Connected Economy

The innovations in technology, connected devices, software, payments and cellular technology make it possible for people and businesses to connect with each other and do business via any device, an in any digital or physical location safely, securely, and in real time. This integration of the digital and physical worlds will transform the economy across the ten pillars that today represent its key cornerstones – pillars that are already experiencing the impact of disruptive innovation as new blended, digital-first experience-driven ecosystems are now taking shape.

Stripe Eyes $10 Billion Deal for AI Model Marketplace OpenRouter
Stripe Eyes $10 Billion Deal for AI Model Marketplace OpenRouter
July 23, 2026  |  Artificial Intelligence

Stripe is in talks to buy OpenRouter, an artificial intelligence (AI) startup that could sell for roughly $10 billion, according to The Wall Street Journal....

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She Couldn’t Find the Right App, So She Had AI Build It
She Couldn’t Find the Right App, So She Had AI Build It
July 23, 2026  |  Artificial Intelligence

Maggie Gao posted on X in June that she had analyzed more than 10 million lines of public data to build a free tool for...

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Ford Embeds Apple Maps Directly into Upcoming EVs
Ford Embeds Apple Maps Directly into Upcoming EVs
July 23, 2026  |  Transportation

Apple Maps will be integrated into some upcoming Ford electric vehicles, the companies said Thursday (July 23). The integration of Apple Maps into Ford’s upcoming Universal Electric Vehicle...

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Why Digital Wallets Matter More Than Crypto for Credit Unions
Why Digital Wallets Matter More Than Crypto for Credit Unions
July 23, 2026  |  Credit Unions

Credit unions have an unusual digital asset dilemma. Most members are not asking them to become cryptocurrency exchanges, yet a sizable share of young members...

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Google Cloud Rides Enterprise AI Demand to 82% Growth
Google Cloud Rides Enterprise AI Demand to 82% Growth
July 22, 2026  |  Earnings

Alphabet’s second-quarter earnings announcement on Wednesday (July 22) provided a clearer answer to one of the central questions surrounding generative AI: Are businesses moving quickly...

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Uber Co-Founder Kalanick’s Atoms Secures $1.7 Billion to Build Physical AI
Uber Co-Founder Kalanick’s Atoms Secures $1.7 Billion to Build Physical AI
July 22, 2026  |  Artificial Intelligence

Uber Co-Founder Travis Kalanick’s company Atoms raised $1.7 billion to develop physical artificial intelligence (AI) for all the major industrial sectors. “Mining, construction, heavy transport, food...

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OpenAI Unveils Product to Hone AI Voice and Chat Agents
OpenAI Unveils Product to Hone AI Voice and Chat Agents
July 22, 2026  |  Artificial Intelligence

OpenAI has introduced a product designed to help enterprises deploy artificial intelligence (AI) voice and chat agents for uses cases such as customer support and...

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Dorsey’s Block Turns AI Agents Into Real Employees
Dorsey’s Block Turns AI Agents Into Real Employees
July 22, 2026  |  Artificial Intelligence

Block on Tuesday (July 21) released Buzz, an open-source collaboration platform where employees and artificial intelligence (AI) agents work side by side in the same...

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Apple Plans To Overhaul Computers to Meet AI Demand
Apple Plans To Overhaul Computers to Meet AI Demand
July 22, 2026  |  Mobile Commerce

Apple reportedly wants to overhaul its Mac line as consumers seek artificial intelligence (AI)-powered computers. The company plans to introduce new versions of every Mac...

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