Artificial intelligence has been the subject of unprecedented levels of investment and enthusiasm over the past three years, driven by a tide of hype that promises revolutionary transformation across every business function. Yet the gap between this technologys promise and the delivery of real business value remains stubbornly wide. A recent study by BCG found that while 98% of companies are exploring AI, only 26% have developed working products and a mere 4% have achieved significant returns on their investments. This striking implementation gap raises a critical question: Why do so many AI initiatives fail to deliver meaningful value?
Knowledge gap
A big part of the answer lies in a fundamental disconnect at the leadership level: to put it bluntly, many senior executives just dont understand how AI works. One recent survey found that 94% of C-suite executives describe themselves as having an intermediate, advanced, or expert knowledge of AI, while 90% say they are confident in making decisions around the technology. Yet a large study of thousands of U.S. board-level executives reported in MIT Sloan Management Review in 2024 found that just 8% actually have substantial levels of conceptual knowledge regarding AI technologies.
The only way AI initiatives can deliver significant value is when they are aligned with the organizations broader enterprise architecture. When I introduced the terminology of strategic enterprise architecture back in 2000 (e-Enterprise, Cambridge University Press), I wanted to emphasize the importance of aligning technical architecture with the broader structure of the business as a wholeits purpose, strategies, processes, and operating models. With AI, this alignment is more important than ever. But it relies on the ability of senior leaders to understand both parts of the enterprise equation.
Opportunity costs
The current gap between confidence and competence creates a dangerous decision-making environment. Without foundational AI literacy, leaders simply cant make informed decisions about how any given AI implementation fits with strategic priorities and the processes and existing tech infrastructure of the business. Ultimately, they end up delegating critical strategic choices to technical teams that often lack the business context necessary for value-driven implementation. The result? Millions of dollars invested in AI initiatives that fail to deliver on their promises.
In addition to project failure, a lack of AI literacy leads to strategic opportunity costs. When CEOs cant distinguish between truly transformative AI applications and incremental improvements, they risk either underinvesting in game-changing capabilities or overspending on fashionable but low-impact technologies.
What CEOs need to know
Becoming AI-literate doesn’t mean that CEOs need to be able to build neural networks or understand the mathematical intricacies of deep learning algorithms. Rather, leaders need the kind of foundational practical knowledge that lets them align AI initiatives with core business operations and strategic direction.
At minimum, CEOs should develop a working understanding of AI in three broad areas.
1. The Types of AI
CEOs should understand the differences between the four major types of AI, the business applications of each, and their current maturity level.
Analytical/Predictive AI focuses on pattern recognition and forecasting. This technology has been maturing for decades and forms the backbone of data-driven decision making in domains from finance to manufacturing.
Deterministic AI systems apply predefined rules and logic to automate processes and decision-making, creating efficiency but requiring careful governance.
Generative AIthe current hype kingcreates new content that resembles human work, offering unprecedented creative capabilities alongside significant ethical challenges.
Agentic AI is the new kid on the block. It not only analyzes or produces outputs but takes bounded actions toward defined goals. Agentic AI offers the greatest opportunity and the largest risks for enterprise transformation, but is largely untested at scale.
2. Technical Infrastructure Considerations
The infrastructure underpinning AI implementations shapes what is possible and practical for specific organizations.
Deployment Models determine where and how AI systems operate. On-premises deployments maximize control over data, systems, and compliance but require significant capital investment and specialized personnel. Cloud-based deployments offer scalability and access to cutting-edge hardware but increase exposure to data security and vendor lock-in risks. Hybrid models retain sensitive processes in-house while outsourcing other workloads.
Open and Closed Systems. Closed AI systemsproprietary systems created by commercial vendorssimplify deployment and provide enterprise-grade support but normally offer limited transparency and customization. Open (or open source) systems provide greater control and flexibility, particularly for specialized applications, but require more internal capacity and ongoing maintenance.
Computing Resource Needs vary dramatically based on how AI is deployed. Most organizations primarily use AI for inference (using the reasoning capabilities of trained models) rather than training their own models. This approach significantly reduces hardware requirements but limits customization and mission-specific capabilities.
Data Infrastructure is the foundation for successful AI implementations. This includes data pipelines for collecting and transforming information, storage systems for managing structured and unstructured data, processing frameworks for maintaining data quality, and governance mechanisms for ensuring compliance and security. Organizations with mature data infrastructure can implement AI more rapidly and effectively than those still struggling with data silos or quality issues.
3. The AI Tech Stack
The contemporary AI stack comprises five interconnected layers that transform raw data into outputs designed to create value for the enterprise.
The Foundation: Data & Storage This foundation captures, cleans, and catalogs both structured and unstructured information.
The Engine: Compute & Acceleration High-density Graphics Processing Units (GPUs), AI-optimized chips, and elastic cloud clusters provide the parallel processing that deep-learning workloads require. Container orchestration tools abstract these resources, allowing cost-effective experimentation and deployment.
The Brain: Model & Algorithm This is where foundation models, domain-specific small laguage models, and classical machine-learning libraries coexist. Organizations must decide whether to consume models “as-a-service,” fine-tune open-source checkpoints, or build custom networksdecisions that involve trade-offs between control, cost, and compliance.
The Connectors: Orchestration & Tooling Retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), prompt pipelines, automated evaluation harnesses, and agent frameworks sequence models into end-to-end capabilities.
User Access and Control: Applications & Governance This top layer exposes AI to users through APIs and low-code builders that embed intelligence in user-facing systems.
For further foundational information on AI tech stacks, see IBMs introductory guide.
Developing AI literacy in the C-Suite
How can busy executives develop the AI literacy they need to lead effectively? Here are some practical approaches to closing the knowledge gap.
Establish a personal learning curriculum. Set aside time for structured learning about AI fundamentals through executive education programs, books, or online courses specifically designed for business leaders.
Build a balanced advisory network. Surround yourself with advisors who bridge technical expertise and business acumen. This might include both internal experts and external consultants who can translate complex concepts into business terms without oversimplifying.
Institute regular technology briefings. Create a structured process where technical teams provide regular updates on AI capabilities, limitations, and potential applications in your industry. The key is ensuring these briefings focus on business implications rather than technical specifications.
Experience AI directly. Hands-on experience with AI tools provides an essential perspective. Work directly with your company’s AI applications to develop an intuitive understanding of capabilities and limitations.
Foster organization-wide literacy. Support AI education across all business functions, not just technical departments. When marketing, finance, operations, and other leaders share a common understanding of AI capabilities, cross-functional collaboration improves dramatically.
True leadership in the age of AI begins with curiosity and the courage to learn.When CEOs become tech literate, they dont just adapt to the futurethey help shape it.
Miscommunication, missed messages, forgotten requeststhese are the hidden costs of doing business in real estate. In the real estate industry, manual data entry mistakes, such as misallocated expenses or incorrect financial reporting, can cost companies millions annually.
Research indicates that manual data entry has an error rate ranging from 1% to 4% and each error can cost up to $25 to rectify. These costs can manifest as missed investment opportunities, unresolved tenant issues, and lost client trust. Real estate professionals cannot afford to ignore these inefficiencies.
But it doesnt have to be this way. Automation is transforming real estate by eliminating these friction points, not just for large firms but for small businesses and independent professionals as well. When used correctly, automation doesnt replace the human touchit enhances itbringing clarity, consistency, and professionalism to every interaction.
Clarity and consistency through automation
In any business, consistency is key to maintaining professionalism. Automation allows companies to standardize processes, ensuring that terms, policies, and interactions are clear and uniform. This not only minimizes misunderstandings but also builds trust with clients and partners. Everyone knowing what to expect reduces disputes and enhances professionalism.
In real estate, this is especially true in lease management. Automated enforcement of lease agreements ensures that terms such as late fees, payment deadlines, and maintenance responsibilities are clearly outlined and consistently enforced. Clear, legally compliant lease terms reduce ambiguity and prevent disputes. For real estate agents, investors, and landlords managing their own properties, automation makes it easier to comply with local laws by applying consistent terms across all leases or transactions, protecting interests, and building client trust.
Additionally, automated in-app messaging leads to stronger relationships and fewer misunderstandings by providing a centralized platform where landlords and tenants can communicate. Real-time, two-way communication directly within a secure system eliminates the need for scattered text threads, emails, or missed calls. Landlords can track and manage conversations efficiently, while tenants gain a clear channel for addressing concerns, receiving updates, or asking questions.
Predictable and respectful communication
Automation can also elevate customer interactions by maintaining consistent, respectful communication. In business, this means automated reminders for appointments, follow-ups, or deadlines, ensuring clients are kept informed without feeling overwhelmed or neglected.
For property managers and landlords, this is exemplified by automated rent payment reminders and notifications. Rather than sending ad-hoc texts or emailssometimes at inconvenient hours such as early morning or late nightlandlords can set up reminders delivered consistently at the same time of the day and on the same days of the month. This reduces late payments, maintains professionalism, and respects tenants’ personal time. Automation also supports multiple payment methods, offering tenants convenience while providing landlords with a clear, trackable payment history.
Streamline management
Effective management requires keeping track of tasks, requests, and communications without anything slipping through the cracks. Automation excels at this, offering centralized systems where tasks are logged, prioritized, and tracked.
In real estate, this is best seen in maintenance management. Automated systems allow tenants to submit maintenance requests, which are then logged, categorized, and tracked. Tenants can see the status of their requests, reducing repetitive follow-ups, while landlords have a clear record of completed work, costs, and vendor interactions.
Enhance client experiences
Businesses across industries are increasingly focused on the client journey, ensuring that every touchpoint is smooth and satisfying. In real estate, automation can transform this experience by streamlining scheduling, property showings, and follow-ups. For real estate agents, this might mean automated property match notifications or self-service scheduling tools that allow prospective buyers or renters to book showings without waiting and prevent double bookings.
Beyond convenience, automation elevates professionalism. Agents and landlords can maintain consistent follow-ups, ensuring that clients receive timely responses and critical information without delays. This reduces client anxiety, builds trust, and helps real estate professionals create a reputation for reliability and responsiveness.
Furthermore, automation can help investors offer value-added services that improve tenants’ financial well-being. For example, credit-boosting features allow tenants to report on-time rent payments to major credit bureaus, helping them build their credit scores over time. This benefits both tenants, who see improved credit, and landlords, who often experience a noticeable increase in on-time payments. Such features make rental properties more attractive to prospective tenants and foster long-term loyalty.
Data-Driven Decisions for Smarter Investments
Automation is a game-changer for investors who rely on data to drive decision-making. Automated tools can collect and analyze market trends, rental yield data, property valuations, and investment forecasts in real-time. This gives investors immediate access to insights that can guide strategic decisions.
Beyond basic data access, automation also allows for customized dashboards where investors can visualize performance metrics across their portfolio. This helps them quickly identify high-performing properties, spot emerging opportunities, and make informed decisions faster than competitors relying on manual research.
For instance, RentRedi runs surveys that provide critical insights into landlord behaviors, from how they prepare for tax season to how they screen tenants. Understanding these patterns helps professionals benchmark their practices, anticipate challenges, and make more informed decisions.
Additionally, we partner with Chandan Economics to develop data reports that offer broader market insights by tracking trends in rental demand, property values, and landlord investment plans. Access to this kind of data ensures that professionals are not making decisions based on guesswork but on solid, actionable intelligence.
Elevating Industry Standards
In an industry where professionalism can make or break a deal, automation allows real estate professionals to minimize miscommunication and hidden costs. Businesses that embrace automation can reduce costly errors and deliver consistent, high-quality service that sets them apart. As they raise the bar for professionalism, they gain a competitive edge, build stronger client relationships, and operate more efficiently.
This means that even the smallest landlords can adopt best practices once reserved for large corporate investors. Automation allows real estate professionals to focu on higher-value tasks like client relationships and portfolio growth. As automation becomes the norm, professionalism in real estate is becoming the standard, rather than the exception.
Ryan Barone is cofounder and CEO of RentRedi.
If you break your arm, you get a cast. If your cholesterol is high, you get a prescription. But what happens when what ails you is mental, behavioral, or emotional in nature? Too often, the answer is: nothing. For far too long, our healthcare system has treated the brain as somehow separate from the body. Fact is, mental health is health.
One in five U.S. adults are estimated to be living with mental illness, and research suggests that 55% of adults with a mental illness have not received any treatment.
The workplace is where many experienced and navigated the COVID pandemic as a collective trauma. Employees have come to expect mental health resources, and in todays high-stress business climate alongside lifes everyday challenges, they are needed now more than ever. Left unchecked, mental and behavioral health conditions (which includes substance use disorders) cost U.S. employers approximately $282 billion each year in absenteeism, productivity declines, and associated healthcare expenses.
As business leaders, we can no longer afford to treat mental health as someone elses problem or an after-hours issue.
The case for whole health
Evidence (and intuition) proves the body and mind are inextricably connected. Mental health conditions like depression can double the risk of developing diabetesand vice versa. Those living with chronic illnesses are far more likely to experience anxiety, depression, or other mental health struggles. Social determinants of health (including loneliness, housing, food security, and transportation) are additional factors. And yet, our systems continue to silo these areas of care.
Its time to bridge that divide because all of these issues impact whole health. Treating mental health alongside physical health is the right thing to do for employeesbecause it improves their healthand for employers, as it helps stabilize costs, reduces employee absences, and improves productivity. More importantly, it builds healthier people, at work and in life. Whether its expanding access with digital therapy or integrating behavioral care with primary care, the industry is finally beginning to focus more on the whole personand not just their conditions.
Invest in what (and who) matters
Wellness apps and lunch-and-learns are a start, but effectively addressing mental health must go further. Serious mental illnesses (SMI), which include conditions like bipolar disorder and severe anxiety, and substance use disorder (SUD) are highly complex and require serious attention, and investment.
For example, individuals with SMI face a 53% higher risk of developing cardiovascular diseaseand are 85% more likely to die from it compared to those without SMI. Integrated care for these complex conditions has been shown to improve quality of life and significantly reduce overall healthcare costs.
Making programs and resources available for employees with such conditions is more than good medicineits good business. Nearly two million employees receive treatment for SUDs annually, and more than 13 million workers are in some form of recovery, representing 9% of all adults. This population represents a sizable portion of our nations workforce, and employees in recovery often show increased energy, focus, and performance.
What employers can do right now
As stewards of workforce health and productivity, employers have a unique opportunity to lead in this space. Heres where to start:
Enhance benefits. Modern Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) offer far more than they once did. If you do provide an EAP, but havent scrutinized its options lately, you should. The latest premium models go beyond counseling, digital self-help tools, and expert referrals tailored to employees needs. Some now address social determinants of health and share wellbeing/mindfulness resources, concierge-level support, coaching, and on-site resources.
Support all levels of need. Not every employee needs therapy, medication, or more intense carebut every employee needs support for themselves and their families. From digital wellness tools to specialized autism care access, a range of solutions helps meet people where they are.
Invest in prevention. Just as we promote physical well-being through wellness incentives, the same must apply to mental and emotional health. For every dollar spent on mental health initiatives, companies can expect a return of $4 due to reduced absenteeism, lower overall healthcare costs, and increased productivity.
Partners in progress: Were in this together
Ultimately, mental and behavioral health conditions are commonand treatable. By investing time, expertise, funding, and a spirit of partnership, employers can transform lives and workplaces. Thats not just good medicineits good business.
At Carelon Behavioral Health, were committed to changing how the system works. With 160 million U.S. adults spending much of their waking hours at work, we know employers are an important key to destigmatizing mental health and unlocking whole health. Its time we accept the fact that mental health is health. It always has been.
Bryony Winn is president of Carelon Health. Corbin Petro is president of Carelon Behavioral Health.
For many generations, menopause was a taboo topic. Despite 6,000 women reaching menopause in the U.S. each day, this pivotal stage in a womans life has been sidelined and neglected in the broader healthcare landscape. While symptoms can be debilitating for many women, a lack of research and medical training on menopause often results in these issues being misdiagnosed or dismissed. Unfortunately, this can translate to reduced insurance coverage and higher out-of-pocket costs for millions of women trying to manage their symptoms through prescribed medications and treatments.
Today, the tide is turning on menopause, due in part to celebrities including Oprah, Halle Berry, and Drew Barrymore speaking publicly about their experiences. They are advocating for greater resources for women, and there is increased acceptance among the current generation in discussing menopause openly. A growing number of startups, like Elektra Health and Midi Health, are offering women more education, access to care, and a virtual community to help them face their menopause journeys. Even legislators are taking note, proposing changes to improve affordability and increase education for medical professionals across several states.
But theres much more to be done, especially when it comes to education and affordability. Last month, our GoodRx team released findings from a new survey exploring the financial difficulties women face when navigating menopause. The data illustrated a greater need to address access and affordability gaps in menopause care, and underscored the importance of evolving our healthcare system to support women at every stage of life.
Affordability challenges in menopause care
Even as the conversation around menopause grows, women are routinely priced out of the treatments they need to manage their symptoms. Our survey, conducted in February 2025, found that 21% of women have put off or avoided menopause treatment due to financial concerns. And 12% reported having to make financial trade-offs, such as cutting back on other essential expenses, just to afford their care.
Its not surprising that women are struggling to afford menopause care, as list prices for menopause medications have risen almost 60% over the last decade, and these costs trickle down to the consumer. Unfortunately, insurance coverage isnt always a reliable solution. Only 26% of women have their menopause-related prescriptions fully covered by insurance, and 8% dont have their prescriptions covered at all. The link is clear: Lower costs are crucial in helping more women access the menopause care they need.
Improve the care gap in menopause
Beyond cost itself, there is an unmet need to improve access to menopause care. The issue starts in medical schools, where most programs offer limited education on perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause. As a result, the majority of primary care physicians dont have the skillset needed to help their patients manage symptoms. Even within OB-GYN training programs, research shows that less than a third of residency programs have any type of menopause curriculum.
When unable to get answers from their usual physicians, many women turn to certified menopause specialists to seek help with their symptoms. But, as of now, there is only one menopause-certified specialist available for every 30,000 menopausal women in the U.S. By improving the full spectrum of menopause care and making sure every primary care physician and OB-GYN has the training they need, we can help break down access barriers and help more women address their symptoms.
Unlock new frontiers in menopause care
With healthcare industry leaders understanding the need to better support women transitioning into menopause, promising new treatments are emerging. For example, elinzanetant is currently in late-stage clinical development to address hot flashes associated with menopauseone of the most common symptoms.
As new medications continue to undergo trials and enter the market, ensuring widespread availability is crucial. By better addressing hot flashes, women can improve their quality of life during menopause. This doesnt just benefit individuals, but improves the healthcare sector as a whole.
A more supportive future for women
Theres no silver bullet that can help lower costs and make menopause treatments more accessible. For healthcare leaders, menopauses growing economic burden is not just a health concern, but a call for systemic change. There are several levers we can pull to create a better, more supportive system for women.
First, manufacturers of the most effective treatments for menopause, like menopausal hormone therapy, can look beyond insurance coverage and find ways to support women who are forced to pay out of pocket for these medications. While copay cards can be incredibly helpful for many high-cost prescriptions, these types of discount programs have low awareness. Pharmaceutical manufacturers can turn to trusted consumer resources, like GoodRx, to offer exclusive patient pay programs for those without adequate coverage on these medications. We launched this exact type of partnership with Pfizers portfolio of menopause hormone therapies last year and are seeing high uptake. We can further broaden access by working with other manufacturers in this space.
Of course we still need to evolve our existing health insurance benefit structures to ensure they adequately support the diverse needs of women going through menopause. This includes providing comprehensive coverage for hormone replacement therapies and other menopausal treatments without prohibitive costs. Employers play a role here, too, and can advocate for health plans that respect womens specific medical needs, which can in turn improve overall job satisfaction, productivity, and tenure.
As both a leader and a woman navigating these same healthcare challenges, I’m optimistic about the future. By making menopause management easier, we not only enhance the quality of life for individual women, but generate positive impacts on families and the larger healthcare system.
Dorothy Gemmell is chief commercial officer and president, manufacturer solutions at GoodRx.
If youve ever fancied your chances in the Hunger Games, now you have the opportunity to volunteer as tribute.
Lionsgate just announced an open audition call for a minor role in the upcoming prequel, The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. To audition, show us your best: act out a scene, perform a song, or surprise us with something completely new,” the movies X account shared last week. “All talents welcome. No previous experience necessary.”
Many fans and budding actors are now eagerly taking their shot at being a part of the beloved movie franchise. After all, Rachel Zegler, who starred as Lucy Gray Baird in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, landed her breakout role through an open casting call.
However, if the producers were hoping the internet would take the auditions seriously, they clearly havent spent enough time on TikTok.
A cursory scroll through the hashtag #SOTRCastingContest sees everything from creators pretending to be a tribute running from the cornucopia in the games, to getting into character as a cleaner in the Hunger Games arena.
One TikTok creator performed a dramatic retelling of Hunger Games main character Katniss monologue from Mockingjay Part One, but in the voice of White Lotus star Jennifer Coolidge. (Perfection.) Another TikToker proved she had the acting chops for the role of the potato that Beetee works on, while a third auditioned for the role of one of the goose eggs katniss bring haymitch in the end of SOTR.
Yet another TikToker offered their interpretation of the supporting role of “President Snow’s milk”Can’t wait to see you in the movie, one person commented. Theyre gonna regret that open casting call, another added.
Serious or not, there is still time to get your audition in before entries close on June 6, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. PT. The chosen actor will join Kieran Culkin as Caesar Flickerman, Elle Fanning as Effie Trinket, Ralph Fiennes as Coriolanus Snow, Joseph Zada as Haymitch Abernathy, and Maya Hawke as Wiress in the Haymitch-focused prequel set to hit screens November 20, 2026.
Entrants must be a U.S. resident and over the age of 18. May the odds be ever in your favor.
The “holy airball” trend thats all over your For You page is the latest way the internet is sharing humble brags.
The videos, which have amassed millions of views on TikTok over the past few weeks, follow the same formula: A person shares a statement, the next slide is an assumption often leveled at them, and follow-up slides reveal the more impressive truth.
The videos are soundtracked to Soul Survivor by Jeezy featuring Akon, and the final slide always references the now viral phrase “holy airball”a basketball term for when someone takes a shot and misses the basket.
Many have used the trend to brag about their achievements or joke about their unexpected personality traits or life circumstances. An example would be if someone assumes that your family owns a local store, but your family actually owns a huge conglomerate.
As the trend has gained momentum, the nepo babies have now entered the chat.
“Told him my mom’s a lawyer,” Ava Phillipe wrote in a TikTok video posted on Monday. He said, ‘Oh, what firm does she work at?’ The following slides are of the Elle Woods from the 2001 film Legally Blonde. Reese Witherspoon, who played Woods, is Phillipes mother.
Told him my dad was in the music industry, Alianna Thiam wrote in a TikTok posted last week. He said ‘Oh, like a manager?’ Next are pictures of Thiam with her father, the singer Akon. Bro literally made the trend, she added.
Akon cowrote and is featured on the song that accompanies the trend. The fact this trend is to his song is iconic for you, one person commented. Trend over, you win, another added.
A third example comes from the TikTok account of Francesca Scorsese. I told him, ‘My dad is a filmmaker,’ she wrote. No prizes for guessing who appears on the following slide. OK, we cant top this yall, one comment read.
Other TikTok accounts are capitalizing off their famous last names and confusing the internet in the process. Theres Abigail McDonald, who wrote: Told him my family owns a food place. He said, ‘Oh, so like a small business?’ The next slide shows an image of the fast-food chain McDonalds.
A TikTok account for Gracie Abercrombie posted: Told him ‘my family owns a clothing store.’ The next slide is a photo of the popular clothing store Abercrombie & Fitch.
Fast Company could not find verify nepo baby connections for either of these creators. However, both videos have pulled in millions of views.
Holy freakin airball.
Victorias Secret is staying hidden today as the company works to address a security incident impacting its U.S. website.
Customers attempting to access the site were met with a message on Thursday stating the website and some in-store operations are unavailable while team members handle the apparent cybersecurity issue.
The nature of the issueand how quickly the company identified itwas not specified in the companys statement, and Victorias Secret did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The lingerie retailer, which reported $6.23 billion in revenue last year, saw the incidents impact in its stock price, which dropped by over 11% between the market closing Tuesday night and opening Thursday morning.
When did this start and how long will it last?
Although the company has not provided a timeline for the incident, a company FAQ page notes that team members are working to fulfill orders placed before Monday, May 26, suggesting the issue may have first disrupted services on or after this date.
Some customers, taking to online forums like Reddit, say the website has been down since as early as Sunday night.
The FAQ page likewise did not offer a timeline for when the site or its customer services would be operational again, only that it is “working around the clock to restore our operations.”
The security incident at Victorias Secret comes amid a wave of breaches at high-profile retailers. In the UK, a string of cyberattacks earlier this year targeted retailers Marks and Spencer, Harrods, and Co-op.
It is hard to know whether the total number of cyberattacks is increasing, said Rob Pritchard, a cybersecurity consultant and former deputy head of the U.K.’s Cyber Security Operations Centre. However, incidents at well-known retailers are certainly bringing attention to the issue.
For retailers, protecting against these attacks is not an impossible task, but not an easy one, Pritchard said. Looking at the methods behind attacks on other companies can be a blueprint for how to avoid future issues.
Shares of Victoria’s Secret & Co (NYSE: VSCO) were down 1.43% in late-day trading on Thursday.
A new trend that’s been circulating on social media has grown men reaching out to their buddies to say “good night,” and sometimes even “sweet dreams.”
The trend has taken off on TikTok and Instagram in recent weeks, in part because the reactions from the men receiving the calls has often been humorous. In one video, a man calls his friend, tells him good night, and immediately gets a shocked response: “What?” The caller replies, “I’m just calling to tell you good night. Sweet dreams.” But that’s not quite enough clarity for the man on the other end. “Good night? A grown man telling another grown man good night?” he presses, while the caller muffles a laugh.
The TikTok prank operates on exactly that premisethat grown men calling each other to say good night is funny because it’s so utterly unexpected. Because truthfully, most grown men are not calling each other to check in before bed.
Some men receiving the calls commented that nobody has called them to say good night in many years. That’s as nightly check-insperhaps check-ins of any kindcan feel contrary to ingrained masculinity norms. But that’s problematic. Male loneliness has been viewed as a growing issue, and has even been called an epidemic by some experts in recent years. One 2024 review of masculinity norms and how they impact male loneliness highlighted an “urgent need” for a shift in order to “support men’s social connectedness.”
Not only do men feel less connected, but they also are less likely to seek mental health care than women. According to some research, only an estimated one in 10 men suffering with depression or anxiety disorders receive treatment.
A “foreign” feeling
Experts say that men don’t always feel able to reach out, and when they don’t, it can lead to isolation. Dr. Rachel Austin, a Maryland-based clinical psychologist, tells Fast Company she saw the trend circulating and was struckbut not surprisedby how foreign it feels to so many men to do something thats more connected to emotion than they may be used to.
According to Austin, it can be especially hard for men to learn how to facilitate connection when they fear doing so may be perceived as weak or not masculine, and especially when doing so hasnt been modeled for them. That can make even recognizing the feeling a challenge. Many male patients that are lonely arent articulating (even to their partners) what they need, says Austin.
Judging by the videos, while confused at first, the men actually appreciated the seemingly bizarre phone calls. Many ended up feeling touched, or said things like, “I miss you,” or even, “love you,” in response. Some of the men even began reminiscing about their younger days, perhaps back in high school or college, when touching base to check in and say good night was not a weird occurrence, but part of their routine.
In one video posted on Instagram, which has over 757,000 likes at present, a dad calls his longtime buddy to say good night. The friend on the other end of the line instantly bursts out laughing, and brings up their high school days when nightly calls were expected from those in their friend group. “I can’t believe you remembered that,” the friend says. “That was like a staple.”
While the trend is wholesome, and certainly worth clicking through a few videos for a chuckle, the responses seem to reveal a deeper issuethat men reaching out to each other is sorely needed. It may even spark some sorely needed discussion about why exactly this feels so unexpected.
While consumer tools like ChatGPT dominate headlines, IT leaders face an even tougher challenge: keeping pace with an explosion of data demands while making the right infrastructure bets to support enterprisescale AI. Strategy is key; and theres no better way to implement the right AI strategy than hearing directly from the pros who have successfully made artificial intelligence work for them and their teams, and ultimately their clients.
In this virtual discussion, Hari Gopalkrishnan, head of consumer, business, and wealth management technology, Bank of America, shares how to incorporate security, compliance, and resilience into your corporations AI infrastructure.
More than $14 billion in clean energy investments in the U.S. have been canceled or delayed this year, according to an analysis released Thursday, as President Donald Trump’s pending megabill has raised fears over the future of domestic battery, electric vehicle and solar and wind energy development.
Many companies are concerned that investments will be in jeopardy amid House Republicans’ passage of a tax bill that would gut clean energy credits, nonpartisan group E2 said in its analysis of projects that it and consultancy Atlas Public Policy tracked.
The groups estimate the losses since January have also cost 10,000 new clean energy jobs.
The tax credits, bolstered in the landmark climate bill passed under former President Joe Biden in 2022, are crucial for boosting renewable technologies key to the clean energy transition. E2 estimates that $132 billion in plans have been announced since the so-called Inflation Reduction Act passed, not counting the cancellations.
Last week’s House bill effectively renders moot many of the laws incentives. Advocacy groups decried the potential impact that could have on the industry after the multitrillion-dollar tax breaks package passed.
The Houses plan coupled with the administrations focus on stomping out clean energy and returning us to a country powered by coal and gas guzzlers is causing businesses to cancel plans, delay their plans and take their money and jobs to other countries instead, E2 executive director Bob Keefe said.
The Senate is now reviewing the bill with an informal July 4 deadline to get it to the president’s desk.
What has been canceled
Some of the most recent cancellations include the Kore Power battery factory in Arizona and BorgWarners closure of two EV manufacturing sites in Michigan. Bosch suspended a $200 million investment in a hydrogen fuel cell factory in South Carolina, citing changes within the market over the past year in a statement to The Associated Press.
Tariffs, inflationary pressures, nascent company struggles and low adoption rates for some technologies may also have been reasons for these companies plans changing. For instance, the battery storage and electric vehicle sectors have seen the most impact in 2025, with the latter especially having had had a difficult past few years. Several projects spurred by the IRA were also canceled prior to 2025.
Of the projects canceled this year, most more than $12 billion worth came in Republican-led states and congressional districts, the analysis said. Red districts have benefited more than blue ones from an influx of clean energy development and jobs, experts say.
Georgia and Tennessee are particularly at risk because they are highly invested in EV and battery production, said Marilyn Brown, an energy policy professor at the Georgia Institute of Technology who was not involved in the analysis.
If all of a sudden these tax credits are removed, Im not sure how these ongoing projects are going to continue, said Fengqi You, an engineering professor at Cornell University who also was not involved.
A handful of Republican lawmakers have urged the continuation of energy tax credits, with some saying in an April letter to Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D. that a repeal could disrupt the American people and weaken the county’s position as a global energy leader.
The US and the global stage
The Trump administration has sought to dismantle much of Biden’s environmental and climate-related policy what he calls the Democrats green new scam withdrawing again from the Paris climate agreement, rolling back countless landmark pollution regulations and environmental initiatives, reconsidering scientific findings supporting climate action, blocking renewable energy sources and more in an effort to bolster a fossil fuel-led American energy dominance agenda.
Meanwhile other countries are proceeding with green investments. The European Parliament is committing to the European Union Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, a policy meant to prevent carbon leakage, or companies moving production to countries where climate policies are less strict. And the International Maritime Organization is moving toward a global carbon tax on shipping.
In a sign that not all hope is lost for the future of renewables in the U.S., April alone saw nearly $500 million in new development, with Japanese manufacturing company Hitachi’s energy arm building out transmission and electrification operations in Virginia and materials and technology company Corning investing in solar manufacturing in Michigan.
Still, $4.5 billion in development was canceled or delayed last month, according to E2’s tally.
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Alexa St. John and Isabella O’Malley, Associated Press
Associated Press writer Matthew Daly contributed to this report.
