sheer amount of training data required. Teaching machines to act like humans demands massive video datasets. Collecting that data is expensive, time-consuming and difficult to scale. This challenge has slowed progress toward making robots useful in everyday environments such as homes, hospitals and offices.

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CHINA LAUNCHES CENTER TO TRAIN 100-PLUS HUMANOID ROBOTS SIMULTANEOUSLY

Vidar says its training methods use video to program robots in 20 minutes. (Vidar)

Vidar by ShengShu transforms humanoid robot training

ShengShu Technology has introduced Vidar, short for Video Diffusion for Action Reasoning. Instead of relying solely on endless hours of physical-world data, Vidar generates synthetic training environments from just a small amount of real video. By blending real data with AI-generated video, Vidar makes training more efficient, scalable and affordable.

Vidar uses video to train robots to perform real-world tasks. (Vidar)

How Vidar uses AI video to speed up robot training

Vidar works by decoupling perception from control. First, it uses ShengShu’s Vidu video model to learn from both real and synthetic videos. Then, a task-agnostic system called AnyPos translates that knowledge into motor commands for robots. This modular setup allows for faster training and easier deployment across different types of robots.

Unlike traditional methods that require robots to physically interact with the world to learn, Vidar can simulate complex, lifelike scenarios virtually. Remarkably, it only needs about 20 minutes of training data, between 1/80 and 1/1200 of what leading models require. That efficiency makes it possible to scale robot training to levels never seen before.

CHINESE TECH FIRM SHARES ROBOT TRAINING SECRETS WITH THE WORLD

Vidar’s real-world replay and deployment with video model. (Vidar)

Real-world applications of Vidar in humanoid robots

Vidar is more than just a research tool. Its design means robots can adapt quickly to new tasks and environments. That could unlock real-world applications in eldercare, home assistance, healthcare and smart manufacturing. By bridging the gap between simulation and reality, Vidar is positioning humanoid robots as practical helpers rather than futuristic concepts.

HUMANOID ROBOT PERFORMS MEDICAL PROCEDURES VIA REMOTE CONTROL

Results of AnyPos-ATARA with video replay to accomplish various manipulation tasks. (Vidar)

What this means for you

For consumers, Vidar brings the idea of household or workplace robot helpers closer to reality. Instead of waiting decades for robots to mature, scalable training could speed up deployment in everyday settings. This could mean robots assisting you with chores, supporting eldercare or even helping in medical environments sooner than expected.

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Kurt’s key takeaways

Vidar is a milestone in the race toward practical humanoid robots. By blending limited real data with generative video, ShengShu has created a smarter and faster way to train physical AI. The approach tackles cost, efficiency and scalability all at once, three factors that have long held robotics back.

Would you welcome a humanoid robot in your home if it could help with daily tasks, or does the idea still feel too futuristic? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

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Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

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September 3, 2025
Will autonomous trucks replace drivers by 2027?

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Self-driving trucks are moving closer to reality. PlusAI released its first half 2025 performance results, showing how far the company has come toward its goal of launching factory-built autonomous trucks in 2027.

The numbers are clear. Safety case readiness reached 86 percent, with a goal of 100 percent by launch. Autonomous miles percentage climbed to 98 percent. Remote assistance free trips rose to 76 percent, with a target of more than 90 percent.

These metrics may sound technical, but they show that PlusAI is moving steadily toward putting driverless freight trucks on the road within two years.

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159-YEAR-OLD COMPANY EMBRACES DRIVERLESS TRUCKS

PlusAI reports that its driverless trucks could be ready to hit the road within the next two years. (PlusAI)

Why PlusAI’s 2025 results matter for autonomous trucks

Even if you never step into a truck, these results affect your daily life. Every product you buy travels by truck at some point, whether it’s groceries, clothing or furniture. The way those trucks operate influences cost, availability and safety on the road.

The trucking industry faces three major challenges. There are not enough long-haul drivers to meet demand. Costs continue to rise due to labor shortages, tariffs and fuel prices. And safety is a concern because human drivers can get tired or distracted.

Autonomous trucks could help address each of these issues. PlusAI’s vehicles are already hauling freight on Texas highways today, and they are also undergoing road testing in Sweden. The company has already logged more than five million autonomous miles across the United States, Europe and Asia. That real-world experience fuels the AI system with the data it needs to improve.

LUCID JOINS TESLA AND GM WITH HANDS-FREE HIGHWAY DRIVING

The PlusAI Safety Case Framework. Data shows that self-driving trucks will roll out by 2027. (PlusAI)

How PlusAI plans to launch autonomous trucks by 2027

PlusAI has created a roadmap that sets it apart. Instead of retrofitting trucks with autonomous systems, it is working with major manufacturers like TRATON GROUP, Hyundai and IVECO to integrate the technology at the factory. This approach makes scaling production faster and ensures consistency.

The initial launch is planned for the Texas Triangle, a major freight corridor connecting Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and Austin. From there, PlusAI plans to expand into other U.S. routes and eventually Europe.

The company has also committed to publishing regular performance updates as it transitions to a public company. By sharing measurable results, PlusAI builds trust with regulators, the public, and businesses that may one day rely on its trucks to move goods.

“We have a clear roadmap to the commercial launch of SuperDrive,” said David Liu, CEO and co-founder of PlusAI. “By publicly sharing these performance metrics, we are showing our commitment to safety and scalability while bringing partners, customers, and regulators along on this journey.“

What’s next for PlusAI and driverless freight trucks?

PlusAI still has milestones to meet. Safety readiness must rise from 86 percent to 100 percent. Remote Assistance Free Trips must surpass 90 percent. These are ambitious goals, but the progress so far suggests the company can achieve them.

Fleet trials are scheduled to begin later this year, and PlusAI continues testing in both the United States and internationally. Each step adds to the case that driverless trucks will be ready for commercial launch in 2027.

AI-POWERED SELF-DRIVING SOFTWARE IS DISRUPTING THE TRUCKING INDUSTRY

A drone view shows a transport truck entering the United States from Canada, at a Canada-U.S. border crossing in Blaine, Washington, April 2, 2025. (REUTERS/David Ryder)

What this means for you

As a shopper, autonomous trucks could mean faster and more affordable deliveries. As a driver, you may soon share highways with self-driving freight haulers. As a business owner, this technology could reduce logistics costs and ease the impact of driver shortages.

The bigger picture is that autonomous trucks are moving from testing to real use. They are no longer limited to pilot projects. You may see them alongside you on the road sooner than expected.

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Kurt’s key takeaways

Transportation is changing quickly. Just as ride-sharing apps transformed how people travel within cities, autonomous trucks may soon reshape how goods move across the country. The difference is that this shift is approaching within just a few years. The progress PlusAI reports today offers a glimpse of that future. If the company continues on this track, driverless trucks could become a normal part of daily life by the end of the decade.

Would you feel comfortable seeing an 18-wheeler drive itself on the highway next to your car? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

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Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

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September 2, 2025
Here’s Where Prince St. Pizza Is Opening Next | Entrepreneur

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Lawrence Longo is certain about one thing: America needs a great national pizza brand.

Not just a chain that cranks out slices, but a name that stands for quality, heritage and the kind of flavor people will travel for. “Our goal is to be that premium slice shop in America,” he tells Restaurant Influencers host Shawn Walchef.

That mission is at the heart of his work growing Prince St. Pizza from a single shop into a brand with locations across the country.

The story started on a block in New York City’s SoHo neighborhood, where the original Prince St. Pizza has been drawing crowds for years. Its pepperoni square slice is an icon: crispy-edged, overflowing with curl and dripping with flavor.

Longo was a fan before he was a partner. “I used to go in as a customer,” he says. “I loved the pizza; I loved the energy in the shop. I could feel how much it meant to people.”

Related: He Went from Tech CEO to Dishwasher. Now, He’s Behind 320 Restaurants and $750 Million in Assets.

That connection turned into conversations. Longo got to know the owners, learning not just about the recipes but about the pride and history behind them. “We started talking about what it could be,” he recalls. “I told them, ‘This isn’t just a slice shop. This is a brand that could mean something in every city.’”

Eventually, that dialogue became a partnership, grounded in a shared commitment to keep the product and culture intact. Now the expansion is real. This interview took place inside a new Prince St. Pizza in Las Vegas, just steps from the Strip.

The crowd here is a mix of locals and visitors, but the slice in their hands tastes just like it would in SoHo. “That’s the goal,” Longo says. “No matter where you are, when you bite into it, it should feel like you’re in New York.”

The Las Vegas shop is just one of several new locations, each chosen carefully. “We don’t just go anywhere,” he explains. “We look for cities where Prince St. can fit in and still stand out. And then we build the right team to protect what makes it special.”

For Longo, it is not simply about growing bigger. It is about creating a national pizza brand without losing the soul of the original.

Related: His Sushi Burger Got 50 Million Views — and Launched an Entire Business

The next great American pizza brand

Prince St. Pizza’s footprint is getting bigger, and the momentum is real. New locations are opening in markets like Miami and Dallas. Each one matches the quality and culture of the original SoHo shop. Celebrity customers have become part of the story. Usher. Adam Sandler. Dave Portnoy. They aren’t there for photo ops. They come in because they like the pizza.

“They try, and they come back, and they like the brand,” Longo says. Being in cities like New York, Los Angeles and Chicago means crossing paths with people who live for good food, whether they are famous or not.

Growth also brings noise. “The bigger you get, the more haters you get,” Longo says. “You can’t listen to the noise. You want to listen to everybody, but you gotta just keep your head down, worry about yourself, do the best job you can and focus on your customers.”

Related: Von Miller Learned About Chicken Farming in a College Class – And It Became the Inspiration for a Business That Counts Patrick Mahomes as an Investor

That mindset is what allows Longo to keep expanding without losing the flavor and culture that made Prince St. Pizza a destination in the first place.

Every new store is another chance to prove that a premium slice shop can scale nationally without losing what made it special.

“Every time you open a new restaurant, you learn something new about your brand,” Longo says, “and we’re only getting better.”

It’s the same goal he set from the start — to take Prince St. Pizza from a single shop in New York to a true national brand. And for Longo, the recipe for getting there is simple: protect the product, protect the culture and keep serving slices worth traveling for.

Related: This Restaurant CEO Created His Own National Holiday (and Turned It Into a Business Strategy)

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Shawn P. Walchef

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September 2, 2025
Solar companies deploy sheep across farms in growing green energy trend

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Forget roaring lawnmowers and fuel-guzzling tractors. Today’s solar companies are turning to flocks of sheep to trim grass and control weeds under solar panels. These eco-friendly grazers easily navigate narrow panel rows, cutting maintenance costs and carbon emissions at the same time. In fact, using sheep instead of gas-powered mowing crews can reduce upkeep expenses by up to 20 percent.

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WHY AI IS CAUSING SUMMER ELECTRICITY BILLS TO SOAR

Why solar grazing with sheep cuts costs and emissions

Sheep fit neatly between solar arrays, reaching into nooks that mechanical gear can’t. They chew rain or shine. And since sheep run on grass, not gas, their grazing helps reduce carbon emissions. Using these natural lawnmowers better aligns with solar’s green mission goals. Developers like SB Energy in Texas now rely on herds of around 3,000 sheep to cover thousands of acres, benefiting both their bottom line and the planet.

WHY YOU SHOULD THINK TWICE BEFORE JOINING A POWER SAVER PROGRAM

Sheep graze near solar panels in Haskell, Texas, Dec. 2, 2024. (REUTERS/Annie Rice)

How agrivoltaics turns sheep and solar panels into profits

This isn’t your average landscaping story. There’s even a fancy word for it: agrivolatics, or the practice of combining solar energy production with agriculture. Farmers who jump on board aren’t just maintaining the lawn; they’re opening up multiple revenue streams. First, ranchers can lease land to solar companies, sign grazing contracts, while still earning from traditional farm products like wool and lamb.

Chad Raines is a rancher from Texas. He decided to trade in cotton farming for sheep grazing on solar land. That move has paid off. Last year, he brought in around $300,000. If he had stuck with cotton, he estimates he would’ve lost about $200,000 instead. That’s a huge swing, and it’s a real-world example of how solar grazing is helping revive a sheep industry that had been stuck in neutral for decades.

How sheep improve soil health and boost biodiversity at solar farms

Letting sheep do the mowing isn’t just about saving time or money. It actually helps the land. As they move through the fields, sheep naturally break down plant material, aerate the soil and leave behind fertilizing manure. This leads to healthier dirt and better carbon capture.

Companies like Lightsource BP are already seeing those benefits. They manage over 14,000 sheep across solar farms that produce more than 3 gigawatts of power. These sites aren’t just power generators, they’re also habitats. Flowers that support bees and butterflies are planted among the panels, creating ideal conditions for pollinators. Some farms have even started producing honey thanks to the thriving bee population.

GOOGLE TURNS CO2 INTO BATTERY POWER FOR CLEAN ENERGY

Sheep grazing cuts operations and maintenance costs for solar operators. (REUTERS/Annie Rice)

Major solar farms scale up sheep grazing across thousands of acres

This isn’t just happening on a small scale. Enel North America recently signed one of the biggest solar grazing deals in the country. They’re deploying over 6,000 sheep across eight large solar farms, covering more than 10,000 acres.

At some of those sites, the amount of organic matter in the soil has more than doubled. For solar operators, this approach just makes sense. It cuts operations and maintenance costs, strengthens environmental credibility and builds better relationships with nearby communities.

Investors are paying attention, too. In just two years, the number of solar grazing projects has skyrocketed, especially in places backed by heavy hitters like DE Shaw and Berkshire Hathaway.

Chad Raines opens the gate to a solar panel zone in Haskell, Texas, Dec. 2, 2024. This solar farm has six different solar panel zones on 1,800 acres of land. (REUTERS/Annie Rice)

What solar grazing means for you

If you care about clean energy, sustainable farming or smart land use, solar grazing is worth watching. It shows how innovation doesn’t always require high-tech gadgets; sometimes, it just takes some sheep. For farmers and ranchers, this model opens the door to new income by partnering with solar companies. If you own land or work in agriculture, grazing contracts could provide a steady stream of revenue without giving up traditional operations.

For everyone else, this trend offers hope that renewable energy can coexist with rural livelihoods, boost biodiversity and fight climate change, all at once. As solar farms expand across the country, expect to see more flocks doing the work of machines, quietly transforming how we power the planet.

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Kurt’s key takeaways

Sheep-powered solar farms are transforming the way we manage clean energy sites. By replacing gas-powered machines with grazing animals, solar companies are cutting costs, reducing emissions and creating new income opportunities for farmers. This approach blends sustainability with practicality. It supports healthier soil, boosts biodiversity and strengthens rural economies, all while helping solar farms operate more efficiently. With growing investment and proven results, solar grazing is emerging as a smart, scalable solution. And as the industry evolves, don’t be surprised if the quiet hum of panels comes with the occasional baaa.

What other ways could we find to tie together the future of clean energy with sustainable and natural solutions like farm animals? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

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Copyright 2025 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.

Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

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September 2, 2025
How Generative AI Is Completely Reshaping Education | Entrepreneur
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This is the second installment in the “1,000 Days of AI” series. As an AI keynote speaker and strategic advisor on AI university strategy, I’ve seen firsthand how generative AI is transforming education — and why aligning with the future of learning is now a leadership imperative.

I’m starting with education, not because it was the most disrupted, but because it was the first to show us what disruption actually looks like in real time.

Why start here?

Education is upstream to everything. Every future engineer, policymaker, manager and founder is shaped by what happens in a classroom, a lecture hall or a late-night interaction with a search engine. When generative AI arrived, education didn’t have the luxury to wait. It was forced to adapt on the fly.

ChatGPT didn’t quietly enter higher education. It detonated. Assignments unraveled. Grading frameworks collapsed. Students accessed polished answers in seconds. Faculty were blindsided. Institutional responses were reactive, inconsistent and exposed deep fractures in how learning was being defined and delivered.

The idea that education meant memorization and regurgitation cracked almost overnight.

Related: How AI Is Transforming Education Forever — and What It Means for the Next Generation of Thinkers

AI in education didn’t break higher ed — It exposed the disconnect

Long before AI, colleges were already straining under somewhat outdated models — rigid lectures, static syllabi, compliance-heavy assessments and a widening chasm between classroom instruction and workforce reality. Students were evolving faster than the systems designed to serve them.

Generative AI made that gap impossible to ignore. Within months of its release, a majority of students admitted to using ChatGPT or similar tools for coursework. Meanwhile, most college presidents acknowledged they had no formal AI policy in place. The dissonance was loud, and it created not just urgency, but opportunity.

In the past year, I’ve partnered with some of the largest education systems in the world to help develop their AI strategies. We co-developed governance frameworks, launched executive working groups, crafted responsible use guidelines and trained thousands of faculty across campuses. The goal wasn’t just to respond; it was to lead.

At the same time, I’ve worked with community colleges — the frontline of workforce development. These institutions feel disruption first and move fastest. I’ve helped their leaders connect generative AI to student outcomes, integrate tools into classroom experimentation and align innovation with workforce readiness and equity.

Whether it’s a flagship university or a high-impact college, the principle is the same: Strategy must align with people, culture and mission. The institutions making the biggest strides aren’t the ones with perfect AI plans. They’re the ones willing to move while others wait. This momentum is powered by intrapreneurship on the inside, and increasingly, by student-driven entrepreneurship on the outside.

Students are becoming entrepreneurs

Students aren’t waiting for permission; they’re reinventing how learning works. They adapt quickly, embrace emerging technologies and experiment boldly. Some might call it cheating. I’d call it testing the system.

Today’s students no longer see education as a linear path to a degree. They see it as a launchpad for ideas.

They’re using not just ChatGPT, but a full arsenal of AI tools — Perplexity, Gemini, Claude and more — to write business plans, generate branding, build MVPs and pressure-test real-world ideas. In fact, some aren’t just using tools; they’re creating their own. They’re not waiting to be taught. They’re teaching themselves how to build, launch and iterate.

And yes, some of it is used for shortcuts. For cutting corners. For getting around assignments. Academic integrity is a real issue and one that institutions must address. But it’s also a signal that the system itself needs to evolve. These students are not just bypassing rules — they’re stress-testing the relevance of education as it exists today. And this is where intrapreneurs inside the system become critical to bridging the gap.

Related: Why We Shouldn’t Fear AI in Education (and How to Use It Effectively)

Intrapreneurs are moving institutions forward

We all know that innovation rarely happens in the corner offices. The most powerful change isn’t coming from executive memos. It’s coming from the ground up.

I’ve seen faculty members redesign assessments to include AI. Academic advisors build GPT-powered chatbots for student support. Department chairs test automated grading workflows while central IT is still writing policy. These are intrapreneurs — internal innovators leading with agility.

My work has always been to help them scale and to get out of their way. Real transformation happens when governance, incentives and innovation align — and when execution is taken seriously.

What institutions are doing that works

Here are five moves I’ve seen deliver the greatest impact across leadership, faculty and students alike.
1. Accept that change is inevitable: Ignoring, shaming or regulating innovation won’t stop it. Institutions must choose to engage with change, not resist it.
2. Acknowledge that learning is now co-created: In many cases, students are more fluent in new tools than faculty. It may feel awkward — but that discomfort is the birthplace of co-creation and collaborative innovation.
3. Support intrapreneurship and entrepreneurship: Encourage faculty and staff to experiment internally while also supporting students who are launching startups or prototyping ideas using AI.
Institutions that move now are defining the next decade of learning. That doesn’t mean ignoring issues of academic integrity or the risks of cognitive offloading — we don’t know what we don’t know. But that uncertainty should inform us, not paralyze us.

The institutions that will thrive in the next 1,000 days aren’t those with the most tech. They’re the ones that create space to adapt, listen and lead from every level — through both intrapreneurship and entrepreneurship.

Related: How AI, Funding Cuts and Shifting Skills Are Redefining Education — and What It Means for the Future of Work

Leadership is no longer a title; it’s a posture. Every instructor redesigning a course, every student experimenting with AI, every staffer who builds a better workflow is shaping the future of education.

According to the World Economic Forum, over 40% of core job skills will shift in the next five years. That’s not a prediction — it’s a mandate.

The only way forward is to build systems that learn as fast as the people in them. Presidents and provosts can provide vision, but it’s intrapreneurs who will make it real. Transformation won’t be dictated from above. It will be powered from within.

AI is not the end. It’s the beginning of a new way of learning and a new kind of leadership.

Coming next in the “1,000 Days of AI” series: Higher education wasn’t ready for AI, but students forced the conversation. K-12 is even more essential because critical thinking, ethical reasoning and digital fluency must begin long before college.
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Alex Goryachev

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September 1, 2025
What Leaders Can Learn From the First 1,000 Days of ChatGPT | Entrepreneur
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This September marks 1,000 days since ChatGPT entered public consciousness. In that short time, the world has undergone a seismic shift. AI, once a buzzword, has become a foundational force — reshaping workflows, boardroom agendas and entire industries. No organization or country, large or small, was immune. Generative AI, alongside Claude, Gemini and open-source models, hasn’t merely added features. It has reset the pace of innovation, widened performance gaps and exposed how few institutions were equipped to turn experiments into execution.

Across verticals — from education and enterprise to pharma and public sector — one insight has proven consistent: The organizations that thrive with AI don’t start with tools. They start with people.

Since the release of ChatGPT, I’ve worked with hundreds of organizations worldwide as an AI keynote speaker, transformation advisor and strategic consultant. My work has included delivering keynotes, facilitating AI innovation workshops and guiding C-suite leaders across industries through the turbulence of AI adoption. From global corporations and top universities to national governments and biotech pioneers, the same patterns — and the same roadblocks — have emerged.

This article opens the “1,000 Days of AI” series: a practical, cross-vertical exploration of what AI has already changed, what lies ahead and what leaders must do now to build alignment, trust and momentum in the age of intelligent systems.

Related: The World Is Splitting Between Those Who Use ChatGPT to Get Better, Smarter, Richer — and Everyone Else

This isn’t an IT project

Many organizations began their AI journey by outsourcing it to IT. Generative tools like ChatGPT were handed to CIOs. Roadmaps were requested. Pilots were announced. Platforms were compared. Meanwhile, momentum stalled.

In contrast, the most adaptive organizations began by engaging employees. They looked at workflows, not tech stacks. They asked: Where does friction live, and who understands it best? Then they launched internal sprints to solve meaningful problems. Not everything scaled, but what did revealed where the real opportunity lies.

AI is not a dashboard or chatbot. It is a system-level catalyst. It touches every department — legal, HR, finance, operations, marketing. It raises questions about ethics, accountability and the future of work. It requires organizations to stop thinking in silos and start working across them.

The most effective transformation doesn’t come from strategy decks; it comes from people trusted to rethink their daily work. When organizations create space for this kind of thinking, momentum follows.

The intrapreneur era has arrived

Some of the most impactful applications of AI in the last 1,000 days didn’t come from senior leadership or external consultants. They came from within. Employees who noticed inefficiencies, tested generative tools and found a better way forward. These internal changemakers — intrapreneurs — are rebuilding their organizations from the inside out.

During the strategy sessions I’ve led, it’s often the customer support agent who builds an AI-powered knowledge base, the compliance analyst who uses large language models to automate documentation or the professor who reinvents grading. These aren’t isolated moments; they’re the new standard of innovation.

The most agile organizations surface these efforts early, reward the behavior and scale what works. They don’t wait for formal initiatives. They build cultures where permission is replaced by participation. And they move quickly — not recklessly, but with confidence.

Related: How Corporate ‘Intrapreneurs’ Can Harness the Power of AI to Transform Their Businesses and Supercharge Their Careers

AI is a multiplier of culture

AI doesn’t transform culture — it reflects it. An organization grounded in rigidity and control will experience more of the same. One built on curiosity, collaboration and transparency will scale faster, learn faster and lead the market.

The highest-performing organizations start with a clear principle: alignment precedes acceleration. They ask employees what slows them down and then act on the answers. They replace static org charts with cross-functional teams. They move from policies to prototypes.

Governance isn’t an afterthought — it’s embedded in the process. Legal, HR and compliance are not blockers. They’re design partners. Together, they build systems that are ethical, inclusive and scalable from day one.

AI is not just a toolset. It’s a leadership challenge. The organizations that rise to meet it build trust and transformation in parallel.

What’s working now

After delivering hundreds of AI keynotes and partnering with organizations across the globe, a new set of success principles has emerged:
- Start with employees. Those closest to the work understand the friction and how to fix it.
- Distribute capability. Don’t limit training to tech teams. The best ideas often come from HR, legal and finance.
- Run AI sprints like business design. These aren’t software pilots. They’re rapid experiments in new ways of working.
- Make governance collaborative. Build ethical and compliance guardrails with — not after — the business.
- Scale internal wins. Share success stories. Build intrapreneur networks. Turn momentum into muscle.
These practices aren’t aspirational. They’re already creating measurable outcomes for organizations willing to lead the change.

Related: 2025 AI Innovation Insights — Lessons Learned From Over 127 Global Speaking Sessions

The next 1,000 days demand boldness

The experimentation phase is over. The next 1,000 days require depth, speed and alignment. Pilots must become platforms. Strategy must move beyond decks and into daily action.

The real divide is no longer between AI adopters and skeptics. It’s between those who integrate AI into culture and decision-making — and those who simply deploy tools without changing the system around them.

What defines leadership in this next wave isn’t technology. It’s the ability to build trust in AI, connect siloed teams and redesign work at scale. The future of work is already arriving. The organizations that act now will shape it.

Those who move with courage and clarity will thrive. Others will find themselves part of someone else’s success story.

Coming next in the “1,000 Days of AI” series: How AI is transforming education — and what schools, faculty and students must do now to stay ahead.
This September marks 1,000 days since ChatGPT entered public consciousness. In that short time, the world has undergone a seismic shift. AI, once a buzzword, has become a foundational force — reshaping workflows, boardroom agendas and entire industries. No organization or country, large or small, was immune. Generative AI, alongside Claude, Gemini and open-source models, hasn’t merely added features. It has reset the pace of innovation, widened performance gaps and exposed how few institutions were equipped to turn experiments into execution.

Across verticals — from education and enterprise to pharma and public sector — one insight has proven consistent: The organizations that thrive with AI don’t start with tools. They start with people.

Since the release of ChatGPT, I’ve worked with hundreds of organizations worldwide as an AI keynote speaker, transformation advisor and strategic consultant. My work has included delivering keynotes, facilitating AI innovation workshops and guiding C-suite leaders across industries through the turbulence of AI adoption. From global corporations and top universities to national governments and biotech pioneers, the same patterns — and the same roadblocks — have emerged.

The rest of this article is locked.

Join Entrepreneur+ today for access.

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Alex Goryachev

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August 29, 2025
AI Clones Are No Longer Science Fiction — They’re Real | Entrepreneur
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In a quiet conference room, a startup founder’s digital doppelgänger delivers a pitch to investors, answering questions with the founder’s voice and expertise, even as the real founder is elsewhere.

This scenario is no longer science fiction. A wave of AI personas, “digital twins” and self-replicating agents is emerging, allowing individuals to outsource aspects of themselves to AI. From celebrity coaches to tech icons, these AI-powered avatars promise to scale human presence and productivity in unprecedented ways. Yet they also raise profound questions about identity, authenticity and the very nature of work in a post-human era.

The rise of personal AI personas and digital twins

The concept of a “digital twin” originated in industry, a virtual replica of a physical system for simulation and optimization. Now, it’s being reimagined on a personal level. AI digital twins are dynamic, evolving AI models that replicate a person’s knowledge and grow it over time. Instead of static data, these twins use custom AI models to mirror an individual’s unique perspectives, expertise and even communication style. The goal is a “living, breathing representation” of one’s thought processes.

Crucially, personal AI personas aren’t just parroting facts. They aim to capture how you think and speak. A true digital twin can replicate an individual’s unique perspectives, experiences and knowledge base, assisting with recall, generating insights and even communicating in your own voice.

Related: Digital Twins Are the Future — Here Are 5 Ways to Keep Them Secure While Manufacturing Innovation

Tools enabling “self-replication”

A growing ecosystem of platforms and tools is making AI self-cloning accessible:
- Personal.ai: Offers a personal language model trained on your content, effectively becoming your memory and voice in digital form. It emphasises privacy and user control, positioning the AI twin as a secure asset that continuously learns and updates with you.
- Lindy: A no-code AI agent builder that acts like a personal or business assistant. Lindy allows users to create custom AI “assistants” that integrate with email, calendars, CRM and more.
- OpenAI’s Custom GPTs: OpenAI’s ChatGPT now lets users build custom GPTs, essentially personal chatbots turned to a specific persona or knowledge base. With a ChatGPT Plus account, you can create a bespoke AI and share it in a GOT marketplace.
- ElevenLabs and Synthesia: Provide ultra-realistic voice and video cloning, enabling AI personas to speak and appear as their human counterparts. Reid Hoffman used these tools to create a deepfake avatar of himself for an AI interview experiment.
Early adopters: From gurus to CEOs

This once-futuristic concept is now a reality embraces by high-profile leaders:
- Tony Robbins launched “Tony’s AI Twin,” an interactive coach built by Steno.ai using ElevanLabs voice cloning. It delivers advice drawn from his decades of work is accessible 24/7.
- Deepak Chopra unveiled DigitalDeepak.ai, an AI trained on his teachings to offer guidance on spirituality and well-being.
- Reid Hoffman created “Reid AI,” a custom GPT trained on 20 years of this thinking, and used a digital avatar to appear in interviews and explore the ethical limits of this tech.
- Fan-made projects like “Ask Naval” offer an AI version of Naval Ravikant, trained unofficially on his tweets, interviews and writings.
The allure: Outsourcing and scaling the self

Why are leaders drawn to AI personas? The allure is clear. AI twins offer the promise of infinite reach, an ability to engage thousands simultaneously, attend multiple meetings or provide mentorship across time zones. They create an entirely new monetization model, where personal knowledge and brand become a scalable product. Robbins’ team, for instance, notes that his AI twin has opened a new revenue stream with no additional time investment. Productivity gains are significant, as digital twins take over routine tasks, freeing founders to focus on creative or high-value work. Additionally, trained AI twins can serve as cognitive memory tools, surfacing forgotten insights, maintaining brand consistency and supporting rapid decision-making.

Zoom CEO Eric Yuan has even suggested that AI digital twins could eventually be so effective that they reduce the workweek to three days. For visionary leaders, AI personas are not just tools; they’re multipliers of influence, knowledge and time.

Risks and ethical questions

As a lawyer, I always ask: What are the risks, and what are the ethics behind the product? This frontier is not without peril:
- Authenticity: Audiences may struggle to trust whether communication comes from the person or their AI. Transparency and fidelity are key.
- Misinformation: AI personas must be tightly governed to avoid reputational or legal risk.
- Privacy: Ownership of one’s digital likeness is a complex, emerging legal issue.
- Human skill erosion: Over-reliance on AI might dull the very cognitive and interpersonal skills that define great leaders.
Related: Why Every Entrepreneur Must Prioritize Ethical AI — Now

The post-human edge

Founders are no longer just building products; they’re becoming platforms. The real edge lies in knowing what to scale and what to keep human. An AI persona might extend your influence, but it’s your irreplaceable presence, empathy and judgment that remain your ultimate value.

In a world where anyone can clone their voice and replicate their insights, the differentiator is not your scalability, but your discernment. The future belongs to those who know when to outsource — and when to show up.

Founders and businesses are entering a post-human business era. Let’s build it wisely.
In a quiet conference room, a startup founder’s digital doppelgänger delivers a pitch to investors, answering questions with the founder’s voice and expertise, even as the real founder is elsewhere.

This scenario is no longer science fiction. A wave of AI personas, “digital twins” and self-replicating agents is emerging, allowing individuals to outsource aspects of themselves to AI. From celebrity coaches to tech icons, these AI-powered avatars promise to scale human presence and productivity in unprecedented ways. Yet they also raise profound questions about identity, authenticity and the very nature of work in a post-human era.

The rise of personal AI personas and digital twins

The rest of this article is locked.

Join Entrepreneur+ today for access.

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Rejna Alaaldin

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August 29, 2025
Closer or Colder? How AI Shapes Your Customer Relationships | Entrepreneur

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Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

I’m not going to lie, the latest generation of AI, especially large language models and agentic AI, is nothing short of impressive. At Human Cloud, we used tools like Claude and Windsurf to accomplish in 5 minutes what had previously taken us 5 years.

On the surface, it’s a story of overnight magic. But dig deeper and you’ll find that the real magic wasn’t the AI itself; it was the five years of groundwork that came before. We spent that time using spreadsheets, Canva graphics, CRM automations and hacky off-the-shelf tools to create the right sales and delivery motion, and validate our customers’ needs.

Only then did the AI become a true accelerator, as we used Claude, Windsurf and AWS to create the Human Cloud Platform in less than 5 minutes.

This brings up a crucial point. AI can easily be a distraction, prioritizing hype and buzz over real revenue and profitability. Why? Because the fundamental principle of business remains unchanged: every breakthrough starts with a deep understanding of what your customers need.

Before you invest another dollar in AI, ask yourself one question: Is this technology making us closer to our customers, or pulling us further away?

Here are five steps to ensure AI helps you get closer.

1. Manually implement before automating

“Do things that don’t scale” is a famous startup moniker brought up by Paul Graham, co-founder of Y Combinator, in his essay in 2013. As a 4x founder myself, this ethos has always run true.

In the case of AI, in every scenario, ask yourself if there is a manual alternative. If there is, try that first, then automate based on customer demand.

Related: LinkedIn’s Reid Hoffman: To Scale, Do Things That Don’t Scale

2: Capture enough manual feedback

Step 1 is only half the story. The other half is ensuring you have enough of the right type of feedback to automate what really works. My strongest recommendation is to capture feedback that’s closest to customers actually paying, engaging and sharing.

I learned this the hard way in a former startup. We spent 3 months listening and iterating on prototypes based on feedback. We were maniacal in the level of detail we captured, from the user experience to the design. Then we launched, and less than 5% of these users actually paid. Instead, we shouldn’t have listened to what they said, but instead prioritized what they did.

If you want a book to help you capture the right type of feedback, check out The Mom Test.

Related: How the ‘Mom Test’ Can Help You Cut Through B.S. and Find Important Answers

3: Make AI accessible for everyone, not just AI experts

Rather than investing in an AI team or hiring AI experts, give everyone an opportunity to apply AI across their team and their work.

Preston Mossman, Senior Director of AI Consulting for Galaxy Square, told me, “learning to use AI is a muscle you have to build. A lot of people self-select out because they can’t use AI today to help them, but the first step is to accelerate their comfort and understanding in a way that feels valuable to them.”

When asking Preston about ways companies have helped their leaders get comfortable with it, he brought up investing in AI-related tools for interested individuals.

In his words, “if your mechanic told you about a $50 wrench that could get your job done just as well for half the cost, you would buy it for them or find a new mechanic (with the $50 wrench).”

Leaders not using AI in 5 years will be like leaders not using a computer today.

Related: Why Your AI Strategy Will Fail Without the Right Talent in Place

4: Hire independent experts first

Telling someone to use AI with no support is like telling someone to jump out of a plane without a parachute.

Obviously, hiring AI experts as full-time employees would be expensive and out of reach for most of us. Likewise, AI trainings take time, might be expensive, and rarely has direct applicability from training to application.

But a shortcut is hiring individuals who already use AI, as 65% of independent experts were already using AI as far back as 2024, and 95% of independent experts stated that AI makes them more competitive.

This brings up step 4: to hire flexible talent first, with flexible talent defined as independent, freelance, and fractional experts.

The data is clear that flexible talent upskills faster than full-time employees and is ahead of the curve in AI adoption and effectiveness. It’s not just AI, Deloitte research shows that the independent workforce upskills faster than their full-time peers.

There are also four massive benefits of flexible talent compared to full-time. You can control cost. You have a quicker time to effectiveness. You learn by seeing their expertise. And the most important benefit is that this is the future workforce.

To get started, look for a flexible talent platform that is specialized in your region, industry, and the application you need AI for. There are over 800 of these specialized solutions.

Related: Solopreneurship and Freelancing Is Here to Stay — Are You Ready?

5: Scale like the cloud

We take for granted how transformational cloud computing has been for us entrepreneurs. Without getting too geeky, what it really did was enable us to scale in line with customer demand rather than taking big bets because of large fixed costs.

Apply this same mindset to AI.

Do you think your AI idea is the next big breakthrough that will transform your company, your industry, and the world? That’s great. Now go through steps 1-4 before you bet the farm.

I’m not going to lie, the latest generation of AI, especially large language models and agentic AI, is nothing short of impressive. At Human Cloud, we used tools like Claude and Windsurf to accomplish in 5 minutes what had previously taken us 5 years.

On the surface, it’s a story of overnight magic. But dig deeper and you’ll find that the real magic wasn’t the AI itself; it was the five years of groundwork that came before. We spent that time using spreadsheets, Canva graphics, CRM automations and hacky off-the-shelf tools to create the right sales and delivery motion, and validate our customers’ needs.

Only then did the AI become a true accelerator, as we used Claude, Windsurf and AWS to create the Human Cloud Platform in less than 5 minutes.

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Matthew Mottola

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August 28, 2025
How One Man Conquered the World’s Toughest Peaks — and Built a Brand Every Founder Should Study | Entrepreneur

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After conquering the world’s 14 toughest peaks in record time, Nepali-born Nims Purja rose as a bold voice for the often-overlooked Sherpa guides. In the process, he became the first true celebrity mountaineer of the social media era — and one of the most debated figures in the global climbing scene.

His path wasn’t paved with venture funding or viral hacks — it was carved out with ice axes, discipline and a refusal to accept the limits others set. Purja is not just a climber; he’s an entrepreneur of his own brand, built atop grit, story and bold vision. His journey offers timeless insights for anyone aiming to build a global presence and leave a legacy.

Dare to dream bigger

By climbing all 14 of the world’s 8,000-meter peaks in just six months and six days — a feat that previously took others nearly a decade — he didn’t compete within the old standards; he created a new one entirely. For entrepreneurs, the lesson is clear: Don’t aim to improve marginally on what’s been done — dare to redefine the game itself.

Apply the 10x framework: Instead of asking “How can we improve by 10%?” challenge yourself to ask “How can we deliver 10x the value?” A local restaurant shouldn’t just aim to be “better.” They should ask: “How can we create an experience so unique that customers travel 30 minutes just to eat here?” Take 30 minutes this week to list your current business goals, then rewrite each one using 10x thinking.

When you operate with bold vision, relentless execution and unapologetic ambition, you don’t just enter the market — you reshape it. Purja’s example teaches founders that category leadership doesn’t come from incrementalism; it comes from delivering results so extraordinary that they spark a global conversation.

Related: Dream Big: 3 Ways to Fight Off Doubt and Build the Business You’ve Always Wanted

Own your narrative

Purja’s rise to global prominence wasn’t just about his physical feats — it was also about how masterfully he told his story. Through his book Beyond Possible, the Netflix documentary 14 Peaks and a consistent, personal presence on Instagram, Purja controlled the narrative of his journey, spotlighting not just his own achievements but also celebrating his team, clients and fellow Nepali climbers.

Master the three-channel system: Choose one primary social platform where you’ll post daily, add one long-form medium (blog, newsletter or LinkedIn articles) for weekly deep-dives, and secure one multimedia opportunity monthly (podcast, video or speaking engagement). Use the 70-30 rule: 70% behind-the-scenes process content, 30% final results.

Importantly, when faced with allegations of misconduct in 2024, Purja used his platforms to respond directly, transparently and on his own terms.

Prepare your crisis playbook now: When facing criticism, respond within 24 hours using this framework: Listen to the concerns (take 24 hours to process), acknowledge any valid points, respond with facts and your next steps, then follow through publicly. The lesson for entrepreneurs is powerful: In today’s digital age, owning your narrative means owning your audience, your brand and your resilience.

Transfer skills across domains

One of the most underrated superpowers in entrepreneurship is the ability to transfer skills across domains. Purja’s background in the British Gurkhas and the U.K.’s elite Special Boat Service wasn’t just a footnote in his story; it was the foundation. The discipline, decision-making under pressure, team cohesion and mental fortitude he developed in the military directly fueled his success in extreme mountaineering.

Complete a skills audit: Take two hours this month to map your previous experiences. Create three columns: your past career or major experience, the specific skills you developed and how each could differentiate your current business. Focus on skills your competitors likely don’t have — these become your unfair advantage. A former teacher launching a business might leverage lesson planning abilities for customer onboarding, while an ex-military professional could apply tactical decision-making frameworks to client strategy sessions.

Entrepreneurs often overlook the value of their past experiences — whether it’s a former career in a different industry, a side hobby or even personal challenges — but it’s often these very experiences that spark breakthrough ideas or create a unique edge. That unusual blend of backgrounds becomes your unfair advantage. Innovation doesn’t always require inventing something new; sometimes, it’s about repurposing what you already know in a way the world hasn’t seen before. The key is to recognize the transferable gold in your own journey and have the courage to apply it boldly in new arenas.

Related: How My Old Job Secretly Prepared Me to Build a Thriving Business

Monetize with meaning

Books, talks, gear, coaching — these aren’t just revenue streams; they’re powerful brand extensions that reinforce your story and values. Purja turned his mountaineering journey into a multifaceted brand by writing a bestselling book (Beyond Possible), starring in a Netflix documentary, launching branded gear and offering high-end expeditions and coaching experiences. Each extension aligns with his core narrative of resilience, pushing limits and elevating others — strengthening his personal brand and expanding his reach.

Build the four-stream model: Structure your revenue as 60% core service, 20% educational content (courses, books, workshops), 15% physical products or branded items and 5% high-value consulting or group programs. Start by perfecting your core offering and documenting your process. Then, in month two, create your first educational product — an eBook, video series or workshop. Month three, launch one branded physical item. By month six, add a premium consulting or mastermind component.

Small businesses can apply this same approach, even on a modest scale. A local fitness studio could publish an eBook on home workouts, host online wellness webinars, sell branded apparel and offer one-on-one coaching for clients looking to build sustainable fitness habits. A bakery might launch a recipe blog, host virtual baking classes, sell branded tools like aprons or spatulas and speak at local events about entrepreneurship or sustainability.

The key is to create extensions that tell your story in different formats — whether it’s education, merchandise or experiences — so your audience engages with your brand on multiple levels. When done thoughtfully, these extensions don’t just generate income — they deepen loyalty and turn your business into a lifestyle.

Root in purpose

Purja’s rise wasn’t just about personal glory — it was about collective recognition. From the start, he made it clear that his mission wasn’t only to break records but to uplift the often-uncredited heroes of Himalayan climbing: the Sherpas and Nepali guides who have long risked their lives on the world’s highest peaks like Everest without global recognition. By intentionally sharing the spotlight, forming all-Nepali climbing teams and using his media platforms to name and celebrate others, Purja shifted the narrative from individual achievement to collective pride.

Apply the 20% rule: Dedicate one-fifth of your content and platform to highlighting others in your ecosystem. Create a monthly rotation: Week 1, feature a team member; Week 2, spotlight a supplier or partner; Week 3, showcase a customer success story; Week 4, amplify someone in your industry who deserves recognition. Track engagement rates on these posts versus self-promotional content — you’ll often find that generous content performs better.

For entrepreneurs, this is a powerful lesson: Your platform is not just a megaphone for your success — it’s a tool for impact. Whether it’s amplifying the voices of overlooked teammates, underrepresented communities in your industry or emerging talent in your field, using your influence to lift others builds long-term credibility, loyalty and brand depth. In a world that values authenticity and purpose, advocacy isn’t just the right thing to do — it’s also a strategic move that differentiates you as a leader with vision and heart.

Related: How Defining Your Purpose Can Help Attract the Right Clients, Build Culture and Drive Success

Becoming a global superstar isn’t just about talent — it’s about vision

Purja’s rise reminds us that superstardom doesn’t come from chasing fame — it comes from chasing the extraordinary and bringing others with you. Whether you’re building a startup, a personal brand or a social movement, the path to global recognition is paved with authenticity, audacity and advocacy.

Your 90-day implementation plan: Start with one framework this month — perhaps the skills audit or three-channel narrative system. Master it over 30 days, measuring your progress weekly. Month two, add the four-stream revenue approach or 20% advocacy strategy. By month three, integrate 10x thinking into your biggest business challenge. Each framework builds upon the others, creating a comprehensive approach to authentic growth.

The question isn’t whether you can reach the summit — it’s whether you’re ready to believe the summit isn’t high enough.

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Liliana Pertenava

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August 28, 2025
Why Solving Problems for Customers Isn’t Enough Anymore | Entrepreneur
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Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
Every era of innovation is shaped by the assumptions it inherits — and those it dares to challenge. Today, a profound transformation is underway. It’s not just technological or economic; it is philosophical. We are moving from a world of institutional dependency to one of personal responsibility, and this shift is not abstract — it is architectural. It redefines markets, recasts the role of government, and perhaps most significantly, reshapes the landscape of entrepreneurship.

At the center of this change is a simple but powerful idea: When people know, they are responsible. The democratization of information, powered by real-time data, AI-driven personalization and platform accessibility, is rewriting the logic of service, value and ownership. The entrepreneurial question is no longer, “What can we do for people?” but, “How can we equip people to do more for themselves?”

Related: 3 Business Models That Will Shape the Future of Entrepreneurship in 2025 and Beyond

From intermediaries to enablers

Entrepreneurs have historically built businesses around solving problems on behalf of others. This often required serving as intermediaries: interpreting complexity, managing risk and navigating institutions. Insurance companies pooled risks that people couldn’t calculate. Financial advisors made sense of markets that most couldn’t access. Schools and training institutions curated learning for people who lacked the means to direct it themselves.

That model made sense — in a world where information was scarce, and institutions were necessary proxies for knowledge.

Today, individuals have direct access to tools that allow them to manage health metrics, compare investment options, acquire in-demand skills and even simulate career outcomes. Platforms like wearable health tech, robo-advisors, skill-based microcredentials and AI tutors mean people no longer require a professional class to tell them what is best. They can see it — and often predict it — for themselves.

The businesses that merely stand between the individual and their decision are now obsolete. The businesses that thrive will be those that build systems of empowerment — platforms that provide clarity, customization and capability.

The new architecture of value

In this new environment, value is not in provisioning; it is in enabling autonomy. Entrepreneurs must now ask: How do we help individuals unlock and apply their own potential?

Consider healthcare. Traditional insurance operates on the premise that people must be protected from risks they can’t predict. But as personalized health data becomes ubiquitous, people can now monitor, manage and reduce their own risk. The value chain shifts from claims management to wellness optimization. The opportunity? Build ventures that help people interpret their health data, make daily behavioral choices and invest in long-term vitality. It’s no longer about coverage — it’s about capability.

Or look at retirement planning. Where institutions once prescribed investment strategies, today’s individual can model their financial future in real time. Startups are emerging not to sell products, but to build dashboards of decision-making — offering tailored insights, adaptive risk modeling and lifestyle-based financial strategies. It’s not about controlling assets; it’s about translating knowledge into confident action.

The same transformation is visible in education. Institutions designed to certify are giving way to systems that verify. Competency-based portfolios, credentialing ecosystems and industry-aligned learning platforms are making degrees optional and demonstrable ability the currency of success. Entrepreneurs here aren’t building new schools — they’re building knowledge markets.

Related: How to Keep Up With Customer Expectations

Entrepreneurship in the age of awareness

This is a new age of entrepreneurship, one where success is not about scale alone, but about aligning with the informed individual’s journey. It demands a shift in mindset from ownership to stewardship.

Startups in this era must reflect three core design principles:
1. Empowerment over dependency: The most valuable businesses will not do things for people — they will build tools that allow people to do them for themselves. Think: platforms that help users self-diagnose, self-educate or self-direct their economic strategy.
2. Personalization over prescription: Generic offerings will fade. What succeeds now are systems that adapt: financial plans tuned to personal goals, wellness programs that respond to biometric feedback, education pathways shaped by live career data.
3. Transparency over authority: The informed individual does not tolerate gatekeeping. Businesses must offer clarity, not control. Whether in pricing, outcomes or decision logic, transparency builds the trust required for responsibility to flourish.
These principles aren’t trends — they are structural requirements. They arise because the individual now sits at the center of the value chain. And that individual is not passive. They are informed, engaged and increasingly aware that they are the product, the platform and the producer of outcomes.

The collapse and creation of value chains

As this shift accelerates, entire industries will be restructured. Wherever value was created by managing people’s ignorance, that value will collapse. Legacy insurance models, credential-based hiring systems and one-size-fits-all service providers are under existential pressure.

But with every collapse comes creation. As individuals become responsible for their own outcomes, they will seek trusted systems, smart tools and tailored insights. They will invest in products that respect their intelligence, reflect their uniqueness and respond to their goals.

The next wave of unicorns will not be service providers — they will be agency platforms. They won’t just deliver — they will activate.

A new kind of entrepreneurial ethic

This is more than strategy. It’s a new entrepreneurial ethic. It is grounded in a respect for the individual not as a target market, but as a fully capable actor. It sees people not as consumers of systems, but as participants in outcomes.

Entrepreneurship, then, becomes a civic act. It helps rebuild the social contract — not by promising care, but by equipping individuals to care for themselves and their communities. The goal is no longer centralized service. It is distributed capability.

Related: How to Use AI to Increase Business and Make Customers Happy

Build for the informed individual

The real revolution is not in technology. It’s in structure. Technology simply enables what is now structurally necessary: individual ownership of wellness, finance, education and life itself.

Entrepreneurs who understand this will stop building for passive users and start building for informed owners. They will not design systems of support; they will design systems of self-determination.

Because in this new world, when people know, they are responsible. And the businesses that thrive will be those that help them own that responsibility — with clarity, confidence and capability.
Every era of innovation is shaped by the assumptions it inherits — and those it dares to challenge. Today, a profound transformation is underway. It’s not just technological or economic; it is philosophical. We are moving from a world of institutional dependency to one of personal responsibility, and this shift is not abstract — it is architectural. It redefines markets, recasts the role of government, and perhaps most significantly, reshapes the landscape of entrepreneurship.

At the center of this change is a simple but powerful idea: When people know, they are responsible. The democratization of information, powered by real-time data, AI-driven personalization and platform accessibility, is rewriting the logic of service, value and ownership. The entrepreneurial question is no longer, “What can we do for people?” but, “How can we equip people to do more for themselves?”

Related: 3 Business Models That Will Shape the Future of Entrepreneurship in 2025 and Beyond

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Majeed Javdani

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August 26, 2025
Google Pixel 10 event brings new phones, smartwatch, earbuds and AI

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Google kicked off its Made by Google event last week with blockbuster energy. Jimmy Fallon played host, bringing humor and star presence. Steph Curry highlighted how the Pixel 10 empowers creators and athletes to capture and share their stories. Lando Norris, fresh from the F1 circuit, showed off how Pixel’s speed and AI enhancements fit into fast-paced lives. And the Jonas Brothers premiered a music video filmed entirely on the new Pixel 10 Pro, proving the phone’s camera is ready for professional-grade production.

From the first moment, Google made it clear: this was no ordinary reveal. The Pixel 10 family, including the Pixel 10, Pro, Pro XL, and Pro Fold, faced the spotlight alongside the Pixel Watch 4, Pixel Buds 2a, and Pixelsnap accessories, all powered by the next-gen Tensor G5 chip and Gemini Nano AI.

Transitioning from star-studded entertainment to deep tech, Google showcased AI-driven upgrades, from Magic Cue anticipating your needs to Pro Res Zoom up to 100x, satellite emergency support on the Pixel Watch 4, and active noise cancellation with hands-free AI on the Buds 2a-all wrapped in smarter, more seamless hardware.

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With entertainment and innovation sharing the stage, the event set the tone for Google’s most ambitious hardware lineup yet.

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Host Jimmy Fallon holds Pixel 10 Pro Fold mobile phone during the “Made by Google” event, which introduced the latest additions to Google’s Pixel portfolio of devices, in Brooklyn, New York, Aug. 20, 2025. (Reuters/Brendan McDermid)

Pixel 10 Series: Smarter design, displays, and cameras

Google’s Pixel 10 lineup is the heart of this year’s Made by Google event. With the Tensor G5 chip, brighter displays, and new AI-powered camera tools, the series delivers meaningful upgrades for everyday users. Here’s what each model brings and why it matters.

A man talking on a Google Pixel 10. (Google)

Pixel 10: Affordable power with better photography

The Pixel 10 brings big improvements without the Pro price tag. It features a 6.3-inch OLED Actua display that’s brighter than ever, making outdoor use easy. Google also added better bass in the speakers, so movies, music, and calls sound richer.

The headline feature is the first 5x telephoto lens on a base Pixel, complete with 10x optical-quality zoom and up to 20x Super Res Zoom. For anyone who loves capturing moments from a distance, kids’ soccer games, concerts, or city skylines, this is a huge advancement forward.

Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel 10 Pro XL: AI cameras for creators

The Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel 10 Pro XL models push Pixel photography even further. They introduce Pro Res Zoom up to 100x, powered by generative AI on the Tensor G5 chip. That means close-up shots with detail you’d normally need a DSLR to capture.

Both the Pro (6.3-inch) and Pro XL (6.8-inch) feature Google’s brightest Super Actua displays, larger batteries, and up to 16 GB of RAM for faster performance. These phones are made for power users who want the very best in cameras, speed, and AI tools.

Pixel 10 Pro Fold: Durability meets flexibility

A Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold display is shown. (Google)

The Pixel 10 Pro Fold is Google’s most durable foldable yet, designed for people who want a phone that doubles as a tablet. With an upgraded gearless hinge, IP68 water and dust resistance, and a larger battery, it’s built to last years of folding and unfolding.

It’s perfect for multitasking, splitting the screen for video calls and apps, or for streaming and gaming on the bigger display. For anyone curious about foldables but worried about durability, this is Google’s most confident answer yet.

The Pixel 10, Pro, Pro XL, and Pro Fold all run on the brand-new Tensor G5 chip, which Google calls its most significant upgrade to date. The chip is made by TSMC using a 3nm process, delivering faster, more efficient on-device AI performance with Gemini Nano at its core. Across the entire lineup, Google made thoughtful design upgrades. The iconic camera bar has been refined, the bodies use more recycled materials, and the colors are elegant and modern. Choices include Indigo, Frost, and Lemongrass on Pixel 10, and Moonstone, Jade, Obsidian, and Porcelain on the Pro models.

FOLDABLE PHONES ARE IMPRESSIVE TECHNOLOGICAL MARVELS BUT COME WITH SERIOUS COMPROMISES

Pricing and availability

Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, and Pixel 10 Pro XL are all available for preorder today, starting at $799, $999, and $1199. Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel 10 Pro XL owners will also get a full year of Google AI Pro. Pixel 10 Pro Fold is available for pre-order today and hits shelves on Oct. 9.

If you’re not ready to upgrade to the latest model, you can often find great discounts on earlier Pixels around launch season. Check out the Top Android phones of 2025 for deals on previous Android phones by visiting Cyberguy.com/TopAndroidPhones

Pixel Buds 2a: Smarter sound at a friendly price

A woman wears Pixel Buds 2a. (Google)

Google introduced the Pixel Buds 2a as the newest member of the Pixel Buds family. They deliver premium features like Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and hands-free AI help, all at an affordable $129. With a fresh design, better sound, and smarter connectivity, these buds bring everyday value to anyone who wants high performance without breaking the bank.

Lightweight design with a comfortable fit

Pixel Buds 2a are smaller and lighter than the earlier A-series, making them comfortable enough to wear all day. Inspired by the Pixel Buds Pro 2, they include a twist-to-adjust stabilizer and four different eartips so you can find the perfect fit. With an IP54 sweat and water resistance rating, you don’t have to worry about rain or workouts. The buds also come in two stylish colors, iris and hazel, designed to complement other Pixel devices.

Clearer, smarter audio powered by Tensor A1

At the heart of Pixel Buds 2a is the Tensor A1 chip, built specifically for audio. This brings Active Noise Cancellation with Silent Seal 1.5, a first for Google’s A-series. A custom speaker driver and new high-frequency chamber enhance music and podcast quality. Wind-blocking mesh covers and Google AI improve call clarity, so your voice sounds crisp on the other end.

Battery life also gets a boost. You’ll enjoy 7 hours on a single charge with ANC on, and up to 20 hours with the charging case. With ANC off, you get nearly double the listening time compared to the first-generation A-series. For the first time, the case itself includes a replaceable battery, making the buds more durable and sustainable.

AI Help without reaching for your phone

Pixel Buds 2a work as more than headphones; they’re also your AI companion. With Gemini built in, you can get quick answers, check messages, or even ask for coffee shop recommendations on the go. Just say “Hey Google” or customize the press-and-hold gesture for instant help.

Easy pairing and smart connectivity

Pairing with a Pixel phone is seamless, but the buds also support Multipoint, letting you switch between devices without hassle. Fast Pair makes setup quick, and the Find Hub app ensures you never lose them. You can see the exact location on a map or make them ring when nearby.

Pricing and availability

At just $129, Pixel Buds 2a deliver features once reserved for premium earbuds. They’re available for preorder now and will hit shelves at the Google Store and retail partners on Oct. 9.

Pixel Watch 4: Smarter design, AI health, and satellite safety

A Pixel Watch 4 is seen with a pink wristband and display. (Google)

The Pixel Watch 4 is Google’s biggest smartwatch upgrade yet. It keeps the iconic round look but introduces a domed Actua 360 display that’s brighter, larger, and easier to see, even in direct sunlight. The screen is 50% brighter, the bezels are smaller, and everything feels more fluid thanks to new animations and stronger haptics. Simply put, it looks better and feels more responsive on your wrist.

Longer battery, faster charging

Battery life has always been a concern for smartwatches. Google addressed it with a 25% boost. The 41mm model now lasts up to 30 hours, while the 45mm model stretches to 40 hours. With Battery Saver mode, you can extend usage to two or even three days. Plus, the new Quick Charge Dock takes you from 0 to 50% in just 15 minutes, making it easier to power up before you head out.

Satellite communications for emergencies

One of the most groundbreaking features is standalone satellite connectivity. Pixel Watch 4 LTE is the first smartwatch that can dial emergency services even when you’re off the grid. Whether you’re hiking, camping, or driving in remote areas, the watch can connect to geo-stationary satellites and get help when you need it most. That’s peace of mind you can actually wear.

Advanced health and fitness tracking

Health remains a core focus. Pixel Watch 4 adds more accurate sleep tracking, enhanced skin temperature sensing, and dual-frequency GPS for precise route logging in tough environments. Cyclists will love the new real-time bike stats, while fitness fans get 50+ exercise modes, including pickleball and basketball. Even if you forget to start a workout, the watch’s AI now auto-detects and logs your activity.

Your AI health coach, 24/7

With Gemini AI built in, the Pixel Watch 4 goes beyond tracking; it coaches. A new personal AI health coach gives proactive fitness and sleep advice tailored to your goals. It’s like having a trainer and wellness guide on your wrist, available anytime. A preview of this feature arrives in October through the Fitbit app, opening the door to personalized, AI-driven health support.

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Seamless smart features

The Pixel Watch 4 isn’t just about health. With Gemini on your wrist, you can get answers or complete tasks hands-free. Raise your wrist to talk, respond to messages with smart replies, or control your day without pulling out your phone. It’s designed for those busy, in-between moments, when your hands are full but you still need help.

Pricing and availability

The Pixel Watch 4 is available for preorder now. It launches Oct. 9 with pricing starting at $349 for Wi-Fi and $449 for LTE in the 41mm size, and $399 for Wi-Fi and $499 for LTE in the 45mm size. Google is also offering a wide range of new watch bands, letting you personalize your style to match your Pixel phone or your look.

Pixelsnap and Qi2 Charging: Magnetic power made simple

A Pixelsnap Charger, Pixelsnap Ring Stand and the Pixel Flex 67W Dual USB-C fast charger are showcased. (Google)

The Pixel 10 series is the first major Android lineup to fully embrace Qi2 magnetic charging. Think of it as Google’s answer to MagSafe, only it works with a wider range of devices. Qi2 improves on the old Qi standard by adding magnets, so your phone snaps perfectly into place every time. No more fiddling with alignment, charging is instant and reliable.

This upgrade matters because it unlocks a full ecosystem of Pixelsnap accessories, built to make charging and everyday use easier. And since Qi2 is a universal standard, you’re not limited to Google’s products; you can also use MagSafe accessories with your Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, and Pixel 10 Pro Fold.

Pixelsnap Charger and Stand

The Pixelsnap Charger comes as a simple puck or bundled with a sleek stand. It charges the Pixel 10 Pro XL at up to 25W and other Qi2-certified devices at 15W. The stand looks elegant on a desk or nightstand, and the puck detaches for charging on the go. If you own a Pixel 10 Pro Fold, the stand even supports charging while unfolded, letting you stream, video call, or display widgets on the big screen as your phone powers up.

Pixelsnap Ring Stand

Need hands-free viewing? The Pixelsnap Ring Stand snaps onto the back of your phone for propping it up. It rotates smoothly thanks to a microfiber liner, making it easy to find the perfect angle for movies or video calls. Slim enough to slip into a pocket or purse, it adds function without adding bulk.

Pixelsnap Cases

Google designed its new Pixel 10 cases to be Pixelsnap-ready. That means you can attach chargers or accessories without ever removing the case. Available in colors like Moonstone, Jade, Obsidian, Porcelain, Indigo, Frost, and Lemongrass, they not only protect your phone but also match the refreshed Pixel 10 design.

Pixel Flex 67W Dual Port USB-C Fast Charger

If you prefer wired charging, Google also introduced the Pixel Flex Dual Port 67W charger. It’s the fastest dual-port charger yet for Pixel phones. Thanks to a custom algorithm, it prioritizes charging your Pixel first while still powering a second device. Compact with foldable prongs, it’s designed to travel as easily as you do.

Pricing and availability

All Pixelsnap products and the Pixel 10 series are available for preorder now, with retail availability starting August 28.

AI Features: Magic Cue, Camera Coach, and more

An image of the Tensor G5 chip is seen. (Google)

Google made it clear at the 2025 Made by Google event that AI is now at the heart of the Pixel experience. With the Tensor G5 chip and Gemini Nano, Pixel 10 phones deliver more than speed-they anticipate what you need and help you get it done.

Magic Cue: Smarter help across your apps

The new Magic Cue acts like a personal assistant inside your phone. It proactively pulls information you need at just the right time. For example, if you’re on the phone with an airline, it can instantly display your flight details from Gmail. When you’re in a group chat, it can surface photos or addresses without making you dig. And because all of this happens on-device, your personal data stays private.

Camera Coach: AI that makes you a better photographer

Pixel cameras are known for their quality, but Camera Coach takes it further. Using Gemini AI, it gives real-time tips to improve your photos. It might suggest a different angle, a tighter frame, or a better composition. For beginners, it’s a helpful teacher. For experienced photographers, it’s like having a second set of creative eyes right in your pocket.

Best Take and Pro Res Zoom: Smarter shots every time

Features like Best Take automatically select the sharpest face from a series of photos, making group shots easier than ever. Meanwhile, Pro Res Zoom, exclusive to Pixel 10 Pro models, uses a generative AI imaging model to deliver astonishing detail up to 100x zoom. It’s not just cropping in, it’s rebuilding and refining the image to look crisp.

Everyday AI that saves you time

Beyond photography, Google packed the Pixel 10 with over 20 generative AI tools that work directly on the device. They help with editing, writing, and even composing replies in your favorite apps. The goal is simple: make the phone feel less like a tool and more like a helpful companion that adapts to your needs.

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Kurt’s key takeaways

Google just staged one of its most memorable launches yet. With Fallon, Curry, Norris, and the Jonas Brothers front and center, the event blended entertainment and innovation. That energy carried through to the devices, which brought Google’s boldest AI, camera, and ecosystem upgrades so far. Each product offered clear value. The Tensor G5 chip and Gemini Nano AI make everything faster and more efficient. The Pixel 10 phones push photography and performance further than before. Meanwhile, the Pixel Watch 4 adds health coaching and even satellite emergency support. The Pixel Buds 2a also pack premium sound and smart features at a budget price. In addition, Pixelsnap accessories make charging simple and stylish. Finally, Google’s promise of seven years of updates sets this lineup apart. Combined with thoughtful design and proactive AI, these devices feel built to last.

Will Google’s AI-first approach convince you to upgrade, or are you waiting to see what Apple and Samsung do next? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com/Contact

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Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

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August 26, 2025