February 2025

Meta has started performance-based layoffs affecting 5% of its 72,000-person workforce or around 3,600 global employees.

Laid-off U.S.-based Meta employees were notified on Monday, February 10 at 5 a.m. PT via an email sent to their work and personal email addresses. Employees in Europe and Asia were notified the day prior.

The Information reports that laid-off employees lost access to Meta’s internal systems within an hour and learned about their severance packages via email. Two sources told Business Insider that U.S. workers received a severance package that includes 16 weeks of pay, plus two weeks for each year at the company. The package is identical to the one received by Google employees in January 2023 when Google eliminated 12,000 positions.

Related: Meta Informs Staff that Layoffs Will Begin Monday Morning in a Now-Leaked Internal Memo

How Does Meta Identify ‘Low Performers’

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced the layoffs through an internal memo in January, stating that the cuts would target “low performers.”

Meta’s layoffs target employees who received low scores in their performance reviews after only meeting some or none of their job goals. BI reports that Meta managers have to give 12% to 15% of their team lower rankings and, in some cases, are forced to place team members into lower categories to meet the target.

It’s unclear who was laid off and from which departments.

“Mark is creating fear,” one Meta employee told BI. “He’s creating a culture where you have to be loyal to him or else.”

One Meta employee told BI that labeling the layoffs performance-based could damage the reputations of affected employees.

“Now people have to go back out into the job market with a label that is incredibly unfair,” they stated.

Related: Meta Reminds Staff of Its Strict No-Leaks Policy — That Has Since Been Leaked to the Press

One employee impacted by the layoffs, Brittney Ball, took to X to share the news. She explained that she was let go after five years at Meta and outlined six reasons why companies should hire her, including that she had helped over 3,000 people break into tech.

Justin Allen, a senior user experience designer at Oculus Studios, posted on LinkedIn on Monday that he was impacted by the layoffs while Meta technical recruiter Carl Wheatley posted on the same platform that he knew recruiters and product designers who were let go too.

Unfortunately, after 5 years, I was impacted by the Meta layoffs today. However, here are some reasons why you should hire me:

– Helped over 3,000 individuals break into tech
– Organized the Black Tech Gala with over ten Bay Area tech companies, attracting over 3,500… pic.twitter.com/08jg6OXNaK

— Brii (she/her) ????✊??? (@Brii_toe_knee) February 10, 2025

Airbnb announced a Live and Work Anywhere remote work policy in April 2022, which allows the company’s global employees to work from home from any location — as long as they meet up in person regularly for team gatherings.

Now Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky is clarifying for the first time what he means by “regular” meetups.

“I have a simple rule: we basically ask people to come to San Francisco one week a month,” Chesky told host Bob Safian on a recent episode of the Masters of Scale Rapid Response podcast. “Some people come for just two or three days. Some people come for the full week.”

^{Brian Chesky. Photo by Kimberly White/Getty Images for WIRED}

Chesky calls the return-to-office week a “gathering week” when Airbnb coordinates everyone being together in San Francisco. The focus is on collaboration, not on getting people to work harder by having them show up to the office, he says.

“I have not found a huge value in people being in the office all the time,” Chesky said, adding, “What I want is, for the most part, people coming to the San Francisco office, but I can’t get everyone to move here to San Francisco, and I can’t get them to fly here every week.”

Most Airbnb employees are based in San Francisco, Chesky says. Airbnb flies out-of-state or out-of-country employees to the San Francisco office once a month for in-person meetups. Chesky says that the cost is worth it and more affordable than thousands of people coming to work in person five days per week. Even if it was more expensive, he says it would still be worth it.

Related: Airbnb’s New ‘Icons’ Cost Less Than $100 Per Night, Including the House from ‘Up’ and Prince’s ‘Purple Rain’

“I think the output for us is superior,” Chesky said.

Since Airbnb introduced its Live and Work Anywhere, about 20% of employees have relocated to states within the U.S. or abroad. According to Forbes, Airbnb has 6,907 employees.

Chesky also stated in the interview that the way to make a team work harder wasn’t by forcing them to work in person from the office but by setting rigorous milestones.

“If you want a team to work harder, don’t make them come to the office, give them a crazy deadline and check on their progress every week,” Chesky said. “That’s how you get them to work harder, not by being in the office.”

Related: Airbnb Side Hustlers Are Making Thousands of Dollars Every Month. Here Are 10 Things to Know to Turn Your Extra Space Into Cash.

Several large companies have issued return-to-office mandates recently. JPMorgan, for example, announced a mandate last month directing its 300,000-person workforce to work from the office every weekday beginning in March. Gap stated a goal earlier this month of having its corporate employees back in the office five days a week by the fall.

No matter what field you operate in as an entrepreneur, business manager or marketing executive, it is perfectly normal to feel like we are walking into a “whole new world” which is a little upside down and sideways with a line of vision akin to a being inside a well-shaken snow globe. Add more chaos every time we read that laws are changing to support a new political agenda and that another company has dropped its DEI and/or ESG policies and departments or changed its rules for just being kind to people in general. Yes, even Starbucks has reversed its rule that anyone can hang in their stores and use their bathrooms even if they don’t buy anything.

It’s true. Governing around values takes energy and money, which cuts into profits — but not for much longer. Meta and other corporate giants like Ford, McDonald’s and Walmart are canceling their key diversity, equity and inclusion programs now that the White House is canceling these programs across the Federal government.

So now the big question. Can small businesses, startups and entrepreneurs change their values and corresponding actions toward humanity, the environment and civility and thrive just like big box brands doing so seem to be doing?

Quick answer. A hard no. Never.

Amazon, Ford, John Deere, Harley Davidson, Toyota, Lowe’s and even Molson Coors and others announcing “values” changes will survive when pulling out of social celebrations like Pride Parades, end participation with the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Corporate Equality Index, and axe departments and programs organized around ESG practices. Their brands have stood the test of time, and their sales revenues have remained and will continue to be. But a small company forging through the jungles of whatever industry they seek to break into needs more than a machete to succeed. Small businesses need to appeal to consumers on many levels to capture attention, trial and sales. According to research and consulting firms like PWC and Edelman, a company’s values associated with ESG issues — Environmental, Social and Governance — still matter to consumers.

According to one report, consumers are placing increased importance on ESG compliance when selecting brands in 2025 despite what big brands are doing or what a new administration might do to environmental and social laws serving as guardrails for safety and civility in the world we knew just yesterday.

Here are just three reasons why brand values should still and always be at the top of any entrepreneur’s operational priorities and every marketer’s agenda.

Related: Why Aligning Your Values and Virtues Leads to Entrepreneurial Success

1. Consumers care

Gen Z, Gen X and millenials, in large numbers, care to do business with brands that reflect their own values when it comes to environmental and social issues, and this does not look to change anytime soon. Research shows these consumers are heavily influenced by the values a brand presents and acts upon — for example, Edelman’s 2024 reports state that Gen Z, who make up 40% of consumers worldwide, will even go so far as to judge a person’s social values by the brands they patronize. Businesses in all sectors take note. This is the consumer group spending the most money. Various studies show that Gen Z’s spending power will reach around $12 trillion by 2030, while Gen X and Millenials will represent $6.4 trillion and $8.3 trillion, respectively.

So, while some consumers might begrudgingly go to Lowe’s despite their canceling support for social programs when they need that plunger in a hurry, they are not likely to become lifetime loyalists or advocates, both of which are important for any business. Defining ESG values, acting on them and communicating your impact will set you up to attract and retain the most powerful consumers in the market now and over the next few decades.

Related: Holding True to Your Values Is an Essential Decision-Making Metric

2. Investors remain green

According to Bloomberg Media’s Sustainable Future Study, ESG assets will hit the $50 trillion mark by 2025, showing strong sustainability in “sustainable” investing. This same report shows this trend continuing through at least 2030. Morninsgstar’s report, Emerging Trends in Global Sustainable Funds, shows a surge in EST investing in 2025 as well. Pension fund and asset managers still plan to make ESG investments to help mitigate risks and create sustainable value. Some investors report that companies with high ESG scores are more successful than those with low ESG scores and, therefore, present less risk and more opportunity for portfolio growth.

Regardless of where you are with your funding goals, pay attention. Funding is hard to get in uncertain markets, which will likely continue. Defining and executing ESG values and sustainability programs will help you compete for investment to further product development, staffing, capitalization, and GTM initiatives that can help you grow in any market.

3. Authentic accountability

Brands are constantly tooting their horns about something, but how often is that toot grounded in verifiable results and aligned with meaningful outcomes for others beyond the brand itself? Companies that act on policies for ESG sustainability, employee protocols, responsible sourcing practices and so on have powerful stories to tell. Reporting on how your ESG practices impact environments, elevate social justice for diverse populations, and govern your employees shows your promises and commitments are authentic, not just attempts to align with the times or politics when you really don’t care about the values you project. We are seeing a lack of authenticity for past social justice actions aligned with many brands now dropping support across social spectrums. Customers now and in the future will continue to seek out brands that authentically care to be accountable for promises made.

While the next few years seem to promise many changes across society, some welcome, some not, one thing remains steady for small businesses: values. You need them, you need to act on them and you need to report on how your values impact others, not just you.

More insights and ideas for implementing ESG and other value in your business operations can be found in Entrepreneur’s book, “Market Your Business – Your DIY Guide to Marketing,” released September 2024.

While many tasks associated with running a small business can be outsourced, some can be expensive, such as creating a website. Fortunately, it’s now possible for you to create a business website easily and quickly, even if you have no tech experience, with MaxiBlocks No-Code Webpage Builder. Best of all, new users can get a lifetime subscription to the Pro Plan with three licenses for just $59 right now.

The program was designed specifically to let people with no coding expertise build and customize high-quality WordPress sites. MaxiBlocks has extensive tools, including over 280-page templates and more than 2,300 block patterns, to help you create a website for your business quickly and efficiently. It also has a library of more than 17,000 assets you can use.

Using MaxiBlocks is so easy. Once you install the program’s plugin, you simply choose a Style Card and template, then customize your content using drag-and-drop with the intuitive interface. This is a full version of the program, so no features are limited.

There are 18 foundation blocks with design options that are advanced enough to create genuinely unique layouts and responsive designs that look wonderful on any device. You can create unlimited websites and have unlimited downloads.

MaxiBlocks is fully integrated with Gutenberg to provide you with a smooth WordPress experience. New templates are regularly added so you can consistently maintain a professionally polished image. You also get a lifetime of free updates.

Get a lifetime subscription to the MaxiBlocks No-Code Webpage Builder Pro Plan with 3 licenses for just $59.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Few activities can cause as much frustration and waste as much time as dealing with PDF files. Fortunately, PDF Reader Pro can crush all those issues with ease, so you’ll never again struggle with those complicated docs.

So saving money on software that will save you time is definitely win-win, and there’s no better example than a Windows PDF Reader Pro lifetime license available for $49.99, a 68% discount off the regular price of $159.

It has a built-in converter to turn your PDF files DOCX, TXT and PNG. Add, delete, rotate and rearrange pages. Merge multiple PDF files into one or split a large PDF file into several small PDF documents.

View your PDFs as plain text, a single page, in double-page view or in full-screen mode. View multiple PDFs as tabs or present them as a slideshow. Scroll vertically, horizontally, or continuously. Search for text in PDFs and change the background color. Easily edit and fill out PDF forms.

Annotations are a breeze in PDF Reader Pro. It allows you to annotate PDFs with sticky notes, highlights, strikeout and underlined text, text boxes, shapes and even handwritten notes. Add custom stamps featuring time and date information, as well as pre-designed stamps, such as Confidential, Sign Here, Approved, and more. Easily insert images, an email address, target pages and links to external websites, then flatten all of your annotations before you share them.

Create and manage a library of signatures, then use them to sign contracts and agreements. You can also add and remove passwords or open password-protected PDF files. It’s no wonder PDF Reader has been recommended by Techradar, Techworm, Softonic and more.

Get a lifetime license to PDF Reader Pro for only $49.99, a 68% discount off the regular price of $159.

PDF Reader Pro: Lifetime License – $49.99

See Deal

StackSocial prices subject to change.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from running businesses in incredibly competitive spaces, it’s this: Standing out is non-negotiable. Success isn’t handed to you; it’s earned through smart strategies and unique value. Marketing can be one of the hardest things to do when launching a new business but it can be so rewarding — and fun.

Here’s how I’ve navigated some of the most competitive markets (and how you can, too).

Know thy market

First things first, before you even think about opening your metaphorical business doors, ask yourself, “What do I bring to the table that’s different?” Competition is everywhere, but I promise you, there’s always a way to carve out your niche.

When I launched Tonia in Vegas, I knew the travel and hotel booking industry was highly saturated. Every other app or platform was competing to offer travelers the same stock-standard deals. Instead of blending in, I got hyper-focused on saving people real money on discounted hotels — because, honestly, who doesn’t want to spend less and experience more?

Do your homework. Conduct thorough market research. Watch — I mean, analyze — your competitors. What are they doing? More importantly, what are they not doing? That’s where you’ll shine.

Related: The Best Strategy to Stand Out in Today’s Competitive Market May Not Be What You Think

Be extra (and proud of it)

You’ve got to bring something extra to the table. Plain and simple. Customers aren’t looking for “just another business.” They want an experience or service that fills their needs in a way no one else does.

At Tonia in Vegas, we decided to take it one step further and offer not just discounted hotels, but exclusive deals on activities and experiences that were tailored specifically for our users. This extra touch set us apart from the competition and created a loyal customer base.

Don’t be afraid to think outside the box and push boundaries. Be creative and innovative in how you provide value to your customers. This will make your business stand out and attract attention.

Build relationships (and leverage them)

In competitive markets, it’s all about who you know. Building relationships with other businesses or influencers can give you a leg up when it comes to marketing your product or service. Partnering with complementary businesses or influencers can help expand your reach and attract new customers.

Also, don’t underestimate the power of customer relationships. Building a strong rapport with your customers creates loyalty and encourages them to spread the word about your business. Utilize social media and other platforms to engage with your audience and show appreciation for their support.

Stay relevant (and stay ahead)

The world is constantly changing, and so are consumer needs and preferences. It’s important to stay up-to-date on industry trends and adapt accordingly. This may mean regularly updating your services or offerings or even pivoting entirely if necessary.

Innovation is your best frenemy

If you think you’ve nailed a solid idea, great! Now make sure it stays fresh. Because in today’s business world, nothing is worse than falling behind. Competitors will always be updating their practices, strategies and offerings. How do you stay ahead? Innovation.

For my company, that means constantly exploring partnerships, renegotiating deals with hotels and finding new ways to add perks that are irresistible to travelers.

Niche markets are goldmines

Here’s a little insider tip that’s made all the difference in my businesses — find your niche and own it. Broad marketplaces can be overwhelming and incredibly tough to break into, but when you identify a specific audience and dominate that space, you set yourself up for success.

For example, instead of trying to compete with massive online booking sites that cater to everyone, Tonia in Vegas focuses specifically on travelers headed to Las Vegas. By narrowing my target, I’ve been able to create tailored offerings and build trust with a loyal customer base.

Think of it like this — being everything to everyone will leave you exhausted and invisible, but being the go-to for a specific something? That’s where the gold is.

The pop culture style toolkit for action-takers

Okay, time to get practical. Here are your fast and fun steps to dominate your market:

1. Do your research. Know your competitors. Spot gaps. Then create your own killer story.
2. Add your flavor. Be unforgettable — whether it’s through a unique product offering, stellar service or just plain you.
3. Stay adaptable. Tweaks and innovations can make a good product into a great one.
4. Go niche. Find your tribe and make them feel understood and celebrated.
5. Engage your base. Whether it’s through social media, post-purchase follow-ups or offering a killer subscription deal — talk to your audience. Be real.

Related: Don’t Sit Around and Wait to Be Noticed — Follow These 4 Ways to Be a Standout in Business

Final thoughts

Market competition can be fierce, but guess what? That’s where the fun begins. It’s the ultimate game where innovation and differentiation are the keys to leveling up. Whether you’re breaking into real estate, SEO or discounted luxury travel, remember — it’s all about understanding your customers and delivering what they need better than anyone else can.

If you’re in business or dreaming about starting one, take that first bold step. Do the research, figure out what makes you different and hit the ground running. It won’t just set you apart from the competition; it’ll help you build something truly meaningful.

Almost 60% of entrepreneurs worked in the corporate world before starting their own businesses, according to data from accounting software company Xero. So they are probably used to working with Microsoft Office programs. It’s always easier working with familiar programs, but a Microsoft 365 subscription is fairly pricey. Fortunately, for a limited time, you can get a great deal on the top eight MS Office programs with a lifetime license for MS Office Professional 2021 priced at $59.97.

With a lifetime license for Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Teams, Access, Outlook, Publisher and OneNote, you’ll find everything a professional needs in one suite of programs, Microsoft Office 2021 Professional. It’s the perfect choice for anyone who needs to handle documents and data. It has so many new features that will help you become more productive in tasks from processing documents to designing presentations from scratch.

Users will appreciate the familiar ribbon-based interface that makes all the available features, customizations and tools so easily accessible. Quickly customize a wide variety of details, including layout, font, indentation size in documents and much more. You also won’t need to sacrifice work-related functions such as creating presentations or formatting emails just to make your documents more aesthetically pleasing.

This one-time purchase includes an MS Office Pro 2021 license for a single PC with Windows 10 or 11 installed that you can use at work or at home. Please note that the license will be connected to the device on which it’s installed and NOT to your Microsoft account.

You’ll receive your download links instantly by email as soon as you complete your purchase and access your software license keys immediately. Free customer service is also included, so you’ll have the best support.

Get a lifetime license for Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows while the price has been dropped to $59.97 through 11:59 p.m. PT February 23.

Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License – $59.97

See Deal

StackSocial prices subject to change.

For many entrepreneurs and other professionals, travel is essential for business growth, networking, and expanding opportunities. However, the rising cost of airfare makes it more difficult to justify frequent trips. Instead of wasting hours hunting for discounts, Matt’s Flights Premium Plan does the work for you—scanning airlines daily for mistake fares, exclusive flash sales, and the lowest ticket prices available.

With a lifetime subscription for just $79.99 when you use code SAVE10, professionals, entrepreneurs, and frequent travelers can book flights at up to 90% off, making both business and personal trips significantly more affordable.

The best part is that once you’re a premium member, these incredible deals land directly in your inbox, eliminating the stress of price tracking and last-minute searches.

It’s sort of like having a personal travel expert at your disposal whenever you need to book a flight. Matt’s Flights takes this to another level, providing unlimited custom search requests that tailor airfare recommendations based on your specific needs.

Whether you have an upcoming conference, an investor meeting, or an overseas client visit, you can request the best flight options and receive hand-picked deals without lifting a finger.

Beyond just savings, convenience is what sets Matt’s Flights apart. Premium members get personalized travel support and five times more deal alerts than free users. When unexpected travel plans pop up, having direct access to real-time airfare intelligence means you’ll always secure the best possible price—no matter the destination.

With major airports across the U.S. and Canada covered, plus the ability to request flight deals from anywhere in the world, there’s no limit to where you can go or how much you can save.

Get lifetime access to Matt’s Flights Premium Plan for just $79.99 when you use code SAVE10 at checkout.

Matt’s Flights Premium Plan (Lifetime Subscription) – Save up to 90% on Domestic & International flights – $89.99

Use SAVE10 Here

StackSocial prices subject to change.

The managed service provider (MSP) market is at a breaking point. As businesses demand more from their technology partners and new competitors flood the space, the old approach of selling technical services alone is no longer enough. In 2025, MSPs must make a bold shift: Stop selling services and start building brands.

This isn’t just about a shiny new logo or a slick website — it’s about redefining the way MSPs connect with their clients. The MSPs that thrive in the years ahead will be the ones that transcend commoditized IT services, positioning themselves as indispensable partners in their clients’ success.

Related: These 4 Elements Are Key to Branding Your Business

The problem with selling services

For too long, MSP marketing has relied on a predictable playbook: Focus on technical expertise, promise cost savings, and stress reliability. While these are essential, they’re no longer differentiators — they’re the baseline.

Businesses now expect all MSPs to provide uptime guarantees, proactive monitoring and robust cybersecurity. When every competitor is saying the same thing, potential clients are left to choose based on price. And when price is the deciding factor, everyone loses.

In 2025, buyers are no longer looking for vendors — they’re looking for trusted partners who understand their challenges, align with their goals and inspire confidence. To stand out, MSPs need to stop pitching services and start crafting narratives that resonate emotionally and strategically.

Why branding matters for MSPs

Branding is often misunderstood in the MSP space. It’s not about aesthetics or flashy slogans — it’s about creating a perception in the minds of clients that you are more than a service provider. It’s about establishing trust, showcasing value and demonstrating that you’re invested in their success.

The best MSP brands build trust through transparency, create a sense of partnership and showcase thought leadership. In a time of data breaches and cybersecurity fears, clear communication about services, pricing and performance metrics is critical. Clients want to feel like their MSP is an extension of their team, not just a vendor. By adopting a consultative approach and providing actionable insights, MSPs can position themselves as indispensable experts.

Related: 5 Ways to Build Brand Customer Trust (and Why It Matters More Than Ever Before)

Building brands clients can’t resist

Understanding your ideal client is the first step. Too many MSPs market themselves as “everything to everyone,” resulting in generic messaging that appeals to no one. Focus on a niche market — small law firms, mid-sized manufacturers or retail chains — and tailor your messaging to their unique pain points. Specializing not only differentiates you but also builds credibility as an expert in that vertical.

Shifting from features to outcomes is equally important. Clients care less about what you offer and more about why it matters to them. Instead of leading with services like “24/7 Network Monitoring,” emphasize the result: “We ensure your business runs smoothly, no matter the hour.” Outcome-focused messaging is more relatable and memorable.

Storytelling is a powerful tool that many MSPs overlook. Real client success stories — highlighting how you’ve helped businesses expand operations, recover from cyberattacks or migrate seamlessly to the cloud — humanize your brand. Stories resonate emotionally and demonstrate value in a way that technical specs can’t.

Investing in thought leadership can further enhance your brand. Publishing blogs, research reports or hosting webinars positions your MSP as a trusted advisor in the IT space. The goal is to provide insights that help clients make smarter decisions, which builds credibility and fosters trust over time.

Meeting clients where they are is also critical. In 2025, digital marketing is the backbone of any successful strategy. MSPs must prioritize search engine optimization to rank for terms like “cybersecurity for small businesses,” leverage LinkedIn ads to target decision-makers and nurture leads with educational email campaigns. The days of relying solely on word-of-mouth referrals are long gone.

Finally, your internal culture directly impacts your brand. Happy, engaged employees provide better service, strengthening client relationships. Transparency, training and a supportive workplace are essential for building a culture that reflects your brand values.

Examples of MSP branding done right

Some MSPs are already setting the bar high. Electric, for instance, positions itself as an IT partner for fast-growing startups, branding its services as modern, scalable and startup-friendly. Align focuses on financial services, crafting a brand narrative around security and compliance for highly regulated industries. Dataprise emphasizes thought leadership with a robust library of content addressing IT trends and challenges.

These MSPs don’t compete on price — they compete on trust, expertise and their ability to understand their clients’ industries.

Related: These 5 Branding Factors Will Take Your Business to the Next Level

The stakes are high

The MSP industry is growing, but so is the competition. Businesses have more options than ever, and the ones that stand out are those that inspire confidence and foster long-term partnerships.

Building a brand isn’t optional anymore — it’s the difference between being a commodity provider and becoming an essential partner. In 2025, the MSPs that thrive will be the ones that stop selling services and start creating brands clients can’t resist.

The question isn’t whether you can afford to make this shift — the question is whether you can afford not to.

AI is no longer a futuristic buzzword; it’s here, and it’s reshaping how companies operate. From automating repetitive tasks to offering insights that were once impossible to uncover, AI has become integral for businesses looking to scale smarter, not harder.

But with the rise of AI agents — tools capable of interacting autonomously — we’re on the cusp of a new chapter in how AI integrates into daily processes. For industries like education, Web3 and beyond, the key is learning where AI excels (and where it doesn’t) to make the most of this game-changing technology.

Related: Why Entrepreneurs Still Need To Leverage People (Even With AI)

The power of pattern recognition

One of AI’s greatest strengths lies in its ability to identify patterns at scale. Companies like Netflix and Spotify have been leveraging AI to recommend content based on user behavior for years, but recent advancements take this to a whole new level. Take Grammarly, for instance. In the past three years, the platform’s AI has evolved beyond just identifying grammatical errors to providing tone, style and clarity suggestions, helping users write better emails, essays and even social media posts. For businesses, this means less time spent on mundane tasks like proofreading or data entry, allowing teams to focus on higher-value activities.

For startups in education or Web3, pattern recognition can unlock similar efficiencies. Imagine an educational platform that identifies which students are struggling with specific concepts and provides tailored lessons. Companies like Khan Academy are already experimenting with AI tutors powered by OpenAI, which can adapt lessons in real time based on a student’s progress. In Web3, AI can analyze blockchain data to detect irregularities, flagging potential security risks faster than any human team could.

If your business involves large amounts of data, AI should be your go-to tool for finding actionable insights. Use it to automate repetitive processes and identify trends, but don’t expect it to make creative leaps or nuanced decisions — at least not yet.

AI’s limits: Sophistication and decision-making

While AI excels at recognizing patterns, it’s not ready to make sophisticated decisions that require intuition, creativity or context. Case in point: autonomous driving. Companies like Tesla and Waymo have made significant strides in using AI for self-driving cars, but true Level 5 autonomy — where vehicles can navigate any scenario without human intervention — remains elusive. Why? Because real-world driving involves split-second decisions and unpredictable variables that AI struggles to process without human oversight.

This limitation is just as relevant for businesses. AI can help a Web3 company analyze wallet activity to spot trends, but it won’t tell you whether launching a new token is the right move for your community. Similarly, in education, AI can flag students who are at risk of dropping out based on attendance and grades, but it can’t have a heart-to-heart conversation with those students to understand the underlying issues.

The business takeaway: Use AI as a tool to support decision-making, not to replace it. Empower your team with AI-driven insights, but remember that the final call should come from a human who can factor in context and nuance.

Related: Here’s What AI Will Never Be Able to Do

Integrating AI into daily processes

So, how can businesses integrate AI into their day-to-day operations without falling into the trap of over-reliance? The answer lies in striking a balance between automation and human input. Let’s look at how some companies are doing it right.

Slack, for example, has integrated AI into its platform to help teams stay organized. Its AI can suggest channels, prioritize messages and even automate routine workflows, freeing up employees to focus on strategic initiatives. However, Slack doesn’t pretend that its AI can replace the creativity and collaboration that happen in team discussions. Instead, it positions AI as a tool to make those discussions more productive.

In education, Duolingo has embraced AI agents to provide personalized feedback to language learners. By analyzing user mistakes, Duolingo’s AI can adapt lessons to each learner’s weaknesses, keeping users engaged and improving retention. Yet, the platform still incorporates gamification and human-designed curricula, ensuring that AI enhances rather than overshadows the learning experience.

The takeaway here is that AI works best when it’s integrated as a complement to your team’s existing workflows. Start small: Identify repetitive tasks that drain time and energy, and test AI tools to see how they perform. From there, expand AI’s role while ensuring that humans remain at the center of creative and strategic decision-making.

The future of AI and your business

As AI continues to evolve, the businesses that succeed will be the ones that understand how to use it effectively. This doesn’t mean jumping on every new AI trend or tool; it means aligning AI capabilities with your company’s specific needs and goals. For example, if you’re in Web3, use AI to enhance transparency and security, but don’t expect it to replace the trust-building that’s central to your community. If you’re in education, leverage AI to scale personalized learning, but don’t lose sight of the importance of human teachers and mentors.

Related: The Robots Are Coming — But They Can’t Outsmart Us When It Comes To This Particular Skill.

AI is a powerful ally, but it’s not a silver bullet. It’s excellent for accelerating processes, identifying patterns and providing data-driven insights, but it still needs human oversight to make meaningful, context-rich decisions.

So, as you consider integrating AI into your business, ask yourself: Where can AI save us time and uncover opportunities? Where do we need human judgment to lead the way? By answering these questions and keeping a balanced approach, you’ll not only stay ahead of the curve — you’ll redefine what’s possible for your industry.