The Memo: & Self-Flying Planes, Musk’s AI Slowdown & The World’s Best Countries To Launch A Startup

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Too much of a good thing?

Just when you think you’ve seen it all, Dubai, the Middle East’s capital of excess, serves up a $100 million super-sized property complete with a two-storey swimming pool.

Despite the questionable environmental credentials of two outdoor pools in one of the world’s driest climates, the property is powered entirely by solar energy with smart panels fitted across the building’s external cladding.

Spread across a staggering 40,000 square feet of space, this lavish complex in the Emirates Hills (think the Arabian peninsula’s answer to Beverly Hills), is one of the most expensive homes ever to come to market in Dubai.

Money can’t buy you happiness, but it can buy you a two-storey pool in one of the world’s hottest property markets.

The Memo will observe the Easter Break and return on 15 April.

Five Things We Learned

The 10 best countries in the world to start a business are all in Europe. Czechia (formerly known as the Czech Republic), Finland and The Netherlands topped the charts with low business taxes, reasonable salaries and low cost of living. The U.K. remains the cheapest place to set up a business ($0), but less favorable quality of life and employee happiness ratings saw it ranked 6th worldwide.

Elon Musk and tech leaders called for AI ‘Pause’ over risks to humanity. An open letter from the tech elite urged AI researchers to step back from the “out of control race” to deploy systems before considering the risks they could pose to humanity. Bill Gates was one notable missing signature from the letter.

Italy wants to ban lab-grown meats. If a new bill protecting ‘food heritage’ passes, anyone flouting the ban could face fines of up to $65,000. The proposed law comes after right wing Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni banned the use of insect-derived flour in pizza and pasta. Che schifo!

The moon needs its own clocks. Confused by daylight savings time? Spare a thought for potential citizens of the moon, which exists in timeless anarchy. A new system called LunaNet could change everything, offering timing and positioning for anyone on and around the Moon. Think GPS, but for the moon.

Summer tourism could be screwed thanks to French strikes. Up to 2 million people protested pension reforms on the streets of Paris this week. Air traffic controllers joined in solidarity, causing 20% of flights across French airspace to be canceled, which could lead to a summer of disrupted travel plans across the whole of Europe.

The Good

Dogs and cats prevent infant food allergies. Japanese researchers found children who are exposed to pets in early infancy were far less likely to develop food allergies than their petless peers. 4 million American children are estimated to have food allergies.

The Bad

Fox News CEO called fact-checking Trump ‘bad for business’. That’s according to multiple reports revealed as part of a $1.6 billion defamation lawsuit over election voter fraud conspiracies. Fox News CEO Suzanne Scott reportedly said in December 2020 that fact-checking “has to stop now,” arguing reporting showed a “lack of understanding” about what Fox News’ audience wanted. Fake news meets reality.

Watch

Self-flying planes will transform flying for the better. According to Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun, pilotless passenger flights are about to become a reality after decades of testing in the U.S. military. The switch could save the industry a reported $35 billion dollars. Forbes, YouTube, free to watch worldwide.

Listen

Formula E campaigned for womens’ right to drive in Saudi Arabia. The electric version of Formula 1 made equal rights for drivers a condition of hosting its race in traditionally conservative Saudi Arabia. Homo Sapiens, free to listen worldwide.

Read

How to prosper in a financial world that’s rigged against you. Investment expert Robert Dix explains how to gain the edge in a rapidly changing economic world. The Price of Money, Penguin, from $12.

Taste

Michelin-Starred food and film pop-up. For two weeks only, a luxury interior showroom in London will be transformed into an uber-luxe cinema and restaurant, serving up food by world-renowned chef Tom Sellers (of Restaurant Story), paired with an iconic film. Tasting menus, along with drinks pairings start from $340 .

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