Dharana Digital

21/05/2026

Traditionally, commissioning Customer and market research has been a time-consuming and expensive exercise. Where the outcomes can quickly outdate.

Until now!

AI for Customer & Market Research is the topic of our next free 30-minute webinar presented by Dr Karen Sutherland.

In this hands-on session, Dr Karen will show you how to compress weeks of customer and market research into a single afternoon, without sacrificing rigour.

There will be 3 demonstrations.

1. How to build a complete online survey in minutes.
2. Analyse customer data and surface real insight
3. Produce competitor and trend reports that sharpen strategy

In our webinars, there are no complicated tech talk. Just practical examples you can start using straight away.

- Learn how to turn customer feedback into useful marketing insights.
- Discover AI prompts that speed up audience research.
- Find gaps and opportunities your competitors are missing.

Register Now using this link:
https://streamyard.com/watch/E9bHMcNtbAKX

Event Details:

Free Online event
Date: Monday, 25 May
Time: 4pm AEST

If you can’t make the live session, register and we’ll send you the replay afterwards.


Dharana Digital

12/05/2026

AI Finds the Hidden Door. Instagram Removes the Lock.
These are two stories discussed in my Ticker interview with Ahron Young this morning.

Both stories focus on security measures that aren't keeping up.

On AI-driven cyber attacks:
-Google identified that cyber attackers are using AI to find vulnerabilities.
-Zero day incidents. Hidden doors in software.
-This particular attack was trying to bypass two-factor authentication.
-They'd still need login details, but they were getting closer.

The problem:
-You want the AI detecting this stuff to be as advanced as the AI trying to blast through security measures.
-Google found it this time. Which is good, but they have to be vigilant.
-Constantly checking. Making sure something like this can't happen.
-Two-factor authentication is a pain, but being hacked is worse.

The reality:
-It's AI versus AI now. Drones versus drones on the battlefield.
-AI trying to hack. AI trying to stop the hack.
-Businesses need someone on their team who is across this. An expert who can -keep up with what's happening in this space.
-It's changing too quickly for it to be just another task on someone's list.

On Instagram disabling encryption:
-Instagram has disabled end-to-end encryption for messages.
-Meta says it's for child safety. If you can't access messages where grooming and abuse is happening, you can't prove it.

What this means:
-Messages can probably be hacked now.
-Meta can access them. They say they won't be looking at people's messages, but people relied on those security measures.
-They need to be clearly informed that their messages are not as secure as they used to be.
-Meta owns WhatsApp too.
- WhatsApp constantly reminds you about encryption, safety, and security.
- Yet with Instagram? They've just removed it.
- Maybe they're piloting it. See what the response is like. Then roll it out more broadly.
- Or maybe people will stop messaging there, and go somewhere else if they want something private and secure.

Two stories, yet the same gap.
The threats are getting more sophisticated.
The protections are getting removed.
AI finds new ways to break in. Platforms remove the locks.
Who's actually keeping up?



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11/05/2026

Most conversations about new features in tools like Canva, focus on what they can do. But in practice, that’s not where the real change happens.

What really stands out with Canva’s latest AI features is the shift from doing the work yourself to directing it.

There’s no denying, the tools are improving quickly. But the outcome still depends on what you ask for, and how you direct the process.

In our recent free webinar, Dharana Digital Director Dr Karen Sutherland walks you through Canva’s latest AI features and, more importantly, what they actually change in your day-to-day work.

Watch the full session here:
https://youtu.be/v8jMGonJYR8?si=BYc9JpqLBlxEWwKb


Dharana Digital

08/05/2026

How do successful wellness business owners manage social media without letting it consume their lives?

In this clip, our Kokoon podcast guest Jackie Durnin, Founder of Hinterland Health Retreat shares her strategic approach to building an online presence while protecting her time and mental energy.

Learn why selective channel focus, time boundaries, and smart delegation can help you maintain your online presence without sacrificing your wellbeing.

Listen to the full conversation with our guest Jackie Durnin and your host Dr Karen Sutherland on Season 2, Episode 2 of Kokoon on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Or watch the full episode on the Dharana Digital YouTube channel.

06/05/2026

The AI Integration Sprint created and presented by Dr Karen Sutherland begins in just a few days.

In research conducted by Dr Karen across 450+ communication professionals in 10 countries, one issue kept emerging: we are being asked to “use AI”, but many people still don’t have a clear, safe, organisation-ready approach for doing so.

This three-week, certified programme through the AI Centre of Excellence - ACE is designed to change that.

In just three weeks you will:

🔥 Identify where AI genuinely adds value in your communication workflows.
🔥 Build governance your leadership team can approve.
🔥 Leave with a complete AI Integration Strategy ready to implement.

No prompt libraries.
No short-lived tactics.

Just applied, research-informed strategy for leaders where trust matters.

- Group Cohort starts: May 11–26, 2026
- 3–4 hours per week | Limited to 20 participants.
- Includes 1:1 AI consulting session with Dr Karen Sutherland ($300 value)
- Price: $750 AUD ( Maven Excellence Guarantee Included).

Your team is already using AI. The only question left is whether you are leading it or reacting to it.

For full details and registration, click here:
https://maven.com/dr-karen-sutherland/ai-integration-for-communication-leaders-part-1-foundations

06/05/2026

80% of CEOs Fear Losing Their Jobs Over AI. Meta Faces more Law Suits
Two stories from my Ticker interview with Ahron Young, both focused on who pays when things go wrong.

On CEOs and AI integration:
80% of CEOs fear losing their jobs due to failed AI adoption.
Boards are cracking the whip. Show us the ROI. Show us the efficiencies.
Show us the money.

The reality:
Very few organisations actually have an AI strategy.
Very few are delivering meaningful AI training.
Training is either sporadic, not keeping up with developments, or not customised to tasks people actually do.
A general prompt writing workshop isn't going to help.

What's needed:
Break it down. Get granular. Audit tasks by work role.
Work out where AI fits and where it doesn't.
AI won't do an entire workflow on its own. It'll do certain steps. Humans have to be involved.

The paradox:
Staff are so overloaded with tasks and deadlines that they don't have time to sit down and integrate AI to help them save time. Catch-22.
It looks good on paper. The reality is very different.

On Meta's New Mexico trial:
Meta's already been ordered to pay $375 million in civil penalties.
Now New Mexico is arguing that Meta poses a public safety threat.

The allegations:
Platform design features built to create negative impact on children.
Addiction. Cyberbullying. Body image issues.
Younger people heavily influenced by what they're seeing and comparing themselves.

Adults experience it too. The addiction issue is across the board.

What this means:
These court cases will determine whether platform design features have to be changed.
Whether tech companies are held accountable for how their platforms are built.

Two stories, yet the same question.

Who's accountable when technology doesn't deliver what was promised?
The CEO who can't integrate AI fast enough?
Or the platform that was designed to be addictive in the first place?



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04/05/2026

Missed our webinar last week where Dr Karen Sutherland showcased Canva’s new AI features?

You can now watch the full 30-minute session on our YouTube channel.

In this practical session, Dr Karen walks you through what these updates mean for your day-to-day work, including smarter design generation, built-in automation, scheduling, brand intelligence, web research and a whole lot more.

It’s a clear overview of what’s new, what’s genuinely useful, and where to focus your attention first.

Watch it now using the link below:
https://youtu.be/v8jMGonJYR8?si=HAViIAT80u37YIxy

Dharana Digital

Canva s New AI Features

01/05/2026

Most AI courses teach tools. This one teaches decisions.

In research conducted by Dr Karen Sutherland with 450+ communication professionals across 10 countries, a consistent challenge emerged: communication, marketing, and PR leaders are being asked to "use AI," but many do not yet have a clear, safe, organisation-ready approach for doing so.

This gap is exactly what the AI Integration Sprint has been designed to address.

Created and presented by Dr Karen Sutherland as a three-week intensive designed specifically for communication leaders.

The course is also certified by the AI Centre of Excellence (ACE) who are recognised pioneers in AI education and collaboration within the communication sector.

Rather than focusing on tools or short-term tactics, the programme supports leaders in making structured, defensible decisions about AI integration across their organisations.

In three weeks, participants will:

🔥 Map where AI genuinely adds value within communication workflows.
🔥 Build AI governance that leadership will actually approve, including an AI policy your team will follow.
🔥 Leave with a finished AI Integration Strategy tailored to your organisation.

There are no prompt libraries.
No content hacks that expire next week.
This course is built for leaders where trust and reputation are on the line.

It's research-informed, live and interactive, limited to 20 participants, and each person receives a complimentary AI consulting session with Dr Karen Sutherland ($300 value).

The next group cohort starts: May 11–26, 2026
Sessions are recorded for lifetime access.
Investment: $750 AUD, backed by the Maven Guarantee.

Your team is already using AI, the question is whether you're leading its use or just hoping for the best?

Find out more here:

https://maven.com/dr-karen-sutherland/ai-integration-for-communication-leaders-part-1-foundations

Dharana Digital AI Centre of Excellence - ACE

29/04/2026

China has blocked Meta's acquisition of Manus AI and Meta has also cut thousands of jobs to fund its AI ventures, all in the same week.
I discussed both stories this morning with Ahron Young on Ticker.

Here's what we covered:

On China blocking Meta's Manus acquisition:
China has stopped Meta from buying Manus, a Chinese AI startup.
Why it matters:
Manus is an agent tool. It can go off and do tasks for you on the internet.
I use it for desk research, but it can do so much more.

Meta's trying to embed it into Facebook. Every time you write a post now, Facebook has "reimagined your post" and wants you to write it through Manus.

Possible reasons for the block:
1. China wants to keep its talent and technology in the country. That's where Manus began.

2. Data concerns. Manus is now owned by an American company. They've shut their doors in China and moved to Singapore.

3. The ongoing AI race between the US and China. Constant competition.

The geopolitical context:
The US blocked Nvidia chips from going to China.
China and the US are racing to AGI.
The country that gets there first has considerable leverage over the others.
They're both rushing, both competing. Tit for tat.

On Meta and Microsoft mass layoffs:
Meta and Microsoft are cutting thousands of jobs as they pivot towards AI-driven efficiency.

Every week there's another announcement about more job cuts.

What's happening:
They're cutting staff to support their investment in AI.
Then once that happens, will they have the AI to replace even more staff?

The roles at risk:
Coders. Experts in the field say they don't even do much coding anymore.
They correct it and review it, but they're not actually coding themselves.

Entry-level roles. Basic tasks like desk research and writing.
Lower-level tasks you do when you're learning the ropes.

Meta's not hiring new staff either.
They're trying to be as lean as possible with their workforce.

Two stories. Same company. Same technology.

One country won't let them buy AI.

The other is cutting thousands of jobs to fund it.



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27/04/2026

Kokoon कोकून, the podcast for wellness professionals by wellness professionals, is back with a brand new episode.

Follow along with our latest conversation between Dharana Digital’s Director, Dr Karen Sutherland , and special guest, Mel Coleman Adi Nampreet from Adi Nampreet Yoga.

The topic: AI in the wellness space where ancient wisdom meets emerging technology.

How do we hold space for both?

What gets lost?

What gets amplified?

Listen to S2 Episode EP 10 on Spotify and Apple Podcasts or watch on the Dharana Digital YouTube Channel.

Are you a wellness practitioner with a long-standing career and expertise to support others in the field?

Please visit the Kokoon कोकून website and send us an application using the link below. https://www.dharanadigital.com/kokoon

We would love to hear from you, and so would others because we know that wellness professionals need care, too.

24/04/2026

Canva’s AI tools are now used by over 100 million people globally, yet most users are only scratching the surface of what they can actually do.

If you’ve ever opened Canva, tried one of the AI features, and thought “this isn’t quite what I wanted”… you’re not alone.

That’s exactly what we’re unpacking in this upcoming live webinar session.

Join Dr Karen Sutherland on Monday 27 April, 4pm AEST, for a practical walkthrough of how to actually use Canva’s AI tools properly, without the guesswork.

By attending this 30-minute webinar you'll:

🔺 See how prompts actually change your results. Small tweaks executed in completely different outputs. You’ll see it happen live.

🔺 Learn which Canva AI tools are worth using (and which aren’t). Not all features are created equal, we’ll show you what’s worth your time.

🔺 Watch real examples built from scratch. Just real-time creation so you can follow along.

🔺 Understand how to get consistent, usable outputs. Not just “close enough”, but results you can actually use in your marketing.

Details:
Monday 27 April
4pm AEST
FREE online event.

Don't worry if you can’t attend live, register and we’ll send you the recording.
https://lnkd.in/edb2ZNcf


Dharana Digital