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What's Behind the Latest Trends in Tech, Culture, and Business?

From AI and social media to nostalgic treats and iconic movie props, here's what's making headlines

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What's Happening in Pop Culture This summer, Americans are celebrating the country's 250th birthday, and brands are joining in on the fun. McDonald's is bringing back its fried apple pie for the first time in 30 years,...

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What's Happening in Pop Culture

This summer, Americans are celebrating the country's 250th birthday, and brands are joining in on the fun. McDonald's is bringing back its fried...

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This summer, Americans are celebrating the country's 250th birthday, and brands are joining in on the fun. McDonald's is bringing back its fried apple pie for the first time in 30 years, a nostalgic treat that's sure to delight. But that's not all - a slew of other iconic items are making headlines, from Luke Skywalker's lightsaber to Rocky Balboa's boots, which are up for auction.

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The Rise of AI and Its Impact on Work

As AI continues to transform industries, businesses are grappling with how to redesign work itself. Dr. Laura Weis, WPP's head of human-AI strategy...

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2 / 7

As AI continues to transform industries, businesses are grappling with how to redesign work itself. Dr. Laura Weis, WPP's head of human-AI strategy and transformation, argues that the narrative around AI is unhelpful and that leaders need to establish an AI-people strategy to make the most of this technology.

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The Importance of Acknowledging Missteps on Social Media

Brands are not immune to mistakes, and when they happen, it's crucial to acknowledge them on social media. New survey data from Sprout Social shows...

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Brands are not immune to mistakes, and when they happen, it's crucial to acknowledge them on social media. New survey data from Sprout Social shows that consumers expect transparency and accountability from companies, and that there's a right and wrong way to respond to controversies.

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What: McDonald's is bringing back its fried apple pie for the first time in 30 years. What: Luke Skywalker's lightsaber and Rocky Balboa's boots are...

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  • What: McDonald's is bringing back its fried apple pie for the first time in 30 years.
  • What: Luke Skywalker's lightsaber and Rocky Balboa's boots are up for auction.
  • Impact: The rise of AI is transforming industries and forcing businesses to redesign work itself.

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What Experts Say

I have a lot of beef around the narrative with AI. While some people say AI makes you lazy or rots your brain, others claim it makes you smarter....

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"I have a lot of beef around the narrative with AI. While some people say AI makes you lazy or rots your brain, others claim it makes you smarter. That narrative is not particularly helpful." — Dr. Laura Weis, WPP's head of human-AI strategy and transformation

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As the world becomes increasingly digital, it's no surprise that AI, social media, and pop culture are intersecting in new and interesting ways. From...

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As the world becomes increasingly digital, it's no surprise that AI, social media, and pop culture are intersecting in new and interesting ways. From the rise of AI-powered chatbots to the resurgence of nostalgic treats, there's no shortage of trends to explore.

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What Comes Next

As we look to the future, it's clear that AI will continue to play a major role in shaping industries and transforming work. But it's up to leaders...

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As we look to the future, it's clear that AI will continue to play a major role in shaping industries and transforming work. But it's up to leaders to establish strategies that make the most of this technology and prioritize transparency and accountability on social media.

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5 cited references across 2 linked domains.

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5
Domains
2

5 cited references across 2 linked domains.

  1. Source 1 · Fulqrum Sources

    There’s nothing as American as apple pie. McDonald’s is bringing back its fried apple pie for the first time in 30 years for the country’s 250th

  2. Source 2 · Fulqrum Sources

    Brands need to acknowledge missteps on social media, but there’s a right and a wrong way to do it

  3. Source 3 · Fulqrum Sources

    AI won’t transform your business—until you redesign work itself

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📈 Business Trends

What's Behind the Latest Trends in Tech, Culture, and Business?

From AI and social media to nostalgic treats and iconic movie props, here's what's making headlines

Tuesday, June 16, 2026 • 3 min read • 5 source references

  • 3 min read
  • 5 source references

What's Happening in Pop Culture

This summer, Americans are celebrating the country's 250th birthday, and brands are joining in on the fun. McDonald's is bringing back its fried apple pie for the first time in 30 years, a nostalgic treat that's sure to delight. But that's not all - a slew of other iconic items are making headlines, from Luke Skywalker's lightsaber to Rocky Balboa's boots, which are up for auction.

The Rise of AI and Its Impact on Work

As AI continues to transform industries, businesses are grappling with how to redesign work itself. Dr. Laura Weis, WPP's head of human-AI strategy and transformation, argues that the narrative around AI is unhelpful and that leaders need to establish an AI-people strategy to make the most of this technology.

The Importance of Acknowledging Missteps on Social Media

Brands are not immune to mistakes, and when they happen, it's crucial to acknowledge them on social media. New survey data from Sprout Social shows that consumers expect transparency and accountability from companies, and that there's a right and wrong way to respond to controversies.

Key Facts

  • What: McDonald's is bringing back its fried apple pie for the first time in 30 years.
  • What: Luke Skywalker's lightsaber and Rocky Balboa's boots are up for auction.
  • Impact: The rise of AI is transforming industries and forcing businesses to redesign work itself.

What Experts Say

"I have a lot of beef around the narrative with AI. While some people say AI makes you lazy or rots your brain, others claim it makes you smarter. That narrative is not particularly helpful." — Dr. Laura Weis, WPP's head of human-AI strategy and transformation

Background

As the world becomes increasingly digital, it's no surprise that AI, social media, and pop culture are intersecting in new and interesting ways. From the rise of AI-powered chatbots to the resurgence of nostalgic treats, there's no shortage of trends to explore.

What Comes Next

As we look to the future, it's clear that AI will continue to play a major role in shaping industries and transforming work. But it's up to leaders to establish strategies that make the most of this technology and prioritize transparency and accountability on social media.

Story pulse
Story state
Deep multi-angle story
Evidence
What's Happening in Pop Culture
Coverage
7 reporting sections
Next focus
What Comes Next

What's Happening in Pop Culture

This summer, Americans are celebrating the country's 250th birthday, and brands are joining in on the fun. McDonald's is bringing back its fried apple pie for the first time in 30 years, a nostalgic treat that's sure to delight. But that's not all - a slew of other iconic items are making headlines, from Luke Skywalker's lightsaber to Rocky Balboa's boots, which are up for auction.

The Rise of AI and Its Impact on Work

As AI continues to transform industries, businesses are grappling with how to redesign work itself. Dr. Laura Weis, WPP's head of human-AI strategy and transformation, argues that the narrative around AI is unhelpful and that leaders need to establish an AI-people strategy to make the most of this technology.

The Importance of Acknowledging Missteps on Social Media

Brands are not immune to mistakes, and when they happen, it's crucial to acknowledge them on social media. New survey data from Sprout Social shows that consumers expect transparency and accountability from companies, and that there's a right and wrong way to respond to controversies.

Key Facts

  • What: McDonald's is bringing back its fried apple pie for the first time in 30 years.
  • What: Luke Skywalker's lightsaber and Rocky Balboa's boots are up for auction.
  • Impact: The rise of AI is transforming industries and forcing businesses to redesign work itself.

What Experts Say

"I have a lot of beef around the narrative with AI. While some people say AI makes you lazy or rots your brain, others claim it makes you smarter. That narrative is not particularly helpful." — Dr. Laura Weis, WPP's head of human-AI strategy and transformation

Background

As the world becomes increasingly digital, it's no surprise that AI, social media, and pop culture are intersecting in new and interesting ways. From the rise of AI-powered chatbots to the resurgence of nostalgic treats, there's no shortage of trends to explore.

What Comes Next

As we look to the future, it's clear that AI will continue to play a major role in shaping industries and transforming work. But it's up to leaders to establish strategies that make the most of this technology and prioritize transparency and accountability on social media.

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Fortune

There’s nothing as American as apple pie. McDonald’s is bringing back its fried apple pie for the first time in 30 years for the country’s 250th

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AI won’t transform your business—until you redesign work itself

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fastcompany.com

Luke Skywalker’s saber and Rocky Balboa’s boots will be for sale at this upcoming auction

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fastcompany.com

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fastcompany.com

PopSockets’ new ultrathin grip is the product its founder wanted to make all along

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fastcompany.com

Brands need to acknowledge missteps on social media, but there’s a right and a wrong way to do it

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Emergent News uses automated assistance to gather, compare, and summarize coverage from 5 cited sources. Review the source list below before relying on the story.