The AI Pulse

Issue #24 — 17 March 2025

Editor: Alan Brown

Welcome to the latest edition of The AI Pulse for Digital Leaders. An expertly curated collection of essential articles, commentaries, and news stories from reputable sources. Do you know anyone who might be interested in AI Pulse. Have some news or looking to partner? Just get in touch at: [email protected]

Highlights in this edition include:

The Prime Minister has reiterated the importance of AI in UK public services .

Is AI eroding our critical Thinking?

Everyone in AI is talking about Manus, an AI agent tool from China .

Why is the UK tech secretary using ChatGPT to provide his policy advice ?

AI for Good

The Economist reports on how AI models are dreaming up the materials of the future.

Wired reports that Chinese companies are rushing to adopt DeepSeek’s AI models to books their stock price and flaunt their national pride .

The UK Government has published a detailed performance review of its digital spend which “underscores the need for a significant shift in how digital initiatives are funded, managed, and tracked”.

Bias and Ethics

UKAuthority reports that a new framework for NHS use of AI in London has been issued focusing on responsible AI use in healthcare.

HBR reviews a survey that shows investing in responsible AI can yield substantial economic benefits, enhance brand credibility, and provide a competitive advantage.

Forbes reports that AI may be more effective than humans in giving honest feedback.

Cyber Security

The Alan Turing Institute has published a report responding to growing fears that the UK’s AI research is a high priority target for state threat actors seeking technological advantage.

ZDNET offers up 5 ways to use GenAI more safely and effectively.

The Data Scientist looks at how AI-driven data threats are evolving and how businesses can stay protected.

Data & Decision Making

A report described in Breaking Defense outlines how AI multiplies effectiveness of Ukraine's drones when trained on classified battlefield data.

Is AI eroding our critical Thinking? BigThink considers the issues.

Innovation & Collaboration

FastCompany asked the world’s most creative people how they’re using AI. It is fascinating to see what they said.

Everyone in AI is talking about Manus, an AI agent tool from China for carrying out everyday actions. MIT Technology Review put it to the test.

Use of AI brings raises concerns about loss of creativity. Tim O’Reilly’s latest essay explores how we need to celebrate our ability to think differently.

Productivity & Efficiency

McKinsey’s latest state of AI review describes how organizations are beginning to create the structures and processes that lead to meaningful value from GenAI.

Confused by “agentic AI”? According to TechCrunch you’re not alone…few people do!

Fortune reports that Elon Musk’s DOGE is automating government tasks with an AI chatbot as it continues to reduce the federal workforce.

ComputerWeekly reports how a startup mindset is at the heart of a Labour’s approach to speeding up AI innovation in the public sector.

The Economist reports that China’s AI boom has reached astounding proportions with “AI everywhere”.

The Guardian describes a survey of bosses and staff that finds more than half of executives feel their organisation has no official AI plan.

Regulation and Compliance

NewScientist has revealed how the UK tech secretary uses ChatGPT for getting his policy advice.

The Tony Blair Institute have issued a report commenting that the UK government's AI ambitions for public services and growth are threatened by proposed data and copyright legislation, and advising a strong, unified AI strategy.

In an article for ComputerWeekly, Lord Holmes argues why the UK needs an AI regulation Bill.

Sustainability

AI Magazine considers how Microsoft is driving sustainable energy with AI.

Data Centre Magazine takes a look at how data centres are transforming data infrastructure to promote sustainability .

The World Economic Forum (WEF) assesses how we can prioritize clean air in an AI-powered world .

User Experience

A Capgemini report outlines how organizations can transform customer service through generative and agentic AI, based on extensive global surveys of consumers, agents, and executives.

InfoWorld say that i f you’re using generative AI you should be getting ready for generative UI .

According to FactCompany its too late — Facebook’s AI slop hellscape is already here .

Workforce & Skills

In a key speech, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has reiterated the importance of AI in UK public services, identifying it as a key element in reshaping the state.

Business Insider describes how the data center job boom has more to do with construction, that with new opportunities for AI jobs.

A Brookings Institute study provides very useful insights on the geography of where AI has most impact on employment.

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