Using AI to Bring People Together in 2025
Matt Mahmood-Ogston 🌱
I Help Brands Document their Social Impact 🌱 Working with Businesses, Charities, Public Sector & Funders 🌱 ESG, CSR 📸 Award-Winning Filmmaker, Photographer & Human Rights Campaigner 🌱 CEO Naz & Matt Foundation 🏳️🌈
What if the biggest thing holding us back isn't technology, but how we're using it?
Every day, I see purpose-driven leaders using AI to create more content.
More posts.
More noise.
But what if we're missing the point entirely?
The Problem with How We Use AI Now
Let's be honest. The world feels more divided than ever.
According to the 2023 Edelman Trust Barometer, 65% of people believe the lack of civility and mutual respect in today's society is the worst they have ever seen.
Trust in institutions has fallen to historic lows across 28 countries.
I see it every day in London. People scrolling on their phones, but feeling more lonely than ever.
A Different Way Forward
The numbers paint a clear picture. When we don't trust each other, we can't solve big problems together.
But 2025 gives us a chance to change that story.
How AI Can Help Us Connect
Think about AI like a bridge builder.
It doesn't take sides.
It doesn't get angry.
It just helps us understand each other better.
Cities around the world are using AI tools like Remesh for community decisions.
When everyone gets a voice, amazing things happen.
Learning from AI's Mistakes
We've seen what happens when AI goes wrong. In 2018, Amazon had to scrap their AI recruiting tool because it showed bias against women. The AI had learned from past hiring data, which reflected historical gender bias in tech.
This wasn't just a failure. It was a lesson about making AI work fairly for everyone.
Making AI Work Better
Microsoft learned similar lessons when their chatbot Tay went wrong in 2016. Within hours of launch, it had learned harmful language from social media users.
These examples show us something important: AI is powerful, but it needs human wisdom to guide it.
Real Success Stories
But there are bright spots too. Helsinki became the first city in the world to create a public AI Register, making their climate action planning transparent and accessible to all citizens.
They use AI to analyse public feedback and create climate initiatives that unite communities rather than divide them.
This approach led to stronger community engagement and more effective environmental programmes, showing how AI can bring people together around shared goals.
Making Your Voice Matter in 2025
If you're trying to make the world better, your voice matters now more than ever. But it's not about shouting louder than everyone else.
It's about using AI to help you:
Smart Ways to Use AI in 2025
1. Start Conversations That Matter
Use AI tools to bring different people together. Let everyone share their ideas about making things better.
2. Listen More Deeply
Use AI to understand what people really care about. Not just what they say, but what they mean.
3. Work Together
Find other people who want to make things better, even if they seem different from you.
Being Careful with AI
The European Union's AI Act shows us how seriously we need to take AI safety. It's the world's first comprehensive AI law, focusing on protecting people while encouraging innovation.
This matters because AI isn't just about efficiency.
It's about trust.
Making AI Work for Everyone
To make people trust AI, we need to:
Your 2025 To-Do List
Here's what you can do to make a difference:
Tools That Can Help
Several tools are already showing the way:
Looking Forward to 2025
AI isn't just about doing things faster. It's about doing things better.
As we start 2025, we have a chance to use AI to:
Making It Happen
The world doesn't need more noise. It needs more understanding.
Think about the Edelman Trust Barometer findings. If 65% of people feel they're being lied to, that means they're looking for voices they can trust.
You could be that voice.
Your Next Step
As you think about your goals for 2025, ask yourself:
The best way to change the world isn't by being the loudest. It's by helping others feel heard.
And AI, when we use it wisely, can help us do exactly that.
Are you ready to make 2025 the year we remember for bringing people together?
About the author, Matt Mahmood-Ogston
Thank you for reading this edition of Becoming a Personal Brand. A newsletter that explores the intersection of changing the world + storytelling through branding.
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Who am I?
I'm a social impact photographer for half of my week, and a charity CEO for the other half.
I use my unique blend of professional skills and lived experience to support brands that want to document their positive impact on the world.
Need some help documenting the social impact of your social impact, ESG or CSR projects? Message me.
My award-winning work has been seen on channels such as BBC, ITV, Channel 4, and Sky; I've delivered over 80 public talks and keynotes and worked with iconic brands such as Google, Magnum Photos, Meta, Capgemini, RBS, NatWest, Barclays, Lloyds Bank, TSB and AVID. Plus I've helped a Dragon from BBC’s Dragons’ Den brand and launch five startups.
In my rare moments of downtime, you'll find me working on Bona Parle, my new social impact platform for creators and changemakers.
View my portfolio or follow me here on LinkedIn → Matt Mahmood-Ogston 🧲
Sending peace and love for a positive and productive week ahead.