Effective mentorship will be the secret recipe to grow the next generation of leaders. Ill be the first to admit that this isnt a new concept, but its extremely hard to get mentorship right. Ive seen organizations toss mentorship into internal and external communications content as a vague component of professional development, with no real structure.
Similarly, I know too many wildly talented, well-intentioned executives who are fully on board with the concept of mentorship but stop short of adopting it as a core element of their lives. The same goes for those just starting out in their careers: Being or finding a mentor is an afterthought, a nice to have, something to consider when their to-do list gets shorter. Spoiler alert to those starting a career: Your to-do list never gets shorter.
Mentorship is a foundation
The word mentor is a noun, describing a person who mentors, but its also a verban action you to do.
Im passionate about this because I wholeheartedly believe that mentorship is the key to breaking down self-imposed artificial barriers and unlocking our true potential as professionals, and as people.
Before I go any further, heres a critical point: Mentorship is traditionally characterized as benefitting the mentee, as altruism on the part of the mentor whos doing a favor for the person who is less advanced in their career.
Please, if you take nothing else from reading this, hear me on this one: Mentorship doesnt just break through barriers for the mentees. Done right, mentors too, will find themselves reimagining whats possible.
This may sound like Pollyanna-style thinking, but I am speaking from my own experience and from observing countless other mutually beneficial mentor/mentee relationships.
Break self-imposed ceilings
Heres why mentorship matters so much. Most of us construct invisible barriers that limit our potential. That applies even to those who areor believe they areat the so-called top of their careers. These self-imposed ceilings manifest in surprising ways, not just in career aspirations but in how we approach work itself.
Ive placed limitations on myself, too. And I had every reason not tomy mother was an executive, picking me up from gymnastics practice in a suit, typically the last one to arrive. Ive seen what climbing the corporate ladder looks like. But theres a difference between seeing it and immersing yourself in whats possible, because the latter requires confronting your real goals.
Consider how many talented departmental leaders hesitate to pursue paths beyond the head of their department. How often do we see a CMO who wants to become CEO? Theres nothing inherently wrong with topping out at anycareer level, but it should be because thats where you want to be, not because thats where you think your path is supposed to end. In so many cases, the stopping point isn’t due to capability gaps but because of internalized assumptions about where your career should plateau based on your background or expertise.
Rethink whats possible
This is where mentorship comes in. Effective mentorship creates space to examine and challenge these self-constructed limitations. When someone asks the right questions and provides consistent support, seemingly fixed boundaries suddenly become permeable.
Clearly, this is important for mentees who are rising through the ranks in their careers. Ive found that serving as a mentor forces you to confront your own path, assumptions, and limitations. You might never dream of telling a mentee, This is where your path should end; dont explore any lateral moves to a different area of expertise, and dont pursue a role that most people with your background would consider too advanced. And yet, wesubconsciously or blatantlytell that to ourselves all the time.
Cross-functional experiences build leaders
Many of the limitations we place on ourselves are constructed from a traditional perception of career paths.
And yet, my own path taught me that leadership excellence requires perspective from multiple angles. My first job involved fulfilling collateral packages for inside sales. And while my career has been centered around marketing, Ive branched out the last few years by embracing customer success and renewals.
This diversity of experience has done more than build my resumeit completely changed how I understand business. Each role offered a different vantage point on the same organizational challenges, creating a comprehensive picture impossible to see from a single department.
When mentoring emerging professionals, I encourage similar exploration beyond their comfort zones. Breaking down silos between departments improves organizational efficiency and develops leaders with a fuller understanding of how businesses function. Win-win!
You dont have to stay in your lane to advance. The most effective leaders combine deep expertise with broader business acumen gained through varied experiences.
Making membership work
Its a misconception that mentor/mentee relationships must be someone from an older generation mentoring someone from a younger generation, or that they must be at opposite ends of a traditionally linear career path.
An effective mentor/mentee relationship encourages people with different experiences and perspectives to share and grow together. Find someone with whom you click, who challenges you, who holds you accountable, and who has a similar level of commitment to the relationship.
For the mentees, show up with something to offer, whether thats a useful perspective or even just a high level of preparation so youre making the best use of your mentors time. I encourage my mentees to come prepared with clear agendas for our discussionsensuring we address priorities efficiently whether we have five minutes or 30.
From mentorship to legacy
I have benefited tremendously from mentors throughout my career. And my commitment to developing the next generation of diverse business professionals has become central to my leadership philosophy. I measure success not only by my achievements but by the growth of those I’ve mentored and the ripple effects their advancement creates.
Again, mentoring isn’t about doing favorsit’s about building something larger than individual careers. It’s about creating pathways for others to follow while simultaneously expanding your own vision of what’s possible.
Mentors, this is how you turn a career into a true legacy. Sounds good, doesnt it?
Melissa Puls is chief marketing officer and senior vice president of customer success at Ivanti.
We are in a once-in-a-generation moment. AI isnt just changing how people workits pushing companies to rethink how theyre structured, how decisions get made, and who gets to lead. Our annual Work Trend Index report reveals the stakes: While 81% of women leaders say their company must adopt AI to stay competitive, fewer than half feel they have the resources to drive real impact. Additionally, our research found that men are more likely to use AI at work, trust it with high-stakes tasks, and worry less about being replaced by it. Knowing this matters, because as AI reshapes jobs and workflows, those who engage early will shape what comes next.
Become an agent boss
Ive seen too many brilliant women opt out because they dont feel technical enough or ready. We saw this pattern during the rise of STEMwhen closing the gap took decades of education and investment. But readiness isnt innate, its built. Say yes to the uncharted projects. Say yes to leading the pilot. Say yes to rethinking how your team works. The most meaningful roles in the AI era wont be assignedtheyll be claimed by those bold enough to step forward.
That also means investing in a new kind of skill set. At Microsoft, we talk about becoming agent bossespeople who build, direct, and collaborate with AI agents to amplify their impact. This shift is already underway. In fact, 51% of managers say upskilling for AI will be a core responsibility within five years. Just as we once learned to manage teams, we now need to learn to manage agents.
But AI fluency alone isnt enough. If we want to truly change how work feelsnot just how its donewe need to rethink the systems around us.
Break the cycle of burnout
The pace of work has outgrown the workday. What once fit inside the bounds of a 9-to-5 now spills across time zones, platforms, and personal hours. Our research found that despite 84% of women leaders saying hybrid work improved their experience, 74% still feel they dont have enough time each day to get their work done. This comes as no surprise given that the average employee is interrupted roughly every two minutes275 times a day. Even with gains in flexibility, many are still stuck in cycles of time poverty and busywork. AI offers a way forwardbut only if its paired with structural change.
Start with the 80/20 rule: Reclaim time from low-value tasks and reinvest it in what truly moves the business forward. Replace rigid org charts with agile work chartsflexible, outcome-based teams powered by AI to close skill gaps. And empower every employeenot just the technical onesto lead with AI. The magic is in the handoff. For example, AI helps me draft a memo, and an agent tracks the responses and prompts the follow-ups. This frees me to focus on bigger challenges instead of managing my inbox. Because progress doesnt come from the tools aloneit comes from who gets to use them, and how theyre used.
Design the future of work
The organizations pulling ahead today arent just using AItheyre building with it. We call them Frontier Firms: AI-native companies with digital labor embedded from the start. Theyre leaner, faster, and more adaptive. But what truly sets them apart is how they prioritize people. According to our research, Frontier Firms employees are more likely to report being happier, fulfilled, and able to take on meaningful work. Because real transformation isnt just about technologyits about trust, autonomy, and opportunity.
On my own team, weve started making intentional changes: asking whether every meeting is necessary, muting notifications during heads-down time, integrating AI into our workflows, and protecting time for recovery, not just delivery. These small shifts help reset the rhythm of the day and create room for people to thrive.
The future of work wont write itself. If we want it to be more equitable, more human, and more inclusive, we have to build it that way. And that starts with more women raising their hands, using their voices, and picking up the pen.
Colette Stallbaumer is Microsoft 365 Copilot general manager and WorkLab cofounder.
Most ag startups dont fit the venture capital (VC) model. But heres the thingmost companies in most industries dont fit either.
VC is where Big Money goes in search of massive bets with massive rewards, typically representing a small part of a diversified portfolio for limited partners. VCs bet billions ($221 billion in 2024 in the U.S.) knowing that theres a 1% chance for any company they invest in to become a unicorn ($1 billion valuation) and that 67% of startups fail to exit or raise follow-on funding, according to CB Insights. Sure, 30% of startups exit via IPO or M&A, but VC goes to the ball to find the 10x return on investment, not to settle for a stepsibling.
This topic has been covered ad nauseam lately by agtech VCs and journalists. A recent article from Ag Startup Engine argues that agtech doesnt fit the VC fantasy. The article argues that smaller funds targeting profitable, mid-sized companies pursuing longer-term growth toward $50 million to $200 million exits via M&A are more likely to conserve their capital. And the companies they fund will drive incremental benefits that will make their customers happy.
Thats a very reasonable takeaway, and it exists; its called mid-market private equity (PE). But thats not VC, nor does it fulfill VCs purpose of funding high-risk, big ideas that hold the potential to solve farmings biggest problems and change the industrys future. Rather than trying to shoehorn VC into ill-fitted enterprises, the solution is for agtech founders to build Cinderella companies that fit VCs glass slipper model with the potential to deliver magic for the industry and investors.
Deja vu all over again
You dont need to search much to see that agtech is suffering. But this is a familiar cycle punctuated by rhetoric about how VC doesnt understand ag. This is followed by hope for green shoots that brings to mind a rough morning after: We learned from the mistakes of the past and were going to do things differently.
Spoiler alertthe reality is that were not.
The same thing that happened in the two previous agtech cycles is happening again:
Founders are thinking too small and inside the box.
Investors (even more cynical than before) are looking for safe betsthings that dont contradict any of the axioms relayed by the industry (regulatory is long, farmers dont adopt new products, cycles are too long, and everyone inevitably sells to one of the incumbents).
If we dont turn this narrative around, the next batch will suffer the same outcome. More capital will flee the space. And the industry will continue churning out incremental products with farmers remaining underserved.
Those who dare
If we want to break that cycle, its time for founders to swing for the fences and embrace bold visions rooted in contrarian views. If you arent hearing that wont work, it probably isnt daring enough.
The sad reality of agtech VC is that risk exists if youre building something small or big, but the reward is only there in the latter. Agtech VC is failing because risk is dominating decision making in the absence of a big upside. And the tendency to suppress and control risk often comes at the expense of accelerating innovation.
Three founder behaviors are limiting the upside and creating agtech stepsisters rather than Cinderellas:
Creating incremental products: Its safer to lean into an existing market, but its almost always innovation that creates the upside, especially in a mature market. Uber didnt make it easier to hail a taxi, it blew up the market by fundamentally changing how customers managed their transportation.
Mimicking the behavior of incumbents: We need innovation in the market approachbusiness model, pricing, marketing, etc.as much as innovation in the product itself. Copying the incumbent playbook might be rationalized by the desire to not reinvent the wheel, but in a world where failure is the norm, its better to innovate every aspect of your business.
Building to get bought: Founding a company by planning who you want to sell it to is inherently thinking small, and it drives me bananas. M&A rarely delivers the 10x returns needed to make a case for true VC, so starting with a limited goal makes a poor fit for venture backing. Even worse, by capping the outcome, founders are capping their ambition (without noticing).
My company, InnerPlant, was designed from the beginning to swing for the fences, hence fitting the VC model. Weve always known that we were going to learn from how the incumbents disappoint farmers to chart our own path, and weve always aimed beyond M&A. And as for the boldness of the vision, Ive heard to no end that my idea was too hard, too complicated, with too many elements that have to go right. Luckily I found the investors who arent afraid of hard things.
The people who said those things werent wrong. But ultimately, VCs are looking at risk versus opportunity; those risks are all still there, but the prize is massiveand that is what venture all about!
The future is unknown, and its impossible to predict what will happen when the clock strikes midnight. But founders need to make sure that theyve done everything possible to ensure a big upside so they can fit the glass slipper when the VCs come calling.
Shely Aronov is CEO and cofounder of InnerPlant.
Amid a wave of AI-fueled media layoffs, Anthropicthe kind of company driving the disruptionis making a human hire. The AI startup is seeking a Managing Editor to lead its growing editorial team, leaning on skills machines still cant match.
Based in New York or San Francisco, the role will be the organizational backbone of the operation, steering collaboration, systems, and the people who keep it all running.
A human position in the age of AI
The rapid adoption of AI in the workforces has resulted in loss of jobs and uncertainty across industries. Concerns have even been raised by Anthropic’s own CEO,Dario Amodei, who claims unemployment could reach 10-20% in the next one to five years due to eliminated jobs.
In media alone, the effects have been particularly extensive. Earlier this year, Business Insider laying off 21% of its staff to favor the use of AI and live events. Amid staff cuts, many outlets are resorting to AI generated content, albeit some do inadvertly.
Human skills are in
While AI is here to stay, human-based skills are becoming more coveted than before.
The new job listing follows Anthropic’s communications team expansion, which set out to triple its team size by the end of the year, per Axios.
According to the listing, the editorial team oversees research communications and narrative content which focuses on AI and its societal impacts. This human-driven strategy follows Anthropic’s failed AI-generated blog, which tasked its chatbot Claude to write blog posts until it shut down a week after its launch.
According to the job description, the main responsibilities will be maintaining editorial calendar, coordinating workflows, and providing edits, which can often time be delegated to AI. However, most skills required point to human skills, including serving as a cross-team liaison, managing relationships, and enforcing deadlines.
Human skills, revalued
This year, LinkedIn’s Skills on the Rise list ranked AI literacy as the no. 1 skill employers are looking for, yet all the skills that followed like conflict mitigation, adaptability, and innovative thinkingfocused on soft skills.
Other reports are noticing the same trend, with Autodesk’s 2025 AI Job Report pointing to similar findings, saying “human skills arent being replacedtheyre being revalued.”
Sentiments regarding the growing appreciation for human skills echoed on social media as well, with one user reacted to the listing on LinkedIn saying, “Not surprised. AI is better every day, but humans are still needed to keep garbage from going in and out.”
“Editorial expertise is still a high-value craft. The unique combo of critical thinking, context awareness, audience empathy, storytelling judgment, fact-checking rigor, digital savvy, and creativity remains essential,” executive editor ad Deloitte Insights Annalyn Kurtz said in a LinkedIn post reacting to the job listing. “Even leading AI companies are recognizing that.”
If there wasnt enough to be worried about, DIY Botox is now trending.
Across social media, people have been uploading close-ups of their foreheads mapped out with tiny dots and offering step-by-step advice on how to inject Botox-like products they purchased online. (Yes, it is as dangerous as it sounds.)
Probably needed a hug, one TikToker wrote. Learned how to do my own tox instead. On the Reddit forum r/DIYCosmeticProcedures, members also share tips for injecting themselves at home with everything from fat-dissolving injections to dermal fillers and Botox.
One of the most popular Botox alternatives that has emerged online, with references often accompanied by discount codes, is Innotox, a Korean over-the-counter injectable.
Like Botox, Innotox is a neurotoxin that contains botulinum toxin type A. Unlike Botox, which comes as a powder, it arrives as a ready-to-use liquid, making it convenient for self-administration. Also, unlike Botox, which is FDA approved, Innotox is not authorized in the U.K. or U.S.
Botulinum toxin Awhich, when injected, blocks nerve signals to stop muscles in the face from moving, thereby reducing the appearance of wrinklesis highly toxic and can have catastrophic effects if it’s not administered safely and properly. Thats assuming you can even be sure that what youve purchased online is the authentic product.
Just as blondes going back to their natural hair color has become a well-known recession indicator, people are now injecting their own faces to save a few hundred dollars. But while one product leaves you with a darker shade of hair, the other could leave you permanently disfigured.
Doctors and licensed injectors are shouting from the rooftops about the risks, and sometimes fatal side effects, of incorrect administration of the neurotoxin. And no, its not because theyre worried about losing business.
Medytox, which produces Innotox, recently opened an investigation into the unauthorized importation of Innotox to the U.S., U.K., and other countries.
Botulinum toxins should be administered only by qualified healthcare professionals in a medically appropriate setting, Tom Albright, CEO of Luvantas, a subsidiary of Medytox, told The Guardian. Administration requires a deep understanding of facial anatomy and aesthetic principles, which cannot be replicated in consumer-administered or unregulated environments.
If licensed professionals arent even self-injecting Botox at home, theres probably a reason why.
If your summer skincare looks more like dessert than SPF, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has a message: Put down the whipped cream canisterespecially if its actually sunscreen.
On Monday, the agency dropped an unusually beachy buzzkill, warning that mousse-style sunscreensthe viral, fluffy-textured formulas that are all over TikTokmight not protect you as promised. Even worse? Their ice-cream-topping aesthetic could tempt someone to take a taste.
And yes, thats as bad of an idea as it sounds.
Beware of sunscreen products in mousse form because they might not be effective, the agency wrote on X. Some mousse sunscreen products resemble whipped cream containers and may put consumers at risk if ingested.
The FDAs social media statement was accompanied by a flurry of official warnings issued to companies making mousse-style sunscreens, which have taken off thanks to TikTok trends and influencer campaigns. On TikTok, some videos joke about mousse sunscreens resemblance to whipped cream by pretending to ingest it.
The warnings were issued to five sunscreen companies: Supergoop, Vacation, TiZO, Kalani and K & Care Organics.
Beware of sunscreen products in mousse form because they might not be effective. The FDA issued five warning letters to companies marketing sunscreen products in mousse form: https://t.co/z0kHZqULna pic.twitter.com/xZPtgqWQqE— FDA Drug Information (@FDA_Drug_Info) August 12, 2025
In the letters, the FDA states that the brands mousse sunscreens dont comply with its guidelines and havent been approved to be marketed in mousse form. According to the FDA, sunscreens in forms other than oil, lotion, cream, gel, butter, paste, ointment, stick, spray, and powder need an additional authorization to be marketed as effective sunscreen.
As previously stated, there are no FDA-approved applications in effect for your drug products, the agency states. The FDA gave the sunscreen brands 15 days to reply or pursue compliance with the concerns in the letter, which was dated back to August 6.
The FDA went further with the viral mousse sunscreen brand Vacation, pointing to misbranding concerns with some of the companys packaging.
Vacations Classic Whip sunscreen comes in a red-and-white canister thats designed to look almost exactly like a can of whipped creama marketing flourish that sent its mousse sunscreens viral.
Specifically, your sunscreens are presented in metal canisters . . . that outputs a star-shaped foam and have a strong overall resemblance to the metal canisters ordinarily used to package whipped cream products and similar dessert toppings, the FDA wrote, adding that selling products classified as drugs in food container lookalikes increases the risk of accidental ingestion.
Fast Company reached out to Vacation for comment.
Whats the deal with the mousse?
While traditional lotion, stick, and spray sunscreens have occupied drug store shelves for years, mousse-style sunscreens only exploded onto the scene recently.
Accelerated by TikTok posts of influencers slathering themselves in what looks like Reddi-wip, Vacation quickly enjoyed its social media-powered moment in the sun.
@beautybyniurka POV: Whip creaming myself all summer with @Vacation Inc. Classic Whip SPF 30 Sunscreen Mousse #vacationspf #bestsunscreen The whipped texture is light and fluffy, no sticky or oily residue. Leaves your skin radiant and glowing! The fragrance is unmatched! Coconut, banana , pool water , pool toy, & swimsuit lycra . I cannot think of a better smelling sunscreen! NO JOKE! Have you tried this viral whipped sunscreen yet Hot summer sun outdoors beach bum summer girl Cruelty free vegan beauty summer essentials sunscreen vacation inc sunscreen UGC creator UGC content beauty tips summer must haves trending sunscreen viral makeup products sun protection beach vacation water resistant water resistant sunscreen target finds ulta beauty pool days summer fun skin health spf viral video trending video Asmr asmr video asmr skincare makeup products grwm water park Disney #summer#summervibes#spfeveryday#sunprotection#spf#sunscreeneveryday#summeressentials#summermusthave#spf30#beauty#skincare#skin #whipcream#whippedsunscreen#vacationsunscreen#vacationinc#suntan#suntanning#suntanlotion#tanning#sunburn#soldejaneiro#target#targetfinds#targetstyle #makeup#ugc#ugccreator#skintok #beautytok @Ulta Beauty @target billie eilish CHIHIRO gravagerz remix – grava
The brands thoroughly ’80s aesthetic and creative marketing have kept its sunscreen, inspired by everyones favorite after dinner indulgence, in the skincare conversation.
Now, Vacations mousse sunscreen is on shelves at Target and Ulta. This summer, Vacation partnered with Erewhon, L.A.s astronomically expensive viral grocery chain, to release a sunscreen smoothie for paying members, made with coconut and themed after the skincare brands summery scents.
Beyond the Reddi-wip drama, the U.S. sunscreen scene is not without its share of controversies.
Skincare devotees have long known that American sunscreen pales in comparison to options in Europe and Asia. Beyond the U.S., sunscreen formulations include UV-blocking ingredients that havent yet gained FDA approval. The problem largely comes down to the fact that sunscreen is regulated as a drug in the U.S., while many other countries treat it as a cosmetic.
While sunscreens sold stateside are good at handling UVB rays that cause sunburn, theyre missing better options for blocking UVA rays, which penetrate skin deeply and are a known cause of cancer. The U.S. hasnt approved a new sunscreen active ingredient in more than two decades a fact that has American travelers regularly stocking their luggage with the good stuff when traveling abroad.
“At Supergoop! we remain committed to innovation in sun care and the highest standards of product efficacy and safety,” the company told Fast Company in a statement. “The recent communication from the FDA regarding our PLAY SPF 50 Body Mousse is focused on product labeling and has nothing to do with its safety, effectiveness, or formula. We are working closely with the FDA to resolve this matter as we continue to uphold the high standards our consumers expect from us.”
If your lunch order is a little lacking in portion size, your name might have something to do with itat least according to some social media users. A viral theory claims that takeout orders from fast-casual chains with mens names receive heftier portions than those with womens names.
After months, even years, of gender-related speculation circulating online, one TikTok creator decided to put the theory to the test and conduct a series of experiments.
She placed identical orders at Chipotle, one using her own name, Emily Joy Lemus, and the other using the name Andrew.” Holding the bowls side by side, to the naked eye there does seem to be a perceivable, if marginal, difference, with Andrews order piled slightly higher.
Still skeptical, those in the comments demanded scientific proof. Lemus ran the experiment again, but this time she weighed the two identical orders on a food scaleone under the name Tom this time, the other under her own name.
While again, the difference wasnt unequivocal to the eye, the scale told a different story. Toms bowl clocked in at 714 grams, but Emilys was only 686 grams, a nearly 30 gram gap. This is insane that this is a hack, she said.
On Reddit and Threads, others reported that the trick has worked for them, too. It’s frustrating having to pay for extra portions when men get that much just for being men, one Reddit user wrote.
Some, however, remain unconvinced. As a current employee, nobody is looking at names, one Chipotle employee assured. A Chipotle manager added, we make the orders as quickly as possible for anyone no matter what gender you are. Others suspect it is simply a matter of different employees being more or less heavy-handed with their scoops.
Fast Company has reached out to Chipotle for comment on the portion size debate.
Recent research does lend credibility to the idea of an unconscious bias in portion size when it comes to perceived gender.
A 2025 study published in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology found participants associated men with larger portions, while women were expected to be satisfied with less. However, the study didnt offer any particularly strong evidence that this impacted behavior.
Wanting to further test her theory, Lemus also took her informal experiment to the Mediterranean fast-casual chain Cava. This time, she found the opposite to be true: The order with the womans name clocked in heavier than the one with the man’s.
What that tells me is that Cava is for the girls, she said.
As AI chatbots become ubiquitous, states are looking to put up guardrails around AI and mental health before its too late. With millions of people turning to AI for advice, chatbots have begun posing as free, instant therapists a phenomenon that, right now, remains almost completely unregulated.
In the vacuum of regulation on AI, states are stepping in to quickly erect guardrails where the federal government hasnt. Earlier this month, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signed a bill into law that limits the use of AI in therapy services. The bill, the Wellness and Oversight for Psychological Resources Act, blocks the use of AI to provide mental health and therapeutic decision-making, while still allowing licensed mental health professionals to employ AI for administrative tasks like note taking.
The risks inherent in non-human algorithms doling out mental health guidance are myriad, from encouraging recovering addicts to have a small hit of meth to engaging young users so successfully that they withdraw from their peers. One recent study found that nearly a third of teens find conversations with AI as satisfying or more satisfying than real-life interactions with friends.
States pick up the slack, again
In Illinois, the new law is designed to protect patients from unregulated and unqualified AI products, while also protecting the jobs of Illinois thousands of qualified behavioral health providers, according to the Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation (IDFPR), which coordinated with lawmakers on the legislation.
The people of Illinois deserve quality healthcare from real, qualified professionals and not computer programs that pull information from all corners of the internet to generate responses that harm patients, IDFPR Secretary Mario Treto, Jr said. Violations of the law can result in a $10,000 fine.
Illinois has a history of successfully regulating new technologies. The states Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA), which governs the use of facial recognition and other biometric systems for Illinois residents, has tripped up many tech companies accustomed to operating with regulatory impunity. That includes Meta, a company thats now all-in on AI, including chatbots like the ones that recently made chats some users believed to be private public in an open feed.
Earlier this year, Nevada enacted its own set of new regulations on the use of AI in mental health services, blocking AI chatbots from representing themselves as capable of or qualified to provide mental or behavioral health care. The law also prevents schools from using AI to act as a counselor, social worker or psychologist or from performing other duties related to the mental health of students. Earlier this year, Utah added its own restrictions around the mental health applications of AI chatbots, though its regulations dont go as far as Illinois or Nevada.
The risks are serious
In February, the American Psychological Association met with U.S. regulators to discuss the dangers of AI chatbots pretending to be therapists. The group presented its concerns to an FTC panel, citing a case last year of a 14-year-old in Florida who died by suicide after becoming obsessed with a chatbot made bt the company Character.AI.
They are actually using algorithms that are antithetical to what a trained clinician would do, APA Chief Executive Arthur C. Evans Jr. told The New York Times. Our concern is that more and more people are going to be harmed. People are going to be misled, and will misunderstand what good psychological care is.
Were still learning more about those risks. A recent study out of Stanford found that chatbots marketing themselves for therapy often stigmatized users dealing with serious mental health issues and issued responses that could be inappropriate or even dangerous.
LLM-based systems are being used as companions, confidants, and therapists, and some people see real benefits, co-author and Stanford Assistant Professor Nick Haber said. But we find significant risks, and I think its important to lay out the more safety-critical aspects of therapy and to talk about some of these fundamental differences.
For almost 20 years, the Honey Deuce cocktail has reigned as the undisputed drink champion of the U.S. Open. But this year, a challenger is stepping onto the court, and its serving up a competitive dose of summer refreshment.
Behold, the Watermelon Slice.
The Watermelon Slice is a limited-edition beverage designed by IHG Hotels & Resorts. It will be available at the U.S. Opens venue, New York Citys Arthur Ashe stadium, starting at the beginning of the tournament on August 18. Attendees will be able to grab the fruity cocktail for a head-turning $39 onsite at IHGs Racquet Bar, as well as at select IHG hotel properties in NYC.
[Photo: courtesy IHG]
For IHG, this isnt any old cocktail. Selling a custom beverage at the U.S. Open represents a coveted advertising opportunity, given that the branded cups are sure to be captured on the big screen and on countless Instagram accounts throughout the tournament. This year, Grey Goose vodka will be returning for the 19th consecutive year as the U.S. Opens official vodka sponsor, a title that comes with the privilege of serving the tournament’s signature cocktail, the $23 Honey Deuce.
The Honey Deucewhich combines Grey Goose vodka, lemonade, and a touch of Chambord raspberry liqueur, topped with tennis ball-esque scoops of honeydew melonhas been pictured in the hands of such stars as Taylor Swift, Serena Williams, and Travis Kelce. Its a billboard in drink form, which raked in more than $10 million in total sales last year before the tennis matches were even finished, and has inspired its own line of merch.
To go racquet-to-racquet with such an iconic beverage, the Watermelon Slice will have to give a truly outstanding performance.
The Honey Deuce at the 2023 US Open. [Photo: Grey Goose]
Battle of the two beverages
The Watermelon Slice is described by a press release as a refreshing blend of Moët & Chandon, watermelon juice, elderflower liqueur, and lime, garnished with a signature watermelon wedge.
Fans are looking for something vibrant and easy to enjoy between pointsnothing too heavy, but packed with just the right flavors. The Watermelon Slice delivers that, says Connor Smith, VP of masterbrand strategy at IHG.
[Photo: courtesy IHG]
Like the Honey Deuce, which is named for the deuce point when players are tied at 40-40, the Watermelon Slice also got its name through a tennis reference. A slice, in the tennis world, is a shot that uses a sharp slashing movement to give the ball a difficult-to-hit backspin or sidespin.
However, the Watermelon Slice stands apart in its unique collectible cup design (which may, in part, provide the justification behind its hefty price tag). Its served in a stem glassbranded with the IHG Hotels & Resort logo, of coursedesigned to resemble a tennis ball. In essence, its the much classier version of eating ice cream out of a helmet cup at a baseball game.
We started with a clear vision: the glass should be as instantly recognizable as a tennis ball but still feel premium and functional for service, Smith explains. The biggest challenge was achieving that perfect pop of neon yellow (or green depending on what color you think a tennis ball is) without compromising the feel of the glass in your hand. We worked closely with our partners to get the shape, color, and tactile finish just right.
A large part of the intrigue surrounding both the Honey Deuce and the Watermelon Slice are their exclusivity: Both cocktails are strictly available during the course of the tournament. As to whether the Watermelon Slice will be returning in years to come, Smith says, Youll just have to wait and see.
Amazon is rolling out a service where its Prime members can now order their blueberries and milk at the same time as basic items like batteries and T-shirtsand get them within hours.
The online juggernaut said Wednesday that customers in more than 1,000 cities and townsincluding Raleigh, North Carolina; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and Columbus, Ohionow have access to fresh groceries with its free same-day delivery service on orders over $25 for Prime members, with plans to reach over 2,300 cities and towns by the end of the year.
Amazon called the move one of the most significant grocery expansions for the online retailer as it introduces thousands of perishable items into its existing logistics network. The expansion is expected to put more pressure on grocery delivery services offered by such rivals as Walmart, Kroger, and Target, which all saw their shares take a hit in early trading on Wednesday.
Amazon’s shares rose 1%.
Amazon said that if an order doesnt meet the minimum, members can still choose same-day delivery for a $2.99 fee. For customers without a Prime membership, the service is available with a $12.99 fee, regardless of order size.
In the past, Prime subscribers grocery orders were fulfilled through Amazon Fresh or Whole Foods Market.
Prime members pay $14.99 monthly or $139 annually.
Amazon launched its Prime membership in 2005, and it has become the gold standard for subscription services, with a slew of perks including unlimited streaming with Prime Video and discounts at Whole Foods and Amazon Fresh.
Walmart, which launched its membership program called Walmart+ in 2020, has been racing to add more benefits. It costs $12.95 per month or $98 per year. Depending on members’ location and availability, Walmart members can schedule same-day delivery for their groceries, including perishables.
Were continuously innovating to make grocery shopping simpler, faster, and more affordable for our customers, especially Prime members, said Doug Herrington, CEO of Worldwide Amazon Stores, in a statement. By introducing fresh groceries into our Same-Day Delivery service, were creating a quick and easy experience for customers.
Herrington noted that customers can order milk alongside electronics; oranges, apples, and potatoes with a mystery novel; and frozen pizza at the same time as tools for their next home improvement projectand check out with one cart and have everything delivered to their doorstep within hours.
The company first tested the service in Phoenix last year, and then added Orlando, Florida, and Kansas City, Missouri, earlier this year.
Amazon noted that many of its customers were first-time Amazon grocery shoppers who now return to shop twice as often with the same-day delivery service, compared with those who didn’t purchase food. It also noted that based on early sales, strawberries now regularly knock AirPods out of the top five bestsellers of all products sold, while bananas, Honeycrisp apples, limes, and avocados round out the top 10 best-selling perishable grocery items in shoppers’ same-day delivery carts.
Amazon said it generated over $100 billion in gross sales of groceries and household essentials last year, not including sales from Whole Foods Market and Amazon Fresh.
In June, Amazon said it was investing more than $4 billion to triple the size of its delivery network by 2026, with a focus on small towns and rural communities across the country.
It also noted that it’s using artificial intelligence to help it predict local customer preferences so that it can stock popular items alongside items targeted for specific communities.
By Anne D’Innocenzio, AP retail writer
