DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Russia's top central banker says the country's economy is at a 'turning point'
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-20 | by ( Meghan Morris | Huileng Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

AdvertisementRussia's central bank has been hiking its key interest rate to combat inflation. Business leaders have slammed Russia's increasing interest rate, saying it restricted their growth. Russia's top central banker, Elvira Nabiullina, told the government yesterday that the country is approaching a "turning point" for inflation and interest rates, Moscow-based RBC Group reported. Last month, to tame prices, Russia's central bank hiked its key interest rate to a record high of 21%. He also downgraded Russia's fixed capital investment growth from 1.9% to 1%, blaming the central bank's key rate.

Persons: Elvira Nabiullina, Nabiullina, Andrei Klepach, Alexander Shokhin Organizations: Business, RBC Group, State Duma, Industrialists Locations: Moscow, Ukraine, Russia, Russian Union

Radhika Merchant and Anant Ambani's wedding begins on Friday. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementA four-day cruise, a performance by Rihanna, and a mass wedding for 50 couples were all just the lead-up to the glitziest wedding of the year. Radhika Merchant and Anant Ambani , the youngest son of Asia's richest man , are getting married in Mumbai on Friday, with events following on Saturday and Sunday. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers.

Persons: Radhika Merchant, Anant Ambani's, Priyanka Chopra, Nick Jonas, Kim Kardashian, —, Rihanna, Anant Ambani Organizations: Service, Business Locations: Mumbai

☆ Elon Musk got his big payday. But Salesforce's Marc Benioff might not be so lucky.
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-02 | by ( Meghan Morris | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Salesforce shareholders rejected the company's proposed compensation plan for top executives. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff is likely not dancing this week. The company said in a regulatory filing on Monday that a slim majority — 53% — of shareholder votes were cast against the proposed compensation plan for Benioff and other top executives. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers.

Persons: —, Elon, Marc Benioff Organizations: Service, Business

☆ Rivian just got a $5 billion investment from Volkswagen, and it could help Rivian solve one of its biggest problems
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-26 | by ( Meghan Morris | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Volkswagen will invest up to $5 billion in Rivian, an EV maker that's struggled with profitability. Rivian, which lost $1.4 billion in the first quarter, aims to develop a more affordable SUV. Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. AdvertisementVolkswagen just inked a deal to invest up to $5 billion in Rivian, the electric-vehicle maker that has, like its peers, struggled to turn a profit. It also affords Rivian, which lost $1.4 billion in the first quarter, a financial cushion to continue developing a much cheaper SUV.

Persons: that's, — Organizations: Volkswagen, Service, Business Locations: Rivian

☆ Shein's CEO is so low-profile his employees don't even recognize him: report
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-18 | by ( Meghan Morris | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Read previewFast-fashion giant Shein is gearing up for its widely-anticipated debut as a public company. But one key figure has stayed out of the spotlight: CEO Xu Yangtian, also known as Sky Xu. Even Xu's own employees don't recognize him in the office, the South China Morning Post reported on Monday. As a public company CEO, he'll be expected to participate in regular updates — UK companies are not required to have quarterly earnings calls, but most do — and interact with investors. Loyalty to China under scrutinySo far, Shein's public face has been executive chairman Donald Tang.

Persons: —, Xu Yangtian, Xu, Chris Xu, Shein, Frances Townsend, Townsend, he'll, Jack Ma, Donald Tang, Bear Stearns, Tang Organizations: Service, TikTok, Business, China Morning Post, Wall, Bloomberg, Shein's, Street, Shein, Milken, Pacific, Financial Locations: Guangzhou, London, China, Shanghai, Beijing

☆ Check out the very corporate goodbye email PwC told staffers to send if they're taking a buyout
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-10 | by ( Meghan Morris | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

PwC offered UK buyout packages and directed staff on how to communicate their exits. The buyout comes amid slowing client work, with PwC and other firms cutting jobs and delaying hires' starts. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementAfter accounting giant PwC offered UK buyout packages in recent weeks, staff were directed on exactly how they should communicate their exits, the Financial Times reported. The FT saw a note sent to employees that told them they could not talk about the circumstances of their departure.

Persons: PwC, — Organizations: Service, Financial Times, Business

☆ The woman who says she's the real-life version of Martha on 'Baby Reindeer' just sued Netflix for $170 million
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-07 | by ( Meghan Morris | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewFiona Harvey, the woman who says she's the real version of the semi-fictionalized stalker in the Netflix hit "Baby Reindeer," is suing the streaming giant. Harvey, a 58-year-old Scot, filed a lawsuit on Thursday in California, seeking more than $170 million and a jury trial. She's accusing Netflix of defamation and intentional affliction of emotional distress, among other points. She hasn't sued the show's creator and star, Richard Gadd, who plays a fictional version of himself named Donny Dunn. AdvertisementThe real Martha ScottAs the show picked up viewers, armchair sleuths raced to find the "real" stalker, named Martha Scott in the show, and the man who Gadd said abused him.

Persons: —, Fiona Harvey, Harvey, Scot, hasn't, Richard Gadd, Donny Dunn, Gadd, Richard Gadd's, Martha Scott, sleuths, GQ, What's, " Gadd, Harvey's, she's, Piers Morgan Organizations: Service, Netflix, Business Locations: California, Scottish, London

☆ Get ready to make less money off your investments, says a private equity executive
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-06 | by ( Meghan Morris | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Apollo's Scott Kleinman warned of a "dry spell" for investors as deals from a friendlier era unwind. Managers must adjust financial projections from deals done in the zero-interest rate era. AdvertisementA leading private equity executive just warned that investors are in for a "pretty dry spell for a few years." "I'm here to tell you everything is not going to be OK," Scott Kleinman, the co-president of Apollo Global Management, said at a session during Berlin's SuperReturn International conference on Wednesday. Managers have to adjust their financial projections for deals struck in the looser world of zero interest rates, when financing was cheap and consumers spent more.

Persons: Apollo's Scott Kleinman, —, Scott Kleinman, Berlin's Organizations: Investors, Service, Apollo Global Management, Business

☆ 1,000 workers at one car factory in China were told to either quit or sit around on minimum wage until the market picks up again: Nikkei
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-05 | by ( Meghan Morris | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Li Auto workers are facing layoffs or minimum wage due to weak electric vehicle sales. Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementAs China grapples with manufacturing overproduction, some workers at one of China's auto plants face a difficult choice about their jobs. Newlywed Lisa told Nikkei on Tuesday that in her brand-new factory for Li Auto, more than 1,000 employees like her were given the choice of either quitting or receiving minimum wage until business improves.

Persons: —, Newlywed Lisa, Lisa Organizations: Li Auto, EV, Service, Nikkei, Business Locations: China

☆ Jensen Huang signed a woman's chest. Yes, you read that right.
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-05 | by ( Meghan Morris | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang signed autographs, including a woman's top, at a Taiwanese tech event. Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . In a crowded booth at a Taiwanese tech conference on Tuesday, the Nvidia CEO wore the same glasses and Tom Ford jacket he sported for Sunday night's keynote address. He signed Macbooks, chips, and even a woman's top, just above her cleavage.

Persons: Jensen Huang, —, Tom Ford Organizations: Nvidia, Service, rockstar, Business Locations: Taiwan

☆ Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang says robots are the next wave of AI — and 2 kinds will dominate
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-03 | by ( Meghan Morris | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang highlighted robots — again — at a Taiwan tech conference Sunday. The Nvidia CEO paraded nine human-like robots on stage earlier this year. He highlighted them again in a Sunday speech at a Taiwan tech conference, saying that two kinds of robots in particular will be "very high volume." "The next wave of AI is physical AI. The factories will orchestrate robots and those robots will be building products that are robotic."

Persons: Jensen Huang, —, Huang Organizations: Nvidia, Service, Business Locations: Taiwan

☆ WeWork spent years going after big businesses. Now, its new owner wants to look at the little guys.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-31 | by ( Meghan Morris | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Anant Yardi took a majority stake in WeWork through its bankruptcy process. Yardi plans to focus on small businesses and use hotel-like tech for real-time booking. Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . Anant Yardi, who, alongside his wife, founded the widely-used commercial real estate software Yardi Systems, took a majority stake in WeWork through its bankruptcy process.

Persons: Anant Yardi, WeWork, — Organizations: Service, Yardi Systems, Business Locations: WeWork

☆ 3 Black men sue American Airlines after being removed from a flight over body odor complaint
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-30 | by ( Meghan Morris | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Three Black men sued American Airlines, alleging racial discrimination on a January flight. The men were removed because of a body odor complaint from a white flight attendant. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementA trio of Black men sued American Airlines on Wednesday, saying they faced racial discrimination on a flight in January. The three men, along with five other Black men, were flying from Phoenix to New York.

Persons: —, Alvin Jackson, Emmanuel Jean Joseph, Xavier Veal Organizations: American Airlines, Service, Business Locations: Phoenix, New York

☆ Emory students won a $10,000 prize for their AI tool. Then the university punished them.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-22 | by ( Meghan Morris | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Read previewEmory University students created an artificial intelligence-driven study tool last year. The business school highlighted them on social media. Emory said the duo violated the school's honor code, because students could use Eightball in ways that would breach it. But in October, Emory told the developer that he may have violated the honor code, per Craver's lawsuit. In November, Emory told Craver that it was weighing five honor code violations for him.

Persons: —, they'd, Emory, Benjamin Craver, haven't, cofounders, Craver, Ben Organizations: Service, Emory University, Business, Emory, Student Locations: Spanish

☆ Humane AI is reportedly looking for a buyer, just weeks after its disastrous wearables launch
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-22 | by ( Meghan Morris | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Humane is exploring a sale, seeking $750 million to $1 billion, Bloomberg reported. The AI startup, valued at $850 million in 2023, hired a financial adviser for the process. AdvertisementOn the heels of its widely-panned wearables launch, artificial intelligence startup Humane is looking for a buyer, Bloomberg reported Tuesday. The company, which The Information reported was valued last year at $850 million, is seeking a price of $750 million to $1 billion, Bloomberg reported. The outlet said Humane hired an unnamed financial adviser for the process and that it may not result in a deal.

Persons: — Organizations: Bloomberg, Service, Business

☆ Red Lobster bought a lot of shrimp from its Thai owner. Now, the new CEO is investigating.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-21 | by ( Meghan Morris | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Red Lobster filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after suffering significant financial losses. CEO Jonathan Tibus questioned the company's purchasing processes, including from owner Thai Union. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . But the company's CEO faulted owner and key seafood supplier Thai Union for its role in the shrimp debacle — and in Red Lobster's trajectory — in a filing on Sunday. Jonathan Tibus, a turnaround expert who took the CEO job in March, wrote that Red Lobster had long bought much of its shrimp from owner Thai Union.

Persons: Jonathan Tibus, — Organizations: Thai Union, Service, Business

☆ AI is leading to the 'revenge of the liberal arts,' says a Goldman tech exec with a history degree
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-17 | by ( Meghan Morris | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Goldman's George Lee said AI will empower non-technical workers, including those in risk management. The history major turned tech banker said AI enhances skills like critical thinking, creativity, and logic. Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. AdvertisementA longtime tech banker with a history degree says AI could be a boon for non-technical workers. George Lee, the co-head of applied innovation at Goldman Sachs, told Bloomberg Television on Tuesday that he thinks AI will lead to the "revenge of the liberal arts" in the workforce.

Persons: Goldman's George Lee, Banks, —, George Lee, Goldman Sachs, Lee Organizations: Service, Bloomberg Television, Business

☆ Another top OpenAI exec just announced he's out, hours after Ilya Sutskever said he's leaving the company
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-15 | by ( Meghan Morris | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Jan Leike, the co-lead of OpenAI's superalignment group, announced his resignation on Tuesday. Leike's exit follows the departure of Ilya Sutskever, OpenAI cofounder and chief scientist. Leike co-led OpenAi's superalignment group, a team that focuses on making its artificial intelligence systems align with human interests. Leike announced his departure hours after Ilya Sutskever, the other superalignment leader, said he was exiting. In a post on X, OpenAI cofounder Sam Altman said, "Ilya and OpenAI are going to part ways.

Persons: Jan Leike, OpenAI's, Ilya Sutskever, —, shakeup, Leike, OpenAi's, OpenAI, Sutskever, Sutskever's, Sam Altman, Ilya, Altman, Diane Yoon, Chris Clark, Yoon, Clark, Leopold Aschenbrenner, Pavel Izmailov, Daniel Kokotajlo, William Saunders Organizations: Service, Business Locations: OpenAI

☆ Major US airlines really, really don't want to show you how much you'll pay in fees upfront
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-14 | by ( Meghan Morris | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Big US airlines are suing over a rule that requires upfront fee disclosures. The Biden administration is fighting "junk fees" across industries, including baggage fees. AdvertisementMajor US airlines sued the Department of Transportation on Friday over a rule that requires upfront fee disclosures for costs like baggage and itinerary changes. The Biden administration has made fighting the hidden costs it calls "junk fees" a priority across industries, from banks to event companies. The rule also requires airlines to inform passengers that they do not need to purchase a specific seat to travel and to include all mandatory fees when advertising fares.

Persons: Biden, — Organizations: Big, Service, Department of Transportation, Business

☆ Agtech startup Rize wants to make even the smallest rice farmers go green. Here's the deck it used to raise a $14 million Series A.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-13 | by ( Meghan Morris | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Agtech startup Rize aims to lower rice farming's methane emissions in southeast Asia. The Singapore-based startup recently raised $14 million in Series A funding from investors. A 10th of the world's methane emissions comes from rice farming, as bacteria break down in wet rice paddies and release the gas. To reduce rice's methane footprint, agtech startup Rize is working with small rice farmers in Vietnam and Indonesia — locals who manage a farm about the size of one and a half soccer fields. Rize's on-the-ground scientists use the startup's tech platform and green growing techniques to help these farmers grow rice more sustainably and increase their harvest.

Persons: — Organizations: Service, Business Locations: Rize, Asia, The Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia

☆ Adam Neumann says Jeff Bezos came up to him at an event and gave him a tip for running better meetings
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-10 | by ( Meghan Morris | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Jeff Bezos recently advised Adam Neumann to speak last in meetings. Bezos' "speak last" strategy is supported by organizational psychologists like Adam Grant. AdvertisementJeff Bezos recently gave Adam Neumann some unsolicited advice: Speak last in meetings, a leadership style espoused by a leading organizational psychologist. Neumann said Bezos came up to him with the recommendation after the WeWork cofounder spoke at an event. Related storiesAt WeWork, Neumann was famous for his eccentric leadership style.

Persons: Jeff Bezos, Adam Neumann, Neumann, Adam Grant, —, Bezos, Flow's, Andreessen Horowitz, Lex Fridman, Jeff Organizations: Service, Thursday's Bloomberg Tech Summit, Business, Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, Business Insider Locations: San Francisco

☆ Gen Z hates phone calls, so one $9.7 billion company is pouring money into AI chatbots for customer service
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-09 | by ( Meghan Morris | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

AI chatbots are expected to replace 20-30% of customer service agents by 2026, according to Gartner. Despite the potential savings and efficiency, AI customer service has seen limited adoption. AdvertisementGen Z hates talking on the phone, so companies like the $9.7 billion buy-now, pay-later giant Affirm are betting big on AI-powered chatbots. AI customer service hasn't been a panacea for all businesses, though. People tricked and hacked a car dealership's customer service AI in December, and in January, a UK mail service's bot swore at a customer.

Persons: —, Max Levchin, We've, Levchin, chatbots, that's, Deb Cupp, Mihir Shukla, hasn't Organizations: Gartner, Service, PayPal, Tech, Microsoft Locations: Davos

☆ The FDIC is a 'boys club' where some senior execs pursued romantic relationships with their staff, says new report
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-08 | by ( Meghan Morris | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or FDIC, has a "patriarchal" culture, according to an independent report. The bank regulator took no action on dozens of harassment complaints and moved wrongdoers around. The report said the FDIC has dismissed myriad harassment complaints and that wrongdoers are moved around internally or promoted. AdvertisementThe independent investigators spent nine pages discussing FDIC chairman Martin Gruenberg's conduct. The FDIC did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider sent outside standard hours.

Persons: —, Cleary Gottlieb Steen, Hamilton, Martin Gruenberg's, Gruenberg, Travis Hill, Karine Jean, Pierre didn't Organizations: Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Service, Wall Street Journal, FDIC, Democrat, Republican, White, Business Insider Locations: wrongdoers, Gruenberg

☆ Even Katy Perry's mom fell for an AI photo of the singer at the Met Gala
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-07 | by ( Meghan Morris | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Katy Perry was falsely depicted attending the Met Gala via AI images that gained traction on social media. AI photos made it look like Rihanna was there, too — except she was home with the flu. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementKaty Perry did not wear a luxurious deep-V gown with fabric moss at the end, nor did she sport a tight corset dress at Monday's Met Gala. But photos of both looks took off on social media, and Perry's mother congratulated the singer over text for looking like "the Rose Parade" in the gown.

Persons: Katy Perry, Rihanna, — Organizations: Service

☆ Hundreds of thousands of fish died in a single reservoir in Vietnam, another sign of how climate change is strangling the economy
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-06 | by ( Meghan Morris | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

A prolonged drought in southeast Asia contributed to massive fish deaths in southern Vietnam. The climate crisis and human development threaten the Mekong Delta, a key global agricultural center. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . In Vietnam, the maze of wetlands that comprise the Mekong Delta is called the country's "rice bowl" because of the vast agriculture it supports. Related storiesMeanwhile, in southern Vietnam, hundreds of thousands of fish died in a reservoir last month as temperatures peaked over 100 degrees Fahrenheit and no rain fell for weeks, the AFP reported.

Persons: —, El Niño, they're, Ksor Phung, VnExpress Organizations: Service, Mekong Delta, country's Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment, World Bank, AFP, Residents, Business, Getty, Commission Locations: Asia, Vietnam, Delta, El, Mekong

Search resuls for: "Meghan Morris"

25 mentions found