Ali Hasham, a commercial leader with experience building successful inside sales teams for multi-billion dollar distributors, has launched Revenue Optics, a consulting firm that helps B2B distributors design and scale AI-enabled inside sales organizations. Hasham has worked with large distributors in North America since 2020, transforming their field sales models into digital-first commercial engines. He believes that proactive inside sales teams equipped with AI can drive growth by providing real-time customer insights and intelligent guidance to reps. Revenue Optics partners with private equity firms and mid-market B2B distributors to set up inside sales teams that are proactive growth drivers, rather than reactive order-takers.
Several markets are expected to experience significant growth in the coming years. The inventory management software market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 8.6% from 2025 to 2031, with no specific company or person mentioned. In contrast, the global data center infrastructure market is anticipated to reach $160.4 billion by 2031, according to a report. The eSIM market is expected to reach $17.98 billion by 2031, driven by advancements in technology. Artificial intelligence is also poised for significant growth, with an expected market size of $1,706.71 billion by 2031. Online exam proctoring and barcode software markets are projected to reach $2,346.94 million and $1,378.29 million, respectively, by 2031. The maritime analytics market is also expected to grow, reaching $2.56 billion by 2031.
China is home to the world's top open-sourced AI models, according to an American benchmarking platform created by researchers from the University of California, Berkeley. Kimi K2, MiniMax M1, Qwen 3 and a variant of DeepSeek R1 ranked as the top open-sourced AI models, beating out Google's Gemma 3-72B and Meta's Llama 4-Maverick, according to LMArena.
BeMine.club has been ranked as the #1 cloud mining provider by Bitcoin.com due to its innovative fractional ownership model, which allows users to purchase small shares of real mining equipment and earn proportional profits. This model enables flexibility and accessibility for users who may not be ready to invest thousands of dollars upfront. BeMine also offers AI-mining algorithms on select models like the Antminer L7, L9, and Z15, dynamically switching between profitable algorithms and coins in real-time. The platform provides always-on support with an in-house team available 24/7, a modern and intuitive dashboard for tracking performance, and gamified events with free rewards. BeMine is preparing to collaborate with industrial-grade facilities like Bitriver, which could enhance scalability and reliability, and potentially create one of the most comprehensive cloud mining ecosystems.
Coldplay's Chris Martin addressed an awkward moment at his concert in Boston's Gillette Stadium where CEO Andy Byron and HR chief Kristin Cabot were caught on camera embracing during a kiss cam, sparking controversy. The incident led to an investigation by Astronomer, the company they work for, which provides generative AI software to major companies like Uber and Ford. After the scandal, Byron stepped down as CEO, citing that he expected to set a standard of conduct and accountability, but failed to meet it.
China's state media reported a meeting of the state council where authorities promised to rein-in "irrational competition" in the electric vehicles sector, increasing monitoring of prices, costs and product quality, and ensuring car companies pay their suppliers on time. Xi Jinping had previously criticized excessive price competition driven by overproduction in various sectors, including EVs, solar panels, batteries, and data centers for artificial intelligence. The shift in stance suggests imbalances in supply and demand and overcapacity in some industries, a departure from previous assurances that there was no such problem.
D&AD will update its verification tools and introduce a new sign-off process for entries, aiming to strengthen accountability ahead of the awards opening in November. The move comes after a string of scandals at Cannes Lions, including AI-manipulated footage and misleading results from agencies such as DM9, LePub, Gut Amsterdam, Talented India, and FCB India. In response to these controversies, Cannes introduced new global integrity standards for 2026 submissions, which include dual-layer fact-checking, mandatory senior sign-offs, clear rules around synthetic media, and an Integrity Council to oversee escalated cases.
The US Department of Homeland Security has proposed a "weighted selection process" for applicants within the capped segment of the H-1B visa programme, which would prioritize workers holding at least a Master's degree and potentially increase average salaries to $172,000. The current system relies on a lottery, but tech giants like Amazon and Meta benefit from submitting large numbers of applications, increasing their share of visas.
The European Commission is involving civil society organizations (NGOs) in its upcoming work programme, with many funded actions requiring their participation. A spokesperson clarified this point after an update to the original article.