A small gesture, easily overlooked. A raised hand, a brief nod, a moment of acknowledgement. Not required, rarely noticed, but quietly meaningful – a reflection on courtesy, presence, and how we choose to show up.

A New York Times review, an AI tool, and a missed check. The result wasn’t just overlap with another review – it was a lapse in process. A simple reminder: if AI touched it, you must verify it.

In today’s conflicts, information is no longer a supporting layer – it is part of the battlefield. As AI, platforms, and networks reshape how narratives move, communicators face a deeper question: what does responsibility look like in a system that often rewards the opposite?

A CEO with a personal AI agent might sound like an amusing novelty. It isn’t. As AI begins to brief, prioritise, and answer on behalf of leaders, the question isn’t just about efficiency – it’s about how leadership itself is being reshaped.

Twenty years after Twitter began, this is a personal reflection on how social networks have evolved – from open, human connection to more complex, AI-shaped environments – and why I’ve shifted toward more intentional, owned spaces.

AI agents can organise tasks, analyse information and navigate digital systems with impressive autonomy. But when they reach the limits of the digital world, they still need humans to observe reality. A reflection on the emerging role of people as sensors in an age of agentic AI.

Human-centred AI puts people before technology. But what happens when artificial intelligence begins shaping decisions in war? A reflection on ethics, responsibility and human judgement in an age of machine-assisted conflict.

US consulting growth is forecast to hit 7 per cent, driven by AI implementation. But this is “selective acceleration”, not a blanket boom. For independent advisers, the real opportunity lies less in tools and more in helping organisations interpret change and build trust.