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
December 12, 2014
Written
Ten Popular Business Videos of 2014
Guest speakers, alumni, and students share insights on entrepreneurship, innovation, technology, and more.

December 11, 2014
Written
Five Things You Should Know About Risk
From outer space to the boardroom, risk is all around us.

December 11, 2014
Written
A Look Back at 2014
Explore 10 Stanford Business stories from 2014, including pieces on happiness and networking.

December 10, 2014
Written
Itamar Simonson: What Influences Shoppers?
Researchers revisit a longheld marketing concept about how product placement impacts purchases.

December 09, 2014
Written
Women Entrepreneurs: “Turn Your Difference into an Advantage”
Stanford lecturer and investor Fern Mandelbaum discusses the climate for women entrepreneurs and the value of creating an inclusive culture.

December 08, 2014
Video
How Do You Compete with the Big Brands?
A small dairy shows how product differentiation can be the key to success.

December 05, 2014
Video
Charles O'Reilly: How to Be a Chief Culture Officer
Advice for managers on creating a culture of adaptability.

December 05, 2014
Written
Kathryn Shaw: Big Box Stores Pay Higher Wages Than You Think
A new study compares pay scales at chain stores to mom and pop shops.

November 26, 2014
Written
Vanessa Loder: “I Want to Empower and Inspire Millions of Women”
The cofounder of Mindfulness Based Achievement explains why you should follow your heart, not your ego, mind, or wallet.

November 26, 2014
Written
Douglas Leone: Five Lessons On Starting a Business in Silicon Valley
Advice for entrepreneurs and startups from a Sequoia Capital partner.

November 24, 2014
Written
A Brief History of Financial Bubbles
Economies all over the world have strained and burst throughout history.

November 21, 2014
Written
William Barnett: Business Leaders Should Not Avoid Competition
Competition raises the bar for rivals to do better.

November 20, 2014
Written
Three Reasons Outgoing CEOs Shouldn’t Pick Their Replacements
Not every CEO can spot a winner. Here’s what a board should consider.

November 19, 2014
Written
Matt Abrahams: The Power of the Paraphrase
An expert on public speaking shows how paraphrasing can help you navigate tricky communication situations.

November 19, 2014
Written
Ed deHaan: Want to Soft-Pedal That Shaky Earnings Report? Don’t File on Friday
New research pinpoints the best (and worst) times to release reports.

November 18, 2014
Written
Wesley R. Hartmann: Where to Build a Better Brand — Television or the Internet?
Shifting marketing dollars from television to online advertising can pay off.

November 17, 2014
Written
How Nonprofits Make the Ask: Framing Donation Requests
Giving gifts to donors is not always the best way to seek contributions.

November 15, 2014
Written
Stefanos Zenios: What Hospitals Around the World Can Learn From India
How a smart hospital used a simple approach to solve a big problem.

November 15, 2014
Written
Arvind Krishnamurthy: Making Mortgages Safer for Homeowners
A Stanford professor proposes a form of automatic mortgage relief in future recessions.

November 12, 2014
Written
Frank Flynn: Are People in Need More Generous?
Research examines how experiencing physical distress can impact charitable donations.

November 10, 2014
Written
Coursera CEO Richard Levin: Democratizing Learning Takes Time
Head of online education company discusses the future of higher education.

November 07, 2014
Written
Lindred Greer: Why Virtual Teams Have More Conflict
A professor of organizational behavior explains why disagreements among virtual teams can escalate more quickly than in face-to-face encounters.

November 07, 2014
Written
Former NSA Head Michael Hayden: The Agency “Cannot Survive Without Being More Transparent”
Michael Hayden discusses the evolving rules in combatting terrorism.

November 05, 2014
Written
Ken Shotts: Better Decisions Spring From Competition and Balance in Organizations
What the Cuban Missile Crisis can teach business leaders about monopolists and informal power.
