Elon Musk's Chatbot Is About To Meet Its Toughest Audience Yet
Grok For Government is built to speed up everything from battlefield planning to enterprise intelligence systems. xAI is sharing this award space with Anthropic, Google (NASDAQ:GOOG) and OpenAI, showing just how fiercely commercial AI is being woven into national security.
This deal highlights the growing blend of civilian and defense AI. With plans to integrate Grok into Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) vehicles and eventually Optimus robots, Musk's technology could reshape both consumer products and government workflows.
By tapping xAI's frontier models, the U.S. is betting on Musk's AI vision to maintain an edge. For xAI, winning this DoD work cements its role as a go-to partner in the next generation of defense technology.
This article first appeared on GuruFocus.
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11 minutes ago
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This CEO explains how the trade war upends global supply chains
Tariff uncertainty has companies doubling down on supply chains. Eric Clark, CEO and president of supply-chain technology provider Manhattan Associates (MANH), joins Market Catalysts to discuss how companies are leaning into supply chain technology to navigate uncertainty and maintain strategic operations. To watch more expert insights and analysis on the latest market action, check out more Market Catalysts here. Supply chain technology provider Manhattan Associates reporting second quarter results earlier this week boosted by demand for its cloud services. Joining me now is Eric Clark, Manhattan Associate CEO and president. Good to see you, Eric. Thank you for joining us. Before I sort of dive into your numbers, I do want to talk about tariffs and the trade war because obviously, your clients are sitting at the intersection of all of those cross currents. What are you hearing from clients right now as to sort of how they're navigating the tariffs? Yeah. Well, first of all, thanks for having me. And what we're seeing is early days when these tariffs were announced right after Liberation day, lots of customers maybe went into a little bit of a pause mode to try to predict what was going to happen or to try to understand the uncertainty. Since then, I think people have understood that this isn't going to be quick, and some of these deadlines are going to move. And it's going to take some time. So the forward leaning companies are really getting back to their strategies and executing their strategies. And I think it's not too dissimilar to what we've seen with other supply chain disruptions like COVID and bridge collapses, et cetera. While there's a little bit of a pause in the beginning, I think it very quickly confirms the fact that supply chain is mission critical software. And this is not an area that companies are going to pause or delay for a long time. This is an area that they consider not only mission critical, but strategic. At the beginning of the year, we were also seeing not just some contracts being paused, but the opposite in some cases, right? Orders coming in to try to sort of front run the tariffs to build up inventory. Is that inventory now? Has it been worked down? Are we how, in other words, I guess right now, how would flows compare to normal conditions? Yeah, it varies across industry, and, you know, what we're seeing from our customers is they're trying to be prepared for whatever might come next. And from a software perspective, that's what we do. You know, we can help them be prepared and make sure that they can react and have their correct strategies and agility so that they can do the things that they need to do in real time. And so when it comes to your business, I know that a lot of the contracts that you all sign are sort of longer term contracts, right? Have you seen any disruption to that? Have you seen any of your customers sort of pulling back on spending amidst all of this? You know, it's interesting, as you mentioned, we announced earnings earlier this week, and we had a strong Q2 and a strong first half. It was a beaten raised quarter, and with really strong margin expansion. And when you look at, you know, the difficult and uncertain macroeconomic environment, the past three quarters at Manhattan have been our strongest bookings, sales quarters in the history of the company. So you can argue that all three of those quarters were, if not challenging, at least changing macro environment, and we continue to do well from a bookings performance. And not only that, but new logo bookings has been the strength of our bookings performance. So we're able to actually go out there and take market share from our competitors. And you know, that also gives us opportunity to continue to expand and cross-sell into those customers in the future. So we're feeling really good about the commitments that our customers are making and that customers in the supply chain space are making with their supply chain software. And Eric, would you say I think sort of during the pandemic, we all paid a lot more attention to supply chains than we ever had, of course, because they were affecting us directly. But there was also a lot of discussion about how antiquated the systems were, both the actual physical infrastructure, but also sort of the things that you help people do now, right? That that stuff was sort of obsolete in many cases. Where are we now? And how much further does supply chain modernization need to go? Well, I think we're in the early days of supply chain modernization. And at Manhattan, I think we're rated a leader across our product portfolio, and I think we're really the only true cloud-based SAS provider across the supply chain space. And that's why we continue to have high win rates in the market, and that's why we continue to drive that expansion with these strong bookings quarters. Again, I point to with this uncertainty in the market, it is confirming the fact that this is mission critical software and confirming the fact that this needs to be part of the strategy. And that's why people are really leaning into the modern technology that we can offer. Eric, thanks so much for joining us. Appreciate it. Yeah, thank you. Related Videos BlackRock's Rick Rieder: I Think Rates Can Come Down Elon Musk's 'master plan': Is Tesla an EV maker or AI play? How meme stock mania is a 'sign of the times' 'We ask for more data' than FICO: VantageScore CEO Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
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11 minutes ago
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How to Track Driver Hours Without Drowning in ELD Reports
Running a small fleet means you're stretched thin—dispatching loads, chasing payments, and keeping trucks rolling. Then ELD reports hit you like a brick wall, piling on data you barely have time to read, let alone understand. Hours of service rules aren't optional, but you don't need to drown in reports to stay compliant. If you're running one to five trucks, every minute spent decoding logs is a minute you're not booking better loads or building broker relationships. This is about tracking driver hours efficiently, staying FMCSA-compliant, and focusing on what keeps your business alive—hauling freight. Here's how small fleet owners and owner-operators can cut through the noise and keep their trucks where they belong: on the road. Why ELD Reports Are a Small Fleet's Nightmare ELDs were sold as a time-saver, but for small carriers, they're often a headache that eats your day. You're staring at dense logs, sifting through alerts for minor violations, and chasing drivers who log wrong—or don't log at all. FMCSA rules feel like they change every time you blink, and one slip can mean a fine that wipes out a week's profit. Here's what you're up against: Logs so complicated they take an hour to review Alerts flooding your inbox for every 5-minute overage Drivers forgetting to switch to 'off-duty' or logging yard moves wrong Rules that seem designed for big fleets with compliance teams If you're a five-truck operation, you're not staffed to play data analyst. Every hour spent untangling ELD reports is an hour you're not negotiating rates or planning lanes. A one-truck operator in Indiana lost $3,000 last year on a single HOS violation because he didn't catch a logging error. The goal isn't just staying legal—it's doing it without sacrificing your bottom line. Build Systems That Work for You You don't need a degree in tech to track hours right. It's about setting up lean, practical systems that save time and keep you compliant. You're a small fleet owner, not a corporate desk jockey—focus on what moves the needle. Here's how to make it happen. 1. Choose an ELD That Fits Your Fleet Not every ELD is built for small operations. Some are bloated with features for mega-carriers, not for you. Pick one that's simple, mobile-friendly, and doesn't bury you in menus. Look for: Real-time hours tracking, you can check from your phone Clean dashboards that show available hours at a glance Syncing with your TMS or load board for seamless planning Motive and Samsara are good bets—starting at $25-$40 per truck monthly, they give you what you need without the fluff. Avoid systems that cost $100 per truck or push features you'll never touch. A three-truck fleet in Oklahoma switched to a simpler ELD and cut their log review time from 2 hours to 20 minutes a day. Test the app yourself before signing up—make sure it's built for someone who's always on the move. 2. Train Drivers to Log Like Pros Your ELD is only as good as the driver behind it. Most violations come from simple mistakes—drivers logging drive time as on-duty, forgetting breaks, or messing up personal conveyance. Don't let bad habits tank your compliance. Set your drivers up to win: Spend 15 minutes (not an hour) walking them through the ELD app's key features Make a one-page cheat sheet for logging breaks, yard moves, and pre-trips Review logs daily for the first two weeks to catch errors early Real-world example: A two-truck operator in Ohio cut HOS violations by 80% after one afternoon training his drivers to log pre-trip inspections right. He printed a laminated checklist and stuck it in the cab—problem solved. That's less time fixing reports and more time hauling $3/mile loads. 3. Zero In on Metrics That Keep You Legal ELD reports spit out enough data to fill a book, but you don't need it all. Focus on the numbers that keep you out of trouble: Available drive time per driver 14-hour duty window status 70-hour weekly limit HOS violations (and what caused them) Set your ELD dashboard to highlight these upfront. Ignore the rest unless you're digging into a specific issue. Most ELDs let you tweak alerts—turn off the spam for minor 5-minute overages and focus on big risks, like 11-hour drive limit violations. A four-truck fleet in Virginia saved 6 hours a week by customizing their dashboard to show only critical metrics. That's time you can spend chasing direct shipper contracts. 4. Automate Compliance to Save Your Sanity You're not a machine, so stop doing machine work. Your ELD can handle the heavy lifting if you set it up right. Use automation to catch issues before they cost you: Set alerts for when drivers hit 90% of their drive time or duty window Schedule weekly summary reports instead of daily email floods Use geofencing to auto-log yard moves at docks you hit often This cuts your review time to 10-15 minutes a day. A five-truck fleet in Texas went from 8 hours a week on compliance to under 2 by automating HOS alerts and only checking flagged logs. That's a full day back for dispatching or negotiating better rates with brokers. 5. Plan Loads Around Hours, Not Hopes Tracking hours isn't just about staying legal—it's about making money. Smart hours management lets you maximize freight without pushing drivers past their limits. Use load boards like DAT or Truckstop to match loads to your drivers' clocks: Filter for loads that fit the remaining drive time Save short-haul runs for drivers low on hours Reserve high-mileage loads for drivers with fresh clocks Check lane history to find shippers with quick turnarounds. Avoid docks known for detention unless the rate covers the wait—$100/hour minimum. A two-truck fleet in Illinois boosted revenue by 15% by picking loads that matched their hours instead of chasing tight deadlines. Keep your trucks moving and your drivers legal. 6. Build a Routine That Sticks Consistency is your edge. Set up a daily and weekly routine to stay on top of hours without losing your mind: Daily: Spend 10 minutes checking ELD alerts and driver logs Weekly: Run a 70-hour report to plan loads for the next week Monthly: Audit one driver's logs to spot patterns (wrong status, missed breaks) A one-truck operator in Nevada caught a recurring logging error by spending 20 minutes a month reviewing logs. That saved him $1,500 in potential fines. Routines don't have to be complicated—just consistent. The Load Board Trap Load boards are a lifeline, but they can make hours tracking harder if you're not careful. Brokers post loads with sometimes tight deadlines, tempting you to stretch driver hours to grab them. Don't bite. A $2,000 load isn't worth a fine or a sidelined OOS driver. Always check available hours before bidding. Build a 1-2 hour buffer into every load for delays—detention, traffic, or breakdowns. Use load boards to: Find lanes that fit your drivers' clocks Spot shippers with consistent freight for direct outreach Avoid brokers with a history of unrealistic schedules (check Carrier Assure for reviews) A three-truck fleet in Florida stopped taking last-minute spot loads with tight windows and saw violations drop to zero. Focus on freight that fits your operation, not the other way around. Tech That Doesn't Break the Bank You don't need a high-dollar setup to track hours like a pro. Stick to tools that save time and money: ELD with a mobile app for real-time updates ($25-$40/truck/month) TMS integration to tie hours to load planning ($50-$75/month) Free spreadsheet or app (like Trucker Tools) to track weekly hours across drivers Spend $100-$150/month total for a two-truck fleet. That's less than one HOS fine or one missed load. A four-truck operator in Michigan switched to a $120/month ELD-TMS combo and saved $6,000 a year by avoiding compliance penalties and picking better lanes. Double-Check Your Drivers' Habits Drivers aren't perfect, and neither are you. Even with a great ELD, human error can creep in. Common mistakes: Logging 'on-duty' instead of 'off-duty' during breaks Forgetting to log pre-trip or post-trip inspections Misusing personal conveyance for non-personal trips Spot-check logs weekly to catch these early. A two-truck fleet in Georgia found one driver was logging 30 minutes of drive time daily as on-duty by mistake. Fixing it saved 10 hours of drive time a month—enough for an extra $1,500 load. Final Word Tracking driver hours doesn't have to bury you in ELD reports. Pick a simple ELD, train your drivers to log right, focus on the metrics that keep you legal, and automate the grunt work. Tie your hours tracking to load planning so you're not just dodging fines—you're making money. Small fleets don't win by working harder; they win by working smarter. Get your systems tight, train your drivers, and keep your trucks hauling freight where they belong. The post How to Track Driver Hours Without Drowning in ELD Reports appeared first on FreightWaves. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
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11 minutes ago
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U.S. slaps 20.56% anti-dumping duties on Canadian softwood lumber
The U.S. Commerce Department has decided to hike anti-dumping duties on Canadian softwood to 20.56 per cent, with B.C. lumber organizations calling them unjustified, punitive and protectionist. The hiked softwood lumber duties come amid the growing trade war between Canada and the U.S., and represent the latest blow to B.C.'s beleaguered forestry industry. B.C. Forests Minister Ravi Parmar described the long-awaited rate hike as a "gut punch" for B.C.'s forestry industry which has seen thousands of workers laid off over the last few years. "U.S. President Donald Trump has made it his mission to destroy Canada's economy, and there is no sector that has faced more of that than the forestry sector," he told CBC News. "This is a big deal for our workers. This is going to have a significant impact. It will lead to curtailments," he added. The B.C. government has been urging the federal government to prioritize the softwood lumber industry in trade discussions with the U.S., and Parmar said the hiked duties would also impact U.S. homeowners needing lumber to rebuild or renovate their homes. "This is going to mean that Americans, in particular middle-class Americans, are going to be paying more to the tune of $15,000 to $20,000 more USD to purchase or to build a home." The B.C. Lumber Trade Council says in a statement that if the U.S. department's pending review on countervailing duties is in line with its preliminary results, the combined rate against Canadian softwood shipped to the United States will be well over 30 per cent. In April, the preliminary combined rate on Canadian softwood lumber was reported to be 34.45 per cent, up from the previous 14.54 per cent. Friday's decision is a final determination, with Parmar saying it would go into effect in the U.S. Federal Register shortly.U.S. lumber producers have long maintained that Canadian stumpage fees, for harvesting on Crown land, are an unfair government subsidy. B.C.'s Independent Wood Processors Association says in a statement that the U.S. Commerce Department's decision this week to raise duties also includes a requirement for Canadian companies to retroactively remit duties for products shipped to the United States since Jan.1, 2023. WATCH | B.C. premier urges feds to prioritze lumber deal: Association chair Andy Rielly says in a statement that the requirement to pay duties on products shipped in the last 31 months could not only force small B.C. producers to shut down, but may also threaten operators' personal assets as they may have to risk using their homes as collateral to secure bonds to pay. Prime Minister Mark Carney said earlier this month that a future trade agreement with the United States could include quotas on softwood lumber, an area that has caused friction between the two countries for years before the latest trade war. Producer urges province to change conditions The United States has long been the single largest market for B.C. lumber exports, representing over half the market for the approximately $10-billion industry. But amid a series of challenges for the province's forestry industry — including a mountain pine beetle infestation that has killed hundreds of thousands of trees — mills have been closing around the province in recent years, and major forestry companies are opening up new mills in the United States. In 2023, numbers from Statistics Canada showed B.C. had lost more than 40,000 forest-sector jobs since the early 1990s. Kim Haakstad, the CEO of the B.C. Council of Forest Industries, said the B.C. government should work to improve the production environment in the province to prevent future mill closures. In a statement, the council said that by activating timber sales, fast-tracking permits and cutting through regulatory gridlock, the province could send a signal that it is serious about rebuilding a sustainable forest argued that if the industry could get production levels back to historic levels, it could help keep forestry-dependent communities vibrant into the future. "That will bring more than $300 million to the provincial government, as well, to help address the deficit situation we're in," Haakstad said. Kurt Niquidet, the president of the B.C. Lumber Trade Council, highlighted that Trump also has initiated a federal investigation into the U.S. imports of lumber and timber citing "national security," which could further impact B.C.'s forestry industry when combined with the tariffs. "Softwood lumber is quite important for the United States. They can only supply about 70 per cent of their softwood lumber demand, and they're importing 30 per cent from elsewhere," he told CBC News. "25 per cent of that's really coming from Canada, and British Columbia is the largest softwood lumber producer within Canada."
