AI agents are so popular that businesses now need a dashboard specifically for managing all their AI agents. At least, Microsoft is betting they’ll need one, since the company just launched Agent 365 to do just that.

Agent 365 is designed to track AI telemetry and issue alerts when needed, just like many business management software do for human employees.

Microsoft just announced the new tool, which comes with built-in cybersecurity tools and can track third-party agents in addition to homegrown AI agents from Microsoft’s Copilot.

How Does Microsoft Agent 365 Work?

Microsoft announced the new tool at its conference for IT professionals, Ignite 2025.

They say that the tool aims to unify all the controls needs to safely and securely launch, govern, and integrate new AI agents into existing enterprise workflows.

It bundles in three big security tools from the tech giant: Microsoft Defender, Entra, and Purview. Users will also get access to the Microsoft 365 admin center for agentic management.

In addition to better security, the key functions of the tool include centralization, access control, better visualization of insights, and higher interoperability with the vast array of other Microsoft software and services.

What Types of AI Agents Will the Tool Manage?

One big selling point is the broad range of types of AI agents that users will be able to track and govern with this centralized dashboard.

Here are the types of agents that can already be managed with Agent 365, according to a statement at Ignite 2025 from Microsoft’s Jared Spataro, the Chief Marketing Officer for AI at Work.

• Copilot Studio
• Microsoft Foundry
• Agents from open-source frameworks
• Agents from third-party partners, including: Adobe, ServiceNow, Manus AI, Workday

Microsoft plans to continue adding partnerships in the future, further expanding the types of agents that the dashboard can track.

Selling Shovels During a Gold Rush

Tools like Agent 365 make sense in today’s AI-frenzied work environment: When everyone has an AI agent, they all need an AI agent management tool.

Basically, Microsoft is following the advice within a classic Mark Twain quote cited at MBAs the world around: “During the gold rush, it’s a good time to be in the pick and shovel business.”

To put a number to the predictions, one estimate says that roughly 1.3 billion AI agents are predicted by 2028. The enterprise business world might be on the brink of a big shift, and Microsoft is ready to profit off of exactly that.

Granted, fears of an AI bubble pop aren’t unwarrented. However, even if consumers lose access to free gen AI tools like ChatGPT or Gemini, enterprises will likely still be interested in the potential savings offered by tools that allow them to replace workers.

Either way, Microsoft’s new Agent 365 tool seems set for success.

Another tech executive is sounding the alarm on the job impact of AI, with the CEO of Anthropic noting that the technology is likely to eliminate roles “faster than what we’ve seen with previous technology.”

The writing is on the wall, too, with tech firms across the industry laying off employees at an alarming rate, and employment numbers in the US continuing to fall faster than even experts expected.

Luckily, it seems like at least one CEO understands the risks of AI in the long run, whether or not something is being done about it.

Job Impact of AI Will Be ‘Significant’

In an interview with 60 Minutes on Sunday, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei had a lot to say about AI and its potential impact on the world. More specifically, he explained — as many experts have — that the technology could dramatically impact the job market in a negative way.

“Without intervention, it’s hard to imagine that there won’t be some significant job impact there. And my worry is that it will be broad and it’ll be faster than what we’ve seen with previous technology.” – Dario Amodei, CEO of Anthropic

Amodei also noted that he believes AI will eventually be more intelligent than “most or all humans in most or all ways.”

AI Is Already Having an Impact

Many of these AI tech leaders talk about job impact like it’s a problem for the future, but the reality is that there are plenty of signs that we’re already in the midst of a serious shift.

Particularly over the last few months, tech firms have been laying off employees at a substantial rate. Amazon — one of the largest employers in the US — laid off 14,000 employees just a few weeks ago, and other companies like IBM, Microsoft, and Salesforce have all been culling roles at a historic rate.

It’s not just a tech problem, either. Job reports out of the US continue to show slow growth and fewer roles on what seems like a monthly basis.

Entry-level positions are especially vulnerable, with college graduates have some serious problems finding jobs that will hire them.

A Steady Hand on the Wheel?

Tech CEOs haven’t exactly won over the public in the last few years. Scandals and questionable practices have led to a lack of trust, and the rise of AI hasn’t made anyone feel any better.

Amodei, however, seems to be one of the more level-headed AI CEOs out there in 2025, noting that a failure to put up guardrails on this innovative technology could have a dire impact beyond the job market. Luckily, he’s working on it.

“You want a model to go build your business and make you a billion. But you don’t want to wake up one day and find that it’s also locked you out of the company, for example. And so our sort of basic approach to it is, we should just start measuring these autonomous capabilities and to run as many weird experiments as possible and see what happens.” – Dario Amodei, CEO of Anthropic

The future of AI and its impact on the world remain to be seen, given that the technology is still very much in its infancy. Hopefully cooler heads — like Amodei — can prevail, but it’s a steep mountain to climb when the financial implications are fueling the entire world economy.

If you want work-life balance, you should probably stay out of the tech industry, with a new term being used to justify the extreme lengths by which these entrepreneurs want their employees to commit to the grind.

The term 996 — which describes a work schedule of 9am to 9pm, six days per week — has gained a lot of popularity over the last few years, starting in China but now gaining traction in Silicon Valley.

In this guide, we’ll explain what the term means, where it came from, how popular it is, and how different it is from other work schedule trends that are gaining traction in 2025.

What Is 996?

The term 996 describes the lengthy and intense work schedule of tech entrepreneurs and their employees. More specifically, it refers to working from “9am to 9pm, six days per week.”

If you do the math, that’s 72 hours per week, nearly double the standard full-time work schedule.

Where Did 996 Come From?

The term 996 originated in the Chinese tech industry, wherein many established companies and smaller startups employ the work schedule in order to get ahead of the competition.

However, the term has gained popularity beyond China, with Silicon Valley tech entrepreneurs embracing the grind that this schedule demands.

The use of the rigorous work schedule has become particularly popular among tech entrepreneurs and employees who work in the burgeoning AI industry. It seems that a lot of companies think they’ll become the next big name if their employees simply work harder and for longer periods of time.

How Common Is 996?

The exact number of US businesses partaking in a 996 work schedule is hard to nail down, because the legality of forcing your employees to work for 72 hours per week is a bit of a grey area.

However, one study found that 31% of Silicon Valley startups have admitted to utilizing the rigorous work schedule for their teams, which is to be expected of such a competitive area for the tech industry.

Silicon Valley isn’t alone when it comes to the 996 work schedule, but it is definitely the area where it’s most prevalent. Startups in other cities, such as Austin, Boston, and Seattle, reported using the 996 work schedule less than 10% of the time.

The Pros & Cons of 996

As with any work schedule, there are definitely some benefits and downfalls, depending on how you look at it. Here are the pros and cons of the 996 work schedule:

The pros

For the pros, the study mentioned above from Stem Search Group found that companies employing the 996 work schedule generally pay a lot more than their counterparts, with salaries 25-30% higher than the market.

Generally speaking, these jobs also offer a lot more perks (to the tune of approximately $15,000-25,000 more) and these companies offer double the equity when signing on their employees.

To be fair, though, you are working a lot more than your average position, and those increased salaries might not be enough to make up for it.

The cons

Unsusprisingly, it’s not all sunshine and roses with 996. The cons are pretty substantial and could have a far worse impact on your business than the added productivity.

For starters, employees aren’t sticking around at 996 businesses for very long, with voluntary exits coming, on average, after 14 months. On top of that, these businesses see a sky-high turnover rate of 45%. The industry average is only 12%.

Companies employing the 996 work schedule are also a lot more prone to errors. According to the study, error rates at these businesses are up 23-35% and code quality generally falls 15-28%.

More importantly, there is one serious con to the 996 work schedule that can be devastating for your workforce…

What About Work-Life Balance?

You probably can guess, but this work schedule does not exactly open the door for any work-life balance. 72 hours per week is essentially all of your waking hours, except for maybe a stop by the farmer’s market on Sunday.

In fact, this schedule is so demanding that many critics view it as not only demanding but also downright unhealthy. The Chinese Supreme Court even made the 996 work schedule illegal in 2021, citing staff deaths linked to overwork.

Suffice to say, employing the 996 work schedule is far from recommended, especially if your business is based in China.

996 vs Four-Day Work Week

While some tech entrepreneurs are getting on board with the 996 work schedule, it’s not as common as they would like. Fortunately, there is a far more common work schedule trend that continues to gain traction, and it both improves productivity and employee wellbeing: the four-day work week.

That’s right, working on 32 hours per week for the same pay has been tested and retested at companies around the world, and the results are notable. Fewer sick days, higher productivity, better turnover rates, higher revenue, lower operation costs, all are shown to be a direct result of reducing the number of hours employees work, not increasing them.

All that to say, if you’re debating which method can ensure your business sees long-term success, we’d highly recommend going with the proven work schedule with mountains of evidence on its effectiveness, rather than the one that was made illegal by the Chinese Supreme Court.

Another day, another company getting rid of employees because of artificial intelligence, with cybersecurity firm Deepwatch announcing that it would be laying off employees so that it can invest more in AI.

In 2025, very few jobs are safe from AI. While CEOs and managers did their best to assure workers that they wouldn’t be left out to dry, a substantial culling of positions is taking place across the industry.

Deepwatch joins dozens of tech firms that are trimming down their workforce because of AI, despite the technology showing little return-on-investment so far.

Deepwatch Lays Off Nearly a Third of Workforce

Announced this week, cybersecurity firm Deepwatch has laid off dozens of employees.

The layoffs are quite substantial considering the size of the 250-employee company, with between 60 and 80 workers reportedly losing their jobs. That’s nearly one third of their entire workforce.

As for the why, CEO John DiLullo explained to TechCrunch in an email that the company “is aligning our organization to accelerate our significant investments in AI and automation.”

Employee Response to Deepwatch Layoffs

Much of the information about the Deepwatch layoffs is coming from social media, where now-former employees are taking to LinkedIn to announce their newly available status on the job market.

Other employees, however, aren’t nearly as optimistic, with one particular instance showing that the workforce isn’t nearly as excited about investing in AI technology as management.

“They’re doing something with AI and agentic AI but it sounds like bullshit.” – A current Deepwatch employee to TechCrunch

Obviously, the response to layoffs is never positive, but when still-employed workers are specifically speaking out about the reasoning, it becomes clear that the remaining two thirds of your team might not be on board.

Companies Laying Off Employees Because of AI

Deepwatch is certainly not the first company in recent memory to lay off employees because they want to free up capital for AI investment. In fact, there have been a lot of companies that have full-on replaced workers with AI in 2025, openly admitting to it when they do so.

Many of them are making far more substantial layoffs than Deepwatch, too. Just a few weeks ago, Amazon announced it would be letting go of 14,000 employees. A few months ago, Microsoft removed 6,000 employees from the company. Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff even bragged about reducing the company’s workforce from 9,000 to 5,000 thanks to AI.

Simply put, AI is putting jobs at risk, whether it be through avid investment or full-on role replacement. And if you want to stay safe, you’re going to need to embrace the technology sooner rather than later.

New Tech.co survey data has revealed a dramatic decline in the amount of logistics professionals that report a high level of demand for freight, as this amount has fallen by about a third between April and October 2025.

Worse, this decline comes during what’s typically peak shipping season — the months of August, September, and October usually see a surge in freight, thanks to the upcoming holidays.

This new data, the latest in our monthly surveys, supports the claims experts have already been making for a while. The largest capacity purge in history is likely on the way, as the industry has too many trucks and trucking companies available without the freight demand to justify their existence.

26% Report High Demand in October, Down From 41% in April

Tech.co’s monthly survey tracks carriers and their perception of freight availability. In April 2025, 41% of respondents self-reported a high level of demand — either saying that they had “too much demand” or that they had “more than enough.”

Six months later, during the critical period for holiday inventory movement, that sentiment had declined by over a third: 26% of respondents said the same in October 2025.

Similarly, the number of logistics professionals that reported low levels of freight availability has increased during this period, with the percentage of professionals reporting a low level of availability hitting a high of 17%.

Freight Demand Is Dropping When It Should Be Surging

These results reveal a dramatic decline in business activity right as the market should be surging. This is strong evidence that, for many carriers, the traditional rhythms of logistics are no longer dependable.

But it’s not unexpected.

The trucking industry has been in a slump for over two years now, with truckers collectively driving fewer miles in 2024 than in the year prior.

Granted, the logistics business did see a big uptick earlier in the year due to front-loading in response to the first few waves of tariffs out from the US government, but this has since fallen.

Major industry indexes such as Cass are tracking a decline in shipping, while others see shipping costs on the rise. Now, our survey data further connects the dots between expert analysis and industry data: The professionals on the ground are also providing their own perspective.

Moving Forward With Strong Financial Pressure

Given the state of the industry, it’s no wonder that “managing financial pressure” is the top priority for a significant portion (20%) of respondents in our monthly survey.

What’s the path forward for freight companies facing with fewer opportunities to ship the freight they need to stay in the black?

First, companies will have to contend with lost profitability in the long-term. Perhaps an improved source of market intelligence can help, but it’ll definitely be a challenge to consistently ship the most profitable loads while avoiding low-margin tasks.

Second, they’ll need to manage their cash flow in the short term, since they’ll need immediate funds to cover operating costs while waiting for any delayed payments that aren’t yet available. In short: Freight companies will need to figure out a balancing act between short and long-term priorities.

Research from AI Resume Builder finds that 30% of businesses intend to lay off staff in favor of AI in 2026, with a further 21% confirming that they have already replaced specific roles with the technology this year.

Largely, respondents confirmed that these changes will be quite wide-reaching, with 49% of employers that intend to replace staff planning to let go of between 10% and 45% of their current workforce. 7% of bosses said that 65% or more of their workforce will be affected, as per the report’s findings.

In recent months, a number of high-profile companies has made headlines by letting go of staff in favor of automation. This trend is unlikely to go away, with many believing that AI is a silver bullet solution to companies’ economic woes.

Nearly One-Third of Companies Planning to Replace HR With AI

New research from AI Resume Builder reveals that almost a third of companies are planning to replace HR employees with AI. According to the study, 30% of companies plan to replace staff with AI in 2026, while an added 21% confirmed that they had already replaced HR roles with AI this year.

The changes themselves will be pretty substantial, with a significant portion of respondents (49%) stating that between 10% and 45% of their current workforce could expect to be replaced by AI. A further 7% estimated that 65% or more of their staff would be affected.

The report surveyed 1,250 business leaders to better understand how companies plan to integrate AI into their workforce in 2026. The findings paint a bleak picture for employees everywhere, with a high proportion of senior leaders united in their belief that AI can replace sections of the workforce. Recently, it emerged that half of HR executives were already using AI in a bid to make better hires.

Customer Service Roles Most Likely to Feel AI Sting

Elsewhere, the report indicates that customer service roles are the most likely to be replaced with AI in 2026, with 54% of respondents in agreement. Administrative or clerical jobs are next up at 49%, followed by IT and technical support at 47%.

Reportedly, these functions already overlap with the areas in which AI is most commonly used, including data analysis (61%), summarizing meetings and documents (58%), and research (56%). Therefore, the leap to automation will be a lot smoother.

But rather than posing an existential threat to people’s roles, this shift presents an opportunity for many. According to Rachel Serwetz, career advisor at AI Resume Builder: “Professionals should start by learning the AI tools most relevant to their field. For example, if AI is adopted for customer service, administrative, or IT work, there will still be a need for people to manage and oversee those tools.”

Workers Under Pressure to Adapt in Evolving Climate

One thing that is certain is that employees will need to adapt in order to survive the shifting workplace climate. According to the report, the majority of business leaders (67%) already consider AI skills to be highly desirable and something they will look for as they make hires in 2026.

At the same time, bosses expect workers to be able to produce a higher volume of work because of AI. As per the report, 17% of respondents expect “significantly more” output, 36% expect “a lot more,” and 39% “a little more.”

All signs indicate that proficiency with AI is a great way to get ahead in the modern workplace. That’s why we’ve put together a guide to the best free AI courses that you can take in November. The writing is on the wall: workers who don’t take action soon risk being left behind.

In 2025, every company is a tech company — including health practices. Technological advancements made in the last few years, in particular, have completely transformed the way the healthcare industry operates, with digital platforms now making it easier than ever to manage appointment scheduling, patient records, and everything in between.

This has been largely driven by the evolution of practice management software, which is designed to automate and streamline the administrative, financial, and operational aspects of running a practice. However, there are a lot of platforms to choose from, offering different functionalities and price points for practices of all sizes. That’s where we want to help.

In this guide, we’ll help you understand exactly how to choose practice management software for your business by outlining some of the criteria you should consider before choosing a platform.

What Is Practice Management Software?

Practice management software is an system for managing, automating, and streamlining your business operations. There are both cloud-based online options and on-site solutions, depending on your particular business needs.

These platforms are designed to offer a variety of features, including scheduling, billing, claims, records, workflow automation, and reporting and analytics.

While this guide focuses on health care practices, practice management software is available for a wide range of industries, including legal firms, mental health practices, accounting firms, and dental and veterinary operations.

How to Choose Practice Management Software

Now that you understand what practice management software is, it’s time to dig into what you should consider before choosing a platform.

After all, the functionality of these tools can vary dramatically from provider to provider, and you’ll want to be sure that you’re set up with a system that meets the needs of your particular practice.

Here are some criteria you should consider when choosing a practice management software provider.

Security

Managing a health practice requires a lot more security than your average business, because of the sensitive data you’re storing.

For practices of every size, protecting the health information of your patients needs to be a top priority, no matter what stage of growth you’re in. There are specific security features you should look for in a practice management software to ensure patient privacy.

Find a practice management software that is compliant with global standards for data protection. HIPAA, GDPR, CCPA, and other compliance certificates should be a given, as they are widely considered the bare minimum when it comes to protecting your patients’ health data.

Preferably, look for a platform that is ISO 270001 certified, as this is the highest global standard for information security.

Beyond that, check that the practice management software you choose provides basic security features like multi-factor authentication, data encryption, and automated time-outs, as these l tools make it easier to secure patient data.

AI features

A top tip for using project management platforms effectively is to leverage the power of AI. AI features are all the buzz in the business world, and practice management software has kept up with the trend. These tools can save you a lot of time in the long run, and given the value of time in the healthcare industry, you’d be doing yourself, your business, and your patients a disservice by not at least exploring your options.

There are quite a few AI options that can help your practice be more efficient. Some platforms offer AI-powered note-taking tools that can record conversations between patients and practitioners and transcribe the dialogue for easier reviewing post-appointment.

Some practice management software providers also offer AI assistants that operate much like popular tools like ChatGPT. However, these services are designed specifically for healthcare practitioners, so you’ll be able to refine your documentation to make it more detailed, glean valuable insights about your practice, and save time on administrative tasks throughout the day.

Integrations

If you’re an established practice that is looking for management software to run your entire business, the value of third-party integrations cannot be overstated. The ability to turn the platform into an all-in-one hub for your practice will streamline even more of your operations than AI alone.

What kind of third-party integrations are helpful? The list is virtually endless. Google Calendar can be helpful for scheduling, Stripe can streamline payments and invoicing, Xero can make accounting easier, MailChimp can improve communication with patients. Dropbox can make documentation storage a breeze.

All that to say, if you already have a large suite of apps you’re using, make sure that the practice management software you pick is compatible, otherwise, you could end up doing more than you need to for simple operations.

Support

While most practice management systems are quite intuitive, healthcare is fairly complicated by nature, which means you’ll want to make sure your chosen provider is set up with some top-tier support options to help when needed.

The kind of support you want will depend on your particular needs, but it can definitely vary from provider to provider.

Look for options that offer 24/7 coverage, for example, if you expect to need help outside of normal business hours. The available channels of support will be important too, with some providers only offering phone, while others prioritize email and live chat.

It’s also worth looking into whether or not the practice management software you’re eyeing offers self-help options, like documentation, video tutorials, and knowledge bases. These can streamline your support process by ditching the middleman and allowing you to solve issues yourself.

How Much Does Practice Management Software Cost?

Fortunately, the price range for practice management software is pretty big, with single or small practitioners able to get set up for around $30 to $70 per month. Large operations can understandably expect some higher prices, with some enterprise-level solutions costing as much as $500 per month.

Generally speaking, the higher the price, the more functionality you’re going to get. Common features that are included with more expensive plans include better support, more third-party integrations, and data migration, which can help get your system set up faster when starting or transitioning..

More importantly, take note of whether or not a provider offers pricing as a “per user” or a “per practitioner” model. The latter will charge you for every practitioner that is covered by your practice, while the former will only charge you for every staff member that needs an account.

Is there free practice management software?

If your budget is particularly tight, you may be looking for a free practice management software to organize your business. Well, you are in luck, as there are indeed some free options available that can help streamline operations and improve productivity.

However, it’s worth noting that free practice management software options are, understandably, less functional than their premium counterparts. Generally speaking, they’re less customizable, offer limited analytic tools, and provide little to no support. Plus, free practice management software solutions generally collect and sell user data, which isn’t ideal for those trying to protect information.

On top of that, they can almost defeat the purpose of using these platforms, because they make administrative work more taxing without the helpful automations that make practice management software so valuable.

If you’re looking to invest, the good news is paid options often come with some kind of free trial, so you can get a feel for how they operate before you make a financial commitment.

Getting Started with Practice Management Software

Hopefully this has helped narrow down your options when it comes to practice management software or at least understand that factors like security, AI, support, integrations, and price should always be at the top of your mind while you make a decision.

If you’re looking for an excellent option with over 40,000 users, Zanda provides an all-in-one platform that can help you achieve your practice goals. From calendar management and client portals to payments, AI and automations, Zanda offers one login with unlimited potential.

According to a recent cybersecurity report, ransomware payment rates hit a historic low across several areas in Q3 2025.

This correlates closely with current industry trends, as larger firms increasingly resist the pressure to pay ransoms, and smaller firms face decreasing overall ransomware payment rates.

The report’s findings also suggest that businesses are becoming better equipped to deal with cybersecurity threats, but firms should still exercise vigilance, especially as new threats like AI develop.

Ransomware Payments Hit a Historic Low in Q3 2025

A report from Coveware has found that both the average ransom payment and the median ransom payment is down significantly from Q2 to Q3 2025, with the former down 66% and the latter down 65%.

Likewise, ransom payment rates across all impact scenarios, including encryption, data exfiltration, and other extortion, fell to a historic low of 23%.

Ultimately, the report concluded that the overall success rate of cyber extortion is decreasing, based on a few factors.

Lower Ransom Payments Hint to Wider Industry Trends

The report identified two wider trends these numbers reflect.

On the one hand, larger businesses are getting better at resisting the pressure to pay ransoms and are beginning to understand that paying for stolen data holds no benefit to them in the long run. Instead, approaching negotiations with a no-payment offer is becoming more advisable.

Secondly, attacks on smaller firms are seeing relatively lesser amounts offered as ransom payments. While small businesses do remain easier to disrupt overall, attackers are asking for less money in return.

Cybersecurity Measures Are Making Progress

The historic low for both average ransomware payments and median ransomware payments comes after a long-term downward trend, suggesting that payments are generally decreasing.

While businesses should always remain vigilant and focus on keeping their data as secure as possible — particularly in the age of AI and data breaches — the report can be seen as a positive one, that perhaps progress is being made. 

It appears that firms are getting better at understanding what needs to be done in order to stay protected. That being said, businesses should still keep one eye on the future and never get to a point of complacency.

OpenAI has introduced a new feature to ChatGPT that lets users interrupt it “mid-thought”, allowing for corrections to be made in real-time to queries.

For businesses using the platform to conduct deep research, or even to handle complicated or multi-layered queries, the new feature could save time and maximize efficiency.

On top of the release of this new feature, OpenAI have recently launched a new web browser, and released the second version of its video editing app Sora. These developments could see it make some strong strides forward in the race to dominate the AI space.

OpenAI Adds Interrupt Feature to ChatGPT

Leading AI company OpenAI has introduced a new feature to its chatbot, ChatGPT, that now allows users to interrupt the chatbot as it’s crafting its answers, in order to make corrections or add new information.

You’ll be able to make changes by clicking the “Update” button in the platform’s sidebar, which will allow you to make changes in real time.

You also won’t lose any progress on your chat or have to restart when using this feature.

New OpenAI Feature Benefits Researchers and Businesses

The “Update” feature could certainly be beneficial for businesses that use chatbots such as ChatGPT to conduct in-depth research and give detailed queries. For example, if you are referencing a document which you later realize is out of date, you can tell ChatGPT to exclude it from its answer as it is “thinking”.

Likewise, it will mean less time waiting around for ChatGPT to produce an answer you know is wrong, before having to correct it with another prompt. Instead, the chatbot can adjust itself as quickly as possible, saving you time and maximizing efficiency.

This update will definitely make the chatbot more collaborative, and benefit those who want to have of a back-and-forth conversation that more closely mirrors real life.

OpenAI Continues Surge of New and Improved Products

This update to ChatGPT comes admist a range of new announcements from OpenAI. Recently, it has released an AI-powered web browser, known as Atlas, which could potentially rival sector leader Google Chrome.

OpenAI have also recently enabled limited access to the second iteration of its highly successful AI video editing app, Sora, which surpassed ChatGPT in downloads over a specific period of time.

No doubt looking to rival competitors such as Gemini and Claude, these new additions could see OpenAI take bold strides forward in becoming the world’s leading AI company.

The AI machine rumbles on.

This month alone, we’ve borne witness to mass layoffs in favor of automation, a lucrative new deal between OpenAI and Amazon, and the first US bill regulating the usage of AI chatbots.

With all signs indicating that there are no brakes on this particular train, it might be time to start thinking about how best to position yourself to meet the demands of the shifting workplace. With that in mind, we’ve put together a list of the best free AI training courses that you can enroll in today in order to hone your AI chops.

You’ll find a mixture of platforms and specific courses with varying lengths, so you can dive in and start learning at a depth and pace that suits you.

Google Skills

Google recently unveiled a suite of more than 3,000 free AI courses under the umbrella Google Skills. Yes, you read that correctly — more than 3,000!

To get access, head to the new Google Skills website and log in with your existing Google account (if applicable). After that, you should enroll into Google’s Innovators program, which will provision you with 35 free credits per month. These credits can be used to redeem courses.

For users that are looking for a bit more access, you can also sign up for monthly or annual subscription, with paid plans starting at $29 per month and going up to $49 per month.

So, whether you’re keen to learn more about how to deploy and manage generative AI models, manage Kubernetes in Google Cloud, or derive insights from BigQuery data, there’s truly an AI course to boost any discipline or vertical.

Browse the full catalog at your leisure, and start learning from the best today.

LinkedIn Learning

Another big training vendor that will let you get started for free, LinkedIn Learning can be a really useful resource for employees who are looking to boost their AI skills to stay competitive.

To get free access to a multitude of courses for one month, you’ll need to sign up for the free trial of LinkedIn Premium. Just be mindful that once the free month is up, your membership will revert to the standard monthly fee, currently $29.99 per month.

If you’re determined to avoid spending a dime, fill your boots — there are over 1,500 AI courses to choose from! While we can’t promise that you’ll make it through every single one in one month, there’s definitely enough there to sink your teeth into.

To register for one of these free courses today, head to LinkedIn Learning and register for a free one-month trial.

IBM: AI Fundamentals

⏰ Length: 10 hours

As part of its SkillsBuild initiative, IBM offers some excellent AI training courses to hone your skills with. Comprising six different courses, AI Fundamentals is a particular standout collection. Those courses are Introduction to AI; Natural Language Processing and Computer Vision; Machine Learning and Deep Learning; Run AI Models with IBM Watson Studio; AI Ethics; and Your Future in AI: The Job Landscape.

Like the name suggests, the course will give you a solid foundation in AI. Among other things, participants will get a decent grasp of the history of AI, explain how it comprehends and analyzes human language, and even have a go at creating their own AI models with IBM’s esteemed Watson Studio.

You can enroll for free by heading to this link. You’ll need to register with IBM SkillsBuild first.

Oh, and did I forget to mention that you’ll earn a credential? Upon successful completion of the course, you’ll receive an industry-recognized digital credential, Artificial Intelligence Fundamentals, courtesy of IBM SkillsBuild.

Udemy: ChatGPT in 30 Minutes

⏰ Length: 30 minutes

This free offering from Udemy has a 4.4/5 average rating from 1,796 reviews — and it’s not hard to see why.

With a full title of “ChatGPT in 30 Minutes – NEW Prompt Engineering & AI Skills,” this short course will give you a rundown of the latest prompt engineering techniques, AI vision, and practical skills including how to use AI for data analytics, generating Python, and how to make an MP4 video with ChatGPT. Not bad for 30 minutes of learning.

Headed up by Andrew and Addison Best, two esteemed and experienced experts in AI, the course has everything casual users need to get the most out of ChatGPT. Simply head to this link to enroll for free and start learning.

Harvard University: Introduction to Artificial Intelligence with Python

⏰ Length: 7 weeks

Helmed by the creators of CS50, one of the most popular computer science courses in the world, Introduction to Artificial Intelligence with Python is an absolute must for software developers everywhere.

Over the course of 7 weeks, participants will explore the “concepts and algorithms” that make up modern AI. This will include learning about graph search algorithms; reinforcement learning; machine learning; AI principles; designing intelligent systems; and how to use AI in Python programs.

It should go without saying, but this is an intermediate level course aimed at software developers with at least some familiarity with Python as coding language. If you fit that criteria, you can sign up for free, committing 10 to 30 hours of self-paced work per week. You can also pay a one-time fee of $299 to get a verified certificate for your efforts.

Why Are AI Skills So Important in the Modern Workplace?

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last few years, you’ll have noticed that AI has turned the world on its head since the emergence of ChatGPT in November 2022.

In the years since, businesses have raced to integrate AI models into their everyday processes — sometimes at the cost of creating “AI debt” when these integrations do not run smoothly. At the same time, many companies have pursued a policy of mass layoffs in favor of automation, with Chegg recently making headlines for letting go of nearly half of its workforce.

With many entry-level roles succumbing to automation, and no indication that this trend will let up, workers everywhere face a new challenge: adapt to the shifting sands of the modern workplace or face a fight for survival. In this climate, preparation is absolutely vital — so, I hope this piece gives you some food for thought.

AI is becoming a fixture in the modern hiring process, according to new research from Ipsos and Google. As per the findings, half of HR executives are finding value in using AI tools to match, screen, and rank applicants, with a further 47% using it to identify skills gaps.

On the other side of the coin, prospective employees are leveraging AI to aid with their job searches, while at the same time improving their own proficiency with the technology. The study indicates that nearly 7 in 10 job seekers are currently using the technology.

Ultimately, the research shows that companies are being more careful than ever to avoid hiring mistakes, with the costs of making the wrong choice increasingly unsustainable for businesses in 2025. At the same time, job seekers are putting their faith in AI to overcome skills gaps and identify viable positions to further their careers.

Nearly Half of HR Execs Use AI to Screen Candidates, Says Report

Increasingly, HR executives are using AI in the recruitment process in a bid to avoid costly hiring errors, according to new research from Ipsos and Google. The report, titled Future-proofing careers in the age of AI: Insights for hiring, learning, and growth, surveyed 1,000 US job seekers and 500 HR executives between June and July 2025.

It was found that half of execs are using AI to match, screen, and rank applicants, with a further 47% using it to identify skills gaps. With 60% of HR execs noting a mismatch between applicant skills and employer needs, avoiding hiring mistakes would seem to be high on the agenda for businesses in 2025.

Applicants, meanwhile, are using the technology as both “tool and teacher,” integrating it into their job hunting efforts and improving their own AI skills at the same time. There is a growing belief that AI proficiency is table stakes for employees in the modern workplace, and applicants are honing their skills to try and stay competitive.

Report Illuminates Modern Hiring Crisis

Hiring managers are increasingly turning to AI to counteract a yawning skills gap between applicants and businesses. According to the study, nearly half of respondents (48%) believe that most applicants are underqualified for the positions that they’re applying for. Specialized fields, such as technology and healthcare, are bearing the brunt of this issue.

Not only are HR execs using AI to identify top candidates, but they’re increasingly looking towards more experienced professionals. Nearly two-thirds (64%) are turning to mid-career professionals, while an added 43% are targeting specialized roles.

The vetting process is becoming more rigid, too. The study finds that nearly half (49%) of hiring managers have begun to introduce formal skill assessments to the hiring process, including technical tests, job simulations, and cultural fit evaluations.

AI Solidifying Status as Workplace Mainstay

Everywhere you look, the evidence grows that AI is no longer a nice to-have — it’s fundamentally reshaping the modern workplace. Recently, it was revealed that the number of employees skipping meetings due to AI was growing, with as many as 29% of workers admitting to truancy in the belief that AI tools would fill in the gaps.

Elsewhere, AI-related layoffs continue apace, with many companies letting go of employees in favor of automation. This trend will likely only become more pronounced as AI models improve and demonstrate new and compelling use cases.

This poses both a challenge and an opportunity to workers everywhere. While some entry-level roles can expect to feel the squeeze, employees should embrace the possibilities of this burgeoning technology, which can serve as an invaluable tool in helping people to carry out their day-to-day tasks.

Despite not even being a year old, the term vibe coding has been named word of the year by Collins English Dictionary, beating other contenders such as ‘bio hacking’ and ‘glaze’.

The term was coined by a founding engineer at OpenAI, and an entire industry has sprung up around it almost overnight, with AI removing the traditional barriers of coding and allowing anyone to give it a go.

The tech is credited with speeding up the coding process and democratizing it.

Vibe Coding Named Word of 2025

Collins English Dictionary, a British publication first printed in 1979, has named vibe coding the word of the year. It narrowly beat other contenders on a final shortlist, including ‘clanker’ – an unsympathetic Star Wars-inspired term to describe robots and AI, ‘bio hacking’, which describes efforts made to extend life by manipulating the body, and ‘glaze’, which describes heaping cringe-worthy praise on someone.

It’s no surprise that the list was tech-heavy, but even less surprising that it was vibe coding that topped the poll. Google Trends shows that the term has had a meteoric rise since it was first coined at the start of the year:

Interest in 2025 for vibe coding on Google Trends

The term was invented in early 2025 by Andrej Karpathy, a founding engineer at open AI, and former director of AI at Telsa. It’s origin can be traced back to an X message Karpathy posted in February this year. However, he does state that vibe coding, isn’t coding exactly:

it’s not really coding – I just see stuff, say stuff, run stuff, and copy paste stuff, and it mostly works. – Andrej Karpathy

What is Vibe Coding?

At its heart, vibe coding is the practice of turning natural language into code, without the need for hundreds of hours to learn Python, SQL or other languages. This has been enabled thanks to the recent advances in AI, which is essentially playing the middle man here and interpreting what the user is asking, and spitting out usable, working code.

Its biggest success, and likely the chance why it has suddenly skyrocketed in popularity, is that entirely demystifies the process of coding, and makes it available to all. This is especially true now that there are many dedicated vibe coding platforms that can make accessing the tech even easier, with many available for free.

With these tools, the sky is the limit. Users are able to create apps, websites, programs…essentially anything that requires code, but without needing to know a lick of the language.

How to Start Vibe Coding

If you want to get started in the world of vibe coding, we’d suggest opting for one of the many platforms out there, such as Base44, Replit and Lovable, all of which have been designed to remove as many barriers as possible to the world of coding.

As mentioned, many offer free tiers to their services, but if you have a big project in mind, you’ll soon run up against the limits of the free offerings. Vibe coding platforms work by allowing users access to a certain number of credits. Each credit essentially represents a prompt, which is an instruction you write to make your project come to life. However, vibe coding is a process of honing and improving, and as such you might burn through your credits rather quickly as you tweak your app to perfection.

If you’re serious about getting into vibe coding, we’d suggest going with a paid vibe coding plan to get the most bang for your buck.

Impersonating executives, manipulating messages, altering notifications, and forging identities in video chats? You might be a hacker aware of the latest vulnerabilities in Microsoft Teams.

That’s according to a new report from Check Point Research that found four different critical flaws in the popular software used by more than 320 million people worldwide.

Don’t get too worried, though. The researchers reported it all to Microsoft last year, and all issues have now been successfully addressed and fixed. Here’s what to know.

What the Flaws Made Possible

The potential fallout from all the issues could have been massive. According to Check Point’s full report, the real-world risks cover “executive impersonation, financial fraud, malware delivery, misinformation campaigns, and disruption of sensitive communications.”

But what specifically did they find? Here’s the quick summary of how each of the four flaws worked:

• Hackers could edit Teams messages while avoiding the “edited” label that’s intended to let everyone know if a message has been altered. This can allow them to trick users, or to fake a messaging history.
• They could also change message notifications, making them appear to be from another sender. This could be easily used for undetectable phishing attempts.
• Bad actors could also edit display names within private chats.
• They could even edit caller identities on both video and audio calls.

The Biggest Danger? Executive Impersonation

Paired with AI deepfakes and other modern hacker technologies, all these flaws definitely open the door for faked messages and complex impersonations.

The biggest potential risk? Executive impersonation and social engineering. Bad actors could have used these flaws to alter messages and caller IDs. As the researchers explained it:

“In private chats, a malicious guest user could impersonate someone internal, such as a finance department member. Notifications can be spoofed to display a false sender name, preying on the instinct to trust official-looking notifications, potentially from authority figures or top executives.” – Check Point spokesperson

Their team disclosed all these vulnerabilities to Microsoft back on March 23rd, 2024, and by late October, all vulnerabilities had been fixed.

Staying Safe at Work

Granted, these types of flaws are concerning even when they have been fixed. The fact that a business software used by hundreds of millions of people could have undermined trust so deeply is troubling.

After all, entirely avoiding social engineering, scams, and phishing attacks is impossible even under the best circumstances. We recommend taking plenty of precautions for your own company, from multi-factor authentication to password managers to regular training lessons on the value of checking for spelling errors or unusual activity from internal emails.

When you can’t trust your own business software to tell you when a message was edited or who’s calling for a video chat, even those defenses start to look shaky. Here’s hoping it’s all fixed for good.

IBM has just announced that it will be laying off a “low single-digit percentage” of its workforce around the world in the fourth quarter.

The tech giant had about 270,000 global workers, as of an estimate from the end of 2024, so the number of employees getting a holiday season layoff is likely somewhere around 2,700 or higher.

It’s just the latest sign that the years-long plague of tech industry layoffs is in full swing, with the rise of AI technology marking one big reason why IBM and many others are so set on downsizing.

IBM Sees ‘Rebalance’ After a Review

IBM’s statement on the upcoming role cuts was issued on Tuesday.

While the company has been bullish on AI under the auspices of CEO Arvind Krishna, this round of layoffs hasn’t mentioned AI as an official reason for the workforce reduction, and instead points to a routine rebalancing.

“We routinely review our workforce […] and at times rebalance accordingly. In the fourth quarter we are executing an action that will impact a low single-digit percentage of our global workforce.” – IBM spokesperson

The company’s shares have risen over 35% this year, reports Reuters. IBM is the largest industrial research organization in the world.

Tech Layoffs Continue

IBM has hinted at an AI push being behind their new approach to productivity. Just last month, the company released a study indicating that 66% of senior leader responses claimed AI had “already driven significant productivity improvements across their organization.”

The multinational tech company is shifting heavily towards a software focus, experts say, and is hoping to benefit from increased spending on cloud-based services. However, last month, the company logged a slowdown in that exact business segment.

While IBM’s new announcement certainly isn’t the only big layoff news this year — or even this month, thanks to Amazon’s five-digit layoff announcement last week —  it’s not exactly turning the tide, either. Tech workers are seeing fewer and fewer opportunities for software engineers, infrastructure architects, and many more are finding it increasingly tough to stay employed.

Will the AI Bubble Pop Soon?

Studies point to an unclear return-on-investment for generative AI models. Some are predicting an AI bubble pop is on the way in the near future, as well.

Still, the average worker is responding to all the hype by doing the only thing they can: Seeing how they can fold AI bots into their own workflows to help them justify their jobs with productivity boosts where possible.

All we can say for sure is that tech workers everywhere are finding it increasingly hard to keep earning a living wage in the industry.

Another day, another OpenAI partnership, with the company of ChatGPT fame signing yet another deal to further advance its AI model, this time with Amazon.

OpenAI has run a full-on partnership gauntlet over the last few months, signing deals left and right with companies that can help it achieve the lofty AI goals set out by CEO Sam Altman.

Now, Amazon is joining the fray by providing computing power to OpenAI in exchange for $38 billion.

OpenAI Partners With Amazon for Computing Power

Announced on Monday, OpenAI has agreed to pay Amazon $38 billion over the next seven years in exchange for the company’s expansive cloud computing services.

The deal will give OpenAI access to “hundreds of thousands” of AI chips from NVIDIA, which are currently being used to power the Amazon Web Services (AWS) system for the company.

Previously, OpenAI had an exclusive partnership with Microsoft to provide all of its computing power. However, that deal was renegotiated last week, opening the door for the AI company to explore other opportunities without their approval.

Why Is Amazon Partnering With OpenAI?

$38 billion is a lot of money, which begs the question. Why is OpenAI paying Amazon so much money for its computing power? Well, the answer is pretty obvious if you’ve been following the AI company over the last few months.

“Scaling frontier AI requires massive, reliable compute. Our partnership with AWS strengthens the broad compute ecosystem that will power this next era and bring advanced AI to everyone.” – Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI

In so many words, OpenAI needs more power to make its lofty AI goals a reality, and the only way to do that is with the vast computing infrastructure that is provided by Amazon and the AWS platform.

OpenAI and Its Many Deals

This deal with Amazon is far from the first big partnership that OpenAI has entered over the last few months. In fact, $38 billion isn’t even that much compared to the cumulative $1 trillion (with a T) that the company has doled out to bolster its AI offering.

OpenAI entered into a deal with chipmaker NVIDIA to the tune of $100 billion, and also announced a partnership with chipmaker AMD, although the amount was not disclosed for that one. Beyond that, OpenAI has also signed a deal with Google in June, Oracle in September, and Broadcom earlier this month.

Yes, many have speculated that these deals are proof of an AI bubble, given that money keeps bouncing back and forth between a select few AI companies. But given the demands of AI technology on our infrastructure, it could just mean that OpenAI is trying to position itself as the only company prepared to take the next step.

Hackers are apparently going after the little guys in 2025, with information from Proton showing that 71% of data breaches have targeted businesses with fewer than 250 employees.

There’s no denying that data breaches have become a hot-button issue for businesses in the modern era. They have become troublingly common, with the cost of each cyber attack putting businesses at risk of financial loss and even insolvency.

Even worse, these bad actors appear to be targeting smaller businesses a lot more than large corporations, likely due to the lack of resources available to fend them off.

Small Business Most at Risk of Data Breach

According to data from Proton, which tracks data breaches across the business landscape, there have been almost 800 attacks in 2025 so far, exposing more than 300 million records of user data.

On top of that, small businesses have been in the crosshairs, with 23% of data breaches occurring at businesses with fewer than 10 employees, and 48% of data breaches occurring at business with between 10 and 250 employees.

That amounts to 71% of data breaches occurring at business with fewer than 250 employees.

Why Are Small Businesses Targeted Most?

The sad truth that small businesses are targeted more than large enterprises when it comes to cybersecurity threats is not a new phenomenon. In fact, for the last decade, studies have found consistently that hackers are far more likely to focus on companies with fewer employees.  So, why is that?

In all likelihood, hackers are targeting small businesses for a couple of reasons. For one, they have fewer resources and smaller budgets, which means they likely aren’t spending much on cybersecurity to ward off attacks.

On top of that, fewer employees means fewer lines of defense, so the path to a hack generally presents fewer obstacles at small businesses.

How to Protect Your Business from Data Breaches

Cyber criminals are targeting small businesses because, generally speaking, they are easier to hack than large corporations. Luckily, that doesn’t have to be the case for your particular business.

For starters, you need to train your employees. The reality is that human error is still the most common entry point for the majority of breaches, so if your employees know what to look out for, these hackers won’t be able to pull it off.

Beyond that, invest as much as you can in cybersecurity. Obviously small businesses are often working with much stricter budgets, but when you consider the potential cost of a data breach, these kind of security protocols are more than worth the cost.

OpenAI has become a staple of the tech industry over the last few years, thanks to the vast, expansive popularity of ChatGPT. As a result, many are itching to invest in the AI company. But is it even possible?

Unfortunately, OpenAI isn’t a publicly traded company in 2025, which means that investing will have to wait. The good news is that there are rumors that the company could go public as soon as 2026, so you’ll just need to bide your time.

Even better news, OpenAI isn’t the only AI company out there, and there are quite a few alternatives that are ready and raring to accept your investment.

Can You Invest in OpenAI?

OpenAI is a privately held company as of writing, which means that everyday people are not able to invest in the AI venture just yet.

This is likely a big bummer to those interested in investing, particularly because the company has seen such substantial growth over the last few years, which has been fueled by massive investments from other tech companies like Microsoft and NVIDIA.

However, despite its popularity — or even because of it — OpenAI isn’t exactly making money just yet. In fact, OpenAI lost $11.5 billion last quarter, according to analysis of Microsoft earnings by The Register.

Does OpenAI Have Plans to Go Public?

While there has been no official word from OpenAI about the company’s plans to go public in the future, there has been plenty of speculation about the possibility.

According to a recent report from Reuters, which spoke with “three people familiar with the matter,” OpenAI is paving the way for an initial public offering (IPO) as early as the second half of 2026.

Of course, OpenAI is playing it close to the chest, with a spokesperson not willing to divulge the plans in an official quote.

“An IPO is not our focus, so we could not possibly have set a date. We are building a durable business and advancing our mission so everyone benefits from AGI.” – OpenAI spokesperson

AI Companies That Are Publicly Traded

If you’re really itching to start investing in companies like OpenAI, we’ve got good news for you. There are plenty of AI-focused companies that are publicly traded on the stock market that you can whet your appetite with.

The most notable is NVIDIA. The company, which produces chips for AI companies around the world, has seen a meteoric rise over the last few years thanks to the AI boom. Just this week, the company became the first $5 trillion company in human history.

On top of that, all the big tech companies you’ve come to know are heavily invested in AI, and you can always invest in them. Microsoft, Alphabet, Meta, Apple, and Amazon are all pivoting to AI in some capacity, while other heavy hitters like IBM, Adobe, and Oracle are also viable options.

Artificial intelligence is pretty much everywhere in 2026. From business software providers adding AI features to their platforms to people using ChatGPT for therapy, the technology continues to get more and more engrained in everyday life.

As a result, the new lingo and jargon that’s been bouncing around the tech industry for the last few years is starting to find its way into more casual settings, and understanding it is becoming more and more vital for those that want to stay in the loop.

So, in this guide, we’ll explain some of the AI terms you have or may not have heard over the last few years, in hopes of providing you with a bit context when the topic inevitably comes up at your business.

AI Terms Explained

Below, we’ve chosen some of the more common and commonplace AI terms and provided brief but helpful definitions and explanations. To learn more about AI in general, be sure to check out the AI content on Tech.co.

AI (Artificial Intelligence)

AI stands for artificial intelligence, a broad term for any technology that seeks to replicate human intelligence. More specifically, artificial intelligence refers to technology that can think and learn like humans do.

Algorithm

An algorithm is the set of instructions provided to an AI model, or any piece of software really, that dictates how it operates. The TikTok algorithm, for example, describes the way in which the social media platform operates for specific users.

Chatbot

A chatbot is an AI-powered piece of software that is designed to replicate a human interaction through a messaging or voice-activated platform.

Data mining

Data mining is the practice of harvesting huge sets of data from users with the propose of using that data to recognize patterns and inform software on how to better serve users.

Deepfake

A deepfake is an image or video that features the likeness of a person that exists and is generated entirely by AI. The technology is concerned extremely dangerous and is making scams much harder to spot in 2026.

Generative AI

Generative AI describes any artificial intelligence program that generates something, including written copy, images, and video. Most of the artificial intelligence in the news right now is generative AI, including tools like ChatGPT and Gemini.

Hallucination

An AI hallucination is defined as the common occurrence of an AI platform providing incorrect, false, or misleading answers to user queries. AI errors have unfortunately become very common for the software, but hopefully it will get better over time.

Large language model (LLM)

A large language model, or LLM, describes an AI model that is specifically trained on massive data sets of text, so that it can understand natural language prompts and respond in turn with equally human-like answers.

Machine learning

Machine learning is a type of AI that focuses on a particular model learning in the same way as humans. As such, a program with machine learning will improve and grow over time on its own, without human input.

Natural language processing (NPL)

Natural language processing, or NPL, is defined as the type of AI processing focused on understanding queries and providing answers that mirror the kind of language used by actual humans in conversation.

Neural network

A neural network is a type of AI processing that resembles the human brain, using connected nodes — or neurons — organized in layers. This allows for more in-depth “thoughts” from the AI, but it does require massive sets of data to accomplish.

Prompt

In the context of AI, a prompt is the text you input to an AI model. Prompts can come in many forms, including questions, queries, or commands, and can feature many different factors, like links, images, or video.

Recognition

When talking about AI, recognition generally refers to image recognition, in which a user will input an image or video and AI technology is used to recognize certain elements within it.

Token

A token is an allotment for prompts used on AI platforms. Essentially, AI platforms like ChatGPT will only allow users a certain number of tokens, depending on how much they pay. Tokens are also called “credits” or even just “messages,” sometimes depending on which platform they’re on.

Training data

Training data describes the massive sets of data that are used by AI companies to train their models in hopes of making them even more intelligent over time.

Vibe Coding

A term used to describe coding without using an actual coding language, vibe coding lets users create apps, websites and software with simple plain text prompts. It means that literally anyone can code now, thanks to AI.

The Importance of Understanding AI Terms in 2026

If you still think that AI is a passing fad, you are tragically mistaken. The technology is single-handedly propping up the US economy, with one economist noting that nearly 92% of U.S. GDP growth across the first half of last year can be attributed to AI.

Subsequently, the business world has been fully embracing the technology over the last few years, with mass layoffs and pivoting operations sweeping virtually every industry under the sun.

Suffice to say, if you want to remain gainfully employed for the foreseeable future, or just want to be able to hold a conversation with your more tech-enthused friends, understanding these AI terms is absolutely necessary.

With the release of Sora, and more recently Sora 2, OpenAI has made a grand entrance into the video editing software market. The app is able to generate high-quality videos from basic text prompts, and has enjoyed great popularity since its release.

While Sora does present some unique benefits for businesses, including cost and time savings, there are still potential pitfalls, such as privacy risks, that companies should be aware of.

To get access to Sora completely for free, you can use the free trial of a third-party AI provider, such as GlobalGPT.

What is Sora 2 and How Does it Work?

Sora is an AI-powered video creation tool developed by OpenAI, the makers of leading AI chatbot, ChatGPT. It allows users to make videos from text prompts and images, such as storyboards.

Not only can users make their own content, but they can also browse other people’s videos via TikTok-style scrolling.

Recently, OpenAI has released the second version of Sora, known as Sora 2. This upgrade now includes native audio to go along with videos, improved physical realism, sharper detail, and stronger adherence to instructions.

Why is Sora 2 So Popular?

According to OpenAI, Sora 2 has been downloaded over a million times in less than five days. This exceeds the milestone set by ChatGPT when it first launched.

We can only imagine that Sora 2 has been so successful because it makes easy work of video production, allowing anyone to get started, no matter whether they have a background in content creation or not.

Likewise, Sora also offers a range of unique features, including generating audio to go alongside a video, which could also be drawing users.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Sora 2 for Businesses

Here’s what businesses can expect when using Sora:

Benefits

Cost savings

Sora is able to automate a lot of aspects of video production that would otherwise require hiring a team of professionals. By using the app, businesses can bypass these costs, while still making a high-quality and engaging video.

Time savings

Likewise, the automations reduce the amount of time it takes to make a high-quality video, allowing businesses to pull content together quickly without having to worry about the process taking too long.

Ease of use

Simply put, the platform is easy to use. Businesses won’t have to take hours learning how to use video editing software or find the right camera angles. Although some advanced features will take some getting used to, overall, getting started is quick and fuss-free.

Drawbacks

Legal and ethical concerns

There have been headlines circling about the potentially disturbing use cases of Sora. For example, some people have been using the app to create videos of dead celebrities. While OpenAI has implemented some safety measures, users are still finding ways around them.

Businesses should be aware of the risks involved when using AI for content creation, particularly as AI is still likely to make mistakes or produce content that isn’t always appropriate.

Lack of originality

In a digital space where many businesses operate, standing out is key. However, there have been some concerns that AI content lacks originality and, if many businesses start to use it, that all their content will start to look the same. This could be an issue when trying to resonate with your target audience.

Data privacy concerns

Of course, not all platforms are 100% safe and OpenAI alone has been breached more than 1,000 times.

When using apps like Sora, businesses should have data protection measures in place, particularly if you are dealing with sensitive or confidential information.

Can You Get Sora 2 for Free?

Sora is currently only available to a select group of ChatGPT subscribers, on at least the paid Pro or Plus plans, who need to receive a code before they can access the platform.

If you want to get the app entirely for free, you can do so by accessing it through a third-party AI provider, such as GlobalGPT, which gives you access to platforms like Claude, Grok, and Sora. GlobalGPT offers a seven-day free trial of its services, which it claims includes Sora, and some sources online question its commitment to data privacy.

Beyond that, though, you’ll have to fork out at least $20 per month for ChatGPT’s Plus plan if you want access to Sora for longer than a week.

The good news is that there are alternatives to Sora 2, check out our guide to the best free AI video tools.

A new study about the impact of AI note taking platforms has found that nearly a third of employees admit that they have skipped a meeting with the assumption that the generated summaries would cover it.

Over the last few years, the tech industry has promised that AI would make life easier for employees. Beyond the scores of layoffs in that time, this appears to be true, with many employees utilizing tools like AI note taking platforms to improve productivity.

Sometimes, though, they just use it to avoid tedious tasks like meetings, with this new study shining a light on how employees are actually using artificial intelligence in the workplace.

How Common Is AI Note Taking in Meetings?

According to the study from Software Finder, titled AI Note Taking at Work: Benefits and Drawbacks, just under a fifth of employees (19%) state that they are using AI tools to take notes for them during the work day.

As for what they’re using them for, the survey discovered that 29% of employees admit that they have used AI note taking tools and summaries to avoid meetings.

Which employees are using AI note taking more than others? Well, that one is actually pretty obvious, with younger employees doing it more often than others. 43% of Gen Z employees are using these tools, while only 30% of Millennial employees are doing the same.

Pros and Cons of AI Note Taking

Beyond the simple usage numbers, the study also found that there are some serious benefits and downsides to using the technology in the workplace, for both the business and the employees in question.

For starters, the study found that employees using AI note taking technology (28%) get promoted more often than other employees (15%). They also earn more, with employees that use AI note taking technology earning $86,034 per year, while those that don’t only earning $67,709 per year.

Beyond that, workers also note that the technology is increasing productivity, noting benefits like time savings (69%), fewer manual notes (41%), and improved record accuracy (27%).

There are some downsides, though. The study found that workers believe that the technology can lead to inaccuracy/loss of nuance (48%), privacy concerns (46%), and data security risks (42%).

AI in the Workplace

AI tools are becoming more and more common in the workplace and this study shows that employees are starting to get used to it.

That comes with some caveats, though. While AI tools are shown to improve productivity, the quality of work can suffer, with many complaining about AI slop slowing down progress for other employees.

All that to say, AI hasn’t proven to be the gamechanger everyone expects in the workplace just yet. But as it becomes more capable and more widespread, the tide could turn for those that are willing to embrace it.

It turns out that AI is absolutely going to take your job, with educational technology company Chegg announcing massive layoffs and citing the “new realities of artificial intelligence” as the primary reason.

We all knew that AI would shake up the business world in a major way. The technology has proven quite adept at performing specific tasks to improve productivity, even if some companies aren’t seeing a return-on-investment.

Unfortunately, in the short term, that means that the tech industry is laying off employees like never before, and workers at Chegg are tragically the latest victims.

Chegg Announces Layoffs

In a statement from the company, Chegg announced that it would be “restructuring” the business, which translates to 388 employees being laid off. That number represents 45% of the company’s workforce.

These are not the first round of layoffs for Chegg either. In the last year alone, the company has gone through multiple rounds of layoffs that have seen 441 employees let go in May and 319 jobs removed in January.

Chegg notes in the statement, however, that the decision will reduce expenses “by approximately $100-110 million,” so hopefully that makes the fired employees feel a bit better.

Why Is Chegg Laying Off Employees?

Obviously, saving money is always the goal of layoffs. In the Chegg statement, however, the company goes a bit more in-depth, explaining that the current situation in 2025 demands a leaner business model.

“The new realities of AI and reduced traffic from Google to content publishers have led to a significant decline in Chegg’s traffic and revenue. As a result, and reflecting the company’s continued investment in AI, Chegg is restructuring the way it operates its academic learning products.” – Chegg statement

In so many words, Chegg is prioritizing AI over its employees in hopes of using the technology to close the gap in a more affordable way moving forward. And trust us, they are not alone.

Tech Industry Layoffs for AI

Chegg is not the only company firing employees to make room for AI. In fact, the trend has been seriously picking up steam over the last few months, with huge companies making massive cuts to free up capital for AI investment.

Just this week, for example, Amazon was rumored to be considering a 30,000-employee culling that would represent one of the largest in the company’s history. On top of that, companies like Meta, IBM, Salesforce, and many others have admitted that AI is making them reconsider the current state of their workforce.

Simply put, AI is having a huge impact on the business world. More specifically, it’s putting millions out of work with little return-on-investment, paving the way for one of the biggest bubble pops in history.