AI trust declines in the U.S.

The AI Round-up for 11.21.25

The AI Round-up: Year 3, Issue 38

I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving break, void of any awkward dinner table conversations.

Onto this week’s stories.

9 stories -- Let’s get to it.

Story 1: Trust. It’s a tricky thing.

I told you a few months ago that I was going to focus more on what we know and less on what we think we know…in other words, less ‘scary’ stuff. Because honestly, if you’re following along you don’t need me to point all that out.

However…funny thing…no one shared that with those in charge of the AI companies…or…the world. Because apparently trust is so bad when it comes to AI (and those that govern it) Edelman had to update its annual Trust Barometer report. And the findings won’t surprise YOU…but they are surprising a lot of others.

Turns out…we don’t trust AI. (By we, I mean us, here in the U.S.)

And you can read all about it in the report. But for me, the biggest concern in that is if people don’t trust it…and you have unbridled acceleration of it…the gap between those using and those ignoring is just getting bigger. Ironically making the problem worse.

So, I apologize for leading with some heavier news, but you can choose to do two things with this info:

Make it your personal goal to elevate everyone else when it comes to AI use in your office, department, company…or…
…accept that you are further ahead than you even realized and ask yourself what you’re going to do with that head start.

Story 2: And this is why no one trusts you, AI. (Forbes)

So Google released an update the other day where you’re automatically opted in to a featured that lets it train Gemini/AI on your emails. Want to opt out? Yeah, thought you might. Instructions in the article.

Story 3: Gemini 3 is here. And everyone loves it.

Let’s get to the good stuff on why Gemini 3 is causing stocks to go up, the heavens to sing and Google competitors to tremble.

From Ethan Mollick: Three years from GPT-3 to Gemini 3

From Shelley Palmer: Gemini 3 release signals the end of cautious AI rollouts

From Hard Fork: An early look at Google’s Gemini 3

Story 4: Do you think we need one more? You think we need one more. (Google)

Ok, we’ll talk about one more Google news drop: Nano Banana Pro is here.

Ethan Mollick has had some fun with it.

First, he used it to learn how to toast bread.

He also made an infographic on why this version is better.

Dear Lord.

Story 5: Meanwhile, Grok 5 is delayed. (MarketWatch)

Are people using Grok?

Story 6: Meta is about to start grading employees on their AI skills (Business Insider)

Is this a trend? Man, I hope not.

Also, if you missed it, Yann LeCun is leaving Meta to start his own company. (BBC)

Story 7: OpenAI and Target try to remake the retail experience. (OpenAI)

The link takes you to a press release (?), kind of? This is big news for any of us in the marketing and communications world, trying to get a grasp on how AI will affect retail.

Story 8: ChatGPT releases free version for teachers (Shelly Palmer)

Teachers are so lucky. Summers off and now free AI.

(Note: my wife is a teacher so don’t email me/yelling at me…I’m being facetious!)

Story 9: Look ma, I’m on Disney+ (The Hollywood Reporter)

In a move that just stopped me in my tracks…Disney+ is allowing user-generated AI content on its platform. You can use IP to create shorts and have them featured on the platform. From a marketing perspective, this makes me think two things:

Are we are seeing the future of ‘community engagement’ change right in front of our eyes.
Is this the beginning of ‘if you can’t beat em…’ when it comes to your IP and what beloved, iconic characters can be used in and for?

This week, I’m not talking about:

AI relationships are on the rise. Are divorces next? (Wired)
People turning more and more to AI doctors (NYT)
People are marrying AI (Forbes)

Thanks for reading!

-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.