Each week, the Tomorrowist team publishes a video podcast and a deep-dive article on a single important trend facing businesses. But business leaders need a holistic view of the changing business landscape. Here are a few stories from around the web focused on other Tomorrowist-worthy trends that readers shouldn’t miss.
The AI Data Center Boom Will Create New Jobs. Most Won’t Be at Amazon, Microsoft, Google, or Meta. (Business Insider)
What to Know: Critics argue that PwC’s new study, which claims data centers contributed 4.7 million jobs to the U.S. economy from 2017 to 2023, is misleading. Only 603,900 of these jobs were direct industry roles, such as data center engineers, IT specialists, and facility managers. The majority are classified as “indirect” or “induced” through economic ripple effects and were often temporary. Additionally, PwC’s study calculated the jobs by using IMPLAN, a modeling software whose accuracy has faced long-standing scrutiny.
Why It Matters: Artificial intelligence and cloud computing are fueling the rapid expansion of data centers, reshaping local economies and labor markets along the way. However, the reality of job creation is more complex than it appears. While politicians and industry leaders tout data centers as major job creators, most positions are temporary construction jobs or indirect service roles rather than long-term, high-paying tech positions. As big tech companies ramp up investments, how these job numbers are calculated could sway future public policy and economic development strategies.
University of South Florida Gets $40 Million to Start Cyber and AI College (Wall Street Journal)
What to Know: The University of South Florida is launching the Bellini College of Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, and Computing, backed by a $40 million donation. The first U.S. college to integrate AI and cybersecurity into one academic institution will offer eight degree programs, including undergraduate, master’s, and Ph.D. options. The college aims to enroll 5,000 students by its third year, contributing to efforts to address the global cybersecurity workforce gap, which is estimated at 4.76 million professionals.
Why It Matters: As AI and cybersecurity technologies become increasingly intertwined, the demand for specialized talent is growing exponentially. As the first U.S. college to integrate AI and cybersecurity, Bellini College represents a new model for tech education, as it recognizes and prepares students for the growing overlap between AI and cybersecurity. For businesses, policymakers, and tech leaders, this signals a shift in workforce development — one where regional investments in education could shape the future of AI and cybersecurity talent pipelines.
Why America Is Turning into a Nation of Homebodies (Fast Company)
What to Know: U.S. residents are spending significantly more time at home than they did two decades ago, with time spent outside the home declining by nearly 1.5 hours per day between 2003 and 2023, according to an analysis of the American Time Use Survey. This long-term shift began well before the COVID-19 pandemic but was dramatically accelerated by it. Even as lockdowns ended, remote work, online shopping, and food delivery continued to reduce time spent on activities outside the home, such as commuting, shopping, and socializing.
Why It Matters: The rise of a home-centered lifestyle is transforming urban planning, business strategies, and social well-being. Demand for office and retail space is declining, transportation patterns have shifted, and research suggests that spending more time at home correlates with increased social isolation and loneliness. As this “antisocial century” takes hold, businesses and policymakers must adapt by reimagining cities, fostering social connections, and addressing the long-term effects of a stay-at-home economy.
Larry Fink Says Retirement Is a Benefit Increasingly Limited to Fortune 500 Employees, and Widening the Scope Should Be a ‘National Priority’ (Fortune)
What to Know: According to BlackRock CEO Larry Fink, only employees at top companies receive adequate retirement benefits, while many U.S. workers are left unprepared. Data from the Federal Reserve supports his concerns. One report found that just 34% of Americans feel their retirement savings are on track. The report also highlights a generational divide in retirement planning and saving, with only 26% of 18- to 29-year-olds believing they are saving enough, compared to 45% of those 60 and older.
Why It Matters: The retirement crisis isn’t just a personal finance issue. As fewer U.S. employees feel financially prepared for retirement, companies may face pressure to enhance workplace savings plans. Meanwhile, younger generations lacking confidence in their financial future may alter their consumer spending patterns, employment choices, and investment behaviors, influencing markets and economic growth.
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