Small Business (SMB) stories

Canva launches Magic Layers beta, using AI to turn flat PNG and JPG images into editable, layered designs across key English-speaking markets.

Entrepreneurs increasingly see AI as a tool for efficiency and cost-cutting, not a springboard to new markets or sustainability goals.

AI 'leaders' in finance rush to pilots but lack rules, data and governance to scale tools into core, high‑accountability workflows.

SMBs are bullish on AI but a new ECI report finds poor data, scarce skills and unclear use cases are stalling real-world results.

AI is speeding up shorter workdays but piling on more tasks, with rising collaboration, multitasking and weekend work, a study finds.

Mastercard launches its Virtual C-Suite AI agents, starting with a Virtual CFO, to give small firms automated executive-style insights.

Cohesity debuts sovereign cloud tie-ups, AI-driven threat tools and midsize bundle to harden data protection as enterprises scale AI.

LastPass launches Secure Access Essentials, a browser-focused suite to secure access to workplace apps, SaaS and unsanctioned AI tools.

IVECO adds AI theft recovery to its connected services, offering 24/7 managed stolen vehicle assistance to boost commercial fleet security.

Nvidia survey finds AI now widely embedded in operations, driving revenue gains, cost cuts and fresh spend as firms move beyond pilots.

Google has picked 14 Canadian AI startups for its latest accelerator cohort, spanning healthcare, finance, industry and agriculture.

Canada is investing over $900M in NRC defence R&D, backing drones, aerospace, quantum tech and biomedical countermeasures.

Swift enlists over 50 banks to launch common rules for faster, clearer cross-border retail payments, with first flows live by June.

Wise forecasts that by 2026 agentic AI will run core business tasks, pushing firms to embed tools, tighten oversight and rethink outsourcing.

Women in tech urge daily, visible backing over token gestures, saying sustained support boosts careers.

Origami unveils a chat-based AI that builds sales lead lists from plain-English prompts, starting at USD $80 a month on flat pricing.

Unedited AI content could soon tank your Google rankings; here are five warning signs your pages are hurting rather than helping.

'He/Him Salary', hidden networks and biased hiring still block women's careers and pay, business leaders warn ahead of International Women's Day.

Digital marketplaces are empowering UK women to turn side hustles into scalable brands, bypassing traditional funding bottlenecks.

Women in fintech say inclusion tech is advancing faster than culture, warning against hollow celebration while pushing for real structural change.