Figure AI's Robot Marathon, Vatican's AI Ethics, and Musk vs. OpenAI Trial Unfold

In this episode of "The Monthly Signal: AI in Marketing," we delve into the latest developments in AI and its impact across various sectors. Figure AI's livestream showcases humanoid robots processing over 33,000 packages, highlighting the potential of bipedal automation in logistics. Meanwhile, Pope Leo XIV establishes a Vatican study group on AI, advocating for an ethics-based approach in his upcoming encyclical. Commencement speeches in 2026 reveal mixed sentiments towards AI, with some speakers facing backlash from students. The Pentagon prioritizes AI in its military strategy, aiming to establish an "AI-first fighting force." Despite efforts by companies like OpenAI and Anthropic, AI safety measures are often bypassed, raising concerns about security vulnerabilities. Nectar Social secures $30 million in funding to expand its AI-powered marketing platform. A federal jury deliberates Elon Musk's lawsuit against OpenAI, questioning the organization's shift from nonprofit to for-profit. Finally, Chris Breslin of New York Life emphasizes the importance of adapting to AI advancements and maintaining high standards in communication. Tune in for a comprehensive overview of these pivotal AI stories. Stan Berteloot is a French-American journalist, marketing strategist, and AI expert based in Princeton, New Jersey. A University of Maryland journalism graduate, he navigates the intersection of storytelling, technology, and culture. As Chief Innovation Officer at Nytro Marketing, he pioneered AI-driven content creation, launching the AI in Marketing podcast. He also hosts Back in America, a podcast exploring American identity through in-depth conversations on race, misinformation, and AI ethics. The Monthly Signal: AI in Marketing A monthly roundup of the most salient, most read, most liked, and most consequential AI in marketing insights, with a focus on what actually changes how you work. → Subscribe here Enjoy the show? Leave AI in Marketing a five-star rating — it takes ten seconds and helps more people find the podcast. Start your VoiceStream free trial today! If you're trying to get on more podcasts, PodMatch.com connects you directly with hosts who are actively looking for guests. Stan Berteloot is a French-American journalist, marketing strategist, and AI expert based in Princeton, New Jersey. A University of Maryland journalism graduate, he navigates the intersection of storytelling, technology, and culture. As Chief Innovation Officer at Nytro Marketing, he pioneered AI-driven content creation, launching the AI in Marketing podcast. He also hosts Back in America, a podcast exploring American identity through in-depth conversations on race, misinformation, and AI ethics. The Monthly Signal: AI in Marketing A monthly roundup of the most salient, most read, most liked, and most consequential AI in marketing insights, with a focus on what actually changes how you work. → Subscribe here Enjoy the show? Leave AI in Marketing a five-star rating — it takes ten seconds and helps more people find the podcast. Start your VoiceStream free trial today! If you're trying to get on more podcasts, PodMatch.com connects you directly with hosts who are actively looking for guests. 📚 Sources: https://www.humanoidsdaily.com/news/figure-ai-s-8-hour-gamble-becomes-a-livestream-marathon-33-000-packages-and-no-robot-failures https://www.wral.com/news/ap/889c0-the-vatican-has-said-a-lot-about-artificial-intelligence-a-primer-ahead-of-the-popes-encyclical/ https://techcrunch.com/2026/05/17/if-youre-giving-a-commencement-speech-in-2026-maybe-dont-mention-ai/ https://www.perplexity.ai/page/pentagon-officials-tell-congre-ASz7l1PXQxup3u4zhoKHKA https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/14/technology/artificial-intelligence-safety-controls.html https://techcrunch.com/2026/05/16/marketing-operating-system-nectar-social-raises-30m-series-a-in-round-led-by-menlo/ https://www.wired.com/story/musk-v-altman-trial-closing-arguments/ https://www.prdaily.com/how-a-new-york-life-vp-is-preparing-teams-for-the-ai-era/