Putting the brakes on AI
December might feel like a time to wind down, but this week’s stories suggest otherwise. From shifting boardroom dynamics and cutting-edge AI regulations to deep-dive searches powered by Reddit and Hollywood-inspired marketing insights, there’s plenty to spark ideas for your next move. Whether you’re planning for 2025 or just looking for ways to nurture your brain during the festive season, this edition is packed with food for thought – and action.
Enjoy!
AI regulators toughen up
It’s been a while coming but the EU has now released its draft General-Purpose AI Code of Practice for providers to comply with obligations until standards are formalised. At the same time, a VC-backed survey of 3,500 tech pros reveals that 60% think GDPR and the AI Act are bad for startups, with only 15% seeing benefits. Over in the US, Trump’s rule could dilute Biden’s AI executive orders leading to a largely unregulated framework, potentially helping his new chum Elon Musk’s Grok AI platform. However, powerful states like California may opt to bring in their own tighter regulations.
Why CEOs are prioritising internal stakeholders
A recent article by Provoke Media caught my eye as it highlights a growing trend I’ve noticed among CEOs: an increased focus on internal stakeholders. As businesses face heightened scrutiny and complex challenges, leaders are calling on their communications teams to engage employees, foster trust and align organisational culture with strategic goals. This shift emphasises the critical role of employee engagement in driving success and resilience. Read the full story here.
A salutary boardroom tale from beleaguered Intel
In a surprising turn, Intel's CEO Pat Gelsinger has stepped down (ahem, was pushed out) – a move that has sent ripples through the tech industry. The Fabricated Knowledge blog offers an in-depth analysis of this development, shedding light on the boardroom dynamics that led to Gelsinger's departure. The article delves into the challenges of balancing ambitious long-term strategies with the immediate expectations of stakeholders. It's a compelling read for entrepreneurs and business leaders, highlighting the critical importance of board alignment and the pitfalls of short-term thinking.
Reddit stakes its claim as a people-powered search engine
If I’m doing a quick and simple search, I’ll use Google. If I’m looking for something deeper, with real info from real people, I’ll use Reddit. It’s full of genuinely revelatory insights on any subject you care to think of. The ‘r/showerthoughts’ subreddit, for example, is a treasure trove of little unexpected epiphanies – the sort of content that you can mine to help drive new ways of thinking about a brand, product or sector. It’s unsurprising then that they announced the launch of Reddit Answers this week (still in early access mode) – described as an ‘AI search tool for human-powered answers’.
What to expect at CES 2025
The annual gathering of tech evangelists in nearly upon us with CES 2025 taking over Las Vegas from Jan 7-10. Forbes gathered its technology council to forecast what would be the big stories coming out of this event and – you’ve guessed it – AI features in almost every one of its 20 predictions. A couple caught my eye, including the growth of the ‘measurable self’ trend – with the rise in biowearable monitors and IoT data transforming the healthcare sector – and the fact that are cities getting smarter and more sustainable, from utilities to transportation efficiency. For a real-life example of the latter, take a look at Saudi Arabia’s crop of NEOM giga-projects, an incredibly ambitious placemaking initiative that’s currently employing some of the world’s best and brightest tech and construction experts.
Stay on the bus: a timely reminder for 2025
With 2025 around the corner, it’s that time of year when resolutions are on our minds. While revisiting Atomic Habits by James Clear for inspiration, I stumbled across his thought-provoking article, Stay on the Bus. It’s a powerful metaphor for sticking with your goals, even when progress feels slow. Clear reminds us that mastery and success come from perseverance – staying the course, not jumping ship when the journey gets tough. If you’re mapping out your plans for the new year, this is the mindset to carry forward. Read the full piece here.
Insights explained (through 50 Hollywood movies)
Insights are something of a nebulous concept. Spend any time reading marketing experts’ social posts and you’ll realise that even they struggle to agree on the definition. That’s why this deck from award-winning strategist Charlie Quirk is such a gem. Even the least marketing savvy of us will quickly get the gist of what is and what isn’t an insight and learn to spot them – in this case exemplified through the premise of 50 famous films.
Six ways to boost your brain
The holiday period is often a time of both excess and scarcity. Too much food and late-night socialising, too little exercise and sleep. This can play havoc with the three pounds of spongy mass between your ears which has to hold 200 exabytes of information – equivalent to the entire digital content of today’s world. To keep those neural pathways firing, here are six ways to feed your brain.
Drop me a line
I hope this week’s newsletter gave you something to think about – whether it’s a new perspective, a practical tool or just a spark of inspiration as you head into 2025. As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts or suggestions for future editions. Drop me a line if there’s a story, trend or idea you think deserves a spotlight.
Until next week, here’s to staying curious and keeping the momentum going.
Cheers!
Adam