Welcome
AI avatars and lots of reports
This is bumper edition for reports and research with four we've chosen to highlight.
Accenture says the UK has the most to gain from AI of any of the G7 economies. While Gallup reveals AI will will fail without cultural change. Doh! It's what we've been saying to clients from the start. Don't get bamboozled by shiny tools but focus on using AI to help your people.
We're still taking bookings for AI master classes for 2025 (but you'll have to get in quick as we're almost out of slots). Check out the page, even if it's just to see my AI avatar (rest assured the workshops are the real me).
Talking of master classes, Intuit has just just given one in how not to do public relations. And Microsoft calling out Google for astroturfing is worth a case study or two.
Talking of case studies see how one of the world's largest media and presentation training companies is using AI for roleplay practive. And get an insider view from the UK's Ministry of Defence on how useful AI is (and consider if an defence department considers it's safe to use AI then it is for you as well.)
Stuart Bruce
Corporate affairs
Intuit's master class in how not to do public relations
Intuit's chief communications officer has given a masterclass in how not to do public relations. Intuit CEO Sasan Goodarzi did a podcast with The Verge and apparently didn't like his answers when asked about how the company lobbies against free tax filing. The CCO then asked for the section to be removed. Predictably The Verge turned this into a news story which became far bigger than the original podcast would ever have been. A classic example of the Streisand effect in action.
Stuart Bruce
Microsoft outs Google's dodgy astroturfing lobbying
It's not often a big company calls out one of its competitors as openly as this. What's astounding is if Microsoft's allegations weren't true then you'd expect Google to respond more robustly. Even legally. Except this is written by Microsoft's deputy general counsel, so Microsoft's confident of its legal position.
Stuart Bruce
Get in touch
Book your AI master class today
We only have a few slots left in December if you want to book an AI masterclass or workshop. Hear Stuart's AI avatar explain that if you book a workshop you get the real him, not the avatar!
Stuart's in the USA (Boston) this week running an AI workshop for the corporate affairs leadership team of one of our UK clients.
Karen Marshall
Is AI in your 2025 plans and budgets?
If you're looking to include AI in your 2025 plans and budgets (and if you're not, you should be) then you can book a quick, free, no obligations call with Stuart. He'll help you to scope out your ideas and can give some indicitive costs to help you plan and budget. Book a meeting now.
Case studies
How Clarity Media Group is using Yoodli to transform its media trainingĀ
We've been experimenting with Yoodli, an innovative AI presentation training system. One of the uses we've identified and are exploring for clients is for media training. Yoodli has published a case study about how Clarity Media Group, one of the worldās largest media training and executive communications companies, is using Yoodli AIās roleplay practice to transform its media training.
Stuart Bruce
How a Ministry of Defence communicator is using AI
A first hand account of how a UK Ministry of Defence communicator is using AI. Interestingly she says she isn't just using the Government Communication Service's own Assist custom AI tool, but is also using Microsoft Copilot and Google Gemini. GCS's intention is that Assist will eventually be rolled out to all 7,000 government communicators in central departments, arms length bodies and agencies. We're working with clients on this.
The author has just returned from maternity leave and highlights how powerful AI can be as it's helping her to reduce her hours from 37 to 22 hours a week while maintaining productivity.
Many companies and organisations are delaying using AI because of concerns about privacy and security. The reality is AI is safe if used properly. This means having a policy, training and processes in place. If a government defence department can use it safely then so can you.
Stuart Bruce
Research and reports
UK has more to gain from generative AI than any other G7 nation
New research from Accenture has modelled the value of AI for economic growth. It finds that generative artificial intelligence (AI) could almost double the UKās economic growth, which is the largest increase for any G7 nation. I hope Rachel Reeves and Keir Starmer understand this.
Stuart Bruce
AI will fail without culture change
Too many organisations make the mistake of thinking AI is about technology. We tell our clients it's primarily about culture change which is the key finding of this research report by Gallup.
Our belief is it's critical to listen to employees first and put the right training and support in place to help ensure AI literacy. That's why our CommsTransformā¢ process focuses on people and culture, supported by technology and AI.
Stuart Bruce
Business leaders are 'pleased' and 'excited' about AI
This report from Wharton business school shows weekly use of AI as nearly doubled from 37% to 72% and that slow moving departments like marketing and HR are starting to increase use. However, businesses still face challenges in determining the full impact and ROI of generative AI.
Feelings about AI have shifted from 'curiosity' and 'amazement' last year to ' pleased' and 'excited' this year.
Stuart Bruce
AI in Action report from IBM makes bold claims about AI driving a 25% improvement in revenue growth
There has been a flurry of AI related reports in the last month which we've been analysing. This one from IBM reports two thirds of leaders say AI has already driven a greater than 25% improvement in revenue growth. We're sceptical of this figure because as the Wharton report said it is difficult to determine the real ROI of AI.
One thing we can be certain of from a mutlitude of reports and our own experience with clients is that AI does provide huge benefits and improvements. It is much harder to define and measure what those benefits are.
Stuart Bruce