The Pizza Trade, Indian Milk, Spicy Fast 🍕

Those most at risk of being replaced by generative AI are becoming its biggest proponents. This is highlighted in Microsoft's 2024 Annual Work Trend Index.

Over the past six months, non-technical professionals have boosted their participation in LinkedIn Learning courses focused on AI skills by 160%. Creative roles, in particular, are leading this trend, with 33% of content writers and 27% of graphic designers adding AI skills like ChatGPT and Copilot to their LinkedIn profiles. Content writers see AI as a crucial tool and want to show potential employers they are incorporating this knowledge, according to LinkedIn Workforce Experts.

This is surprising considering how a few months ago everyone was worried about their careers and jobs becoming invalid due to AI. A study by the University of Pennsylvania and OpenAI found that up to 50% of tasks for half of all workers could be affected by large language models. Creative roles like designers and journalists are particularly vulnerable. While the study didn’t claim these jobs would vanish, it did suggest they would evolve.

But now, designers and design firms use AI tools like OpenAI, Midjourney, and Dall-E to inspire ideas and save time. “These fields view these tools as either essential new skills to master or potential threats to their jobs,” said one designer. 

Is it possible that this is a survival strategy? 

The uncertainty about the future could be driving higher adoption rates as professionals seek to stay relevant. Creative professionals realize a lot of their work could be automated, so they need to learn these tools to stay relevant.

On May 22, 2010, a Floridian made history by purchasing pizza with Bitcoin. Laszlo Hanyecz ordered two Papa John’s pizzas for 10,000 Bitcoin, marking the first-ever recorded commercial Bitcoin transaction. This groundbreaking moment ignited a financial revolution driven by cryptocurrency.

Back then, 10,000 Bitcoin was valued at around $41, while the pizzas cost $25. Wondering how much those 10,000 Bitcoin are worth today? A staggering $670 million.

May 22 is now celebrated as ‘Bitcoin Pizza Day,’ a nod to the first use of Bitcoin in trade.
It’s fascinating to think that two simple pizzas from Papa John’s sparked a global financial shift, reshaping how we view money.

To mark the anniversary, Binance, the world's largest crypto exchange, is hosting global Pizza Day events across sixteen countries from May 17 to May 22. From the Binance Pizza Van delivering in South Africa to pizza parties in Thailand, Binance aims to honor this historic event while educating the public.

Every year, hashtags like #BitcoinPizzaDay and #PizzaForBitcoin trend on social media, as Bitcoin enthusiasts celebrate the cryptocurrency’s incredible journey.

Gone are the days when marketing was a slow burn. You’d draft a budget, create an ad, and cross your fingers that it would convert viewers into customers. Today, a viral TikTok can achieve more than traditional campaigns ever could.

Take Samyang Foods, for example. The company's stock jumped 30% last week, hitting the daily limit on its exchange. This surge follows a stellar quarter, with revenues up over 50% year-on-year.

The star of the show? Their buldak carbonara spicy noodles, which have taken TikTok by storm. Videos featuring these noodles, including one by Cardi B, have collectively garnered hundreds of millions of views.

Buldak, meaning “fire chicken,” carbonara noodles are the perfect viral food: quick to prepare, visually striking, and easily customizable. This has led to countless spin-off videos as creators experiment with different ingredients.

The result? Samyang Foods Co. saw operating profits soar past $60 million, more than triple what they achieved in Q1 2023.

Portal Tourism No More - The video portals connecting Dublin and NYC that we mentioned in our last newsletter have been shut down to address inappropriate behavior, which apparently included flashing, showing porn, and mocking 9/11.

🎡 Popular Vacays - A recent survey found that American adults prefer Disney World over Las Vegas for vacations. 

👩‍⚖️ Suing DOT - Major US airlines such as American, Delta, United, JetBlue, Hawaiian, and Alaska are suing the Department of Transportation due to a recent rule mandating disclosure of service fees. 

🎒Ammo in Bags - A fifth American tourist was arrested in Turks and Caicos for illegally carrying ammunition. Apparently, they forgot they had bullets left in their bag from home. 

🧑‍💻 Google's Process - An article that will walk you through how Google does code review.

🥳 Go Party - Costco is apparently the hot new party venue, according to the latest TikTok trend.