This week I’ve been scaring myself by delving into AI developments in social media. The potential usefulness and playfulness of AI has a darker edge, further blurring the edges of reality as we use Generative AI to create and alter imagery and engage with personalised AI chatbots in our own echo chambers. It’s all sounding a bit Black Mirror. On that note, the ever-controversial Love Island has returned, and although I haven’t watched a minute (yet), I’m already hooked on David Whitely’s recaps. This got me thinking about how much content is built on reacting to other people’s content, from Gogglebox to Shabaz Says and Khaby Lame. The human reaction, whether deadpan, satirical, or completely pure, gives us a human element to latch on to amongst sanitised or straight up ridiculous content. Yes, we also see the emperor has no clothes. Or appreciate a super cute doggo.
Over on socials
Instagram head Adam Mosseri explains the algorithm or, more accurately, algorithms that govern what you see on the app. Watch his video or catch up with the blog post.
Facebook adds new lead-generation tools and a new way to claim offers within the app for a more seamless experience.
Everyone’s playing with AI, look out for my recap piece on Practical Ecommerce.
The knowledge dump
The Marketing Meetup founder Joe Glover explains how to build a marketing strategy for small businesses.
Learn why your transformation programme is failing with this piece from HBR.
It’s time to change your metrics. Matt Locke continues the brilliant Attention Matters series by arguing for a shift from traffic to subscription-based metrics.
And finally
Today is World Ocean Day. If you can do one thing for the ocean today, take a few minutes to find out about the proposals for the new Rosebank oil field in the North Sea. Watch Surf Yonder’s Sally McGee explain why it’s so important to fight it.
