A majority of workers at a Whole Foods location in Philadelphia have voted to unionize, as reported by Reuters. This makes the Pennsylvania store the first to unionize under Amazons ownership, and the second time overall.Workers voted 130 to 100 for representation, according to the National Labor Relations Board, which translates to nearly 60 percent of workers choosing to unionize. Workers at this particular location filed to hold a union election back in November. A successful vote is just the beginning of this process, however, as a contract has yet to be ratified and accepted by both parties."We are ready to bring Whole Foods to the bargaining table to negotiate a fair first contract that reflects the workers' needs and priorities," Wendell Young IV, President of the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1776, said in an email.Workers at Amazons Whole Foods in Philadelphia made history today as they voted to unionize and WON! pic.twitter.com/jKpkuhwRIi UFCW Local 1776 (@UFCWLocal1776) January 28, 2025 Coming as no surprise, Whole Foods expressed disappointment over the outcome of the vote. A company representative told Reuters that it already offers competitive compensation, great benefits and career advancement opportunities. Ahead of the vote, workers cited the need for better wages and benefits.As previously noted, this is the first successful unionization bid for Whole Foods workers since Amazon bought the company in 2017 for nearly $14 billion. Its not, however, the first time a Whole Foods location has voted to unionize. Workers in a Wisconsin location voted to unionize back in 2002, but the union was dissolved the following year.In the interest of full disclosure, I worked at a Whole Foods location in 2005 and, one day, someone snuck in the store to hand out pro-unionization pamphlets. Management sent an armed guard around to collect the pamphlets from us. It was weird.Its no secret that Amazon isnt exactly a friend to unions. Workers in Quebec unionized last year but, surprise, the company now says its closing the entire facility. Amazon is worth over $2.5 trillion dollars and has doubled in value throughout the past year or so.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/whole-foods-workers-form-first-union-since-amazon-acquisition-180026628.html?src=rss

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Tesla shareholders are asking questions about CEO Elon Musk and his political distractions ahead of fourth-quarter call.

Recently, Donald Trump was once again inaugurated as President of the United States, and the start of what I anticipate will be a pivotal year for our nation. And while its increasingly difficult to know exactly what to expect, there is one thing I believe has become incredibly clear over the past year: The most important issues facing our country wont be solved with more incessant bickering and polarization.I dont come to this conclusion out of some perceived sense of moral superiority. I, too, have found myself taken in and even angered by recent political dramas. The fact is that division can be intoxicating, particularly when it relates to issues that were passionate about. However, passion alone wont help our struggling neighbors, and remaining divided will only prevent holistic solutions to fixing inequality and uplifting those in our communities who need it most.Understand the issues at handFor decades, socioeconomic inequality has continued to impact tens of millions of Americans and has remained one of our countrys most difficult challenges. And make no mistake, this is an issue that impacts people on all points of the political spectrum, and that will need to be addressed with increasing urgency regardless of which party is in power.According to the Federal Reserve, the wealth gap in this country continues to widen. Within the second quarter of 2024, the top 10% of households by wealth had an average of $6.9 million each, holding 67% of total household wealth. Meanwhile, the bottom 50% of households by wealth had an average of $51,000, only holding 2.5% of total household wealth. In parallel, housing affordability in this country is also getting worse, with the National Low Income Housing Coalition estimating a current shortage of more than 7 million affordable homes for the nearly 11 million extremely low-income families in the U.S.Given these statistics, it should come as no surprise that the incumbent Democratic administration ended up losing the working class vote. Whether you blame that on post-pandemic inflation or weak policies around workforce development, it doesnt change the fact that the overall economy was a major motivating factor for American voters and instrumental in ushering in a leadership change.Change isnt achieved through divisionTo say that Donald Trump has traditionally been a polarizing figure would be an understatement. For years, his spontaneity on social media alone has reliably drawn the criticism of politicians and business leaders of all political affiliations, and on occasion even resulted in Trump being banned from multiple platforms.However, judging by a slew of public endorsements and financial contributions from prominent tech leaders, it appears that at least one industry is willing to put their differences aside in the name of progress. More specifically, weve learned of several hefty contributions to Trumps inaugural fund. Influential leaders like Mark Zuckerberg are signaling a growing recognition that remaining divided is a poor strategy for driving change.While there are many conclusions that can be taken from this development, I think the most important lesson here is that real progress requires having allies in political leadership, not adversaries. Weve seen how these prominent leaders can drive social and economic change in the U.S., including but not limited to tech, innovation, philanthropy, and more. So when it comes to addressing inequalities, I believe these are the leaders who will catalyze real change and we need them in our corner.Come together to drive progressAs a career entrepreneur and nonprofit philanthropist, Ive been privileged to witness first-hand how providing a hand up to our neighbors can uplift an entire community, which we do at Business for Good each day. But Ive also come to understand that positive change is much more readily achieved through unification rather than division.In fact, after years of working with hardworking business owners from marginalized communities, I can say with confidence that most care far less about political divisiveness than they do about action and results. Additionally, and perhaps more than anything, what these communities wantand needis simply for their voices to be heard.We can see this truth clearly reflected in how certain demographic groups voted this election, particularly young, working-class Black and Latino men. Citing everything from the benefits of Trumps tax policies for small businesses to the inability of Democrats to truly deliver on their promises to minority communities, both demographics went for Trump even more confidently than in 2020, with Trump earning close to double the share of votes from Black men under 45 than he did in the previous election.So, as we look to move forward to the next phase of Business for Good, the focus will remain on addressing inequities, but on a bigger scalehoning in on the housing crisis, economic equality, and broader community development.With Inauguration Day in the rear-view mirrorand most leaders would probably agreeI dont believe that this second Trump term will be all forward progress; there are still a lot of unanswered questions and uncertainty about the actions he will take over the next four years. What I do think, however, is that solving the socioeconomic challenges of our time isnt about being a Democrat or a Republican, but rather about working across party lines with the shared recognition that unification is needed now more than ever to drive meaningful change, and that the path toward a better future for all Americans will be far better undivided.Ed Mitzen is cofounder of Business for Good.

Recently, Chinese startup DeepSeek created state-of-the art AI models using far less computing power and capital than anyone thought possible. It then showed its work in published research papers and by allowing its models to explain the reasoning process that led to this answer or that. It also scored at or near the top in a range of benchmark tests, besting OpenAI models in several skill areas. The surprising work seems to have let some of the air out of the AI industrys main assumptionthat the best way to make models smarter is by giving them more computing power, so that the AI lab with the most Nvidia chips will have the best models and shortest route to artificial general intelligence (AGIwhich refers to AI thats better than humans at most tasks).No wonder some Nvidia investors are questioning their faith in the unlimited demand for the most powerful AI chips in the future. And no wonder some in AI circles are questioning the world view and business strategy of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, the biggest evangelist for the brute force approach to ever-smarter models.The assumption behind all this investment is theoretical . . . the so-called scaling laws where when you double compute, the quality of your models increases in kind of the same wayits kind of a new Moores Law, says Abhishek Nagaraj, a professor at the University of CaliforniaBerkeleys Haas business school. (Moores Law said that software developers could expect microchips to become predictably more powerful as chipmakers packed more transistors into their microchips.)And so if that holds, it effectively means that whoever controls the infrastructure will control a lot of the market, adds Nagaraj. Thats why companies like OpenAI, Anthropic, and X are building data centers as fast as they can. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman last year said he needs to raise $7 trillion to build the data centers needed to reach AGI. OpenAI, Microsoft, Softbank, and Oracle said recently theyll spend up to $500 billion over the next five years to build new data centers for AI in Texas.Attracting the money to do that, however, is something only closed-source companies like OpenAI can do, Nagaraj points out. OpenAIs private equity backers (such as Andreessen Horowitz) and big tech backers (such as Microsoft) are willing to bankroll the AI infrastructure (chips, software, data centers, electricity), which OpenAI says it needs, if it keeps the recipes of its models secret. Thats the moat around their investment, after all. Establishing such a moat was the main reason OpenAI stopped being an open AI company back in 2019.DeepSeek shares the weights of its models (the mathematical calculations at each connection point in their neural networks) and allows any developer to build with them. After essentially giving away its research and eschewing a moat, DeepSeek was never going to attract the private equity funding needed to bankroll hundreds of thousands of Nvidia chips. Adding to its challenge were the U.S. chip bans that reserved the most powerful AI chips for U.S. companies. So DeepSeek found ways to build state-of-the-art models using far less computing power. In doing so, it appears to have collapsed Altmans assumption that massive computing power is the only route to AGI.Not everybody thinks so, of course. Particularly in OpenAI circles. I would never bet against compute as the upper bound for achievable intelligence in the long run, says Andrej Karpathy, one of the original founders of OpenAI, in an X post. Not just for an individual final training run, but also for the entire innovation/experimentation engine that silently underlies all the algorithmic innovations.Altman, too, seemed undeterred. We will obviously deliver much better models and also its legit invigorating to have a new competitor! We will pull up some releases . . . , he posted breezily on X. But mostly we are excited to continue to execute on our research roadmap and believe more compute is more important now than ever before to succeed at our mission. OpenAIs mission is AGI.Lots of powerful chips will be needed, if only because the general demand for AI services is going to grow exponentially. More data centers will be needed just to respond to calls from millions of AI-infused apps built on OpenAI APIs, he added.Some have suggested that DeepSeeks discovery of ways to build more compute-efficient advanced AI models could reduce the barrier to entry and allow far more developers to build such models of their own, therefore pushing up demand for AI chips.For example, DeepSeeks most recent model, DeepSeek-R1, provided the open-source world with a reasoning model that appears to be comparable to OpenAIs state-of-the-art o1 series, which applies more computing power at inference time, when the model is reasoning through various routes to a good answer. In a statement Monday, Nvidia gives DeepSeek props for creating reasoning models using widely available Nvidia GPUs, and adds that such models require significant numbers of the GPUs as well as fast chip-to-chip networking technology.The latest DeepSeek models have only been available to developers for a short time. Just like when Meta introduced its open-source Llama models, it will take some time to understand the real economics of building new models and apps based on the DeepSeek models. Its possible that more widely distributing the ability to build cutting edge models could put more brains to work on finding novel routes to AGI and, later, superintelligence. Thats the good news. The bad news may be that powerful models, and the means to build them, will become more available to people who might use them maliciously, or who may not be fastidious about using accepted safety guardrails.But DeepSeek is not perfect. The DeepSeek chatbot has in anecdotal cases emphatically misidentified itself as the creation of OpenAI or Microsoft. Nor can the chatbot speak freely on all subjects. Like all Chinese AI companies, DeepSeek operates within the Peoples Republic of Chinas regulatory framework, which includes restrictions on how language models handle politically sensitive topics, says David Bader, a professor at the New Jersey Institute of Technology. These constraints are evident in how their models respond to queries about historical events and government policies. If you ask the chatbot about the Tiananmen Square protests, for example, it responds with, Lets talk about something else.

Feeling overwhelmed with all the information flooding your way, whether theyre from meetings, clients, or news in general? Ever felt that there are now even fewer hours in a day for you to grasp, condense, and act on those work tasks, let alone the chores you need to do to keep your family healthy and happy? We could probably all use a virtual assistant, one that is always with us every step of the way, ready to take notes and give us a helping hand or voice to navigate the stormy landscape of todays information-filled world.Thats where the OSO AI Earbuds come in, revolutionizing conversations with the power of AI. Discrete, stylish, and powerful, this system offers crystal-clear audio and cutting-edge technology to cut through the noise and quickly get to the meet of meetings, presentations, and discussions. Reducing stress while staying ahead of the game with the perfect tool to take your productivity to new heights and stay on top of your tasks.Designers: Sen Cai, Bill Wang, Max Huang, Eric XiaoClick Here to Buy Now: $149 $249 ($100 off). Hurry, only 11/335 left! Raised over $73,000.Revolutionizing Audio Experience with Advanced HardwareThe OSO AI Earbuds redefine audio excellence with their next-generation hardware. Designed for comfort, the semi-in-ear design ensures a secure fit, preventing discomfort even during long hours of use. Whether in meetings or enjoying music, these earbuds are crafted for all-day wear. The 12.6mm dynamic driver delivers powerful sound performance, providing enhanced bass and rich audio depth, immersing users in a captivating listening experience.Smart audio tuning takes the listening experience to another level. With Bluetooth 5.2 and A2DP support, the earbuds adjust the EQ in real time, ensuring balanced audio and consistent bass performance. This feature guarantees optimal playback, making it a perfect companion for entrepreneurs who need reliable audio quality on the go. The OSO AI Earbuds are more than just a gadget; they are a gateway to superior sound.Seamless Integration with AI-Powered FeaturesThe OSO AI Earbuds are not just about sound; they are your personal AI assistant. The Personalized AI Voice Chat feature allows interaction with basic AI like Siri and Google Assistant. Upgrade to the AI Premium Plan, and the earbuds tap into your recorded conversations, offering personalized responses. Powered by ChatGPT-4o, the AI answers everything from complex topics to everyday queries, enhancing productivity.The AI Cloud Service, powered by Laxis AI, further boosts productivity. It provides real-time transcription in over 40 languages, summarizing conversations with actionable insights. The virtual assistant can even join meetings on your behalf when schedules clash. Additionally, the AI Writer, backed by Anthropic and OpenAI, transforms conversation notes into emails, social media posts, or newsletters with ease.Unified Meeting Hub for Effortless ManagementCentralizing your communications, the OSO Cloud acts as a unified platform for all conversations. It effortlessly transcribes and summarizes meetings, phone calls, and media playback, storing everything securely. This feature transforms how entrepreneurs manage information, allowing easy access and management of all interactions. Build your personal intelligence vault and streamline your workflow with this innovative hub.Recording capabilities are extensive, capturing conversations across various scenarios. From Zoom meetings to podcasts, every interaction is recorded and transcribed through the earbuds. This ensures that no detail is missed, providing a comprehensive record of all communications. The OSO AI Earbuds are indispensable for business professionals who need to stay organized and informed.Next Generation Smart Case for Unmatched ConvenienceThe smart charging POD enhances the OSO AI Earbuds functionality, offering more than just charging. With a smart screen, users can control music, adjust EQ settings, and record effortlessly. The impressive 250% longer battery life ensures that the earbuds are ready for extended use, providing unmatched convenience and performance. It even has a cute, animated face to give your AI assistant a friendly personality!Built for endurance, the earbuds offer up to 6 hours of continuous playback or 3 hours of talk time on a single charge. The smart case extends this to a total of 21 hours of playback or 10.5 hours of talk time. This ensures that entrepreneurs remain connected and productive throughout the day, without the worry of running out of power.Transforming the Way We Work and CommunicateThe OSO AI Earbuds are a revolutionary tool for modern business professionals. Combining advanced audio hardware with powerful AI features, they transform how we work and communicate. From recording and transcribing meetings to providing personalized AI interactions, these earbuds are an essential accessory for anyone looking to enhance productivity and efficiency. Whether youre managing multiple tasks or seeking a seamless audio experience, the OSO AI Earbuds are designed to meet the demands of busy entrepreneurs.With the barrage of information assaulting us from all sides today, there has never been a better time to invest in an advanced tool that will help give us peace of mind. In addition to the OSO AI Earbuds themselves, this limited-time Kickstarter period includes a special $99 price for the first year of the OSO Premium AI Plan, a sweet 48% discount. Embrace the future of audio technology and personal AI assistance with the OSO AI Earbuds, where every interaction is optimized for success.Click Here to Buy Now: $149 $249 ($100 off). Hurry, only 11/335 left! Raised over $73,000.The post Boost Productivity with OSO AI Earbuds: Your Ultimate Personal AI Assistant first appeared on Yanko Design.

Theres something hypnotic about the way technology and tradition collide in Hilario Lugos engraved Iron Man mask. At first glance, it seems almost paradoxicalan ultra-modern superhero helmet covered in swirling, baroque-style scrollwork, the kind youd expect to see on an antique rifle or a piece of royal armor. But somehow, this fusion of high-tech sleekness and old-world opulence works beautifully. Its maximalism meeting minimalism something that may sound oxymoronic but has incredibly high emotional value.Theres an irony in seeing Tony Starks helmet transformed this way. Stark, the genius futurist, would probably scoff at something so ornate, favoring clean lines and cutting-edge function over decorative embellishments. And yet, considering his love for flashy cars, high-end watches, and extravagant tech, maybe hed actually appreciate this. After all, Starks Mark II suit was a gleaming, unpainted silver before it was reworked into the classic red and goldso in some alternate reality, this could have been his aesthetic choice all along.Designer: Hilario LugoOriginally finished with a high polish, the mask was later taken down to a satin finish, allowing every detail to emerge with striking clarity. Lugos engraving process is meticulous, involving inked scrollwork, single-point shading, and a micro-dotted background that adds layers of texture. Unlike machine-cut designs, his hand-engraving ensures each line carries a distinct, human touchevery swirl, every fine mark a testament to his skill. The patterns almost breathe, wrapping seamlessly around the masks geometric contours, softening the hard edges without compromising its identity as Iron Mans unmistakable visage. It distinctly reminds me of some of Eslam Mohammeds Baroque-inspired work like the Baroque AirPods Case.Lugos attention to detail is staggering. The floral engravings flow across the faceplate like liquid metal, the micro-dotting subtly enhancing depth and contrast. The visor slits, left untouched, become even more dramatic against the intricate backdrop. Its easy to imagine this mask in an alternate Marvel timeline where Stark trades nanotech for something more tactile, more regalperhaps an Iron Man of the Renaissance, or a Stark ancestor leading battles in some steampunk-infused past.What makes this piece even more compelling is that its a one-off. Unlike factory-produced collectibles, this helmet stands alone as a singular work of art. That exclusivity adds to its mystiquethis isnt something youll find in a display case at your local comic shop. Its a meeting of craftsmanship and fandom, an object that demands appreciation both as a tribute to Marvel and as a showcase of masterful engraving.Of course, now that weve seen what Lugo can do with Iron Man, it raises an obvious questionwhats next? If theres any mask in the Marvel universe thats begging for this treatment, it has to be Doctor Dooms. Just picture it: the Latverian monarchs signature helmet, fully engraved with the same ornate scrollwork, dripping with gothic grandeur. With rumors swirling about Robert Downey Jr.s potential return to the MCU, maybejust maybewell get to see Stark himself donning something like this in the next Avengers film. And if that happens? Well, Lugo better get ready, because demand for his work is about to skyrocket.The post This Hand-Engraved Iron Man Helmet is the Most Marvelous Piece Of Baroque-Inspired Art first appeared on Yanko Design.

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AWS and Microsoft could potentially face an investigation of their cloud businesses in Britain should the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) follow the recommendation of an independent inquiry group that reports into the UKs antitrust regulator.In a release issued on Monday, the group asks that the CMA use its powers under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (DMCCA), to designate the two largest providers, AWS and Microsoft, with strategic market status (SMS) in relation to their respective digital activities in cloud services.The new legislation took effect at the start of the year, and UK law firm Macfarlanes wrote in an advisory on the new legislation, issued on January 13, that the UKs answer to the EUs Digital Markets Act (DMA) empowers the CMA to designate firms as having Strategic Market Status (SMS) in relation to a particular digital activity. Once designated, the CMA can impose conduct requirements (CRs) on those firms or introduce pro-competition interventions (PCIs) to achieve positive outcomes for UK consumers and businesses.