Microsoft recently announced a partnership with Python to bring Python language capabilities to the world’s largest spreadsheet program, Microsoft Excel. The move is, in part, a response to the growing interest in coding and analytics among business users and a desire to make Microsoft Office more appealing to developers.
Cruise, an autonomous vehicle company created by General Motors, has announced that it will reduce its fleet of self-driving vehicles by half following a fatal crash earlier this year in Tempe, Arizona. Following the tragedy, vehicle testing was suspended, and Cruise has since implemented safety protocols that will mandate real human drivers be behind the wheel at all times.
Internet sensation and philanthropist MrBeast has recently come under fire for his latest video. In the video, MrBeast took a chainsaw to a row of trees in a protected North Carolina forest. The stunt was met with criticism from environmentalists and conservationists, who argue that it sets a dangerous precedent and damages the environment.
These three stories demonstrate how technology trends, tragedy, and controversy can shape the course of our everyday lives. By embracing Python to make Excel more accessible to developers, and winding down vehicle testing in response to safety concerns, companies can demonstrate their willingness to listen to feedback. Meanwhile, MrBeast shows us the potential ramifications of carelessness when it comes to environmental conservation.