The Weekly Independent: December 18, 2017

Staying on top of your field means staying ahead of the biggest news stories. That’s why each week we bring you The Weekly Independent, a quick-hit digest of news of note from around the web.

• Fortune explores the benefits of consulting over retirement.

• More companies are using artificial intelligence to automate management tasks, The Wall Street Journal reports.

• MBO Partners is excited to welcome two new team members: Linda Mann as senior VP and Chris Mack as CFO.

• More than one-third of permanent positions are expected to transition to contingent roles in the future, according to a new survey by Randstad.

• Six personality traits of successful independent professionals.

• Tech.co explores the importance of Freelancer LLCs under the new tax bill and Chief Executive takes a look at how businesses can qualify for lower pass-through rates.

• Some of November’s strong jobs report can be attributed to the gig economy, Lexology reports.

• Doing some late holiday shopping? Check out our top 10 home office gifts.

• A new study from LinkedIn and Adecco Group found that independent professionals are choosing flexible work as a lifestyle.

• Mic explores how the gig economy is shaping higher education.

• Spend Matters takes a look at IC Precheck—a new compliance product that pre-certifies independent contractors.

• How the human cloud makes flexible work possible.

• Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations is partnering with The Aspen Institute to develop a gig economy data hub.

• On-demand driving company Lyft is offering education discounts in an effort to attract drivers, NPR says.

• Spend Matters takes another look at Bunker, which it describes as a state-of-the-art business insurance provider for contractors.

• How the gig economy may disrupt the U.S. labor market.

Of course, we’d love to talk virtually as well. Share your thoughts with us at MBO Partners on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn, and we’ll see you again next week!