AI in politics, and governance, Social Media Boost

Nice to see you again, AI enthusiast! 🤖

I hope you, Britons, had a fantastic Mother’s Day and spent it with your loved ones. I don’t want to seem too sweet, but I genuinely love this day of a heartfelt tribute to mothers and their unwavering dedication to us. However, I will have it on the second Sunday of May.

Finishing with sentiments, let’s return to the new addition of our weekly 3-minute newsletter. I hope, reader, this week’s findings will impress you! 🙀

1. Finger Counting 🖐️

I guess Bertrand Russell said that war does not determine who is right - only who is left. This sentiment might have sparked the imagination of Donald Trump's supporters, leading them to create dozens of fake images to depict widespread backing for Trump within the black community. They aimed to craft a strategic narrative aimed at black voters 🗳️, but instead, it came off as rather absurd: Mr Trump smiling with his arms around a group of black women 🙋🏾‍♀️ at a party, you can see their hands on each other’s shoulders, but some hands are missing fingers…weird, innit? 🙈

Clearly, these images are the product of AI. While BBC Panorama notes that there's no direct evidence linking these images to Trump's campaign, they contribute to a larger pattern of misinformation aimed at specific demographics. The potential impact on how younger members of the black community perceive the situation underscores the necessity of remaining vigilant against such deceitful tactics.

In the heat of the election campaign 🇺🇸, every manipulation tool seems fair game: regardless of the outcome, significant changes are on the horizon. However, to ensure clarity amidst the chaos, be sure to overlook the details – like counting fingers ‼️

By the way, I had a post on LinkedIn where I wrote about fraudulent AI usage. Isn’t that the case?

2. Best of The Best 💪🏼

We all try to be the best version of ourselves; however, some of us try to be the best of the best. Although constrained by the fragility of public finances regarding pre-election expenditures, the UK government 🇬🇧, led by Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, is set to inject a significant boost of £100 million into the country's artificial intelligence sector. The initiative aligns with Hunt's vision of positioning Britain as a science superpower and leveraging AI to enhance productivity and economic growth 📈

This funding, doubling the support for the Alan Turing Institute, aims to drive advancements in data science and AI research over the next five years. Targeting key areas such as healthcare transformation, environmental protection and national security, the investment is expected to yield tangible benefits for the public, including improved healthcare and biodiversity initiatives.

The Alan Turing Institute is mainly government-funded and aims to be the “best place in the world for data science and AI research, collaboration, and business” 👩‍🔬. With the UK already a prominent player in the global AI landscape, this funding underscores the government's commitment to fostering innovation through cutting-edge technology.

You may find a quick overview of UK’s AI regulation here: https://www2.deloitte.com/uk/en/blog/emea-centre-for-regulatory-strategy/2024/the-uks-framework-for-ai-regulation.htm

3. Generation Game 🎱

Marketing has become all about adapting. Currently, it is adapting to the preferences of Millennials and Gen X, according to The State of Marketing 2024 by HubSpot. Regarding platforms - Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok 📱 remain at the forefront, offering the strongest return on investment. Looking ahead, marketers are poised to invest more in YouTube, with 27% planning to utilise the platform in the coming year. Additionally, there's a prevailing sentiment among marketers that traditional platforms like Facebook will yield more tremendous success compared to newer entrants like Threads in 2024 🤯

The landscape of social media has evolved into a multifaceted platform serving as the primary arena for search, sales, and service, with 31% of consumers turning to it for answers to their questions. The phenomenon of social selling has also gained significant traction, with 17% of users reporting purchases made directly through social platforms. Moreover, social service has seen a surge, with a 45% increase in users reaching out via DM for customer support in 2023, particularly appealing to younger demographics 👧🏽👦🏼

That’s how it works now: social media shapes the digital landscape, presenting both opportunities and challenges for marketers seeking to engage with their target audiences effectively 🎯

And just like that, I’m finishing today. Don’t forget to subscribe, and if you’ve already had – recommend me to a friend – you know we have cookies 🍪 

May the force be with you, and stay curious! 

xx

Max