In the face of economic crises, climate anxieties, and global wars, people are seeking solace through connection. They want to be sure someone will hold their hand in the face of hardship. As a result, they have higher expectations of care and understanding from interactions with brands, social systems, and p...

Once a signifier of luxury or novelty, custom products and services are now within reach of the everyday consumer, thanks to the rise of artificial intelligence, algorithm-led platforms, and the COVID-era digitisation boom. Today, everyone wants to be the main character of their brand experience.

Clayful tackles the mental health support shortage by reaching teens in school with an instant messaging app that equips them with self-coaching tools. This openness about mental health resonates with Gens Z and Alpha while also lessening the demand for support that overwhelms psychologists.

Advancements in AI have allowed for the development of AI companions, chatbots, or AI-generated voices (akin to Siri) that humans are turning to for company, advice, and romantic gratification. But who’s turning to them, and why? And how can brands partake in their ubiquity?

Meta is injecting personality into AI with its latest chatbots designed to engage Gen Zers. While giving AI more personalised characteristics can drive engagement, risks remain over the responses generated by the persona-driven tech, posing questions about ethical deployment.

Preventative mental health charity Batyr has ‘hijacked’ the marketing campaigns of industry partners to encourage young Australians to talk about mental health. Brands can jumpstart conversations and collaborations across industries can extend the reach of important philanthropic interventions.