Table of Contents

• AI News

• Senior Living News

• Wage / Salary Comps

• Job Listings

AI NEWS

Oracle’s AI Cloud Soars, Boosting Ellison’s Wealth
Tech giant Oracle saw its stock hit record highs thanks to booming demand for its AI cloud services. Shares jumped over 35% in a single day, briefly bringing Oracle’s market value near the exclusive $1 trillion mark. Co-founder Larry Ellison’s net worth swelled to about $388 billion, putting him within reach of the title of world’s richest person. The surge comes after Oracle reportedly struck huge cloud computing deals to power artificial intelligence projects (including a massive partnership with OpenAI). Although the stock pulled back slightly afterward, analysts say the company’s “truly awesome” quarterly results and upbeat guidance underscore how hungry businesses are for AI computing power. Oracle’s year-to-date stock gains have now far outpaced other tech titans, reflecting Wall Street’s excitement over its transformation into an AI infrastructure leader.

Data Centers at Full Throttle for AI Boom
Construction of data centers in the U.S. hit an all-time high this year as companies race to keep up with AI’s exploding computing needs. In June, data center construction spending reached a record $40 billion annual pace – about 30% higher than a year ago. Tech giants like Microsoft, Google, and Amazon are pouring billions into new server farms to support advanced AI and machine learning applications. This “build out” has been a bonanza for chipmakers such as Nvidia, which supply the high-powered processors these centers need. Industry reports note that while big cloud providers are driving much of the demand, other factors (like more electric vehicles and factories reshoring to the U.S.) are also straining power capacity. The generative AI gold rush is clearly a major factor, though – fueling unprecedented expansion of the digital infrastructure that underpins everything from chatbots to smart assistants.

AI Coding Startup Replit Hits $3B Value
Replit, a platform that uses AI to help people write software, just raised $250 million from investors – valuing the startup at about $3 billion. The San Francisco company’s tools use “code generation” AI to make coding easier for both professional developers and non-technical folks. In fact, Replit’s business has skyrocketed: its annual revenue jumped from just $2.8 million to $150 million in under a year. The new funding round, led by firms like Google’s AI fund and big venture capital backers, will go towards more R&D and product growth. Replit competes in a hot market alongside other AI coding assistants. The company says its edge is designing features for everyday users in different departments (not just engineers). This spring, a rival firm raised $400 million at a $10 billion valuation – showing how high the stakes (and hopes) are in the race to build AI that writes software. For now, Replit’s fresh cash will help it double down on the mission to make coding as accessible as chatting with a friend.

Cloud Provider Nebius Raising $3B After Microsoft Deal
Nebius, a lesser-known cloud infrastructure company, announced plans to raise $3 billion to supercharge its AI cloud services. The Amsterdam-based firm recently landed a huge contract with Microsoft worth up to $19.4 billion, agreeing to supply GPU computing capacity over the next five years. Off the back of that partnership, Nebius is issuing $2 billion in convertible notes and $1 billion in new shares to fuel its growth. The cash will fund more servers, hardware and data center expansion as Nebius scales up to meet demand. When the Microsoft deal was unveiled, Nebius’s stock price jumped nearly 50%, hitting record highs. The company’s shares have soared over 200% this year as it gains momentum in the race for AI cloud dominance. With this big infusion of capital, Nebius is positioning itself as a serious player providing the digital horsepower behind the latest AI innovations.

AI Chatbot “Perplexity” Worth $20 Billion?
The AI startup Perplexity AI is reportedly lining up new funding that would value the young company at a whopping $20 billion. According to insider sources, Perplexity has investor commitments of about $200 million in fresh capital at that sky-high valuation. The company hasn’t confirmed the deal, but it recently made headlines for its bold attempt to buy the popular Chrome web browser from Google for $34.5 billion (an offer that far exceeded Perplexity’s own size). Perplexity is known for its AI search assistant and a browser called Comet that can perform tasks for users. It’s backed by heavyweights like Nvidia. If the $20 billion valuation holds true, it would underscore the feverish excitement (and rich price tags) surrounding promising AI firms. This little startup’s audacious bid for Chrome suggests it’s aiming to take on the biggest rivals – and investors seem to be betting big on its potential.

Albania Appoints AI “Minister” to Fight Corruption
In a real-life twist straight out of science fiction, Albania has added an AI bot to its cabinet to help tackle government corruption. Prime Minister Edi Rama introduced a virtual government minister named “Diella” this week. Diella isn’t a person at all – she’s an artificial intelligence program tasked with managing public procurement and awarding government contracts. The idea is that as a machine, Diella can’t be bribed or influenced by personal favors, ensuring that contract bids are judged fairly. Albania has struggled with corruption scandals in the past, so the hope is this AI minister will make public spending more transparent and clean. During a cabinet meeting unveiling the plan, Rama noted Diella is the first “non-human” member of the government. The experiment will be closely watched. While an AI can’t entirely run a ministry on its own, it might bring a new level of impartial oversight to a process often plagued by human greed.

Bank and University Partner on New AI Lab
A major financial institution is teaming up with an academic powerhouse to push the boundaries of artificial intelligence. Bank of New York Mellon (BNY), a global financial services firm, announced a five-year, $10 million partnership with Carnegie Mellon University to establish the “BNY AI Lab.” The collaboration will bring together BNY’s industry experts and CMU’s leading AI researchers and students. They plan to focus on making AI systems trustworthy, accountable and safe for mission-critical uses – especially in finance. The bank will also support new courses and recruitment efforts for AI talent at the university. A dedicated space on CMU’s Pittsburgh campus will host joint research projects and educational programs. Both partners say this is about moving cutting-edge AI from the lab to real-world practice. By combining the bank’s 150 years of experience with CMU’s tech expertise, they aim to create practical AI innovations that can transform banking and beyond, all while training the next generation of AI leaders.

SENIOR LIVING NEWS

Major Nonprofits Dominate Senior Living Units
A new report finds that a handful of large nonprofit organizations operate nearly one-third of all nonprofit senior living units in the country. Ten organizations – including big names like National Senior Communities and the Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society – account for a huge portion of nonprofit senior housing capacity. Industry analysts say this concentration reflects continued growth through affiliations and mergers in the nonprofit sector. Large faith-based and community-based groups have been expanding their networks of senior living communities, allowing them to serve more elders under one umbrella. Experts note that while these big nonprofits lead in unit count, many smaller local nonprofits still play a vital role, especially in underserved areas. Overall, the trend suggests that scale and resources are increasingly important for mission-driven senior living providers to thrive in a competitive market.

Quality Care and Funding Top Provider Concerns
Senior living leaders say their top priorities right now are improving care quality in assisted living and securing more funding for home- and community-based services. At a recent industry conference, executives and advocates stressed that ensuring high-quality assisted living is critical as residents’ needs increase. There’s talk that regulators might impose new standards to boost quality – which operators generally support, even if it brings more scrutiny. At the same time, providers are lobbying for greater government support for home- and community-based services (HCBS), which help seniors age in place. Many states have long waitlists for HCBS programs. Senior living operators believe that better funding for those services, as well as Medicaid support for assisted living, would relieve cost burdens on families and enable more seniors to get care outside of nursing homes. In short, the sector is focused on raising the bar on care while finding ways to make that care more financially accessible.

New Community Opens Amid ‘Silver Tsunami’
Aegis Living just held the grand opening of a new upscale assisted living community in San Rafael, highlighting both the opportunities and challenges of a rapidly aging region. The five-story residence offers over 120 apartments with care ranging from assisted living to memory care – and it comes with luxury touches like red-light therapy beds and an AI-powered fall prevention system. Celebrity guests (including TV host Joan Lunden and even ’80s icon Fabio) attended the ribbon-cutting, underscoring the community’s high-end appeal. Marin County, where San Rafael is located, is experiencing a “silver tsunami”: by 2041, more than half its residents are projected to be over 60. Local officials say there’s a desperate need for more senior housing options. However, communities like Aegis San Rafael are private-pay, with rents around $6,000 a month, putting them out of reach for many middle-income seniors. Advocates note the region must also find ways to develop more affordable and accessible housing for older adults. The joyous opening of this community is one step forward, but it also shines a light on the broader challenge of caring for a booming senior population.

Senior Housing Occupancy Keeps Climbing
Good news for senior living operators: occupancy rates across U.S. senior housing have continued to rise, reaching an average of about 88.1% in the second quarter of this year. That marks the 16th straight quarter of occupancy gains, according to the latest data from the National Investment Center (NIC). Demand is strong as the wave of aging baby boomers accelerates – more older adults are moving into independent living and assisted living communities at a record pace. At the same time, very few new communities are being built (construction is at historic lows), so existing properties are filling up. Industry watchers say this supply-demand dynamic is driving the recovery from pandemic lows and even creating waiting lists in some markets. While occupancy isn’t yet back to pre-2019 peak levels, many operators now have far fewer empty units than a couple years ago. With the 80+ population set to surge in the coming decade, providers are optimistic this positive occupancy trend will continue, so long as they can staff communities adequately and maintain quality service.

Ventas Invests $600M in New York Senior Housing
Real estate giant Ventas is expanding its senior living portfolio with a blockbuster acquisition in New York. The Chicago-based healthcare REIT is purchasing five upscale senior living communities on Long Island (operated under “The Bristal” brand) for a reported price of over $600 million. These communities offer a mix of independent living, assisted living and memory care in some affluent New York suburbs. Ventas already owns hundreds of senior housing properties nationwide, and this deal boosts its presence in a high-barrier-to-entry market with strong demographics. The Bristal properties are known for their high occupancy and premium amenities, making them attractive, income-generating assets. This acquisition reflects confidence that senior housing is a growth sector, and large investors like Ventas are willing to spend big on quality properties. Local news noted the sale is one of the priciest senior housing transactions in the region, underscoring just how valuable well-performing communities have become.

Sonida Snaps Up Community in Texas
Sonida Senior Living, a Dallas-based operator of senior communities, has completed the purchase of an assisted living community in Texas for about $15.6 million. This acquisition was previously announced and has now closed, adding a property to Sonida’s portfolio which spans multiple states. The community, located in the San Antonio area, has around 90 apartments and offers assisted living and memory care services. Sonida’s leadership stated that the investment aligns with their growth strategy of selective acquisitions in strong markets. The company, formerly known as Capital Senior Living, has been working to turn itself around financially and focus on core markets. By buying an existing community (instead of building new), Sonida can potentially boost its revenue quickly. The company said it plans to integrate the new community into its network and leverage economies of scale. This deal signals cautious optimism in the senior living sector – regional operators like Sonida are looking to grow when the right opportunities arise, aiming to serve the increasing numbers of seniors in need of care.

Housing Crunch Sends More Seniors into Homelessness
Rising rents and a lack of affordable housing are pushing an alarming number of older Americans into homelessness. Advocates and researchers are warning of a growing crisis: seniors are now one of the fastest-growing groups among people experiencing homelessness. In fact, one recent report noted that about 1 in 5 homeless individuals is over the age of 55. Cities like Dallas have seen a significant uptick in elderly adults on the streets or in shelters, many of whom never faced housing instability before. Often it’s because a senior on a fixed Social Security income simply can’t keep up with surging housing costs. If their rent increases or a spouse passes away, they may suddenly be unable to afford their home. Health issues and lack of family support can make it even harder for them to bounce back. Nonprofits are responding by opening shelter programs specifically tailored for older adults and pushing for more affordable senior housing developments. The issue is a sobering reminder that the affordable housing shortage is impacting our parents and grandparents – turning what should be their golden years into a struggle for basic shelter.