Today is the official first day of summer. While I did just come off a staycation in New York, unfortunately I won't be spending my summer like some tech billionaires, who vacation everywhere from mega-yachts to their own private islands.
I'm your host, Jordan Parker Erb. We've got a lot to cover today, so let's dive in.
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1. Graphics show how the tech industry has changed since George Floyd's murder. Big Tech companies made many diversity, equity, and inclusion promises after Floyd's murder in 2020. We used charts to see how each company is doing, two years later.
- More than 200 tech companies promised sweeping changes, including vows to hire more Black employees. But annual reports, companies' documents, and interviews with experts show these promises led to little action.
- For example, the percentage of Black employees at tech companies increased only marginally since 2020 — only 5% of the tech workforce, 3% of executives, and 1% of founders are Black.
- And while Microsoft reported it was more than 20% of the way to reaching its goal to double the number of Black directors, partners, and execs, some Black employees said its progress was too little too late.
View the charts that break down companies' progress.
In other news:
2. Vacations look a little different for tech's billionaire execs. Industry moguls like Jeff Bezos and Richard Branson spend their vacations cruising on yachts, visiting their own private islands, and frequenting national parks. See how tech execs vacation.
3. These 30 leaders are driving the electric-vehicle revolution. We asked EV companies to nominate the people most likely to usher the industry into the future. Out of more than 110 submissions, we selected 30 leaders from white-hot companies like Rivian, GM, and Lucid. Meet the EV power players.
4. Amazon's probe into a cloud unit's culture ended with "no evidence of systemwide, discriminatory practices." A leaked memo shows that the investigation found "employee concerns could not be substantiated." What we know about the probe.
5. As part of a study, 18 people spent a week working in the metaverse. Two dropped out after just a few hours wearing VR headsets, while the rest reported feeling more anxious and frustrated by the end. What the study can help us understand about the metaverse.
6. Meet the most innovative CMOs of 2022. Our seventh annual list includes chief marketers at companies like Apple, DoorDash, Roblox, Snap, Amazon Prime and Studios, and many more. Here's how they're facing the challenges ahead.
7. A 23-year-old built a lucrative side hustle as a LinkedIn influencer. With 120,100 followers, Google employee Stephanie Nuesi is capitalizing on the recent boom in LinkedIn influencers, and can net thousands of dollars each month. Take a look at how she did it — and how much she earns.
8. Amazon Prime Day 2022 is quickly approaching. Insider has learned the event will be held July 12 and 13, but some sales are kicking off early: Many headphones and wireless earbuds are discounted, and AirPods are already up to $75 off. Get the latest on Prime Day.
Odds and ends:
9. See what it's like to take a hands-free road trip. Insider's transportation reporter drove 500 miles in the 2022 Escalade Sport, which lets drivers take their hands off of the steering wheel on approved highways — and he's not sure he can go back to boring trips in regular cars.
10. This VR headset lets you meditate on the Swedish coast. Using a headset from Warpin Media, our reporter tried meditating in virtual reality, which transported her to rivers and cliffsides around the Swedish High Coast. Here's what her experience was like.
What we're watching today:
- Amazon re:MARS conference on Machine Learning, Automation, Robotics, and Space kicks off today.
- NFT.NYC continues through June 24.
Keep updated with the latest tech news throughout your day by checking out The Refresh from Insider, a dynamic audio news brief from the Insider newsroom. Listen here.
Curated by Jordan Parker Erb in New York. (Feedback or tips? Email [email protected] or tweet @jordanparkererb.) Edited by Lisa Ryan (tweet @lisarya) in New York.