AI’s Travel Jobs Impact, NYC’s Transit Mess and Uber’s Unique Saudi Feature
In today's pod we look at travel talent and AI, New York City's climate challenges, and Uber's female-friendly update.
Good morning from Skift. It’s Wednesday, July 16. Here’s what you need to know about the business of travel today.
AI, especially agentic and generative AI, is poised to have a tremendous impact on employment in the travel industry. Skift Research analyzed government data to examine how shifts in technology could reshape travel jobs.
Research Analyst Robin Gilbert-Jones writes that despite travel’s rapid digitalization over the past two decades, the sector remains light on tech talent. He notes that change is gathering pace in some parts of the industry as travel agencies now devote nearly 7% of their workforce to tech roles, up from less than 2% in 2003.
Core suppliers such as airlines and hotels continue to have low levels of in-house tech staff, in large part due to their heavy reliance on manual roles. But those sectors could have the greatest potential for transformation, adding that suppliers today may soon face greater pressure to invest in technology and engineering talent.
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Youtube | RSS
Next, Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee in New York City’s upcoming mayoral election, says the city needs urgent infrastructure updates after it was hit by flash floods on Monday evening, writes Climate Reporter Darin Graham.
Mamdani said on X on Tuesday that the city must upgrade its infrastructure to deal with a “new climate reality.” The torrential downpours triggered flash flooding that affected New York’s subway, roads, and flights at the region’s airports. The FAA restricted takeoffs and landings to manage airspace during the worst of the storm.
Finally, Uber is launching a new feature in Saudi Arabia that allows riders to specifically request a female driver, writes Middle East Reporter Josh Corder.
Corder reports the new “Women Drivers” option is designed to give female passengers more peace of mind. Although women have been able to drive for Uber in Saudi Arabia since 2018, there was no separate category in the app based on gender. Female travelers represented 44% of international visitors to Saudi Arabia last year, according to the Saudi Tourism Authority.
September 16-18, 2025 - NEW YORK CITY
skift.
