January 15, 2025

The Appetizer

“The preservation is so detailed that we can see how the mud was deformed as the dinosaur’s feet squelched in and out.”

• Oxford museum scientist Duncan Murdock, when discussing the recently discovered “Dinosaur Highway” in Southern England

Now, on to the numbers. Drum roll, please …

• $700 million+: The amount that invasive aquatic plant species cost the global economy annually.
• $97 billion: The amount that venture capitalists put into AI startups in the U.S. in 2024, according to PitchBook data.
• 8.7%: The increase in U.S. online spending during the 2024 holiday season from last year, according to data from Adobe Analytics.
• 10,000 hours: The hours of work per day that Chick-fil-A is saving in labor by using lemon-squeezing robots.
• $7.7 billion: How much it could cost to return crucial samples from Mars to Earth.
• 608 pounds: The weight of a bluefin tuna that recently sold for $1.3 million at an annual fish auction in Tokyo.

Dig In
Visions of 2035

When we sat down to write our Outlook 2025: Gravitational Shifts, we wanted to indulge in some creative forecasting about what the world might look like a decade from now. Spoiler alert: Talking pets didn’t make the cut (we’re as disappointed as you are), but some predictions are closer to reality than you’d think.

Take flying taxis, for example. Does it give you Meet the Robinsons vibes? Well, this isn’t just a cartoon fantasy anymore. The FAA has officially recognized a new category of aircraft: electric-powered air taxis! They’ve even finalized the rules for training and certifying pilots. The real question is when do we get to take one for a spin?

We also point out the possibility that nuclear energy will power the U.S., especially as AI and our digital economy push aging power infrastructure to the brink. Also, indoor, high-tech vertical farms? I like the sound of that.

And of course, we can’t forget space. Satellites are unsung heroes now, but the space economy could really take off (pun intended). Think data centers orbiting Earth, private space tourism, and even lunar mining. This sounds like a sci-fi movie.

We’re clearly giddy about what’s coming next, but there’s a lot more to unpack. Check out our Outlook for the rest of the transformations we see on the horizon.

Weekly Specials

There’s a lot of hype around cold plunges – most settle for a polar plunge or an ice bath. In China, they’re taking it to the next level, diving into the Songhua River after breaking through a four-inch-thick layer of ice to create a pool.

We’re not medical professionals, just finance professionals who like to joke on occasion, so don’t take this as medical advice – but apparently, drinking coffee is linked to better heart health and a longer life, with morning coffee reducing the risk of premature death by 16% and cardiovascular disease by 31%.

U.S. corporate bankruptcy filings hit a 14-year high in 2024. Businesses felt the squeeze from high interest rates, with total debt among credit-rated non-financial U.S. companies hitting a record $8.45 trillion.

RSVP for entry. The UK has introduced an electronic travel authorization (ETA) scheme, like the U.S. ESTA. Visitors who don’t need a visa must get pre-travel authorization, costing $12.50. It allows six-month stays per visit over two years. At least it’s not $9 just to enter your own city!

Corporate Lunch

Meta will be ending its fact-checking program. Is the sky blue? Is the earth flat? Who’s to say?

Nvidia’s CEO gave everyone a heads up that a “ChatGPT moment for general robotics is just around the corner.” He also said that quantum computing is not around the corner, roughly 15 to 30 years away.

JPMorgan is having all employees return to the office five days a week. Dust off the Patagonia vest and try to remember your Sweetgreen order, party’s over.

Toyota is “exploring rockets” because the future of mobility shouldn’t be limited to just earth. I’ll wait for the EV to get the $7,500 tax credit.

McDonald’s launched a new value menu item to lure back customers that were put off by the burger chain’s higher prices. Fun fact: The average cost of a Big Mac in the U.S. is $5.69.

Mickey meets the gridiron: Disney is merging Hulu + Live TV with sports streamer FuboTV. Let’s see if Goofy has hands and if Donald will “quack” under pressure.

Uber and Lyft are preparing to roll out robotaxis in 2025. How will they handle delivery drivers on e-bikes? I am seriously asking because these guys come out of nowhere. Are you a pedestrian or motor vehicle? Literally and figuratively choose a lane.

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