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Here’s what you need to know
Meta “raises the bar” with major layoffs. The Facebook parent company is cutting 5% of its workforce, which primarily targets employees deemed to be underperforming.
Eli Lilly’s weight-loss ambitions fell short. A decline in demand forced the drugmaker to revisit its revenue outlook, lowering its target by about $400 million.
JPMorgan’s billion-dollar cryptocurrency bet. The financial giant estimates up to $14 billion in investments for exchange-traded funds like Solana and XRP, though it’s dependent on regulatory approval.
Boeing lagged behind Airbus in 2024 deliveries. The aircraft manufacturer delivered only 348 commercial planes, trailing far behind French rival Airbus.
Southwest Airlines has paused hiring and promotions to cut costs. In a bid to reduce expenses, the airline is also suspending summer internships and its usual employee rallies.
Big Food’s AI Feast
Big Food is jumping on the AI bandwagon to boost efficiency and stay competitive, with everything from smart kiosks to kitchen management systems.
While some chains worry about job cuts, many argue that AI is meant to shift tasks, not replace employees. The pace of AI adoption also varies across chains, with some using it to cut waste while others experiment with target advertising.
In the rapidly changing casual dining landscape, AI’s influence is undeniable, with its widespread adoption set to shape the future of fast food. So which chains are using the technology? Quartz’s Francisco Velasquez explains.
The trouble with new cars
Shopping for a new car? Don’t assume reliability comes standard. Some models are proving to be more trouble than they’re worth, with issues ranging from noisy breaks to malfunctioning EV chargers.
Consumer Reports, a nonprofit consumer organization, dug into feedback from over 300,000 U.S. drivers and more than a dozen trouble spots to compile a list of which vehicles are falling short on dependability.
What cars are deemed the most unreliable? Quartz’s Ben Kesslen has more.
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Our best wishes on a safe start to the day. Send any news or comments to talk@qz.com. Today’s Daily Brief was brought to you by Francisco Velasquez and Audrey McNamara.