Tech CEOs are writing 6,500-word manifestos. Who’s actually reading?

Tech executives have been crafting extensive essays on AI policy and corporate responsibility, with Meta's Mark Zuckerberg leading the charge with a 6,500-word manifesto. These lengthy pieces aim to clarify their vision for AI and influence public opinion as Wall Street closely tracks their spending and rivals compete for dominance.

Columbia Business School professor Dan Wang suggests the intention is to define the boundaries of AI's potential utility before commercializing it. However, some communication specialists argue these essays serve more as a display of dominance among the tech elite, akin to marking territory. With short attention spans prevalent today, the question arises whether anyone beyond the tech executives themselves actually reads these multi-thousand word articles.

Warren Buffett's annual letters to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders serve as a compelling model of effective long-form leadership. Buffett's letters, often exceeding 10,000 words, provided deep insights into the year's events and company performance, all the while maintaining clarity and simplicity. Buffett's approach emphasized earning the right to be heard over time through his consistent results and straightforward communication style.

Unlike the tech CEOs, Buffett directly addressed his audience - his sisters, individuals outside finance who still managed to grasp his business explanations. The real challenge lies not in the act of writing, but in earning the trust and attention of the audience.