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Teamsters deliver a strike to Amazon; Now you can phone ChatGPT; NASA astronauts delayed again >> Teamsters deliver a strike to Amazon | The Washington Post [https://lnkd.in/eaaFDiJ8]  >> Now you can phone ChatGPT | CNBC [https://lnkd.in/daQ5trE8]  >> NASA astronauts delayed again | USA TODAY, @Space.com [https://lnkd.in/dfH8DC5g] By: @John C Abell @Cate Chapman @Jake Perez @Max Lockie

A wild Wall Street week; TikTok's Hail Mary; and how a bill barely becomes law

Welcome back to Gametime, a weekly newsletter recapping the week in LinkedIn Games, and happenings in the puzzle world. In this edition, Games Editor Paolo Pasco takes a look back at the year of LinkedIn Games, including stats on the easiest and hardest puzzles of 2024. Plus, he links to bonus puzzles to challenge you as the year winds down. Want to cozy up with some puzzles? Play the latest LinkedIn Games at linkedin.com/games. #Gametime #LinkedInGames

House passes stop-gap budget bill; Zelle accused of 'widespread fraud'; Strikes update >> House passes stop-gap budget bill | CNBC [https://lnkd.in/e-QXyFr3]  >> Zelle accused of 'widespread fraud' | CNBC [https://lnkd.in/e-QXyFr3]  >> Starbucks workers go on strike | The New York Times  [https://lnkd.in/gDNyuf_v]  >> Amazon: Deliveries unhurt by strike | CNN [https://lnkd.in/g2iTbg4q] By: John C Abell Cate Chapman Jake Perez Max Lockie Check out The Wrap newsletter! [https://lnkd.in/e2g3u5j3]

Chloe Flower, a pianist and composer who went viral after her iconic performance with Cardi B at the 2019 Grammy Awards, says she toned down her true self for years trying to fit into the classical music world. “When people think of classical music, they think of a man, in a tuxedo, in all black,” she said. For many years, Flower says she wanted to show her personality, her fashion, and her passion for pop music, but felt she had to hide it all to be accepted. “All those things, I had to do in secret to be accepted in my own community.” As she started to develop her signature sound and style, she said, “Everything changed.” “When you believe in something and you're being authentic to yourself, it can work, and it will work, as long as you keep going.” How do you stay authentic to yourself at work? Share in the comments. Watch Chloe Flower’s episode of #Catalyst: https://lnkd.in/g9cwuATR

The streaming landscape is set for a shake-up in 2025. Entertainment companies have transitioned from a profitable cable TV model to a fragmented, often unprofitable streaming era. Now, studio heads are less willing to tolerate financial losses — and streamers are raising prices, adding ad-supported tiers and bundling services to increase revenue. Viewers are growing frustrated with rising subscription fees and clunky user experiences. As Puck's Matthew Belloni puts it, many people are asking, "How can I pay the least to see a show I might like?" Bundles seem to be one way forward. Apple’s decision to sell its streaming service through Amazon could be a tone-setter. Status Founder Oliver Darcy, notes that Netflix has outpaced competitors thanks to its technology and user experience. But other streamers like Peacock, Max and Paramount+ may need to consolidate or bundle to compete. Will consolidation make it easier for consumers to find content and manage subscriptions? Weigh in below or post a video with #BigIdeas2025. And check out the rest of this year’s Big Ideas here: https://lnkd.in/gQphjPrt. ✍️ Andrew Murfett

Is face-to-face banking making a comeback? Physical branches are now evolving into "banking lounges" to reinvent themselves for today’s digital-first customer. Imagine visiting your bank and it feels more like stepping into an Apple store or Starbucks. While small transactions will likely remain on our phones, these lounges will invite customers in for big, life-changing moments like buying a home. And trained staff will be there to help prevent fraud and simple errors Financial crime consultant Luke Raven suggests this mounting shift comes as banks face pressure from regulators to protect customers from scams — where direct human interaction could be key to reducing financial crimes and providing better customer support. No more long queues or transaction windows — instead, picture open meeting spaces, educational seminars and even freshly brewed coffee. What do you think about the rise of new bank formats? Would you visit one of these lounges? Weigh in below or post a video with #BigIdeas2025. And check out the rest of this year’s Big Ideas here: https://lnkd.in/gQphjPrt. ✍️ Misa Han

The film "The Intern," in which Robert De Niro’s character finds a new lease on life by interning at a fashion startup led by Anne Hathaway, was ahead of its time. In 2025, we could see more retired Americans and caregivers reentering the workforce as interns — sparking the multigenerational dynamic of mutual learning and respect seen in the movie. The share of baby boomers returning to the workforce in 2023 was 23.9% higher than in 2022, according to LinkedIn's Economic Graph. What’s driving the trend? Economic pressures and a search for personal fulfillment. Companies like Wells Fargo, Deloitte, Audible and the United States Golf Association (USGA) already have programs that highlight the value of expanding internship programs for multigenerational collaboration — and we’re likely to see this continue in the year ahead. What do you think about baby boomers returning to the workforce as interns? Weigh in below or post a video with #BigIdeas2025. And check out the rest of this year’s Big Ideas here: https://lnkd.in/gQphjPrt. ✍️ Taylor Borden

Will 2025 be the year AI's true impact is realized? AI headlines this year have been dominated by hype and speculation, but in the year ahead leaders will focus on the technology’s tangible impact on the bottom line, says Snowflake CEO Sridhar Ramaswamy. The question is no longer whether to use AI but how to harness it for meaningful, measurable outcomes. Ramaswamy says strategic foresight is paramount for CEOs and boards in 2025 to set clear goals for what they aim to achieve with AI — from tools helping sift through vast amounts of data that enable rapid access to key insights to those that enable productivity improvements like helping clinicians to identify patterns across patient symptoms. “We are at a pivotal AI moment — adapt or fall behind,” Ramaswamy warns. “Those that don’t risk losing their competitive edge.” What practical AI use cases do you anticipate seeing from companies in the year ahead? Weigh in below or post a video with #BigIdeas2025. And check out the rest of this year’s Big Ideas here: https://lnkd.in/gQphjPrt.

Innovations like hands-free computer operations and screen readers for the visually impaired could reshape how individuals with disabilities contribute to their work and drive business success in the coming year. Excluding people with disabilities from the workforce can cost up to 7% of a country’s GDP, according to a 2023 World Economic Forum report. Implementing assistive AI in business strategies could lead to a 28% increase in revenue and a 30% increase in profit margins for companies. "As someone who navigates life in a wheelchair, I’ve seen firsthand how tools like voice recognition and adaptive interfaces open doors that were previously closed," says diversity and inclusion leader Alister Ong. "These advancements aren’t just about convenience — they’re about giving us the autonomy to perform, contribute, and thrive." What other ways do you think AI can help make the workplace more accessible in 2025 and beyond? Weigh in below or post a video with #BigIdeas2025. And check out the rest of this year’s Big Ideas here: https://lnkd.in/gQphjPrt. ✍️ Neha Jain Kale