• Universities risk becoming passive arms of Silicon Valley if they don’t question how AI shapes truth, a professor says

    Engineering students at the International Technology Olympics, Pardis Technology Park, in Tehran, on October 28, 2025.
    A professor says AI didn't cause the crisis in education — it exposed it.

    • A university professor warns that institutions of higher learning are ceding autonomy to Big Tech.
    • Bruna Damiana Heinsfeld says AI tools teach Big Tech's logic as inevitable, reshaping what counts as knowledge.
    • She cautions that uncritical AI adoption risks letting corporate systems define truth for students.

    Universities risk surrendering their intellectual autonomy to Silicon Valley's influence as they rush to adopt AI, one professor says.

    In an essay for the Civics of Technology Project — an education platform analyzing technology's societal impact — Bruna Damiana Heinsfeld, an assistant professor of learning technologies at the University of Minnesota, said that colleges are allowing Big Tech to reshape what counts as knowledge, truth, and academic value.

    From multimillion-dollar partnerships with AI vendors to classrooms infused with corporate branding, she said, universities are shifting toward a model where technological tools are bundled with the identity of the companies behind them.

    As academic leaders scramble to look "AI-ready," Heinsfeld warned that the sector is drifting from critical inquiry toward compliance, risking a future in which Silicon Valley, not educators, sets the terms of learning.

    AI isn't just a tool — it's a worldview, she warns

    Heinsfeld said AI tools promote a worldview where efficiency is presumed to be a virtue, scale is inherently desirable, and data becomes the default language of truth.

    Universities adopting these systems without critical examination risk teaching students that the logic of Big Tech is not merely useful but inevitable, she added.

    Heinsfeld pointed to California State University as an example of that shift on full display.

    The university signed a $16.9 million contract in February to roll out ChatGPT Edu across 23 campuses, providing more than 460,000 students and 63,000 faculty and staff with access to the tool through mid-2026.

    It hosted an AWS-powered "AI camp" in the summer, where students arrived to find Amazon branding everywhere, including corporate slogans, AWS notebooks, and promotional swag.

    The risks extend beyond institutional strategy

    Kimberley Hardcastle
    Kimberley Hardcastle said generative AI is quietly shifting knowledge and critical thinking from humans to Big Tech's algorithms.

    Another academic said the problem is already playing out in the day-to-day mechanics of learning.

    Kimberley Hardcastle, a business and marketing professor at Northumbria University in the UK, told Business Insider that universities must overhaul how they design assessments now that students' "epistemic mediators" — the tools that help them make sense of the world — have fundamentally changed.

    Hardcastle advocates requiring students to demonstrate their reasoning: how they arrived at a conclusion, which sources they consulted beyond AI, and how they verified information against primary evidence, she said.

    She said students also need deliberate "epistemic checkpoints," moments designed into coursework where they must pause and ask: "Am I using this tool to enhance my thinking or replace it? Have I engaged with the underlying concepts or just the AI's summary? Do I understand, or am I just recalling information?"

    The real danger is ceding the authority to define truth

    For Heinsfeld, the risk is that corporations will dictate what constitutes legitimate knowledge. For Hardcastle, it's that students will no longer understand how to assess truth for themselves.

    Both say universities must remain the space where students are taught to think, not just how to operate tools.

    "Education should remain the space where we confront the architectures of our tools," Heinsfeld wrote. Otherwise, "it risks becoming the laboratory of the very systems it should critique."

    Hardcastle made a similar point, adding that this future will be shaped not only by institutional decisions but by every moment a student accepts an AI-generated answer without knowing how to question it.

    Read the original article on Business Insider
  • Celebrities who died in 2025

    Rob Reiner smiling in a suit and tie
    Rob Reiner.

    • Actors Dianie Keaton, Robert Redford, Gene Hackman, Val Kilmer, Rob Reiner, and Michelle Trachtenberg died in 2025.
    • Musicians Ozzy Osbourne, D'Angelo, Brian Wilson, Roberta Flack, and Sly Stone also passed away.
    • So did former vice president Dick Cheney, fashion icon Giorgio Armani, director David Lynch, and primatologist Jane Goodall.

    Below, we look back at those we lost in 2025.

    Loni Anderson, 79
    Loni Anderson in a pink top
    Loni Anderson.

    In an era when playing the ditzy blonde was all the rage, Loni Anderson turned that trope on its head and found acclaim.

    Anderson is best known for playing the smart, sophisticated, go-getter receptionist in the late 1970s series "WKRP in Cincinnati."

    Her performance earned her three Golden Globe nominations and two Emmy nominations over the show's four-season run.

    "WKRP" turned out to be Anderson's high water mark professionally, but her fame soared through the 1980s and 1990s with her marriage to Burt Reynolds. Their relationship and messy split were constant tabloid fodder.

    Anderson died on August 3 following a prolonged illness.

    Giorgio Armani, 91
    Giorgio Armani in a t-shirt with his hands folded
    Giorgio Armani.

    Armani's name has been synonymous with high fashion for the last 50 years.

    From dressing practically every famous person for the last half century to using his talents to do the costuming for movies like "American Gigolo," "The Untouchables," "The Wolf of Wall Street," and "The Dark Knight," Giorgio Armani used his eye for fashion and innovation to become a cultural icon.

    Armani died on September 4. No cause was given.

    Jeff Baena, 47
    Jeff Baena in a green sweater
    Jeff Baena.

    Baena was known for writing and directing comedic independent movies like "Life After Beth," "The Little Hours," and "Horse Girl."

    Many of them starred his wife, Aubrey Plaza.

    He also wrote the 2004 movie "I Heart Huckabees" with director David O. Russell.

    Baena died by suicide on January 3.

    If you or someone you know is experiencing depression or has had thoughts of harming themself or taking their own life, get help. In the US, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Help is also available through the Crisis Text Line — just text "HOME" to 741741. The International Association for Suicide Prevention offers resources for those outside the US.

    Joe Don Baker, 89
    Joe Don Baker with a cigarette in his mouth
    Joe Don Baker.

    Baker was known for his tough guy roles, playing heroes and villains with equal intensity for close to four decades.

    The Texas native found stardom in 1973 playing the real-life moonshine-busting Tennessee Sheriff Buford Pusser in the surprise hit "Walking Tall."

    A string of memorable roles utilizing his intimidating presence followed. He played a crooked cop opposite Chevy Chase in the 1985 hit comedy "Fletch," teamed up with Nick Nolte to try to stop a crazed Robert De Niro in Martin Scorsese's 1991 remake of "Cape Fear," and, between those movies, played a fictional version of Babe Ruth opposite Robert Redford in the 1984 sports classic "The Natural."

    Baker also has the distinction of playing both a villain (1987's "The Living Daylights") and a good guy (1995's "GoldenEye," 1997's "Tomorrow Never Dies") in the James Bond franchise.

    Baker died on May 7. No cause was given.

    Anne Burrell, 55
    Anne Burrell holding a plate of food on a stage
    Anne Burrell.

    Burrell was a Food Network star known for her spiky platinum hair and her enthusiasm for the culinary arts. After getting her start in Italian restaurants in New York City, she rose to fame after appearing as a sous chef to Mario Batali on "Iron Chef America."

    She soon became a staple on the Food Network, appearing on "Chef Wanted," "Chopped," and "Food Network Star," and hosting the Emmy-nominated "Secrets of a Restaurant Chef" and "Worst Cooks in America."

    Burrell died on June 17; no cause was given.

    Dick Button, 95
    Dick Button staking on ice
    Dick Button.

    Button was one of the greats in men's figure skating.

    His dominance in the sport began in the late 1940s, when he began winning on the amateur circuit by landing moves no one had ever seen done before in competition, including the double axel and the triple jump.

    He would go on to win two Olympic gold medals and five consecutive world championships.

    Once he retired, he went on to become an Emmy-winning analyst and even was one of the minds behind the popular 1970s competition show "Battle of the Network Stars," in which celebrities challenged one another in various sports competitions.

    Button died on January 30. No cause was given.

    Richard Chamberlain, 90
    Richard Chamberlain leaning against a fence
    Richard Chamberlain.

    A beloved actor on the stage and screen for decades, Chamberlain was the face of the acclaimed 1980s miniseries "The Thorn Birds" and "Shogun," both of which garnered him Emmy nominations.

    He also found acclaim onstage, starring in revivals of "My Fair Lady" and "The Sound of Music."

    In the 2000s, Chamberlain had memorable guest-starring roles on shows like "Will and Grace" and "Desperate Housewives."

    Chamberlain died on March 29 of complications following a stroke.

    Dick Cheney, 84
    Dick Cheney standing at a podium
    Dick Cheney.

    Cheney was the 46th Vice President of the United States. He served two terms as VP to George W. Bush.

    He was one of the main leaders in the country's response to the terrorist attack on September 11, 2001, including the global war on terror, in which he alleged that Saddam Hussein possessed weapons of mass destruction, a claim that was never proven.

    In popular culture, Cheney was a fixture on "Saturday Night Live" during his tenure as VP, often portrayed by Darrell Hammond. In Oliver Stone's 2008 George W. Bush biopic, "W.," Cheney was played by Richard Dreyfuss. In the 2018 Cheney biopic "Vice," directed by Adam McKay, Christian Bale played Cheney.

    Cheney died on November 3 due to complications of pneumonia and cardiac and vascular disease, his family said in a statement.

    Leslie Charleson, 79
    Leslie Charleson riding a horse
    Leslie Charleson.

    For 50 years, fans of "General Hospital" knew Charleson as Dr. Monica Quartermaine, a role she played since 1977.

    Charleson was beloved by fans and used her celebrity to support charities for breast cancer, cystic fibrosis, and AIDS awareness.

    Charleson's other credits include "Adam 12," "Barnaby Jones," "Marcus Welby, M.D.," "Ironside," "Kung Fu," and "The Rockford Files."

    She also starred in "Happy Days" and gave Ron Howard his first on-screen kiss.

    Charleson died on January 12 following a long illness.

    Jimmy Cliff, 81
    Jimmy Cliff in a brown jacket
    Jimmy Cliff.

    This two-time Grammy winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer is one of the key figures responsible for bringing reggae music to the mainstream.

    Starring in the 1972 hit movie "The Harder They Come," he also wrote and performed many of the songs on the soundtrack, including "You Can Get It If You Really Want." The film and soundtrack are regarded as landmark works in popularizing the reggae sound globally.

    Cliff died on November 24 following a seizure and battle with pneumonia.

    D'Angelo, 51
    D'Angelo singing into a microphone with a hat on
    D'Angelo.

    D'Angelo was one of the major talents to usher in the neo-soul sound of the late 1990s and early 2000s.

    His 1995 debut album, "Brown Sugar," turned him into an international star, thanks to the chart-topping song "Lady." The album would end up going platinum.

    He became a sex symbol with his second album, "Voodoo," which featured the hit song "(Untitled) How Does It Feel," which had a famously raunchy music video in which the star appeared to be nude. The song would go on to earn him a Grammy for best male R&B vocal performance; the album would also win best R&B album.

    D'Angelo died on October 14 following a bout with cancer.

    Marianne Faithfull, 78
    Marianne Faithfull in a blue top
    Marianne Faithfull.

    Faithfull was a fixture in the London music scene during the 1960s.

    She was discovered by The Rolling Stones manager Andrew Loog Oldham, which led to her finding instant stardom not just for her chart-topping music, like "As Tears Go By," which became a top 5 single in the UK, but also for her hard-partying ways alongside her then-flame Mick Jagger.

    Throughout the 1960s, she was the inspiration for Stones hits "You Can't Always Get What You Want" and "Wild Horses" while being a co-writer on "Sister Morphine." But she was also in a deep addiction to drugs. She was famously found wearing nothing but a fur rug during a 1967 drug bust at Keith Richards' Sussex home.

    Faithfull made a comeback with the 1979 album "Broken English," which earned her a Grammy nomination.

    Other hit songs include "This Little Bird," "Summer Nights," and "Come and Stay With Me."

    She also starred in movies like 1967's "I'll Never Forget What's'isname" and 1968's "The Girl on the Motorcycle."

    Faithfull died on January 30. No cause was given.

    Roberta Flack, 88
    Roberta Flack smiling wearing a dress
    Roberta Flack.

    Flack's smooth R&B vocals made her a star in the 1970s with Grammy-winning hits like "The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face," "Killing Me Softly with His Song," and "Feel Like Makin' Love."

    Over her career, Flack scored six top-10 pop hits and 10 top-10 R&B singles. She was also the first artist to win the record of the year Grammy in two consecutive years, for 1973's "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" and 1974's "Killing Me Softly with His Song."

    Flack was introduced to a new generation in the 1990s when The Fugees did a Grammy-winning cover of "Killing Me Softly" in 1996.

    Flack died on February 24. No cause was given.

    George Foreman, 76
    George Foreman with his fists up
    George Foreman.

    Foreman was a two-time heavyweight boxing champion, winning his titles in 1973 at the age of 24 and again in 1994 at the age of 45.

    Foreman fought formidable legends throughout his long-lasting boxing career, including Muhammad Ali in 1974 — dubbed The Rumble in the Jungle, one of the most-watched televised sporting events of the time — and Evander Holyfield in 1991.

    Toward the end of his career, Foreman became the face of Salton Inc.'s George Foreman Grill, making millions through his household name.

    His family announced on social media that he died on March 21. No cause was given. Foreman was 76.

    Ace Frehley, 74
    Ace Frehley in KISS makeup holding a guitar
    Ace Frehley.

    As the lead guitarist and founding member of the band Kiss, Ace Frehley is cemented as glam rock royalty.

    Frehley's guitar licks are found on all of the band's hits, most notably "Shock Me" and "Cold Gin."

    Frehley was also a successful solo artist, releasing nine albums.

    But, for most, he'll forever be known as his face-painted Kiss alter-ego "The Spaceman."

    Frehley died on October 16. Weeks before his death, TMZ reported he fell in his studio, causing a brain bleed.

    Anthony Geary, 78
    Anthony Geary with arms stretches out on a wooden railing
    Anthony Geary.

    Over 1,000 episodes spanning 39 years, soap opera fans knew Anthony Geary simply as Luke Spencer.

    At the height of the soap opera craze in 1978, no one was bigger than Geary on "General Hospital." Geary's character Spencer became an obsession for fans when he and Laura Webber (Genie Francis) became an item. The characters' wedding episode was seen by over 30 million people, making it the highest-rated soap opera episode in TV history.

    Geary finally said goodbye to the Spencer character in 2017. He won eight Daytime Emmys over his career.

    Geary died on December 14 due to complications from a medical procedure.

    Gil Gerard, 82
    Gil Gerard in a gold jacket
    Gil Gerard.

    Fueled by the popularity of sci-fi in the late 1970s, Gil Gerard became one of the biggest TV stars of the era with the made-for-TV movie and TV show "Buck Rogers in the 25th Century."

    Gerard starred as Rogers, a NASA astronaut who gets frozen in space in a freak accident and awakens in the year 2491. With his dashing looks and rebel attitude, he was something akin to the TV version of Han Solo.

    Though the show only ran for two seasons, it lived on for decades in syndication, which linked Gerard to the character for the rest of his life.

    Gerard died on December 16 due to an "aggressive form of cancer," according to his wife.

    Jane Goodall, 91
    Jane Goodall in the jungle holding binoculars
    Jane Goodall.

    Dr. Jane Goodall dedicated her life to animal activism, making her a beloved figure worldwide.

    Since traveling into the wilds of Tanzania in the summer of 1960 at the age of 26, Goodall went on to become the foremost expert on chimpanzees.

    Her decades-long study on the species revealed that primates exhibit a range of behaviors similar to those of humans, including communication and personality traits.

    She was named a Dame of the British Empire in 2003 and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2025.

    Goodall died on October 1 of natural causes.

    Irv Gotti, 54
    Irv Gotti pointing with both hands
    Irv Gotti.

    In an era of hip-hop where the producers were as prominent as the artists, Irv Gotti was one of the shining stars of the late 1990s and 2000s.

    Gotti, who was born Irving Domingo Lorenzo Jr. and later went by DJ Irv, came on the scene as A&R for Def Jam. He brought in artists that would define the next generation of hip-hop to the label like Jay-Z, DMX, and Ja Rule.

    His coming out party was producing one of Jay-Z's first hits, "Can I Live," from his 1996 debut album "Reasonable Doubt."

    Soon after, his Irv Gotti persona was created when he founded the rap label Murder Inc. Records, bringing along artists like DMX and Ja Rule and signing others like Ashanti.

    There he became the face of smash hits like Jay-Z's "Can I Get A…," DMX's "What's My Name," Ja Rule's "Holla Holla," Fat Joe's "What's Luv?," Jennifer Lopez's "I'm Real," and Ashanti's "Foolish."

    In recent years, Gotti had suffered strokes and battled diabetes-related issues. He died on February 5. No cause was given.

    Graham Greene, 73
    Graham Greene in a jacket
    Graham Greene.

    Greene's work over the decades opened doors for Indigenous actors in Hollywood.

    Born on the Six Nations Reserve in Ontario, Canada, Greene began performing on stage in the 1970s. By the end of the decade, he made it to Hollywood, scoring bit roles on TV and in movies.

    Greene's breakout role was playing Kicking Bird, one of the main supporting characters in Kevin Costner's 1990 epic "Dances with Wolves." He would go to earn an Oscar nomination for best supporting actor.

    Greene ran with the attention, landing roles in big movies through the rest of the '90s and beyond, like "Maverick" (1994), "Die Hard with a Vengeance" (1995), "The Green Mile" (1999), "The Twilight Saga: New Moon" (2009), "Wind River" (2017), and "Molly's Game" (2017).

    Most recently, he starred in episodes of "Reservation Dogs" and "Tulsa King."

    Greene died on September 1; no cause was given.

    Peter Greene, 60
    Peter Greene in a black jacket and shirt
    Peter Greene.

    Peter Greene found fame playing the bad guy.

    From his big-screen debut in the 1992 indie "Laws of Gravity," he always gravitated to the tough guy roles in everything from "The Usual Suspects" to "Training Day."

    But his two biggest roles both came in 1994, when he played the villain opposite Jim Carrey in "The Mask" and sadistic store owner Zed, who beats up Bruce Willis in "Pulp Fiction."

    Greene was found dead in his New York City apartment on December 12.

    Gene Hackman, 95
    Gene Hackman leaning up against a fence
    Gene Hackman.

    Hackman was a superstar in the skin of a character actor.

    From his breakout in 1967's "Bonnie and Clyde" to his final movie, 2004's "Welcome to Mooseport," this skilled actor did it all with low-key confidence.

    Even when he played the diabolical villain Lex Luthor in the Christopher Reeve "Superman" movies, Hackman's deft performance was never about upstaging other actors.

    But audiences couldn't help but gravitate to him. Taking on roles in projects that would become classics like the gritty cop "Popeye" Doyle in "The French Connection," which earned him an Oscar; a surveillance expert in "The Conversation;" a tough but fair basketball coach in "Hoosiers;" and showing his comedy chops in "Get Shorty" and "The Birdcage," Hackman became beloved.

    He abruptly retired in 2004 and spent the rest of his life writing novels and enjoying life with his wife Betsy Arakawa.

    Hackman and Arakawa were found dead in their Santa Fe, New Mexico, home on February 26. An investigation is ongoing.

    Hulk Hogan, 71
    Hulk Hogan gestures to the audience during his Hulkamania Tour at the Burswood Dome on November 24, 2009.
    Hulk Hogan during his 2009 Hulkamania Tour.

    Hulk Hogan, born Terry Bollea, was one of the most famous pro wrestlers in history. He was instrumental in transforming the WWE into a global entertainment behemoth, headlined the inaugural WrestleMania in 1985, and won six WWE Championships throughout his career.

    In the mid-2000s, Hogan starred in a popular VH1 reality show, "Hogan Knows Best," which followed his family life.

    Hogan died at his home in Clearwater, Florida, on July 24.

    Henry Jaglom, 87
    Henry Jaglom dressed in black with a black hat
    Henry Jaglom.

    Jaglom was one of the driving forces of independent cinema in America and an important figure in the "New Hollywood" wave that hit Hollywood in the 1970s.

    Jaglom started out as an actor in New York City, making friends with the likes of Jack Nicholson and Bruce Dern. By the late 1960s, he went out to Los Angeles with friend Peter Bogdanovich, which led to him landing small acting roles, including guest spots on Sally Field sitcoms "The Flying Nun" and "Gidget."

    He then turned his attention to working behind the camera. Thanks to his connection to Nicholson, he did some editing on the seminal "New Hollywood" movie "Easy Rider" (1969) and then started making his own movies like "A Safe Place" (1971), which featured Nicholson and Orson Welles (Jaglom and Welles would remain friends until Welles' death), and "Tracks" starring "Easy Rider" director and star Dennis Hopper.

    Jaglom would seal his indie auteur title with movies like "New Year's Day" (1989) and "Last Summer in the Hamptons" (1995).

    Jaglom died on September 22; no cause was given.

    Nicky Katt, 54
    Nicky Katt in a white tshirt
    Nicky Katt.

    Katt started his career as a child actor landing roles in "Fantasy Island" and "CHiPs" in the 1980s, but it was the roles he played as an adult that would cement his legacy.

    From "Dazed and Confused" to "Boiler Room," Katt often played the heel, and dispensing wiseass remarks with a dark stare became his signature.

    Katt became a favorite of directors like Steven Soderbergh, who cast him in "The Limey" and "Full Frontal," and Christopher Nolan, who gave him parts in "Insomnia" and "The Dark Knight."

    The actor also played the edgy teacher Harry Senate in the series "Boston Public."

    Katt died on April 8. His family confirmed to Deadline that he died by suicide.

    Diane Keaton, 79
    Diane Keaton in a white pant suit
    Diane Keaton.

    Diane Keaton starred in some of the most memorable films in the history of Hollywood.

    Before her iconic turn as the title character in Woody Allen's "Annie Hall," which earned her an Oscar in 1978, Keaton rose to prominence for her role as Kay Adams-Corleone in Francis Ford Coppola's "The Godfather." Keaton reprised that role in the franchise's two subsequent films. She also starred in "Reds," "Father of the Bride," "The First Wives Club," and "Marvin's Room."

    Keaton died on October 11 in California. No cause was given.

    Udo Kier, 81
    Udo Kier in a black jacket holding a cigarette
    Udo Kier.

    Over a 50-year career, Kier worked with everyone from Andy Warhol to Lars von Trier.

    Starting his career playing the heartthrob main character in Warhol's experimental B-movies in the early 1970s ("Flesh for Frankenstein" and "Blood for Dracula"), the German actor with piercing blue eyes would go on to star in over 200 films, from main roles in Von Trier's masterpieces ("Breaking the Waves," "Melancholia") to scene-stealing appearances in blockbusters like "Blade" and "Armageddon."

    Kier died on November 23; no cause was given.

    Val Kilmer, 65
    Val Kilmer in a white shirt
    Val Kilmer.

    Val Kilmer was a quintessential movie star who delivered some of the most memorable performances in movie history.

    As the hotshot flyer "Iceman" in 1986's Top Gun, he became a scene stealer who could hold his own against Tom Cruise.

    From there, Kilmer shot to superstardom in movies like 1988's "Willow," Oliver Stone's 1991 biopic "The Doors," in which he played the band's legendary frontman Jim Morrison; 1993's "Tombstone," in which he played Doc Holliday; and Michael Mann's 1995 classic "Heat," in which he played a thief opposite Robert De Niro.

    That same year, he would also become a major box office draw playing Batman in the 1995 movie "Batman Forever."

    In 2014, Kilmer was diagnosed with throat cancer and recovered, but his voice was permanently damaged from a tracheotomy.

    His final movie appearance was reprising his Iceman role in 2022's "Top Gun: Maverick."

    Kilmer died on April 1 of pneumonia.

    Diane Ladd, 89
    Diane Ladd in a blue dress
    Diane Ladd.

    With over 200 movie and TV roles, Ladd was the epitome of the character actor.

    Over her career, she garnered three Oscar nominations, three Primetime Emmy nominations, and four Golden Globes nominations.

    She's known best for starring in movies like Martin Scorsese's 1974 drama "Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore," playing the sassy waitress Flo opposite Ellen Burstyn, and the David Lynch 1990 classic "Wild at Heart," in which she starred alongside her daughter, Laura Dern. Ladd was Oscar-nominated for both performances.

    Ladd's other credits include "Chinatown," "Rambling Rose," which was another movie she starred opposite her daughter (and earned her third Oscar nomination), and "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation," where she played the mother of Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase).

    Ladd died on November 3 at her home in California, with her daughter by her side.

    Ananda Lewis, 52
    Ananda Lewis in a red dress
    Ananda Lewis.

    As an MTV veejay in the late 1990s and early 2000s, Ananda Lewis was a standout. After getting her start hosting BET's "Teen Summit," she moved over to MTV, hosting its hit shows "MTV Live," "Total Request Live," and "Hot Zone." She also had her own show, "The Ananda Lewis Show," which ran from 2001 to 2002.

    In 2020, Lewis announced that she had been battling breast cancer for two years. Last October, she revealed her cancer had progressed to stage four. Lewis died on June 11.

    David Lynch, 78
    David Lynch pointing finger at lens
    David Lynch.

    Lynch was the visionary director of surrealist films like "The Elephant Man," "Blue Velvet," "Mulholland Drive," and the hit TV series "Twin Peaks."

    His groundbreaking works blended elements of everything from horror to film noir to surrealism, creating a uniquely skewed vision of America.

    After adapting Frank Herbert's "Dune" in 1984, resulting in a box office flop, Lynch produced a string of surrealist works that would define his career: 1986's "Blue Velvet," 1990's "Wild at Heart," 1992's "Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me" (the prequel to his hit TV show "Twin Peaks," which ran from 1990 to 1991), and 1997's "Lost Highway."

    Each title showcased Lynch's seemingly limitless creativity as he pushed the boundaries of narrative structure while dazzling the viewer with exquisite production design and cinematography.

    The Lynch family announced his passing on January 16. In August 2024, the filmmaker announced that he had emphysema following decades of smoking, but said he hadn't smoked in over two years.

    Michael Madsen, 67
    Michael Madsen in a grey jacket and black shirt
    Michael Madsen.

    Playing memorable roles in Quentin Tarantino movies like "Reservoir Dogs," the "Kill Bill" movies, "The Hateful Eight," and "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood," Madsen was known for his ultra-cool tough guy characters.

    Outside of the Tarantino universe, he had memorable roles as a slick cop chasing an alien in 1995's "Species" and a mobster in 1997's "Donnie Brasco."

    Madsen had close to 350 movie credits to his name, dating back to the 1980s with small roles in "The Natural," where he played an egotistical baseball player opposite Robert Redford, and a blink-and-you'd-miss-it part in the hit Matthew Broderick thriller "WarGames."

    But the role he'll forever be known best for was playing the crook Mr. Blonde in Tarantino's 1992 masterpiece, "Reservoir Dogs." Sporting black shades, a black suit with a white shirt, and a skinny black tie, Madsen had the memorable line, "Are you gonna bark all day, little doggie, or are you gonna bite?" He also famously strutted to the song "Stuck in the Middle With You" while torturing a cop.

    Madsen died on July 3 at his Malibu home. No cause was given.

    Wink Martindale, 91
    Wink Martindale laughing
    Wink Martindale.

    After working as everything from a disc jockey to the host of a kids' sci-fi series to a chart-topping artist (with the 1959 spoken-word tune "Deck of Cards"), Wink Martindale found his true calling as a game show host in the 1960s.

    His first was NBC's "What's This Song?" in 1964. Then in 1972 came his first hit, "Gambit." That was followed by the even more popular "Tic-Tac-Dough," which ran until the late 1980s.

    Martindale went on to host other game shows through the decades like "High Rollers," "The Last Word," "The Great Getaway Game," "Trivial Pursuit," "Debt," and "Instant Recall."

    Martindale died on April 15. No cause was given.

    Julian McMahon, 56
    Julian McMahon in a grey suit
    Julian McMahon.

    Son of the former Australian prime minister, William McMahon, Julian was in the spotlight from his birth, and it only grew as he got older.

    Born in 1968, he quickly became a celebrity in his home country in the late 1980s and early 1990s as a fixture on popular Aussie soap operas like "The Power, The Passion" and "Home and Away."

    But that was just a small sample of his talents. In the late 1990s, he had made the move to American television, starring in NBC's "Profiler" and the WB's "Charmed."

    Then he got the role that would change his life: the dashing plastic surgeon Christian Troy in the Ryan Murphy FX series hit "Nip/Tuck." It would go on to run for six seasons and earn McMahon a Golden Globe best actor nomination.

    After that, he played Doctor Doom in the early 2000s "Fantastic Four" movies, had a stint on "FBI: Most Wanted," and the Netflix series "The Residence." One of his final roles was opposite Nicolas Cage in the 2024 movie "The Surfer."

    McMahon died of cancer on July 2.

    Sam Moore, 89
    Sam Moore holding a microphone
    Sam Moore.

    Moore's R&B sound influenced everyone from Michael Jackson to Bruce Springsteen.

    Alongside Dave Prater, Moore found fame in the 1960s with Sam & Dave, a duo who had hits like "Hold On, I'm Comin'" and "Soul Man."

    "Soul Man" would gain renewed popularity in the late 1970s when Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi began performing the song as their alter egos, R&B singers The Blues Brothers, on "Saturday Night Live." The song would continue to find new fans in 1980 when "The Blues Brothers" movie was released.

    Moore went solo in 1970 and was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1992.

    Moore died on January 10 from complications while recovering from surgery.

    Ozzy Osbourne, 76
    Ozzy Osbourne performs at halftime during the NFL game between the Buffalo Bills and the Los Angeles Rams on September 8, 2022.
    Ozzy Osbourne.

    Ozzy Osbourne, known as the "Prince of Darkness," rose to fame in the '70s as the lead singer of the heavy metal band Black Sabbath.

    Although Osbourne was a cofounding member of the band, he was fired in 1979 amid his much-publicized struggle with alcohol and drugs. The following year, he released his debut solo album, "Blizzard of Ozz," which went multi-platinum in the US. His 13th and final solo album, "Patient Number 9," was released in 2022. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice, as a member of Black Sabbath in 2006 and as a solo artist in 2024.

    In the early 2000s, Osbourne starred on the popular MTV reality show "The Osbournes" alongside his wife, Sharon, and two of their children, Kelly and Jack.

    Osbourne was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2003. He died on July 22 while "surrounded by love," his family confirmed in a statement to The Sun.

    Geneviève Page, 97
    Geneviève Page in a hat and mink sitting inside a car
    Geneviève Page.

    Thanks to her stunning beauty, Page became a fixture in both French cinema and Hollywood through the 1960s.

    She's best known for playing Madame Anais, the owner of a high-class brothel in Luis Buñuel's 1967 masterpiece "Belle de Jour."

    In the movie, Anais oversees the actions of Catherine Deneuve's character Severine, a bored housewife who turns to prostitution to spice up her life. But she only works in the afternoon while her husband is away at work, leading to Anais calling her "Belle de Jour" ("Beauty of the Day").

    Page also starred in "El Cid," the 1961 medieval epic also starring Charlton Heston and Sophia Loren, and Billy Wilder's 1970 film "The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes."

    Page died on February 14. No cause was given.

    Robert Redford, 89
    Robert Redford with his finger to his lips
    Robert Redford.

    After showing up on Broadway and some small TV roles (including a memorable episode of "The Twilight Zone") through the 1960s, Robert Redford dominated the 1970s with one hit after another: "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," "Jeremiah Johnson," "The Candidate," "The Way We Were," "Three Days of the Condor," "All the President's Men," and "The Sting," which would earn him an Oscar nomination.

    Redford solidified his stardom in the 1980s and beyond with movies like "The Natural" (1984), "Out of Africa" (1985), and "Sneakers" (1992), but being on screen wasn't enough. He also directed acclaimed works like "Quiz Show" (1994) and "A River Runs Through It" (1992). But his directorial debut, 1980's "Ordinary People," would give him something he never got from his acting: an Oscar win.

    Redford was also a cofounder of the Sundance Film Festival, which, along with blazing a trail for countless film festivals that happen in the US year-round to this day, also launched the filmmaking careers of everyone from Steven Soderbergh and Quentin Tarantino to Damien Chazelle and Ryan Coogler.

    Redford died on September 16; no cause was given.

    Rob Reiner, 78
    Rob Reiner by a camera
    Rob Reiner on the set of "The American President."

    Rob Reiner is responsible for some of the most celebrated works ever put on screen.

    As the son of legendary comedian Carl Reiner, he was thrust into Hollywood at a young age, starting off as an actor. He would go on to star as Mike "Meathead" Stivic in the legendary 1970s sitcom "All in the Family," earning two Emmys for the role.

    For his next act, he'd go on to become one of the most renowned directors of the 1980s and 1990s.

    His directorial debut, "This is Spinal Tap" (1984), created the mockumentary genre. He followed that by helming a string of hits that would go on to become classics and showcase his range as a storyteller: "Stand by Me" (1986), "The Princess Bride" (1987), "When Harry Met Sally…" (1989)," "Misery" (1990), and "A Few Good Men" (1992).

    He also made "The American President" (1995) and, in 2015, "Being Charlie," which was written by his son, Nick, who penned the story while in rehab, struggling with addiction.

    On December 14, Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, were found dead in their Los Angeles home. Their deaths are being investigated as a homicide.

    Danielle Spencer, 60
    Danielle Spencer in a flower shirt
    Danielle Spencer.

    Spencer is best known for playing Dee Thomas on the hit 1970s sitcom "What's Happening!!"

    After her child-acting days were over, she went on to earn a doctorate degree in veterinary medicine. She would work as a veterinarian for two decades.

    Spencer died on August 11 of cancer.

    Terence Stamp, 87
    Terence Stamp dressed in a white shirt
    Terence Stamp.

    After gaining fame in the 1960s and 1970s in his home country of England, Stamp found international acclaim when he played the villain General Zod in "Superman II" (1980).

    Stamp would then go on to find steady work for decades, cementing his character actor bona fides in movies like "The Hit" (1984), "Legal Eagles" (1986), "Wall Street" (1987), "Young Guns" (1988), and "The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert" (1994).

    At 61, he was introduced to a new generation as a crook out to get revenge for the death of his daughter in Steven Soderbergh's acclaimed "The Limey" (1999). This led to him scoring roles in major Hollywood movies like "Star Wars: The Phantom Menace" (1999), "Elektra" (2005), and "Murder Mystery" (2019). His final movie credit was Edgar Wright's thriller "Last Night in Soho" (2021).

    Stamp died on August 17; no cause was given.

    Angie Stone, 63
    Singer Angie Stone attends the Urban One Honors: Best In Black in January 2024.

    Stone was a member of the female hip-hop trio The Sequence, who is known for songs like "Funk You Up" and "Monster Jam."

    She later launched a solo career in the late 1990s with her debut album, "Black Diamond." Her 2001 song, "Wish I Didn't Miss You," became one of her most popular songs.

    Stone's publicist told TMZ that Stone died in a car crash on March 1 after performing in Montgomery, Alabama. The Grammy-nominated artist was traveling in a van with eight other people, including backup singers and crew, when it crashed on Interstate 65.

    Sly Stone, 82
    Sly Stone performs at Woodstock in 1969.
    Sly Stone.

    Stone, born Sylvester Stewart in California, was known as the founder and frontman of Sly and the Family Stone, a psychedelic-soul band active through the '60s, '70s, and early '80s. He was behind classic songs like "Dance to the Music" and "Everyday People."

    In a statement distributed to the press, Stone's three children celebrated their father's "extraordinary musical legacy" and "enduring creative spirit."

    "Sly was a monumental figure, a groundbreaking innovator, and a true pioneer who redefined the landscape of pop, funk, and rock music," the family wrote. "His iconic songs have left an indelible mark on the world, and his influence remains undeniable."

    Stone's death was announced on June 9 after a prolonged battle with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

    Loretta Swit, 87
    Loretta Swit holding her hand to her cheek
    Loretta Swit.

    Swit portrayed one of the most memorable characters in TV history, playing the head nurse Major Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan on the legendary series "M*A*S*H."

    Swit took over the role from Sally Kellerman, who originated the part in the 1970 Robert Altman movie the series is based on.

    Her performance earned her 10 Emmy nominations and two wins. Swit and costar Alan Alda were the only two actors on the show who appeared in the pilot episode and the famed two-and-a-half-hour finale, which was seen by more than 100 million viewers.

    Swit died on May 30 of natural causes.

    Michelle Trachtenberg, 39
    Michelle Trachtenberg smiling
    Michelle Trachtenberg.

    Trachtenberg dedicated her life to acting and found fame in the process.

    She landed her first major role in the mid-1990s as Nona F. Mecklenberg on the Nickelodeon series "The Adventures of Pete & Pete." In 1996, she played the lead in the Nickelodeon-produced movie "Harriet the Spy."

    By the early 2000s, she had landed more mature roles in movies like the comedy "Euro Trip" and the indie drama "Mysterious Skin," both of which were released in 2004. At the same time, she was gaining fandom on the small screen playing Dawn Summers on "Buffy and the Vampire Slayer," and later appearing as Georgina Sparks on the hit CW series "Gossip Girl," which ran from 2007 to 2012.

    Trachtenberg was found dead in a New York City apartment on February 26. A cause of death hasn't yet been determined.

    DJ Unk (Anthony Platt), 42
    Man with Atlanta Hawks hat on
    DJ Unk.

    This Atlanta rapper brought snap music to the masses thanks to his hit 2006 songs "Walk it Out" and "2 Step."

    Anthony Platt, better known by his stage name DJ Unk, was a fixture in the Atlanta rap scene in the late 1990s. He DJed at everything from pep rallies to proms.

    He released his first album, "Beat'n Down Yo Block!" in 2006 and found huge acclaim due to his two big hit songs, "Walk it Out" and "2 Step."

    "Walk it Out" got as high as No. 10 on the Billboard charts and went platinum.

    His second album, "2econd Season," was released in 2008 but didn't find the same acclaim as his debut.

    In 2009, due to non-stop touring and hard partying, DJ Unk suffered a heart attack.

    DJ Unk died on January 24. His wife, Sherkita Long-Platt, said in a Facebook post that he died in his sleep after suffering a cardiac arrest.

    Bob Uecker, 90
    Bob Uecker smiling holding a bat
    Bob Uecker.

    Uecker had a respectable career as a Major League Baseball backup catcher on four clubs through the 1960s, playing with his hometown Milwaukee Brewers and winning a World Series with the St. Louis Cardinals. But it was his work off the field that made him one of the most memorable figures in MLB history.

    After retiring in 1967, Uecker started his second career as a broadcaster, calling games for the Brewers (which he did until his death) and being the color man for network games.

    His self-deprecating style made him a likable figure, leading to him becoming a fixture on "The Tonight Show" with Johnny Carson, where he earned the nickname "Mr. Baseball." Suddenly, Uecker landed everything from beer commercials to a hosting gig on "Saturday Night Live."

    But his most memorable gigs outside of baseball were playing sportswriter George Owens on the hit TV show "Mr. Belvedere" from 1985 to 1990 and starring as sarcastic broadcaster Harry Doyle in the beloved 1989 movie "Major League" and its sequels.

    Uecker was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2003.

    He died on January 16 after battling small-cell lung cancer since 2023.

    Malcolm-Jamal Warner, 54
    Malcolm-Jamal Warner poses for a portrait in 2023.
    Malcolm-Jamal Warner.

    Malcolm-Jamal Warner is best known for playing Theodore "Theo" Huxtable in "The Cosby Show." In 1986, he received an Emmy nomination for outstanding supporting actor in a comedy series.

    More recently, Warner starred in the Fox medical drama "The Resident" for five seasons.

    Warner drowned off the coast of Costa Rica on July 20, Costa Rican National Police told ABC News.

    George Wendt, 76
    George Wendt in a grey suit and red tie
    George Wendt.

    Through the 1980s, he sat on the corner at the bar where everybody knows your name. In the process, he became a TV icon.

    As Norm Peterson, who always threw out a funny one-liner when he entered the bar on the hit TV series "Cheers," Wendt created one of the most memorable characters in TV history and garnered six consecutive Emmy nominations.

    The Chicago native, who started his career in the 1970s at the famed Second City improv troupe, also landed roles in hit movies like "Fletch" (1985), "Gung Ho" (1986), and "The Little Rascals" (1994), and played the grumpy dad opposite Macaulay Culkin in Michael Jackson's 1991 music video for "Black or White."

    Through the decades, Wendt was also a regular on "Saturday Night Live," playing a superfan of the Chicago Bears who called the team "Da Bears." (Wendt is the uncle of "SNL" alum Jason Sudeikis.)

    Wendt died on May 20. No cause was given.

    Brian Wilson, 82
    Brian Wilson recording and speaking into a microphone
    Brian Wilson recording "Pet Sounds" in 1966.

    As a founding member of the Beach Boys, Brian Wilson is responsible for mega hits that blended pop music with more modern, avant-garde sounds.

    From 1962 to 1966, the Beach Boys had 10 top-10 hits and seven top-40 chart entries, most of which were written or co-written and produced by Wilson.

    Along with classics like "Good Vibrations" and "Help Me, Rhonda," Wilson is also responsible for pushing the band's sound into new dimensions, particularly with the 1966 album "Pet Sounds." Its blend of pop, jazz, and avant-garde influences brought widespread critical acclaim and inspired The Beatles to make "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band."

    Wilson struggled most of his life with mental illness, which was explored in the 2014 movie, "Love & Mercy" starring John Cusack and Paul Dano playing Wilson at different stages in his life.

    Wilson's death was announced by his family in June. No cause was given. In February 2024, it was revealed Wilson was battling dementia.

    Peter Yarrow, 86
    Peter Yarrow holding a guitar
    Peter Yarrow.

    Yarrow was a singer-songwriter who was a member of the iconic folk music group Peter, Paul and Mary.

    Along with Paul Stookey and Mary Travers, the trio had six Billboard Top 10 singles, two No. 1 albums, and won five Grammys. Their major hit was "Puff the Magic Dragon," which Yarrow cowrote.

    Yarrow died on January 7 after a battle with bladder cancer.

    Harris Yulin, 87
    Harris Yulin in a green button down shirt
    Harris Yulin.

    Although his name might not ring a bell, you have definitely seen Harris Yulin's work. Over his five-decade career, Yulin had many memorable roles in movies and TV, most notably as villains.

    He played an angry judge in 1989's "Ghostbusters II" and a corrupt national security advisor opposite Harrison Ford in 1994's "Clear and Present Danger," but his all-time best villain role was playing the crooked cop Mel, who meets his fate thanks to Al Pacino's Tony Montana in the beloved 1983 gangster movie "Scarface."

    Yulin died on June 10. No cause was given.

    Read the original article on Business Insider
  • How much the bankers are getting paid as Netflix and Paramount fight to buy Warner Bros. Discovery

    david zaslav of warner bros. discovery
    David Zaslav is pursuing a potential sale of Warner Bros. Discovery.

    • Wall Street banks stand to gain $225 million from Warner Bros. Discovery's sale process.
    • WBD weighed offers and chose Netflix over Paramount.
    • Media and telecom mergers are surging, with investment banks seeing robust deal activity.

    There's one clear winner in the fight for Warner Bros. Discovery: Wall Street banks.

    Some big names in finance could clean up. WBD is set to pay Allen & Co., J.P. Morgan, and Evercore a total of $225 million in connection with its sale to Netflix or David Ellison's Paramount Skydance, if a deal goes through, according to a new SEC filing.

    WBD has been weighing dueling offers from Netflix, which wants to buy its studio and streaming business, and Paramount, which bid for the whole company (including its cable TV channels). WBD's board reiterated its support for Netflix's offer on Wednesday, following Paramount's hostile offer last week.

    WBD's advisors appeared extensively throughout the bid process, participating in board meetings, negotiations, feedback sessions, and bid evaluations. They reviewed and provided feedback on the offers.

    Here's how WBD outlined the pay structure:

    • Allen & Co.: $85 million, $45 million of which is contingent on a deal being done
    • J.P. Morgan: $85 million, $50 million of which is contingent on a deal being done
    • Evercore: $55 million contingent on a deal being done

    WBD also retained Innisfree, a shareholder communications firm, to assist with investor communications, and Joelle Frank, a financial PR firm, to aid in public relations during the bid process. Its law firms, Debevoise & Plimpton, Wachtell Lipton, and Covington & Burling, also participated throughout the process.

    Paramount, meanwhile, was advised by Centerview Partners, RedBird (which is backing its bid), BofA, Citi, and M. Klein & Company.

    Moelis & Co advised Netflix.

    Investment banks typically earn a mix of retainers and fees at closing, with the percentages decreasing as deals become larger.

    Bankers have been having a banner year as media and telecoms M&A has heated up, according to a PwC deals outlook this month. It reported an uptick in the second half of 2025, with deals like Electronic Arts being taken private and the Los Angeles Lakers sale, driven by favorable financing, companies realigning, and investor appetite for valuable IP. Excluding the announced WBD sale, PwC reported a 61% increase in deal value from the second half of 2024 to the second half of 2025.

    PwC expects robust M&A activity to continue for the next several years, as investors continue to seek value in content libraries, video games, and sports assets that can be monetized in various ways.

    Read the original article on Business Insider
  • Why WBD’s CEO never responded to David Ellison’s text during the bidding war

    Zaz Ellison
    Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav ignored Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison's text before announcing the company's Netflix deal.

    • Paramount Skydance's David Ellison texted Warner Bros. Discovery's CEO as the bidding war heated up.
    • WBD just shared why its top executive never responded to Ellison's text.
    • Although Paramount's offer for WBD was rejected, it can appeal to shareholders or raise its bid.

    Paramount CEO David Ellison was left on read during a key part of the negotiations to buy Warner Bros. Discovery — and now we know why.

    Ellison's text message to WBD CEO David Zaslav on December 4, which said that Paramount's offer was not its "best and final," went unanswered in the hours leading up to WBD's decision to accept Netflix's offer.

    In a new SEC filing, WBD said Zaslav didn't respond to Ellison's text since it "did not present any actionable improved proposal for consideration and it would not have been appropriate to do so in the midst of the WBD Board's deliberations."

    Here was the text (typos and all) that Ellison sent Zaslav, per a Paramount filing:

    "Daivd, I appreciate you're underwater today so I wanted to send you a quick text. Please note when you next meet as a board we wanted to offer you a package that addressed all of the issues you discussed we [sic] me. Those were 1 we wanted to offer complete certainty 2 strong cash value 3 speed to close. Please note importantly we did not include "best and final" in our bid. Also please know despite the noise of the last 24 hours I have nothing but respect and admiration for you and the company. It would be the honor of a lifetime to be your partner and to be the owner of these iconic assets. If we have the privilege to work together you will see that my father and I are the people you had dinner with. We are always loyal and honorable to our partners and hope we have the opportunity to prove that to you. Best, David".

    A similar text was sent by an employee of Centerview Partners, an investment bank advising Paramount, to an employee at Evercore, a bank advising WBD in its deal, WBD said in its filing.

    Paramount said in its filing that WBD didn't "engage in a 'real time' back-and-forth negotiation with Paramount or its advisors," mark up documents, or go through its proposal page-by-page. It also said that a Paramount representative called WBD's leadership to ask about the status of the bid.

    "The member of Warner Bros. management responded that the Warner Bros. team had received Paramount's submission and would respond to Paramount in time. However, there was no further outreach whatsoever from Warner Bros. or its representatives," Paramount said in its filing.

    On Wednesday, the WBD board reiterated its decision to spurn Paramount, advising shareholders to reject the hostile bid. The WBD board said in a letter to shareholders that Paramount's bid relies "on an unknown and opaque revocable trust" whose assets or liabilities are subject to change. Paramount has said its bid is fully backstopped by Larry Ellison, one of the richest people in the world and father to David Ellison.

    Ellison's company can either hope WBD shareholders take their side or change its offer once again.

    Read the original article on Business Insider
  • How AI is inspiring companies to adopt skills-based hiring

    illustration of a robot hand clicking on a button that reads 2026
    • Artificial intelligence is fueling a shift toward skills-based hiring in the workplace.
    • Some employers are prioritizing data science, machine learning, and hands-on experience over degrees.
    • This article is part of "How AI is Changing Talent", a series exploring how AI is reshaping hiring, development, and retention.

    Artificial intelligence is driving a shift in what companies look for in new hires.

    While experience has always been a key factor for job seekers, education level matters less and less compared to skill set, enabling companies to "expand their talent pipelines and keep pace with roles that evolve faster than traditional education can," says Lauren Winans, CEO at human resources consulting firm Next Level Benefits.

    AI is accelerating the trend, as more organizations seek data science, machine learning, data analytics, and related skills — skills that you essentially learn through doing and repetition, not by going to class.

    Indeed, several companies, including Google and IBM, have dropped their degree requirements for some roles in favor of skills-based hiring.

    Plus, a quarter of employers said they planned to stop requiring bachelor's degrees this year, instead prioritizing relevant experience, according to a 2025 ResumeTemplates survey of 1,000 US hiring managers.

    Skills-based hiring benefits both companies and job-seekers

    Headshot of Anthony Donnarumma in a blue suit
    Anthony Donnarumma, CEO of 24 Seven

    Skills-based hiring is an "operational necessity," as organizations adopt AI initiatives and require staff to design, build, and manage AI systems and processes, says Anthony Donnarumma, CEO of the recruiting agency 24 Seven.

    Plus, relying on skills over degrees reduces the time it takes to fill roles and improves productivity because applicants are "job-ready," he says.

    It also helps organizations remain agile and adapt to changing demands, adds Lisa Highfield, principal director of research and advisory services at McLean & Company, an HR research and consulting firm.

    Headshot of Lisa Highfield.
    Lisa Highfield, principal director of research and advisory services at McLean & Company.

    A skills-based approach creates new opportunities for employees, too, Highfield says. It can increase workforce diversity and create paths for career advancement, Winans adds.

    "Workers are able to compete on the value of their skills — not their resume format or educational history — which can lead to better job matches, higher engagement, and longer-term career growth," Donnarumma says.

    How AI accelerates skills-based hiring

    At the other end, AI-based screening and hiring tools are offering companies ways to automate skill-based hiring, says Kara Ayers, senior vice president of global talent acquisition for Xplor Technologies, a payment and commerce software company that's already made the shift, prioritizing skills, experience, and potential over college degrees in its new hires — and using AI to do it.

    Xplor Technologies began using the AI-powered applicant tracking system SmartRecruiters in 2022 to help them organize and classify the skills needed for each role, Ayers says.

    Headshot of Kara Ayers
    Kara Ayers, senior vice president of global talent acquisition for Xplor Technologies.

    "These tools allow us to analyze resumes and profiles for competencies rather than filtering by degree, and we use AI-driven predictive analytics to match candidates based on skills alignment and potential," she explains.

    Since adopting this approach, Ayers says the company has reduced its reliance on recruiting agencies, saving about $3 million. It also fills roles faster — often in under 30 days, compared to more than 60 days in the past — and has improved the quality of new hires, who are now better matched to a role's competencies.

    That said, using AI to review applicants based on skills depends on organizations having "a clean, well-structured framework, consistent job architecture, reliable performance data, and HR systems that can integrate skills analytics into hiring workflows," Winans says.

    They also need data showing the skills they already have and what they need for the future, Highfield says. And historical workforce data showing how people succeed within the company, Donnarumma adds.

    There are some challenges, however

    Transitioning to skills-based hiring can be time and resource-intensive, Highfield says. Leadership teams also may need to rethink their traditional hiring practices and beliefs about the value of degrees, Donnarumma says.

    AI gives companies tools to build a process that's "more accurate, more inclusive, and far more aligned with the future of work," Donnarumma says.

    However, AI bias remains a "real concern," he says. Organizations must incorporate governance into AI-driven hiring, including ensuring team members understand AI and can manage its use effectively and objectively.

    Ayers says it's crucial to highlight the benefits of AI while also emphasizing governance.

    "It is important to be thoughtful about how AI is used and to thoroughly vet the tools in place," she says. "Both candidates and companies should maintain authenticity and find the right balance in how much they rely on AI."

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  • The Pentagon is pushing for speed, but sloppy weapons testing is slowing it down, watchdog says

    A F-22 Raptor flies with a large, green mountain and cloudy blue sky in the background.
    TK

    • The US military needs to improve its weapons testing processes, according to a new watchdog report.
    • Needed improvements include involving testers early, iterative testing, digital twinning, and user feedback.
    • The Pentagon is prioritizing the rapid deployment of weapons to troops.

    The Pentagon wants to get troops new weapons faster, but its testing isn't following best practices, according to a new government watchdog report.

    Current policies have often focused on looking for problems after weapons are already developed, slowing down the process. Policy changes, the report concluded, would ultimately help the Department of Defense achieve the speed and modernization it is looking for.

    The Government Accountability Office said the Pentagon needed to get testers involved early on, conduct iterative testing to find problems quickly and results in gradual changes, use digital twins to mirror actual physical systems, and seek regular user feedback.

    These are key principles followed by companies for product development and they are applicable to the US military as it seeks to update its policies for faster, better weapons. Currently, GAO reporting indicates, the DoD implementation appears haphazard and sloppy.

    For example, the development of the Air Force's new pilot training aircraft, the T-7A Red Hawk, didn't include allowing testers to access test data in a timely manner, and the contract didn't require a complete digital system model of system. And upgrades for the F-22 Raptor haven't considered how user feedback could be incorporated into an iterative testing process.

    The front of a T-7 Red Hawk jet is seen as the aircraft is parked on tarmac. The sky is light blue in the background.
    The T-7 Red Hawk will teach pilots how to fly fifth-generation fighters as well as the Air Force's new stealth bomber and F-47.

    Without revising these development and design policies, "the Air Force is missing opportunities to ensure that testing proceeds expeditiously and that the systems under test are responsive and relevant to warfighter needs," the GAO said.

    In the Army, the new MV-75 Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft, which will eventually replace the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, hasn't followed an iterative design approach. That could've resulted in tailoring testing to different changes in the aircraft's development, which could've gotten the system to pilots quicker, the watchdog office determined.

    And then the Navy, the GAO report said, only followed an iterative design process on its Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carriers for cybersecurity and didn't have a digital twin.

    Reviews of the Department of Defense policies ultimately led the GAO to issue 13 recommendations, including that officials revise how they evaluate weapons and align their plans with better practices. The GAO said the Pentagon fully agreed with seven of those, partially agreed with five, and didn't concur with one.

    The Pentagon did not respond to Business Insider's request for comment.

    Broadly, the defense department faces a choice, the report concluded. "On the one hand, it could continue to treat test and evaluation as a means of identifying deficiencies in weapon systems already developed and, often, already produced," it said. That wouldn't require any changes to the status quo but wouldn't help the Pentagon get weapons to troops faster.

    A view of an aircraft landing on the tarmac of a large aircraft carrier with a blue and cloudy sky in the background.
    The Ford-class carrier program didn't have an iterative design process, the GAO found.

    "On the other hand, DoD has an opportunity to embrace test and evaluation as a core foundation of every weapon systems acquisition program," the GAO report added, which would be a significant change in the short term but position the department to "ensure that warfighter needs are consistently understood, prioritized, and met" in the long term.

    How the Pentagon builds weapons is undergoing a shift as department leadership under the Trump administration seeks to speed up the process and get new technologies to troops quickly. Last month, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a memo directing the department to modernize its testing, reduce test oversight, and streamline requirements.

    "Speed to capability delivery is now our organizing principle: the decisive factor in maintaining deterrence and warfighting advantage," Hegseth wrote.

    Earlier this year, Hegseth gutted the Office of the Director of Operational Test and Evaluation, which independently supervises the performance of weapons before they're given to US military personnel, decreasing the number of programs it oversees.

    Hegseth said the cuts reduced bureaucracy and allowed for more rapid deployment of new weapons. Oversight experts, however, raised concerns that the cuts to DOT&E could put troops in danger and mean problems aren't identified before they hit the field.

    Read the original article on Business Insider
  • Bernie Sanders wants to temporarily halt AI data center construction nationwide

    Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont
    "This moratorium will give democracy a chance to catch up with the transformative changes that we are witnessing," Sanders said.

    • Bernie Sanders is calling for a temporary pause on AI data center construction nationwide.
    • He says a pause would "give democracy a chance to catch up" with the rapid buildout.
    • He's concerned about potential AI-driven job losses and the tech's effect on human relationships.

    Sen. Bernie Sanders wants to put a halt to the multi-trillion-dollar AI infrastructure buildout — at least for now.

    In a video posted to social media on Tuesday, the Vermont senator and two-time presidential candidate said he would begin pushing for a national moratorium on the construction of AI data centers.

    He argued that AI, which he called one of the most "transformative technologies in the history of humanity," is moving too rapidly for lawmakers and citizens to keep up.

    "This moratorium will give democracy a chance to catch up with the transformative changes that we are witnessing and make sure that the benefits of these technologies work for all of us, not just the wealthiest people on Earth," Sanders said.

    While Sanders is not the only AI critic on Capitol Hill, it sounds like his planned proposal would go further than most. He is likely the first national politician to call for a moratorium on the construction of data centers, which are the primary infrastructure needed to support the expansion of AI.

    "This process is moving very, very quickly, and we need to slow it down," Sanders said. "We need all of our people, all of our people involved in determining the future of AI, and not just a handful of multi-billionaires."

    The Democratic socialist senator listed three major reasons for slowing down the advancement of AI: the fact that it's being promoted by wealthy tech titans, the potential for AI-driven job losses, and the technology's impact on human interaction.

    "Think for a moment about a future when human beings are not interacting with each other and are spending virtually all of their time with devices instead of people," Sanders said. "Is that the kind of future you want? Well, not me."

    At this point, it's unlikely that Sanders's vision comes to fruition.

    President Donald Trump's administration has taken the opposite path, encouraging the rapid construction of data centers in a bid to win the AI race with China.

    But skepticism of AI is continuing to grow on Capitol Hill, with some lawmakers warning about a potential AI bubble and others aiming to limit minors' use of AI chatbots.

    Read the original article on Business Insider
  • Middle Eastern money raised questions about Paramount’s WBD bid — but that’s not why Netflix won

    David Ellison with a purple background
    Paramount CEO David Ellison wanted to use $24 billion of funding from Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Abu Dhabi to help fund his bid for Warner Bros. Discovery.

    Larry and David Ellison, who own Paramount, want to use $24 billion in Middle Eastern money to finance their bid for Warner Bros. Discovery. Is that a problem for WBD?

    You might think so — especially since $10 billion of that came from the Saudi government. That's the same government that US intelligence said killed a Washington Post journalist in 2018. The kind of partner you might think a major American media conglomerate would want to keep at arm's length.

    But that's not a problem WBD raises in its newest communication to shareholders, where it urges them to take the deal offered by Netflix instead.

    What actually worries WBD about the Ellisons' bid isn't the Ellisons' particular partners. It's that the Ellisons had partners.

    In a regulatory filing that tells the backstory of the proposed WBD sale, WBD execs and their reps repeatedly told the Ellisons they wanted a firm commitment that Larry Ellison — currently the world's 5th-richest man, with an estimated net worth of $243 billion — would guarantee the deal himself.

    Instead, WBD argues, the Ellisons never gave them the assurances they wanted.

    The filing does bring up the fact that money from Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds would likely complicate regulatory issues for a proposed Ellison/Paramount deal. (Ditto for a proposed $1 billion investment from China's Tencent, which the Ellisons later took out of their proposal.) But those are presented as technical hurdles. Not moral or patriotic dealbreakers.

    And they're just part of a laundry list of complaints WBD makes about the Ellisons. Among them: A December 2 tweet from New York Post reporter Charlie Gasparino, which WBD said violated a confidentiality agreement Paramount had signed.

    And when it comes to the main pitch WBD is making to investors, all of that stuff disappears. It just boils down to "we did our homework, and the Netflix deal is better."

    That's not shocking: If you're a WBD investor, you are (supposedly) only interested in getting the maximum value for shares. And WBD's filing argues that Netflix is the one that can pay the most.

    Now we're waiting to see what the Ellisons do next: Many observers believe they'll return with yet another, higher bid. Will this one have Gulf money, too?

    Read the original article on Business Insider
  • I was born and raised in Mexico. These 5 mistakes stop tourists from fully enjoying my country.

    An aerial view of Mexico City.
    Mistakes, like not trying local food or not visiting museums, prevent tourists from fully enjoying Mexico.

    • I was born and raised in Mexico, and have seen tourists make plenty of mistakes when visiting.
    • There's more to the country than its resorts, so I suggest exploring other areas, like Chichén Itzá.
    • During your trip, I also recommend trying local dishes, like mole and pozole.

    I was born and raised in Mexico and have spent the last 15 years exploring the country as a travel journalist. So, I know it has lots to offer, from incredible biodiversity and beautiful resorts to world-class museums.

    However, I've seen tourists make plenty of mistakes when visiting my country, from failing to learn any Spanish to missing opportunities to explore.

    Here are five things tourists should avoid so that they can get the most out of their trip.

    Assuming all of Mexico is the same

    Mexico is a huge country. To put it into perspective, the largest state, Chihuahua, is slightly larger than the UK. So, to reduce Mexico to a single stereotype would be to erase its incredible diversity.

    It has everything from tropical beaches and historical cities to snow-capped mountains and deserts.

    Getting from one city to another can require long bus rides or flights, so if you hope to travel throughout the country, I recommend trying not to plan too much for one trip.

    Not exploring beyond your resort

    An aerial view of Chichén Itzá.
    Chichén Itzá was named one of the "New 7 Wonders of the World."

    Although Mexico is home to incredible resorts in cities like Cancún and Cabo San Lucas, the country has so much more to offer.

    For example, about two and a half hours outside downtown Cancún lies Chichén Itzá, an archeological site of Mayan ruins and one of the "New 7 Wonders of the World."

    One of the main attractions is El Castillo, also known as the Pyramid of Kukulkán, which stands nearly 100 feet tall and has impressive features. For example, if visitors clap at the base of the pyramid, they'll hear the sound of a quetzal, a sacred bird associated with the god Kukulkán.

    Meanwhile, about 30 minutes outside Cabo San Lucas lies San José del Cabo, a charming town with a laid-back vibe full of art galleries and colonial architecture.

    If you're willing to venture a bit further from Cabo San Lucas, I also recommend visiting Todos Santos, home of Hotel California, or Cabo Pulmo, a national marine park perfect for snorkeling and diving among coral reefs.

    Being afraid to try local food

    A dish of mole poblano with chicken.
    Visitors should definitely try mole.

    During your visit, I highly recommend trying one of the more than 50 types of mole, a traditional Mexican sauce that's very different from the spicy salsa you might be used to.

    It's made with a wide range of ingredients, such as chiles, chocolate, nuts, seeds, spices, vegetables, and sometimes fruits like raisins or apples. It's usually served with meat or as the base for popular dishes, such as enchiladas de mole.

    Another must-try dish is pozole. Almost every state has its own version of this comforting, flavorful soup.

    It's made with cacahuazintle (a special type of corn), broth, and meat, and comes in various styles, including white pozole (without chile), red pozole (with red chile), and green pozole (with ground pumpkin seeds).

    The spiciness is real, so I recommend starting slow and only trying what locals say is just a little spicy.

    Skipping museums

    Chapultepec Castle houses the National History Museum in Mexico City.
    The National History Museum is located in Chapultepec Castle in Mexico City.

    Mexico City is home to the greatest concentration of museums in the country.

    One unmissable stop is the spectacular National Museum of Anthropology in Chapultepec Park. With more than 20 galleries showcasing pre-Hispanic artifacts and ethnographic treasures, it's worth setting aside several hours — or even an entire day — to truly take it all in.

    A short walk away, Chapultepec Castle houses the National History Museum, which showcases Mexico's story from pre-Columbian times to the modern era. As a bonus, you'll also find epic murals by David Alfaro Siqueiros and Juan O'Gorman, two of the most acclaimed Mexican visual artists of the 20th century — plus stunning views of the city.

    And for fine art lovers, head downtown to MUNAL (the National Museum of Art), located in Plaza Manuel Tolsá. Its collection spans from the colonial period to the mid-20th century and includes works by Diego Rivera, Rufino Tamayo, and María Izquierdo.

    Not learning even a few basic phrases in Spanish

    At upscale hotels and restaurants, you'll probably get by just fine in English, but you shouldn't expect to do the same when wandering local streets, exploring markets, or trying street food.

    I encourage learning a few Spanish phrases, such as thank you (gracias), good morning (buenos días), and please (por favor). It'll open doors and hearts.

    Read the original article on Business Insider
  • I met my husband buying salmon one night after work. We’ve been together for 12 years.

    Family posing for photo
    Kat Milner's first date with her now-husband lasted over seven hours.

    • Kat Milner, 58, moved from the USA to Australia to be with her now husband.
    • Their first phone call lasted 2.5 hours, and their first date lasted 7.5 hours.
    • She says her story gives hope to those looking for love after their mid-40s.

    This story is based on a conversation with Kat Milner, 58. It has been edited for length and clarity.

    I first met Paul when I was living in Massachusetts; I'd been touring as a technical producer with a theater show. I'd been living with a friend, and I popped to the local fishery to buy salmon so I could cook us dinner.

    Paul looked at me across the fish counter with these big, brown, beautiful eyes. He smiled his beautiful smile, and as I heard that Australian accent, I knew I was screwed.

    We discussed how long he'd been in the US. He responded: "Oh, that'd take an entire evening and a large bottle of wine." I said, "OK, I've got time."

    I was then 45 years old and divorced. I thought, why not?

    He lost my number, but the connection was instant

    Our epic date almost never happened. I'd given him my card with my number on it, then never heard from him. It turns out that he'd immediately lost my card.

    Couple posing for photo
    Kat Milner and her husband have been married since 2014.

    A few days later, a friend who played in a band stopped by the fishery to invite me. He couldn't come — he had his son that night — but he apologized and begged me for another card. Before I left the building, he'd texted me. It said: "See, I now have your number in my phone!"

    Sure enough, that weekend, in September 2012, we set up a phone call for Saturday. It actually lasted 2.5 hours. We set our first in-person date for the following Monday, when we were both available for coffee during the day.

    That coffee date lasted for 7.5 hours. The only reason it didn't last longer is that he had to go to his shift at the fishmonger's. He was working very hard with two jobs. His other job was overnight at a gas station. It's hard to live on minimum wage in the US.

    We both arrived at the Starbucks at the same time. I went to hug him, and he actually kissed me, but it felt natural rather than creepy. There was this amazing chemistry happening.

    After four months of dating, we knew we were meant to be together. Paul said his 9-year-old son, whom he hadn't yet told about me, asked his dad: "What's going on? Why are you so happy lately?" That's when he said he knew.

    He proposed 16 months after we met

    There were bumps in the road. In February 2013, I took a contract job on a cruise ship for almost eight months as part of the theatre production crew for their shows. I really needed the work, and had agreed to it before we met. It was a long separation right during our honeymoon period as a couple. I really hoped, and believed, we would last. But I didn't see him for the whole eight months. I was on cruises around the Caribbean, Mexico, Europe, Canada, and Alaska. I'd go from one ship to another.

    Couple posing for photo
    Kat Milner didn't see her husband for a year after he had to move back to Australia, and she waited for her visa.

    The day after I got off the cruise ship and came home to him, in October 2013, he took me back to that same Starbucks where we had our first date. In front of everyone in the Starbucks, he proposed to me. I, of course, said yes. It was 16 months to the day we met; we got married in November 2013.

    The small ceremony was mostly my friends, because Paul didn't know many people in the US. They commented that you could've gotten high from the feeling of love in the room.

    I moved to Australia

    Further bumps lay ahead. Ten days after the wedding, Paul had to return to his native Australia, while I remained in the US and worked on getting my visa. I didn't know it then, but I wouldn't see him again for another year. I'd hoped my visa would arrive sooner, and I was desperate not to miss our first wedding anniversary. As it turned out, I arrived in Australia 10 days before the anniversary.

    When I arrived in 2014, it was an experience of getting used to each other again. I was settling into a new country where they drive on the left, and I had to make a whole new group of friends.

    Now I wake up grateful every day. I haven't been back to the US since I moved here 11 years ago. I haven't wanted to.

    This month, we celebrated our 12th wedding anniversary.

    After I moved to another city for my first marriage, I vowed I wouldn't do it again. But if your heart truly feels this is your person, trust that. Sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn't. I've been on both sides of that. The risk is always worth taking.

    Read the original article on Business Insider