17th-23th March 2025

Artificial Intelligence. Two words that can spark excitement, dread, or a sudden urge to invest in tinned food and a bunker. But while Hollywood may imagine robot uprisings, real-world AI is more about making life smoother, smarter, and occasionally sassier (yes Siri, we heard that tone).

Let’s unpack the latest happenings in AI with a touch of wit and a firm grip on what it means for business leaders, brand builders, and digital dreamers alike.

AI in Healthcare: Diagnosing Like a Dermatologist, Only Faster

An NHS hospital in Chelsea and Westminster has given dermatology a digital upgrade with Derm—an AI app that can spot melanoma from skin snaps with a staggering 99.9% accuracy. That’s higher than most humans armed with a medical degree and a magnifying glass.

With 20 hospitals already onboard and 13,000 cancers detected, it’s less “Doctor Google” and more “Doctor Genius.” For businesses in healthtech or healthcare marketing—this is your neon sign: invest in AI integration before your competitor does.

AI in Fast Food: Would You Like ChatGPT With That?

Yum Brands (you know them—Taco Bell, KFC, Pizza Hut…) is teaming up with Nvidia to introduce AI voice ordering and real-time kitchen analytics. Essentially, robots are now taking your burrito orders. And no, they won’t forget the guac.

Their Byte platform is testing in Taco Bell and Pizza Hut, and it’s aiming to go full blast across 500 sites. For marketers in F&B, take note: AI isn’t just flavour of the month—it’s the secret sauce.

Apple’s AI: All Hype, No Siri-ous Action?

Apple is being sued because iPhone 16 users didn’t get the super-Siri they were promised. The lawsuit accuses them of peddling AI dreams without delivering the goods.

The takeaway? If you’re marketing AI features, don’t sell sizzle before you’ve got a sausage. Trust and transparency are non-negotiable.

Big Money Moves: SoftBank Buys Ampere

SoftBank just snapped up Ampere Computing for $6.5B—because clearly, one AI mega-purchase a year isn’t enough. They want to power Artificial Super Intelligence (which sounds like either a Marvel film or the world’s most overqualified intern).

If you’re in tech, cloud infrastructure, or dabbling in AI-powered products, this signals more funding and fiercer competition. Get your strategies sorted before SoftBank buys your competitors too.

Europol: AI is Giving Criminals Superpowers

Europol warns that AI is juicing up organised crime—everything from deepfake extortion to AI-assisted drug logistics. Yikes.

The EU’s response? Beef up Europol and roll out stronger security protocols. For business owners, this isn’t sci-fi. It’s a flashing red light to get your cybersecurity game in order. AI isn’t just an opportunity—it’s a risk multiplier.

London: Smile, You’re on 2,500 AI Cameras

In Hammersmith & Fulham, councils are rolling out AI-powered CCTV to tackle crime and antisocial behaviour. Critics say it’s Big Brother. Supporters say it’s about time.

Either way, it shows how AI is creeping into city infrastructure—and with facial recognition becoming normalised, there’s a huge conversation to be had about ethics, privacy, and just how much data we’re handing over with our oat flat whites.

Robots Doing Origami? Google Just Showed Off

Google’s Gemini AI now powers robots that can fold origami and seal sandwich bags like a nimble-fingered ninja. These delicate tasks open the door to robotic helpers in manufacturing, logistics, and possibly your kitchen drawer.

If your business is in operations, logistics, or manufacturing—start thinking now: what jobs could your next hire do with one arm, a camera, and some clever code?

Diplomacy Gets a Tech Upgrade

British Foreign Secretary David Lammy wants diplomats using AI to prep for talks and model adversarial behaviour. It’s the diplomatic version of reading your opponent’s poker face—with a little help from machine learning.

For business? Think negotiation tools, client insights, or pitch prep powered by AI. If diplomacy can benefit, so can your sales team.

Final Thoughts: AI Is Here—But Don’t Believe Every Buzzword

In short, AI is growing up fast—from diagnosing cancers to flipping burgers and folding paper cranes. But it’s not all smooth sailing. Lawsuits, security threats, and ethical dilemmas are part of the package.

As a business leader, your job isn’t to become a coder—it’s to ask the right questions:

• Where can AI make us faster or more efficient?
• How do we stay secure while adopting smart tools?
• Can we use AI to enhance customer experience—not just automate it?

And above all—how do we lead in a world that’s changing by the minute?

Written by Damon Segal
CEO of Emotio | Speaker | Digital Strategist | Wine Enthusiast
“I help businesses grow through better strategy, smarter tech, and sometimes, a good glass of Bordeaux.”