Author: The Business Worldwide

Ernst & Young (EY) is putting a major financial bet on the value of EY human skills  as artificial intelligence continues to reshape the workplace.

The Big Four consulting and professional services firm announced plans to distribute $100 million in bonuses to employees who demonstrate skills such as leadership, sound judgment, business acumen, collaboration and adaptability.

While EY human skills  also plans to recognize employees for adopting and using new technologies, the company says human capabilities will remain critical to its future success. The initiative reflects a growing belief that workers who can combine technological expertise with strong interpersonal and decision-making skills will be increasingly valuable in an AI-driven economy.

EY Human Skills  Building the Workforce of the Future

Dante D’Egidio, EY Americas CEO and U.S. managing partner, said the rapidly changing nature of the industry requires strong and confident leadership.

According to the firm, the investment is intended to recognize the behaviors and capabilities needed to lead teams, support clients and navigate an increasingly complex business environment.

The bonus program is also part of EY human skills  broader strategy to attract and retain talent as it moves toward what the company describes as a “tech-led, human-powered world.”

Rather than viewing technology and human expertise as competing forces, EY human skills  appears to be positioning them as complementary. Employees who can use AI effectively while bringing uniquely human qualities to their work could become particularly important to the firm’s growth.

EY Human Skills AI Reshapes the Workplace

EY’s announcement comes as businesses and economists continue to debate the impact of artificial intelligence on employment.

AI is expected to automate some tasks and potentially eliminate certain jobs, particularly roles involving repetitive or routine work. Entry-level positions may also face pressure as companies increasingly use AI tools to handle tasks that once required junior employees.

At the same time, AI is creating new opportunities and changing the skills employers value. Experts have increasingly emphasized that workers who learn how to use AI to improve their productivity may be better positioned to succeed.

EY’s $100 million commitment highlights this changing landscape. As AI takes on more technical and repetitive responsibilities, qualities such as judgment, leadership, adaptability and collaboration could become even more important in determining which employees stand out.

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Google Maps has begun displaying Lake Ontario as “Lake America” for users in the United States, following an executive order from President Donald Trump directing the U.S. government to adopt the new name.

The change became visible on Google Maps over the weekend, marking another development in the increasingly strained relationship between the United States and Canada.

Different Names on Different Sides

Users accessing Google Maps from the U.S. will now see the smallest of North America’s five Great Lakes labeled “Lake America.” In Canada, however, the body of water will continue to appear under its longstanding name, “Lake Ontario.”

Google confirmed the change in a statement, explaining that the U.S. Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) has formally updated the lake’s name in U.S. government records.

“Since we update Google Maps to reflect name changes in official government sources, which is GNIS for the U.S., people using Maps in the U.S. will see ‘Lake America,’ those in Canada will continue to see ‘Lake Ontario,’” Google said.

For users outside both countries, Google Maps will display “Lake Ontario”, with “Lake America” appearing in parentheses.

The company said its decision follows a long-standing policy of reflecting different official names for geographical features when naming conventions vary between countries.

Move Comes Amid U.S.-Canada Tensions

The renaming follows an executive order signed by Trump on Thursday, directing the U.S. government to refer to the lake as “Lake America.” The move comes against the backdrop of heightened tensions between Washington and Ottawa, particularly over trade and tariffs.

The Great Lakes have long served as an important geographical and economic link between the two countries, making the unilateral naming change particularly notable.

Trump Administration Welcomes Change

Officials in the Trump administration quickly embraced the update. On Sunday, White House Communications Director Steven Cheung celebrated the change on social media, declaring: “It’s official! LAKE AMERICA on Google Maps.”

The update illustrates how changes to official geographic naming can quickly extend into widely used digital platforms. While the lake retains its traditional name in Canada, Google’s mapping system now reflects the U.S. government’s designation for American users, creating different labels for the same landmark depending on where the map is viewed.

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The era of giant aircraft dominating long-haul international travel is gradually giving way to a different strategy, and United Airlines is embracing the shift more aggressively than its rivals.

Fifteen years ago, travelers flying between the U.S. and Europe were more likely to find themselves aboard massive aircraft such as the Boeing 747 or Airbus A380. But United’s international expansion plans for next summer highlight how much the industry has changed.

United Expands with Smaller Aircraft

The Chicago-based airline recently announced 10 new nonstop international destinations scheduled to launch next spring. The new routes include locations such as Luxembourg, Slovenia, the Azores and Sicily.

Several of these destinations will be served using single-aisle aircraft, reflecting United’s growing confidence in smaller planes for long-distance international flights.

Rather than concentrating capacity on major European hubs such as London and Paris, United is increasingly targeting less-served destinations where travelers can fly nonstop. The strategy allows the airline to open new markets without requiring the hundreds of seats offered by a traditional wide-body jet.

Premium Cabins Are Key

United’s strategy is being supported by its growing fleet of Airbus A321XLR aircraft. Although the plane has a single aisle, United is equipping it with a genuine international business-class cabin and premium-economy seating.

The United Airlines has 50 A321XLRs on order, signaling that the aircraft will play a major role in its international network for years.

United Chief Commercial Officer Andrew Nocella says few U.S. airlines are pursuing the narrow-body aircraft in such a premium configuration on international routes.

The approach gives United greater flexibility to connect smaller cities directly while offering passengers a more upscale experience.

Delta Takes a Different Approach

Delta Air Lines, however, isn’t convinced that smaller aircraft are the right choice for lengthy international journeys.

The United Airlines has repeatedly said it intends to use larger aircraft for intercontinental flights, arguing that they provide a superior passenger experience.

Delta Chief Commercial Officer Joe Esposito has questioned whether a narrow-body aircraft can deliver the same level of comfort on flights lasting eight hours or more. He argues that creating a premium international product is particularly difficult when airlines are operating smaller planes over long distances.

Delta believes its larger aircraft provide a best-in-class experience, even if that means limiting its ability to serve niche destinations nonstop.

The United Airlines contrasting strategies highlight a growing divide in international aviation: United is prioritizing network flexibility and nonstop access, while Delta remains focused on delivering a premium experience aboard larger aircraft.

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AI Startup Instinct, an artificial intelligence startup founded just last year, has raised $350 million in total funding at a valuation of $2.5 billion, marking a remarkable rise for a company led by 23-year-old founder Noah Shinn.

The startup, operated by Spear Street Technology, has attracted significant attention from early users with its AI assistant, helping it capitalize on the intense investor enthusiasm surrounding AI businesses. According to the Wall Street Journal, Instinct raised $250 million in a recent Series B funding round, bringing its total capital raised to $350 million.

The latest funding round was co-led by venture capital firms Index Ventures and Benchmark, highlighting growing investor confidence in the company despite its relatively short operating history.

AI Assistant Designed to Manage Daily Life

AI Startup Instinct is an AI agent designed to help users organize and manage everyday tasks. The service can be connected to users’ applications and devices, allowing them to interact with the assistant through text messages and phone calls.

Shinn said early users are already putting the technology to work in a variety of practical ways. According to the founder, users have used Instinct to organize cross-country road trips, purchase groceries and concert tickets, and cancel hundreds of dollars worth of subscriptions.

One user has even begun using the assistant to help plan a wedding, Shinn said, illustrating the broad range of tasks the company hopes its AI agent can handle.

Privacy Concerns Emerge

Despite the excitement surrounding Instinct, the startup has also attracted scrutiny over privacy and security issues. The service remains in private beta, but concerns have emerged online regarding the extensive permissions required to connect the assistant with users’ applications and devices.

Some users have also questioned aspects of Instinct’s terms of use, arguing that certain provisions could give the company broad access to personal information and data.

The concerns highlight a broader challenge facing AI assistants that are designed to take action on behalf of users: greater functionality often requires access to increasingly sensitive information.

High Expectations Ahead

Instinct’s rapid funding and multibillion-dollar valuation reflect the enormous investor appetite for AI startups promising autonomous digital assistance. However, the company will need to address privacy concerns while demonstrating that its technology can deliver meaningful value at scale.

With its product still in private beta, Instinct’s next phase will likely determine whether its early popularity can translate into sustained growth and justify its ambitious valuation.

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The second edition of the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing has offered a striking display of both the progress and limitations of humanoid robotics. Viral footage from the event shows humanoid robots sprinting at speeds that appear to surpass the 100-meter world record set by Usain Bolt, while other robots struggled to slow down, crashed into barriers, collapsed on the track and, in some cases, broke apart or caught fire.

Held from August 22 to 26, the event brought together humanoid robots for a wide range of competitive challenges. The games are designed to demonstrate advances in robotic movement, coordination and artificial intelligence while highlighting the growing capabilities of China’s rapidly developing robotics industry.

From Sprinting to Soccer

Like the inaugural games in 2025, this year’s competition featured robots competing in sprinting, standing high jump, kung fu, dancing, kickboxing, soccer and table tennis. The expanded programme also included practical household tasks such as washing and hanging laundry.

However, the contrast between athletic performances and everyday activities was notable. While some robots demonstrated impressive speed and physical coordination, their performance in routine domestic tasks appeared considerably slower than that of humans.

The event is being supported by Chinese state media and the Beijing city government, which are seeking to highlight the potential commercial applications of humanoid robots as investment and development in the sector accelerate.

Major Advances in Whole-Body Control

The improvement in athletic performance compared with last year points to significant progress in robotic whole-body control. Dipam Patel, a computer science PhD candidate at Purdue University and research assistant at the US Army DevCom Army Research Lab, said the ability to complete movements such as sprinting requires coordinated control of multiple joints and body parts.

He noted that the progress between the two editions reflects substantial engineering advances. Yet, he cautioned that the machines remain far from becoming truly general-purpose autonomous robots capable of performing a broad range of tasks independently.

Designed for Specific Tasks

The dramatic crashes also illustrate the limitations of current systems. Some running robots appeared capable of accelerating rapidly but struggled to decelerate or stop after crossing the finish line.

According to Patel, many of the robots were specifically engineered and optimized for individual competitions rather than designed as versatile machines. Different robots were used for different challenges, reflecting a task-specific approach.

The Humanoid Robot Games therefore demonstrate an important reality of humanoid robotics: impressive performance in a controlled task does not necessarily translate into flexible, real-world autonomy.

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Foldable smartphones have come a long way since Samsung introduced its first Galaxy Fold in 2019. What was once an expensive experiment has evolved into a rapidly developing category, with manufacturers competing to improve durability, battery life, displays and overall usability.

This year’s devices offer a clearer picture of where the industry is heading. Motorola and Samsung have adopted high-density silicon-carbon batteries, Motorola continues experimenting with distinctive materials and finishes, while Google has focused heavily on durability. However, innovation remains expensive, with component costs and limited memory supplies adding pressure to already premium prices.

That progress has also raised expectations for Apple, which is widely expected to introduce its first foldable iPhone soon.

Samsung Pushes Hardware Forward

Samsung’s latest Galaxy Z Fold 8 series demonstrates how hardware design can make foldables more practical. The standard model adopts a shorter and wider form factor, addressing one of the longstanding drawbacks of conventional foldable phones.

When closed, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 features a 5.5-inch AMOLED display, making it easier to hold and operate. Once unfolded, users get a 7.6-inch display with a 4:3 aspect ratio. The larger screen is suited to reading and productivity in portrait mode while providing a more immersive experience for movies, television and gaming in landscape mode.

The design also reduces the letterboxing often associated with foldable displays, making better use of the available screen real estate.

Lessons for Apple

Samsung’s broader experiments, including its Galaxy Z TriFold, suggest that consumers may not necessarily want a smartphone Foldable iPhone that simply transforms into a massive tablet. Instead, the demand appears to be shifting toward wider displays that make long-form content, gaming and multitasking more enjoyable.

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 illustrates this evolution by balancing portability with a genuinely useful large-screen experience. Its approach could influence the next generation of foldable devices across the industry.

For Apple, the challenge will be to enter an increasingly mature market with more than a novel form factor. Its foldable iPhone will need to deliver meaningful improvements in design, durability, software integration and everyday usability. With competitors already refining the category, Apple’s opportunity may depend on how effectively it learns from the successes—and limitations—of the devices that came before it.

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