AI/ML in the News - Highlights 28 Mar 2025

This week we identified 80 articles about AI/ML that are worth considering. We selected just the most interesting and relevant for you. The articles highlight significant developments in AI applications across various sectors, from marketing and professional services to language translation and academic research, while also raising concerns about AI’s impact on employment, data privacy, and global equity. These developments and concerns are particularly relevant for university educators, administrators, and students as they navigate the rapidly evolving AI landscape and its implications for education, research, and future careers.

While most articles emphasize AI’s transformative potential, there are stark variations in the perceived impacts. Burn-Murdoch (2025) reports minimal job disruption from AI except in writing and software development, contrasting with Thompson (2025)’s portrayal of AI agents potentially revolutionizing work in professional services firms. Additionally, Toure (2025) highlights the global inequity in AI development, challenging the narrative of AI as a universally beneficial tool presented in other articles.

A. Developments in AI/ML models

• Jaźwińska and Chandrasekar (2025) examines the performance of eight generative search tools, revealing significant issues with information retrieval and citation accuracy. This study is relevant to AI/ML in marketing as it highlights the limitations of current AI search technologies and their potential impact on information dissemination and content attribution.
• Toure (2025) discusses efforts by African researchers to develop AI solutions tailored to local languages and needs, challenging the Western-centric approach of major tech companies. This article is significant for understanding the global development of AI/ML and the importance of diverse perspectives in creating inclusive AI systems.

B. Applications of AI/ML for consumers and businesses

• Predin (2025) introduces the concept of “vibe marketing,” which leverages AI to dramatically accelerate marketing processes and decision-making. This article is crucial for marketing educators as it presents a potentially transformative approach to marketing strategy and execution enabled by AI.
• Thompson (2025) reports on the Big Four accounting firms’ investments in agentic AI platforms to enhance productivity and transform their business models. This development is relevant to marketing education as it demonstrates how AI is reshaping professional services and creating new opportunities for automation and efficiency.

C. Social, Ethical and Regulatory Issues

• Burn-Murdoch (2025) analyzes employment data to assess AI’s impact on jobs, finding limited disruption except in writing and software development. This article is important for marketing educators as it provides insights into the current and potential future impacts of AI on various professions, including those related to marketing.
• Jaźwińska and Chandrasekar (2025) raises concerns about AI search tools’ disregard for publishers’ content preferences and the potential impact on news organizations’ revenue and credibility. This highlights ethical and regulatory issues surrounding AI’s use of copyrighted content, which is relevant to discussions of AI in marketing and content creation.

The articles collectively paint a picture of AI/ML as a powerful, rapidly evolving force with the potential to transform industries, particularly marketing and professional services. However, they also highlight significant challenges, including accuracy issues, global inequities, and ethical concerns. For marketing educators, this underscores the importance of preparing students not just for the technical aspects of AI-driven marketing, but also for navigating the complex ethical and societal implications of these technologies.

1. The rapid development of AI/ML technologies, as evidenced by the agentic AI platforms (Thompson 2025) and advanced search tools (Jaźwińska and Chandrasekar 2025), necessitates continuous updating of marketing curricula to ensure students are prepared for an AI-driven workplace. Educators should consider incorporating hands-on experience with AI tools and discussions on their ethical implications.

2. The emergence of “vibe marketing” (Predin 2025) and AI-driven professional services (Thompson 2025) suggests a shift towards more data-driven, automated marketing processes. Marketing educators should focus on developing students’ skills in AI strategy, data interpretation, and ethical decision-making to complement AI capabilities.

3. The global inequity in AI development (Toure 2025) and concerns about AI’s impact on content attribution and publisher revenue (Jaźwińska and Chandrasekar 2025) highlight the need for marketing educators to foster critical thinking about AI’s societal impacts. Courses should address issues of bias, inclusivity, and the ethical use of AI in marketing to prepare students for responsible leadership in the field.

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