July may be the hottest month in 120,000 years.

July may be the hottest month in 120,000 years.

July 2023: A Scorching Month and the Rise of A.I.

Feeling the heat yet? July 2023 is on track to be the hottest month ever recorded on earth, and possibly the hottest in 120,000 years. This shocking data comes from a collaborative effort by the World Meteorological Organization, the Copernicus Climate Change Service, and Leipzig University. Based on the first three weeks of the month, July is expected to be 0.2 degrees Celsius (about 0.4 degrees Fahrenheit) warmer than the previous warmest July in 2019.

Now, this news may not come as a surprise to those living in hotspots like Greece, Arizona, or Mexico, but it certainly intensifies the climate change debate. It shifts the discussion from theoretical predictions to real-life experiences. We can no longer ignore the fact that our planet is warming at an alarming rate.

While the planet sizzles, so does the world of technology. IT professionals are already feeling the profound impacts of generative artificial intelligence (A.I.). In a recent survey conducted for Freshworks, which included 2,000 IT professionals worldwide, a staggering 71% of respondents are already using A.I. to support their workload. Furthermore, 46% of them are utilizing generative A.I. tools like ChatGPT.

Of course, with any emerging technology, there are concerns. The survey revealed that 41% of IT professionals worry about A.I.’s tendency to produce false information, while 38% express concerns over security and privacy issues. Additionally, 28% fear that widespread adoption of A.I. may lead to job layoffs. However, it’s not all doom and gloom. IT professionals also see significant benefits in embracing A.I., such as freeing up time spent on repetitive tasks (49%) and enabling employees to focus on more complex work (45%).

As the debate over A.I. continues, it’s worth mentioning that language itself can be a subject of contention. Just yesterday, I came across some scrutiny directed at my choice of words. It seems “Twenty years ago, most CEOs found it fairly easy to lay low and avoid controversy” sparked some debate. J.A. pointed out that I should have used “lie low” instead. Well, it’s open for discussion. What do you think?

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In other news:

TOP NEWS

Recovery friendly: Small businesses across the U.S. are championing policies that offer employment and workplace support to millions of Americans recovering from substance abuse. This “recovery-friendly workplace” movement not only supports individuals on their journey to recovery but also serves as a competitive advantage for businesses in a tight labor market. Erika Fry of ANBLE reports that workers in recovery have shared how working in a supportive environment boosts their self-confidence and professional ambition.

Iger’s PR blunder: Disney CEO Bob Iger recently made a serious communications misstep when he dismissed demands from striking actors and writers as “not realistic.” PR experts have criticized this move, stating that it is not what people want to hear, especially after facing challenges relating to COVID and inflation. Studio heads, having learned from Iger’s mistake, are now opting for a more cautious approach when discussing the strike.

Where’s my Cybertruck?: Over 1.5 million customers are still eagerly awaiting news on when they might finally get their hands on Tesla’s Cybertruck, which was announced over three years ago. However, this highly anticipated all-electric truck has faced numerous obstacles, including supply chain issues, higher-than-expected costs, and the erratic behavior of Tesla CEO Elon Musk. Nevertheless, Tesla needs this new vehicle to revitalize its product line, which hasn’t seen a new model since the 2020 Model Y.

AROUND THE WATERCOOLER

• Inside Illumina’s $8 billion deal: Delve into the fascinating details of Illumina’s $8 billion deal, which sparked a proxy fight with Carl Icahn and resulted in the removal of two prominent Black Silicon Valley executives.

• Remote workers’ message to spying bosses: Remote workers have a clear message for bosses who attempt to spy on them: it won’t work, and neither will they. Discover why this new era of remote work demands trust and autonomy.

• Oil companies facing a reckoning: After reaping immense profits last year due to surging energy prices, oil companies now find themselves facing a reckoning. Some have experienced more than a 50% hit, signaling a turning point in the industry.

• Microsoft’s EU antitrust trouble: For the first time in fifteen years, Microsoft finds itself in serious antitrust trouble in the European Union. The cause? Its rival to Slack, which has raised concerns among regulators.

• Larry Summers critiques ‘Bidenomics’: Larry Summers, a prominent economist, criticizes Joe Biden’s economic strategy, dubbing it “increasingly dangerous.”

• Microsoft’s CFO lays out an A.I. investment roadmap: Explore Microsoft’s CFO Amy Hood’s roadmap for investing in artificial intelligence.

This edition of CEO Daily was curated by Nicholas Gordon.

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