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Love it, loathe it, or even fear it, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is here to stay – and it’s getting harder to ignore. From how we generate and consume content to how industries operate and innovate, AI is reshaping the world around us. It’s making waves across sectors from media to science, transforming not just the headlines, but the way we live and work. Each month, our ‘AI Digest’ breaks down the biggest stories in the sector, exploring their broader impact on brands, industries, and everyday life.
This month, AI action figures stir controversy, WhatsApp’s blue circle leaves users upset, and AI chipmakers grapple with the effects of new restrictions.
The AI action figure trend – harmless fun or cause for concern?
If you’ve scrolled through LinkedIn recently, you’ve likely seen the flood of AI-generated action figures taking over feeds. Professionals from all industries – and even brands – have embraced the trend, using generative AI to create ‘mini-me’ dolls, often accessorised with everything from laptops to iced oat lattes.
For many, it’s just a fun and creative way to engage with the growing world of generative AI. But behind the charm, the trend raises some deeper concerns.
One issue is data privacy. To create these AI figures, users are uploading personal photos and often including details like job titles, locations, and even hobbies. While this might seem innocent, the reality is that once this information is shared with AI platforms, users lose control over where it goes and how it might be used. In an age where data is currency, giving away personal details – no matter how trivial they seem – can come with risks.
There’s also the environmental angle. Even small tasks, like generating a brief email or image, require substantial computing power and energy. Some estimates suggest that producing a 100-word AI-generated response uses the equivalent of half a litre of water in cooling data centres. As these trends scale, so does their environmental footprint.
Finally, there’s the creative question. AI-generated art is entertaining and accessible, but it also brings into focus the challenge of maintaining space for human creativity. When AI can quickly churn out images, it can be tempting to sideline the artists who bring nuance and originality to the table. If we’re not careful, we risk diluting the value of human creativity in favour of fast output.
WhatsApp’s blue circle and OpenAI’s planned social media move
Meta AI has officially slid into Europe’s DMs and WhatsApp users aren’t thrilled. Now appearing as a blue ring in the bottom right corner of the chat screen, the new feature opens a chatbot designed to answer questions that might come up during conversations.
While Meta maintains that the AI cannot access or read users’ personal chats, many are uneasy about its presence – especially since the chatbot can’t be turned off or removed. The backlash highlights a growing tension: no one wants AI forced into their most personal digital spaces.
The feature has also sparked safety concerns after an investigation revealed troubling gaps in the chatbot’s content moderation. With the tool available to users as young as 13, many are questioning whether safeguards are strong enough.
While Meta faces scrutiny, OpenAI is reportedly developing its own social media platform similar to X (formerly Twitter). The move would give OpenAI a valuable stream of real-time user data to improve its AI models – something Meta and X already use to their advantage.
The race to embed AI into our digital interactions is accelerating, but so are questions around consent and safety. As major players push AI deeper into our everyday apps, users are pushing back.
AI chipmakers face headwinds: A tumultuous April for the industry
It couldn’t be an April review without mentioning the impact of Trump’s tariffs on the AI industry. The announcement of new tariffs on foreign trading partners left AI stocks among the biggest losers of the month.
Earlier this month, Nvidia, an AI-chip giant, revealed that it expects a $5.5 billion earnings hit following tighter U.S. export controls on its H20 AI chips bound for China. This new round of restrictions marks the latest chapter in the spiralling trade war between the world’s two largest economies, further complicating an already turbulent global tech landscape.
April was a busy month in the AI world, yet May is shaping up to be just as fast-paced, innovative and – true to form – a little controversial.
Image: Unsplash / Growtika
