Each week, the Tomorrowist team publishes a video podcast and a deep-dive article on a single important trend facing businesses. But business leaders need a holistic view of the changing business landscape. Here are a few stories from around the web focused on other Tomorrowist-worthy trends that readers shouldn’t miss.
Phishing Tests, the Bane of Work Life, Are Getting Meaner (The Wall Street Journal)
What to Know: At UC Santa Cruz, a phishing test—a simulated cyberattack designed to assess susceptibility to deceptive emails—falsely warning of an Ebola outbreak alarmed students, representing a striking example of a broader trend. While phishing tests are intended to educate, they are increasingly viewed as deceptive and controversial, often creating workplace friction by eroding trust and generating resentment. Strict penalties for failures further exacerbate these tensions.
Why It Matters: Data breaches, which cost an average of $4.88 million globally, have led organizations to adopt phishing tests that could place employee trust and workplace morale at risk. With studies casting doubt on the effectiveness of phishing tests in preventing real-world attacks, companies must rethink their approach. Reshaping cybersecurity learning and development to balance effectiveness with employee trust will be key to ensuring security measures enhance rather than erode workplace culture.
An Ohio Data Center Plans to Build a Natural Gas Plant as the AI Boom Creates an Electricity Strain (Business Insider)
What to Know: In New Albany, Ohio, developers are set to build the New Albany Energy Center—a 120-megawatt natural gas-fired power plant to power a new data center, with operations starting by early 2026. This project is a strategic effort to bypass mounting regulatory bottlenecks and secure reliable onsite power, bolstering Ohio’s emergence as a major data center hub where Amazon has invested over $23 billion statewide and where giants such as Microsoft, Meta, and Google are also pursuing projects.
Why It Matters: We are likely to see similar projects soon as companies scramble to bridge the massive power gap driven by the AI boom’s unprecedented energy demands. The New Albany Energy Center’s 120-megawatt capacity is only a fraction of the 30 gigawatts of data center service requests reported by the Columbus utility center last year—a gap of more than 250 times. This enormous disparity not only underscores the urgent need for scalable energy solutions to support our rapidly expanding digital economy but also signals mounting regulatory pressure.
How Apple Could Work with DeepSeek to Pull Ahead in the AI Race (Fast Company)
What to Know: DeepSeek burst onto the AI scene last month with a breakthrough model—trained for less than $6 million— and it is stirring debate about its implications for established U.S. tech giants. While most commentary has focused on OpenAI, Microsoft, Google, and Meta, Apple may stand to benefit the most by potentially partnering with DeepSeek to power its Apple Intelligence platform in China, its crucial second-largest market.
Why It Matters: For Apple, a partnership with DeepSeek could provide a technological boost through a more energy-efficient, on-device artificial intelligence solution while enhancing its appeal in China, where strict AI regulations have hampered progress. DeepSeek’s low-cost, rapid development model also challenges the belief that massive investments are required to compete in AI, potentially reshaping industry dynamics. However, with Apple caught between its reliance on China and escalating U.S. trade tensions, its AI strategy could determine whether it strengthens its foothold or loses ground in an increasingly fraught global market.
Plaid Has Boomed Since Its Failed $5.3 Billion Visa Merger. Now Its CEO Is Predicting a Fintech Summer (Fortune)
What to Know: Plaid—a pioneering fintech that seamlessly links bank accounts with popular apps such as Robinhood and Chase—has long been a vital force in modern finance. After weathering dramatic ups and downs, including a failed merger with Visa valued at $5.3 billion that was derailed by regulatory hurdles and led to falling valuations and layoffs, the company is now rebounding as the fintech landscape evolves.
Why It Matters: Plaid’s rebound indicates fintech’s broader transformation. As regulatory shifts—such as the advent of open banking—reshape how consumers manage and transfer financial data, companies that adapt quickly are poised to redefine modern finance. Plaid’s next move will be a key indicator of what’s ahead in finance and technology, as navigating the volatile fintech landscape can lead to both the possibility of expanded data access and the potential roadblocks posed by political and industry resistance.
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