US retailers, automakers and technology groups warn that the acute shortage of memory chips is driving substantial price increases across consumer electronics and tech products. A letter signed by NRF and other trade groups to federal departments cites an unprecedented surge in chip prices, already resulting in higher costs for everyday electronics and rising expenses for building and maintaining internet and telecommunications infrastructure. The impact extends to automobiles and other manufactured goods, and lower-end smartphones are becoming less viable to produce due to the higher chip costs.

ChatGPT's effectiveness often depends on how users interact with it, according to Aminu Abdullahi. Techniques such as simulating a multi-expert boardroom debate, using bracketed tagging to enforce logic isolation, and running self-QA tests can improve AI responses. Other methods include reframing tasks as Version 2.0 for structural changes, setting explicit vocabulary boundaries, turning ChatGPT into a diagnostic tutor, and enforcing a "zero outside knowledge" rule.

Microsoft knows that the Linux OS is popular on Microsoft's Azure for development. So, at its Build conference this week, the company announced expanded Linux integration with the debuts of Azure Linux 4.0, Azure Container Linux and a developer-focused version of Windows 11. The Surface RTX Spark Dev Box, a high-end AI workstation that will use Nvidia's RTX Spark chip, also highlights Microsoft's commitment to Linux.

The cyberthreat landscape is shifting from large ransomware cartels to smaller, more volatile groups, says William Lyne of the Metropolitan Police Service in the UK. Speaking at Infosecurity Europe, Lyne noted that cryptocurrencies have made it easier for criminals to cash out quickly, increasing the accessibility of cybercrime. Law enforcement is adapting by focusing on systemic disruption and collaborating more closely with the private sector.

Costco CEO Ron Vachris notes that AI is a supplement to its more than 341,000 workers worldwide, not a replacement for them. This strategy has helped Costco's shares rise around 17% this year, giving the company about a $440 billion market capitalization. "AI has been extremely good for our company in an assistive nature," says Vachris, adding, "We've not displaced people because now the business is growing at a faster rate. But those employees that were doing those tasks before have now elevated up to more of a forward-thinking role."

A Boston Consulting Group survey of nearly 12,000 workers in 14 countries has found that 67% of regular AI users say the technology has made work more enjoyable, with the figure among UK frontline workers at 70%. However, 41% of respondents also report increased mental strain, and 49% of UK frontline workers fear AI could replace their jobs. The survey also finds that 86% of respondents expect to need significant upskilling within five years, but only 36% feel adequately trained to use AI.

Intellectual humility is now the top trait sought in job candidates, especially as the job market grows more competitive, writes Aytekin Tank, the founder and CEO of Jotform, who notes that this quality is essential because those who have it are willing to continually learn and adapt -- qualities that are increasingly valuable as work environments evolve. "I still want confident candidates who can capably handle the job I'm hiring them to do. But now more than ever, I'm also looking for people who have the humility to embrace what they don't know, and use it as a starting point for further growth," Tank writes.

AI is no longer an emerging trend. It is the defining force reshaping cybersecurity, accelerating both innovation and risk at unprecedented speed. The challenge isn’t only technological, it is regulatory. New frameworks and regulations expand compliance requirements, introduce the need for stricter incident reporting and enforce accountability at the leadership level. For many enterprises, the real difficulty lies in navigating an evolving ecosystem of overlapping requirements, not just complying with one framework, but aligning across several simultaneously. In this new reality, cybersecurity is no longer just a technology issue; it is a skills challenge.

CompTIA AI Essentials helps workers, students and other learners develop and strengthen the skills needed for the impactful business use of AI tools such as ChatGPT, Copilot and Gemini. The course features engaging instruction on what generative AI is, how to write effective prompts, how to avoid bad outputs and how to plug AI into your everyday work. Best of all, no prior experience with AI is needed.