LSN : News : Stat: Plant-based food investment does more for the environment than renewable energy and EVs

Refik Anadol to open first museum of AI arts, Dataland, in Los Angeles

Dataland, US

US – Refik Anadol Studio has announced the opening of Dataland, the world’s first Museum of AI Arts, set to debut in 2025 at The Grand LA in downtown Los Angeles.

The project aims to blend human imagination with artificial intelligence, redefining artistic expression in the digital age. It will showcase innovative experiences, including an inaugural exhibition using the world’s first open-source AI model based on nature data.

‘Establishing Dataland at The Grand LA is a full-circle moment,’ said Anadol, reflecting on his journey that began with his fascination for Los Angeles at 8-years-old. Dataland will then join notable cultural venues in the city, including the Walt Disney Concert Hall and The Broad.

Designed in collaboration with Gensler and Arup, the initiative promises to be a hub for innovative art experiences, contributing to the vibrant cultural corridor of Los Angeles.

For more insights on the future of artificial intelligence, head to our The Synthocene Era: Merging Human and Machine Intelligence macrotrend report.

Strategic opportunity

Explore how AI-driven experiences can enhance customer engagement in physical spaces, such as interactive installations or personalised retail experiences

Burger King delivers burgers to new mothers right after childbirth

Foodfillment campaign by Burger King, UK

UK – Fast food chain Burger King has launched its Bundles of Joy campaign, capturing real-life moments of new mothers enjoying burgers as their first meal after giving birth. The multichannel campaign comprises film, print and out-of-home ads, featuring authentic footage of mothers in hospital beds, along with the exact time the burgers were delivered.

The campaign, created by BBH London, is part of Burger King’s Foodfillment brand platform that was launched in 2024 to position the company as the go-to choice for indulgence. A survey of 2,000 mothers conducted by Mumsnet revealed that 39% of respondents would have wanted burger or fries as their first post-birth meal.

Launched on 26 September, the day most babies are born in the UK, the campaign has received mixed reactions. While some praised it for drawing on a real-life experience, critics argued that it exploited childbirth to promote unhealthy food.

The campaign taps into the broader consumer trend of Functional Feasting with more people seeking balance between pleasure and practicality.

Strategic opportunity

Use data-driven campaigns to personalise your offerings based on specific consumer desires. Curate products and services that align with life stages or cravings, such as post-birth care packages

Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian launches women's track event with record prize money

Nike NWSL 2024 kits, US

US – Icahn Stadium in New York has hosted the debut of Athlos, a women-only track and field meet backed by Reddit co-founder turned venture capitalist Alexis Ohanian. Unlike traditional competitions, this one-night event featured just six races – the 100m hurdles and five sprints ranging from 100m to 1,500m – with six athletes competing in each.

The standout feature of the event was the unprecedented prize money, with £82,496 ($110,500, €98,828) up for grabs in each race. The first-place winner took home £44,794 ($60,000, €53,659), while the second-place finisher received £18,665 ($25,000, €22,358). No other track and field competition has offered prize money of this magnitude. By comparison, the prestigious Diamond League, widely regarded as the most elite of track-and-field events, awarded only £22,406 ($30,000, €26,839) to its 2023 first-place winners.

The event was further enhanced by an entertaining atmosphere, featuring a live performance from rap artist Megan Thee Stallion, while DJ D-Nice, famed for creating Club Quarantine, curated walk-out songs for the athletes. The production received high praise from the competitors, with Olympian Anavia Battle tweeting, ‘Major props to everyone who helped bring Athlos to life; we’ve felt nothing short of queens since arriving in NYC.’

Athlos capitalises on the growing financial potential of women’s sports, a trend highlighted in our Game-Changers: The Future of Sports Fandom macrotrend report.

Strategic opportunity

With the growing financial potential of women’s sports, consider how to be more involved in female sports events as interest and visibility increase

Stat: Plant-based food investment does more for the environment than renewable energy and EVs

The Dinner Ladies by Universal Favourite, Australia

Global – A September 2024 report by Tilt Collective and Systemiq reveals that investing in a plant-based food system results in substantially greater emissions reductions per dollar than in renewable energy and electric vehicles (EVs).

According to the findings, a £747m ($1bn, €895m) investment in plant-based initiatives could mitigate 28m tonnes of CO2 emissions each year, significantly outpacing the 5m tonnes mitigated by renewables and 7m tonnes by EVs.

Tilt Collective CEO Sarah Lake emphasised that ‘shifting to a plant-rich food system represents a spectacular pay-off as a climate investment’. The current agricultural model, which is predominantly reliant on livestock, is inefficient and a significant contributor to global emissions.

The report urges governments and investors to consider the plant-based food industry as a viable, underfunded solution to climate change, highlighting that a transition would not only reduce emissions but also generate substantial health and economic benefits.

For more insights on what’s new and next for plant-based diets, head to our Adaptive Appetites macrotrend report.

Strategic opportunity

Consider how shifting supply chains toward plant-based ingredients could reduce reliance on animal products while lowering emissions, cutting costs and aligning with sustainability goals