Bloomberg: Sony and TSMC announce a new JV to build next-gen image sensors for robots and cars, as Sony moves from in-house manufacturing to a more asset-light approach  —  Sony Group Corp. plans a new joint venture with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. as the first step toward what it called …

These cuddly, connected companions could disrupt everything from make-believe to bedtime stories. No wonder some lawmakers want them banned.

Marco Argenti is Goldman Sachs' chief information officer. Courtesy of Goldman Sachs Goldman has rolled out AI tools to its 12,000 engineers, who have adopted them in their workflows. Marco Argenti, Goldman's top tech exec, spoke with BI about gauging engineers' productivity with AI. The CIO says AI allows engineers to "3D print" software and generate prototypes in real time. As corporate America races to measure how employees are using AI, Goldman Sachs is taking a different path. Many firms have taken to tracking individuals. At JPMorgan, the firm monitors dashboards displaying tens of thousands of users' AI-related activities, letting employees compare themselves with their peers. At Meta, the social media giant is installing software on US employees' computers to track keystrokes and mouse movements in order to train its AI, Business Insider reported last month. At Goldman Sachs, Chief Information Officer Marco Argenti is focusing on evaluating teams' velocity with AI tools rather than zeroing in on the metrics of individual users, which he says can result in "missing the forest for the trees." Argenti, who oversees roughly 12,000 engineers, is steering the firm through a rapid shift as AI reshapes how developers create software. He's focused on how quickly Goldman's engineers move from idea to production, and whether their output is actually improving how long it takes to go from an innovative idea to a product that's ready for rollout. While Goldman can access data on individuals' use of tools, including its AI products, the firm is more focused on taking a cross-team view to speed up project timelines, perform quality control assessments, and track AI token consumption for budgeting. The bank hasn't built tracking dashboards to enforce AI usage for developers to actively compare their adoption rates to their colleagues. I sat down with Argenti to discuss how Goldman is defining success for developers in the AI age, and why he says individual monitoring of developers' activities risks missing the point. Here is our conversation, edited for length and clarity. There's a debate over whether to track or not. As a manager, what's your take? Is there one road that's more effective than the other in promoting AI adoption? Given that work is generally done by teams — and now teams that are hybrid agents and humans — we tend to look at team metrics. Mostly, it's the velocity at which they develop a feature. We look at flow — how long it takes to go from idea to production. You know it because you see that a team has a certain backlog, and all of a sudden it starts burning down the backlog. Tell me the rationale behind why you say it's more effective to look at things on a team level rather than a personal basis.  If you look at the individual, you are really missing the forest for the trees. It would be like looking at only one player on the field. Fine, this player is doing more movements, but why am I not scoring more goals? Well, because they need to pass the ball. What's the right way to go about analyzing how productive AI is making your engineers? Measuring developer productivity, as you know, has been something that companies have been chasing forever. And there is no single magic metric, because some companies say, "How many lines of code?" but that's not really a great way to do it. At the end of the day, what constitutes useful output is not necessarily the number of lines of code. Say you get into a fitness training program. It's probably more effective to see the change in some of your vitals rather than look at numbers in isolation. If you're starting to see your cholesterol going down or your sugars go to a better level relative to where you were, then maybe that's an indicator that you're on the right path. Another big topic on everyone's mind is the soaring costs of tokens. How do you measure whether your spending is creating demonstrable results? If you have a lot of token usage and output doesn't move, then at that point, it probably means that you're still in the experimentation phase. We identified a threshold — below it there was no change in the output metrics, but once we surpassed that threshold, productivity started moving. Upon investigation, that showed us people were going back and forth with the AI on the planning itself — using tokens to create implementation plans and business requirement documents before getting into coding. That preparatory work does not immediately yield coding output, because it happens before developers start writing code. So you see acceleration in token usage, but no immediate change in output. Once the plan is created, the agent starts to build code, and then you see both further increases in token consumption and results in the form of coding output. How do your engineers feel about AI's utility in speeding up how quickly they complete tasks? We've passed a critical mass where excitement has overtaken fear. I actually just came out of a bit of a showcase — an innovation type of meeting that we do. The dominant sentiment is really a sense of empowerment. People feel almost liberated. A few weeks or months ago, of course, there was a real bit of skepticism and fear, but I correlate that to people that were not really using it. How does that speed change the way they present work to you? Are you seeing a shift away from "PowerPoint culture" toward something more hands-on? They come in with a very concrete problem they solved. They go into prototypes of new products almost immediately — sometimes before fully formalizing the idea. Today, you have almost real-time prototyping. Even during a meeting, you talk to them and they can change it in front of your eyes. In the old days, they would have come in with a PowerPoint or a six-pager and I'd have to imagine it. Today, I saw an actual product. I can literally say, "How about this?" and in the meeting, they can make changes. There's zero time between idea and prototype. You kind of "3D print" software. Read the original article on Business Insider

Jennifer and Paul Tessmer-Tuck started buying real estate in 2020 to supplement their household income. Jennifer Tessmer-Tuck Jennifer and Paul Tessmer-Tuck started buying real estate in 2020 to supplement their income. They found success with midterm rentals, appealing to traveling healthcare workers. Midterm rentals can yield higher income than long-term leases, yet are easier than short-term options. Jennifer Tessmer-Tuck got into real estate in 2020 after a pandemic-era pay cut prompted her to seek another income source. The Minnesota-based OB-GYN started with what she already knew: buying a single-family home, the same kind of property she and her husband, Paul, had bought as homeowners. Over the last five years, the Minnesota-based couple has grown that first investment into a 16-property portfolio, which Business Insider verified by reviewing closing documents. Along the way, they stumbled on a profitable niche: furnished mid-term rentals. The idea came about when one of the first multifamily properties they acquired — a duplex — wasn't performing as expected. Their plan was to clean it up, raise the rent, and lease it quickly. Instead, "it kind of sat there for a while," Tessmer-Tuck told Business Insider. Eventually, they rented out one side. For the other, she decided to try something different: furnishing it, renting it by the room, and targeting traveling professionals. At the time, in the wake of the pandemic, there was strong demand from healthcare workers looking for furnished housing. The property had previously brought in about $1,800 per side in traditional rentals. After the switch, the furnished side generated roughly $3,900 to $4,000 a month, with the three rooms renting for $1,200 to $1,400 each. Why midterm rentals are "the best of both worlds" During the height of the pandemic, many travel nurses received housing stipends, making premium rents easier to afford. While many of those contracts started at about 13 weeks, the stays often lasted much longer. "We ended up having people who stayed with us for like 9 to 15 months," she said. Tessmer-Tuck likes midterm rentals for several reasons. For one, they generate more income than long-term rentals. She said her furnished rentals now cash-flow about 1.5 to 2 times as much as her unfurnished properties. While they may not be as profitable as short-term stays, they're less hands-on and don't come with the constant churn or guest expectations of a vacation rental. "We found that the midterm tenants were way easier than the short-term tenants," she said. Those guests often expected something closer to a hotel experience, while midterm tenants tended to be more flexible and appreciative. "It's kind of the best of both worlds, long term and short term," she said, "because you get a bump in rent compared to long term, but you still get a nice relationship and ease of caring for the tenant that you don't get with the short term." She also found that the tenants drawn to midterm rentals were often the kind of renters she wanted: professionals temporarily relocating for work, retirees, and people who already owned homes elsewhere and needed furnished housing for a few months. How she finds tenants and furnishes rentals on a budget To fill units, Tessmer-Tuck initially relied on Furnished Finder, a platform that initially catered largely to travel nurses and other medical professionals. That audience has since broadened, she said, to include remote workers, retirees, and seasonal travelers. She also gets some leads through Airbnb and Vrbo, as well as word of mouth. Her strategy for furnishing rentals has evolved, too. At first, she thought she'd have to buy everything new, which quickly added up. Then she started looking on Facebook Marketplace and found gems at a fraction of the price. Today, she estimates that about 90% of her furniture comes from Facebook Marketplace. She still buys some basics new, mostly at Costco, including towels and sheets. If she can't find what she needs there, she checks stores like TJ Maxx or Target, and occasionally Amazon. Profitable, but not effortless Today, six of Tessmer-Tuck's properties are midterm rentals. Even though the strategy has worked well for her, she doesn't want to convert all of her units. For example, she and Paul recently acquired five duplexes, some of which they may convert to mid-term rentals, but certainly not all. "I think they'd outcompete each other," she said. "I don't think we'd be able to keep them all occupied." Midterm rentals also require more work than traditional long-term leases. Tessmer-Tuck's minimum stay is 30 days, which means more turnover, more setup, and more effort upfront to furnish each space. For her portfolio, though, the tradeoff has been worth it so far: "We've done really well with the midterm." Read the original article on Business Insider

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RUNSTUDIO/Getty Images TTEC, a customer experience technology and services firm, is pausing 401(k) matches for US staff. The move echoes recent rollbacks of core benefits, including PTO and pensions, at Deloitte and Zoom. A top TTEC executive cited the example of professional services firms in a meeting. The corporate benefits rollback is spreading. TTEC, a global customer experience outsourcing and technology services provider, has paused its 401(k) matches for US staff through the end of 2026, according to an internal memo seen by Business Insider. "We have made the difficult decision to suspend the discretionary company match to the TTEC 401(k) program, effective Q2 2026," said Laura Butler, TTEC's chief people officer, in the April 30 memo. Butler said the nine-month suspension would "protect the long-term strength" of the business and give TTEC greater financial flexibility to keep investing in "the tools, training, and capabilities that will define our future." The areas it intends to invest in include AI certifications, AI-enabled tools and training, performance coaching, automation, and workforce education programs, a TTEC spokesperson told Business Insider. The pause will be reassessed early next year, and "if our business performance supports it, we intend to resume contributions," Butler said. Austin-headquartered TTEC has annual global revenues of over $2 billion and around 16,000 US employees. It provides digital and AI-enabled customer-experience services through two business lines — TTEC Digital and TTEC Engage. Its offering includes managed services, consulting, data analytics, and end-to-end technology solutions. TTEC previously matched up to 3% of an employee's salary toward their 401(k) if the employee contributed at least 6%, a TTEC employee told Business Insider. The company did not comment further on the specifics of its previous 401(k) contributions. The TTEC spokesperson confirmed to Business Insider that the company had temporarily suspended the discretionary 401(k) company match, saying the move was "part of a broader set of actions to create the financial flexibility needed to accelerate our business transformation." The spokesperson said TTEC did not take decisions affecting employee benefits lightly, but said: "This was done to invest aggressively in the capabilities that will define our competitiveness and create long-term opportunities for our employees and clients." A tax-deferred retirement plan remains in place, they added. Is your company paring back key benefits? Contact this reporter via email at pthompson@businessinsider.com or Signal at Polly_Thompson.89. Use a personal email address, a nonwork WiFi network, and a nonwork device; here's our guide to sharing information securely. Follow the leader Inside TTEC, the message to some staff was that the company was not alone in curtailing benefits. Chris Brown, the CEO of TTEC Digital, pointed to other professional services firms as he explained the decision to suspend 401(k) contributions in an April 28 meeting for a group of TTEC Digital staff, a recording of which was obtained by Business Insider. "This is something that others are doing in this market," Brown said. "You will see it among some of the professional services firms and otherwise. I don't want you to think that we're necessarily unusual in this regard." TTEC's change shows that the benefits rollback seen at some marquee employers is spreading downmarket. In today's unstable economy, core workplace benefits are on the chopping block. As Business Insider reported in April, Deloitte is planning to reduce or cut parental leave, annual PTO, a pension plan, and IVF funding for a select group of employees. Zoom also confirmed to Business Insider that it has reduced the number of weeks of parental leave it offers this year. The Big Four firm Deloitte will pare back benefits for a select group of employees, Business Insider exclusively reported. Getty Images Deloitte told Business Insider that it made changes to "better align with the marketplace," and the cuts were part of a wider modernization of its talent architecture. Zoom declined to comment. Benefit cuts are typically associated with a tougher economic environment, and are a means for employers to trim costs before resorting to layoffs, said Craig Copeland, director of wealth benefits research for the Employee Benefit Research Institute. "If the economy does start to worsen, I would expect to see more cuts. Right now, it appears to be only a beginning, and we will need to watch what happens," he said. Companies in the same industry often pursue similar benefits policies because they are competing for the same workers, he said: "If workers don't have options elsewhere, competing employers don't need to offer as generous benefits." Investment in an AI future Alongside economic uncertainty, companies are trying to reposition themselves for an AI-driven future, a shift that requires budget for major training and technology investments. TTEC's global annual revenue dropped 3.2% to $2.1 billion in its latest financial year. The company's share price, which boomed during the pandemic, has dropped from more than $110 in late 2021 to less than $3 as of May 6. In its 2025 annual report, TTEC's CEO and chairman, Kenneth Tuchman, said the customer experience sector was facing a "seesaw of market sentiment," and added that TTEC was recalibrating the business to be "more agile and more profitable" by 2027. During the meeting with a group of TTEC Digital employees, Brown linked the suspension of retirement contributions to TTEC's broader strategy, saying it would help lay the foundation for future growth and investment in "tools, training, capabilities, and frankly, people." "I think the message is actually positive. It's so we have more flexibility to invest in the growth of the business and make sure that we're on the right path," said Brown. One TTEC employee said that connecting their 401(k) to investment in training felt like "a head scratcher." The news has been met with "confusion, then anger," the person said, adding that they were concerned about how the loss of retirement savings would compound over time. Read the original article on Business Insider

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NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani has an ambitious list of affordability proposals. Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani has proposed free buses, a rent freeze, and universal childcare to lower costs. Mamdani's affordability plans face funding hurdles, since any new taxes must come from the state. Aspects of his affordability plans have played out elsewhere, showing the nuances of bringing down costs. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's central promise has been to bring down his city's cost of living. But New York's affordability problems are a result of its own success: Despite slowing population growth, the city's housing stock and services are still in high demand, pushing prices up. Cities typically get cheaper when people don't want to live in them anymore — think of Detroit, after its downfall — and not when they're in high demand and growing. So the question becomes not whether Mamdani can make New York broadly affordable for everyone. It's whether he can deliver on reducing costs for the poorest New Yorkers by taxing the richest. Mamdani promised three key affordability fixes: Free and fast buses, universal childcare, and a rent freeze for rent-stabilized apartments. Versions of all three have been tried elsewhere, with mixed results. Minneapolis tempered housing costs by making it easier to build; Boston's free buses have slowed down routes but saved riders money; New Mexico's universal childcare program is saving families an estimated $12,000 a year — if they can find a spot. The throughline from these experiments is that they can work as targeted relief, but don't solve the underlying math of New York affordability on their own. Mamdani wants to pair narrower solutions like a rent freeze with broader ones, like more development and affordable housing. "Last year, New Yorkers in every borough made their voices heard, and made it clear, in no uncertain terms, that a more affordable City cannot wait," said Jenna Lyle, Mamdani's deputy press secretary for education and childcare, in a statement. Lyle highlighted the mayor's moves toward speeding up affordable housing development, childcare investment, and a new advisor for buses. But even the targeted pieces of the plan face a basic constraint: funding. Raising taxes is, for the most part, in the hands of the state government and outside the mayor's control. The governor and legislature have already pushed back on increasing income and corporate taxes. And unless New York City suddenly becomes undesirable, bringing costs down in a high-demand city is incredibly difficult. "The record does not favor his success, and the underlying economics are what they are," said John Ketcham, the director of cities at right-leaning policy think tank the Manhattan Institute. Here's how other cities have fared trying out Mamdani's signature policies. Free buses might not be as effective as building more lanes In Boston, riders saved $35 a month on average on three free routes funded by pandemic-era federal aid. But two of those routes became among the city's slowest. Making buses free increased ridership — but without infrastructure improvements like dedicated bus lanes, commuting on them got worse. In New York City, a yearlong pilot of five free routes increased ridership, especially among New Yorkers who already used them to get to school or work. Riders with incomes below $28,000 made up the greatest share of both new and existing ridership, suggesting that the gains from free fares concentrate among lower earners. But bus speeds on the pilot routes worsened during the summer, and the MTA estimated the pilot cost nearly $11 million in lost fares. Eliminating fares entirely would cost about $652 million a year, according to a 2023 analysis from the Independent Budget Office. By comparison, the City Council projected that building 150 miles of protected bus lanes, a long-delayed city goal to speed up transit times, would cost about $123 million. "Free buses would not have as transformative or positive an impact as improving the quality of service and the reliability and frequency of service," said Ketcham. Making buses free puts more money in low-income commuters' pockets. But slower buses cost them in other ways. Infrastructure improvements are likely the most viable route to making buses more affordable in the long term; delays won't eat into potential earnings or disrupt commutes to work, especially for minimum-wage workers. Meanwhile, more targeted reduced fare programs for low-income New Yorkers could provide relief to those who need it most. Minneapolis' building reforms were more effective than its neighbor's rent control Minnesota's twin cities are a tale of two housing policies. In St. Paul, a rent control ordinance that capped increases at 3% didn't bring down rents — in fact, a Wall Street Journal analysis found that rents there rose faster than in nearby Minneapolis. One study found the policy regressive, with higher-income renters seeing greater absolute benefits. Rent control was eventually walked back for newer builds. In New York, a rent freeze on the nearly 44% of rental units that are stabilized would keep costs steady, but would put upward pressure on prices for the remaining market-rate tenants. "We can freeze the rent, but I don't feel it's a long-term solution," said Zhan Guo, a professor of urban planning and transportation planning at New York University. "You can solve the problem, mitigate the problem for the short term — maybe for the next several years — but that's not the way to solve the problem for the long run. You need to increase the housing supply." Meanwhile, St. Paul's rent cap discouraged new housing supply, dampening both new construction and property values, according to the Journal's analysis. "You are not going to have as much supply coming onto the market if investors suspect that they are going to be caught up in rent regulation," Ketcham said. Across the river, Minneapolis grew its housing supply with the "2040 plan," which encouraged denser housing and affordable units; a paper by Middlebury researchers Helena Gu and David Munro estimated that rents and home prices there were 17% to 34% lower than they would have been without the reforms. "We see [landowners] responded quite strongly to those incentives," said Munro. "That's a natural mechanism as to why rental prices grew, but didn't grow as rapidly as other cities, because there's more affordable units coming online and keeping a lid on rental prices." Mamdani has also pushed to create affordable housing and fast-track development on city property. Universal childcare is great — if there are spaces available Mamdani wants universal childcare in New York City; he's already rolled out a 2-K pilot and expanded 3-K slots. But so far, the state has only committed to funding the first two years of the 2-K program. In November, New Mexico expanded childcare subsidies from families making at or below 400% of the federal poverty level to everyone. This has saved parents an estimated $12,000 annually — if they can find space in the program. While subsidies have increased demand, there aren't enough licensed seats available, said Kate Noble, president and CEO of advocacy organization Growing Up New Mexico. "We have a supply problem," she said. From July through mid-December, a period largely before the expansion, the state added only 10 childcare slots, according to Searchlight New Mexico. By year end, about 10% of the 326,000 eligible children were enrolled. In New York, a 2025 comptroller report found that universal childcare would save families about $420 per child each week, and that around 14,200 mothers could enter the labor force and earn $670 million in total annually. The appeal is obvious: for families that get access, the savings are substantial. But New Mexico suggests that "universal" doesn't necessarily mean widely available right away. The rocky road ahead The biggest obstacle to all of these ideas is funding. Boston's free buses have relied on temporary federal aid. New Mexico's childcare expansion is backed by oil and gas taxes. Mamdani wants to pay for his programs by taxing the rich — but can't do that without the governor and state legislature. Hochul has pushed back on increasing corporate taxes and income taxes on high earners, though the two have teamed up to propose a pied-à-terre tax on empty second homes worth over $5 million. And if Mamdani does raise the money, none of these policies work in isolation. Quick fixes like eliminating bus fares or freezing the rent might boost affordability for lower earners, but likely won't have the widespread results of more comprehensive policies. "Even if the mayor accomplishes his childcare and bus program, the vast majority of New Yorkers are going to feel that they're worse off if housing costs continue to accelerate at the pace they have been since the pandemic," said Ketcham. City government has the power to freeze the rent overnight, but building new housing is a yearslong endeavor. "You might be able to save New Yorkers $3 on a bus fare, but if their rents are going up 3%, 4% or more every year, they're going to be materially worse off." 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Ukrainian forces are intercepting 90% of Russian drones, a top UK military officer said. Nina Liashonok/Ukrinform/NurPhoto via Getty Images Ukraine is intercepting 90% of Russian drones, the head of the RAF told Business Insider. Air Chief Marshal Harvey Smyth said Britain, which has been instructing Ukraine, is now also learning from it. NATO militaries are looking to Ukraine for answers as they confront new drone threats. Ukrainian forces are intercepting roughly 90% of the Russian drones launched in frequent attacks, the head of the UK Royal Air Force told Business Insider, adding that Britain is learning from Kyiv's battlefield successes. Air Chief Marshal Harvey Smyth said during a recent interview at an RAF base in the UK that "at the moment, with the capabilities the Ukrainians have, they're achieving over a 90% rate in terms of intercepting Russian drones." Smyth, Britain's Chief of the Air Staff, said Ukraine is achieving these kinds of results even when Russia launches hundreds of drones from different directions in its nightly attacks. He described the air defense efforts as "exceptional." Ukraine is facing a "record-high intensity" of Russian attacks, Kyiv's defense ministry said on Thursday. Last month, Ukrainian forces intercepted nearly 6,000 missiles and drones launched by Russia. More than 89% of one-way attack drones — typically fixed-wing aircraft armed with small but still deadly warheads — were downed, though this figure reached as high as 95% during some of the largest bombardments, Kyiv said. Britain, for several years following the Russian full-scale invasion in 2022, has helped Ukraine develop its combat and counter-drone capabilities as Moscow has steadily ramped up the pace of its attacks and invested in increased production of these weapons. Smyth said that Ukraine has deployed counter-drone defenses that have performed well in combat and is further developing these critical capabilities. "They're spiraling their capabilities so quickly — it's breathtaking," the RAF chief said of Kyiv. Ukrainian soldiers use various tools to defeat Russian drones, including portable missile launchers. Andriy Dubchak/Frontliner/Getty Images "I'm now at a point where I'm going there to learn from them," Smyth said. "The learning that we're getting from Ukraine — and the fact that they're actually fighting against an adversary that we may need to defend against in the future" — will be used to inform UK military planning. Britain and its NATO allies, including the US, are using lessons from Ukraine and the latest Middle East conflict to further refine their approaches to drone warfare, which has exposed gaps in Western air defenses and overall preparedness. Ukraine has pioneered the development of interceptor drones, which have emerged as a cost-efficient way to defeat incoming one-way attack drones without relying on expensive missiles. Global interest in Ukraine's interceptor drones has soared in recent weeks after Iran launched waves of drones across the Middle East in response to American and Israeli airstrikes. Ukraine uses a range of other tools to fight Russian drones, including short-range missile systems, truck-mounted machine guns, electronic warfare, helicopters, and even other aircraft. "Russia is trying to exhaust Ukrainian air defense day and night," the Ukrainian defense ministry said, adding that its forces "continue to prove their resilience, professionalism, and effectiveness." However, Kyiv also said Thursday that it still faces a shortage in Patriot interceptors used to defend against Russian ballistic missiles, which it described as a "serious challenge." Ukrainian officials have long pressed their NATO counterparts for more of these high-value munitions. Read the original article on Business Insider

Maureen McMahon says she feels content as a retiree in Canada. Courtesy of Maureen McMahon Retiree Maureen McMahon moved from the US to Canada after about 30 years. She liked taking road trips in the US but prefers the Canadian weather. She said she will miss her friends in the States, but knows they are a phone call away. This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Maureen McMahon, in her 70s and living in Edmonton, Alberta. It has been edited for length and clarity. For years, people would ask me, "Which do you like better, Canada or the US?" I would tell them, "It's not that simple." I moved from Canada to the US for a relationship when I was 40. In 2024, about 30 years and several states later, I moved back to Canada for retirement. What I have discovered, to my amazement, is the absolute contentment I experience on a daily basis being back here. The time I spent in the US was a good experience; I enjoyed road trips and my career. I don't regret the time I spent down there, but I wish I'd come home sooner. What's your moving story? Reach out to this reporter to share at mhoff@businessinsider.com. I always knew I'd move back to Canada I spent most of my roughly 30 years living in the US in Las Vegas. I also lived in Georgia and Los Angeles, all while working in the IT industry. When my marriage dissolved, about five years in, I really thought about going back to Canada, but I had such a good job and really enjoyed the work I did. I decided to stay, knowing all along that I'd eventually move home to Canada for retirement. I didn't expect to retire until I was 70, but at 63, I was laid off. If I'd known I was going to get laid off when I did, I probably would've moved home sooner. Instead of leaving the US right away, I stayed put because the house I owned was not worth much. I wanted to wait out a couple of years until I could get some decent money for it. I was excited about coming back to Canada. I knew I'd miss my friends in the States, but that's what phones are for. I loved traveling around the States and how easy it was to buy things The US has some amazing qualities. One of the best things about the US was how I could buy pretty much anything. If I could imagine something I wanted for my home or wardrobe, I could get it. There was much less availability in Canada when I left 30 years ago. There's just so much consumerism in the US. I also loved doing road trips in the US. I used to hike at Bryce Canyon in Utah a lot, and I drove to Wyoming just to see Yellowstone. I was thinking the other day how it'd be nice to just get in a car and go an hour and a half out of town. There are things to see here in Canada, but I've already seen them. That's what's cool about the US: all the quick road trips you can take. I don't miss the gun violence in the US I was supposed to attend a concert where a shooting took place, but I couldn't go since I was visiting Canada. Otherwise, I would've been there, and who knows? I didn't really go anywhere in the US where there was a crowd after that. It's not that Canada doesn't have violence, but we have stronger gun controls, and it feels a lot safer. Based on the political climate today, I wouldn't want to be in the US at all. I miss my friends, and they could come up, but nobody seems to be eager to travel right now. My friends in the States are waiting to see what happens with the political climate. I'm glad to be retired in Canada Canada is a great place to retire because of the weather. I have so many friends who say, "Oh, I couldn't stand it if I couldn't go south for the winter," but I love winter. I enjoy the snow, fresh air, activities, cross-country skiing, and skating. I like experiencing the four seasons, and I don't miss the heat of Las Vegas. I also think people are friendlier here, even if it's more out of necessity than anything else. You help each other out in minus-30-degree weather. Edmonton has grown while I was out of Canada. There are more restaurants available, and we have festivals throughout the year. It's exciting because there's always something going on. McMahon loves getting to enjoy the snow in Canada. Courtesy of Maureen McMahon Regardless of whether you're retired, think of moving like buying a car Before you buy a car, I think you should rent it and see if it's really what you want. Same with moving. I think you should spend some time in the city, talk to people, and do some research before moving. Consider what it is you want. Do you want outdoor life and activities? Do you want everything indoors? In the US, I lived in Atlanta, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles, and I wouldn't have picked any one of those places. Once I spent a week hiking and attending concerts in Vermont, I realized I should've picked a place like that. I think anybody who does their research and really knows what they want will do very well moving from the United States to Canada. Read the original article on Business Insider

Data centers have become a serious issue for many Americans. UCG/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images The AI industry needs to build data centers to power its products, but is facing resistance. Stanford University's Anjney Midha said Americans want more transparency about data centers. Midha said tech leaders should be more empathetic and listen more to community concerns. A prominent professor of AI has some advice for Elon Musk and other AI leaders struggling to sell Americans on data centers: Try empathy. Anjney Midha, a Stanford University professor teaching a viral AI infrastructure course, said that part of the reason local communities are organizing to prevent new data centers is the lack of transparency around their impacts and intended use. He said these communities will cause major problems if tech leaders don't come across as "empathetic" and listen to them. "These are human beings," Midha said on Alex Heath's "Access" podcast on Thursday. "I can tell you communities around America are not happy." Data centers have become a major issue for many Americans. While tech companies — like OpenAI, Anthropic, Meta, and Google — need data centers to power their AI products, many everyday Americans say the benefits don't outweigh the drawbacks. Rising utility costs are one major concern. A new report this week from the Pew Research Center said 43% of survey respondents believed data center energy use had driven up their bills. Environmental damage, increased noise, and an overall drop in quality of life are also points of contention. Some legislators have also taken aim at data centers, including Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who proposed a federal moratorium on new data center development. Some states, including Maine, are also considering moratoriums. "My view is that if it's not legible to the public that these data centers and the infrastructure required to unblock this kind of frontier technology progress are serving their benefit, then it's not going to work out," Midha said. He said the discourse around data centers has split into two camps: those who want to accelerate construction and those who want to halt AI development altogether. Neither, he said, is the optimal viewpoint. "Let's scale infrastructure optimally while making sure we listen to the concerns that are substantive of local communities," Midha said. Midha said that companies being transparent with communities about the intentions and impacts of data centers could help bridge the gap. He referenced the nutrition labels on juice bottles and said data centers could try a similar approach. "That is the level at which communities will want clarity before they provide strong enough vocal enough support for data centers," he said. Read the original article on Business Insider

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