✅ AI summaries may be making us dumber: the hidden cost of digital shortcuts
Corporate communications, public relations, media and management insight
There is a noticeable trend in professional services, including public relations, to use AI tools to summarise and share documents. Savvy occupational influencers dress up summaries as insight on LinkedIn. It’s a robust use case for AI, but it can also be dangerous.
A summary is useful for getting an overview of information and as an entry point to learning about complex topics. However, it lacks critical perspective, context, depth and nuance. AI risk issues such as copyright and hallucination should also be considered.
Modern digital media has created the expectation of the 50-word hot take and 30-second video soundbite. The result is a culture that drives the abstraction of knowledge and an accelerated approach to information distribution. It’s the antithesis of a best-practice approach to learning and development.
I recognise that I am as guilty as the next person. Each story in this newsletter provides a two-sentence overview of a complex issue. This is a valuable way to get a quick overview of a topic or issue, but I urge you to follow the links and seek further information if you are interested.
We assimilate knowledge by reading widely, adopting a critical perspective, seeking counter-viewpoints and testing arguments. This is the basis of the scientific process and lies at the heart of research, establishing an expert perspective and creating new knowledge.
This week, I urge you to take a slow approach to media. Shun social media and read long-form content instead. Develop your own argument and critical perspective. You can start on Thursday, when paid subscribers will receive my first analysis essay of the year, which analyses the latest report from the European Communication Monitor team.
Have a good week.
Media
📺 MEDIA OUTLOOK: The Reuters Institute’s 2025 trends survey reveals growing confidence among newsroom leaders about their own businesses but concerns for the wider media industry amid AI threats, declining search traffic, and slowing subscription growth. Publishers are responding by investing in AI tools, diversifying revenue streams, and launching new products to capture younger audiences and improve personalisation. Source: Reuters Institute.
📰 STREISAND EFFECT: Former Prime Minister Liz Truss has generated widespread media coverage after issuing a cease-and-desist letter to Sir Keir Starmer, accusing him of defamation for claims she "crashed the economy" following her 2022 mini-budget. Truss’s lawyers argue that market volatility was not caused by her policies but by the Bank of England. Starmer's team dismissed the letter and vowed not to change their stance. Source: Sky News.
Industry
✊ TACKLING RECRUITMENT BIAS: The inclusion of ethnicity pay gap reporting in a draft bill during the King’s Speech in July 2024 was a significant milestone after years of advocacy by organisations like People Like Us. Its latest #NameTheBias campaign highlights systemic biases in hiring and promotion that perpetuate inequality, urging mandatory reporting and reforms to address these barriers. Source: People Like Us.
💻 NEW POLITICAL PLAYBOOK: Elon Musk’s amplification of misinformation about grooming gangs underscores how social media platforms like X have reshaped political discourse, demanding new strategies from mainstream leaders. Digital public relations and public affairs’ skills are more important than ever in countering and rebalancing political opinion. Source: Financial Times.
🏢 OFFICE RETURN: WPP, the UK-listed advertising giant, has mandated its 110,000 employees to work from the office at least four days a week starting April 2025, emphasising the importance of in-person collaboration for creativity and client relationships. This policy aligns with a broader trend among global employers, including Amazon and BT, tightening remote work flexibility post-pandemic. Source: Financial Times.
🎉 CELEBRATING INDEPENDENTS: The Independent Impact 50, a showcase celebrating the work of independent practitioners, has extended the deadline for entries to 31 January. The programme offers an opportunity to highlight the contribution of the 8,000 freelancers working in corporate communications and public relations. Source: The Independent Impact 50.
Social media
🌐 DIGITAL OVERSIGHT: The UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has launched its new digital markets’ competition regime under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024. In the first half of the year, the CMA will investigate three key areas: digital advertising, focusing on the operations of online ad markets and their impact on competition; app stores, examining their terms for developers and implications for consumers; and artificial intelligence (AI), assessing competition concerns in generative AI systems. Source: UK Government.
⚠️ META CONTROVERSY: Meta has revised its content policies to permit users to label LGBTQ+ individuals as "mentally ill" based on their sexual orientation or gender identity, a move criticised by advocacy groups for potentially increasing hate speech and real-world harm. Meta is also disbanding its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, citing shifts in the legal and policy landscape. The decision has elicited mixed reactions from employees and the public. Source: GLAAD.
💬 REDDIT UPGRADES: Reddit has introduced 'Reddit Pro Trends', a feature that enables businesses to track trending discussions through custom and pre-set keywords for real-time insights. Additionally, the platform has launched 'AMA Ads', allowing brands to promote their 'Ask Me Anything' sessions with reminder functionalities to boost engagement. Source: Social Media Today.
Artificial Inteligence
💡 AI TRANSFORMATION: Leading public relations experts predict 2025 will see artificial intelligence evolve from a supporting tool to an integral team member, with specialised AI agents streamlining tasks such as data analysis, content creation, and campaign optimisation. However, the industry must address challenges like ethical usage, bias mitigation, and effective integration to fully harness AI’s potential while preserving human oversight and creativity. Source: PR Week.
Thank you to Rod Cartwright, Sheeraz Gulsher, Mags L Halliday, Alan Morrison, Sarah Olney, Nigel Sarbutts and Alex Waddington, and everyone who shares and debates the stories in the newsletter via our Facebook and LinkedIn communities.