Table of Contents

• AI News

• Senior Living News

• Wage / Salary Comps

• Job Listings

AI NEWS

Nvidia Rival Groq Snags $750M to Take On AI Chip Giant – AI chip startup Groq just raised a hefty $750 million in fresh funding, boosting its valuation to $6.9 billion. The Silicon Valley company is developing novel chips called “LPUs” (language processing units) to challenge Nvidia’s dominant GPUs in powering AI systems. Groq’s hardware, available via cloud service or on-premises clusters, is optimized for speedy AI model inference at lower cost. The new funding more than doubles Groq’s valuation from a year ago and brings total capital raised to over $3 billion. Founder Jonathan Ross, a former Google engineer who helped create the Tensor Processing Unit, says Groq’s tech can run popular AI models (from the likes of Meta and OpenAI) with equal or better performance at a fraction of typical costs. As demand soars for AI computing, Groq’s massive cash infusion will fuel efforts to loosen Nvidia’s grip on the market.

Meta Launches Smart Glasses with AI Display and Wrist Control – At its Connect 2025 event, Meta unveiled futuristic Ray-Ban smart glasses that incorporate an AI-powered display right in the lens. Dubbed Meta Ray-Ban Display, the eyewear can show wearers app notifications, directions, live translations and more on a tiny screen in the right lens. Users control the interface with subtle hand gestures picked up by Meta’s new Neural Band – a wristband device that reads electrical signals from the brain to the hand. CEO Mark Zuckerberg demoed how small finger movements can navigate the glasses’ apps, thanks to the band’s electromyography sensors. The glasses include cameras, speakers, mics, and an AI assistant built in, essentially functioning as a smartphone replacement on your face. Priced at $799 and available starting late September, Meta’s latest gadget aims to kick-start the era of everyday augmented reality wearables. With 18-hour Neural Band battery life and water resistance, these smart glasses represent Meta’s bold bet that hands-free, AI-enhanced eyewear is the future of personal tech.

AI Security Startup Raises $80M to Prevent Model Misuse – Irregular, an AI security firm, announced a new $80 million funding round led by top venture capital firms to boost its efforts in safeguarding advanced AI models. The startup, formerly known as Pattern Labs, specializes in “red-teaming” AI systems – stress-testing them to find vulnerabilities, biases, or loopholes that could be exploited. Irregular has already been hired by major AI labs like OpenAI and Anthropic to evaluate next-gen models (its work was cited in the security report for Claude AI’s latest version). The company’s platform runs elaborate simulations pitting AI “attackers” against AI “defenders” to see where defenses fail before models are released. With this fresh capital (valuing Irregular at $450 million), the team plans to identify emergent risks in frontier AI – from prompt injection attacks to harmful capabilities – before bad actors do. As AI models grow more powerful, investors are betting on security startups like Irregular to help the industry “secure the future” of AI development.

WTO: AI Could Boost Global Trade 35% by 2040 – Artificial intelligence is poised to turbocharge international trade, according to a new report from the World Trade Organization. The WTO analysis forecasts that AI’s impact on reducing costs and improving productivity could expand the value of global trade in goods and services by 34% to 37% by the year 2040. AI-driven efficiencies – such as automated logistics, smarter supply chains, and instant translation tools – are expected to especially help small businesses reach global markets by lowering language and regulatory barriers. The report cautions, however, that these gains aren’t guaranteed for all: countries with less digital infrastructure risk being left behind, potentially widening economic divides. WTO officials urge proactive policies (like workforce retraining and universal tech access) to ensure AI’s trade benefits are widely shared. They also note that if managed well, AI could add over 10% to worldwide GDP in the long run. In short, AI might be a “bright spot” in a complex trade environment, but governments must smooth the transition so its upsides don’t bypass vulnerable economies.

Poll: Americans Fear AI Will Erode Human Skills by 2035 – A new survey finds that over half of U.S. adults expect artificial intelligence to have a mostly negative impact on essential human abilities within the next decade. In the poll conducted by Elon University and partners, majorities of respondents predicted AI would diminish traits like social-emotional intelligence, empathy, critical thinking, and individuals’ sense of agency. For example, by a 6-to-1 margin Americans believe AI will harm people’s social and emotional skills rather than improve them. Only 9% felt AI’s overall impact on “the essence of being human” will be mostly positive, whereas 25% expect it to be mostly for the worse (the remainder anticipate a mixed bag of good and bad). The findings run counter to the common hope that uniquely human “soft skills” would remain our saving grace in the AI era. Instead, many fear that reliance on AI could make us less emotionally attuned, less creative, and overly dependent on machine guidance. Experts say these public concerns highlight the need to deliberately design AI tools and usage policies that enhance – rather than replace or dull – human creativity, empathy, and autonomy.

USA Today Deploys AI Chatbot to Engage News Readers – One of America’s largest media companies is embracing AI on its own terms. Gannett, owner of USA Today and hundreds of local newspapers, has rolled out an AI chatbot called “DeeperDive” across its websites to converse with readers. The tool lets users ask questions about the news and then generates answers drawing from the company’s actual journalism content – complete with citations and links to related articles for deeper reading. Developed in partnership with tech firm Taboola, DeeperDive is meant to keep readers on Gannett’s pages by giving quick, factual summaries (and not hallucinating or straying into opinion). The move comes as chatbots like Bing and Google’s Bard have begun summarizing news articles themselves, siphoning traffic away from publishers. By offering its own trusted AI Q&A assistant, USA Today hopes to “beat the bots” and better understand what topics readers care about through their queries. Early uses of the chatbot range from asking for local election explainers to getting highlights of last night’s game, all sourced from Gannett’s coverage. The company says the AI will not replace journalists – instead it’s a new way to repurpose their reporting and guide audiences to content they might otherwise miss.

YouTube Bets Big on AI for the Future of Entertainment – YouTube celebrated its 20th birthday by declaring itself the new king of media – and it’s leaning on artificial intelligence to stay on top. At a product event in New York, YouTube’s CEO Neal Mohan touted that the platform’s 2.7 billion users now make it likely to overtake Disney in U.S. media revenue this year. The video giant unveiled over 30 new creator tools, triple the number from last year, with AI as the common thread. Among them: features that can automatically edit raw video clips into a draft cut, AI-generated video backgrounds for podcasts, and a “dream screen” that creates custom visuals for music tracks. YouTube stressed these AI tools are meant to assist, not replace, human creators – a pointed distinction as Hollywood has battled over AI. Executives noted that producing YouTube content is increasingly a viable career, and AI can remove technical hurdles and costs for independent video-makers. Notably, YouTube itself used AI internally to speed up its product development this year. With consumers shifting from traditional TV to online video, YouTube is positioning AI-empowered creators as the entertainment stars of tomorrow, and itself as the central stage where they perform.

SENIOR LIVING NEWS

76% of Older Adults Won’t Consider Senior Living, Survey Shows – A new survey highlights a huge “perception gap” facing the senior living industry: three out of four older adults say they are not interested in moving to any senior living community. Researchers found that many Americans in their 60s and 70s view senior living as unaffordable, “old and boring,” or only to be considered in a crisis. In contrast, those working inside senior living believe their communities are active, positive places that enhance quality of life. This disconnect poses a marketing and education challenge for providers. Industry leaders say it’s critical to better communicate the modern amenities, social opportunities, and health benefits that senior living offers. With 74% of older adults currently planning to age in their own homes (or downsize to non-senior housing), operators may need to rethink offerings and messaging to appeal to seniors’ desires for autonomy, fun, and value. The report suggests closing this perception gap is key to attracting the next generation of residents.

Operator Targets Struggling Senior Communities for Turnaround – CP Senior Living, a regional senior housing owner-operator, is pursuing growth by acquiring distressed senior living properties in smaller Midwest markets. Leadership at CP announced plans to invest in underperforming assisted living and memory care communities in secondary cities that larger companies may overlook. By buying these struggling sites at a discount and improving operations, CP aims to both expand its portfolio and preserve much-needed care options in those towns. The company sees opportunity in fixing issues like low occupancy and outdated amenities with hands-on management and moderate capital improvements. This strategy comes as new senior housing construction has slowed significantly in 2025, and some operators face financial pressures from rising costs. CP Senior Living’s growth-through-turnaround approach could revive communities that might otherwise close, while positioning the company as a nimble player in markets hungry for quality senior care.

Big REIT Sees Senior Housing Upside, Invests $1.8B in 2025 – Ventas, one of the nation’s largest senior living landlords, is bullish on the sector’s recovery. The real estate investment trust reported it has poured about $1.8 billion into new senior housing investments so far in 2025, with plans to reach $2 billion by year’s end. Ventas executives noted that occupancy and rent growth in senior living are gaining momentum as the pandemic impact wanes. In fact, they signaled that pricing power for operators – the ability to raise rates – is the strongest it’s been in years thanks to rising demand. Ventas has been acquiring properties and funding development selectively, confident that the aging population trends will drive long-term growth. The REIT also highlighted improvements in margins as communities refill and staffing stabilizes. While economic headwinds persist, Ventas is essentially “doubling down” on senior housing, indicating institutional investors see brighter days ahead for the industry.

Study: Senior Living Residents Healthier Than Peers at Home – New research suggests that moving into senior living may come with measurable health benefits. A joint study by the National Investment Center (NIC) and academic partners compared healthcare usage of older adults in senior communities versus those living alone, and the results favor community living. Seniors in independent or assisted living had significantly fewer emergency room visits and hospital admissions on average than their peers aging in place. They also reported more consistent engagement in wellness activities and better nutrition. Researchers point to on-site services – like fitness classes, health monitoring, and quicker access to care – as key factors. Social connection in group living may also reduce stress and isolation, improving overall well-being. With hospital systems increasingly focused on preventative care, this data positions senior living communities as valuable health partners that can keep older adults healthier and out of the ER. It’s a positive sign as the industry promotes its value proposition beyond just housing.

Dire Caregiver Shortage Underscored by New Report – A workforce study is laying bare the economic struggles of America’s front-line caregivers. According to the 2025 “State of the Direct Care Workforce” report, over 55% of U.S. direct care workers (home care aides, CNAs, and caregiving staff) rely on some form of public assistance to get by. About one in three is on Medicaid for healthcare, and many face food insecurity or lack reliable transportation. In fact, 90% of care aides don’t even have a credit card, highlighting the financial fragility in these roles. Industry experts say low wages are a major culprit – the typical caregiver earns around $13–$15 per hour, often without benefits. The report’s authors warn that without intervention, high turnover will continue to plague senior care providers. Some companies are responding with creative support programs: for example, offering Uber ride vouchers and free meals to help staff overcome daily hurdles. Providers note that improving caregiver pay and support isn’t just a labor issue but a quality-of-care imperative, since consistent, experienced caregivers lead to happier, healthier seniors.

New Senior Community Concept Debuts in Ohio – A Columbus-area project is set to become the prototype for a brand-new senior living brand in the Buckeye State. Kingsbury Living has opened the doors on a $28 million senior living community in Lancaster, Ohio, which will serve as the flagship for the company’s planned statewide expansion. The Kingsbury Living–Lancaster campus features a mix of independent living villas, assisted living apartments, and a specialized memory care unit, totaling over 110 residences. Amenities include restaurant-style anytime dining, a pub and bistro, fitness and salon facilities, and daily social programs – all designed to let “Ohioans live like royalty,” according to the COO. The community also provides 24/7 nursing staff on-site for peace of mind. Ohio’s senior population is projected to grow four times faster than the general population over the next 15 years, driving a critical need for more modern housing options. Kingsbury Living plans to open four additional communities across Ohio by 2027, using the Lancaster location as the model. The new development has also created about 25 local jobs and is aiming to become a vibrant hub for seniors in central Ohio.

Community Goes Green with Award-Winning Solar Project – Meadow Ridge Senior Living in the Connecticut suburbs is generating buzz – and electricity – thanks to a new sustainable energy initiative. The large life plan community “flipped the switch” on a sprawling solar panel installation that is now powering a significant portion of its campus. The project, which recently won an award for renewable energy innovation, involved outfitting Meadow Ridge’s rooftops and grounds with high-efficiency solar panels capable of producing hundreds of kilowatts of power. Community leaders say the solar array will substantially cut utility costs and reduce the facility’s carbon footprint, savings that ultimately benefit residents. The system includes a real-time display for residents to see how much clean energy is being generated each day. Meadow Ridge’s embrace of solar energy reflects a wider senior living trend of investing in eco-friendly upgrades – from energy-efficient buildings to electric vehicle charging stations – that appeal to both cost-conscious operators and environmentally conscious seniors. The sunny results at Meadow Ridge may inspire other senior communities to consider sustainability as a win-win strategy.