Among the 200,000 items in Stanford’s Special Collections, a few were made for the limelight. There’s a seminal work by Copernicus, who proposed that the Earth revolves around the sun, that is valued at $2.5 million; a handwritten draft of Cannery Row, by John Steinbeck, Class of 1923; a receipt for grain from the year 2056 BCE, carved into a piece of hardened clay the size of a postage stamp.But…
Whereas Chinese public policy has traditionally targeted supply, notably through various forms of support for businesses (grants, tax credits, access to liquidity), and Xi Jinping used to regularly slam “welfare societies” where the welfare state and Keynesian mechanisms play a role, this shift in tone means there is now more emphasis on domestic consumption and demand.Last week, the Chinese authorities announced a plan to “vigorously boost consumption” – something they…
Choosing the right workforce planning approach for your organisation Workforce planning isn’t one-size-fits-all. While Strategic Workforce Planning (SWP) helps organisations plan for the long term, Tactical and Operational Workforce Planning address more immediate and mid-term needs. Understanding when to apply each approach is critical to workforce resilience, cost efficiency, and business success. Which planning approach is right for you? Reading time: 3 minutes Strategic, Tactical, or Operational Workforce Planning –…
Department of Justice logo. By: Ashley S. Jenkins and Minh N. Vu Seyfarth synopsis: The Trump DOJ rescinded five COVID-19 related documents and six older guidance documents designed to educate businesses on the requirements of the ADA, claiming that the recission will reduce the burden on businesses to review them. On March 19, 2025, to comply with President Trump’s January 20, 2025 memorandum “Delivering Emergency Price Relief for American Families…
Driven by the development of AI and other technologies, companies are gaining increasing ability1 to access and extract volumes of information from various online sources across jurisdictions. The ease and far-reaching capabilities of these data extraction or “scraping” tools give companies a competitive advantage that is enticing. With this ability, however, comes responsibility, particularly where personal information is concerned and regardless of whether the company is a foreign entity. The…
When we think of creativity, we imagine artists staring at a blank canvas, or businesses with unlimited budgets, dreaming up the next big thing. But sometimes the most innovative ideas arise when we’re pushed to work within limits. In fact, many art forms, from monochromatic art to Japanese haiku, build on the idea of doing more with less. Chef Alain Passard is a master of such “bounded creativity,” one of the…
An international team of scientists have uncovered a thriving underwater ecosystem off the coast of Antarctica that had never before been accessible to humans.The team, including researchers from the University of Cambridge, were working in the Bellingshausen Sea off the coast of Antarctica when a massive iceberg broke away from the George VI Ice Shelf in January of this year. The team, on board Schmidt Ocean Institute’s R/V Falkor (too),…
By London & Capital | 25 Mar, 2025 Following the merger of London & Capital (“L&C”) and Waverton Investment Management (“Waverton”) in July 2024, the company announces today that it will be consolidating its brands under a new name, W1M. The launch of W1M signals the coming together of two highly successful firms and coincides with the combined business surpassing £21 billion of assets under management, placing it amongst the…
25 March 2025By Miles ParkerAI adoption requires enormous amounts of electricity. And so does greening the economy. Are the digital and green transitions clashing or can they be successfully achieved together? The ECB Blog takes a closer look.This post is part of a miniseries related to the ECB conference “The Transformative Power of AI”, on 1-2 April 2025, bringing together researchers, practitioners, and policymakers. Learn more here.Two of the biggest…
Being an elephant is no easy task. As massive herbivores weighing several tons, they must consume vast amounts of low-calorie vegetation every day. However, their sheer size means that moving around to find food costs significant physical effort. Literally every step matters—especially in the vast, often harsh landscapes they traverse. African Elephant with GPS tracker. Image credit: Jane Wynyard, Save The Elephants. Understanding how elephants move through the landscape is…
On March 24, the Valdai Club hosted an expert discussion on the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty between Russia and Iran. Moderator Ivan Timofeev described the signing of this treaty as one of the most significant foreign policy developments in recent years. He highlighted the shared interests between Russia and Iran, particularly in light of the comparable pressure both nations face from Western countries, which has laid the political groundwork for…
Topics Data, AI, & Machine Learning AI & Machine Learning Column Our expert columnists offer opinion and analysis on important issues facing modern businesses and managers. More in this series Subscribe Share Carolyn Geason-Beissel/MIT SMR | Getty Images Summary: Leaders are often confused about when to use generative AI versus predictive AI (machine learning and deep learning) tools. The issue isn’t that one technology is superior: It’s about matching the…
Quick Hits California legislators have proposed bills in the 2025 legislative session that address pay transparency, automated decision systems, workplace surveillance, paid family leave, and employee training. The legislative session in California will end on September 12, 2025. The governor will have until October 12, 2025, to sign or veto bills passed by the state legislature. California legislators have introduced the following employment law-related bills this session: SB 642 would…
The Affordable Housing and Groceries Act (Bill C-56), which came into force on Dec. 15, 2023, and Bill C-59, which received Royal Assent on June 20, 2024 included sweeping amendments to the abuse of dominance provisions (s.79) and the civil anti-competitive agreements provisions (s.90.1) of the Competition Act (Act) which are forcing parties to consider new factors in negotiating the terms of various real estate agreements nationwide. A clear impetus…
The report finds that just ten universities are responsible for 53% of the UK’s spinouts, with Oxford securing the top position. Oxford’s success reflects its world-class research base, deep commercialisation expertise, and a strong network of investors and partners.This year’s report also highlights a significant reduction in the equity stakes taken by universities in spinouts. In 2024, the average university stake dropped to 16% – down from 22% the year…
US midsize industrial companies are renowned for their distinctive technologies, widely recognized products, and strong brands. But in terms of performance, they could do a lot more. If they realize their full potential, they could collectively boost US GDP by $275 billion to $460 billion and add up to 1.5 million jobs by 2030, a McKinsey Global Institute analysis shows. What’s more, by raising their profiles and performance, they could…
CamGraPhIC - co-founded Professor Andrea Ferrari, Director of the Cambridge Graphene Centre, and Dr Marco Romagnoli of CNIT in Italy - is developing new types of photonic circuits for energy-efficient, high-bandwidth, optical interconnect technology.is developing new types of photonic circuits for energy-efficient, high-bandwidth, optical interconnect technology.The investment will support continued innovation in graphene photonics transceivers, a technology that could improve energy efficiency, reduce latency, and increase bandwidth for artificial intelligence (AI) and cellular data…
In a ceremony on March 18, Stanford honored three collaborations and a faculty member for their work connecting university research and teaching with local needs. The university’s Community Partnership Awards, which are coordinated by the Office of Community Engagement, recognize collaborations between Stanford and Bay Area organizations that help improve the region’s well-being. The 2025 honorees include:Ayudando Latinos a Soñar and the Stanford Immigrant Child Health Program, which focuses on community…
These findings, published in the journal iScience, have important implications for understanding the technical abilities associated with the making of perishable tools – a topic which remains a highly unknown aspect of human technological evolution.Termites are a good source of energy, fat, vitamins, minerals and protein for chimpanzees. To eat the insects, chimpanzees need to use relatively thin probes to fish the termites out of the mounds where they live.…
In 2023, Tuberculosis (TB) caused more deaths worldwide than any other infectious disease. It is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and although largely unheard of in the developed world by the late 20th century, cases have been rising globally in recent years and it continues to place an enormous social and economic burden on much of the developing world.Although often thought of as a lung disease, TB can infect…
In a winter quarter course, Stanford undergraduates learned another way to disagree: by learning why people hold the positions they do.Approaching difference through curiosity was at the center of an optional, peer-led discussion seminar for undergraduates enrolled in Democracy and Disagreement, the popular course taught by Debra Satz, the Vernon R. and Lysbeth Warren Anderson Dean of the School of Humanities and Sciences (H&S), and Paul Brest, professor emeritus (active)…
During his 15-year career as a player in the NBA, Steve Kerr’s greatest performances occurred when he was enjoying the game. “I always played my best when I was having fun and I was loving the sport,” he told former Stanford women’s basketball coach Tara VanDerveer last Tuesday in Kissick Auditorium.The discussion was part of the final class in VanDerveer’s winter quarter Continuing Studies course Basketball: A Masterclass, which covered…
Quick Hits On February 26, 2025, a Wisconsin appellate court ruled that a taxpayer-funded educational grant program for minority students is unconstitutional, citing the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President and Fellows of Harvard College (SFFA). The court’s decision to halt the Minority Undergraduate Retention Program underscores the broader implications of the SFFA ruling, suggesting that race-based considerations in state-funded educational assistance programs may…
Across sectors, companies are accelerating remanufacturing as a way to mitigate supply chain shortages, reach new customers through affordability, and implement high-margin alternatives for parts. However, those looking to build or optimize their remanufacturing operations face unique challenges, such as pricing a long tail of SKUs and undertaking accurate core forecasting—that is, predicting the volume, timing, and quality of returned products (core) that will be available for remanufacturing. Enter AI.…
In celebration of the release of the 6th Edition of the Government Contracts Compliance Handbook, we are sharing six essential tips for avoiding product substitution issues in government contracting. Product substitution is one of the most frequent and costly procurement fraud risks. Contractors must ensure that all products delivered meet contract specifications, as noncompliance can lead to civil and criminal penalties, False Claims Act liability, contract terminations, and suspension or…
Driven by population and economic growth, global energy demand is expected to continue increasing in the coming years. With elevated awareness around fossil fuels and climate impact, investors are dedicating financial resources toward more sustainable methods of generating and consuming energy. For power and utility providers, that means a growing interest in renewable energy, which saw a 30% increase last year, compared to just 13% in the same period the…
Mounting headwinds in recent years have prompted biopharmaceutical companies to redefine how they create and sustain value. Over the past decade, the industry has produced major scientific breakthroughs, leading to improved outcomes for patients and strong shareholder returns of roughly 9 percent annually. However, companies are increasingly competing within crowded therapeutic spaces, asset life cycles are compressing, and major patents are expiring—all of which are compounded by stagnant R&D productivity,…
During his visit he saw the proposed city-centre site of Cambridge’s new flagship innovation hub, which was endorsed by the Chancellor Rachel Reeves earlier this year, and heard about plans for the space to support venture-backed, rapidly scaling companies. The hub will connect entrepreneurs, investors, and corporates, serving as the UK’s equivalent to Lab Central in Boston or Station F in Paris – a beacon for global talent and capital.While…
At an event hosted by the Stanford Emeriti/ae Community, President Jon Levin and his father, Yale President Emeritus Rick Levin, discussed the continued role of emeriti/ae faculty in university life, technology, and generational shifts in student communities.While much of the conversation, moderated by Iris Litt, chair of the Emeriti Council and professor emerita of pediatrics, focused on emeriti/ae concerns, they also touched on other aspects of campus life as well,…
Employers in the resources sector are watchful of legal developments in 2025 that could significantly impact their labour strategies, particularly their ability to engage, utilise and remove contractors. With non-labour costs rising and commodity prices remaining below their 2022 peaks, companies are under pressure to find ways to reduce labour costs. In this two-part series, I will look at three cases before the Australian courts and Fair Work Commission, which…
21 March 2025By António Dias da Silva and Marco WeisslerAI is already part of many workers’ daily routines. Some fear losing their jobs, but most don’t. The ECB Blog looks at how workers are using AI tools, how they feel about it and what that means for work in the future.This post is part of a miniseries related to the ECB conference “The Transformative Power of AI”, on 1-2 April…
Until then, Hungary will have to endure growing pressure on sovereign forces within the EU, primarily targeting itself. With changes in America, the centre of gravity for progressive globalist politics is shifting to Western Europe by default, complicating the position of patriots. At the same time, Trump’s return has a clear positive effect for European sovereigntists, particularly Orbán. Good relations with the US president could not only help the Hungarian…
Research Highlight Online meetings are still wearing us out. Neuroscience research shows that they are uniquely fatiguing, but there are ways to make them more manageable. Eoin Whelan, René Riedl, Markus Salo, and Henri Pirkkalainen March 20, 2025 Reading Time: 10 min Carolyn Geason-Beissel/MIT SMR | Getty Images Summary: “Virtual meeting fatigue” is no longer just a buzz phrase — it’s a measurable neurological phenomenon. Brain- and heart-monitoring experiments have…
How our pro-bono consulting is making a real difference for charities, communities, and young people In FY23/24, we provided £1 million in pro bono consulting to 24 charities and not-for-profits through the Q5 Foundation. Our four pillars Pop-Up Consulting, Community Partnerships, Young People, and Research Collaborations drive lasting social impact. Looking ahead to FY25/26, we’re committed to expanding our reach and continuing to support those who need it most. Download…
Quick Hits Covered entities in New York must submit their annual cybersecurity compliance forms to the NYDFS by April 15, 2025, either certifying material compliance or acknowledging material noncompliance. Starting May 1, 2025, new requirements will be implemented, including enhanced access management protocols, vulnerability management through automated scans, and improved monitoring measures to protect against cybersecurity threats. In November 2023, NYDFS amended its comprehensive cybersecurity regulations with the changes set…
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in the developed world. The most widely used method of diagnosing prostate cancer involves a biopsy that passes a needle through the lining of the lower bowel (the rectum) and into the prostate gland, which is performed under local anaesthetic. This is called the transrectal route. Researchers and doctors have been looking for ways to improve the needle biopsy process, largely due to…
The system, Aardvark Weather, has been supported by the Alan Turing Institute, Microsoft Research and the European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasts. It provides a blueprint for a new approach to weather forecasting with the potential to transform current practices. The results are reported in the journal Nature.“Aardvark reimagines current weather prediction methods offering the potential to make weather forecasts faster, cheaper, more flexible and more accurate than ever…
Stanford’s Research, Action, and Impact through Strategic Engagement (RAISE) fellows spend the greater part of three years fostering and building deep connections with communities, both locally and abroad. That work, completed over the course of the three-year fellowship, is supported through tuition, a stipend, and funding to support the partnership of a community-based organization.As the first of Stanford’s RAISE fellows cohort complete their projects this year, feedback from their community…
This year’s report pushes us to look beyond traditional determinants like health and wealth. It turns out that sharing meals and trusting others are even stronger predictors of wellbeing than expected. In this era of social isolation and political polarisation we need to find ways to bring people around the table again — doing so is critical for our individual and collective wellbeing. Jan-Emmanuel De Neve, director of Oxford’s Wellbeing Research Centre and…
Imagine this: A senior leader makes an offhanded, inappropriate remark in a team meeting. The room tenses, eyes drop, and a few uncomfortable chuckles fill the silence. No one speaks up. You’re caught off guard, unsure what to do. Later, someone from that meeting comes to you. Frustrated, upset. “Why didn’t anyone say anything? Why does this keep happening?” You’ve heard it before. Employees see the problem, but they don’t…