David Lidsky's Blog, page 24

The newbie’s guide to getting the most out of AI

It’s not too late to learn how to use AI like a pro. Four surefire ideas to get started.

At the University of Texas, where I’m senior vice provost of academic affairs, our credo (coined by the head of our Office of Academic Technology, Julie Schell) is to be AI Forward and AI Responsible. In service of this, over the past few years, we launched a homegrown AI tutoring platform (UT Sage), launched a second platform to enable faculty, staff, and students to engage with building AI tools (UT Spark), provided a license for Copilot for everyone at UT, and engaged a working group called Good Systems focused on the ethical implications of AI models.

Raising Cane’s is expanding to London’s West End in 2026, the chicken chain’s first European location

The cult favorite is already one of the fastest-growing chains in the U.S. ‘Our vision is to grow restaurants all over the world,’ says its co-CEO and COO.

While some wonder how the chicken crosses the road, Raising Cane’s is figuring out just how chicken fingers can cross the pond. The nation’s fast-growing restaurant chain is set to open its first U.K. location next year.

Texas banned cultivated meat. Now cultivated meat companies are suing

Cultivated meat companies say Texas’s ban is an unconstitutional way to protect the ranching industry from competition.

Cultivated meat—meat grown from cells, not from whole animals—isn’t yet a widespread option in grocery stores or restaurants. The innovation, which involves growing meat from real animal cells without raising or slaughtering any animals, is still relatively rare. But already, Texas lawmakers have decided to ban it. 

How executives can fast-track their impact in the first 90 days

Nearly 70% of CEOs replace members of their top team within two years, a reminder that leaders are often judged quickly on their ability to deliver. Here’s how to make the right choices.

Your first 90 days as an executive set the tone for your reputation, relationships, and results. During this period, the board, C-suite, and peers are silently asking themselves, Did we make the right choice? 

Florida moves to end all vaccine mandates, including for schoolchildren

State Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo calls mandates ‘disdain and slavery,’ despite decades of research showing lives saved.

Florida plans to become the first state in the country to eliminate all vaccine mandates, including for schoolchildren, state Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo, announced on Wednesday.

Oracle lays off thousands—or more—globally amid rapid AI shifts

The company hasn’t confirmed cuts despite multiple state notices and worker posts.

Employees at tech giant Oracle are facing down a fresh round of layoffs this month, the latest bad news out of an industry that’s either booming or brutal, depending on whom you ask.

Trump administration may block another offshore wind farm

The New England Wind project was approved by former President Joe Biden’s administration in 2024.

President Donald Trump’s administration is reconsidering federal approval of Avangrid’s planned New England Wind project off the coast of Massachusetts, according to a court filing on Wednesday.

Wall Street steadies with a boost from Alphabet

Also helping to steady Wall Street was a calming bond market.

Wall Street is steadying on Wednesday as Alphabet and other technology stocks rise.

Holiday spending is expected to drop this year—led by sharpest decline from Gen Z

Consumers are scrutinizing price tags more closely, wary of higher holiday costs ahead.

U.S. consumers, particularly Gen Z, are likely to spend significantly less on the holidays this year, according to a new PricewaterhouseCoopers survey.

7 strategies to overcome professional self-doubt

With a resilience framework, anyone can learn strategies to silence their self-doubt, reframe setbacks, and build confidence.

The vast majority of people—85%, to be exact—admit they lack confidence in the workplace: they avoid taking on leadership roles, they don’t speak up in meetings, and they doubt themselves. For those who feel marginalized, the feelings of low confidence can be even more stark.