Here are five things in technology that happened this week and how they affect your business. Did you miss them?

Amazon CEO Andy Jassy recently sent a company-wide email outlining how generative AI is reshaping Amazon’s future and its workforce. He emphasized that while AI will boost efficiency and reinvent customer experiences, it will also lead to fewer white-collar jobs over time. Jassy noted that Amazon is already using AI across nearly every part of its operations – from Alexa+ and shopping tools to fulfillment logistics and advertising. The company has over 1,000 generative AI tools in development, and Jassy believes this is just the beginning. He encouraged employees to embrace the shift by learning about AI, attending workshops, and experimenting with the technology. Those who adapt will be “well-positioned to have high impact and help us reinvent the company,” Jassy said. (Source: Quartz)

Everybody needs to take a breath. Knowing how unreliable, inaccurate, and error-prone today’s AI tools are I don’t see this technology replacing people right away. But…it’s going to happen, and likely more so in the next 2-5 years. If you’re an employee of a big company take to heart Jassy’s advice: become expert with these tools so that you can become valuable, productive and profitable to your employer. If you’re a small business owner the same applies.

Robotics platform Farm-ng has rolled out a major software update for its Amiga modular robot – designed to better serve small and midsize farms. A streamlined, grower-friendly interface simplifies robot control even for users with minimal technology experience. A new Job Manager lets farmers plan, save, and repeat tasks like seeding, weeding, and spraying with precision. The update also includes improved hands-free navigation and automated implement control within defined farming zones. All updates are delivered over-the-air (OTA) so existing users can upgrade without new hardware or complex installs. (Source: The Robot Report)

Often overlooked by the mainstream news, ag-tech has been booming over the past few years. Companies like Farm-ng have been rolling out robotics, internet-of-things-enabled equipment and sensors as well as advanced predictive analytics leveraging AI to better forecast production. This is an industry where ever penny counts and technology is making a difference.

Vercepta launches to give small business owners real-time control over online reputation.

Reputation management platform Vercepta has officially launched, giving small business owners real-time control over their online reputation. Developed by Stellar Analytics, Vercepta offers features typically reserved for large enterprises, including real-time alerts for new reviews across major platforms. Data-driven insights track sentiment trends and identify potential risks. These tools help businesses not just react to feedback but also proactively manage their public image. Founder Justin Jennings emphasized that most reputation tools are built for agencies, not the business owners themselves. (Source: KXAN Austin)

Reputation management remains one of the top security concerns for small businesses and in some cases even more important that malware, ransomware or data breaches. Hackers stealing data or impersonating businesses can cause far-reaching reputation issues, particularly on social platforms.

Reddit has launched two new AI-powered advertising tools – Reddit Insights and Conversation Summary Add-ons – to help brands tap into real-time user discussions and trends across the platform. Reddit Insights uses AI to analyze billions of posts and comments, surfacing cultural trends, brand sentiment, and emerging topics to guide campaign planning. Conversation Summary Add-ons allow advertisers to display curated, positive user comments directly beneath promoted posts, adding authenticity and social proof. These tools are part of Reddit’s broader push to monetize its vast trove of community-driven content while preserving its unique, human-centered vibe. (Source: Reuters)

Reddit continues to grow in popularity among people doing research, having conversations or looking for feedback on their ideas. I’m active on a couple of Reddit groups and have learned much from other users too. Which his why it’s no surprise that advertisers – big and small – are looking to leverage this audience. And Reddit is responding – these new tools look promising to those who want to make the Reddit community part of their marketing campaigns.

WhatsApp is officially rolling out advertisements in its Status feature, making a major shift for the previously ad-free messaging app. These ads will appear in the updates tab – similar to Instagram Stories – and will not affect private chats, which remain end-to-end encrypted. Alongside Status ads, WhatsApp is also introducing paid channel subscriptions allowing creators to offer exclusive content. Promoted channels will give businesses and influencers more visibility. Meta says ad targeting will rely on basic data like location, language, and user interactions – especially for those who link WhatsApp with other Meta services. This is part of the company’s broader strategy to monetize WhatsApp’s massive user base. (Source: The Verge)

Why this is important for your business:

Speaking of advertising! Like Reddit (above), WhatsApp has a huge community and – let’s admit it – we’ve been using this free service for years without anything being asked of us. Well, that’s changing. Going forward you can expect to see more ads on this platform, which maybe annoying but it can also present marketing opportunities for small businesses looking to reach new audiences.

Every week I pick 5 business technology news stories and round them up here, along with my comments.