GLOBAL businesses view AI as 2025’s most critical technology, and half of companies see cybersecurity as the top use case for AI. That’s according to a survey by TechGaged.com conducted with 350 CIOs, CTOs and IT directors for businesses with over 1,000 employees in the U.S., U.K., Brazil, India and China. Another 39% said educational uses of AI were their primary focus, and 35% said software development was the priority.

AMONG 2,315 U.S. adults surveyed by the Pew Research Center, nearly half of workers who work from home say they’re unlikely to stay in their position if told to return to the office. A 46% share would be “very/somewhat unlikely” to stay. Women, workers under 50 and those who only work from home all indicated a higher likelihood of leaving their position.

ALMOST all Americans today use products with artificial intelligence features, but almost two-thirds of Americans don’t realize AI is in their products, a Gallup poll found. A combined 62% used 5-6 AI-enabled products in the past week, but half of those initially saying they didn’t use AI reported using AI-powered products, like virtual assistants, navigation and weather forecasting apps and online shopping.

RANKING below Austin, Texas, the Boston metro area was named the second-best for STEM professionals by a recent WalletHub report. The personal finance company said R&D expenditures make up 8% of the area’s GDP and noted that Boston has the second-most invention patents per capita.

THIS year, just under half of U.S. companies will likely lay off employees, per data from a ResumeTemplates.com survey of 1,000 hiring managers. About 51% said economic downturn is the driving force and 32% cited AI and automation, among other reasons. To save on costs, 32% of managers said they seek to cut or reduce bonuses.