Warehouse robots gain more human-like capabilities | Appeals for intervention grow as port problems worsen | Survey: Consumer inflation expectations reach two-year low
Automation developers are advancing robotic capabilities beyond employee-supporting pickers and stackers with machines that are more mobile and able to replicate more human tasks. Developers say their systems alleviate warehouse reconfiguration costs and distribution employment gaps, while Rueben Scriven, an Interact Analysis researcher, says these systems have their own challenges and represent "job loss personified."
After the disputes between West coast port operators and unions appeared to be easing last week at Los Angeles, Long Beach and Oakland, disruptions began again on Friday with go-slows at the ports of Seattle and Tacoma, culminating in a shutdown of cargo operations at Seattle. Suzanne Clark, president and CEO of the US Chamber of Commerce, has appealed to President Joe Biden in a letter urging the administration "to intervene immediately and appoint an independent mediator to help the two parties reach an agreement that prevents significant economic harm to American families and the economy."
According to a survey by the New York Federal Reserve, consumers in the US are becoming more optimistic about a decrease in inflation, with one-year inflation expectations dropping to 4.1%, the lowest level since May 2021 when inflation began to rise. Prices remain above the 2% Federal Reserve target, but the survey suggests a general downward trend as pandemic-related factors such as increased demand for goods and supply chain issues ease. Long-term inflation expectations, however, edged slightly higher.
Interest in large language models, such as those from OpenAI, is increasing corporate focus on data management and putting pressure on executives to ensure data is properly stored, filtered and protected for potential use with artificial intelligence. Companies with robust and orderly data infrastructure are better equipped to quickly adopt large language models for custom business uses that could provide a competitive advantage, and many organizations are pushing to ensure their data is properly formatted for use with AI models.
Among the new technologies available for third-party logistics companies aiming to get ahead of the curve in the cold chain space are Electronic Data Interchange to monitor temperature, drones and robotics and automation at every level of the supply chain. Many of the transportation and warehouse management systems being adopted by logistics companies include features that help ensure food traceability ahead of the FDA's new rule set to take effect in Jan. 2026.
Ransomware attacks are becoming more widespread among US businesses with the average number of attacks the past two years topping the total for the previous five years and cost per incident doubling to an average $26,000, according to a Verizon Business report. Senior leadership is an increasingly vulnerable community since they possess a company's most sensitive information, are typically among the least protected and are often exempt from security protocols, according to the report.
Marketers are asking Google and Microsoft for the opportunity to opt out of artificial intelligence search and chatbot ad placement trials amid concerns regarding a lack of placement controls and performance reporting. Other marketers are seeking workarounds for Google's Performance Max, Meta's Advantage+, TikTok's Smart Performance Campaigns and other AI-powered ad tools to gain more insight into the workings of these "black box systems" and their value in driving campaign returns.
Ryan Reynolds' Maximum Effort created "The Place to B2B" for LinkedIn, a push starring figure skater Nancy Kerrigan that pokes fun at advertising tropes, particularly with business-to-business marketers trying to adopt a consumer-type approach. George Dewey of Maximum Effort and LinkedIn's Jim Habig discuss the comedic campaign, with Dewey explaining, "In order to connect with B2B marketers, we decided to lean heavily into the lunacy of selling B2B with the simplicity of a consumer product."
Jason Sudeikis as Ted Lasso (Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)
Many columnists have covered the benefits of "Ted Lasso"-style leadership, but the how behind it is the real lesson, SmartBrief Senior Editor Candace Chellew writes. Lasso's feel-good leadership is underpinned by unfailing devotion to every person, all the time, so that he sees and brings out the best in them, Chellew notes.
