Latest news with #Rich
Business Insider
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Business Insider
CarGurus created a working group for AI experimentation. Employees are buying in.
CarGurus launched a group tasked with helping employees explore and adopt AI tools. Sarah Rich, a lead coordinator of the group, says the effort helps people use AI more effectively. This article is part of " Culture of Innovation," a series on how businesses can prompt better ideas. There's no shortage of hype around the potential for AI to transform the workplace. A recent McKinsey report compared the tech to the birth of the internet and the arrival of the steam engine. But, its reality is still taking shape. AI adoption is inconsistent at most organizations, workers have varying levels of interest, and there's often a difference between AI buzz and its practical application. CarGurus, an online marketplace for buying and selling cars, is one company trying to bridge that divide. Last October, it launched AI Forward, a 20-person working group that brings together leaders across departments, including product, engineering, legal, and sales. The group's goal is to identify the right applications for AI, evaluate potential tools, and encourage employee experimentation through workshops, one-on-one guidance, and pilot programs. "If everyone has to figure out AI tools on their own, we risk losing interest," said Sarah Rich, a senior principal data scientist at CarGurus and a lead coordinator of AI Forward. "We're trying to offer cheat sheets and share what's working." She added that once employees see how AI can make their day-to-day more efficient or offer new approaches, they tend to get on board. "We want to make sure that when we ask people to invest time in AI, they're going to quickly see a reward." Rich spoke with Business Insider about how AI Forward is helping employees gain the confidence to explore the technology. The following has been edited for clarity and length. Business Insider: What was the reason for AI Forward? Sarah Rich: There's a lot of pressure to get ahead with AI. And I imagine this is the case at many companies — there's a sense that if you don't keep up, you're leaving innovation on the table. At the same time, there's a gap between the excitement around AI and understanding what it means for each role. We started AI Forward to meet every business unit and function where they are. The group works together to evaluate use cases and AI tools, which is key given how fast AI is evolving and the constant onslaught of capabilities. The group also offers structured support to help employees learn how to use the tools. How often does the group meet, and what was your first order of business? We meet monthly as a group, and in between, there are focused sessions within their respective departments. One of the first things I did was meet individually with leaders to help identify a few solid use cases that could really move the needle for their teams. Some were ready to go; others had no idea where to start. We spent a lot of time brainstorming, understanding where the underlying tech is, and recognizing that in some functions, the tech just isn't there yet. But in other functions, like coding tools in engineering or natural language-based solutions for reviewing contracts in legal, the tools are ready. What happens next? We carve out time and space for people to experiment. For our engineering teams, we run office hours and jam sessions, which are essentially open collaborations, to help people learn coding tools, like Cursor and Windsurf. We also held an AI coding week to help everyone start using an AI tool on the job. LLM solutions are effective for language-focused work that's labor intensive. When teams experiment with those tools, they see their work accelerate quickly. We make time for experimentation; it doesn't just happen. But usually people see something that impresses them, and AI starts to sell itself. What's the group doing to support employees who are less open to AI? People are at different places on the adoption and enthusiasm curve. Some are excited about an open-ended jam session. Others need structure, where they're required to try a tool on ticketed work, or assigned tasks or projects, and get help as they go. Our group has learned that we need offerings at different levels. It's important that everyone comes along to some degree, but not everyone is going to have the same level of zeal, and that's OK. How are you measuring success for AI Forward? We're tracking several metrics: how often people use AI, which tools they use, their confidence in using them safely, and their overall sentiment about AI. There's often a focus on adoption in terms of efficiency or hours saved, but people tend to misjudge that. AI might not always save time, but it might help you create a better product because you explored six different directions to test options before feeling confident you've landed on the best one. We're careful about sentiment because AI is disruptive and can feel threatening. Pushing AI without acknowledging that nuance feels tone deaf. What have you learned from AI Forward? We've seen patterns emerge in our data in three phases. First, people feel enthusiastic because they've been told AI is magic and will solve everything. Then, there's this middle-ground disillusionment, where people have had some interaction with AI tools, but they haven't worked or lived up to the hype. There's a narrative around AI replacing jobs versus augmenting them. The ideal third phase comes when people start to use AI and don't feel threatened by it. They see that it makes them better at their job. They also get that without real people, AI can't do meaningful, impactful work. Sentiment depends on where the individual or team is in their adoption effort and how successful they've been at finding the right use cases. Based on internal data ranging from the use of enterprise-wide AI productivity tools, procurement requests for new AI products, and anecdotes across teams, it's clear that a vast majority of employees have, at minimum, tried AI in their day-to-day work. What's your advice for companies that want to start similar AI working groups? Even though AI is novel in many ways, especially in how it affects people psychologically and emotionally, it's also pretty familiar. While there's a tendency to get caught up in technology, the real challenge is the humans. I recommend focusing on them: bring people together, make them feel safe, and give them a reason and a space to pay attention. It needs to feel good and encouraging, not alienating.
Daily Mirror
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Katie Piper shares frank marriage admission after couples therapy
The Loose Women favourite lifts the lid on her relationship with her husband and reveals why the happy couple needed therapy Katie Piper has opened up about going through couples therapy to make her marriage stronger. The campaigner and presenter, who has been with husband Richard Sutton since 2013, said the pair continue to work on their relationship more than a decade later. Describing it as a 'relationship MOT', Katie, 41, says it's been key to keeping their marriage on track. 'I've had therapy in lots of ways that people wouldn't [expect],' she explained. 'Therapy for the burn injury stopped years ago. I've had therapy since for normal things in life that people go through that aren't visible. I've been to couples therapy with Rich. It's like a relationship MOT and it helps because it validates what you're going through.' Loose Women star Katie says it's helped her feel 'seen and heard'. 'It's healthy for your marriage and friendships,' advocates the mum-of-two. 'Relationships go through different seasons. You see him as your boyfriend, then he's your husband, then you see him as a dad. It sounds a bit cliché and overused, but Rich has got a lot of kindness at his core.' The couple have daughters Belle, 11, and Penelope, seven, and Katie says she'd love to expand their family. After trying for a third baby but not being successful, Katie says they have been talking about fostering and adoption. 'I know the kids would love another child,' Katie admits. 'We tried naturally before I turned 40 but it wasn't meant to be. We talked about how far we would take it – IVF and fostering or adopting. I would lean more to fostering and adopting because I was like, 'I'm done with medical stuff.'' The household has grown recently - with the addition of a dog. 'The kids have always wanted a dog and [this year] we rehomed one from Battersea, through Alison Hammond on For the Love of Dogs,' Katie told woman&home magazine in a new intereview. 'It's like having a newborn but it's good for the kids. It has given them something to pour their responsibility into.' Katie survived a sulphuric acid attack by an ex-boyfriend when she was 24. She suffered severe scarring to her face, chest, neck, arm and hands, and has undergone more than 250 operations. She became a campaigner after the 2008 horror. She recently said she "never thought she'd make it to 40" after the devastating attack. Sharing her thoughts on the beauty pressures put on women, Katie says they should embrace ageing. 'Women, I think, often feel that they fade out of the male gaze, and I was removed in seconds at 24,' she said. 'Nobody experiences such rapid transition and that's why it [was] traumatic and unnatural. We live in a society that values beauty and youth, so it's [about] exploring where you sit with that, and how that affects how you operate and your identity. 'I don't want women to fear transition. I want them to be malleable, not rigid. I want them to know there is life after and not to feel controlled by their circumstances.... Now I've arrived in [my] 40s, I realise that this is the time of my life when I've truly been living.' The August issue of woman&home is on sale Thursday. Her book Still Beautiful: On Age, Beauty & Owning Your Space by Katie Piper is available now.
South Wales Argus
20-06-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Tesco apologises for Lionesses display in Cardiff store
The UEFA Women's Euros kicks off on July 2 in Switzerland, with both Wales and England qualifying for the tournament. They have even been drawn in the same group (Group D) and will face off against each other on Sunday, July 13. So when a large Lucozade archway appeared in a Tesco store in Cardiff with the England Lionesses all over it, Welsh fans weren't happy. Hi @asda, do you care to explain why you are strongly pushing for support of the Lionesses in your Cardiff stores? Not only have @FAW_Womens qualified for the tournament, they are in England's group and direct rivals! This is deeply offensive, read the room.@FAWales — Rich 🏴🇪🇺 (@BluebirdRichie) June 19, 2025 Tesco's England display labelled "offensive" and "disgraceful" by Welsh fans Tesco has received considerable backlash from the Welsh public following the erection of the display, which gives people the chance to win a meet and greet with the Lionesses. The display has been labelled as "offensive" and "disgraceful" on social media. One Welsh fan, posting on X (formerly Twitter), said: "Do you care to explain why you are strongly pushing for support of the Lionesses in your Cardiff stores? "Not only have @FAW_Womens qualified for the tournament, they are in England's group and direct rivals! "This is deeply offensive, read the room." Wales and England have both been drawn in Group D for the upcoming UEFA Women's Euros. (Image: Nick Potts/PA Wire) Another added: "@Tesco Must be lovely for our Welsh women footballers, walking in Tesco and seeing the England women's team. Disgraceful." While a third person commented: "This is so, so bad. In the capital city of Wales, and they're promoting England at the Euros. "As mentioned in the tweet, they're in the same group as us and our direct rivals. Honking." Even FAW Chief Executive, Noel Mooney, had something to say about the display. Also posting on X, he said: "We are @Cymru .. why is this in our capital??" RECOMMENDED READING: Tesco apologises for Lionesses display Tesco has now come out and apologised for the Lionesses display in its Cardiff stores. A spokesperson said: "We're sorry this happened. "We wish both the Welsh and English teams good luck in the upcoming Euros and know many of our colleagues and customers will be supporting their home nations in the tournament.'
Metro
19-06-2025
- Metro
Fare dodger caught red handed after evading £1,650 in tickets
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video A prolific fare dodger was caught red-handed after racking up a £1,650 bill on the Elizabeth line. The man had avoided paying for almost 250 journeys by using a trick known as short-faring over eight months. He had been using his Oyster Card to travel from Harold Wood or Romford to Stratford in east London, but he had only bought the fare in Zones 2 to 3, instead of the full fare from Zone 6 to 2. A monthly Travelcard between Zones 2 to 3 costs £128.7, while a Zones 2 to 6 pass sets you back by £214.7. Thinking he had gamed the system, the unassuming passenger travelled regularly between the zones by shortening his fare, but the detection system picked up his journeys. The TfL investigators set up a sting operation at 5.30am to catch the man on his morning commute to Stratford from Harold Wood. The heated encounter is featured in an upcoming episode of the Channel 5 series Fare Dodgers: At War with the Law, which airs on Monday. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video His fare dodging had created a 35-page dossier of evidence for the investigators Rich and Greg to trawl through to understand his movements – and to set up the best time to catch him in action. He had avoided paying £1,651 worth of Tube tickets over around 245 journeys. Irregular payments and travel patterns can be picked up by the TfL's Irregular Travel Analysis Platform (ITAP), which also detects short-faring. It combs through ticketing and journey data, passengers' information, CCTV and travel patterns to spot fare evaders racking up the biggest bills. The transport authority spent almost £22 million on a fare dodging crackdown last year. Around 3.4% of passengers avoided paying for travel between April and December last year. TfL recovered £400,000 through the courts after the prosecution of 360 worst evaders. Dressed in normal clothing to stay undercover, the pair waited for the man to walk into their arms. When asking for a ticket check on his Oyster card, the man says he didn't have one. 'You do, so what did you use to come here,' the investigator asks. The man continues to insist he has used a bank card. While he agrees to provide his name and address, but he refuses to show his Oyster card, saying he has lost it. More Trending He eventually hands over the Oyster card after being taken to a back room for questioning when the investigators said they will call the police if he continues to be 'obstructive.' After the chat, he continued his journey while the case will be passed onto the TfL prosecution team. Another short-farer was caught at Waterloo station previously, who evaded paying £20,000 on his regular commute from Surrey to central London. The next episode of Fare Dodgers: At War with the Law is on Channel 5 airs at 9pm on Monday, June 23 on TV and on the streaming platform. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Man 'carrying a gun' at Elm Park Underground station arrested during rush hour MORE: Passengers stuck on trains and platforms in sweltering heat after fire alarm MORE: Dartford Crossing charge will go up for drivers – here's how much it rises
Daily Mirror
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Kim Woodburn's biggest bust-ups from Big Brother moment to Loose Women spat
How Clean Is Your House and reality TV star Kim Woodburn has died aged 83, with fans paying tribute to the "icon" online as they reminisce on some of her most dramatic moments Kim Woodburn was no stranger to a spat or two on air, known for not being afraid to be honest with other celebrities on screen. The TV star, who has died aged 83 after taking a break from social media to focus on her health, has had numerous iconic moments on-air, from her Celebrity Big Brother takedown to her shocking live showdown on Loose Women. And while some may have found her outspoken approach to conflict insensitive at times, she made a name for herself amongst fans who will always remember some of her most iconic one-liners. Here, we take a look at all of her celebrity spats over the years. Celebrity Big Brother In January 2017, Portsmouth-born Kim, then aged 74, stormed the Celebrity Big Brother house, becoming infamous for her no‑holds‑barred confrontations. Her most explosive moment came during a joint tirade against Nicola McLean and former footballer Jamie O'Hara. Brandishing insults like 'two‑faced, chicken‑livered s***s', she even called O'Hara an 'adulterer that two‑timed your wife and she's got three kids' - prompting security to step in to avoid the conflict escalating. Coleen Nolan Loose Women presenter Coleen Nolan, 60, was also in the Big Brother house when Kim's tirade hit. Kim stood by claims that she was bullied in the CBB house by Coleen and others, which the presenter has strongly denied in the past. She told The Mirror at the time: "Anyone that knows me knows I'm not a bully. That would be the most hurtful thing people could call me." August 29, 2018, saw Kim and Coleen appear on ITV 's Loose Women together. What was billed as a peace talk ended dramatically as Kim branded Coleen 'lying trash' and a 'two‑faced maggot', claiming the panel had 'ganged up' on her. She stormed off live on air, prompting nearly 8,000 Ofcom complaints as she accused ITV of orchestrating the segment. How Clean Is Your House? Kim's time on How Clean Is Your House? from 2003 with Aggie MacKenzie ended bitterly in 2008. Aggie claimed that during a pantomime run in Brighton, Kim shoved her backstage quite forcefully - leading to a heated fallout. Aggie later stated, 'Kim was such a big, damaging part of my life. I feel she almost destroyed me.' Kim denied the allegations, maintaining she never insulted Aggie and was 'unclear where these false allegations have come from'. Kim previously told The Mirror: "I have never said anything derogatory about Aggie and I am not going to start now. I am unclear where these false allegations have come from but I wish her all the luck in the world." Rich, Famous and Homeless In April 2025, Kim recalled a disagreement with TV presenter Julia Bradbury during the 2009 Channel 5 series Rich, Famous and Homeless. She accused Bradbury, then aged 54, of hoarding two coats from a charity pile - one exactly Kim's size - leaving her in the cold. Kim labelled Bradbury 'rotten', saying she worn both coats throughout filming. She added: "Luckily, one of the production team stepped in and gave me his coat instead, and it was a blessing!"
