Companies such as eBay and British insurer Beazley have warned about an uptick in fraudulent emails containing personal details obtained via artificial intelligence (AI) analysis of online profiles, according to the Financial Times. Cybersecurity experts say these attacks are increasing as AI grows in sophistication, allowing hackers to create targeted phishing scams by scraping victims' online presence and recreating their style and tone. The use of generative AI tools has lowered the entry threshold for advanced cybercrime, with eBay's Nadezda Demidova stating that there has been a growth in polished and closely targeted phishing scams. To combat this, companies are employing AI-powered cybersecurity measures, with 55% of companies using such measures according to a PYMNTS Intelligence report.
https://www.pymnts.com/fraud-attack/2025/ai-fuels-reported-rise-in-polished-phishing-scams/Marketers who used generative AI to create ads, such as Toys R Us, Under Armour, and Coca-Cola, faced backlash from the public and creative community in 2024. Despite this, there is an expectation that marketers will continue to use generative AI in 2025, with many asking how it can be integrated into the creative process. Creative agency executives, including John Cornette of EP+Co., view generative AI as a tool to enhance their work, not replace humans. However, early iterations of ads created with generative AI were criticized for lacking authenticity and emotional connection, according to eight creatives and agency executives, including Eva Neveau of Omnicom Production.
https://digiday.com/marketing/why-early-gen-ai-ads-arent-working-and-how-creatives-are-thinking-about-integrating-the-tech-into-their-work/Lotte Corporation has outlined plans to expand its business portfolio beyond its core sectors of retail, food, chemical and construction by entering four new areas: contract development and manufacturing organization services through Lotte Biologics, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, battery materials, and the metaverse. The company's chairman, Shin, emphasized the importance of implementing artificial intelligence (AI) to create new business models and reduce costs in its global market strategy for the new year.
https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2025-01-02/business/industry/Shinsegae-Lotte-call-for-continuous-innovation-in-hard-year-for-retail/2213900Meta, the parent company of social media platforms Facebook and Instagram, plans to deploy millions of artificial intelligence (AI) bots on its platforms in an effort to boost engagement as its user base declines. The move is part of Meta's strategy to maintain user interaction despite a shrinking audience, with the number of daily active users on Facebook decreasing by 2% year-over-year in the fourth quarter of 2023.
https://www.firstpost.com/tech/meta-is-planning-to-deploy-millions-of-ai-bots-on-facebook-and-instagram-as-user-base-shrinks-13849279.htmlMeta's new AI bots are expected to inflate social media users' engagement numbers by providing fake interactions, including likes and comments. This could lead to a boost in user engagement, but it may not necessarily change the fact that many users already know that much of their engagement is fake. The bots will also provide practical value by offering alternative perspectives on posts, such as suggesting dinner options from different cuisines. However, this development raises concerns for influencers and brands who work with social media personalities, as they will need to be more discerning about the authenticity of their followers' engagement.
https://www.marketingdive.com/news/Meta-ai-bot-plan-boost-engagement-facebook-instagram/736283/Meta's artificial intelligence (AI) tools, such as its image generator and video generator platforms, are being used to create engaging content, including animating still pictures. However, experts like Becky Owen, former head of Meta's creator innovations team, warn that without proper safeguards, these AI-driven accounts could amplify false narratives. Meta is investing heavily in AI, with some critics arguing that it should not rest on its laurels and continue to make advancements in the field. Rachel Tipograph, CEO of MikMak, praises Meta for lowering the barrier to entry for advertisers through its AI tools.
https://petapixel.com/2025/01/02/instagram-and-facebook-to-fill-platforms-with-ai-generated-accounts/The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication has expressed opposition to regulating Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Pakistan, citing the need to develop the AI ecosystem first. The ministry stated that while AI has enormous potential for growth and development, it also poses certain associated risks. In contrast to other countries which have established national-level AI policies or strategies, Pakistan is focusing on building its AI ecosystem before introducing regulations. To this end, the Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives (MoPDSI) has constituted an inclusive taskforce on AI to develop a National AI Plan, while the Ministry of IT and Telecom has formed an Inclusive AI Committee to finalise a National AI Policy. The aim is to create an enabling environment for the AI ecosystem before introducing regulations.
https://www.brecorder.com/news/40340619/moitt-says-it-will-be-too-early-to-regulate-aiAs clients increasingly demand that their partners bring artificial intelligence (AI) solutions to the table, some brands have faced backlash for using AI-generated content. In response, agencies are shifting their focus towards using AI to improve productivity and efficiency, while also personalizing content for consumers. This shift is expected to lead to a rise in AI-focused agency startups, as companies like R/GA and MachWon invest in developing strong tech capabilities and strategic partnerships. However, some experts predict that the trend may swing back towards human creativity, with brands opting for more authentic and transparent approaches to content creation.
https://www.adweek.com/agencies/the-big-get-bigger-indies-rise-and-ai-takes-root-3-agency-predictions-for-2025/SlashNext's AI-powered cybersecurity tool analyzes URLs, emails and messages in real-time to detect and block phishing attempts and social engineering attacks. According to J Stephen Kowski, field CTO at SlashNext, this approach uses advanced machine learning models that can understand the context and intent of communications, moving beyond traditional pattern matching to identify threats that may evade other security tools. This proactive method represents a shift from reactive detection to predictive threat prevention that adapts to new attack variations in real-time.
https://www.pymnts.com/cybersecurity/2025/55-of-companies-have-implemented-ai-powered-cybersecurity/