AI round-up: Week of June 2, 2025
Before I forget – because I always do – no AI Round-up next week. I’m heading to the Emerald City for a Father’s Day extravaganza. (The Guardians will be there to face the Mariners and I cannot wait to finally see that stadium!)
Speaking of Emerald cities…let’s pull back the curtain on that big beautiful bill and see what might be in there that could have a HUGE impact on our future in an AI world.
Let’s get to it.
The Heavy Stuff:
Story 1: No guardrails, no limits…what could go wrong?
We all know how a bill becomes a law, right? Thank you, Schoolhouse Rock.
Do you remember any part of that song where they talk about lawmakers NOT reading the bill they approve and then finding out after that it might contain dangerous measures that you definitely don’t agree with?
Me neither. But that’s what happened as more lawmakers are speaking out against the bill (that they voted for) because it HAS A FEDERAL BAN ON STATE AI REGULATIONS FOR THE NEXT 10 YEARS!!!
--pulled from Casey Newton’s newsletter
Seems like something we should talk about.
Seems like something we should read? (Or have AI summarize for you?)
Yikes.
Story 2: ChatGPT can get into your Google Drive and Dropbox accounts.
This is a significant step in reshaping how we think of AI. This plugs that technology into your data, so it can still move quick and answer questions – but now about your files, work, etc.
Story 3: HubSpot now has a deep research connector with ChatGPT.
You can use the ChatGPT technology to talk with your CRM. Let that sink in. (Business Wire)
Story 4: Meta wants to be your ad agency.
I really can’t think of a better way to put it?
Story 5: Bubble or optimism?
Who cares! It’s a report from PwC that says AI is leading to more jobs…we’ll take it.
Do I agree with it? Well, far be it for me to disagree with PwC. I’m not sure I disagree with the data as much as I don’t read it the same way. But like I said…who cares?! After the ‘white collar bloodbath’ of last week, we need this.
Story 6: Just couldn’t let us have that one, huh World Economic Forum?
WEF reports 40% of employers plan to cut staff where AI can automate the tasks. (TechCrunch)
Story 7: PwC lays off 1500 workers.
I mean…sometimes you wish you could make this stuff up.
Story 8: GEO v. AEO v. SEO…that’s a lot of EO’s.
Heads-up that the article above links to the DigiDay WTF series. A series that has been around for a long time. I mention this because the last time I featured one of these I had a (former) client almost fire us because they thought I had used the term WTF. So….just a warning.
Anyway, we’ve been dancing around this for a bit here, leaning in, dipping a toe, etc. I think it’s time to start outlining some best practices and a process to take control – what do you think? Stay tuned.
If you’re pressed for time, here’s a quick summary of the article from Claude:
- New optimization frontier emerging: Publishers and brands now need to optimize for AI answer engines (ChatGPT, Perplexity, etc.) alongside traditional search engines. This goes by various names - GEO (Generative Engine Optimization), AEO (Answer Engine Optimization), or GSO (Generative Search Optimization) - but they all mean the same thing.
- Different rules than traditional SEO: Instead of optimizing for keyword rankings and click-through rates, success now means ensuring AI crawlers can easily understand and accurately represent your brand in synthesized AI responses. Users are asking longer, more complex questions to AI engines rather than simple keyword searches.
- Strategic decision required: While e-commerce brands have clear incentives to appear in AI answers, content publishers face a dilemma - AI engines often provide direct answers without sending traffic back to source sites, potentially worsening already declining click-through rates from traditional search.
The Not-So-Heavy Stuff:
Story 1: You can now chat with your medical chart. (Stanford)
Story 2: This AI start-up used humans to fake chatbots.
I checked – this isn’t an Elizabeth Holmes company. (Mashable)
Story 3: ChatGPT is eating the internet.
ChatGPT is the only top 10 website (in terms of visits) to see an increase in its usage. (Social Media Today)
Story 3: Great infographic from HBR on top 10 AI uses YoY (24/25)
Glad to see that ‘fun and nonsense’ stays on the list!
The Stuff That Doesn’t Fit in Either Category:
Story 1: Amazon will be bring physical AI to its delivery routes.
We call physical AI ‘robots’ but sure, physical AI will be coming sooner than later. Look on the bright side – you don’t have to leave snacks or anything for them. (The Information)
Story 2: AI is tipping some points (Axios)
Story 3: Timbaland has introduced an AI entertainment company. And signed its first artist – yes, “she’s” AI.
Welcome to the future.
Final note – want $50,000 worth of advice and tools for free?
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Thank you to Christopher Penn and Trust Insights!
Happy Friday!
-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.