In the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence (AI), significant changes are on the horizon. The newly launched startup, Thinking Machines Lab, founded by former OpenAI technical director Mira Murati, is already capturing the attention of industry experts with its innovative approach to building safe and ethical AI systems. The project is driven by the integration of human values into AI algorithms and the fusion of research with product-focused solutions.
Since the announcement of the startup, key experts from various companies have joined the project. Among them are:
- Researchers from OpenAI
The Italian fashion giant Giorgio Armani has earned recognition for swift and efficient measures to address controversial labor practices associated with its Chinese subcontractors. Following the introduction of special management, this demonstrates how enhancing internal structures and supply chain controls can restore a company's reputation.
Last April, the Armani division came under external management due to accusations of outsourcing orders to Chinese subcontractors who failed to comply with labor standards. After addressing these issues, the company had the opportunity to showcase successful corporate governance and ethics.
International food giant Kraft Heinz $KHC has teamed up with investment bank Houlihan Lokey $HLI to explore the sale of its Italian baby food brand, Plasmon. As discussions intensify, industry insiders are eager to understand the motivations behind this move and what it may mean for the company and the broader market.
This isn’t the first time Kraft Heinz has considered selling Plasmon. In 2019, the company weighed this possibility but ultimately chose to retain it. However, new reports indicate that the brand is now officially on the market, with bids expected by March. When asked for comment, Kraft Heinz declined to address any market rumors, and Houlihan Lokey also refrained from making a statement.
The "Make America Healthy Again" (MAHA) initiative, led by U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr., is presenting major challenges for leading food industry players. Mondelez International $MDLZ, a global snacking powerhouse, is now considering reformulating its popular products like Oreo, Chips Ahoy, and Ritz crackers to align with the initiative's goals. Such changes are expected to bring additional costs for the company, ultimately affecting American consumers.
MAHA, part of a broader program established under an executive order signed by former President Donald Trump, aims to combat chronic diseases and improve the quality of the American diet. One primary focus of the commission is reducing the use of harmful food additives and trans fats, which are common in ultra-processed foods.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has openly criticized the disparity between U.S. and European food production standards, emphasizing that American manufacturers commonly use ingredients that are already banned in Europe due to health concerns.
Modern technology is actively transforming all aspects of our lives, including legal proceedings. However, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in legal practice is becoming a source of new challenges. The recent high-profile case involving the law firm Morgan & Morgan and retail giant Walmart $WMT vividly illustrates how AI can undermine trust in the justice system.
American law firm Morgan & Morgan, specializing in personal injury cases, found itself in the center of a scandal. More than 1,000 of the firm's attorneys received an urgent email warning them: the use of fictitious precedents created by artificial intelligence is unacceptable and could lead to dismissal.
OpenAI, the company famed for creating ChatGPT, is facing a tense scenario involving acquisition attempts. CEO Sam Altman and the board of directors are contemplating the introduction of special voting rights for their non-profit governance body. This measure could serve as a barrier to hostile takeover attempts, including initiatives led by Elon Musk, who was one of the company's co-founders.
According to the Financial Times, discussions regarding changes in the governance structure are taking place as OpenAI transitions to a traditional commercial business model.
French IT consulting group Capgemini $CAP.PA recently released its annual report, showing a slight decline in sales. Nevertheless, the company managed to exceed market expectations thanks to improved performance in several sectors. In this article, we will take a closer look at Capgemini's key results for the past year.
Amid challenging economic conditions, Capgemini's annual revenue decreased by 2% in constant currency terms, reaching 22.10 billion euros ($23.11 billion).
This figure exceeded the consensus estimate provided by the analytics firm Visible Alpha, which anticipated revenue of 22.07 billion euros.
Vietnam is on the verge of a groundbreaking transformation in its telecommunications landscape. A new draft regulation will allow Starlink – the satellite internet provider owned by Elon Musk's SpaceX – to offer its services in the country. Notably, Vietnam will retain full ownership of any local subsidiary. This move not only signals the country's openness to cutting-edge technology but also marks an important development in its relationship with global tech giants.
The proposed regulation aims to permit foreign corporations, such as Starlink, to provide high-speed internet services in Vietnam. However, a clear stipulation remains: Vietnam will exercise full proprietary rights over any local operations.
These regulatory changes come as a result of two key factors:
On Tuesday, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) announced the establishment of a $1 billion fund to support the private sector of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). These funds are aimed at financing sustainable growth in Latin America and the Caribbean region. This move represents JICA's largest private sector fund in the region and the first joint project with IDB Invest.
The fund is created under the "create and share" principle, aimed at:
1. Attracting investments to various regional projects.
On Tuesday, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) announced the allocation of $1 billion to a fund aimed at supporting the private sector of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). This fund is designed to finance sustainable growth in Latin America and the Caribbean. Notably, this is the largest private sector fund of JICA in the region and the first joint fund with IDB Invest.
This step marks a significant milestone as it targets the development of the private sector and the attraction of new investments in the region. This is particularly important for Latin America and the Caribbean, which face an annual sustainable finance deficit as estimated by the OECD.
On Tuesday, gold prices continued their upward trajectory, fueled by ongoing uncertainty surrounding the tariff policies of U.S. President Donald Trump. This environment has driven increased demand for safe-haven assets like gold, as global markets face heightened fears of a potential trade war.
President Trump’s tariff policies remain a pivotal issue for global financial markets. Despite the lack of concrete plans being unveiled, the mere prospect of new tariffs has sparked significant concern among investors.
Sri Lanka, an island nation grappling with numerous economic challenges, aims to reverse its financial fate. The recently unveiled 2025 budget is part of these efforts; however, experts predict that planned expenditures may increase the budget deficit.
International Monetary Fund Program
A major guideline for the budget is aligning with the goals of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) program, valued at $2.9 billion. Under this program, Sri Lanka aims for a primary surplus of 2.3% of GDP, which means that state revenues should exceed expenditures, excluding debt interest.
