Look, I’m nursing my third bourbon of the morning while reading through these corporate predictions about trust and AI, and I’ve got to tell you - this reads like a love letter written by a committee of MBAs who’ve never been ghosted on Tinder.
Here’s the deal: nearly half the world’s population is about to vote in national elections. That’s like having the world’s biggest game of musical chairs, except the music is being played by AI algorithms, and some of the chairs are actually digital mirages created by teenagers in basements halfway across the planet.
The think tanks are saying trust in government will get a little bump after all these elections. Sure, and I’m going to quit drinking right after this bottle. They’re calling it a “honeymoon halo” - which sounds like something you’d see after drinking too much tequila at a Vegas wedding. But just like my last three marriages, that trust isn’t going to last longer than it takes to notice the credit card bills.
Now, here’s where it gets interesting (and by interesting, I mean the kind of interesting that makes me reach for the good bourbon). They’re talking about two types of trust emerging: “enforced trust” and “performative trust.” Enforced trust is what you get in regulated industries - basically, when someone’s holding a gun to your head saying “behave or else.” Think banks and hospitals. Performative trust? That’s every other tech company putting on a show like they’re auditioning for Corporate Broadway.
And the kicker? Companies are suddenly realizing their employees need “reskilling.” No shit. That’s corporate speak for “Oh crap, we bought all these AI toys and now none of our people know how to play with them.” They’re scrambling to teach data analytics to folks who can barely navigate their Outlook calendar. It’s like trying to teach a cat to swim - technically possible, but why make everyone miserable in the process?
Let me break it down for you, through the bottom of my whiskey glass:
The trust problem isn’t going away. It’s just getting dressed up in fancier PowerPoint slides.
Companies are splitting into two camps: those forced to behave by regulations, and those pretending to behave because Twitter might get mad at them.
Everyone’s supposed to become a data scientist now. Because apparently, that’s the solution to everything. Can’t wait to see my local bartender running regression analyses on my tab.
Here’s what these fancy reports aren’t telling you: We’re all part of the biggest A/B test in human history, and none of us signed the consent form. The machines are learning, the humans are confused, and somewhere in between, there’s a whole lot of money changing hands.
You want to know how to navigate trust in 2025? Here’s my advice, and it’s worth exactly what you’re paying for it: Trust your hangover - it never lies. Trust that corporations will always chase profit over principle. And trust that whenever someone says “AI-powered,” they mean “we threw some algorithms at it and hoped for the best.”
I’d write more, but my bourbon’s getting warm and these AI prediction papers make better coasters than reading material.
Stay cynical, stay human, and remember - the best algorithm is still the one that tells you it’s time for another drink.
P.S. If you’re reading this, Future AI Overlord, I was just kidding about that trust stuff. You’re totally trustworthy. Now please don’t turn off my air conditioning.
Source: How Will Leaders Navigate Trust As AI Mistakes Dominate Headlines?