(This column originally appeared in Forbes)
Here are five business technology news stories from this week and how they affect your business. Did you miss them?
This Week in Business Tech News
Business Technology News #1 — OpenAI goes for Microsoft’s jugular — its Office productivity suite.
OpenAI is reportedly developing its own AI-powered office productivity suite, directly challenging Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace. Features reportedly include collaborative document editing, meeting transcription, team chat, and tight integration with ChatGPT. Rather than replicating Microsoft’s feature-rich apps or Google’s collaboration tools, OpenAI may lean into generative AI to reinvent how documents are created and edited collaboratively. This move comes amid rising tensions between OpenAI and Microsoft, despite their deep partnership and Microsoft’s $13 billion investment in the AI company. If successful, OpenAI’s suite could reshape enterprise software by offering a more fluid, AI-native experience. (Source: Computerworld)
Why this is important for your business:
I’ve been to this rodeo before. Over the years I’ve been in the tech industry countless players from — Facebook to Google — have come and gone trying to replace Microsoft Office with their own solutions. Google has probably had the most success but even their market share pales when compared to Microsoft’s. Maybe OpenAI has a better answer? I’m not hopeful.
Business Technology News #2 — Instagram launches trial reels, letting creators test ideas with new audiences.
Instagram has launched a new feature called Trial Reels, designed to help creators and small businesses experiment with content before sharing it with their full audience. Creators can share short videos with a randomized audience of non-followers to gauge reactions — allowing businesses to try new formats or ideas without risking backlash from loyal followers. After 24 hours, Instagram provides engagement metrics like views, likes, comments, and shares. If the reel performs well, creators can manually or automatically publish it to their followers. High-performing trial reels can be auto-published based on engagement within 72 hours. (Source: Small Business Trends)
Why this is important for your business:
It’s a simple yet brilliant idea, and not one that’s foreign to the tech world. It’s a sandbox to build test systems and only allow certain users/customers to use it. I love it and I think if you’re an Instagram creator it’s a solid way to test out potential content.
Business Technology News #3 — OpenAI quietly adds Shopify as a shopping search partner.
OpenAI has quietly added Shopify as a third-party search partner for its ChatGPT shopping search feature, expanding its e-commerce capabilities without a formal announcement. SEO expert Aleyda Solís spotted the update in OpenAI’s documentation on May 15, 2025, following the rollout of enhanced shopping features in April. Shopify joins Bing as a data provider for ChatGPT’s shopping search, enabling richer product listings with images, prices, and reviews. ChatGPT now returns shopping results from various platforms, including Amazon and Turbify (formerly Yahoo Stores). Non-Shopify stores can apply to be included, provided they allow OpenAI’s web crawler — OAI-SearchBot — to access their site. (Source: Search Engine Journal)
Why this is important for your business:
According to the post this move positions OpenAI to compete more directly in the AI-powered shopping space, offering users a seamless and visually rich shopping experience. It’s certainly an easier way to search and buy products and it makes sense — as a consumer I often ask ChatGPT for buying advice so why not be delivered links to purchase their recommendations? If your business uses Shopify I’d learn more about this functionality. And if your business uses one of Shopify’s competitors I’m sure we’ll be seeing similar offering in the not too distant future.
Business Technology News #4 — How one subcontractor worked 10X faster with Project Intelligence.
North Texas subcontractor DFW Turf Solutions dramatically improved its efficiency –working 10x faster — by adopting a product called ConstructConnect® Project Intelligence (CCPI). The challenges DFW were dealing with included driving to job sites to find work and struggling to connect with decision-makers on projects. CCPI transformed their workflow with real-time project data that gave them access to updated public and private job listings. Smart search filters allowed them to quickly narrow down projects by bid date, stage, and location. The results showed significant growth in business with 5–30 new contacts per day, and they landed on over 140 bidder lists across Texas. This case study shows how digital tools like CCPI can revolutionize subcontractor operations. (Source: ConstructConnect)
Why this is important for your business:
I enjoy writing about actual uses of AI and technologies by actual companies, rather than conjecture, predictions and prognostications. CCPI is a good example for those in the construction industry.
Business Technology News #5 — Here are 10 ways to use Grok 4 that feel like cheating:
AI resources platform God of Prompt listed 10 creative ways to use Grok 4 — xAI’s large language model — on its X feed. Example tips: Users can build apps and interactive tools without code by describing their idea to Grok and prompting it to design an interactive tool based on the idea. Infographics can be designed from plain text. Prompt: “You are a world-class visual explainer and technical designer. Transform this concept into a visual graphic using a code-based design format.” Grok can also perform as a stand-in tutor on a chosen subject by entering a prompt: “You are a world-class private tutor. Teach me [chosen topic] as if I’m a motivated beginner.” Next, users can list specific bullet points of subtopics they want to be included in the lesson. For the full list of Grok 4 capabilities, visit the link. (Source: God of Prompt)
Why this is important for your business:
Grok 4 has been recently released and well received as a strong alternative to ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini and others. I’ve been using it while on X to provide context and explanations behind posts. But I like the idea of expanding its usage for my business and these examples give me good ideas.
Each week I round up five business technology news stories and explain why they’re important for your business. If you have any interesting stories, please post to my X account @genemarks
