Morning Business Report: Major companies embrace artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence is making its way into more industries.

(LILAMAX)- Artificial intelligence is making its way into more industries. NVIDIA and General Motors have announced a partnership to use NVIDIA’s chips in vehicles, simulation, and plant design. Meanwhile, Yum Brands—parent company of Taco Bell, KFC, and Pizza Hut—says AI-powered order-taking is on the way.

The housing market’s affordability struggles aren’t expected to ease anytime soon. Economist Thomas Ryan of Capital Economics predicts that high home prices and mortgage rates will continue rising over the next two years. The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate is expected to remain around 7% in 2025 and may not drop to 6% until late 2026.

The Nasdaq led markets lower as traders remain cautious about the possibility of a recession and concerns over tariffs.

Dollar General is shutting down 96 of its locations, along with 45 PopShelf stores, in early 2025. PopShelf specializes in home décor, cleaning supplies, and party goods. It’s been a rough year for retail closures, with Joann Fabrics, Walgreens, and Big Lots also shutting locations nationwide.

A new Talker Research poll shows that most Americans don’t want to know how their favorite celebrities vote. Only 25% would be happy to learn whether a star supports a particular political party. One in six respondents even said they’d stop being a fan if a celebrity’s views didn’t align with their own