A Blueprint for Keeping Humans in Control of AI
New research teaches independent AI agents to ask for help — and builds oversight of models we don’t fully trust.
David Rubenstein on Leading the Parade
The D.C. denizen reflects on his time in Jimmy Carter’s White House, recalls how he got into leveraged buyouts, and shares why he thinks you're not working hard enough if you never fail.
Ask for More Pay and Get Penalized, Stay Quiet and Fall Behind
New research finds that class shapes not just who negotiates for higher salaries, but who pays a price for speaking up.
How Falling Interest Rates Widened Americans’ Wealth Gap
Low interest rates fueled an asset boom that benefited the wealthy — and would amplify the hit of potential Social Security cuts on low-income retirees.
The Dollar’s Dominance Is Eroding
Investors are increasingly eying alternatives to the world’s strongest currency.
AI Could Uncover the Hidden Ways People Work Together
The winners of the AI for Organizations Grand Challenge believe that identifying the “grammar of coordination” could have profound implications for the future of work.
Latest Stories
Idea Stories Opensearch
September 07, 2018
Written
The Power of Telling It Like It Is
In Panama, a new study finds that kids are more likely to drink healthier beverages if you speak the truth — subtly.

September 07, 2018
Written
What’s the Value of Labor When It’s a Labor of Love?
Artisans who find meaning in their masterpieces are more likely to charge less to connoisseurs.

September 06, 2018
Written
Why “Uncertainty Shocks” Are Part of the Trump-Era Economy
A Stanford economist says that populist politicians have become a major source of economic uncertainty.

August 29, 2018
Written
How CEOs Reinvented the Dating Game Scandal in Stock Options
A study finds that companies have come up with a new variant on backdating stock options to reap windfall profits.

August 24, 2018
Written
Exploring the Origins of Foreign Cultural Values
As businesses go global, it pays to understand the beliefs underpinning behaviors that might seem strange.

August 21, 2018
Written
Rigged Auctions? Why Top Bidders Don’t Always Feel Like Winners
New research casts suspicion about auctions in the online advertising market.

August 17, 2018
Written
Why Every Business Will Soon Be a Subscription Business
Everything you purchase — from transportation to entertainment to groceries — will soon come with a monthly plan, says Zuora CEO Tien Tzuo.

August 17, 2018
Written
The Consequences of Viral Outrage
Even justified outcries can backfire when people pile on.

August 09, 2018
Written
Car 3.0? A Robot With Wheels
Nio U.S. CEO explains that cars of the future will be built on software.

August 06, 2018
Written
The Biggest Antitrust Story You’ve Never Heard
The rise of institutional investors threatens competition, hurts consumers, and might qualify as a new kind of monopoly.

July 31, 2018
Written
Narcissistic CEOs Can Mean Big Legal Bills
Companies headed by overconfident, self-centered risk-takers are more likely to end up in court.

July 30, 2018
Video
What the Pros Know About Public Speaking
Confidence equals competence. Learn how great leaders handle a crowd.

July 13, 2018
Written
Can Ad-Skipping Be Good for Advertisers?
TV sponsors will soon know when you click away, and that’s valuable information.

July 09, 2018
Written
Why Liberals and Libertarians Both Have It Wrong — And Right
Is the current economic malaise caused by income inequality, runaway regulation, or some combination of the two?

July 06, 2018
Written
Merck CEO: Expect Economic Inequality, Refuse Political Inequality
Kenneth Frazier talks free market, drug prices, and board diversity.

July 05, 2018
Written
The Secret to Finding Lasting Career Satisfaction
Executive coach Michael Melcher shares his insights for carving out long-term success and fulfillment.

June 26, 2018
Written
Giving Credit to the Underserved
Marla Blow knew her nascent credit card company would face an uphill climb. She did it anyway.

June 21, 2018
Written
Sara Blakely: Start Small, Think Big, Scale Fast
The CEO of Spanx explains how her hyper-observant focus led to overhauling the undergarments industry.

June 21, 2018
Written
How to Flunk Retirement and Thrive
A former marketing executive loves his unlikely third act as a prison-education reformer.

June 20, 2018
Written
How Dropouts Could Unravel Obamacare
Too many people are strategically dropping their health insurance after getting the care they need.

June 20, 2018
Written
The Secret Sauce in Workplace Training
First-time workers do better when trainers focus on “unwritten skills,” such as how to talk to strangers.

June 20, 2018
Written
Inside the Secret World of Venture Capital
The Stanford Venture Capital Initiative is quietly assembling a massive database from people who prefer to stay mum.

June 15, 2018
Written
Scaling Up and Changing Lives in Africa
How a Ghanaian entrepreneur stitched together a clothing company that employs and houses homeless women.

June 11, 2018
Written
Are Influencers Overrated?
A new study questions the effectiveness of targeting “hubs” at the center of social networks.
