Combating Pollution with Innovation
Electricity-generating pavements, air-purifying benches, and pollution-breaking paint are among the innovations being trialled on a “smart shopping street” in London. London has famously polluted air and smog, but with inventions like these being placed in high population areas, these scientists can really make a difference in people’s health. In fact, if the city painted all of Oxford Street in the paint that breaks down pollution, it would be equivalent to planting an entire forest! (Source: BBC News)
Another Year, Another Massive Layoff
Microsoft is rumored to be laying off thousands of staff members across the world in a move to reorganize its salesforce. This announcement follows the recent change of leadership, Judson Althoff and Jean-Philippe Courtois, and is expected to come in the next few days. For many though, the move is not so unexpected, given that last year Microsoft cut 2,850 jobs and 7,800 cuts in 2015. (Source: Tech Crunch)
Station France
Last Thursday, the world’s biggest startup campus officially opened in Paris, France. The abandoned train station was originally built in the 1920’s and is now filled with desks, giant walls of glass, bright lights, and Mediterranean trees. 1,100 startups will be moving in today to invent, invest, and develop their respective ideas. President Emmanuel Macron even noted in his speech that “The thing that is bringing us together today is that entrepreneurial spirit. Many people wanted to tell me what kind of life I should lead, and I decided something else. You don’t want someone else to lead your life for you.” It’s hard to know for sure if Station F is going to drastically change the face of the tech ecosystem in Paris, but it sure is a step in the right direction. (Source: Tech Crunch)
