How KFC and Taco Bell's top technologist is embracing AI and automation across 63,000 restaurants The top technologist at Yum Brands, Jim Dausch, is embracing AI and automation across 63,000 restaurants. Fortune · Aug 19
Moderna's and Merck's personalized mRNA vaccine shows real promise against deadly skin cancer melanoma in late stage trial and sends stocks soaring The shot, paired with Merck's Keytruda, cut the risk of melanoma recurrence in a trial of more than 1,100 patients. Fortune · Aug 19
How a DIY Adobe Illustrator design landed Rebel Creamery in a $23.8 million fight with Van Leeuwen Rebel has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, but will continue to sell in grocery stores amid a court-ordered rebrand. Fortune · Aug 19
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella says he doesn't see empathy as a soft skill: 'It’s the hardest skill we learn' Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella thinks labeling empathy “soft” underemphasizes its importance. Fortune · Aug 19
Google’s founders didn’t market test Alphabet’s name before launching the now $1.9 trillion juggernaut. Here's the advice Steve Jobs gave Larry Page The anniversary of Google's IPO is on Wednesday, and Fortune looked back at the philosophy behind the founders' brainchild. Fortune · Aug 19
Ex-Google chief scientist tells Gen Z the trick is not to master AI—instead, just skim papers Jeff Dean, who just left Google after 27 years, says future success belongs to Gen Z students who read broadly and focus on problems with a five-year horizon. Fortune · Aug 19
Millionaire Mel Robbins says her waitressing boss taught her how to spot the most influential person in the room: 'It's never who you think it is' “The Mel Robbins Podcast” host says the most powerful person in the room is “never who you think it is.” Fortune · Aug 19
Bond traders are testing Kevin Warsh: The Fed chair will heed but not be ruled by markets, says the economist who spent years sitting beside him "He wants the Fed to think in terms of the bigger picture ... and people are finding that frustrating, but I think he's been very, very clear." Fortune · Aug 19
Exclusive: Replit taps OpenAI's low-cost Luna model for new 'Free Mode' An 80% reduction in the cost of tokens for OpenAI's Luna allowed Replit to roll out the new service, which despite its 'free' name, still requires a monthly subscription. Fortune · Aug 19
Unitree, famous for its dancing robots, surges by 460% on its trading debut, lifting valuation to $66 billion, far ahead of U.S. competitors The Hangzhou-based startup, founded in 2016, has quickly become something akin to a national champion in China's robotics sector. Fortune · Aug 19
Also’s $3,500 e-bike is a $1 billion Trojan horse for autonomous transportation The Rivian spinoff just raised $150 million to build autonomous vehicles for moving people and packages—not just pedalers. Fortune · Aug 19
Home Depot’s $730 million tariff refund was largely offset by rising costs Home Depot, Amazon, and Walmart are taking very different approaches to the tariff refunds flowing back to retailers. Fortune · Aug 19
Current price of oil as of Aug. 19, 2026 When oil prices change, it affects your energy costs—and even the price of everyday items. Here’s why. Fortune · Aug 19
The Iranians have Trump right where they want him and suggest he seek 'a dignified exit' Everything you need to know before you reach the office this morning. Fortune · Aug 19
Fortune · Aug 19 One of the VC world's biggest stars is doubling down on sports in a big way, and there's a compelling tax reason behind the strategy Thrive Capital founder Joshua Kushner's $12.5 billion deal with former Disney CEO Bob Iger to buy the Los Angeles Lakers vaults him into an elite club.
Fortune · Aug 19 Coinbase establishes Abu Dhabi tokenization hub as GCC blockchain market flourishes Coinbase's decision to base its global tokenization hub in Abu Dhabi is the latest sign that the emirate's bet on regulated digital assets is paying off—with $500 billion in GCC assets predicted to move onto blockchain by 2030.
Fortune · Aug 19 Fortune Tech: OpenAI presses pause; China's robot dogs; Apple's EU sacrifices In today's edition: OpenAI presses pause; China's robot dogs; Apple's EU sacrifices, teen AI, TikTok money, Meta, China's edge, Alibaba, and Etched.
Fortune · Aug 19 New data from BCG shows why the CEOs best at running companies are often the worst at leaving them New data from BCG shows why the CEOs best at running companies are often the worst at leaving them.
Fortune · Aug 19 The IRS wants to significantly increase UnitedHealth’s taxable income. Neither side will say by how much The agency wants to raise the health giant's taxable income for four straight years. Neither side will say how much is at stake.
Fortune · Aug 19 Tesla asked Las Vegas for 5,000 robotaxi permits. Sin City gave it an initial 10, capped the speed at 45mph, and banned airport trips Nevada capped Tesla's fleet at a fraction of its request and kept it away from Harry Reid airport.
Fortune · Aug 19 USC just shattered its fundraising record by nearly $100 million—thanks partly to the billionaire family behind the Houston Texans The Robert and Janice McNair Foundation donated $25 million to the University of South Carolina in 2026.
Fortune · Aug 19 Princeton's 'AI Snake Oil' author says the real fear isn't thinking machines—it's that AI exposes who already knows how to think Princeton's Arvind Narayanan says his students are "in a bind." How much should they use AI versus resist it to build up their own skills?
Fortune · Aug 19 Nelson Peltz might take Wendy’s private following six straight quarterly sales declines as customers flee its poor franchise models and bad marketing Peltz spent two decades helping shape Wendy's into the burger conglomerate it is today. Now he's considering buying the rest of the struggling chain.
Fortune · Aug 19 Strait of Hormuz chaos has incentivized China to use an alternative trade route: a 3,400 mile frozen Arctic channel dubbed the ‘Ice Silk Road’ Chinese shipping company Sea Legend Line just announced a shipping route through the Arctic, which takes half the time as established shipping routes.