Brief

The era of "conscious consumerism" appears to be waning, as evidenced by the struggles and acquisitions of prominent brands like Everlane, Allbirds, and Beyond Meat. These companies, which once thrived by appealing to consumers' desire for ethical and sustainable products, are now facing financial difficulties. Their decline suggests that while ethical considerations are important, they are not sufficient on their own to ensure business success, with factors like price, convenience, and product appeal proving more critical to consumers. AI

Public relations professionals report that numerous UK companies are attempting to rebrand themselves as AI specialists, even when their operations involve basic automation rather than advanced artificial intelligence. This trend, termed 'AI washing,' involves exaggerating the use of AI to capitalize on the technology's popularity and secure media attention. Executives are reportedly frustrated by the pressure to pitch tenuous AI links, leading to a general skepticism among journalists towards such claims. AI