Anthropic Co-Founder and CEO Dario Amodei: We Must Pace the Frontier

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On Saturday, September 12, 2026, Anthropic co-founder and CEO Dario Amodei published a major 3,800-word essay titled "We Must Pace the Frontier." In the post, he explicitly called for the artificial intelligence (AI)  industry to deliberately slow down the pace of improving AI model capabilities so that safety measures have time to catch up. 

Costco's CEO Ron Vachris Views AI As a Supplement to Human Value

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As executives name AI as one of many reasons for mass layoffs, Costco’s CEO Ron Vachris views AI as a supplement to human value.

Last month Vachris spoke at the Economic Club of Chicago about how AI is—and isn’t—changing Costco’s workforce of 341,000. 

“AI has been extremely good for our company in an assistive nature,” Vachris said. “What we found is, it has worked very well, complementing our employees and the systems that we put in place in the pharmacy, in our gas stations, and in the accounting department that we have. And also in some of our IT. It was writing some code.”

Discover how Costco is using AI to empower its employees rather than replace them.

The Global Trade Effects of the AI Infrastructure Boom

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According to the Federal Reserve, artificial intelligence (AI) has become a key driver of the global economic outlook, underscored by the unprecedented scale of announced investment commitments aimed at expanding AI-related infrastructure. The AI boom is also increasingly influencing international trade by boosting demand for critical inputs and intermediate goods needed to build data centers. This surge in AI-related investment has already supported international trade since early 2025, with strong demand for critical components boosting exports in key supplier economies.

Looking ahead, AI-related trade is likely to remain an important feature of the global trade landscape as investment in AI infrastructure continues to scale.

Note:  The Global Small Business Blog has been in operation since 2004 and is ranked number one in the world for entrepreneurs and small businesses interested in going global.  As of May, 2026, we average between 700,000-900,000 readers a month. 

Pope Leo XIV is Safeguarding Humanity

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Pope Leo XIV’s major new teaching on safeguarding humanity in the age of artificial intelligence is a forward-looking document, arriving at the precipice of what many see as a new technological age that will profoundly reshape human life.

In his letter, the first American pontiff called for putting care for humans at the heart of technological change.

“Magnifica Humanitas,” or “Magnificent Humanity,” is the American pope’s first encyclical, a document that is considered one of the most significant papal teachings. 

How AI Will Transform Marketing

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Artificial intelligence can automate and streamline many basic marketing functions, but the real opportunity lies in AI's ability to help CMOs reinvent their entire operating model.

• Although AI can automate basic marketing processes, CMOs who focus exclusively on productivity gains are missing the bigger picture.
• Marketing leaders who fully embrace AI can transform their entire operating model in ways that were previously impossible.
• The challenge for CMOs is to sell their marketing vision to the C-suite and to their own teams while forging new partnerships with outside agencies.

Read more here.

Grievances and Drama On the World Stage in Artificial Intelligence

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A jury rejected Elon Musk’s claims against OpenAI, finding that he brought his lawsuit against the company and Chief Executive Sam Altman after the statute of limitations expired.

The verdict brings to a close a case that fixated the tech world on the grievances and drama of some of the most powerful personalities in artificial intelligence. 

Note:  The Global Small Business Blog has been in operation since 2004 and is ranked number one in the world for entrepreneurs and small businesses interested in going global.  As of February 1, 2026, we average more than 900,000 readers on a monthly basis.

Are We Using Artificial Intelligence to Do the Brainwork For Us?

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Back in the day, if we wanted to get just about anything done, we had to rely on our entire mental faculty to do so. Today, many of us are resorting to shortcuts. Instead of relying on our own intelligence, we use artificial intelligence to do the brainwork for us.

Is artificial intelligence slowing our brain functioning?  Find out here. Spoiler alert:  AI should always be treated as a complement to human intelligence.

The Decline of the Expert?

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Want to understand a medical diagnosis, learn how to export, challenge a legal contract, or make sense of an economic forecast? Traditionally, your only option was to trust a trained professional.  But now, AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and others are changing the game—offering clear, confident, and accessible answers to complex questions. 

This democratization of knowledge has tremendous potential.  But it could also be the decline of the expert?

Building the Road to Global Small Business Utopia with AI and Fintech

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Could artificial intelligence help global small business owners gain the insights they need to operate more efficiently and grow?

In the updated edition of Fintech, Small Business & the American Dream, Karen Mills looks at evolving technology and how it might power this critical engine of the US economy.

Leveraging AI and Globalization to Build the Workforce of the Future

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In an era where demand for specialized skills, especially in tech, far exceeds supply, many businesses are seeking international talent. Traditionally, companies focused their recruitment on local markets, but today’s interconnected world enables hiring from around the globe. This shift opens access to a broader range of skills, cultures, and perspectives essential for driving innovation.

By embracing globalization and technology, businesses are addressing skills gaps and positioning themselves for sustainable growth in a complex labor market.

Discover how to leverage AI and globalization to build the workforce of the future.

Chatbots Will Play a Major Role in Customer Service for 25% of Companies by 2027

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Gartner predicts that by 2027, chatbots will play a major role in customer service for 25% of companies. 

For marketplace owners, it's an opportunity to engage with their online audience in real-time. There are three types of technology to meet the challenges of the industry: 

1. Based on artificial intelligence
2. Rule-based 
3. Hybrid

Learn about all the other top digital marketplace trends 2024.

The Long-Term Risks and Benefits of AI Around the World

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The long-term risks and benefits of AI will quite likely impact people all around the world, and they will pose unique challenges that observers cannot yet understand. 

But there is significant reason to think that humanity will be better off in the future if stakeholders work to get AI governance right today. 

For those in the Global Minority who are genuinely interested in arriving at a convergence on trust with the Global Majority, one of the most powerfully obvious yet enduringly stubborn ways of narrowing the existing gap is to carefully listen to the lived experiences that, in turn, shape the priorities of the world’s largest populations. 

Addressing the roots of distrust today would carry over into safeguards far more robust and enduring in the future, online and offline. We hope this piece adds to that evolving conversation. 

Access the full article with 111 footnotes here.

U.S. and China Talks On AI Could Have Far-Reaching Implications For the Future of Global Commerce

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The high-level talks between the U.S. and China on artificial intelligence (AI) could have far-reaching implications for the future of global commerce, experts say.

U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken has announced that the two countries will conduct their first high-level talks on AI, emphasizing its growing importance. The discussions are poised to cover crucial aspects of AI technology and regulation, and the outcomes may influence regulatory frameworks, technology trade policies, and cooperation in technological advancements. 

The U.S. has tightened restrictions on Beijing’s access to advanced technology and is nearing a ban on the social media app TikTok unless its Chinese parent company ByteDance sells it. 

Top Global Artificial Intelligence Markets

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This report, "Top Global Artificial Intelligence Markets," presents a brief overview of top Al global hubs outside the United States. Each country includes an Al ecosystem overview, government incentives and policies, education and research institutions, leading events, and industry groups.

The initial markets for this report were selected based on global rankings, the highest number of Al companies concentrated there, venture capital, and related research institutions.

AI Will Have a Huge Impact On Global Business This Year

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According to CEO of JPMorgan Chase Jamie Dimon, he believes artificial intelligence will have a huge impact on global business this year.  He knows its influence will be significant.

“We are completely convinced the consequences will be extraordinary and possibly as transformational as some of the major technological inventions of the past several hundred years: Think the printing press, the steam engine, electricity, computing and the Internet, among others,” the JPMorgan Chase (JPM) CEO wrote in the [annual shareholder] letter.

Dimon goes on to say, "Over time ... we anticipate that our use of AI has the potential to augment virtually every job, as well as impact our workforce composition. It may reduce certain job categories or roles, but it may create others as well.”

Full shareholder letter can be found here.

AI Is Transforming the Global Business Landscape

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A discussion on the transformative impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the global business landscape, highlighting how AI-driven strategies are revolutionizing industries worldwide.

Join the Atlantic Council for a dynamic discussion hosted by the WIn Fellowship, part of the Atlantic Council’s empowerME initiative, on April 25 from 1:00 p.m. (ET) to 2:00 p.m., at the Atlantic Council and virtually via Zoom.

The expert panel will dive into the transformative impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the global business landscape, highlighting how AI-driven strategies are revolutionizing industries worldwide.

Top Global Artificial Intelligence Markets Outside the United States

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Artificial Intelligence is a top emerging technology with applications across industries and implications for our society. It has been reshaping the global economy and national security.

The global AI industry is thriving. In 2021 (latest report), AI global funding doubled to $66.8 billion, and a record 65 AI companies reached $1B+ valuations, up 442% from the previous year. Each year, more and more companies and governments worldwide adopt AI solutions. 

The report below presents a brief overview of top AI global hubs outside the United States. Each country includes an AI ecosystem overview, government incentives & policies, education & research institutions, leading events, and industry groups. The initial markets for this report were selected based on global rankings, the highest number of AI companies concentrated there, venture capital, and related research institutions.

Read the Artificial Intelligence Report.

Say Hello to Sora, the Next AI Game Changer

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OpenAI has introduced new technology – Sora – that uses artificial intelligence to create high-quality videos from text descriptions. 

The company released short clips showcasing vivid, seemingly realistic videos, including woolly mammoths trekking across a snowy field, ocean waves crashing against a cliff’s shoreline and people doing everyday things like reading a book or walking down a city street.

You heard it here second.  The Wall Street Journal reported it first.

The Potential of AI and Large Language Models (LLMs) For Global Growth

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From a global standpoint, almost three-quarters (73 percent) of business leaders are excited by the potential of AI and large language models (LLMs) for business expansion—and this excitement is well-warranted. AI and LLMs are going to enable global growth in a way never before seen.

Learn more how AI will shape global business expansion in 2024 and the top 4 trends to watch.

Today in Global Small Business: How AI Shook the World in 2023

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What's affecting me, my clients, my colleagues and other global small business owners:

• AI is being used for all things wonderful but it comes with a worry.
• Language translation:  what companies should know.
• Winning formulas for e-commerce growth.
• Quote of the week: "The real question is, when will we draft an artificial intelligence bill of rights? What will that consist of? And who will get to decide that?” – Gray Scott
• E-commerce worldwide, stats and figures.
• 17 goals for people and planet.