The press release is dead & AI’s next frontier in hardware

It’s Tuesday!

Elon Musk, Tesla, and Warner Bros. Discovery are getting sued by Blade Runner 2049 producers for allegedly swiping the film’s imagery to promote Tesla's robotaxi, using an AI-generated knockoff after being denied permission for an official still. Alcon Entertainment isn't just mad about the copyright— they want nothing to do with Musk's political drama and say the false connection is hurting their brand.

A MESSAGE FROM QA WOLF

😘 Kiss Bugs Goodbye

Bugs sneak out when less than 80% of user flows are tested before shipping. But getting that kind of coverage—and staying there—is hard and pricey for any sized team. QA Wolf helps engineering teams get to 80% automated test coverage and ship 5x faster by reducing QA cycles from hours to minutes.

Schedule a demo

Rethinking the press release

Why it matters: As the media landscape shifts, the traditional press release is becoming more outdated. Despite its limitations, companies still rely on them for record-keeping and formal announcements, but there’s a growing need to rethink their use.

The problem: Press releases are often bogged down by bureaucratic approval processes, resulting in bland statements filled with overused terms like "thrilled" and "cutting-edge." A recent Adweek analysis found a 151% rise in terms like “pioneering” since 2017, which adds little value to the story.

What they’re saying: Communications advisor Jessica Doyle notes, “Press releases are from a different era, but companies keep pushing them because of institutional habits and internal pressure.”

Reality check: While press releases might boost impression metrics, they rarely lead to impactful coverage. Caitlin Kelly, founder of EZ Newswire, argues, “The traditional AP-style release is dead, but with some creativity, it could still be a powerful communications tool.”

The future: Forward-thinking teams are replacing releases with blog posts, corporate news platforms, and even Substack or Medium to reach key audiences. AI tools are also enabling more dynamic approaches by converting written content into video or audio for more tailored engagement.

What to watch: As AI-powered press release generators spread, expect more formulaic, watered-down content unless companies embrace new, innovative ways to communicate.

Why workers feel lonely no matter where they work

Why it matters: New research from Harvard Business Review reveals that while remote work can make employees feel lonely, returning to the office full-time won’t necessarily solve the issue. Loneliness in the workplace is a growing concern with serious health and productivity implications, as highlighted by the U.S. Surgeon General.

The bottom line: Lonely workers tend to be less productive, cost companies more in healthcare, and are more likely to quit. Constance Noonan Hadley, a professor at Boston University and co-author of the study, defines work loneliness as "the distressful experience of having a higher desire for social connection than what is subjectively experienced while working."

Key findings: Researchers surveyed 1,000 knowledge workers and found:

• 47% of the loneliest workers actually had significant face-to-face contact, but it didn’t help.

• Remote workers, on average, felt slightly more lonely, but other factors like social opportunities and extroversion played bigger roles.

• People of color reported higher feelings of loneliness, while caregivers tended to feel less lonely.

What employers can do: Hadley suggests several strategies for businesses:

1. Measure the problem: Use anonymous surveys to gauge how widespread loneliness is.

2. Allow for work-life balance: Overworked employees don’t have time to connect with coworkers.

3. Facilitate socializing: Simple activities like lunches or casual chats can make a big difference.

The takeaway: Remote work isn’t the sole culprit behind worker loneliness, and forcing employees back into the office won’t fix the issue. Companies need to take a broader approach to foster real social connections at work.

AI startups are reinventing hardware design for trillion-dollar industries

Why it matters: While AI tools like ChatGPT dominate headlines, a new wave of startups is quietly applying AI to revolutionize hardware engineering — targeting massive sectors like energy, transportation, and manufacturing. Unlike language models prone to errors, these startups use machine learning powered by physics and math, offering precision in designing critical components like motors and semiconductors.

Zoom out: Companies like Monumo and PhysicsX are leading the charge. Monumo’s AI-driven electric motor designs promise to boost efficiency by 5%, which CEO Dominic Vergine says could cut emissions equal to those of Germany and France combined. Meanwhile, PhysicsX helps manufacturers speed up design testing “millions of times faster” than traditional methods.

Catch up quick: These startups are eyeing trillion-dollar industries with AI models trained on physics equations, avoiding the inaccuracies that plague AI chatbots. The payoff? Smarter, greener tech that doesn’t drain energy, unlike the power-hungry language models.

• Monumo is already working with top automotive suppliers, while PhysicsX raised $32M to expand its work with aerospace and semiconductor companies.

What to watch: With growing attention on sustainability, these physics-based AI models offer a more eco-friendly approach, appealing to investors focused on climate impact. As AI reshapes industries, these startups are proving there's more to AI than chatbots — it's about rethinking how we build the future.

FOUNDER NOTES

Today’s top founder & startup reads.

Read: 2025 could bring a wave of healthcare IPOs. Here's what startups should know, according to a top banker (Business Insider)

Watch: Why the $7.25 US minimum wage hasn't changed for 15 years (BI Explains)