Coca-Cola runs an AI holiday Ad and faces criticism.

Welcome to another version of The AI Business!

This week, we have:

● Coca-Cola runs an AI holiday Ad and faces criticism.

● How to get the best results out of ChatGPT? (Free Guide)

● How to use AI to scale your business responsibly for lasting impact?

● Fast-tracking AI adoption tops business leaders’ agendas.

AI news
The Latest News and Breakouts in The World of AI Business:

● Coca-Cola's AI Holiday Ad Faces Criticism: Coca-Cola’s AI-driven holiday ad, aimed at reviving nostalgic brand moments, has drawn backlash for lacking the "soul" of human-created storytelling. Critics argue the campaign prioritizes artificial perfection over the heartfelt essence of the holidays. Despite streamlined production by Silverside AI, the ad reignites debates on AI's role in creative industries. (Read Article)

● IBM Launching Powerful AI Accelerators for Enterprises: IBM and AMD are collaborating to offer AMD Instinct MI300X accelerators as a service on IBM Cloud starting in 2025, targeting generative AI workloads. These accelerators will integrate with IBM's Watson AI and Red Hat platforms, promising cost-efficient scaling for large AI models. The partnership emphasizes secure, high-performance solutions for enterprise AI across hybrid cloud environments. (Read Article)

● Saudi Arabia Unveils $100B AI Initiative to Become a Global Tech Powerhouse: Saudi Arabia has launched Project Transcendence, a $100 billion initiative to establish itself as a top AI hub by 2030, focusing on innovation, talent, and infrastructure. The project includes collaborations with Google, Microsoft, and Huawei to develop AI solutions, including Arabic-language models. Aligned with Vision 2030, this move aims to diversify the economy and position the country as a leading exporter of AI technologies. (Read Article)

● DHS Unveils Framework to Secure AI Use in Critical Infrastructure: The Department of Homeland Security has issued voluntary guidelines to ensure safe AI deployment across critical sectors like energy, water, and healthcare. The framework emphasizes secure environments, responsible design, data governance, and continuous monitoring to enhance AI reliability and trust. It targets all stakeholders, from developers to infrastructure operators, promoting a unified approach to AI safety. (Read Article)

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Actionable AI
2025 AI Trends: Scaling Responsibly And Safely For Lasting Impact:

As AI continues to lead business innovation, 2025 will bring a shift in focus from experimentation to scalability, responsibility, and long-term impact.

Here’s what business leaders need to know:

● Data as the Core Asset: IT consultancies emphasize that clean, well-organized data is the backbone of successful AI. Companies are moving away from isolated AI experiments and toward building robust data platforms that support analytics and advanced AI applications.

● Governance and Trust: With CEOs and boards driving AI adoption, data governance has become essential. Strong governance ensures compliance with evolving regulations, builds trust, and maximizes AI’s potential while minimizing risks.

● AI Aligned with Strategy: Businesses are prioritizing AI projects that align with long-term goals rather than chasing quick wins. The focus is shifting to solutions that deliver sustainable value, backed by reliable and scalable infrastructure.

2025 is shaping up to be a transformative year, with organizations investing in smarter, safer AI that drives both innovation and responsibility. By focusing on data readiness, governance, and strategic alignment, companies can unlock AI's full potential.

AI Study
Fast-tracking AI Adoption Tops Business Leaders’ Agendas:

A new report by Avanade, Trendlines: AI Value Report 2025, reveals that mid-market organizations view rapid AI adoption as a critical competitive advantage. Here are the key findings:

● Ambitious Expectations: Organizations expect four-fold returns on AI investments within 12 months, with 85% of business leaders concerned about losing ground without swift implementation.

● Generative AI Budgets Surge: Over half (53%) plan to increase generative AI budgets by up to 25%, focusing on tools like Microsoft Copilot to boost revenue and foster collaborative workplace cultures.

● Balancing Growth and Efficiency: While AI is seen as transformative, challenges such as legacy systems, data governance, and security remain significant. Nearly all respondents (95%) are modernizing infrastructure to overcome these barriers.

Avanade’s new services aim to guide businesses through these challenges by addressing workforce alignment, securing data, and modernizing legacy systems. Leaders emphasize that AI success isn’t just about efficiency but reimagining work to drive innovation and growth.

With priorities shifting to data analytics and automation, mid-market firms are at a pivotal moment to redefine their futures through AI.

That’s it for today, thanks for reading till the end. 😊 

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See you next week.