AI’s Surprises and Slip-Ups: What Happened Last Week 🤖🎃

Hey there, AI Enthusiasts! 🤗

Hope your week was exciting! Whether you were unwinding, planning, or staying productive, welcome to another edition of our AI-packed 3-minute digest. I’m Max 🧔🏻, here to break down the latest in AI. Let’s jump in! 👇

1. AI in Publishing 📚

Author Jodi Picoult was shocked to learn that AI-generated images were used to promote her latest novel, By Any Other Name. Her publisher, Penguin Random House, attributed this to an external agency. While the publisher reassured her they’d prevent this in the future, it’s a reminder of how fast AI is changing creative spaces. As an author, I’d be rattled if I found out an AI had a hand representing my work without my consent. However, I don’t mind if AI is involved. We can’t stop the idea whose time has come. This incident sparks more significant questions: How much creative autonomy should be left to AI, and who’s responsible when things go wrong?

2. Halloween’s AI Mishap 🎃

Halloween in Dublin took a spooky turn when an AI-generated listing on MySpiritHalloween.com promoted a fake parade. Crowds turned up for a parade that didn’t exist, all because of an AI slip-up. While it sounds almost laughable, this highlights a serious issue with automated content. AI’s ability to churn out events or promotions with a few data inputs can be convenient, but if it’s not double-checked, we end up with… well, crowds waiting for invisible parades! This incident makes me think twice about fully trusting automated listings and if one can distinguish them from proper ones 😅.

3. AI in Marketing Insights 📈

A recent report from AI at Wharton and GBK Collective shows that 62% of senior leaders now use generative AI for data analysis, while 57% rely on it for customer research. This trend doesn’t surprise me—AI is invaluable for marketing, helping companies reach audiences more effectively. As someone who loves a good data dive, I get it! But there’s a flip side: the more companies rely on AI for insights, the more we risk losing the “human touch” that makes customer engagement feel authentic and meaningful. I have to be honest; I also use GenAI for customer research. And sometimes, it provides me with valuable insights faster than traditional research. In our fast-paced world, I prefer to test hypotheses fast, fail fast, and succeed fast.

4. Are Businesses Ready for AI Risks? 🔍

Forbes recently reported that 80% of businesses lack an AI crisis management plan. Given AI’s rapid growth, that’s a bit alarming. AI isn’t just a plug-and-play tool; it’s complex and sometimes unpredictable. The fact that most companies operate without a safety net shows we’re still in a “leap-before-you-look” phase with AI. If I were in their shoes, I’d be thinking seriously about risk management—because when things go wrong, you want a plan.

That’s all for this week! Whether it’s creative rights, misfired events, or the latest in AI-driven research, there’s always something stirring in the AI world. Until next time, stay curious and stay tuned! 💪

Catch you next week,

Max

Director of Bandera Agency Limited - outsourced marketing team. We do all the tedious marketing tasks, leaving you all the fun.

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