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The way we think about food has evolved dramatically over the last few years. Consumers are no longer satisfied with products that simply avoid artificial ingredients or reduce sugar. Theyre asking harder questions such as: Where did these ingredients come from? What is this food doing for me? Is it safe to feed my family? What impact does it have on the environment? What were witnessing in consumer packaged goods (CPG) is a shift in values. Wellness is no longer a niche or a marketing term, its a baseline expectation. Consumers are seeking foods that align with personal ethics rooted in sustainability and transparency. For todays brands leading the CPG revolution and food transition, ingredient sourcingwhich was once a back-end technical decisionhas taken a front row seat and become a true strategic differentiator. At Felicia, for example, we make pasta alternatives from just one or two whole ingredients like oat, spirulina, buckwheat, lentil, and chickpea. Not because theyre trendy, but because they reflect what modern consumers really want. They arent ingredients typically associated with pasta, but thats part of the point. RETHINK PANTRY STAPLES Pasta is one of the worlds most beloved comfort foods. Its familiar, yet a perfect canvas for innovation. If we can reimagine something as universal in our diets as pasta, we can start to rethink the nutritional and environmental value of all pantry staples, especially those in legacy categories. Take oats, for example. While theyre commonly known for their role in breakfast cereals and plant-based milks, oats are proving to be a versatile ingredient in pasta, offering a smooth texture and rich, satisfying flavor. Beyond taste, oats are naturally climate-resilient and packed with soluble fiber, supporting both digestion and heart health. Oat pasta is also naturally gluten free thanks to a specific production process that delivers pure and uncontaminated oats. Spirulina, often referred to as the food of the future by the Food and Agriculture Organization, is a blue-green algae rich in plant-based protein, fiber, iron, and antioxidants. It grows quickly and has an extremely low environmental footprint. We see huge potential in its ability to boost nutrition without compromising flavor or texture. Its presence in pasta, crackers, and snacks signals that consumers are increasingly open to unfamiliar ingredients, so long as the benefits are clear. Buckwheat is another trending example. Contrary to its name, it isnt a type of wheat but a gluten-free seed that has been cultivated for centuries in Eastern Europe and Asia. Its rich in amino acids, fiber, and essential minerals, and has a deep, nutty flavor that shines in savory dishes. Buckwheat also thrives without heavy pesticide use, making it both a nutritional and environmental asset. FROM HERITAGE INGREDIENTS TO MODERN DISRUPTORS What unites ingredients like these isnt just their health benefits, its their ability to unlock new possibilities in formulation, innovation and flavor. When used thoughtfully, they allow brands to design products that meet nutritional needs without compromising on values or cutting corners. Theres a tendency in our industry to view innovation as synthetic or lab grown. However, many of the most promising solutions already exist in nature. The challenge is to build systems and products that bring these benefits forward, without overprocessing or stripping them of their value. The rise of these ingredients in our pantry staples a signal that the future of food will be shaped by whats nutritionally intelligent, agriculturally responsible, and emotionally satisfying. Carlo Stocco is managing director of Andriani North America.
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E-Commerce
As leaders, were swimming in messaging about AI transformation. And for good reason: AI is fundamentally changing the way we work, learn, and live. But theres another technological revolution happening quietly in the background that could prove even more transformational for certain industries: quantum computing. At Udemy, were committed to helping customers prepare for whats around the corner, not just whats happening at work today. In a recent analysis of Udemy platform data, minutes of video consumed in quantum computing courses were up 51% year over year in 2025 relative to the same months (January to July) in 2024. The Asia-Pacific region had the largest such growth in quantum course video consumption, largely driven by India and Japan, where 2025 minutes consumed were up 222% relative to 2024. Organizations like McKinsey and the Bank of America, among many, are heralding quantum as a massive leap, with one analyst comparing it to the discovery of fire. The big takeaway for the future of work is this: Quantum technology will reshape organizational capabilities in ways that are fundamentally different from AIs more visible disruption. THE SILENT REVOLUTION: WHY QUANTUM IS DIFFERENT Unlike AI, which is reshaping daily workflows and transforming individual productivity, quantum computing represents what I call a silent revolution. As Seth Hodgson, our SVP of engineering at Udemy, told me recently, Most people wont directly notice quantum computings impact, unlike AI which is visible in everyday work. Yet behind the scenes, quantum will dramatically expand whats computationally possible (and indeed, already is in many organizations). Think of it as similar to how cloud computing transformed infrastructure without most end users noticing the change. The revolution happens in the background, but the competitive advantages are enormous. WHY LEADERS SHOULD PAY ATTENTION NOW The implications of this silent revolution are profound: Quantum expands possibility rather than replacing workers While AI conversations often focus on displacement, quantum computing will create entirely new categories of problem solvers. The most valuable talent will be empowered with radically expanded computational capabilities. The new computational divide is forming Organizations will increasingly split into two categories: those constrained by classical computing limitations and those liberated by quantum possibilities. This divide will reshape competitive landscapes in pharmaceuticals, materials science, logistics, and finance first. Eventually, it will touch every computation-heavy industry. Problems youve abandoned as unsolvable will become addressable As Seth pointed out, quantum computing will make currently infeasible computational challengeslike complex protein folding for drug discovery or massive optimization problemssuddenly solvable. The constraint wont be computational power but our imagination in applying it. PREPARE YOUR ORGANIZATION: 3 LEADERSHIP ACTIONS Based on these insights, here are three actions leaders should consider now: 1. Audit your computational challenges Identify which business problems your organization has classified as too complex or computationally infeasible. These represent your quantum opportunity space. In pharmaceuticals, this might be molecular modeling; in logistics, it could be complex supply chain optimization. 2. Build quantum fluency among technical teams As Seth emphasized, quantum requires fundamentally different thinking about algorithms and problem solving. The organizations that invest in quantum upskilling now will own the talent pipeline later. This doesnt mean everyone needs to understand quantum physics, but your technical leaders should comprehend its application possibilities. 3. Reframe problems for quantum advantage The most significant competitive edge will come not from applying quantum to existing problems, but from reimagining what problems you can solve. Leaders should encourage their teams to think beyond current computational constraints. THE QUANTUM-READY ORGANIZATION While quantum computing remains in its early stages across many sectors, the organizations that prepare now by upskilling their workforces will gain disproportionate advantages later. The timeline may be uncertain, but the direction is clear: Quantum will transform what work becomes possible, not just how we do current work. The quantum transformation will be invisible to most, but revolutionary for those who harness it. At Udemy, were exploring how to help organizations build a quantum-ready workforce through accessible education that demystifies these concepts. In the silent revolution of quantum computing, the winners will be the organizations with the vision to reimagine whats possible. Hugo Sarrazin is CEO of Udemy.
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E-Commerce
AARP may not be quite ready for the HBO Max rebranding treatment, but the association is looking for new ways to be a resource earlier in life for its 125 million members. Many people may still think of the nonprofit as their grandmothers AARP, even 26 years after the Washington-based nonprofit dropped its direct association with retirees and subsequently opened up membership to all adults 18 and older. But there are more ways to engage with a younger demographic and earlier, according to Dr. Myechia Minter-Jordan, AARPs CEO. What we recognize is that it’s important for us to be there earlier, and it’s important for us to be there at these important life momentswhether or not it’s your first job, when you’re planning for a family, when you start to think about retirement and saving,” says Minter-Jordan, speaking at the Fast Company Innovation Festival in New York this week. “That’s when you need to really understand the resources that AARP can offer.” AARP’s new chapter When Minter-Jordan was named CEO late last year, AARP promised a new chapter aheadand it is now rolling out a number of initiatives to that end. In addition to a new brand strategy, AARP has also been advising companies about how to maximize the benefits of their intergenerational workforces and prevent age discrimination, partnering with Indeed to help older workers find work that matches their skills, helping members prepare for retirement, and advocating for a family caregiver tax credit. As an internist, Minter-Jordan says that triaging comes naturally, so she has applied this type of process to understand where AARPs priorities should be. Where do we get the best return on our mission and the best return on our investment? she says. In addition to helping adults at earlier ages, AARP wants to find additional opportunities to be a valuable resource to people who are 50 or oldernow the fastest-growing demographic in the world, Minter-Jordan says. And as the elder millennials approach their 50th birthdays, the organization will adapt and evolve the resources it provides to this demographic. What’s next? One myth that Minter-Jordan would like to debunk is that older adults dont use technology, a myth that factors into things like workplace dynamics and age discrimination during the hiring process. It’s really important for us to make sure that that’s well known, so that as employers are looking for employees, they don’t have these sort of antiquated notions in their head of what an older individual can bring to the work, she says Finally, by listening to what AARP members are concerned aboutbe it how AI will impact their careers or potential changes to social security or how to plan for retirement or juggle family caregivingthat will help the organization decide what issues to tackle next. We all want to live longerI cant think of one person that I know that doesnt want to live longer, but how do we do that in a way that we feel empowered as we do so? she asked. There’s an opportunity now for us to continue to lead in this space and to continue to be a catalyst to others.
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E-Commerce
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