Morgan Clendaniel
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Deputy Digital Editor of @FastCompany, working on @FastcoImpact and @fastcodesign. @WGAEast member. Former editor at GOOD. Other sundry things.
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Articles by Morgan Clendaniel
How Zohran Mamdani is convincing New York’s capitalists to give a little socialism a chance
Zohran Mamdani has not, it turns out, attempted to seize the means of production. At least not yet. During his mayoral campaign, you couldn’t throw a stone without hitting a CEO worried about the effect he’d have on the city’s economy. After his first year in office, business is proceeding as usual, which—New Yorkers being New Yorkers—means that everyone is feeling angsty.
The 6 next big things in sustainability and energy for 2026
A microbe that destroys forever chemicals, a battery without lithium, a data center that captures carbon, and more. [Source photo: Adobe Stock] Listen to this ArticleMore info Data centers have dominated the discussion of energy—how it’s supplied, how it’s used, how it’s allocated—in the last year. But even without the strain of data centers, as the economy slowly turns toward the electrification required to reduce carbon emissions, the entire power system is going to have to adapt.
How we chose the 2026 Pacesetters
To create the 2026 list of Pacesetters, a team of expert Fast Company editors and writers, along with a group of external judges, sought out groundbreaking executives in a variety of industries who are using generative artificial intelligence, autonomous agents, and machine learning to find new ways to inspire and retain their customers.
How we chose the 2026 Pacesetters
To create the 2026 list of Pacesetters, a team of expert Fast Company editors and writers, along with a group of external judges, sought out groundbreaking executives in a variety of industries who are using generative artificial intelligence, autonomous agents, and machine learning to find new ways to inspire and retain their customers. • Red Lobster is closing restaurants: See complete list of doomed locations for 2026 • Trump's Lake Ontario name change clashes with a centuries-old treaty.
This automation tech turns old tractors into self-driving farming machines
Sabanto Tractors retrofits old machines to make them futuristic automated devices, helping farmers overcome staffing shortages. [Photo: Sabanto] Listen to this ArticleMore info Show me a farmer, said Mike Burdick, vice president of Sabanto, an autonomous tractor startup in Itasca, Illinois, and I’ll show you someone who has a million things he or she just doesn’t have time to do in the course of their workday.
These companies are finding new ways to use AI and tech for security, health, and more
Even as the AI revolution moves toward agentic tools, there are still hosts of uses for more classical machine-learning and computing—particularly in healthcare. That’s where many of the AI and technology honorees of this year’s World Changing Ideas are operating—like MEandMine and Expert Radiology—but not all of them. Others tackle the need to identify AI-created content (Copyleaks), explore the future of in-home robots (Humanoid), and focus on the future of clean energy (Fuze Energy).
Meet 16 companies pushing tech and science to new heights
Many tech and science undertakings are focusing on new ways to leverage the AI boom. But even within that context, plenty of companies are incubating scientific innovation with a host of applications. Among this year’s World Changing Ideas, these projects are focused on expanding beyond the existing edges of science and tech capabilities. Some are looking at how to protect against AI’s ability to help supercharge the spread of information, while others are rethinking the complexity of aviation.
Amid a climate rollback, these 19 projects are keeping the earth’s future in focus
In 2026, it can feel like we are at an inflection point in the fight against climate change—and not necessarily in a positive way. In the U.S., the government is focused on deregulating industries like oil and gas while actively disinvesting in renewable energy. In the private sector, the AI race is focused on building larger (read: more resource-intensive) data centers.
How 15 projects are redefining education and engagement for people of all ages
Among the 2026 crop of World Changing Ideas, education—rightly—concerns a lot of honorees, and all of them show that education touches people at all stages of life. More than that, they show that there is no one approach to education—that both using cutting-edge tech and going old-school teaching skills in a hands-on way can address the world’s learning needs.
What is ‘American architecture’ in 2026? A new book attempts to find the answer
On a field in Frayser, Tennessee, a neighborhood on the north side of Memphis, designers from the regional firm Archimania sought a clever solution for the Girls Inc. Youth Farm, a nonprofit operating an agriculture center that served as a teaching center and a hub for youth development Firm founder Todd Walker can spin many narratives about how projects connect to the region.
The AI backlash is a danger for every brand now
Brands are particularly vulnerable to charges of inauthenticity, and AI is currently an inauthenticity force multiplier. [Source Images: FC (Illustration), Lipi/Adobe Stock] Listen to this ArticleMore info It was a bad week for AI’s public image. The concept was booed on mention at several commencement speeches, tarnished a literary prize, drove more layoffs, and tangled local politics in a number of data-center squabbles.
Sports used to unite us. We can rethink them so they do it again
Every institution was once a design decision. Pierre de Coubertin didn’t stumble into the creation of the modern Olympic Games, he painstakingly designed them around a clear civic purpose: that sports could model fair play, international respect, and the ethics of effort over victory.
The app this Nebraska roofing company built to help its business has become a super tool for contractors nationwide
CompanyCam began as a way for White Castle Roofing to monitor the work on its job sites. Now it’s valued at nearly $2 billion. [Photo: Vipada/Adobe Stock] Listen to this ArticleMore info There are many ways to measure the success of CompanyCam, a Lincoln, Nebraska-based startup unicorn that popularized a photo-focused construction tracking app that’s become popular within the roofing industry.
This autonomous welding robot may be the future of advanced manufacturing
Listen to this ArticleMore info The United States’ advanced manufacturing future may have an unexpected limiting factor: a dire shortage of welders. While venture capital has placed big bets on a cutting-edge future of data centers, defense tech, and robotics, actually making the physical devices remains a challenge without finding the right talent to melt, fuse and repair metal.
John Ternus sustituirá a Tim Cook como CEO de Apple
John Ternus, vicepresidente senior de ingeniería de hardware de Apple, ha sido nombrado nuevo director ejecutivo (CEO) de la compañía. En una carta publicada en el sitio web de la compañía, el actual CEO, Tim Cook, escribió que dejará su cargo en septiembre próximo para convertirse en presidente ejecutivo.
John Ternus named new CEO of Apple, will replace Tim Cook in September
John Ternus, Apple’s senior vice president of hardware engineering, has been named the new CEO of Apple, the company announced. In a letter posted on the company’s website, current CEO Tim Cook wrote that he will leave his role in September and become executive chairman.
John Ternus named new CEO of Apple, will replace Tim Cook in September
John Ternus, Apple’s senior vice president of hardware engineering, has been named the new CEO of Apple, the company announced. Most Read from Fast Company In a letter posted on the company’s website, current CEO Tim Cook wrote that he will leave his role in September and become executive chairman.
Eat, drink, and be present: Restaurants and bars are starting to embrace cell phone bans
Imagine sitting with friends in front of a charcuterie board and a bottle of Syrah at a French bistro. If you reach for your smartphone, a waiter blows a referee’s whistle, issues you a “penalty card,” and tells you a second infraction will get you eighty-sixed. Such faux-pas enforcement is routine at Le Petit Jardin in Montpellier in southern France, which implemented a strict “no-phone use” policy in 2017.
Reid Hoffman says business leaders must speak up
Listen to this ArticleMore info As global leaders disperse from the World Economic Forum, LinkedIn cofounder and tech investor Reid Hoffman breaks down the biggest challenges and opportunities facing business today—from political headwinds tied to immigration and geopolitics to why fears of a tech bubble aren’t shaping his investing.
This new privacy-focused phone service is designed to keep your phone from getting hacked
A privacy-centric cellphone carrier called Cape is now officially available across the United States, offering a unique set of features to protect users from surveillance and identity theft. Many cellphone users already use virtual private networks, encrypted messaging apps, and secure password managers to help keep their data safe.
How the Grammys are adapting in a world of AI music, ‘KPop Demon Hunters,’ and a changing music marketplace
Listen to this ArticleMore info The Grammy Awards return February 1 at a pivotal moment for the music industry, one shaped by trending Latin artists, resurgent rock legends, and even charting AI acts. To unpack what will make this year’s broadcast distinctive, the Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. shares how Grammy winners are chosen, and how music both reflects and influences the broader business marketplace.
Four questions that will determine the future of business for good
In the midst of economic uncertainty, polarizing politics, global conflict, and a future that is largely out of focus, many consumers are continuing to fight the good fight when it comes to using their dollars to drive positive change. It’s the 13th year that I have helped run an annual survey on the momentum of socially responsible spending, nonprofit giving, and earth-friendly practices, called the Conscious Consumer Spending Index.
Atari’s planned gaming-themed Las Vegas hotel has been canceled
It’s Game Over for Atari’s plans to build a hotel in Las Vegas. Only one of its eight prospective U.S. hotels is still in any stage of development. [Photo: Atari Hotels] Listen to this ArticleMore info Six years ago, Atari announced ambitious plans to build a gamer-themed hotel in Las Vegas, featuring an e-sports studio and a movie theater. The legacy video game company’s management at the time saw hotels as a way to revitalize the brand’s name, which was largely a nostalgia play. “I love the idea.
How Netflix brought interactive voting to ‘Star Search’
On January 20, Netflix is bringing back the popular talent competition Star Search—with a twist! For the first time in its history, Netflix will let its audience decide the outcome of a show with live voting. However, unlike how shows have done this in the past, audiences won’t have to send text messages or call a special number to make their votes count. Instead, viewers will vote with their TV’s remote control, or right within the Netflix app if they watch the show on their phones.
Mastercard CEO Michael Miebach explains the future of global spending
Listen to this ArticleMore info What did the latest holiday shopping season reveal about consumer confidence going into 2026? Mastercard CEO Michael Miebach unpacks the signals he’s seeing across global spending—from shifting consumer sentiment to AI’s growing role in financial security. Miebach also explores how credit cards fit into a future shaped by crypto, digital wallets, and agent-driven commerce, and what it will take for businesses to stay competitive amid continued market disruption.
What we can learn about U.S. disaster response—a year after the Los Angeles wildfires
Listen to this ArticleMore info One year on from the catastrophic L.A. wildfires, journalist, author, and MS NOW correspondent Jacob Soboroff examines what the fires reveal about America’s growing age of disaster. Drawing from his new book, Firestorm, Soboroff shares hard lessons from the aftermath, exposing systemic failures, unlikely heroics, and what today’s recovery efforts tell us about how the U.S. will respond to the next crisis.
Roblox launched age-verification rules. Days later, age-verified accounts were available on eBay
Roblox announced it was implementing the system to prevent children younger than 16 from communicating with adults. [Screenshots: Roblox] Listen to this ArticleMore info A new mandatory safety feature requires Roblox users in the U.S. to submit to facial age estimation via the app to access its chat feature. The online gaming platform announced it was implementing the system to prevent children younger than 16 from communicating with adults. About 42% of Roblox users are younger than 13.
Is Starlink authoritarian-proof?
The Iranian protests are just the latest global conflict where Elon Musk’s Starlink has become a vital communication conduit. But will the service always hold up in the face of authoritarian regimes—and to Musk’s whims? [Photo: Morteza Nikoubazl/NurPhoto via Getty Images] Listen to this ArticleMore info Satellite communications networks have proved resilient amid a crackdown.
After a rough year, what will will corporate impact and sustainability look like in 2026?
In the world of social impact and sustainability, 2025’s word of the year could have been “headwinds.” It became a euphemism for everything from political pressure and regulatory changes to economic uncertainty, AI disruption, and social upheaval. But in many ways, “headwinds” is an understatement for what impact and sustainability leaders across the corporate and nonprofit sectors navigated in a year of budget cuts and evolving risk factors.
Tech stocks will stall, electricity will get cheaper and . . . the U.S. will win the World Cup? 8 bold business predictions for 2026
I am not clairvoyant and have no crystal ball. But I’ve got some predictions for 2026. I learned about predictions from a master of the craft: Byron Wien, a market strategist who rose to Wall Street prominence in the 1990s for his annual “Ten Surprises” list. Back in the day, I spent several weeks shadowing Wien as a reporter, and the lessons have long stuck with me. Wien said that the prediction game wasn’t about being right. It was about identifying trends.
How will AI transform business in 2026?
Listen to this ArticleMore info How should leaders prepare for AI’s accelerating impact on work and everyday life? AI scientist, entrepreneur, and Pioneers of AI podcast host Rana el Kaliouby shares her predictions for the year ahead—from physical AI entering the real world to what it means to onboard AI into your org chart. El Kaliouby cuts through today’s biggest AI headlines, bringing to light the insights that will matter most in the months to come.
Inside the evolving role of philanthropy in a time of uncertainty and crisis
When the U.S. government cut funding for local news stations, the Knight Foundation moved quickly to help stabilize a rapidly eroding industry. President and CEO Maribel Pérez Wadsworth unpacks the evolving roles of philanthropy and government, and why philanthropic organizations must learn to move at the speed of the news cycle. This is an abridged transcript of an interview from Rapid Response, hosted by former Fast Company editor-in-chief Robert Safian.
Whatnot’s CEO on the rise of live shopping
Whatnot’s cofounder and CEO Grant LaFontaine explains how his team has managed to evoke the feel of in-person shopping inside an online experience. [Source Photos: WaitWhat and ] Listen to this ArticleMore info While digital live shopping has been popular for years in Asia, the phenomenon has only recently begun to take off in the U.S., thanks in large part to the rise of retail disruptor Whatnot.
The CEO of Chief on how the business world can better support women executives
A recent New York Times headline—“Did Women Ruin the Workplace?”—sparked a firestorm across social media. Alison Moore, CEO of Chief, the prestigious network for senior women executives, is pushing back on this notion with data and nuance. Drawing from an exclusive nationwide survey of women leaders, Moore unpacks how evolving career paths are being misread, the impact of market disruption, and why women-centered spaces remain vital.
How ‘Sesame Street’ is navigating funding cuts, new media habits, and leaving HBO for Netflix
As Sesame Street’s 56th season gets underway, Elmo, Big Bird, and the Sesame organization are navigating a volatile chapter in the show’s history—marked by government funding cuts, evolving new media habits, and AI’s impact on education. Sherrie Westin, CEO of Sesame Workshop, discusses balancing risk-taking with brand trust, partnering with Netflix, and why emotional well-being and kindness are the skills that matter most in today’s world.
How this sustainable jet fuel company is charting a new route in the Trump era
LanzaJet aims to power planes without petroleum. Its first plant got caught up in politics—forcing a sudden retooling before it can begin producing sustainable aviation fuel. [Photos: Courtesy of LanzaJet] Listen to this ArticleMore info A first-of-its-kind refinery has been in the works for a decade and half.
How CEOs are thinking about tackling political and social issues in today’s climate
Leah Seligmann, CEO of the B Team, explains that in a fast-changing world, business leaders need to find a way to be a force for good. [Photo: The B Team] Listen to this ArticleMore info Headwinds across the business world challenge any leader striving to make an impact beyond shareholder value. Few organizations know this struggle better than the B Team, born out of Richard Branson’s drive to elevate the role and responsibility of business in society.
Figma’s Dylan Field on how design can continue to reshape business
The Figma CEO spoke after his company’s recent IPO about why design is increasingly key for business in today’s software-driven economy. [Photo: Figma] Listen to this ArticleMore info Figma burst into the public eye in 2022 after Adobe was blocked from buying the design startup for $20 billion. This chapter set the stage for an even bigger milestone at Figma: a splashy IPO this summer at nearly double that valuation.
How Mercy Corps CEO Tjada D’Oyen McKenna is leading her aid org in the face of Trump’s cuts
Like many business leaders experiencing political or economic volatility right now, McKenna is faced with a complex conundrum: fight, flight, or freeze. [Photos: Mercy Corps, Prostock-studio/Adobe Stock] Listen to this ArticleMore info Following the Trump administration’s cuts to foreign aid, two-thirds of Mercy Corps’ U.S.-funded programs have been rescinded.
Molly Baz helped turn this former McDonald’s in Portland into a vegan fast food paradise
In an industrial pocket of North Portland, Oregon just a few minutes off I-5, there’s an old McDonald’s that was given a surprising second life. The familiar architecture is now home to Face Plant, a vegan burger joint that opened earlier this year and aims to “become the best fast food worldwide,” according to founder Matt Plitch. It’s a lofty goal—but it’s driven by an even bigger one. “Fast food is [a huge source] of meat consumption outside the home,” he says.
The quality employees need most right now from their leaders may surprise you
The question of what people need from their leaders has many answers. However, recent Gallup research found that respondents from 52 countries were asked to list three words describing what positive leaders add to their daily life, hope emerged as the primary need, cited by 56% of respondents. Trust followed at a distant second with 33% while compassion (7%) and stability (4%) lagged far behind.
5 habits that are making you a worse leader
Being an effective leader requires a matrix of skills and abilities working in tandem. The ability to foster hope, cultivate trust, and motivate people to action can make a difference in your company’s ability function effectively and retain employees—80% of employees responded that they’d stay in a job because they have a manager they trust. And no small part of the ability to lead is executive or leadership presence.
These are the 3 best questions to ask at the end of your job interview
At the conclusion of an interview, it’s customary for the hiring manager to ask the job candidate if they have any questions. You’ve probably responded with generic questions like “When will I hear back?” or “What are the next steps?” But there are more compelling questions about the position you can ask before the end of the interview—to help you and help you stand out, leaving a positive lasting impression and reiterating your interest in the job.
The war in Ukraine has sparked a revolution in off-the-grid clean energy
Since the start of the war in Ukraine, Russia has persistently targeted attacks on power grids and energy infrastructure, often leaving whole communities in the dark. In response, a transformation is happening across the country, as war has forced Ukrainian society to quickly pivot to—and start innovating in—finding renewable energy solutions that can keep the power on in the face of continued infrastructure bombings.
How to use AI to quickly catch up at work after a vacation
Listen to this ArticleMore info Getting away from work to go on a vacation? Great! Returning to work after said vacation? Not so great. Few people enjoy being welcomed by a maxed-out inbox and a list of decisions they missed. “Work is very noisy right now, and it moves real fast,” says Smita Hashim, chief product officer for Zoom. “There are so many messages flying around and constant meetings.
Shipping is a dirty business. EVs-electric vessels-could change that
Charging a car, or electric vehicle, typically takes about 350 kilowatts. Charging an entire ocean freighter, or electric vessel, could take 20 megawatts, roughly 57 times more power. It’s a striking difference in power and generating capacity, and illuminates the challenges and opportunities behind greening the freighters and container ships crisscrossing the earth’s oceans.
There’s a simple solution for Western droughts—but people aren’t going to like it
If you were to drink improperly recycled toilet water, it could really hurt you—but probably not in the way you’re thinking. Advanced purification technology so thoroughly cleans wastewater of feces and other contaminants that it also strips out natural minerals, which the treatment facility then has to add back in. If it didn’t, that purified water would imperil you by sucking those minerals out of your body as it moves through your internal plumbing.
USC is fighting a union-and using a legal argument copied from SpaceX and Amazon
The University of Southern California is attempting to block faculty from forming a union with an argument pushed by SpaceX and Amazon: that the National Labor Relations Board is unconstitutional. In December, non-tenure-track faculty members at USC filed a petition for a union election in hopes of certifying the United Faculty-United Auto Workers union as their representative.
What CEOs got wrong about Trump-and how they can make it right
CEOs who rushed to support Donald Trump after the election may have awoken this morning to the painful realization that they made a mistake. It’s not just that business leaders were wrong to assume President Trump would never follow through on his threats to impose stiff tariffs on Canada and Mexico. They misjudged the man and the moment, failing to learn lessons from both politics and business.
As Trump makes legal labor action more difficult with labor board cuts, some workers are considering other options
When Connor Hovey began talking to his co-workers at Trader Joe’s in Louisville about forming a union, he knew it wouldn’t be easy. What he didn’t expect was that the campaign would transform from a marathon into a race without a finish line. Two years after Hovey and his co-workers won a union election in Louisville, their fight for union representation remains in limbo.
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