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Alaska Airlines Partner Awards Increased In Price – Devaluation Or Glitch?


Flyertalk user Acid noticed that Alaska Airlines partner awards have greatly increased in price. Interestingly it seems to only be affecting flights with connections. As part of the Hawaiian Airlines acquisition Alaska Airlines had to promote not to devalue miles, but that only applies to carrier-operated flights and not partner awards. It also doesn’t specify award charts but a value per mile figure that wasn’t disclosed and could change if cobranded card partners pay them less. 

It’s odd that the devaluation would only apply to flights with a connection. Alaska’s award charts also say ‘starting at…’ so they can technically do this. Personally I think this is probably some sort of mistake, we have contacted Alaska for comment. 

Hat tip to xliioper for devaluation image above. 

Surging Gas Prices Fuel Employee Pushback Against Return‑to‑Office Mandates



With gas prices exceeding $3.70 per gallon, employees are demanding to work from home.

How to Trade Crypto: Cryptocurrency Trading for Beginners



What is crypto trading, and how does it work? Whether you’re just starting or already have some experience, understanding the basics of crypto trading is essential. In this video, Jessica Walker breaks down WHAT, WHERE, and HOW crypto trading happens.

You’ll learn about:
✅ What crypto trading is and why the market never sleeps
✅ Differences between centralized and decentralized exchanges
✅ Spot trading basics and how it differs from futures, margin, and options trading
✅ Peer-to-peer (P2P) trading explained and why it matters
✅ How to choose tokens and trading pairs across different platforms
✅ Common trading strategies — scalping, day trading, swing trading, position trading, and HODLing
✅ The importance of risk management and education to trade smart
Whether you want quick trades or long-term holds, this video helps you understand the crypto trading landscape and find the approach that suits your goals.

⏱️ Timestamps:
⏳ 00:00 – Introduction: Crypto Trading
⏳ 00:25 – WHAT is Crypto Trading?
⏳ 00:58 – WHERE is Crypto Trading? Centralised vs Decentralised Exchanges
⏳ 01:20 – Centralised Exchanges (CEXs)
⏳ 01:53 – Decentralised Exchanges (DEXs)
⏳ 02:43 – Types of Trading Markets: Spot, Futures, Margin, Options & P2P
⏳ 04:07 – Trading Considerations: Tokens and Trading Pairs
⏳ 05:04 – HOW to Crypto Trade? Popular Trading Strategies
⏳ 06:33 – Risk Management and Trading Tips
⏳ 07:16 – Outro

#crypto #cryptoexplained #Binance #cryptotrading #trading #binanceexplains

⚠️ RISK WARNING: Digital asset prices can be volatile. The value of your investment may go down or up and you may not get back the amount invested. You are solely responsible for your investment decisions and Binance is not liable for any losses you may incur. It is your responsibility to ascertain whether you are permitted to use the services of Binance based on your individual circumstances. Not financial advice. For more information, see our Terms of Use and Risk Warning.

📢 Join the conversation:
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Best AI-Powered Side Hustles For College Students In 2026


AI has made it easier than ever for college students to earn real money on the side. You don’t need a degree in computer science or a big upfront investment –  you need the right tools, a willingness to learn, and the patience to build something. The side hustles below are all grounded in real examples. Every single one has documented income proof from people who are actually doing it.

A few honest caveats: AI won’t make you rich overnight, and most of these take weeks or months to ramp up. The income ranges listed are real but represent a wide spread from beginner to experienced. Start with one hustle, not five.

1. Freelance Writing

Using tools like ChatGPT to draft, structure, and polish articles lets you take on more clients and deliver faster. Freelance writers who use AI don’t get replaced — they get more competitive. The key is that you still do the research, add expertise, and edit the output to sound like a real human (not a robot).

Do not go out and make AI slop content! In this digital age of massive amounts of content, what you actually need to do is leverage the tools to make unique/quality work. Not just more generic fluff.

What You’ll Need / Tools:

  • ChatGPT – drafting, outlining, brainstorming
  • Grammarly – editing and proofreading
  • Upwork or Fiverr – finding clients
  • Google Docs – free writing tool

Earning Potential:

Beginner freelancers typically charge $0.05–$0.10/word, while experienced writers with strong portfolios charge $0.15–$0.50/word. A 1,000-word article can earn $150–$500. According to ZipRecruiter, the average freelance writer earns around $68,000/year. With AI speeding up production, some people have reported completing 2–3x more work in the same time.

Social Proof:

AI-related work on Upwork grew 60% year-over-year, with freelancers on AI-assisted projects earning 44% more than other freelancers. Fiverr now has a dedicated AI services category. One Medium writer documented earning $3,000/month within 6 months of combining GPT with freelance writing.

2. Selling Canva Templates

Use AI tools to generate design ideas and copy, then build the actual templates in Canva. Sell them on Etsy or Gumroad as digital downloads. Once listed, they sell passively — no inventory, no shipping.

What You’ll Need / Tools:

  • Canva Pro – $15/month or free for students
  • ChatGPT – generate copy, naming ideas, niche research
  • Etsy – $0.20/listing fee + 6.5% transaction fee
  • Gumroad – 10% flat fee, no monthly charge

Earning Potential:

Templates sell for $12–$100 each. Monthly revenue for established sellers ranges from $1,000–$3,000 from multiple storefronts. Top earners do significantly more, success depends on niche selection and how much you promote. Hint: finance earns more than many other niches!

Social Proof:

Lauren Keys earned $4,300 selling Canva templates on Etsy. This is passive income, you create once and sell repeatedly. 

3. Create A Faceless YouTube Channel

Use AI to write scripts (ChatGPT), generate voiceovers (ElevenLabs), and create or edit video (Pictory, Runway, or Canva). You never need to appear on camera. Popular niches for faceless channels include personal finance, history, true crime, and educational explainers.

What You’ll Need / Tools:

  • ChatGPT – script writing
  • ElevenLabs – AI voiceovers ($5–$22/month)
  • Pictory – turns scripts into videos ($19/month)
  • Canva or CapCut – free video editing
  • VidIQ or TubeBuddy – YouTube SEO

Earning Potential:

New channels can earn $50–$500/month in their first year once monetized. Channels that find their format and grow can reach $500–$5,000/month by month 12–18. YouTube pays an average of $18 per 1,000 views with personal finance and education niches earn $10–$15 RPM (higher than average).

Social Proof:

Laura Evergreen documented her faceless channel income publicly on Medium, earning consistently in year two. Hazel Paradise published a full breakdown of building a faceless AI-only channel. Top faceless channels in finance niches like Fern earn $80,000+/month, though those take years to build.

Realistic annual income for a dedicated student channel could reach $12,000–$40,000 in year two.

4. AI Voiceover Income

ElevenLabs pays voice actors when paid users generate audio from their cloned voice in the Voice Library. You record a high-quality voice sample, upload it, and earn a share of revenue whenever someone uses it. This is as close to true passive income as it gets.

What You’ll Need / Tools:

  • ElevenLabs Creator Plan – $22/month to access Voice Library
  • A decent USB microphone – Blue Yeti, Audio-Technica AT2020 (~$50–$150)
  • Audacity – free recording and editing software
  • 30–180 minutes of clean audio recordings (more audio = better voice clone quality)

Earning Potential:

ElevenLabs pays approximately $0.03 per 1,000 characters of generated audio. Top earners in the Voice Library pull in $10,000/month. More realistic starting income: $50–$320/month for a well-submitted voice. ElevenLabs has paid out over $5 million total to voice contributors since launching the program.

Social Proof:

Writer Alijee documented earning $320/month from ElevenLabs on Medium after optimizing recording quality. ElevenLabs published their own data confirming $5M+ in total payouts.

Note: a rushed, low-quality upload may only earn $3 in two months — quality of recordings matters significantly.  

5. AI Chatbot Building For Small Businesses

Small businesses (especially local service businesses like medical offices, law firms, real estate agents, and restaurants) increasingly want customer service chatbots to handle FAQs, appointment scheduling, and lead capture. You don’t need to code. No-code platforms make this accessible.

What You’ll Need / Tools:

  • Chatbase – build GPT-powered chatbots with no code
  • Tidio or ManyChat – chatbot builders with free tiers
  • Zapier or Make (Integromat) – connect chatbots to calendars, CRMs, etc.
  • A simple portfolio/demo site – Carrd.co works fine ($19/year)

Earning Potential:

Entry-level: $300–$800 per setup + $50–$150/month maintenance. More experienced builders charge $800–$2,000 per setup. 

Social Proof:

The Side Hustle Nation documented multiple chatbot builders earning $3,000–$5,000/month by targeting a specific niche (healthcare, real estate). The no-code angle is what makes this viable for non-technical students. 

6. Selling AI Prompts

Prompt engineering (crafting high-quality inputs that get great outputs from AI models) has become a real skill people pay for. You can sell prompt packs on PromptBase, Etsy, or Gumroad. Popular categories include marketing copy prompts, image generation prompts (Midjourney), resume writing prompts, and business automation prompts.

What You’ll Need / Tools:

  • ChatGPT (free or Plus) – test and refine your prompts
  • Midjourney – if creating image prompts ($10/month)
  • PromptBase – dedicated marketplace for prompts
  • Etsy or Gumroad – higher traffic, more competition

Earning Potential:

Individual prompts sell for $2–$10 each. Prompt packs (bundles of 20–50 prompts around a theme) sell for $10–$50.

Demand for prompt engineers on Upwork and Fiverr has grown 300% since 2004, with hourly rates of $50–$150 for skilled practitioners. Most prompt sellers earn $100–$500/month passively while top sellers earn more.

Social Proof:

PromptBase has thousands of active sellers. The demand spike is backed by Upwork’s own data showing AI-related job postings growing 3.5x faster than all other categories. 

7. AI Social Media Content Creator

Many small businesses and local brands know they need consistent social media content but don’t have time to create it. Using AI tools, a student can manage content calendars, write captions, design graphics, and schedule posts for 3–5 clients at once.

What You’ll Need / Tools:

  • ChatGPT – caption writing, content ideas, hashtag research
  • Canva – graphics and Reels templates (free tier works)
  • Buffer or Later – scheduling ($15–$18/month)

Earning Potential:

Entry-level packages (10–15 posts/month per platform) typically sell for $200–$500/month per client. With 3–5 clients, that’s $600–$2,500/month. More experienced social media managers charge $1,000–$3,000/month per client. This is one of the most scalable student hustles because AI handles the repetitive content work.

Social Proof:

Dimitri shares how he started a social media agency before turning 18 and how he uses digital AI tools to help.

8. Create And Sell Study Materials And Digital Products

This one is uniquely well-suited for students: use AI to create high-quality study guides, flashcard decks, cheat sheets, practice exams, and class notes for courses you’re already taking. Sell them to classmates or list them on Gumroad, Etsy, or Studocu.

What You’ll Need / Tools:

  • ChatGPT – turn lecture notes into structured study guides
  • Notion – create polished, shareable study packs (free)
  • Anki or Quizlet – flashcard creation (free)
  • Gumroad – sell digital files easily
  • Etsy – good for templates and printable study tools

Earning Potential:

Individual study guides sell for $5–$20. A solid pack of guides for a popular course (chemistry, economics, organic biology) can earn $100–$500 per exam season. Students selling across multiple courses and subjects have reported $200–$800/month during peak academic periods.

This scales if you build study packs for widely-taken courses beyond your own campus.

Social Proof:

There’s lots of documented stories of students creating and selling study guides, earning $100+ per exam season. The market naturally grows as you take harder, more specialized courses. 

What To Expect Realistically

Every hustle here has documented proof behind it but none of them work without effort. Here’s what the income curve actually looks like for most students:

  • Months 1–2: Learning tools, building a portfolio or first listings. Income is minimal or zero.
  • Months 3–6: First clients or sales. Expect $100–$500/month if you’re consistent.
  • Months 6–12: Income scales with reputation and client base. $500–$2,000/month is realistic.
  • Year 2+: The best operators in these niches earn $3,000–$10,000+/month, but that takes real investment of time.

The students who succeed pick one hustle, get good at it, and build a reputation before jumping to the next thing. AI lowers the barrier to entry — it doesn’t remove the work entirely.

Editor: Colin Graves

The post Best AI-Powered Side Hustles For College Students In 2026 appeared first on The College Investor.

Inflation data and Bank of Canada decision lead busy week for mortgage watchers




Inflation, home sales and two central bank rate decisions could shape expectations for borrowing costs and the spring housing market.

10 Companies With Great Benefits for Working Parents (Including Childcare)


Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared on FlexJobs.com.

Adobe, Dow Jones, and USAA are just a few companies known to offer childcare assistance and meaningful benefits for working parents. As childcare costs continue to rise and schedules grow more complex, family-focused benefits can play a major role in whether a job truly supports your life outside of work.

Some employers go beyond basic parental leave by offering backup childcare, tuition discounts, caregiver stipends, flexible schedules, on-site centers, and reimbursements that reduce stress, support work-life balance, and make it easier to stay in or return to the workforce with confidence.

Following are 10 companies offering childcare assistance and other benefits for working parents.

1. Adobe

Adobe develops creative, marketing, and document-management software used by businesses and creators worldwide. Its tools power everything from digital design and advertising to video production and web experiences.

Adobe offers a robust family care package designed to support working parents and caregivers at every stage. Employees can access concierge childcare resources, backup care options, and academic support discounts to help manage daily responsibilities and long-term planning.

Childcare and benefits include:

  • Jump-ahead placement on Bright Horizons childcare waitlists
  • Discounts on Steve & Kate’s summer day camps
  • Waived Sittercity membership fees
  • Before- and after-school programs through Right at School
  • Backup childcare and caregiver support
  • Academic support, enrichment programs, and college coaching

Recent flexible jobs:

  • Enterprise Solutions Account Manager
  • Product Specialist – Data and Insights

2. Aflac

Aflac is a Fortune 500 supplemental insurance provider serving millions of customers across the United States and internationally. The company helps policyholders manage medical and financial challenges with accessible insurance solutions.

Aflac supports working parents with both on-site and financial childcare assistance. These benefits are designed to help employees manage their caregiving needs, whether they work in the office or remotely.

Childcare and benefits include:

  • Discounted on-site daycare at headquarters in Columbus, Georgia
  • Supplemental daycare offsets up to $1,800 per year for remote employees

Recent flexible jobs:

  • Actuary I
  • Financial Reporting Accountant II

3. Amazon

Amazon is one of the world’s largest online retailers and technology companies, offering ecommerce, cloud computing, and digital streaming services globally. Its mission centers on customer focus and innovation across industries.

Through its FamilyFlex program, Amazon provides a wide range of childcare and caregiver resources to support working parents. The program combines flexible scheduling support with financial assistance and access to caregiving networks.

Childcare and benefits include:

  • Access to a network of more than 2 million caregivers, including babysitters and nannies
  • Company-paid memberships for caregiver search platforms
  • Preferred enrollment and waived fees at Bright Horizons childcare centers
  • Tuition discounts at participating childcare providers
  • Discounts on tutoring and test prep services
  • Flexible scheduling support and financial care resources

Recent flexible jobs:

  • Data Scientist II
  • Human Resource Specialist II

4. Best Buy

Best Buy is a multinational consumer electronics and technology retailer with retail, corporate, and distribution operations across North America and beyond. The company supports customers with technology products, services, and support.

Best Buy offers a backup childcare program designed to help employees manage unexpected caregiving gaps. This benefit supports both full-time and part-time U.S. employees across retail, distribution, and corporate roles.

Childcare and benefits include:

  • Backup Child Care benefit for full-time and part-time employees
  • Up to 10 days of subsidized backup care per year through Care.com
  • Support when schools or daycares close or regular care falls through
  • Low copay for eligible backup care services

Recent flexible jobs:

  • International Tax Analyst
  • Senior AI Scientist

5. Dow Jones

Dow Jones is a global news and business information company known for brands like The Wall Street Journal. It offers premium journalism, data, and analytics to audiences worldwide.

Dow Jones provides comprehensive family care benefits focused on caregiving support and time away from work for new parents. Backup care support helps when regular arrangements are disrupted.

Childcare and benefits include:

  • Paid parental leave (around 20 weeks)
  • Paid caregiver leave (about four weeks)
  • Backup child/elder care through Bright Horizons (up to 20 days per year; an additional 20 for new parents)
  • On-site childcare center in Princeton, New Jersey
  • Dependent care FSAs and tuition discounts
  • Backup care reimbursement (up to $700 annually)

Recent flexible jobs:

  • Education Account Representative
  • Payroll Manager

6. Expedia

Expedia is an online travel booking platform that helps travelers compare and reserve flights, hotels, rental cars, and vacation packages worldwide. As part of Expedia Group, the company offers employees access to a broader corporate benefits package that includes support for working parents and caregivers.

Expedia employees receive family-focused benefits provided through its parent company, Expedia Group, which offers programs designed to support caregiving, parental leave, and family planning. These benefits help employees manage childcare needs while balancing work and personal responsibilities.

Childcare and benefits include:

  • Parental and family caregiving leave
  • Adoption and surrogacy assistance
  • Fertility and family-planning support
  • An employee assistance program (EAP) with family resources
  • Flexible work arrangements and paid time off to support caregiving needs

Recent flexible jobs:

  • Finance Manager
  • Principal User Experience Designer

7. Fidelity Investments

Fidelity Investments is a global financial services provider offering investment management, retirement planning, brokerage, and wealth management services. Founded in 1946, the company serves individuals and institutions across multiple countries.

Fidelity provides working parents and caregivers with tools to find and afford quality childcare. Its benefits focus on helping employees secure reliable care while managing costs.

Childcare and benefits include:

  • Concierge services to help locate childcare providers
  • Discounted backup childcare through Bright Horizons
  • Pre-tax childcare savings through flexible spending accounts

Recent flexible jobs:

  • Consultant, Business Analysis
  • Financial Services Representative

8. Intel

Intel is a global technology company known for designing and manufacturing semiconductor chips and computing technologies. The company operates in dozens of countries and supports employees with a range of family-focused benefits.

Intel offers multiple childcare and caregiver support programs to help employees balance work and family responsibilities. These programs include priority enrollment, tuition discounts, and backup care options.

Childcare and benefits include:

  • Early childhood education tuition discounts
  • Priority enrollment at near-site childcare centers
  • Partnerships with home-based childcare networks offering extended hours
  • Emergency backup childcare benefit of 10 days per child per year
  • Prepaid backup care or reimbursement for preferred caregivers

Recent flexible jobs:

  • Application Engineer
  • Technical Program Manager

9. New York Life

New York Life is a Fortune 100 insurance and financial services company with over 180 years of history. It offers insurance, retirement, investment, and tax-advantaged savings solutions.

The company supports working parents and caregivers through flexible work options, backup childcare, and a range of family-focused benefit resources.

Childcare and benefits include:

  • EAP for employees and families
  • Childcare support services
  • Adoption assistance
  • Fertility and family planning support
  • Backup Care Connection for childcare (same-day care for up to ~20 days per year)

Recent flexible jobs:

  • Associate Advisor Consultant
  • Senior Associate, Enroller Manager

10. USAA

USAA provides banking, insurance, investment, and financial services to military members, veterans, and their families. Founded in 1922, the organization focuses on supporting the financial well-being of the military community.

USAA partners with Bright Horizons to provide both on-site and network-based childcare options for employees. These services help working parents secure reliable care close to home or work.

Childcare and benefits include:

  • On-site childcare centers in select U.S. locations
  • Access to Bright Horizons’ childcare network nationwide
  • Priority enrollment and registration credits at participating centers
  • Flexible schedules and research-based childcare programs

Recent flexible jobs:

  • Intermediate Life Solutions Specialist
  • Life Actuary

Top Childcare Benefits and Perks: Green Flags to Look for in Employers

If you’re a working parent, the right benefits can make a major difference in your daily routine, budget, and long-term career stability. Beyond salary and traditional health coverage, many employers now offer jobs that provide childcare and other perks designed to reduce stress, improve flexibility, and help families stay in the workforce.

When researching the best companies for working parents or evaluating job offers, watch for these childcare benefits and family-friendly perks.

Direct Childcare Support

These are some of the most valuable and cost-saving benefits for working parents:

  • On-site or near-site childcare: Some employers provide workplace childcare centers or partner with nearby facilities, making drop-offs and pickups easier and often more affordable.
  • Childcare subsidies or stipends: Monthly reimbursements or pre-tax stipends help offset daycare, preschool, or after-school care costs.
  • Backup or emergency childcare: Access to short-term childcare when regular care falls through can help you avoid missing work unexpectedly.
  • Dependent care flexible spending accounts (FSAs): These allow you to set aside pre-tax income for eligible childcare expenses, reducing overall costs.
  • Partnerships with childcare providers: Employers may negotiate discounted rates or priority enrollment at local daycare centers or national networks.

Leave Policies and Family Support

Supportive leave policies can signal a company that truly values working families:

  • Paid parental leave for all parents: Inclusive maternity, paternity, and adoption leave indicates long-term support for families.
  • Gradual return-to-work programs: Phased schedules reduce commuting stress.
  • Flexible hours or compressed schedules: Adjustable start and end times or four-day workweeks can help align work with school or daycare hours.
  • Predictable scheduling: Consistent schedules make it easier to secure reliable childcare and plan ahead.
  • Results-focused performance models: Employers that prioritize outcomes over strict hours often provide more autonomy for parents managing daily responsibilities.

Ray Dalio thinks the world looks like ‘pre-1945 times’ as we near the end of his ‘Big Cycle’



Good morning. How will AI impact Ray Dalio’s prognosis for the economy? The Bridgewater founder published a piece in Fortune this weekend, in which he argues that we are in stage 5 of what he calls the “Big Cycle.” (The global macro investor has studied the six stages of how major empires rise and fall, with stage 5 being the period prior to collapse.)

Dalio writes that “it is indisputably clear that what is happening now is more analogous to pre-1945 times than the post-1945 times that we have gotten used to, which misleads most people’s expectations and causes them to be shocked about what’s happening.”

Among the hallmarks of stage 5:

 “Large and rapidly rising government debts and geopolitical conflicts that lead to concerns about the value of and security of money, especially of the reserve currency, which drives a movement out of fiat currencies and into gold.” (Gold prices are up 70% over the past year.)

 “Large income, wealth, and values gaps within countries that lead to the rise of populism of the right and populism of the left and irreconcilable differences that can’t be resolved with compromises and rule of law.” (The income gap has increased and, well, look around.)

“The movement from a world order with a dominant power and relative peace to a world order that reflects a great powers conflict.” (Iran could be the final blow to the WTO-based world order.)

Other forces could disrupt or accelerate the Big Cycle: AI is creating a drastic shift of wealth, with the potential to destroy jobs unlike anything we’ve experienced before. Artificial general intelligence could materially change the structure of money and nature of growth while creating faster and more volatile cycles. And one other factor comes to mind, following a fascinating discussion at the Explorers Club on Friday with NYU glaciologist David Holland about the “doomsday” Thwaites glacier in Antarctica: The accelerating pace of climate change, if not addressed, could make that coveted stage 1 seem even further away.

Contact CEO Daily via Diane Brady at diane.brady@fortune.com

Top leadership news

Palantir CEO says Defense Department isn’t using AI for citizen surveillance

Palantir CEO Alex Karp told Fortune that the Defense Department isn’t using—and won’t use, to his knowledge—AI for domestic surveillance. However, Karp expressed support for the use of AI tools in military partnerships abroad and argued that other nations’ militaries will do the same.

Trump’s AI Czar says country should find exit in Iran

Venture capitalist and Trump AI czar David Sacks told the All-In podcast that “we should probably find the off-ramp” in the U.S.-Israel war with Iran. Sacks claimed that Iran’s military has already been devastated, but certain groups within the Republican Party want to see even further military escalation.

Meta is flattening its corporate structure

Meta is doubling its employee-to-manager ratio to 50-1 per the Wall Street Journal, joining a wave of other companies who are looking to make decision-making more efficient and cut costs. André Spicer, executive dean of Bayes Business School in London and a professor of organizational behavior, says the move will “end in tragedy in the bottom line.”

The markets

S&P 500 futures are up 0.4%, following a 0.6% drop before the weekend. Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 0.1%, South Korea’s KOSPI is up 1.1%, and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index is up 1.5%. BYD, CATL and Xiaomi, all Chinese manufacturers working with green products, rose by over 5% in Hong Kong trading. India’s NIFTY 50 is flat; the STOXX Europe 600 is also flat in early trading. WTI Crude passed $100/barrel, Bitcoin is hovering just above $73,000.

Around the watercooler

The $265 billion private credit meltdown: How Wall Street’s hottest investment craze turned into a panic by Shawn Tully

‘Peak war panic’ will likely hit financial markets in 1-3 weeks, strategist predicts, as Trump says he doesn’t want to make a deal with Iran yet by Jason Ma

How Nasdaq CEO Adena Friedman found her ideal job: ‘I realized I liked risk-taking more than risk management’ by Sheryl Estrada

After 93 years and a 25-hour filibuster, Washington finally has an income tax, and billionaires are already packing their bags by Catherina Gioino

Americans are demanding refunds from the $180 billion in tariffs they paid for, and they’re suing companies like Costco to make it happen by Sasha Rogelberg

‘Raise a lobster’: How OpenClaw is the latest craze transforming China’s AI sector by Nicholas Gordon

Today’s edition of CEO Daily was compiled and edited by Joey Abrams, Nicholas Gordon and Lee Clifford.

Thistle Initiatives Acquires TORI Global To Expand Financial Services Advisory Platform


Thistle Initiatives has acquired management consultancy TORI Global as the London-based compliance adviser pushes further into digital transformation and broader management consulting for financial services clients.

The deal combines two independent consultancies serving banks, wealth managers, insurers, payments firms, fintechs and other financial institutions, creating a group with more than 140 employees across the UK, Ireland, the United States and Asia-Pacific, the companies said.

Financial terms were not disclosed.

Founded in 2012, Thistle Initiatives has built its business around compliance, regulatory advisory and financial crime prevention, working with more than 1,000 clients including banks, wealth management firms, insurers, payment providers, fintechs and digital assets companies.

TORI Global, which is headquartered in London and also operates in Ireland and New York, has spent the past two decades focused on management consulting and has completed more than 1,000 engagements for over 200 financial services organisations.

The acquisition comes shortly after Thistle appointed Scott Friedrichs as chief executive, with a mandate to expand the firm beyond its traditional compliance consulting roots and deepen its presence in management consulting across the financial services sector.

“We are very pleased to confirm the acquisition of TORI Global and to welcome their outstanding team to our organisation,” Friedrichs said in a statement.

He said the transaction would strengthen Thistle’s digital transformation division and support its ambition to build a larger advisory platform for financial services clients.

The combined group is seeking to position itself as a broader alternative to larger consulting firms as financial institutions grapple with regulation, technology upgrades and operating model changes.

TORI brings capabilities spanning data, digital and artificial intelligence transformation, alongside project and programme management, benchmarking, management information services, vendor management, change management, business process redesign and interim management.

Martin Harvey, chief executive of TORI Global, said the firm had been built as an alternative to the “Big Four” in financial services consulting and that the combination with Thistle would expand its ability to advise clients across innovation, operations, resilience and compliance.

Both businesses will now operate under the Thistle Initiatives brand, completing a deal that broadens Thistle’s reach from compliance-focused advisory work into larger-scale transformation programmes for financial services firms.

The acquisition reflects a broader trend in financial services consulting, where specialist firms are trying to offer a more integrated suite of services as banks, insurers and fintechs confront overlapping pressures from regulation, operational resilience, cost control, and digital modernization.



From foundations to fluency: why upskilling is the key to Europe’s AI future



There is no question that for many Europeans, work will look different in the coming years. We’ve seen this “ripple effect” with every major technology shift, from computers to the Internet. And while research suggests that far more jobs will be introduced rather than lost, we can’t ignore that there will be disruption – we must prepare for it.

At one end of the spectrum, we know that new technologies like AI have the potential to birth industries and create millions of jobs. Twenty years ago, the concept of a professional YouTube Creator didn’t exist: today, there are upwards of 60 million around the world.

Across Europe, there are estimates that 61% of jobs will be augmented by generative AI – while up to 7% of jobs will make a long-term transition. Those roles, which will be augmented or transition, are the ones we must focus on, ensuring that AI expands, rather than automates, human potential.

In Europe, the stakes are too high to ignore. Broad AI adoption holds the potential to boost the region’s GDP by €1.2 trillion. That’s an 8% increase over the next decade. We’ve already seen promising AI stories emerging across the continent. Spanish startup Idoven is using AI to detect heart disease earlier, while Roly’s in the UK is reimagining fudge recipes and Maria Teresa Pellegrino has used AI to modernize marketing materials for her family’s 100 year old Italian olive oil businesses.

But these gains won’t come automatically. To enable more Idovens, more Roly’s, more Maria’s, Europe’s public sector, non profits, employers and universities must come together to provide European people and businesses with the AI skills they need. 

Today we’re announcing AI Works for Europe: a series of commitments, research and training to support this effort.

AI’s potential impact on entry-level jobs is a major focus area. Over the past year, we supported European social enterprise INCO and nonprofit Chance to examine how AI is reshaping early careers and to develop tailored solutions for Europe’s future workforce. In addition to drawing from comprehensive employment datasets provided by the OECD and the European Commission, INCO used AI to analyse over 31 million job postings, and interviewed over 1,500 UK and EU employers and young jobseekers. They found that nearly 25% of entry-level roles now require AI skills, and that 74% of SME employers struggle to find qualified candidates. The demand is highest in certain fields: AI-related requirements for Accounting & Finance roles have tripled since 2023 and nearly half (41%) of digital marketing and content roles now require AI proficiency at entry level.

In response and with our support, INCO and Chance have created NewFutures:AI, a set of advanced AI curriculums for final-year students: helping them build practical skills and access career support, especially in the sectors that need it most. The curriculum will be offered directly to students for free through partnerships with fifty higher education institutions across Europe.

But we can’t just focus on the future workforce – we need to to upskill current workers. 

Since 2015, we have trained over 21 million Europeans (including Brits) on digital or AI skills. These trainings work: our foundational course, Google AI Essentials, has become the most popular course on Coursera of all time, and 80% of certificate graduates in the EU report a positive career outcome within six months of completion: a new job, promotion or raise.

New research from IPSOS suggests that AI literacy —the ability to understand, evaluate, and make decisions about AI  — is vital to driving adoption. We need to move from a surface level understanding of AI to a more substantive use of AI as a collaborator. We’ve just released a new Google AI Professional Certificate focused on just that: moving people and businesses from AI foundations to fluency. The certificate is available now globally in English, and will be translated in ten European languages in the coming months.

Creating these resources alone isn’t enough, partnering with trusted community organizations is what’s going to help us drive broad and equitable access. That’s why we’re supporting local nonprofits like Talents for Tech and AI Sweden to share the certificate and wraparound resources with 50,000 workers across Europe through local trade unions and community organizations.

Significant change is coming. Together, across the public and private sector, we need to invest in people: ensuring they have the AI skills of tomorrow. Just as the internet unlocked new ways to work and build businesses, we need to empower people to innovate with AI. 

The opinions expressed in Fortune.com commentary pieces are solely the views of their authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and beliefs of Fortune.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com

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