Welcome to Curated Morning. A compendium of news, information, and stories that economic development professionals, community development leaders, and elected officials read every week to stay in touch with what is happening in our economy.

The Main Thing:

This week, I'm excited to share a new blog post that tackles a question many of us have secretly (or not-so-secretly) pondered: What do people really want out of life?

Even Steve Jobs, the guy who convinced us we needed a pocket-sized computer, admitted folks don't always know what they're looking for until it's right in front of them. And starting a business isn't always as glamorous as the internet gurus make it out to be (unless you're selling toilet paper, then maybe it's pretty straightforward).

Speaking of wants and needs, I've had my share of quirky business ideas over the years – from gourmet meatballs (because, well, who doesn't love meatballs?) to climate change readiness plans (a tough sell, apparently, as there were very few takers). But through all the entrepreneurial musings and my journey of writing this newsletter for almost four years now, one thing has become crystal clear: my fascination with why we do what we do.

So, if you've ever wondered how to level up your leadership, cultivate a growth mindset, or just generally get more "sh*t done" (my words, not necessarily the official academic term), then this week's blog post is for you. It's not a neuroscience dissertation, but it will provide insight as to my motivation.

It just might be what you're looking for to shake things up in your job and life.

​Check it out​
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Focus On AI

The AI Job Displacement Myth: New Research Reveals the Real Story Behind Automation Fears

A groundbreaking Kellogg School study analyzing 58 million LinkedIn profiles from 2014 to 2023 challenges the prevailing narrative that AI will eliminate jobs. Researchers found that AI's net effect on employment was essentially zero, particularly for higher-paying positions, as workers adapted by shifting focus to tasks that complement rather than compete with artificial intelligence.

This shift in focus not only preserved jobs but also led to job evolution, creating new opportunities and roles. While some jobs saw direct task replacement, companies that used AI extensively typically experienced productivity boosts, leading to overall workforce expansion and creating a "rising tide lifts all boats" effect that offset concerns about displacement. The article "The AI Tidal Wave Doesn't Have to Drown Workers" by Roberta Kwok, based on the research of Dimitris Papanikolaou and Bryan Seegmiller at Northwestern University, describes the study and its results.

Why This Matters: Economic developers play a crucial role in shaping the AI conversation in their communities. It's time to shift from fear-based messaging to opportunity-focused strategies. This research provides concrete evidence that AI adoption doesn't automatically mean job losses—it means job evolution. By positioning their communities as AI-friendly destinations, economic developers can attract growing companies that use AI to scale operations rather than replace workers.

Take Action: In light of the AI evolution, it's crucial to develop workforce training programs that emphasize AI-complementary skills, such as strategic thinking, communication, and relationship building, rather than focusing solely on technical AI skills. Partnering with local colleges to design curricula that prepare workers for high-variance roles that blend AI tools with human judgment is a practical step. Targeting recruitment efforts toward AI-adopting companies that view technology as a productivity multiplier rather than a cost-cutting tool and developing specialized incentive packages that support companies investing in both AI infrastructure and workforce development simultaneously are also key actions.

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​The Great AI Divide: Why 59% of Executives Are Job Hunting and What It Means for Your Community

A revealing new survey of 1,600 corporate leaders and employees reveals a stark divide over the adoption of artificial intelligence in the workplace. In AI is "tearing apart" companies, survey finds, the author Megan Morrone writes that while 94% of C-suite executives express dissatisfaction with their current AI solutions, a staggering 59% are actively seeking new positions at companies with more innovative AI approaches, compared to just 35% of employees doing the same. The disconnect runs deeper: three-quarters of executives believe their AI rollouts have been successful, but less than half of employees agree, with 41% of younger workers admitting they're actively sabotaging company AI initiatives by refusing to use the tools.

Why This Matters: Economic developers are witnessing the emergence of a new type of corporate migration—companies and executives fleeing AI-laggard organizations for more innovative environments. This creates unprecedented opportunities for communities that position themselves as AI implementation hubs rather than just AI development centers. The survey reveals that the challenge isn't just having AI technology; it's successfully integrating it into workplace culture without triggering employee resistance. Communities that can demonstrate expertise in change management, workforce AI literacy, and human-centered technology adoption will become magnets for the 59% of frustrated executives seeking better AI environments for their next career moves.

Take Action: Develop an "AI Implementation Excellence" certification program that trains local managers on bridging the executive-employee AI gap, creating a competitive advantage for companies relocating to your area. Create an "AI Workplace Harmony" initiative that provides consulting services to help companies avoid the cultural pitfalls revealed in this survey. Market your community as an "AI adoption sanctuary" where companies can access both technical infrastructure and change management expertise.

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From Traffic Jams to AI Dreams: How Texas DOT's 230-Use-Case Blueprint Could Transform Your Region

The Texas Department of Transportation has unveiled an ambitious three-year strategic plan featuring 230 identified use cases for artificial intelligence integration across the nation's largest state transportation agency. This strategic plan, currently deploying AI in 22 operational areas, from real-time traffic analysis and crash detection to emergency response coordination, envisions a future where AI revolutionizes everything from infrastructure project prioritization and budget management to evacuation route optimization and wrong-way driver alerts. The potential benefits of this AI integration are vast, promising improved safety, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. In the article "How the Texas DOT uses AI" (Dan Zukowski | SmartCitiesDive), the Texas DOT's approach is described as including robust cybersecurity measures to combat "millions of daily attacks," along with privacy protections and equity safeguards. The article emphasizes pilot programs and incremental implementation to manage the massive technological transformation.

Why This Matters: TxDOT's systematic AI approach, with its 230 identified use cases, offers a proven roadmap for modernizing transportation infrastructure. This modernization directly impacts economic competitiveness, providing communities with AI-enhanced transportation systems a significant edge in logistics costs, workforce mobility, and business continuity planning. Economic developers should take note of these measurable advantages, as they can attract and retain businesses.

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​Take Action: Engage your state and local transportation agencies to discuss adopting elements of TxDOT's AI framework, starting with pilot programs for traffic management or emergency response systems that could improve business accessibility. Use TxDOT's 230 use cases as a template to conduct AI readiness assessments across all local government departments, identifying quick wins that could enhance business services and community infrastructure. Importantly, develop and implement workforce development programs centered on AI applications in transportation and public safety. These programs are crucial in fostering local expertise and ensuring the long-term success of AI integration.

Other Articles of Interest this week:

Economic Development -- Amazon to specnd $20 billion on data centers in Pennsylvania, including one next to a nuclear power plant by CNBC -- Amazon said Monday that it will spend $20 billion on two data center complexes in Pennsylvania, including one it is building alongside a nuclear power plant that has drawn federal scrutiny over an arrangement to essentially plug right into the power plant.

Green Economy -- New York bets big on green economy with Brooklyn climate innovation hub by Danielle McLean | SmartCitiesDive-- NYC and LA nonprofits expect BATWorks to nurture 150 cleantech startups, generate $2.6B in economic impact and create more than 600 green jobs.

Leadership -- Why Diverse Leadership Is a Competitive Advantage — and How Women Can Lead the Shift by Rüya Bayegan | Entrepreneur -- Women often bring three key strengths that are critical in today's business environment: empathetic decision-making, measured risk assessment and community-focused leadership.

Technology -- Seattle outlines 7 priorities for autonomous vehicle adoption by Dan Zukowski | SmartCitiesDive --Robotaxi policies should factor in equity, workforce training, safety and environmental concerns, diverse city residents said.

Mentoring-- Mary Barra on GM’s ‘reverse mentoring’ strategy (Video) | Washington Post Live -- “We even do sometimes at General Motors reverse mentoring, where we take people who are new to the company and have them mentor the senior leadership on how we can be better leaders, how we can understand how they think, how they work, and then, from a technology perspective, because they've grown up in a digital world that many of the leaders in my generation did not.” -- Mary Bara

Something You Should Read:

When will you turn 80 years old? The year 2041 will be my year. I’m wondering what part of AI will be ruling my life by that time. Maybe I will have an AI humanoid to keep me company. If my brain holds out, I might retire then.

Remember when turning 65 meant shuffling off to a rocking chair with a pension and a prayer? Those days are officially over. A recent Wharton symposium brought together 30 global experts to tackle what happens when half a billion people hit 80+ by 2050 (spoiler: it's not all early bird dinners and complaint letters to newspapers).

This Wharton school deep dive explores how we're moving from simply "living longer" to "living better"—and why your retirement planning spreadsheet might need a serious upgrade. From the rise of "healthspan" over lifespan to rethinking the tired old education-work-retirement model, the piece covers everything from AI-powered career planning to something called the "silver dividend." Fair warning: after reading this, you might start viewing your future 90-year-old self as less of a burden and more of an untapped resource.

​Read more here

Overheard:

“So much of what people call “conviction” is actually a wilful disregard for facts that might change their minds.”

— Morgan House

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​The Rabbit Hole:

A Cool Idea During the Hot Months

When I was a kid, I lived next to a grade school (elementary) and went to it too. The playground bordered my home's property line. I couldn't get any closer to school. Up the hill from the grade school was a junior high (grades 7 and 8) that was transitioning into a high school ( it transitioned back after the new high school was built). There was a substantial parking lot and a busy street that connected the two.

I explain all this to let you know that in the winter months (back then, before global warming, we received a lot of snow and it stuck around for several months), we would have pic, snowball fights before school, during lunch (recess in some parts), and after school.

Snowball fights between the sixth grade and the fifth grade, and snowball fights against th high school potheads smoking weed in their cars during lunch (they also had an open campus). From time to time, an unlucky city bus or delivery truck would be the recipient of a volley of well-aimed missives.

Today, in Japan, people compete in professional snowball fights, which have been developed as a sport, with teams and leagues. One can liken it to a cross between Capture the Flag and Dodgeball, as it has elements of both.

​This fun video explains the rules and shows you strategies for winning.

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Moving Pictures

I bet you thought that the special effects were invented about the time Star Wars was released, didn’t you? Special effects have been a part of movie-making for a long time. Early film-making relied on ingenious ideas that didn't require a computer to make you believe something amazing was happening on screen.

This video describes what some of the early pioneers of ‘moving pictures’ did to fool the audience, make them laugh, and entertain them. It is pretty amazing what they did to make us believe they were hanging from a clock way above the street, or about to be smashed by a building.

​Check out the video here.

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​Time to Slurp!

When I lived in New York, we liked to go out ot eat at least once a week at a Vietnamese restaurant called Saigon Spring. They were well known for their Ramen, and I would have it from time to time, but really preferred their shaking beef dish. In other words, you couldn’t go wrong eating there.

Ramen has grown in popularity over the past several years and can be found in nearly every city and town, regardless of size. There are even franchises one can acquire to open a Ramen restaurant. Ramen has grown in popularity just in the last few decades and has progressed from the instant Ramen I ate almost every day in college to high-end Ramen restaurants you see in the USA today.

So, no matter where you are, you can eat Ramen. This article gives their recommendations for the best Ramen in each state. Slurp up!

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With over three decades of experience in economic development, public administration, and small business, I can now bring my expertise to benefit you. What are the issues facing your community? What obstacles are you facing in growing your business? Let's work on this together.

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