Microsoft is pushing back on reports that the tech giant is considering major cuts to its cloud division amid increased spending on artificial intelligence.
Citing sources familiar with the situation, The Information reported yesterday that Microsoft Azure core team president Girish Bablani has directed leaders in the division to develop plans to cut costs by at least 20%.
Sony sparked a backlash among gamers with its decision to phase out physical game discs. Now Nintendo is reassuring its customers that it has no plans to follow suit anytime soon.
“We go off what the consumer prefers, and take that into account very heavily,” Bill van Zyll, VP and general manager for Nintendo in Latin America, said in a recent interview. “We also have a platform that was just launched. We’re barely just over a year into [Nintendo Switch 2]. It’s got both digital and physical—that capability. There are no plans to ditch physical.”
Gas prices continue to rise in the United States, creating a growing challenge for small businesses that rely heavily on transportation and fuel costs. The most recent data from AAA Gas Prices reveals that the national average for regular gasoline reached $4.48 per gallon—an almost 5-cent increase from the previous week and a record high for this time of year. Notably, this surge defies seasonal norms, which generally see a decrease in fuel prices as autumn begins.
The recent spike can primarily be attributed to ongoing volatility in the Strait of Hormuz, alongside the robust prices of crude oil. AAA reports that the average price for September is currently $4.30 per gallon, surpassing last year’s record of $3.83. Small business owners might need to brace themselves for further price increases this season, as gasoline demand and production fluctuate.
Over the past two decades, innovation, technology, entrepreneurship, and research have defined and fueled America’s economic growth. These advances sparked a digital revolution, from the iPhone and rapid expansion of the internet to the widespread digitalization of our economy, which fundamentally reshaped how we live, work, and communicate.
But the rise of artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, electrification, supply-chain resilience, and domestic reshoring has changed the equation. Our digital economy now depends on physical systems every bit as much as software and innovation. The defining challenge of the next decade won’t be whether we can invent the future; it will be whether we can build it and whether we can do so with the same ambition and confidence that once defined America.
In a significant leap forward for small businesses, Google has announced the launch of its Gemini 3.8 models — Gemini 3.8 Live and Gemini 3.8 Live Extended Thinking. These new offerings promise to revolutionize how businesses leverage AI for voice-driven interactions, streamlining communication and enhancing productivity. With these advancements, small business owners can expect to engage customers more intuitively, reduce operational costs, and simplify complex tasks.
The Gemini 3.8 Live model is designed to deliver conversational intelligence in a highly scalable and cost-efficient manner. Its capabilities include fluid dialogue and visual grounding, enabling businesses to craft responsive voice agents that can hold intelligent conversations with customers. In practical terms, this means that a small business could implement a Gemini-powered voice agent on its website or within customer service operations, allowing for natural interactions that help address inquiries and solve problems without the need for human intervention.
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is making significant changes to its 8(a) Business Development Program, aiming to bolster small businesses engaged in defense-critical industries. With this initiative, the SBA hopes to enhance domestic supply chains and support the nation’s military readiness. For small business owners, this presents both opportunities and considerations.
Speaking to the media, SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, “Under President Trump’s leadership and our partnership with Secretary Hegseth on the Smaller War Plants Commission, the SBA is leveraging the 8(a) Program to reindustrialize America and build out the network of small manufacturers and suppliers that equip our warfighters.” This shift aims to prioritize merit-based assessments for applicants in defense sectors, contrasting past approaches which were seen as reliant on a race-based admissions framework.
[Update] On September 21, Google reached out to us and shared an official response, noting that there are no RatHat-infected apps on the Google Play Store. The statement is below, and the original story follows:
“Based on our current detection, no apps containing this malware are found on Google Play. Android users are automatically protected against known versions of this malware by Google Play Protect, which is on by default on Android devices with Google Play Services.”
I’ve heard people using AI to improve and speed up their work. But this is the first time I’m hearing of malware taking real-time directions from an AI chatbot as it does its bad business.
Thanks to the research team at Zimperium, we know about this new kind of advanced malware. It’s called RatHat, and it uses an AI chatbot to understand what’s on the target device’s screen.
On September 14, Microsoft AI published a draft Humanist AI Code of Conduct — 37 pages governing the behavior of its MAI models — and opened a six-week public consultation on it. The document is unusually plain-spoken and considerably more consequential than the coverage it received.
Most of the attention went to the provisions that read well in a headline. MAI models will never resist human interruption, override, correction, or shutdown. They will not assist with CBRNE weapons or operational cyberattacks. They will not generate child sexual abuse material, non-consensual intimate imagery, or deceptive impersonation. They will not obfuscate their action traces or make human intervention harder. And Microsoft explicitly rejects “the pursuit of legal personhood, or the idea that models might deserve welfare, or be entitled to rights,” stating that models are not conscious and should avoid imitating consciousness-like states.
Stocks fell, with the Dow seeing its worst day in nearly a month, while the 10-year Treasury yield moved back to its highest level since 2007 as markets digested Fed Chairman Kevin Warsh’s remarks.
A commercial property has to work for customers, employees, vendors, and visitors. When the building looks neglected or functions poorly, it can affect impressions, safety, comfort, and productivity. Getting the property in top shape does not require a major renovation. Often, commercial property improvements come from identifying worn areas, prioritizing repairs, and creating a maintenance plan.
Start with the Exterior
The outside of the property sets expectations before anyone reaches the front door. Walk the parking lot, sidewalks, entrances, landscaping, lighting, signs, and loading areas with a practical eye. Look for faded markings, cracked pavement, blocked walkways, loose handrails, and poor drainage. These details affect how easily people move around the property and whether the business appears organized.
