Whether in the professional or economic media, AI has been the subject of dedicated newsletters for several years now. This trend can be explained in particular by the fact that the technology has been democratised among experts and the general public alike, but evangelism is not the only factor behind its success. Capable of adapting and surfing on different business sectors or emerging trends, these dedicated newsletters have found their audience, which is growing steadily. Having found their audience, how have they managed to establish themselves? What could be the obstacles to this dazzling development?
A growing interest and rise
In recent years, newsletters dedicated to AI have benefited from a growth in interest in this technology and have been able to better respond to the varied needs and interests of readers thanks to a diversification of topics, ranging from technological advances and market trends to the social, ethical and political implications of AI (data privacy, algorithmic discrimination and social responsibility). At the same time, as the AI industry in France has grown, more and more professionals and businesses have turned to specialist newsletters to keep abreast of the latest innovations, best practices and business opportunities in the AI field. Access to these newsletters has also been simplified thanks to advances in information technology, enabling them to be distributed to a wider audience. In short, the rise of AI newsletters in France illustrates both the growth and maturity of this field and the changing interests of readers in terms of information and analysis in this area.
Various newsletters with a tailored audience
In France, several newsletters focus exclusively on artificial intelligence (AI) and cover a broad spectrum of topics related to this field. Some focus exclusively on AI, targeting professionals, researchers, decision-makers and anyone interested in AI looking for a reliable source of information, analysis and perspectives on the latest developments: Pierre’s AI Newsletter, a weekly selection of news, trends and reflections on AI in France and around the world; the AI Newsletter, which provides analyses, interviews and articles on recent developments in the field of AI, from an ethical and social angle; the Artificial Intelligence Review, which monitors scientific advances, technological innovations and the ethical issues surrounding AI; and Qant, which provides daily updates on tech and AI trends.
Given the interest shown by the French in this subject, a number of French business media have also decided to publish dedicated newsletters, such as Les Echos, which attracts a readership of several thousand professional subscribers, including executives, entrepreneurs, investors and decision-makers, as well as La Tribune, Bpifrance Le Hub, which mainly targets entrepreneurs, start-ups, SMEs and innovation players in France, and Usbek & Rica, whose loyal readership is made up of fans of reflection and intellectual debate who are keen to explore forward-looking topics and societal, ethical or cultural issues. Finally, the Journal du Net (JDN) targets a professional audience, attracting players in the digital, e-commerce, marketing and tech sectors. Each medium adopts a different strategy, with audience volumes varying according to the quality of the content, promotional campaigns, partnerships or the evolution of public interest in AI.
Growth that could be curbed
Despite their current success, these newsletters could face several challenges as the AI field continues to develop. Market saturation could be a brake, as could homogeneity. The media will need to be able to stand out from the crowd if they are to retain their audience. They will need to offer original, high-quality and diversified content (interviews, case studies, in-depth analyses and practical tutorials, etc.) tailored to the specific needs of their audience, addressing in particular the ethical, social and political aspects of this technology. As AI is a constantly evolving field, the newsletters will also need to keep up to date with the latest technological advances, market trends, ethical and regulatory issues, and practical applications of AI. Furthermore, the complexity and multidisciplinary nature of AI may make it difficult to communicate complex information and concepts in a way that is accessible and understandable to a wide audience. AI must be simplified without distorting the information. Finally, to enrich their content and broaden their audience, newsletters could consider collaborating with other players in the AI ecosystem, such as researchers, entrepreneurs, investors and government organisations.
By overcoming these challenges and seizing evolutionary opportunities, newsletters dedicated to AI can continue to play an important role in delivering information, analysis and insights into this rapidly expanding field.
By Mathilde OZANNE
