AI/ML in the News - Highlights 16 May 2025

Posted on May 16, 2025

This week we identified 17 articles about AI/ML that are worth considering. We selected just the most interesting and relevant for you. The key themes revolve around the rapid development and integration of AI technologies in business applications, particularly in customer relationship management and digital labor, as well as the potential societal impacts and ethical considerations of AI advancement. These developments are highly relevant to university lecturers, administrators, and students as they highlight the transformative potential of AI in various sectors and underscore the need for critical engagement with AI technologies in academic and professional contexts.

nly one comprehensive article to highlight this week that presents a balanced view, discussing both the optimistic potential of AI technologies and the cautionary aspects related to their development and implementation.

Morris (2025):

  • reports on Salesforce’s significant investment in AI, particularly in digital labor and customer service applications. This development is relevant as it demonstrates how major tech companies are integrating AI into their core business offerings, potentially reshaping customer relationship management and business operations.
  • discusses the potential for AI to increase productivity and GDP without necessarily adding more human workers. This perspective is important as it highlights the potential economic impacts of AI adoption in various industries, which could have significant implications for future job markets and economic structures.
  • addresses concerns about job displacement due to AI advancements and the need for societal preparation. This discussion is crucial as it raises important questions about the social implications of AI adoption and the need for proactive measures to address potential disruptions in the workforce.
  • notes on the ethical considerations and potential risks associated with AI development, including concerns about autonomous weapon systems and the need for responsible AI use. This aspect is relevant as it underscores the importance of ethical frameworks and regulatory considerations in AI development and deployment.

The article presents a comprehensive view of the current state of AI development and implementation, particularly in the business sector. It highlights the transformative potential of AI technologies, especially in areas like digital labor and customer relationship management, while also acknowledging the ethical considerations and potential societal impacts. The discussion underscores the need for a balanced approach to AI adoption, one that leverages its benefits while carefully considering and mitigating potential risks.

  1. For marketing educators, the rapid integration of AI in business applications, particularly in customer relationship management (Morris 2025), suggests a need to update curricula to include AI-driven marketing strategies and tools. This may involve incorporating hands-on experience with AI-powered marketing platforms and discussing the implications of AI for customer engagement and data analysis.

  2. The potential for AI to significantly increase productivity without necessarily adding human workers (Morris 2025) presents a critical challenge for marketing educators. They need to prepare students for a job market that may be radically transformed by AI, emphasizing skills that complement AI capabilities rather than those that might be replaced by them.

  3. The ethical considerations and potential risks associated with AI development (Morris 2025) highlight the importance of incorporating discussions on digital ethics and responsible AI use in marketing education. This could involve case studies on AI-related ethical dilemmas in marketing and exploring the role of marketers in ensuring responsible AI deployment.

Sources

Morris, Stephen. 2025. “Marc Benioff of Salesforce: ‘You’re Going to Have to Throw a Lot Against the Wall Before You Figure Out What Sticks’.” Financial Times, May. https://on.ft.com/3H9mPiQ.