AI chips, shared trips, and a shorter work week

NVIDIA, a chipmaker whose shares have tripled in value this year due to the high demand for its chips in AI systems, saw its stock prices surge even further after a stronger-than-expected earnings report. Despite some concerns that it might be too late to invest, the optimistic view is to buy high and sell higher, as the potential for further growth remains. Another topic discussed was the investigation into the Airbnb crackdown and the potential impact on the sharing economy. Additionally, there was a discussion about AI stock pickers and the 32-hour work week.

Despite the hype and significant investments being made in AI companies by major players, AI itself is not showing a strong appetite for investing in these same companies. According to a report in The Wall Street Journal, at least 13 AI-powered funds have underperformed the stock market as a whole this year. Even one of these funds refused to buy Meta shares due to perceived overvaluation. This could be a sign that the current rise in AI stocks may not be sustainable, and may be a passing bubble rather than a true boom. Additionally, some private companies are already experimenting with shorter work weeks, such as a 32-hour work week in one county in Washington state. This trend could potentially lead to a future where we work fewer hours while still receiving a 40-hour salary. Overall, while the future of AI and its impact on the workforce is uncertain, it's clear that the relationship between AI and the stock market is complex and worth watching closely.

San Juan County in the United States is making history by reducing the work week for most of its employees from five to four days, without reducing their pay. This change, which affects road crews, clerks, park workers, nurses, and others, is expected to improve work-life balance and productivity, although some economists are skeptical. The motivation behind this decision was not to boost productivity but to address budget difficulties and avoid raising taxes for pay increases. As a result, employees will technically earn a higher hourly wage but won't see an increase in take-home pay. Overall, this innovative approach to work hours aims to enhance employees' quality of life and could potentially serve as a model for other jurisdictions facing similar challenges.

Due to budget cuts, some county offices may shift to a four-day workweek. This trend could potentially affect journalism industries as they explore the productivity implications. Meanwhile, the sharing economy, specifically Airbnb, may face restrictions in certain areas, like New York City, where short-term rentals without the host present will be banned. For travelers, this could make finding whole apartments for rent more challenging. Overall, these changes reflect a shift in work and travel dynamics that individuals should be aware of. Additionally, during the discussion, it was mentioned that some people prefer staying in Airbnbs where they have the entire space to themselves, while others don't mind sharing. However, soon, travelers planning trips to New York City may find it difficult to secure an entire Airbnb listing due to the city's new law banning short-term rentals where the host is not present. This could lead to increased competition for available listings and potentially higher costs for travelers seeking privacy during their stays.

New York City estimates there are 10,800 listings on Airbnb that are currently illegal under the city's rules. The city aims to crack down on these listings due to concerns over affordable housing and the potential impact on rising rents. This move could result in fines of up to $5,000 for those caught making such listings. The city's rationale is that fewer long-term rental units become available as Airbnb listings increase, contributing to higher rents. This could impact both hosts and travelers on Airbnb. It will be interesting to see how this ban affects the social fabric and if it leads to more people making friends in person. If you have a story about how this ban might affect you, email indicator@npr.org. This episode was produced by Britney Cronin, engineered by Robert Rodriguez, fact checked by Sara Juarez, and edited by Kate Concannon. Meanwhile, the Fundrise flagship fund is planning to expand its real estate portfolio, offering investors the opportunity to invest in real estate at potentially discounted prices due to high interest rates. Carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses before investing. Mint Mobile offers unlimited talk, text, and data plans for $15 a month with a 3-month commitment. This new customer offer requires a $45 upfront payment. Additional taxes, fees, and restrictions apply. Consider cleaning up your wireless bill this spring with Mint Mobile.