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For years, crypto headlines have fixated on trust issues: fraud, volatility, and the few bad actors whove given crypto a Wild West reputation. But the National Cryptocurrency Associations new 2025 Crypto Confidence Pulsea Harris Poll survey of Americans who dont currently hold any cryptoreveals something more fundamental is holding people back: a knowledge gap. Almost 90% of non-holders said they dont feel knowledgeable about buying, trading, selling, or even using crypto. And 49% cited a lack of understanding as the main reason theyre unlikely to engage with the technology in the future. Despite cryptos increased visibility in popular culture, media, and markets, confusion still reigns. Perhaps the clearest sign of confusion among non-holders is this: About 41% say they dont know who or what is backing cryptodespite the fact that its core feature is that it has no central backer at all, and 55% admit that researching the space simply feels overwhelming. Non-holders arent rejecting crypto outright; many are simply unsure what to thinkoverwhelmed by jargon, unclear about practical uses and cryptos capabilities. In fact, nearly a quarter of non-holders said they would consider using crypto if they could pay for goods and services with itsomething thats already possible today. The barrier to entry can be overcome through education. Confusion is the real risk That lack of understanding creates space for fear to grow. When people cant easily grasp how something works, trust becomes harder to build, no matter how good the underlying technology might be. Security concerns (43%), distrust of platforms (36%), and persistent misperceptions around scams and hacks continue to cloud public opinion. Even for those who are interested in crypto, nearly one-third still say theyre unsure where to begin, according to our study. For crypto to fulfill its promise as a more inclusive, accessible, and innovative tool, the industry must provide clarity, not just code. That means education that is simple, transparent, and tied to the real-world benefits crypto can offertoday. But heres where the data gets especially insightful: Non-crypto holders are not a monolith. The survey identifies five distinct personas, each with unique motivations, anxieties, and opportunities for engagement: The Curious: Already talking about crypto with friends; almost half (42%) of this group is likely to acquire crypto this year The Trendwatchers: Watching from the sidelines and intrigued, but need more real-world examples of crypto in action The Skeptics: Seeking proof, safety, and oversight, this cohort is most concerned about security, scams, and the perceived instability of the space The Traditionalists: Prefer legacy systems like banks and credit cards and need clear reasons why crypto matters to their day-to-day The Cautious: Unsure where to start and worried theyve already missed the boat, but open to learning more from trusted sources A one-size-fits-all approach to crypto education wont cut it: Each group needs a different message. The Curious may benefit from more practical guidance around how to set up a wallet or navigate different types of tokens. Trendwatchers may be most influenced by seeing more retailers they know and love starting to accept crypto payments. Skeptics need assurance, which will likely come in the form of policy decisions. Traditionalists need to understand how crypto and traditional finance work together. The Cautious will likely need help cutting through the hype and jargon. If we want to close the knowledge gap, we need to start by knowing our audience. Advance regulation without stifling innovation We also cant ignore the role of regulation. This isnt just a policy matterits a consumer protection issue. Clear, smart rules can help demystify the landscape and signal that this is a legitimate, secure space to engage. Until policymakers and industry leaders work together to provide consistent guardrails, uncertainty will continue to cloud perception. Crypto has long been misperceived as a trustless system. But in reality, its adoption hinges on trust: People need to understand the technology before they can trust itand they need someone they trust to help educate them. Education is the infrastructure. And if the crypto industry wants to build for tomorrow, its time to lay that foundation today. Stu Alderoty is president of the National Cryptocurrency Association.
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E-Commerce
Most of us are failingat AI. While nearly 90% of CEOs expect AI to transform their organizations, only 16-23% report seeing meaningful value today. As a result, employers and employees are losing out. Employees are significantly undertrained in AI. Yet, they feel the pressure to keep up. Only about one-third of workers report receiving employer-provided AI training, and of those who arent receiving training, 34% of them want their employers to provide it. Meanwhile, employers face unprecedented pressure to innovate fasterall while navigating rapid changes in technology and the economy. Boards and investors are urging fast adoption of AI, but many companies dont know how, given high expectations, questionable results, and a wildly uncertain future. The companies that will succeed are the ones that can integrate AI into their workflow. The rest will be left behind. By investing in training for their employees, employers can reap the benefits of AI almost immediately, while better preparing its teams, businesses, and communities for whatever the future holds. Here are three ways companies can harness the value of AI. 1. Use AI to unlock your talent pool Because Amanda, a Duckbill employee, lives with chronic pain, traditional job roles were unsustainable, and freelance work didnt offer reliable pathways to upskilling. Through structured training with Duckbills technology, Amanda was able to transition into a flexible, AI-integrated role. The result: Shes trained to take on future roles in tech that are accessible and flexible enough for her. As are all our other employees. 2. Invest in human-AI partnerships Elizabeth stepped back from her career to start a very difficult job: parenthood. She re-entered the workforce with a role at Duckbill, where she received tech training. As a Duckbill copilot, Elizabeth completes life administrative tasks for Duckbill members, using her knowledge to create real value for clients by combining AI-generated information and adding her lived experience and empathetic listening. For example, when a customer and fellow mother asked a parenting question, Elizabeth used AI to generate a research-backed foundation for an answer, then layered her own story, creating a richer, more meaningful connection while completing the members task. The result: When leadership prioritizes human-AI workflows, it delivers both efficiency and emotional intelligence. 3. Embed AI training in career development Amanda is teaching both humans and AI at Duckbill. As a team leader, she onboards new copilots, teaching them how to use Duckbills proprietary AI technology, and in the process working with engineers to help develop better tools that serve both copilots and members efficiently. Amandas progression is part of a larger, employer-built framework: Every role is paired with built-in AI fluency milestones, career development paths, and mentorship programs. Embedding AI literacy into Duckbills career development, rather than treating it as a nice-to-have, turns training into infrastructure. The result: Adaptability isnt dependent on a few tech-savvy individuals; its systemic and sustainable, even in an uncertain economy. Its time to sink or swim AI skilling for non-technical employees benefits employers and drives immediate-term efficiency, efficacy, and engagement. AI skilling gives employees the best possible chance to keep up with the demands of an AI economy and helps to build tech that brings out the best in our human teams. The choice is yours: Reap the benefits of AI or get left behind like the other 84%. Meghan Joyce is cofounder and CEO of Duckbill.
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E-Commerce
Remember when the internet cried actual tears for an anglerfish earlier this year? Now, TikTok has a new deep-sea obsession. Brought to light by creator and wildlife biologist Josh Allyn, TikTok has recently discovered Octopolis and Octlantistwo real underwater sites off the coast of Australia where gloomy octopuses have been quietly building their own cities and complex societies. Im kinda pissed right now. Was nobody going to tell me that octopuses are creating their own underwater cities? he said in a video posted last week. It has since gone viral with 13 million views at the time of this writing. I had to find out through Instagram Reels. What the hell. @joshallyn I feel betrayed original sound – Basement Biology This isnt a new discovery. Once thought to be solitary creatures, gloomy octopuses (named for their downcast eyes rather than their mood) were first seen living communally in 2009, when diver Matthew Lawrence discovered the original octopus city in Jervis Bay, Australia. Home to 16 octopuses, it was dubbed Octopolis. Then, in 2017, Lawrence and a group of researchers discovered another site with a similar social arrangement of gloomy octopuses that was located only a few hundred meters from Octopolis. They dubbed it Octlantis. At both sites, octopuses were observed sculpting dens from piles of clam and scallop shells, socializing, bickering, and even evicting one another. As one Reddit user joked in a 2022 thread about the phenomenon: Octopus landlords? Octopus rent? Octopus homeowner associations? I swear, if octopi reinvent capitalism, I’ll be so disappointed. Now that TikTok has discovered these octopus cities, the content writes itself. As well as being fodder for AI slop, some have turned the cephalopods society into viral skits. Youre soooo early. We just learned about Octopolis, one user commented under comedian Vinny Thomass post. I cant wait to understand this in 30 minutes.” @vinn_ayy an octopus landlord in an octopus city (which are real) original sound – Vinny Thomas So why is something discovered over a decade ago trending again now? Thomas has a theory: Were all in this moment fixating on it because were so desperate. Were so desperate to imagine that there’s a society somewhere where theyve got it all figured out, he explained in another post. The octopuses are just down there butt-ass naked, eating crabs, living it up. Meanwhile, we are not doing great. I think we are just desperate for that little ounce of hope. He added: Maybe its alright with the octopuses. @vinn_ayy Replying to @ Sara wait lets discuss Very Sad – Enchan Still, in the era of generative AI and AI slop, some viewersscarred by past hoaxes like Trampoline Bunny-gatewant hard evidence before getting emotionally attached to Octopolis and Octlantis. Good news: This time, the octopus cities are very real.
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E-Commerce
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