Margot Ladiray

🚀 SpaceX, owned by Elon Musk, is in talks to sell insider shares to reach a potential valuation of $350 billion, surpassing Bytedance's $300 billion and OpenAI's $157 billion, aiming to become the highest-valued startup globally. SpaceX plans to carry the Artemis III crew to the Moon with its Starship rocket in 2025 and has already made history with the first private space outing on September 10, with four passengers aboard the Dragon capsule over 1,400km altitude.

🌎 Uber celebrates the reopening of Notre-Dame de Paris with an immersive experience available from December 6 to 22, operating daily from 10am to 6pm. The free ride, approximately 20 minutes long, departs from Place du Louvre and tours Île de la Cité, featuring a podcast on Notre-Dame's history by Lorànt Deutsch. The special event, Uber Notre-Dame, is accessible to customers within a 10-minute walk of the vehicle.

🏙 At the Aimsun Summit on December 3rd, experts envisioned urban and mobility development for 2050, focusing on societal and environmental challenges. In France, cars dominate as transport, yet the future emphasizes intermodality, like combining cycling with public transport. Paris faces issues with decarbonized mobility, health, environment, and noise. Milestones include the recent Metro Line 14 at Orly after a 60-year wait, with Line 18 upcoming. Achieving net-zero carbon by 2035 requires marrying intermodality with digital tools and data sharing, despite current data deficiencies, as noted by Paris's Cécile Guillou. Sanef seeks to optimize existing infrastructures for climate change, promoting reserved lanes and digital tools to streamline airport traffic. Collaboration and data usage are key for sustainable and tailored urban transport solutions.

📈 In February 2025, Paris will transform into the world capital of Artificial Intelligence by hosting the first-time Summit for Action on AI on 10th and 11th February. Orchestrated by Clara Chappaz, Secretary of State for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Affairs, the event aims to foster a universal vision and innovative solutions across all sectors. Five themes including AI for public interest and global governance have been outlined. Invited luminaries include Donald Trump and Elon Musk. France aspires to become a leading AI nation, as emphasized by Clara Chappaz and reinforced by OpenAI's new subsidiary in Paris. The government launched "Convergences IA" challenges to spotlight projects addressing significant technological or social issues through AI.

💰 In 2025, business travel will be revolutionized by AI, with a focus on digital systems and cybersecurity investments due to increased AI use. A massive return to office work will boost business travel and budgets, but with an emphasis on cost rationalization and transparency to minimize financial losses and fraud risks. SAP Concur's study predicts the end of traditional expense reports, with automation reducing error risks. AI will become a corporate market staple, viewed as an assistant for anomaly detection and itinerary recommendations, while travelers and managers learn the most beneficial uses. Lastly, improved T&E tools will provide real-time alerts on disruptions, ensuring traveler wellbeing and security.

💻 SNCF Connect & Tech received the Numérique Responsable label, committing to more sustainable and inclusive digital solutions. This recognition underlines their focus on environmentally responsible practices across all projects. They aim to reduce the digital sector's 3-4% global greenhouse gas emissions and prevent a potential 60% increase by 2040 through eco-design and user accessibility. In 2022, the former OUI.SNCF began efforts towards creating a less energy-consuming solution, conducting an audit with Greenspector.

✈ Kayak introduced a new feature for greater transparency on flight ticket prices, allowing users to easily compare baggage fees and change fees. Users can now see an overview of the ticket price, including baggage allowance, modification fees, or seat selection. Matthias Keller, Chief Product Officer at Kayak, aims to simplify the search experience and enable faster, more informed decisions. The feature is currently available to users on computers in France, with more markets to follow. Competitors like Expedia offer similar functionality, whereas Skyscanner only displays baggage and change policy without additional costs.