I’m going to skip Dispatch today and take a little break, so let’s get straight to this week’s reading.
A year of Elon Musk’s private jet travel
The world’s richest man’s private jet flew for the most part in 2024. BI used jet tracking data to chart the 335 flights Musk’s private jet has flown so far this year.
The results help show just how far Musk has penetrated into Trumpworld, and, along with his upcoming advisory role and multimillion-dollar donations to the new White House, are likely to increase Musk’s political involvement. This provides a new window into the growth of
BI interviews mother of OpenAI whistleblower
Suthir Balaji, a former OpenAI employee, caused a stir when he spoke out against the startup and discussed how it violates copyright laws.
In November, a young engineer was found dead. The tragedy resonated with people, sparking conspiracy theories, grief, and debate. What do we lose when AI models gain? In an exclusive interview with BI, Balaji’s mother offered a hint.
PR image problem
Blake Lively’s bombshell lawsuit against her It Ends with Us co-star Justin Baldoni has put crisis public relations in the spotlight. Lively accused Baldoni, a publicist and crisis communications expert, of slandering the media in retaliation for her harassment claims.
The details of the legal complaint offer a glimpse behind the curtain of the public relations industry. It also gives the profession a bad name, experts told BI.
first class luxury
Travelers are spending less on cheap Airbnbs. But luxury vacation rentals are booming, and that upscale focus is pushing the short-term rental market to new heights.
And as demand grows, Airbnb’s competitors are also entering the fray. Some even boast personalized experiences and 24/7 customer care. Rates can range up to several thousand dollars per night.
“My mindset has always been to set the bar really high, but not let the little things and little things take away too much of my energy. It’s made my work better.”
Here’s more on this week’s top stories:
