Two landmark global studies published this month reveal something the AI industry is not yet ready to hear. Public trust in AI is falling in the markets that matter most, and the information environment through which people form their opinions about it is in crisis. This is not a communications problem. It is a strategic one. Julio Romo draws on data from the Ipsos AI Monitor 2026 and the Reuters Institute Digital News Report 2026 to examine what the signals mean for AI companies, governments, and investors, and why tactical communications is making the trust deficit worse, not better.

Sir Martin Sorrell is wrong. Reputation is not built through volume and reach — it is built through trust, judgement and behaviour over time. The argument that leadership communications needs.

The 2025 US National Security Strategy marks a break from liberal globalisation. Supply-chain control and strategic competition are now board-level priorities. What this means for investors and executives.

Most M&A failures are not caused by financial errors but by mismanaged perception, weak private engagement and cultural misunderstanding. Trust, reputation and strategic advisory must sit at the centre of every deal. This article explains why private communications, geopolitical fluency and cultural intelligence are now essential to securing stakeholder confidence and protecting value.

AI is transforming consulting, but leaders still need human judgment and expertise. This is why strategists skilled in perception, reputation, and trust are essential to harness AI that builds confidence that drives growth.

What soft power is, how countries use it to shape diplomacy, trade and investment, and why it still matters in a more contested, multipolar world. The Foreign Policy Centre has just released its latest report outlining a way forward for the UK Government to develop soft power.

As AI transforms work, human skills, trust, empathy, and reputation, are becoming the true growth drivers. Leaders in business, government, and investment must use AI for productivity, not just efficiency, to secure long-term resilience and competitive advantage.

Britain has no shortage of talent or ideas, but it lacks a culture that truly values ambition, risk-taking, and entrepreneurial success. While US founders are celebrated, UK entrepreneurs are met with scepticism, short-sighted policy, and a narrative that undermines their contribution. I explore the damaging myths around wealth creation, the perception gap at the heart of UK policymaking, and the steps we must take to reposition entrepreneurship as a national asset, not a problem to manage.

Europe’s deep-tech ambitions depend on more than just research and capital, they hinge on trust, strategic collaboration, and clear communication. The European Innovation Council’s latest Corporate Startup Collaboration report shows how the EU is working to unlock growth through corporate venture capital (CVC). But to truly compete with the U.S. and Asia, Europe must go further: aligning incentives, strengthening positioning, and using strategic communications to build confidence and scale impact.