What Ottoman calligraphers can teach us about AI

"History teaches, but it has no pupils," claimed the Marxist philosopher Antonio Gramsci.

It's hard to disagree, particularly when the frontiers of digital innovation stir up ancient fears.

Over the past two years, the acceleration of artificial intelligence has disrupted every facet of our lives.

New professions have emerged, while many traditional ones fear being wiped out, especially in the creative field: their concerns are not unfounded.

Kamala Harris, Donald Trump, and the sly charm of underdogs

With just a few days left until the US presidential elections, the outcome is uncertain. 

One thing is clear: the replacement of Joe Biden with Kamala Harris as the Democratic candidate has reshuffled the deck, upending messages and strategies.

One tactic, however, remains constant, even when it clashes with reality: playing the underdog against a powerful opponent—or even against the system itself.

Stay modest, stay humble. Kudos to brands that acknowledge their mistakes

Sometimes it just happens.

Even the most seasoned brands can make embarrassing blunders. 

Recently, Apple had to apologize for a somewhat dystopian iPad Pro ad that hinted at the destruction of creativity.

Bumble, the dating app, withdrew its ads that mocked celibacy and abstinence among its female audience.

Beauty brand Youthforia faced a lot of criticism for a foundation shade that was considered not inclusive enough.

Brands need a strong identity, not to cling to someone else's. The Balocco and Ferragni affair

The fact: the Italian Competition Authority fined the companies of the famous influencer Chiara Ferragni, along with the confectionery company Balocco, with a total penalty of €1,075,000 for unfair commercial practices related to the Pink Christmas pandoro. The fine for Balocco is €420,000.

The Antitrust claims that the companies led consumers to believe that by purchasing the pandoro, they were contributing to a donation to the Regina Margherita Hospital in Turin, when in reality, the €50,000 donation had already been made by Balocco months earlier. Companies associated with Chiara Ferragni collected over one million euros from the initiative.

How did they get to this point?

Too much jam can be confusing: the Paradox of Choice

December: a time of carefree afternoons spent shopping with your loved ones. 

As you stroll through the crowded, festive streets illuminated with a thousand colors, your attention as food enthusiasts is caught by two stands on either side of the street. 

Both sell artisanal jams: on one counter there are 24 variants; on the other counter there are only 6 variants. 

Which of the two stands is more likely to pique your interest? 

Which of the two stands is more likely to turn you into their customers?