Digital platforms like Klarna evolve from supporting roles to ecosystem orchestrators, enhancing customer journeys and creating diversified offerings. Successful orchestration requires deep customer understanding, a critical mass for network effects, and substantial investment. Examples like Klarna, Kaspi Bank, and Discovery illustrate strategies for scaling from simple offerings to comprehensive ecosystem leaders.
The AI doomer community, advocating for AI safety, warns that unchecked AI progress poses existential risks. Despite setbacks like GPT-5’s disappointing release, their commitment remains steadfast. They propose robust regulations, believing AGI’s potential dangers are still significant, even as critics argue the timeline for such advancements is lengthening.
Joe Depa from EY emphasizes the necessity for companies to develop “innovation muscle” to navigate AI disruptions. Key points include investing in physical AI, adapting job roles, and promoting training. Companies must focus on quality data, responsible AI practices, real use cases, and user adoption to thrive amid rapid changes in technology and labor dynamics.
Breaking up donations into smaller amounts can mitigate skepticism about a donor’s intentions. Studies indicate that partitioned giving is perceived as more genuine and reflects deeper emotional commitment, enhancing the donor’s prosocial image. This approach benefits both individuals and corporate donations while potentially improving engagement and perceptions among employees.
In January 2024, a fraudulent call mimicking Joe Biden utilized AI technology, highlighting concerns about AI’s potential to manipulate political opinions. Studies reveal AI chatbots can significantly influence voter perceptions, raising alarms about the lack of regulatory frameworks in the U.S. to combat these threats ahead of upcoming elections.
Today’s edition of The Download discusses diverse predictions about generative AI’s future, contrasting views on its societal impact by experts from MIT Technology Review and Financial Times. The newsletter also covers major tech stories, including regulatory challenges, AI’s influence on the economy, and trends in technology and mental health support.
Finance departments are evolving from risk-averse to embracing AI, transforming traditional roles. Automation of routine tasks allows CFOs and teams to focus on strategic insights, enhancing decision-making. AI agents facilitate complex workflows, improving accuracy and efficiency. This shift necessitates human oversight while redefining finance’s operational model and roles for future success.
The Download newsletter highlights emerging technology trends, including four technologies excluded from the 2026 breakthroughs list, to be revealed on January 12. Additionally, it covers crucial topics such as climate risks, vaccine policy changes, a major merger, and the impact of AI on social media and research integrity, alongside a focus on sustainable cargo shipping.
The latest edition of the Global Talent Competitiveness Index unveils a new country at the top of the rankings, alongside insights on maintaining an edge
In the coming year, enterprises will aim for practical value from generative AI, addressing barriers like data privacy. Content strategies will evolve, focusing on real-time personalization and automation. Organizations will adapt content operations, emphasizing authority and strategic alignment, while AI vendors respond to customer needs by customizing solutions and enhancing transparency to build trust.
Agentic AI signifies a transformative shift in software delivery, emphasizing automated workflows over traditional applications. Workflows encapsulate entire business processes, allowing IT to align closely with business objectives. This evolution empowers users to participate in workflow design and automation, ultimately enhancing collaboration and improving investment strategies in technology.
Brands can enhance engagement and sales by referencing rivals in their marketing. Research shows rivalry narratives tap into consumer emotions and improve purchase intentions, particularly when using playful negative messaging. Tailoring approaches for brand loyalists and neutral consumers is essential, as well as maintaining a humorous tone without crossing into hostility.
Cognite showcases successful AI deployments at its Impact event, highlighting projects with NOVA Chemicals, TotalEnergies, Aker BP, and Cosmo Energy. The company’s Cognite Data Fusion (CDF) facilitates data management and AI integration, emphasizing the importance of foundational data practices in industrial settings while enabling predictive maintenance and streamlined operations for its clients.
Salesforce showcased its vision for AI in business applications during Dreamforce, emphasizing its Agentforce360 product and the concept of an “Agentic Enterprise.” Despite claims of 6,000 customers, actual adoption and impact were limited. Salesforce aims to enhance AI capabilities across its products, although concerns remain regarding multi-vendor integration and return on investment.
