Featured Stories
Three American Soybean Association Leaders Selected for 2026-27 EU-U.S. Young Leaders in Agriculture
ST. LOUIS, Missouri, Oct. 23 -- The American Soybean Association issued the following news release:
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Three American Soybean Association Leaders Selected for 2026-27 EU-U.S. Young Leaders in Agriculture
Oct 22, 2026
The American Soybean Association is pleased to announce that three soybean leaders were selected for the 2026-27 EU-U.S. Young Leaders in Agriculture Fellowship. The yearlong program brings together young farmers from both sides of the Atlantic to exchange knowledge, explore shared challenges, and advance solutions for a more sustainable and profitable agricultural sector.
Selected
... Show Full Article
ST. LOUIS, Missouri, Oct. 23 -- The American Soybean Association issued the following news release:
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Three American Soybean Association Leaders Selected for 2026-27 EU-U.S. Young Leaders in Agriculture
Oct 22, 2026
The American Soybean Association is pleased to announce that three soybean leaders were selected for the 2026-27 EU-U.S. Young Leaders in Agriculture Fellowship. The yearlong program brings together young farmers from both sides of the Atlantic to exchange knowledge, explore shared challenges, and advance solutions for a more sustainable and profitable agricultural sector.
Selectedto represent ASA are:
* Chris Gaesser, Iowa
* Billie Lentz, North Dakota
* Blake Foxley, South Dakota
The fellowship's second year began Sept. 29, 2026, with 24 fellows, including 11 from the United States and 13 from the European Union. Participants will take part in virtual lectures, engage with policymakers and complete weeklong study trips to the EU and the United States.
The program explores agricultural and food policymaking, farm economics, income support programs, production policies, food supply chains, and global markets. Through these experiences, fellows will deepen their understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing agriculture while building relationships with farmers across the Atlantic.
"We are proud to see Chris, Billie, and Blake selected for this opportunity," ASA President Scott Metzger, a soybean farmer from Ohio said. "Learning alongside farmers from the European Union will give them valuable perspectives on agricultural policy, markets, and conservation practices. We look forward to the ideas and experiences they will bring back to their farms and share with the U.S. soybean industry."
The fellows' first study trip begins Oct. 24, with visits to the Netherlands, Brussels, and Belgium, to explore agriculture in policy and practice.
The fellowship is part of the Transatlantic Sustainable Transition Initiative (TSTI) - Building a Resilient Future Together. Led by the Delegation of the European Union to the United States, TSTI supports EU-U.S. collaboration on sustainable agriculture, energy efficiency in buildings and the circular economy. Agricultural organizations on both sides of the Atlantic helped nominate participants based on their commitment to sustainability, leadership experience and interest in international exchange.
ASA congratulates Chris, Billie and Blake on their selection and their continued commitment to agricultural leadership.
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Original text here: https://soygrowers.com/news-releases/three-american-soybean-association-leaders-selected-for-2026-27-eu-u-s-young-leaders-in-agriculture/
[Category: Agriculture]
Stephen Ward Honored With Top ASTM International Annual Award
WEST CONSHOHOCKEN, Pennsylvania, Oct. 23 -- ASTM International, formerly the American Society for Testing and Materials, which develops and publishes voluntary consensus technical standards for materials, products, systems and services, posted the following news release:
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Stephen Ward Honored with Top ASTM International Annual Award
Ward was recognized for influential work on test methods used in the aerospace, automotive, and marine industries.
Oct 21, 2026
ASTM International presented its top annual award - the Award of Merit - to Stephen Ward for his contributions to its composite
... Show Full Article
WEST CONSHOHOCKEN, Pennsylvania, Oct. 23 -- ASTM International, formerly the American Society for Testing and Materials, which develops and publishes voluntary consensus technical standards for materials, products, systems and services, posted the following news release:
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Stephen Ward Honored with Top ASTM International Annual Award
Ward was recognized for influential work on test methods used in the aerospace, automotive, and marine industries.
Oct 21, 2026
ASTM International presented its top annual award - the Award of Merit - to Stephen Ward for his contributions to its compositematerials committee (D30).
The prestigious award, which includes the accompanying title of fellow, is ASTM's highest recognition for distinguished service and outstanding participation in ASTM International committee activities. Ward was recognized for expanding and mentoring D30's membership, for his strong leadership within the committee, and for influential work on test methods used in the aerospace, automotive, and marine industries.
An ASTM International member since 1999, Ward has been previously recognized with three distinguished service awards (2007, 2016, 2021) and the Award of Appreciation (2025).
Ward has been working in the composites industry since 1981 and is currently a part-time senior technical consultant for composite materials and structures design, analysis, testing and certification for aircraft, eVTOLs, and spacecraft. He retired from Collins Aerospace in 2022 as a senior technical fellow, and previously worked for The Boeing Company as a composite materials technical specialist. He received his master of science degree in aeronautical engineering from the University of Washington (1987) and his bachelor of science in mechanical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (1981).
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Original text here: https://www.astm.org/news/press-releases/stephen-ward-award-of-merit
[Category: Materials Management]
Porter Airlines Pilots Receive $2 Million USD Grant From ALPA's War Chest to Support Negotiations for a Fair Contract
MCLEAN, Virginia, Oct. 23 -- The Air Line Pilots Association International issued the following news release:
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Porter Airlines Pilots Receive $2 Million USD Grant from ALPA's War Chest to Support Negotiations for a Fair Contract
October 22, 2026
TORONTO, Ont.--Following a unanimous vote by the Executive Board of the Air Line Pilots Association, Int'l (ALPA), the Porter Airlines pilot group received a $2 million USD grant from ALPA's Major Contingency Fund (MCF). These funds are not a loan but a grant from ALPA's war chest to provide further resources, if needed, to the more than 900 Porter
... Show Full Article
MCLEAN, Virginia, Oct. 23 -- The Air Line Pilots Association International issued the following news release:
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Porter Airlines Pilots Receive $2 Million USD Grant from ALPA's War Chest to Support Negotiations for a Fair Contract
October 22, 2026
TORONTO, Ont.--Following a unanimous vote by the Executive Board of the Air Line Pilots Association, Int'l (ALPA), the Porter Airlines pilot group received a $2 million USD grant from ALPA's Major Contingency Fund (MCF). These funds are not a loan but a grant from ALPA's war chest to provide further resources, if needed, to the more than 900 Porterpilots as they enter the final and most critical phase of negotiations for their first collective agreement.
"This grant is a decisive show of strength and solidarity and demonstrates that Porter pilots have the full backing of the Association to go the distance until our pilots have secured the contract we've earned," said Capt. Brian Smith, chair of the Porter Airlines Master Executive Council. "Our first contract will be the foundation that will shape how Porter pilots are valued. It is time for change and for much-needed improvements to our scheduling and quality-of-life rules as well as pilot compensation."
As the Porter pilots and airline management approach federal conciliation deadlines, the pilots are preparing for their first informational picket on Wednesday, November 18, at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport.
"Porter pilots are raising the bar for the piloting profession in Canada, and we will not back down until we achieve a contract that recognizes and rewards the skill, professionalism, and commitment we bring to this airline every day," Smith said.
Porter pilots filed notice to bargain in September 2025. After months of minimal progress, the parties entered federal conciliation on September 23, 2026, a process scheduled to run until November 22. If no agreement is reached by then, a 21 day cooling off period will begin on November 23 and conclude on December 13--the earliest date that the union could legally strike or the company could impose a lockout.
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Founded in 1931, ALPA is the largest airline pilot union in the world and represents more than 80,000 pilots at 42 U.S. and Canadian airlines. Follow us on Instagram @porteralpapilots or on X @ALPAPilots or visit porterpilotscontract.ca or ALPA.org.
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Original text here: https://www.alpa.org/press-room/2026/10/porter-airlines-pilots-receive-2-million-grant-from-alpa-war-chest
[Category: Transportation]
Oct. 23, 2026: National Advocacy Update
CHICAGO, Illinois, Oct. 23 [Category: Medical] -- The American Medical Association posted the following news release:
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Oct. 23, 2026: National Advocacy Update
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AMA comments on FDA generative AI-enabled medical device regulatory considerations
On Oct. 16, the AMA submitted comments (PDF) to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding the agency's discussion paper and request for feedback, Considerations for the Regulation of Generative AI-Enabled Medical Devices (PDF). The paper included policy proposals regarding risk assessment, a competency-based approach to premarket evaluation,
... Show Full Article
CHICAGO, Illinois, Oct. 23 [Category: Medical] -- The American Medical Association posted the following news release:
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Oct. 23, 2026: National Advocacy Update
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AMA comments on FDA generative AI-enabled medical device regulatory considerations
On Oct. 16, the AMA submitted comments (PDF) to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding the agency's discussion paper and request for feedback, Considerations for the Regulation of Generative AI-Enabled Medical Devices (PDF). The paper included policy proposals regarding risk assessment, a competency-based approach to premarket evaluation,risk-proportionate postmarket monitoring, and other considerations related to the oversight of generative AI (GenAI)-enabled devices, which present unique regulatory challenges due to the limitless variability of their inputs and outputs.
The FDA proposes a total product life cycle, risk-based approach based on a device's intended use and technological characteristics, relying on a two-axis framework heuristic considering the level of the device's independence in directing or taking action relative to the consequences or severity of harm that could result from relying on an incorrect output.
The AMA expressed strong support overall, emphasizing the importance of physician involvement in establishing and evaluating device standards while adding that the agency's prioritization of regulatory flexibility should not detract from measures necessary to establish a reasonable assurance of safety and effectiveness.
The AMA cautioned that physician supervision should not be presumed to mitigate device risk and that physician expertise should inform the standards for regulatory controls rather than serve as a safety net for potentially unsafe and ineffective GenAI devices. The AMA was supportive of the agency's proposal for a competency-based approach for premarket evaluation encompassing both device benchmarking and clinical confirmation but stressed that clinician involvement in these processes should not result in accountability for device performance being passed from manufacturers to physicians.
"GenAI has the potential to extend the reach of physicians and fundamentally improve how patients receive care. Realizing that potential requires new approaches to evaluating technologies that can perform increasingly consequential clinical functions," said AMA President Willie Underwood, MD, MSc, MPH, in a statement on the letter. "Physicians have a critical role in defining what good performance looks like, and the AMA is ready to help build the evidence and oversight frameworks that will allow trustworthy AI that improves care. Manufacturers must remain accountable for the performance of their products, and patients and physicians deserve the confidence that these technologies are safe and effective."
The FDA is considering feedback from interested parties in developing future draft guidance for GenAI-enabled medical devices.
AMPAC launches interactive Election Hub
AMPAC has launched a new mobile-friendly, interactive Election Hub to help physicians and supporters explore AMPAC's political activity, supported candidates and voter engagement opportunities. The hub features searchable race and candidate information, a national overview highlighting the geographic reach and bipartisan nature of AMPAC's support, voter information resources, AMPAC's independent expenditure efforts, and resources for physicians and other candidates considering elected office. The site is designed to provide a comprehensive view of AMPAC's work to advance AMA's advocacy efforts through political engagement.
AMA responds to NIH RFI on changes to reporting outcomes from NIH peer review
In a recent public response to a National Institutes of Health (NIH) RFI, the AMA urged NIH to retain reporting of overall impact scores and percentile rankings and to establish clear standards for how peer-review results and programmatic priorities inform funding decisions.
In its RFI on Proposed Changes to Reporting Outcomes from NIH Peer Review, the agency proposed replacing the reporting of final overall impact scores and percentile rankings with three broad categories: "Most Competitive," "Competitive," and "Not Discussed." Although expert reviewers would continue to evaluate and score applications under existing procedures, NIH proposed to withhold the final overall impact scores and percentile rankings from applicants, their institutions, NIH program staff, Institute and Center leadership, and advisory councils.
The AMA advocated that NIH preserve expert peer review and accountability in funding decisions. The RFI expressly stated that withholding scores would empower program officials to use their "substantial expertise, portfolio analyses, and good judgment," to make award recommendations that better reflect NIH's strategic priorities. However, the proposal did not specify the minimum scientific qualifications required of officials exercising this discretion or establish standards for documenting how programmatic considerations justify funding recommendations that depart from expert peer-review rankings.
The AMA's response also asked the NIH to maintain meaningful peer-review feedback for investigators and research institutions, so investigators have information about the relative competitiveness of their applications, helping them interpret peer-review outcomes and decide whether and how to revise and resubmit their proposals.
In addition, the AMA recommended that NIH advance its Unified Funding Strategy through transparent, scientifically grounded award decisions, allowing NIH to achieve the objectives of its strategy while preserving the rigor, independence and transparency of expert peer review.
The AMA response aligned with the positions expressed in a July 10 letter (PDF) to the Office of Management and Budget on Federal Awards, which emphasized that federal grantmaking should be grounded in evidence, statutory purpose and expected public value.
New members added to payment model advisory committee
Six new members have been appointed to the Physician-focused Payment Model Technical Advisory Committee (PTAC) for three-year terms by the Government Accountability Office. The PTAC is an 11-member independent committee created by the Medicare Access and CHIP Reform Act (MACRA) of 2015 to review alternative payment model proposals and make recommendations to the Secretary of Health and Human Services on those that the government should test or implement. Of the six new members, three are physicians:
* AMA Trustee Marta Van Beek, MD, MPH, a board-certified dermatologist and Mohs micrographic surgeon who serves as executive medical director for the University of Iowa Health Care Enterprise
* Jennifer Aloff, MD, FAAFP, a board-certified family physician and owner of Midland Family Physicians who represents family physicians on the AMA/Specialty Society Relative Value Scale Update Committee (RUC)
* Reshma Gupta, MD, MSHPM, chief of population health and accountable care at UC Davis Health
CMS proposes rule implementing AMA-backed REAL Health Providers Act and PBM reforms
On Oct. 16, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a proposed rule implementing several provisions of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026, including the AMA-backed Requiring Enhanced and Accurate Lists of (REAL) Health Providers Act and new pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) reforms.
Beginning in 2028, the REAL Health Providers Act requires Medicare Advantage (MA) plans to verify provider directory information at least every 90 days for most providers, remove providers who are no longer in-network, and conduct annual assessments of directory accuracy, with public reporting beginning in 2029. The law also protects patients who rely on inaccurate directories to obtain care by limiting their cost sharing to the in-network amount when it is lower. CMS' proposed rule establishes requirements for implementing these protections, including how plans verify directory information, assess accuracy and determine when patients qualify for cost-sharing protections.
Of particular concern, CMS proposes new requirements that would obligate MA plans to include contractual provisions requiring physicians to maintain accurate directory information and furnish documentation of when patients scheduled appointments, with the latter obligation extending at least 10 years after leaving a plan's network. The proposal would also permit plans to rely on repeated outreach to physician practices to verify directory information, potentially creating significant administrative burdens and shifting responsibility for directory accuracy from plans to physicians.
The AMA will submit comments consistent with existing policy, focusing on MA plan accountability for directory accuracy, minimizing administrative burdens on physicians, improving the reliability and transparency of provider network information for patients, and implementing patient cost-sharing protections.
The importance of these reforms was recently highlighted in a New York Times article examining persistent limitations in MA provider directory information. AMA President Willie Underwood III, MD, MSc, MPH, welcomed the forthcoming accuracy requirements and emphasized the importance of plans using information already available to them rather than imposing additional verification burdens on physicians.
Separately, the rule proposes implementing statutory restrictions on PBM compensation and requiring PBMs to report information on drug costs, formulary placement and utilization management practices to Part D sponsors and CMS. The AMA will urge CMS to prevent PBMs from circumventing the compensation restrictions through inflated service fees or affiliate arrangements and to use the new reporting data to assess formulary placement, PA requirements and whether savings are reaching patients through lower out-of-pocket prescription drug costs.
Comments are due Dec. 15, 2026.
HHS Cyber Gateway offers physicians free training and resources to strengthen healthcare cybersecurity
During Cybersecurity Awareness Month, physicians and healthcare organizations should take this opportunity to strengthen their cybersecurity readiness. The AMA encourages physicians to access the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Cyber Gateway, a valuable resource available at no cost through the 405(d) Program. Developed through a collaboration between the federal government and healthcare industry stakeholders, the Cyber Gateway serves as a central hub for cybersecurity guidance, tools and educational materials for the healthcare and public health sector. These resources build on the "Cyber Safety is Patient Safety" message, and underscore the critical link between cybersecurity and protecting patient care.
The portal provides a wide range of assets tailored to organizations of all sizes, from small physician practices and clinics to large health systems. Visitors can access the Health Industry Cybersecurity Practices (HICP) publications (PDF), technical guidance documents, resiliency analyses, cybersecurity toolkits, posters, webinars and other materials focused on mitigating today's most common cyber threats.
The site also features a Knowledge on Demand tab that delivers practical cybersecurity education, including resources on major healthcare cyber threats and quick-learning modules that can help staff improve their awareness and preparedness. All materials are freely available, making it easier for organizations to strengthen their cyber defenses regardless of their budgets.
Healthcare leaders should fully leverage these offerings and consider incorporating the training and educational resources into employee onboarding, annual compliance activities and ongoing cybersecurity awareness programs.
Physicians can also subscribe to the 405(d) mailing list to receive cybersecurity newsletters, advisory bulletins, and updates on emerging threats, ensuring they stay informed in an increasingly complex threat landscape.
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Original text here: https://www.ama-assn.org/health-care-advocacy/advocacy-update/oct-23-2026-national-advocacy-update (TNSmlt) (TNSmrp)
Entrepreneurs' Organization: AI Advantage Belongs to the Disciplined Founder
ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, Oct. 23 -- Entrepreneurs' Organization issued the following news:
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The AI Advantage Belongs to the Disciplined Founder
October 22, 2026
Insights from Align, an EO global partner, on why clear priorities, accountable ownership, and consistent operating rhythms are the real keys to turning AI into a competitive advantage.
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You Need Sharp Recommendations, Not More Volume
Six months ago, AI was a novel experiment you played with after hours. Today, your executive team uses it to generate market research, draft strategic briefs, and produce board decks in minutes.
... Show Full Article
ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, Oct. 23 -- Entrepreneurs' Organization issued the following news:
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The AI Advantage Belongs to the Disciplined Founder
October 22, 2026
Insights from Align, an EO global partner, on why clear priorities, accountable ownership, and consistent operating rhythms are the real keys to turning AI into a competitive advantage.
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You Need Sharp Recommendations, Not More Volume
Six months ago, AI was a novel experiment you played with after hours. Today, your executive team uses it to generate market research, draft strategic briefs, and produce board decks in minutes.The sheer volume of output feels like progress. But as you sift through endless polished memos, an uncomfortable truth emerges: faster information does not correlate to better business outcomes.
You don't need a five-page summary of what a language model thinks about your expansion strategy. You hired brilliant, high-performing leaders, and your business relies on their human judgment. What you actually need is a sharp, thoroughly vetted recommendation from a talented person whose research and thinking were enhanced by AI. AI gives your team more, but more simply creates executive fatigue and organizational noise. As a founder, your rarest commodity is clarity.
AI Amplifies the Operating Environment You Already Have
When strategic priorities are fuzzy and decisions bottleneck at your desk, AI doesn't resolve the friction. It accelerates it. It equips an unfocused organization to produce polished work in six wrong directions simultaneously.
The operational reality for many growth-stage companies is that the founder carries the strategic roadmap in their head. The leadership team operates reactively, jumping from one urgent fire to the next. When you introduce high-speed AI tools into that environment, the volume of ideas, proposals, and pivot requests doubles overnight. MIT Media Lab research highlighted this exact dynamic: the vast majority of enterprise AI implementations yield zero documented impact on profit or loss because organizations fail to embed the tools in disciplined workflows. AI doesn't create an execution problem. It exposes the one you already have.
The founders who get the most from AI aren't the ones who adopted it earliest or most broadly. They're the ones who already built the operating habits that make faster information useful.
Two Founders, One Big Difference
Consider two founders at a similar stage.
The first has rolled out AI across the business. The team uses it constantly. But priorities shift week to week based on whatever is most urgent. Decisions still run through the founder. When something is unclear, people wait. Ownership is assumed rather than assigned.
The second uses fewer AI tools. But the company has three clear quarterly priorities. Every priority has a named owner. The leadership team reviews progress on a consistent cadence. When new information surfaces, there is a structure for deciding what to do with it.
Which founder is getting more value from AI?
Almost certainly the second one, because the operating environment can absorb information faster and convert it into action. The first founder is producing more output at the same level of organizational clarity. That is not a competitive advantage. It is a more efficient version of the same friction.
MIT's Media Lab examined this pattern at scale. in 2025. Based on interviews with 52 executives and analysis of more than 300 public AI initiatives, the research found that roughly 95% of the companies studied had seen little or no measurable impact on their P&L from their GenAI pilots. About 5% had achieved rapid revenue acceleration. The difference wasn't access to better tools. It was the operating environment those tools ran in.
Four Habits That Turn AI Output Into Strategic Velocity
How do you train your team to use AI to deliver better results instead of just more volume? The core management principles haven't changed. The formula remains the same: define clear outcomes, insist on single-point ownership, and reinforce both through consistent communication and hands-on coaching.
Make it explicitly clear that raw AI output is a draft, not a finished work product. When a department head brings a strategic proposal to your desk, train them to present three distinct elements: the problem statement, the AI-assisted analysis of options, and their definitive recommendation. Train them to explicitly answer: If you were in my chair, which path would you take, and why? AI should act as a force multiplier for their research and strategic synthesis, but your leader must own the decision, the execution, and the ultimate financial outcome.
Four specific habits make that possible.
Ruthless priority alignment. Your team cannot direct AI toward high-leverage outcomes if they are chasing ten competing objectives. Establish three to five critical quarterly priorities stated specifically enough that your leadership team can evaluate AI-generated insights against them without asking for your permission. When everyone knows what winning looks like this quarter, AI gets directed at the highest-value problems.
Single-point outcome ownership. AI creates a dangerous operational trap: it tricks team members into turning off their critical thinking, acting as passive conduits who forward slick algorithmic reports without probing the logic. Real ownership means synthesizing all available information, testing the assumptions, and standing behind a vetted recommendation. Your leaders must deeply understand why a specific path is being recommended and take personal responsibility for the final business outcome rather than hiding behind what the prompt generated. Off-site link. Read more about building accountability into your execution system here (https://aligntoday.com/blog/weekly-accountability/)..
A non-negotiable weekly cadence. Your weekly review rhythm is your primary forum to lead by example and set the standard for real leadership. This recurring cadence gives you direct visibility into where your team sits on the AI spectrum. You will quickly spot the leaders who fall into analysis paralysis, mistaking AI-generated volume for real productivity, and identify the AI-averse leaders who are quietly falling behind. Use this weekly rhythm to push back on assumptions, probe why a plan is structured the way it is, and model what rigor looks like. It is your best coaching opportunity to evaluate who is using AI well and elevate your entire team to sharp, accountable execution.
A structured filter for new information. The guaranteed output of AI is a constant stream of new data, options, and market signals. Without a clear protocol for handling new information, your leadership team will abandon quarterly goals for every compelling report that lands in their inbox. Establish a clear filter: Does this new insight require immediate operational action, or does it get logged for next quarter's strategic planning? When AI surfaces a churn signal, a pipeline risk, or a cost trend, someone still has to own the decision about what happens next.
Operational Discipline Is Your Only Real Competitive Edge
Access to advanced AI models is universally available. Your competitors have access to the exact same algorithms, prompt libraries, and processing power that you do. Software access is not a sustainable moat.
Gartner predicted. that over 40% of agentic AI projects will be scrapped by the end of 2027, citing escalating costs and operational chaos inside the organizations running them. Founders who build the operating habits first will find that AI strengthens everything they are already doing. Founders who skip that step will find that AI accelerates what's working and amplifies what's not.
The founders who win in this new era will not be the ones who adopt AI tools the fastest. They will be the founders who build a disciplined operating system first: clear priorities, explicit single-point ownership, predictable review rhythms, and ruthless focus on outcomes.
Align. is built specifically to enforce these habits. It gives leadership teams a single place to set quarterly priorities, assign named owners, track KPI progress, and run consistent weekly reviews. Founders who use Align to install strong operating habits achieve more strategic results and are better equipped to maximize AI integrations.
Before you evaluate another AI tool, consider whether you have operating habits that help a company run well regardless of technology. Build those first, and the tools become exponentially more powerful.
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This article was contributed by Align -- an EO global partner.
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Original text here: https://eonetwork.org/blog/the-ai-advantage-belongs-to-the-disciplined-founder/
[Category: Business]
CompTIA Launches Effort to Define Workforce Skills for AI Agents
DOWNERS GROVE, Illinois, Oct. 23 (TNSrpt) -- CompTIA posted the following news release:
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CompTIA launches effort to define workforce skills for AI agents
CompTIA AgentOps+ certification will validate skills to deploy, secure and govern AI agents
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DOWNERS GROVE, Ill. - Artificial intelligence (AI) agents are rapidly moving into enterprise operations, but the skills needed to manage them responsibly remain undefined. CompTIA today announced plans to develop a new credential to define and validate those skills.
CompTIA AgentOps+ is intended to establish a vendor-neutral standard for professionals
... Show Full Article
DOWNERS GROVE, Illinois, Oct. 23 (TNSrpt) -- CompTIA posted the following news release:
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CompTIA launches effort to define workforce skills for AI agents
CompTIA AgentOps+ certification will validate skills to deploy, secure and govern AI agents
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DOWNERS GROVE, Ill. - Artificial intelligence (AI) agents are rapidly moving into enterprise operations, but the skills needed to manage them responsibly remain undefined. CompTIA today announced plans to develop a new credential to define and validate those skills.
CompTIA AgentOps+ is intended to establish a vendor-neutral standard for professionalswho deploy, secure, monitor and govern AI agents. The certification addresses an emerging discipline spanning AI, cybersecurity, cloud infrastructure and IT operations.
"The focus has been on what AI agents can do, but the more urgent question is who will secure, govern and be accountable for them," said Carl Bowman, senior vice president, exam services, CompTIA. "As agents gain access to enterprise data and workflows, organizations need professionals who can manage them securely and responsibly. CompTIA intends to help define that standard."
More than half (54%) of organizations are actively deploying AI agents, according to KPMG's first-quarter 2026 "AI Quarterly Pulse Survey."[1] The shift promises productivity gains but introduces new security, governance and operational risks. Deloitte found that only 21% of surveyed companies have a mature governance model for autonomous agents.[2]
CompTIA AgentOps+ is being designed around durable operational principles rather than the products or services of a single technology provider. The planned certification is expected to validate skills in:
* Deploying and integrating AI agents
* Securing agent identities, permissions and data access
* Monitoring performance, behavior and operational health
* Identifying and responding to agent-related risks and incidents
* Supporting governance, accountability, auditability and human oversight
The certification is intended for professionals in DevOps, cloud operations, platform engineering, systems administration and cybersecurity. For employers, the certification will offer a way to upskill staff and validate AI operations skills. Educational institutions and training providers can prepare learners for emerging AI operations roles.
CompTIA AgentOps+ and a comprehensive suite of related learning products are planned for release in Q2 2027.
[1] "AI Quarterly Pulse Survey Q1 2026," (https://view.ceros.com/kpmg-design/kpmg-genai-study/p/2) KPMG, March 31, 2026.
[2] "State of AI in the Enterprise," Deloitte, January 2026.
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About CompTIA
CompTIA, Inc. is the leading global provider of vendor-neutral training and certification products in the information technology (IT) space. Over four million CompTIA certifications have been awarded to current and aspiring technology workers, business professionals, government and military personnel, career changers, students and others. Working in partnership with thousands of academic institutions, governments, training providers and workforce development organizations, CompTIA uses best-in-class learning solutions, industry-recognized certifications and career resources to help job seekers reach their full potential and employers develop skilled technical talent. Learn more at https://www.comptia.org/.
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REPORT: https://www.deloitte.com/content/dam/assets-zone3/us/en/docs/services/consulting/2026/state-of-ai-2026.pdf
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Original text here: https://www.comptia.org/en-us/about-us/news/press-releases/CompTIA-launches-effort-to-define-workforce-skills-for-AI-agents/
[Category: Computer Technology]
AICPA Makes Recommendations on Proposed Regulations Detailing Employer Contributions to Trump Accounts
NEW YORK, Oct. 23 -- The American Institute of CPAs issued the following news release:
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AICPA Makes Recommendations on Proposed Regulations Detailing Employer Contributions to Trump Accounts
Washington, D.C. (October 22, 2026) - The American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) has submitted recommendations to both the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regarding new proposed regulations for employer contributions to Trump accounts. The letter's recommendations highlight areas in the proposed regulations that are administratively burdensome, making it potentially difficult for employers
... Show Full Article
NEW YORK, Oct. 23 -- The American Institute of CPAs issued the following news release:
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AICPA Makes Recommendations on Proposed Regulations Detailing Employer Contributions to Trump Accounts
Washington, D.C. (October 22, 2026) - The American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) has submitted recommendations to both the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regarding new proposed regulations for employer contributions to Trump accounts. The letter's recommendations highlight areas in the proposed regulations that are administratively burdensome, making it potentially difficult for employersto comply.
The proposed regulations address employer-sponsored Trump account contribution programs established under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 128, allowing employers to make tax-free contributions to an employee's or employee's dependent's Trump account, subject to annual limits of $2,500 per employee in 2026 and 2027, with inflation adjustments thereafter. Similar to dependent care assistance programs under Section 129, these employer programs must be maintained through a separate written plan and comply with employee notification, reporting and nondiscrimination requirements.
The proposed rules outline standards for plan documentation, employee certifications, account verification, trustee communications, contribution limits, cafeteria plan salary-reduction arrangements, correction procedures for administrative and nondiscrimination failures, and nondiscrimination testing requirements under both Sections 128 and 129.
* In response to the proposed regulations, the AICPA provided recommendations in the following areas:
* Develop simplified compliance methods for Trump account contribution programs
* Determine a reasonable method for account verification and contribution transmission
* Develop a standard process for communicating with Trump account trustees
* Develop an administrable trustee selection process
* Increase flexibility in the nondiscrimination rules
* Clarify payroll reporting for nondiscrimination failures
* Coordinate with Individual Retirement Account Employee Plans Compliance Resolution System program
* Extend the deadline for 2026 Trump account contribution to 2027
* Provide transition relief
"The AICPA's letter addresses practical compliance challenges to sections that could make Trump account programs difficult to implement. The goal of our recommendations is to reduce uncertainty and administrative burdens for employers and tax practitioners," says Michelle Zou, Senior Manager, AICPA Tax Policy & Advocacy. "Clearer, standardized rules would reduce administrative complexity, make errors easier to correct and help encourage broader employer participation."
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About the American Institute of CPAs
The American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) is the world's largest member association representing the CPA profession, with a history of serving the public interest since 1887. AICPA members represent many areas of practice, including business and industry, public practice, government, education, and consulting. A founding member of the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, the AICPA sets ethical standards for the profession, attestation standards, and U.S. auditing standards for private companies, not-for-profit organizations, and federal, state, and local governments. It develops and grades the Uniform CPA Examination, offers specialized credentials, partners across the profession to build future talent, and drives continuing education to advance the vitality, relevance, and quality of the profession.
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Original text here: https://www.aicpa-cima.com/news/article/aicpa-makes-recommendations-on-proposed-regulations-detailing-employer-contributions-to-trump-accounts
[Category: Accounting]
