9.19.25: AI Round-up--We're Still Human!
The AI Round-up: Year 3, Issue 30
Are we human
Or are we dancer?
My sign is vital
My hands are cold
And I'm on my knees
Looking for the answer
Are we human
Or are we dancer?
-Lyrics from the song ‘Human’, by The Killers (2008)
It’s issue 30 of year 3. Wow. That’s a lot. And we know how much has changed…since last week.
I thought this would be a good time to ask: How are you?
How are you with all of this? It’s not normal for us, as humans, to process and evolve this much this fast. So, how are you?
- Excited? Scared? Both?
- Optimistic about what’s ahead?
- Feeling like you’re staying on top of things or falling behind?
- Do you feel like anyone is considering your fears or concerns? Want to talk about it?
I’m here if you need me. Open to talking, brainstorming and just connecting. To that point, I just launched a podcast called “The Communicators”. It’s a pod dedicate to us – the people who are likely the most affected but will be called on the most as AI accelerates. I hope you find time to listen – I’d love to know what you think.
Before we jump into those stories..just a reminder that MAICON 2025 is roughly a month away.
Everything you need is right here. Register. Check out the agenda. Resources. Etc. From Paul Roetzer to Christopher Penn to Andy Crestodina…you will see a lot of familiar names on that lineup!
Also, you can use the AKHIA200 promo for $200 off your registration fee! Thank you to Marketing AI Institute for making that possible. If you go…let me know! See you there!
Anyway, onto this week’s stories.
10 stories -- Let’s get to it.
Story 1: So, how ARE we feeling? You know, on a societal level? (Pew Research)
I’m sure you aren’t surprised but we are…a little more concerned than optimistic. BUT, we have largely accepted AI is here and will be using it (although we’d like a little more control over it).
I’d highly recommend reading the survey. It’s worth seeing how you would weigh in on these questions.
Story 2: Can you tell the difference between an AI voice and a human voice?
This WSJ quiz is absolutely worth wasting your time on. (As my daily inspirational calendar is telling me today, time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time.)
I got 3 out of 5. Let me know how you do. (If you can’t access it I am able to ‘gift’ a link.)
Story 3: Anthropic is pissing off the government…because it won’t use Claude to surveil Americans. (Semafor)
Give it a read. I think I adequately teased the article enough in the headline.
Story 4: AI isn’t self-aware. But it knows when you’re trying to test it. (ZDNET)
So, generative AI is very good at detecting patterns. Like, when you’re trying to test it. But how did we find out it was aware of this? It all started with OpenAI and Apollo Research trying to stop models from scheming…and then this happened.
Story 5: Amazon Ad’s new agentic ad tool in Creative Studio will allow advertisers to quickly turn product insights into ad campaigns. (SearchEngineLand)
I don’t know what you’re all so worried about?!
Story 6: Dario Amodei, CEO of Anthropic says there’s a 25% chance the future of AI ‘goes really, really badly’. (Axios)
Ooooooh….that’s what you’re worried about!!
Story 7: Old school PR is the new school search (The New Rules of Marketing)
One for the PR purists out there…and if you aren’t as dialed in on PR strategy, you will want to read this. And make sure you have a strategic plan in place for the AI/AEO freight train coming for your web analytics and search results. (Here if you need me! We are in the midst of educating/planning with clients right now…)
Story 8: Google is integrating Gemini into Chrome…and it’s going to change how we browse.
Want to learn more? What this means for us? This overview on the Shelly Palmer blog called ‘Ten new features that could change how you browse’ is worth a read and a save.
Story 9: And YouTube is announcing new AI tools… (NBC News)
Another one you may want to bookmark. These tools are pretty incredible and are going to change the game for podcasters and creators.
Story 10: Are there AI-proof jobs? (NPR)
Something tells me this won’t be the first time we ask this question.
This week, I’m not talking about:
- Nvidia – as in anything Nvidia.
- Generative AI is ruining marriages! (Futurism)
- Fiverr laying off 30% of its workforce because of an AI push. (Reuters)
- I guess Nobody Cares….didn’t age so well. If you want to see what not to say…you have to watch this.
- Shoot. I guess I am talking about it.
- OpenAI to apply new restrictions to ChatGPT users under 18. (TechCrunch)
-Ben
As a reminder, this is a round-up of the biggest stories, often hitting multiple newsletters I receive/review. The sources are many … which I’m happy to read on your behalf. Let me know if there’s one you’d like me to track or have questions about a topic you’re not seeing here.