We’re back with another Friday Five! This week, we’re covering all sorts of moves and shakeups in media and publishing—starting with a new MIT study suggesting that 95% of enterprise AI projects aren’t delivering returns, shaking Wall Street’s confidence in the boom. Meanwhile, questions linger in publishing over how long human involvement will remain as editorial budgets tighten. Also in AI news, generative chatbots are raising alarms as they’re shown to dodge paywalls and replicate some content word for word. Plus, a long-term study reveals steep declines in reading for pleasure, particularly among younger generations. And finally, European postal operators have suspended most parcel shipments to the U.S. amid confusion over new tariffs. We know you can’t wait—let’s get started!
MIT study on AI profits rattles tech investors
A recent MIT study examined about 300 enterprise AI projects and found that 95% delivered no measurable return on investment—contradicting Wall Street’s high expectations. The study also noted that companies purchasing established AI tools were more successful than those attempting to build internally. These findings call current investment strategies into question, and experts warn that growing skepticism could drive a shift from building to buying proven AI solutions. Read more on Axios.
How long will humans remain in the loop?
This article reflects on the value and fragility of the "human in the loop" in publishing. James Evelegh cautions that as AI systems improve and budgets tighten, human oversight may be further reduced. He warns that if humans increasingly default to accepting AI content, editorial integrity could unravel. As he puts it, “The difference can be likened to that of a store-bought cake mix versus a homemade recipe. Both have their respective uses in different contexts, but the latter done well is more likely to wow your dinner guests.” Ultimately, while AI can enhance efficiency, he argues that truly engaging content still depends on the authentic human voice. Read more on InPublishing.
Chatbots can replicate paywalled content
This post explores how generative AI tools are increasingly able to reproduce paywalled content—often mirroring articles from publisher sites word for word. It raises concerns about intellectual property and the erosion of journalism’s subscription value. The piece highlights the growing need for publishers to adopt technical and legal measures to protect their content from unauthorized use. Read more on INMA.
Study Finds 20-Year Drop in Reading for Pleasure
A new study analyzing data from the American Time Use Survey (2003–2023) reveals that only 16% of adults read for pleasure on any given day. Although those who do read spend slightly more time doing so (about 1 hour 37 minutes, up from 1 hour 23 minutes), reading with children remains minimal—averaging just one minute per day, with only 2% participating. The study suggests that competition from digital platforms may largely explain the decline, even though the definition of "reading" included audiobooks and e-books. Read more on Publishers Weekly.
Postal services in Europe suspend parcel shipments to US amid uncertainty over tariffs
European postal operators have halted most package shipments to the U.S. due to confusion over new import tariffs. Set to begin on August 29, the tariffs remove the exemption for small parcels under $800 and replace it with a flat 15% duty, significantly impacting small and medium European exporters. While letters and small gifts under €100 may still be sent (subject to inspection), broader business shipments remain suspended pending regulatory clarity. Read more on The Guardian.