Business Review at Berkeley Newsletter

Technology

Paradigm Shifts, AI Agents, and a New Era of Uncertainty: Understanding AI Research and the Origins of Intelligence

Technology

Tech companies have made profound investments into AI Research. Does theoretical research reveal practical insights and solutions? What will be the ultimate impact of AI? Find out more about how this relates to our present and our possible…

Internet Outages: Society’s Dependency on Cloud-Based Infrastructure

Technology

Internet outages have proved to be more than just slight inconveniences; they reveal a deeper problem. From business to classrooms, modern life as we know it depends on cloud-based infrastructure. Internet outages reveal the fragility and…

The Search for Default: How Google Won the Web and Why AI Wants It Next

Technology

After years of nearly unchallenged dominance, Google’s assumption of default status is being contested by an entirely different conception of what a browser should be. While traditional browsers are passive, waiting to be prompted, AI…

The Danger of Internet Cookies

Technology

Although internet cookies may improve a user’s browsing experience, they can collect more information than most people realize. Without knowing, users may be giving away valuable information that can lead to cybersecurity threats…

The 21st-Century Gold Rush: Why Bitcoin’s “Digital Gold” Narrative Is a Lie

Technology

Bitcoin may have started as an alternative to Wall Street, but in 2025, it’s marching in lockstep with it.

Otterz: The Disruptor of Manual Accounting

Technology

A promising startup, Otterz, is replacing human accountants in a field that’s lacking client interaction and development.

Quantum Computing: The Most Anticipated Technology Innovation of Our Time

Technology

Quantum computing marks the next step forward in technology, offering solutions once thought impossible but now a near possibility.

The Weekly BluRB — November 25th, 2025

Technology

We're back with the Weekly BluRB. This Thanksgiving week, we delve into Nvidia's earnings call, the United Kingdom's major budget annoucement, and unpack the near-ban on the hemp industry.

Coming of Age: Outgrowing the Myth of Silicon Valley

Technology

As the world’s technological epicenter, Silicon Valley has an almost mythical allure to it. Yet as we trace back its history, clear parallels to our modern day reveal that we must rethink Silicon Valley as not just a place of technological…

Tropes over Talent: Cheap Literature is Replacing Deep Literature

Technology

While trope-driven marketing has democratized reading and made books relevant in popular culture again, it has also encouraged publishers to prioritize quick emotional payoff and recipe-following storytelling rather than literary…

Trump’s AI-Generated Daytrading Graphic and The Disturbing Rise of Nationalization

Technology

An AI “day-trading” meme posted by President Trump coincided with the U.S. quietly taking a nearly 10% stake in Intel. The move signals a tilt toward state ownership, raising concerns over crony-capitalism and market integrity.

The Sound of Artificial Intelligence

Technology

As AI continues reshaping music, both professionally and casually, creators, consumers, and stakeholders must find the balance between enabling creativity and protecting rights. As legal battles resolve, precedents will be set regarding…

AI is Changing the Finance Industry

Technology

From robo-advisors to AI-powered fintechs, artificial intelligence is transforming how money is managed. AI is making finance faster, smarter, and more personalized than ever before.

How AI Technology Is Transforming Current Marketing Roles and Future Jobs

Technology

Find out how artificial intelligence is being utilized in relation to job automation and transforming current marketing roles. AI’s capabilities leave it undeniable that jobs will be lost, particularly low-skilled ones, but some leaders…

Navigating the AI Regulatory Landscape: The Rise of Corporate Lobbying

Technology

Learn about the rapid growth of AI lobbying efforts by major tech companies in recent years. Explore how these developments not only steer policies towards favorable regulations but also shape the economic landscape of businesses in the…

Gamble All the Way: The Rise of Sports Betting in America

Technology

Sports betting is experiencing a surge in popularity and promotion. Do people understand the risks of widespread gambling? Find out more about the damage gambling is inflicting on our sports and on the lives of everyday Americans.

Biohacking the Food Industry

Technology

As the global population is rapidly on the rise, the pressure to ensure a sufficient supply of food is now more urgent than ever. CRISPR, a gene-editing technology, might just be our way to redefine agriculture as we know it. From…

How OpenAI’s AI-Only Social App is Redefining Short-Form Video

Technology

With AI-generation advancing at an exponential pace, authenticating media has become a crucial part of content consumption. Now, the online world must adapt to the launch of Sora 2, OpenAI’s updated video-and-audio generation model, and…

New Companies Play Offense in the U.S. Defense Industry

Technology

Since the end of the Cold War, the U.S. Defense Industry has been a desert of competition. New leaders, new companies, and new conflicts can bring that back.

The Amazon Paradox: Why Shoppers Default to One Giant

Technology

In a world where Amazon reigns supreme for online shoppers, the appeal of sticking to one giant contrasts with the freedom to explore in physical stores. This paradox sheds light on how our shopping habits have shifted, raising questions…

California Schools to Ally with AI Following Landmark Legislation

Technology

Educational technology and AI integration in schools has become a policy priority on the basis of job-preparedness and media literacy.

Breaking Up with Big Tech: The DOJ’s Antitrust Drama

Technology

The DOJ intensified its antitrust actions against Big Tech, targeting giants like Google, Apple, and Nvidia for monopolistic practices. Those cases could reshape competition, impacting AI, search engines, and smartphone markets, with…

Regulating The Hidden Costs of “Kid-influencers”

Technology

An insight to the hidden realities of social media’s child influencers. This article uncovers the stark truths and ethical implications of younger generations spotlighted from the algorithm.

Movie Magic and Money Moves

Technology

Movie theaters are set to make a major comeback as the leading source of entertainment in the movie industry amidst rising streaming service costs.

Did Streaming Kill the Video Star?

Technology

On-demand streaming is transforming the film industry. Learn how this transition affects consumers, producers, and investors.

AI Augmentation: Predictive Measures in the Face of Climate Volatility

Technology

As hurricanes strip power grids of electricity, AI’s ability to pinpoint erratic weather patterns has become key.

Can We Predict the Future?

Technology

Although there have been many movies where people travel to the future, it never seemed plausible in real life. Despite the fact that we can’t (yet) pull off what Marty McFly does in Back to the Future, using physics and mathematics, chaos…

How OpenAI’s Internal Turmoil Illustrates The Growing Split In The AI Industry

Technology

The abrupt firing and rehiring of OpenAI founder Sam Altman has sent shockwaves throughout the technological and business sector.

Breaking Boundaries: Meta and Ray-Ban's AI AR Glasses

Technology

Embark on an immersive journey where the realms of AI and AR converge, opening a gateway to boundless companionship, profound connections, and transformative digital experiences. A new life where human senses are heightened allowing all of…

Genetic Data in Jeopardy: Unraveling the Details of the Aftermath of 23andMe Hack

Technology

The renowned genetic testing and analysis company, 23andMe, suffered a significant data breach. Hackers infiltrated their databases, gaining unauthorized access to the genetic information of millions of individuals worldwide. This raises…

Fast Fashion’s Dirty Secret

Technology

Regardless of the benefits and drawbacks of fast fashion, it is important that we start living sustainably and use the right ingredients to make our clothing. The path we are on now will have long-term negative effects on the earth’s…

The Evolving Business of A.I. in Education

Technology

There is an evident trend of developers monetizing the products they have created through their partnerships with OpenAI and tapping in on their large user bases as a source of profit — even when that user base consists heavily of students.

New on the Menu: Cultured Meat, With a Side of Space

Technology

Cultured meat is shining as the environmentally friendly, cruelty-free alternative to conventional meat. However, issues of ethics, price, and resources still stand in the way and show that this scientific milestone is far from perfect.

The “Charging” World

Technology

Previously, electric cars were viewed as a poor class of vehicles to be looked down upon; with the release of the Model S, Tesla became a “gold standard” of automotive production and served as a model for other automakers to base their…

Bitcoin ATMs: What, Why, and Where?

Technology

Different from exchange verification, ATM transactions tend to ask only for one’s ID and phone number — and sometimes only one's phone number. Besides keeping one’s information more secure by asking for less of it, this lower verification…

Let's "Be Real" About BeReal

Technology

Summer 2022 saw another new app come onto the mainstream social media scene: BeReal. Over this summer, the download count on the app store for BeReal jumped from 7.67 million in April of this year to over 53 million by the beginning of…

Ethereum's Merge Doesn't Matter

Technology

Ethereum’s Merge is late at best and irrelevant at worst. The blockchain space is rapidly changing, and Ethereum is not keeping pace.

The New Ethereum Engine: The Merge and What it Means for the Crypto Space

Technology

Alongside decreased energy costs, the Ethereum network had several incentives to execute the Merge. One is the introduction of new validators. In the old proof of work system, miners were using natural resources to convert energy into…

AI in Healthcare: Patients, Hospitals, and Pharma

Technology

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is evolving the healthcare industry, from implementing virtual primary care to manufacturing life-saving drugs faster and safer. With AI’s taking the lead, the healthcare industry is entering an era of…

Streaming Stress: Why Spotify is Receiving Artist Backlash

Technology

Despite complaints against its payment methods and streaming rate methodology, Spotify has remained headstrong in the treatment of creators on its platform. While the effects of the pro-rata system are looked down upon by many artists in…

The Declaration of Financial Independence

Technology

This Fourth of July, America’s 246th birthday happens to coincide with the heart of a social movement arguably just as powerful and transformative as that which built our nation and in turn transformed the world back in 1776. That social…

Envisioning a Frictionless Future for Cross-Border Payments

Technology

Transferring currency across international borders is often met with various hurdles, especially for those in emerging markets. In this article, investing columnist Aditi Somayajula explains some of these challenges, as well as how fintech…

The NIL and the Transformation of the NBA Draft

Technology

The NIL (name, image, and likeness) rules of 2021 now offer college athletes a way to support themselves by getting paid for the use of their name, image, and likeness while staying in school and not choosing the route of professional…

Award Shows: A Thing of the Past

Technology

The fact of the matter is that award shows are losing more and more of their audience with each year. With the rise of social media and the internet, they have become old-fashioned relics of the past. So what can organizers do to generate…

A Poison Pill: Musk Plays the People Versus the System Against Twitter

Technology

The conflict between Elon Musk and Twitter began when Tesla's CEO questioned the “freedom of speech” value Twitter is supporting. He brought the issue onto Twitter platform by playing the people versus the system game. As the last resort…

Biden’s Digital Currency-Based Executive Order: A Protection or Threat To The Economy?

Technology

The idea of a free market ideology is being questioned as The White House ordered a “whole government approach” regulating activities towards the cryptocurrency market. Many U.S. crypto users believe that it will strengthen the financial…

Labor during the Age of Self-Sufficient Capital

Technology

With the rise of self-sufficient capital’s ability, today’s firms are becoming more efficient and productive while the average worker is not seeing these gains. In this transitory period, laborers are being displaced, while productivity…

Wordle and its World of Words

Technology

The sudden rise of popularity of online game Wordle has caught the attention of big media companies, such as The New York Times, who recently acquired the word guessing game. Community columnist Jacqueline Yipp explores the positives and…

Schrödinger: AI-Based Life Sciences Company Shows Promise

Technology

For decades, drug discovery has been known to be an immense investment with low odds of success. The costs of research and development (R&D) alone are notably high, averaging out to be $1.3 billion per drug in the United States. And yet…

Ingenious Crowdsourcing or Hidden Risks? Decoding Amazon’s Mechanical Turk

Technology

Is Amazon Mechanical Turk as reliable and trustworthy as it seems? Does it compensate workers fairly? Do requesters get the data they want? Check out this article to learn more about the inner workings of MTurk!

Will you ever have to stand in checkout lines again?

Technology

Are we going to have fully autonomous shopping experiences in the future? Will we never have to stand in line again? Are we going to lose jobs because of this advancement in technology? Check out this article to learn more about the…

Borrowing Reimagined: Impact of AI-Based Underwriting on the Future of Lending

Technology

Aimed at enforcing objectifying and streamlining risk assessment processes, AI-based lending systems bring new benefits for both lenders and consumers within the lending market, along with risks and imperfections. This article sets out to…

A Dummy’s Guide to Decarbonize America

Technology

Biden’s two big spending bills with an estimated $3 trillion price tag are large, ambitious projects to modernize the US with the focus of decarbonization. Our Economics Columnist talks about what to be optimistic about - and why it still…

Blockchain’s Next Big Application? Sport NFTs

Technology

At the unique intersection of sports and blockchain technology is a relatively new development: sport NFTs. Our Investing Columnist has made this week’s post about how they came to be and their trajectory as an investable market in the…

Road to Success: NVIDIA’s Product Strategy Playbook

Technology

From AI to Cloud Computing to Ray Tracing, NVIDIA has captured numerous major computing demands over the past years. What brings NVIDIA unparalleled success, and how can aspiring entrepreneurs learn from this industry leader? In this…

The Dark Side of AirBnBs

Technology

“In fact, consumers have noticed that AirBnB has censored many negative reviews on their website so they can continue to make money off of potentially unsafe listings. Confidential documents showed that AirBnB spends about 50 million…

The Metaverse is Weird, and You Will Still Care

Technology

The metaverse is here, and it's weird. Learn why you’ll still be a part of it as our columnist Rohan Godara makes a case for the bizarre notion for virtual commodities by examining the technologies and instances of virtual consumerism that…

BookTok: When TikTok Met the Book Industry

Technology

There is a subset of TikTok called “BookTok” that is entirely devoted to books and is becoming increasingly popular. BookTok has begun to have the book market in a chokehold. In this article, community columnist Amalia Nichols explores…

The ‘Amazon of Latin America’ Takes Flight

Technology

MercadoLibre is commonly referred to as the ‘Amazon of Latin America.’ Both an online marketplace and a payments platform, the company operates in a region with tremendous potential, one that has yet to undergo a digital transformation of…

A Futuristic Case For The 4th Industrial Revolution

Technology

Improvements in technology are leading us into a world where machines can outperform humans even for highly specialized jobs like doctors and engineers. How will this impact the future of the workplace?

Optimizing Tax-Policies with Artificial Intelligence

Technology

Inequality is a growing concern worldwide, and governments are struggling to find a tax policy that optimizes equality without sacrificing production. A group of Harvard researchers has designed a supposedly better tax policy through a…

Ethereum Reaches All-Time High: What’s Next

Technology

Recently, Ethereum (ETH), the second-largest cryptocurrency in terms of market capitalization, recorded an all-time high price of $4,840, surpassing the $4,800 mark for the first time ever. Other popular cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin…

‘Google Pharma’: A New Approach to Drug Discovery?

Technology

Last year, Google-owned DeepMind solved the decades-long protein folding problem with an elegant AI approach, fundamentally improving our understanding of our own biology. In this article, Community columnist Aditi Somayajula explains the…

On the Rise: Neobanks Role in the Financial Industry

Technology

How do neobanks stack up to their bigger, older brother: traditional banks. Our Investing Columnist has made this week’s post about the relatively new neobanking industry and whether they are a good investment relative to traditional banks.

Is Meta the New Facebook?

Technology

Facebook is now Meta. Or is it? Does changing a company’s name still retain a company’s original goals and values? For Facebook, the change involves introducing the “metaverse,” a world completely based in virtual reality. Read on to find…

IATSE: The Strike That Never Was

Technology

Although most Americans may not be too familiar with IATSE (the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Technicians, Artists and Allied Crafts of the United States, Its Territories and Canada), the works its…

The Paradoxical Existence of Fashion Shows

Technology

The prime locations, extravagant set design, beautiful models, and millions of dollars; fashion shows all for the sake of clothes that can’t be sold. It all begs the question — why? Why do these shows exist, and how do they make money?…

Shang-Chi: The Superhero of Superhero Movies

Technology

COVID-19 put an obvious damper on the movie industry; however, Marvel’s “Shang-Chi,” an exclusively theatrical release, has become the highest-grossing domestic release of 2021. This article will explore why this happened and what it means…

The Future of the Toy Industry

Technology

All the data is pointing to a significant decline in sales revenue and demand, signaling that a similar end to that of Toys R Us is near for many toy manufacturers. Or is it? The toy industry is still raking in more than 20.7 billion…

Game On: Will Student-Athletes Finally Get Paid?

Technology

After years of resistance, the NCAA has finally allowed student-athletes to profit from their NIL rights. What does this say about the state of the lucrative college athletics industry?

Crypto-anarchism and Silicon Valley’s Obsession with Cryptocurrency

Technology

Did you know that an esoteric libertarian ideology can explain why Bitcoin is popping up in your newsfeed? Investing columnist Abby Copeland explores Silicon Valley’s crypto-craze and the obscure political ideology that’s fueling this…

Revolutionizing Financial Services: Fintech’s Role in the LATAM Market

Technology

Unprecedented growth in Latin America, coupled with high rates of technology penetration, have given rise to digital banks with services spanning payments, lending, and insurance. Catherine Zhao explores this trend in her newest article.

“Chipping” Away at Electronic and Auto Industries

Technology

Due to the continued effects of the chip shortage, both consumers and companies are taking the burden of supply issues and hiked prices, while silicon chip manufacturers are benefiting greatly. Consumers are forced to pay higher prices for…

Deciphering the NFT Craze

Technology

$69m painting? $2.9m tweet? Read this article to learn more about the NFT craze and where it’s going!

Check Out The Crypto Craze

Technology

Although Bitcoin’s recent surge seems like deja-vu from its rampant increase in 2017, this time it may be here to stay. Discover why this is the case and how you become a part of this!

Deep learning: The Most Important Software Breakthrough

Technology

Deep learning scales up the market sizes in conversational AI, self-driving cars, and consumer applications. With the advancement in AI technologies, I believe that deep learning could create more economic value than the internet did in…

Cryptocurrency: A Disaster Waiting to Happen?

Technology

In light of recent massive spikes in cryptocurrency, many new investors have joined the fray with a “can’t lose” mentality. In actuality, having money invested in cryptocurrency right now is anything but a “can’t lose” situation.

Tesla Buys Bitcoin: Good or Bad?

Technology

In February, Tesla purchased 1.5 billion dollars worth of bitcoin for investment and diversification purposes. Subsequently, its stock price plummeted. Will this polarizing move benefit Tesla in the long-term? Only time will tell.

The Film Industry on Pause

Technology

The pandemic, as it has done to so many industries, has put in a pin in the production and distribution of movies and television shows, yet as so many people are forced to self isolate, the demand for content new and old has never been…

Autonomous Vehicles: A Beauty in Disguise?

Technology

What goes into the minds of self-driving cars? It seems that humans are so close to the creation of fully autonomous vehicles, yet as we approach this revolutionary breakthrough, there still lie a few unturned stones.

Does Driving an Electric Car Decarbonize the Economy?

Technology

What’s the greenest drive to work—especially if it’s relatively close by? With an evolving electric car economy, substituting your conventional car for an electric car and driving it daily for as long as possible (especially with a…

Healthcare Startups: The Future of Healthcare Access

Technology

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed huge gaps in access to healthcare, especially in marginalized communities. Could healthcare tech startups be a potential solution to the holes within the U.S. healthcare system? This article examines the…

The Streaming Wars

Technology

The future of streaming is highly uncertain, with a few contenders vying for dominance, and a slew of others looking to carve out a niche. Overall, Netflix appears to be in the driving seat to be the dominant player in the market, but this…

EV Evolution

Technology

The future is electric, not just for Tesla. Investing Columnist Leo Wang investigates the increasingly internationalized and volatile EV market—one that is undoubtedly hungry to innovate, grow, and profit.

The Environmental Cost of Music Streaming

Technology

Music streaming provides a more seamless listening experience, but what are the environmental costs? How are industry leaders like Apple and Spotify tackling the issue? This article explains it all!

A “Happily Ever After” For Video Streaming Services?

Technology

Despite video streaming gaining its popularity in recent months since the COVID-19 pandemic closed movie theaters, how are corporations like Disney+ and Netflix taking advantage of the shift in consumer behavior? Is video streaming here to…

Decentralized E-Commerce

Technology

Nowadays, it seems like you can buy anything online. A single click of a button could result in an excellent purchase, or may well be money flushed down the drain. This read offers a fresh perspective towards online shopping, including the…

The Resurgence of Electric Vehicles

Technology

For over a century, electric vehicles have struggled to compete against their formidable counterpart, the gas-powered car. In recent years, the demand for electric vehicles has soared to new highs. Find out why your next car purchase…

Oracling the Future of TikTok

Technology

Tiktok has recently come under the spotlight of the investment world. How will this thriving social media sensation survive under such crossfire?

Investing in the Startup Nation

Technology

Imagine a country the size of New Jersey leading the world in the total number of startups and value of venture capital investments per capita. With a population of only 9 million, there is 1 startup for every 1,500 people. Sounds crazy…

Why Silicon Valley Will Keep Going

Technology

Enrico Moretti, Professor of Economics, here at UC Berkeley, starts off his book ‘The New Geography of Jobs’ contrasting California’s two cities, Menlo Park and Visalia. Back in 1969, they had comparable income levels and high-paying jobs…

Streaming Wars: Is It Actually A War?

Technology

Netflix has been the leading power in online streaming services since 2007. However, since the launch of many other streaming services, Netflix has found itself in the middle of the streaming war. Apple launched Apple TV+, Disney launched…

Should We Zoom Past Zoom?

Technology

Zoom (NASDAQ: ZM) is a video conferencing software which has been widely adopted by businesses, schools, and other institutions as a means of communicating during the COVID-19 pandemic and quarantine. Relatively unknown prior to the…

Bon Appétit’s In-House Reality TV Stars: How Free Should Digital Media Be?

Technology

Something that’s been comforting me during this pandemic has been a very specific YouTube Channel: Bon Appétit. The food and lifestyle magazine, owned by Condé Nast, was first published in 1956. In 2008, Bon Appétit started its YouTube…

Consequences of the Bike and Scooter Rental Industry

Technology

On the Instagram page “Bird Graveyards” one can find pictures and videos of shareable electric scooters being set on fire, thrown into the ocean, and being destroyed in any way imaginable. While it’s easy to laugh at these posts and go on…

What Netflix Can Learn From The Downfall of HOOQ?

Technology

HOOQ, a premium video-on-demand streaming service, is a joint venture between Warner Media, Sony and Singtel (Asia’s leading communications group). Sony and Warner Media provide a library and develop customized content while Singtel…

Cryptocurrency’s Conundrums

Technology

Cryptocurrency’s conundrum is that businesses will not want to accept cryptocurrencies as a payment method until its value stabilizes (the price of cryptocurrencies routinely yo-yo by five percent per day). The value can only become more…

Virgin Galactic (NYSE: SPCE) and the Potentials of Space Tourism

Technology

With the magnification in intensity of climate change and global warming, many have wondered if the next step for humanity is between the stars. Some advocates of this proposition include Elon Musk, founder of Tesla and SpaceX, who is…

Turning on Auto-Pilot

Technology

There are many justifications for this sudden surge in demand for Tesla stock; however, does any permutation of such reasons warrant a $60 billion increase in market valuation, , especially since Tesla is yet unprofitable?

The Emergence of Dark Marketing

Technology

Dark marketing has been a new concept for marketers until recently. Today, it has become an established marketing technique that is growing more popular among all types of companies, from startups to Fortune 500 enterprises.

Playing the Game: Investing in eSports

Technology

99,600,000. That’s how many unique viewers tuned in to the 2018 League of Legends eSports Finals, a viewership on par with the Super Bowl. With the advent of video game live streaming platforms like Twitch and YouTube Gaming, a rapidly…

Shedding Light on a Shadow Industry

Technology

All industries from retailing to financing rely on consumer data to conduct their businesses. Consumer data is so crucial that companies known as data brokers have revolved their business model ..

Share of Mind, Not Market Share

Technology

Amazon wants to sell you more shoes; and, the longer you stay on Amazon, the more shoes you’ll buy. In a world where competition is no longer limited by shelf space or ...

Content is the New Telecommunications Industry

Technology

You might’ve noticed that when you go into an AT&T or T-Mobile store to purchase a phone plan,...

Pinpoint the Profit

Technology

Where does the fat in nonfat milk go? What parts of your social media accounts are being sold off to big companies?...

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