TOP NEWS
Microsoft pledge
Microsoft has promised to remove from the environment "all of the carbon" it has emitted during its 45-year history, by 2050. That's not just a carbon-neutral pledge—it's a carbon-negative pledge. Microsoft president Brad Smith: "When it comes to carbon, neutrality is not enough." Environmental campaigners are delighted. BBC
Trillion-dollar club
Alphabet has become the fourth U.S. firm to gain a valuation of $1 trillion, after Apple, Microsoft and (briefly) Amazon achieved the feat over the last year and a half. Alphabet's Thursday valuation came in the context of a rally for big tech stocks this month. Wall Street Journal
Digital tax
EU Trade Commissioner Phil Hogan said the coming days will be crucial in the race to reach an international agreement on the taxation of big-tech multinationals. If the efforts fail, the U.S. could move ahead with tariffs on France, over its implementation of a national tax on the local revenues of Google et al. As the EU sees trade as a collective issue, that would be a big deal for the whole bloc. Bloomberg
Equal pay
Citigroup has hiked the salaries of some of its female employees after recording a massive 27% disparity between the average pay of female workers and that of their male peers for 2019. The shortfall was 29% the previous year; Citigroup has also slightly improved the pay gap for minorities working for it in the U.S. CNBC
AROUND THE WATER COOLER
High-profile fugitives
In the context of the Carlos Ghosn saga, Fortune's Shawn Tully looks back at the tale of top commodities trader Marc Rich, who managed to dodge capture (over a massive alleged tax fraud) for the best part of two decades, before being controversially pardoned by President Bill Clinton. Is Ghosn the new Rich? Fortune
Chinese growth
China's GDP grew 6.1% in 2019, down from 6.6% the previous year and marking the slowest pace of growth in the country for 29 years. The causes range from slowing retail sales and exports, and weakening investment in infrastructure and factory construction. Nikkei Asian Review
Missile casualties
Although the U.S. initially stated that last week's Iranian missile attack on an airbase in Iraq caused no casualties, it turns out that several U.S. service members were injured. The attack was a reprisal for the American assassination of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani, and its limited nature helped both sides step back from further escalation, for now. The service members apparently sustained concussions, the symptoms of which only became apparent days after the incident. CNN
Facial recognition
A leaked European Commission document suggests the EU may impose a temporary ban on the use of automated facial recognition systems in public spaces by both public and private concerns. The move could bring the EU executive into conflict with members such as Germany and France, both of which are planning surveillance systems that use the technology. Euractiv
This edition of CEO Daily was edited by David Meyer.
Lessons in AI Adoption
Most executives know they must utilize artificial intelligence to get ahead, but how can they make sure they’re doing AI right? Deloitte’s State of AI in the Enterprise survey outlines four key adoption insights by looking at early AI users in seven countries.
Read more
THE FUTURE OF FORTUNE IS HERE
In 1930, Fortune published its first-ever issue, featuring the goddess Fortuna and her wheel on the cover. This year, on our 90th anniversary, we’re celebrating with a new Fortune. Here’s what’s in store for you:
• We’ve launched a new site, where you’ll find the best of business all in one place: strategic insights, deep-dive stories, and exclusive access to what executives are thinking. To access all of our revamped stories, register for free.
• Later this month, we’re launching new newsletters: The Bull Sheet, a daily brief on finance news, and The Broadside, a monthly bulletin for career-oriented women. Sign up to stay up to date on their launches.
• We’ve launched a new hub for our exclusive videos. It curates collections of executive insights—the latest and best from our interviews with business leaders, analysis series, and conference sessions. Access hundreds of hours of content.
• Starting with the February 2020 issue, we’re substantially upgrading our print magazine. There will be more stories per issue, and the reading experience will be more premium, with gorgeous, higher quality covers and stock. To see for yourself, subscribe to the magazine.
