Fortune

Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff said his company’s newly introduced artificial intelligence software is a complete package for business customers seeking to take advantage of the emerging technology. Clients think “they have to DIY their AI. It’s not true,” Benioff said — using the acronym for do-it-yourself — Thursday during an interview with Bloomberg Television at the company’s annual Dreamforce conference in San Francisco. “This is a shock to them and it’s exciting for us.” The software company recently unveiled a change in its AI strategy to focus on building AI “agents” that don’t require human supervision for specific tasks such as customer service or scheduling sales meetings. Like many peers, Salesforce was previously focused on building generative AI assistants that require user prompting. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eXX9jb6G

#FortuneMPW is excited to welcome Fidji Simo, CEO of Instacart, to our conference on Oct. 14–16. Learn more and see our full list of speakers here 👉 bit.ly/3WudDK3

Do CEO trends make you roll your eyes? You’re in good company, if so. One of the most powerful figures in philanthropy, Melinda French Gates, recently cut through the noise in an interview with Vanity Fair. Dismissing the supposed valor of executives who fill sleepless nights with work, French Gates calls the phenomenon “so dumb.” In shrugging off the CEO all-nighter, French Gates is also railing against the larger machismo and puritan ethos that praises at least pretending to work oneself to the bone. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eDwVZhqG

Lifestyle changes to diet, sleep, and exercise—paired with interventions like relaxation exercises and supplements—could reverse the aging process, according to recent research. Six women between the ages of 46 and 65 underwent an eight-week program that included alterations to diet, sleep, and exercise. They were also given relaxation guidance, women’s probiotic and phytonutrient supplements, and nutritional coaching. Blood tests showed a reduction in biological age of up to 11 years in five of the six women, with the average participant experiencing a 4.6-year decrease, according to the study, published last year in the journal Aging. Read more: bit.ly/4ezFakz

The biggest tech companies in the world are shelling out millions of dollars every year to protect their CEOs—but some pay more than others, and for good reason. bit.ly/3XS0r3J Among the generous perks awarded to top executives, security costs can be among the priciest, especially when it comes to high-profile business leaders. These security costs include everything from home monitoring to personal bodyguards and security consulting which come at a big cost to companies, depending on the executive. Read more here: bit.ly/3XS0r3J

Renters want cheaper rent, but they’ll settle for some not-so-basic amenities. “Today’s most in-demand rental amenities are not traditional luxury amenities like a fitness center, pool, or business center,” according to Zillow. It’s pet areas and happy hours. “Listings with a turfed pet area, coworking space or community happy hours are drawing more interest as renters appear to be prioritizing practical amenities and community-focused perks,” the analysis read. Read more: https://lnkd.in/enfj28fD

“They want to know how far their dollar will go." bit.ly/3ZzwqH1 As many Americans continue to struggle to find housing—whether due to high mortgage rates, high home prices and rents, or low inventory—some of the youngest and wealthiest homeowners and renters have made moves. Affluent Gen Zers and millennials aged 26 to 35 relocate for better jobs and lifestyles, plus tax advantages that some states offer. “With rising inflation around the world, every penny matters. Can they build a lifestyle that continues to grow their business and quality of life? Can they see raising a family and being able to provide a life that will set them up for success? These are the questions young wealthy people are asking themselves as they decide where to lay down roots," Traci Wilson, a real estate agent with Engel & Völkers in Austin, Texas, told Fortune. Read more here: bit.ly/3ZzwqH1

On the face of it, McDonald’s is the most American institution. bit.ly/3TD1TV4 Given its place in U.S. culture, McDonald’s European success might surprise you. The secret sauce driving McDonald’s growth isn’t its core products, such as chicken nuggets or McFlurry, which you will spot everywhere. Instead, its the company’s localized food items that make up roughly a third of the menu in each country, Tim Kenward, the company’s CMO of International Operating Markets, tells Fortune. In 2024, when a French or German national bites into a juicy McDonald’s burger, they hardly think of it as a cultural export of the U.S. because it has integrated with the local diet. Read more: bit.ly/3TD1TV4

Amazon is delivering a new perk to its warehouse workers—one that’s been a long time coming. The e-commerce giant on Wednesday announced that, in addition to increasing front-line workers’ pay by at least $1.50 an hour, the company will also now offer its Prime membership as a perk starting next year. The free Prime membership, however, is exclusive to front-line workers, the company told Fortune. Corporate employees will still need to shell out the full amount to buy their own subscriptions. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eN4MWSxa

Miss Americana finally weighed in on the future of the nation, or at least who should hold the reigns.  Last week, billionaire pop star Taylor Swift endorsed Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris right after the debate. We’re just now starting to see how much power the Swiftie voting block holds, as Swift’s impact solidifies. Her long-awaited stance on the upcoming election was delivered that week with an Instagram post that carried a custom link to register to vote. In just 24 hours a total of 405,999 visitors went to her unique link, a GSA from vote.gov tells Fortune. President Biden’s power seemingly pales in comparison. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eQRPGwbw