The Fast Company Impact Council is an invitation-only membership community of leaders, experts, executives, and entrepreneurs who share their insights with our audience. Members pay annual dues for access to peer learning, thought leadership opportunities, events and more. Building a resilient technology company is hard. Building one that can withstand constant policy change is another level of hard. Right now, companies across sectors—not just fintech—are staring down government and regulatory shifts happening faster than most orgs can process, let alone implement.   For industries like financial technology, where regulatory changes directly impact how products work, how they’re priced, and how they’re sold, the stakes are existential. Adapting in real time isn’t just an edge—it’s the bare minimum to stay in the game.  That’s why companies need to think beyond using AI as a tool. They need to rethink the entire way they build software, make decisions, and operationalize compliance. At april, we didn’t bolt AI onto our dev team; we restructured how we work to make regulatory agility the foundation. Our approach uses AI to take human-written analysis and turn it directly into code. It means faster updates, fewer silos, and a dev cycle that actually moves at the speed of policy.  When every state writes its own rules, you build for change  The U.S. tax system isn’t a single rulebook—it’s a fragmented, constantly shifting web of federal and state-level regulations. Each year, we see hundreds of changes across jurisdictions: new credits, sunset clauses, redefinitions of income, filing thresholds, and form logic. And none of them arrive on a predictable timeline. A change that passes in October still needs to be implemented and tested before filing season begins in January.  We knew we couldn’t keep up with that kind of churn using the legacy software development model most incumbents rely on—long handoffs between policy, legal, and engineering teams, often stitched together manually. So we built something different.  At april, our Tax-to-Code system lets policy experts write structured analysis, and generative AI turns that into functioning software, reviewed and refined by engineers before it ships. The AI doesn’t replace experts; it extends them. It kills the back-and-forth and accelerates our response time from weeks to days.  This is what regulatory agility looks like: Tax code changes go from policy to product without bottlenecks.  Automation isn’t the goal—strategic bandwidth is  There’s a lot of noise about AI automating work. But in regulated environments, the real value isn’t just speed—it’s the space it frees up for experts to focus on strategy.  AI helps us eliminate the repetitive, time-sucking tasks that bog down compliance work. That doesn’t just cut costs; it gives our team the bandwidth to think several steps ahead. What’s the next policy change likely to be? What would it take to adapt? What needs to be built now to stay ahead?  That’s what most companies are missing. They’re spending all their energy reacting. AI infrastructure, done right, gives you the room to anticipate.  AI can’t function without the right architecture  This only works if your infrastructure is designed to support it. We didn’t start with generative AI—we started with the assumption that regulatory change is constant and unpredictable. From there, we built a system where:  Domain experts define the logic.  AI transforms it into code.  Engineers validate and ship.   The result? A feedback loop where tax and policy changes get implemented at pace, not after a six-month dev sprint.  More importantly, it’s adaptable. This model isn’t just for tax. Any company in a volatile regulatory space—health insurance, auto, logistics, energy—needs a system that can cascade policy changes through their tech stack fast, accurately, and with oversight.  Lessons for leaders in regulated industries  If you’re leading a company where compliance is high stakes, here’s what to prioritize:  Structure your tech org for change, not stability. You can’t assume next quarter’s rules will match this one’s.  Build collaboration between experts and AI. Don’t let legal, ops, and engineering operate in silos. AI works best when it sits between human knowledge and execution.  Focus on speed and oversight. AI without accountability is dangerous. Human-only systems are too slow. You need both.  This is the new baseline  In today’s environment, adaptability is non-negotiable. Leaders can’t rely on manual processes or slow engineering cycles to keep up with real-time policy shifts. And AI isn’t some magic solution on its own; it needs the right infrastructure, the right workflows, and the right people in the loop.  At april, we’ve built our company around that reality. That’s how we move fast without breaking things—and how others in high-regulation industries can, too.  Ben Borodach is the cofounder and CEO of april. 

Studio Saransh, an Indian architecture practice, has designed its own workspace, Oasis, in the suburbs of Ahmedabad. Covering 1,170 square meters, the project reflects the studio’s move from the city center to a quieter, more peaceful location. The design pairs black basalt with steel, giving the workspace a distinct, modern character. Oasis is organized into five separate blocks arranged around a central, sunken courtyard. Open walkways connect these blocks, encouraging employees to move outside and enjoy natural light and fresh air throughout the day. This layout fosters a calm, collaborative environment, away from the bustle of the city. “The walkways not only facilitate movement but also serve as communal spaces, encouraging chance encounters and fostering spontaneous collaborations among the studio’s inhabitants,” said the studio. Designer: Studio Saransh The entrance to the campus is set deliberately apart from the main buildings, guiding staff on a brief walk along a rubble wall draped in bougainvillea before they reach their desks. This pathway creates a sense of arrival and transition into the workspace. On the western side of the lake, the campus features its larger blocks: the main studio and a cluster of cabins for the studio’s partners. The main studio is defined by its double-height volume and a north-facing roof that brings in consistent, natural light. A mezzanine level has been incorporated to accommodate future growth, offering additional workspace without altering the building’s footprint. This mezzanine is connected directly to the partner cabins via a bridge that spans the central courtyard, fostering easy movement and visual connection across the workspace. “The planning fosters collaboration, accommodates diverse work preferences, and encourages a strong connection with the environment,” said Studio Saransh director Malay Doshi. On the eastern side of the sunken courtyard, a series of smaller blocks are thoughtfully arranged to support the campus’s daily operations. These include a service block, an administrative block, and a cluster of meeting rooms. The meeting rooms are positioned to overlook a secluded court in the northeast corner of the site, where rows of lemongrass add a touch of greenery and fragrance to the surroundings, creating a calming atmosphere for gatherings and discussions. The central courtyard itself is carefully designed to connect the various buildings and levels across the campus. One side of the courtyard features broad steps that gently descend, guiding visitors downward as they move westward. This subtle gradient helps to ease the transition between different heights of the site’s blocks, ensuring a harmonious flow and minimizing abrupt elevation changes. “One of the biggest surprises during execution was how the land modulation combined with the landscaping transformed the perceived scale of the space,” said Doshi. “By sinking portions of the site and layering it with tall grasses, the design was able to create an intimate, human-scaled courtyard despite the surrounding buildings.” At the lowest level of the courtyard, a spacious lily pond has been created, accented with lights designed to mimic the appearance of reeds. “The water contributes to the sensory experience, creating a soothing ambiance, while helping the courtyard stay cooler through the day,” said the studio. “Visitors in the courtyard become active participants in this unfolding narrative of a day at the studio. One can find people in this space all through the day, having enthusiastic discussions over a coffee, having a heated argument with someone over a phone, watching tiny fishes in the pond getting eaten by herons or just sitting and sketching.” The post This Calming, Collaborative Workspace Is The Ideal Office Surrounded by Nature In Suburban Ahmedabad first appeared on Yanko Design.

Workers who recently lost their jobs at the National Institute for Occupational Safety say they’re concerned that there’s no plan for managing biological samples tied to research projects.

In a landmark decision, a US District Judge has ruled that Google illegally monopolized the ad tech market. A federal judge in Virginia has found that the tech giant established “monopoly power” for two online advertising markets: publisher ad servers and ad exchanges that sit between buyers and sellers. The ruling in the second-largest antitrust case of the century could mean that Google will have to break up its advertising products or change its business practices. Google is said to have earned nearly $265 billion in 2024 alone through ad placement and sales. The company has said it will appeal the decision. Google was previously the center of the century’s largest antitrust case, and was found guilty of being a “monopolist” with its search business. The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has made it clear that it wants the company to sell off its Chrome browser. That issue goes to trial next week. Thursday’s ruling will likely have a significant impact on the ad tech market, not to mention on Google’s business model and structure. That being said, the lengthy appeals process means the market isn’t going to feel seismic changes anytime soon. “Google’s integration across ad serving, exchange, and buying platforms created efficiency, but it also limited competition and transparency,” said Julie Geller, principal research director at Info-Tech Research Group. “This decision forces a closer look at how market power is exercised through vertical control.” Decision: monopoly in two of the three areas The core of the case was Google’s alleged monopoly over three markets in the ad tech space — one for publishers, one for advertisers, and one that connects the two. US District Judge Leonie Brinkema ruled today that Google had a monopoly on two of those markets (the publisher market and the ad exchange market), but sided with Google in finding that there is no separate advertiser market for online ads. She also ruled that the company’s acquisition of  advertising company DoubleClick in 2008 was not anticompetitive. Google took this as a partial win, with the company’s VP for regulatory affairs, Lee-Anne Mulholland, stating: “We won half of this case and we will appeal the other half. The Court found that our advertiser tools and our acquisitions, such as DoubleClick, don’t harm competition. We disagree with the Court’s decision regarding our publisher tools. Publishers have many options and they choose Google because our ad tech tools are simple, affordable, and effective.” Geller called the ruling a “major inflection point” for digital advertising, as it confirms that Google’s dominance wasn’t just about market share: It was reinforced by unlawful practices like tying DoubleClick for Publishers (DFP) with Google Ad Exchange. “Structural separation is no longer theoretical, it’s moving forward,” she said. “For advertisers and publishers, the implications are real.” She pointed out that a breakup would reshape how media is bought, how value flows, and how trust is built across the ad ecosystem, and potentially, search as well. “It’s not just about Google,” said Geller. “It’s about whether the digital market can evolve toward something more open, accountable, and competitive.” Bid to ‘restore competition’ to the web The US Department of Justice (DOJ) and a coalition of eight states initially brought the case against Google in 2023, saying the tech giant engaged in monopolistic behavior, strategically acquiring particular companies and controlling the industry’s most popular tools and exchanges. The lawsuit sought to “restore competition” to the web. The company avoided a jury trial, instead going before a judge only in a “bench trial,” by making a roughly $2.3 million payment to the DOJ that covered a portion of damages to the plaintiffs. The trial took place last fall, with lawyers for the government arguing that Google has been looking to monopolize control of the ad network, server, and exchange markets since its DoubleClick purchase. This and other moves gave Google a monopoly over the three markets in the ad tech space, the DOJ alleged. Google, for its part, argued that the feds didn’t understand advertising market economics and were just focusing on a narrow sliver of it (banner ads at the top and sides of web pages). The company described the industry as “intensively competitive” and claimed that its share in the market has decreased even as its revenues have increased.

The battle between President Donald Trump and China over import tariffs has impacted Apple, and will hit consumer wallets soon. Here's everything you need to know about it, current through April 16, 2025.Apple's stock has been hit hard by the Trump tariff battle with ChinaPresident Donald Trump's first presidency was known for many things, but one of the biggest events in it was the U.S.-China trade war. The financial event saw the U.S. apply high tariffs against Chinese imports, impacting the cost of produce entering the country.The incident caused issues for many businesses, but Apple managed to steer clear of the effects. This was chiefly down to the positive relationship CEO Tim Cook had with Donald Trump at the time. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

This week's edition of our curated career roundup from the Archinect Job board features 12 architecture schools in search of faculty, academic leaders, staff, and fellows. Preparing for a new job? Be sure to follow our Archinect Tips series to improve your portfolio, resume, and interviewing skills and increase your chances of getting that next job. Image courtesy UCLA Architecture and Urban Design/Facebook Teaching Positions Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc) seeks a Full-Time Faculty & Coordinator (History + Theory) in Los Angeles, CA"The Full-Time Faculty & Coordinator (History + Theory) will teach undergraduate and graduate level history courses in art, architecture, and related theory. The faculty member will guide undergraduate and graduate level students in thesis projects, teaching history/ theory seminars, and curate supplementary workshops related to art/architectural history, talks, and mentoring sessions. The faculty member will also provide leaders...

If it’s not enough that Time Trials and VS Race are returning in Mario Kart World, players can also look forward to Battle Mode. In the latest Direct, Nintendo confirmed Coin Runners and Balloon Battle as rulesets, with the former focusing on collecting the most coins before time runs out. The latter is all about popping your opponent’s balloons with items. Nintendo also provided more details on Free Roam. While you could explore the world, consuming food to unlock outfits and vehicle skins, there’s much more to discover. Hundreds of P Switches dot the world, containing missions for players to complete (like collecting Blue Coins), while hidden coins like Peach Medallions are also waiting to be discovered. There are also mysterious panels to activate, though their effects are a mystery. Of course, you can explore alongside other players and fast-travel to wherever they may be on the map. Mario Kart World is available on June 5th, exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2, and costs $79.99. You can check out the new courses, learn more about new tricks like Rewind, and much more.

Christ Crowned with Thorns, sometimes known as Christ Mocked, is an oil-on-panel painting by Hieronymus Bosch. It is held in the National Gallery in London, which dates it to around 1510, though some art historians prefer earlier dates. The painting combines two events from the biblical account of the Passion: the mocking of Jesus and the crowning with thorns. A serene Jesus, dressed in white at the centre of the busy scene, gazes calmly out of the picture, in contrast with the violent intent of the four men around him. Two armoured soldiers stand above and behind him, with two other spectators kneeling below and in front. The soldier to the right, with oak leaves in his hat and a spiked collar, grasps Jesus's shoulder, while the other soldier to the left, dressed in green with a broad-headed hunting crossbow bolt through his headdress, holds the crown of thorns in a mailed hand, about to thrust it onto Jesus's head. The position of the crown of thorns creates a halo above the head of Jesus. In front, the man to the left has a blue robe and red head covering, and the man to the right in a light red robe is grasping Christ's cloak to strip it off. The figures are crowded together in a small space in a single plane, in a manner reminiscent of Flemish devotional art of the type popularized by Hans Memling and Hugo van der Goes. Painting credit: Hieronymus Bosch Recently featured: Rambutan Galaxea fascicularis Roosilawaty Archive More featured pictures

April 18 Roland Garros 1775 – American Revolutionary War: Colonists Paul Revere and William Dawes, later joined by Samuel Prescott, began a midnight ride to warn residents of Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts, about the impending arrival of British troops. 1881 – The painted ceilings of the Natural History Museum, London, were unveiled when the building opened its doors to the public. 1915 – World War I: Hit by ground fire, French aviation pioneer Roland Garros (pictured) landed his aircraft behind enemy lines and was taken prisoner by German forces. 1949 – The Republic of Ireland Act 1948 came into force, describing Ireland as a republic and ending its membership in the Commonwealth of Nations. 1975 – Aryabhata, India's first satellite, was launched from Kapustin Yar in the Soviet Union. Ippolita Maria Sforza (b. 1445)Polydore Vergil (d. 1555)Jean Guillou (b. 1930)Albert Einstein (d. 1955) More anniversaries: April 17 April 18 April 19 Archive By email List of days of the year About

Abraham Lincoln’s Blood-Stained Gloves, Early Scribblings and Dozens of Other Belongings Are Going Up for Sale Nearly 150 pieces of Lincolniana from throughout the 16th president’s life will be hitting the auction block in Chicago on May 21 Campaign memorabilia from Lincoln's first run for the White House in 1860 Freeman's | Hindman A massive trove of Abraham Lincoln’s historical writings, keepsakes and personal effects is heading to the auction block in May. Ranging from boyhood scrawlings to the gloves he wore on the night of his assassination, the nearly 150 objects in the “Lincoln’s Legacy: Historic Americana from the Life of Abraham Lincoln” sale span the life of the 16th president. “Each of the items featured in this sale has been curated with care, to reveal a nuanced and at times surprising portrait of the person who would become one of America’s greatest leaders,” Alyssa Quinlan, CEO of the Chicago auction house Freeman’s | Hindman, says in a statement. The Lincolniana comes from the vast collections of the Lincoln Presidential Foundation, a nonprofit organization that purchased more than 1,500 items from renowned collector Louise Taper in 2007. Lincoln's Legacy: Historic Americana from the Life of Abraham Lincoln Watch on In a statement announcing the auction, the foundation noted that it was selling 144 objects—less than 10 percent of its Lincolniana—to repay loans it used for the initial purchase of the collection. The sale includes a sheet of paper with the earliest known example of Lincoln’s writing, which dates to when he was around 15. While practicing his long division, the teenage Lincoln scrawled a playful note in the corner: “Abraham Lincoln is my name / And with my pen I wrote / the same / I wrote in both [haste] and speed / and left it here for fools / to read.” It’s expected to sell for at least $300,000. An anonymous handbill from 1837, later attributed to Lincoln, represents the young politician’s foray into Illinois state politics. Ephemera from his successful 1860 run for the White House includes an American flag bearing the names of Lincoln and Hannibal Hamlin, his first vice president, as well as a tin campaign torch carried by his supporters. A playful poem written by Lincoln when he was around 15 Freeman's | Hindman A rare first printing of Lincoln’s second inaugural address is expected to fetch at least $40,000. Delivered on March 4, 1865, Lincoln’s speech was only some 700 words, but it succinctly laid out his vision “to bind up the nation’s wounds … to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.” Just 41 days later, however, Lincoln was assassinated at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C. The white kid-leather gloves he wore that night, forever stained with his blood, could sell for up to $1.2 million, making them some of the most valuable items in the auction. A single cuff button with the initial “L” could also go for up to $300,000. After Lincoln was shot, a surgeon knocked the cuff button off the president’s wrist as he checked for a pulse, according to Artnet’s Brian Boucher. “In the history of the category of American presidential material, this selection is among the most significant to come to auction,” Christopher Brink, the head of sale for the auction, says in the statement. “The sale includes a number of items previously acquired directly from Lincoln’s descendants, and many more that will be making their first appearance at public auction.” Lincoln's blood-stained gloves worn on the night of his assassination Freeman's | Hindman That rarity, combined with the rich variety of artifacts spanning Lincoln’s entire life, compelled the Lincoln Presidential Foundation to borrow $23 million to purchase the Taper collection 18 years ago. Until 2021, the 1,540 items were kept at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield, Illinois. But following a rift between the two organizations, the objects have not been on public display, according to the Illinois Times’ Karen Ackerman Witter. Since 2007, the foundation has spent more than $23 million to pay down its original debt and interest. With an outstanding loan balance close to $8 million, it was forced to sell a selection of objects at auction. Cuff button worn by Lincoln on the night he was assassinated Freeman's | Hindman “We ... sought to minimize the number of items we had to sell—and we’re delighted that the approved plan will allow us to retain over 90 percent of the collection,” Erin Carlson Mast, president of the Lincoln Presidential Foundation, tells the Illinois Times. Mast hopes the sale will enable the foundation to continue working in service of Lincoln’s legacy, keeping the vast majority of its documents and objects accessible to the public. Ahead of the auction in Chicago on May 21, the items will travel to New York City, Palm Beach, Philadelphia and Cincinnati for public viewing. “Collections hold layers of stories that provide insight into both the past and the present,” Mast tells the Illinois Times. “Historical artifacts and records take on new meanings with each generation. While some items find new homes, the vast majority of our collection remains intact, offering exciting opportunities for future research and programming.” Get the latest stories in your inbox every weekday.