*By Conor White*
Automation doesn't have to be a job-killer.
That's according to Wade Foster, the CEO of Zapier, which creates technology that allows different workplace apps to communicate with each other.
"The key thing that automation provides is it allows machines to do the things they are really, truly best at," explained Foster in an interview on Cheddar Wednesday. "And then it allows humans the creative angle to work. We're able to find better stories to tell our customers, we're better able to invent new ways of doing things that we haven't done before."
It might be a good thing for those in sectors like technology and media, but others ー those, for example, in manufacturing industries ー will feel the negative effects of technological advances. The World Economic Forum estimates that five million jobs will be lost to automation by 2020. In an interview Wednesday on Cheddar, Foster said it's important not to forget about those workers.
"When you look at blue collar work and things like that, I think we will have to find ways to transition the knowledge that's learned there to help folks find new ways of helping society move forward."
Overall, Foster is optimistic when it comes to automation and about the impact it will have on the world at large.
"Instead of replacing jobs, it's actually helping \[companies\] achieve more, grow revenue," he said. "And in turn they're able to actually create more jobs because they're better able to do things they haven't been able to do before."
For the full interview, [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/could-automation-actually-be-good-for-workers).
Decentralized talent network Braintrust recently closed an atypical equity deal that involved investors buying $100 million in Braintrust tokens, the company's cryptocurrency. Braintrust's talent network is built on blockchain technology, which the company says allows it to be owned and built by users, instead of a centrally-controlled corporation. Braintrust users can also earn tokens for their contributions to the network and its growth. Braintrust co-founder Adam Jackson joins Cheddar News' Closing Bell to discuss.
Blue Origin launched its third manned mission over the weekend with 'Good Morning America' host Michael Strahan and Laura Shepard Churchley, daughter of astronaut Alan Shepard on board, alongside several Blue Origin investors.
This comes after the spaceflight firm launched two successful missions to the edge of space earlier this year. How will these missions set up Blue Origin for success as it competes with SpaceX and other companies for space tourism domination and more? Joey Roulette, space reporter at The New York Times, joins Cheddar News' Closing Bell to discuss.
Editorial and stock photo provider Getty Images is gearing up to make its public debut via a SPAC merger with CC Neuberger Principal Holdings II bringing it to a $4.8 billion valuation. CEO Craig Peters joined Cheddar to break down the decision to go public and noted that the merger will help to pay down debt. "That's going to really enable a lot of additional free cash flow and financial flexibility into the business," he noted. "That's just going to allow us to just invest more aggressively into the business to accelerate what is already accelerating growth." Peters also discussed the legacy image platform's place going forward in the expanding world of digital assets like NFTs and the metaverse.
Headspace Health has just launched the 'Headspace for Teens' social impact initiative, which will offer free access to the Headspace app for all teens ages 13 - 18 in America. Alice Nathoo, head of social impact at Headspace joins Cheddar News to talk about the program.
Cuy Sheffield, head of crypto at Visa, joined Cheddar's "Closing Bell" to talk about Visa's commitment and the partnerships the company has established to make crypto a conventional form of currency. He noted that banks are becoming more receptive to digital currency as their customers move portions of money to crypto platforms and also explained steps Visa is taking to make them more climate conscious.
Boxed, an e-commerce grocery platform that sells bulk consumables to businesses and household customers, began trading under the ticket symbol "BOXD" after completing a transaction with SPAC Seven Oaks Acquisition. Chieh Huang, co-founder and CEO of Boxed joins Cheddar News to talk about the company's growth.
Michael Cohen, Donald Trump's former personal lawyer, has been busy since completing his prison sentence in November. He's getting into the NFT space, selling his federal prison badge and the original manuscript of his book "Disloyal" as NFTs. Cohen joined Cheddar to discuss his latest venture and why he thinks there is still much to be revealed about his case.
