Trending AI Topics For Boards & Brands
Exec. Summary followed by the AI headlines of the last few days
Good Morning. Emerging trends in recent news stories reveal a rapidly evolving landscape for AI, impacting business strategy and regulatory compliance. A significant shift is evident from previous reporting, with a stronger emphasis on the operational costs and complexities associated with open-source LLMs. While the initial allure of "free" models remains, the recent articles underscore the substantial hidden costs in engineering, infrastructure, maintenance, and strategic risk management. This necessitates a more nuanced approach to AI adoption, moving beyond simple cost comparisons to a holistic Total Cost of Ownership assessment.
The recent news also highlights a growing tension between AI innovation and regulation. The European Union's AI Act is facing increasing scrutiny, with discussions around potential amendments and delays in implementation, driven by industry concerns over overregulation and the lack of clarity around key provisions. This contrasts with the US approach, which emphasizes innovation and competition, potentially leading to divergent regulatory frameworks with significant implications for multinational corporations.
Reinforcement of ongoing trends includes the increasing use of AI for productivity enhancement across sectors, from consulting to retail. AI-powered inventory management is gaining prominence, enabling more accurate demand forecasting and proactive stock adjustments. Furthermore, the integration of AI into customer service is evolving, with a shift towards hybrid models combining human agents with AI-driven tools.
However, a notable divergence exists between CEO expectations and the actual AI readiness of revenue leadership teams, indicating a considerable skills gap that must be addressed through upskilling initiatives. The potential displacement of entry-level white-collar jobs due to AI is also gaining prominence, prompting discussions about workforce adaptation and the need for reskilling programs. Concerns around AI ethics are also evolving, shifting from philosophical debates to a more pragmatic focus on risk management and the preservation of brand reputation. Finally, the development of agentic AI systems is rapidly progressing, presenting both opportunities and challenges, especially regarding cybersecurity and the need for robust governance frameworks. The focus on responsible AI is gaining momentum across industries, driven by a confluence of top-down regulations, market pressures, and bottom-up public influence.
And now the AI headlines & research from the last few days:
AI and Business Strategy
Why are Intel Shares Rising Today? Firm to Outsource Marketing to Accenture AI. Tokenist
BearingPoint publishes blueprint for AI-powered transformation of customer-facing operations. www.bearingpoint.com
Using AI Right Now: A Quick Guide. www.oneusefulthing.org
Only a few businesses have their eyes on the prize. PwC
From buzzword to must-have: Why AI is now an imperative for business leaders. USA TODAY
AI, Ethics, and Responsible Development
Microsoft says “Responsible AI” is now its biggest priority - but what does this look like?. TechRadar
Responsible AI Transparency Report. Corporate Responsibility
AI FAILURE: Injustice, Inequality, and Algorithms. CXOTalk
CNIL Publishes Recommendations on Legitimate Interest as a Legal Basis for AI Training. Inside Privacy
AI and the Future of Work/Labor
Navigating Labor’s Response to AI: Proactive Strategies for Multinational Employers Across the Atlantic. The Employer Report
Inside the 9 Future of Work Trends for 2025. Gartner
The Intersection of Artificial Intelligence and Employment Law. Ogletree
Protect Your People From Contagious Stories By Bringing Them Together. Forbes
AI Agents and Their Impact
Rethinking the Creative Process With AI Agents at the Table, interview with Monks’ Henry Cowling. www.adweek.com
HPE Moves Into Agentic AIOps with GreenLake Intelligence. BigDATAwire
Salesforce Agentforce 3 brings visibility to AI agents. AI News
AI Agents Make Humans More Productive, MIT Researchers Say. BloombergLaw
AI Agents and The Trust Equation: When Does Real-Time Data Matter Most?. BigDATAwire
AI and Creativity/Marketing
Art Of Personal Incentives In The AI Age. www.mediapost.com
Personalization at Scale, Creativity at Speed. www.adweek.com
A Tale of Two Cannes: AI Optimism Masks Ad Industry’s ‘Existential Crisis’. www.adweek.com
AI Research and Development
Learning from other domains to advance AI evaluation and testing. Microsoft Research
AI's Societal and Environmental Impact
Not all AI prompts are equal. Some emit 50x more carbon. Anthropocene
Does ChatGPT Make You Dumber? What a New MIT Study Really Tells Us. www.marketingaiinstitute.com
Legal and Regulatory Landscape of AI
IP Due Diligence for AI Investors and Acquirers. Galkin Law
As Congress Considers a Ban On State AI Regs, California and NY Forge Ahead. PYMNTS.com
Courts say AI training on copyrighted material is legal. AppleInsider
AI Trends and Data
📈 Data to start your week. www.exponentialview.co
Have a great day.
Michael