Welcome to the forefront of conversational AI as we explore the fascinating world of AI chatbots in our dedicated blog series. Discover the latest advancements, applications, and strategies that propel the evolution of chatbot technology. From enhancing customer interactions to streamlining business processes, these articles delve into the innovative ways artificial intelligence is shaping the landscape of automated conversational agents. Whether you’re a business owner, developer, or simply intrigued by the future of interactive technology, join us on this journey to unravel the transformative power and endless possibilities of AI chatbots.
News and information on Shell Plc
A 30-year dispute between activist John Donovan and energy giant Shell has entered an unexpected digital phase. Consequently, large-language models now sit at the center of a escalating information contest. Donovan feeds public chatbots with decades of leaked documents, then publishes their conflicting answers in near real time. Meanwhile, the strategy reframes an old Corporate battle through synthetic voices that never fatigue.
Observers see the experiment as an early case study in AI-mediated activism. Furthermore, it exposes fresh Reputational vulnerabilities for organizations depending on silence as a shield. ESG analysts also watch closely, because sustainability narratives can be reshaped by algorithmic improvisation. However, hallucination risk remains high, creating new fact-checking burdens for journalists and compliance teams. Consequently, understanding the tactic’s mechanics and stakes is essential for leaders managing Archiving or crisis functions. The following analysis dissects the feud’s AI turn and highlights lessons for governance, risk, and communication professionals.
Donovan began querying Microsoft Copilot about Shell on 29 October 2025. Subsequently, he repeated identical prompts across ChatGPT, Grok, and Google AI Mode. He then posted every transcript side by side on his website. Moreover, the public display allowed lay readers to compare inconsistent narratives instantly. The move revived Corporate drama that mainstream outlets had largely overlooked since 2009. Reuters had profiled Donovan’s campaign then, yet coverage faded until the bots spoke. In contrast, Donovan calls the present escalation a “bot war,” signalling ongoing offensive intent. His site claims an archive of more than 76,000 Shell-related records, all primed for future prompts. Therefore, the volume offers nearly limitless raw material for synthetic storytellers. This section of the feud shows how cheap AI access can scale archival amplification overnight.
These early moves repositioned the battlefield. Consequently, Shell faces unpredictable narrative surges generated by external systems.
At its core, Donovan’s workflow is simple yet potent. He selects a historical claim, usually from his Archiving repository. Next, he crafts a concise prompt referencing that claim. Further, the same prompt hits multiple models minutes apart. When divergences emerge, he screenshots the outputs and annotates them with commentary.
The approach unfolds in four repeatable steps:
Furthermore, satire layers—like fictional “ShellBot” personas—make the material shareable beyond legal circles. Experts label such activity AI-mediated amplification, because machine outputs act as rhetorical multipliers. Nevertheless, the tactic exploits well-known weaknesses in generative models. Hallucinations, for example, can invent events that never happened. Consequently, unsuspecting readers may treat fabricated text as authentic evidence. Corporate communication teams struggle when falsehoods spread faster than traditional rebuttals. These mechanical details set the stage for deeper risk analysis. Therefore, the next section examines potential organizational exposure.
Generative models remain probability engines, not verified archives. Moreover, their confident tone can mask uncertainty. In 2025, Deloitte refunded the Queensland government after an AI-assisted report cited nonexistent sources. That fiasco underlines financial, legal, and Reputational consequences when hallucinations escape review. Similarly, Donovan’s side-by-side transcripts sometimes reveal models misattributing sabotage allegations to Shell executives. If journalists repeat such errors, Corporate liability could follow. ESG investors monitoring social feeds may downgrade ratings based on the same distortions. Consequently, share price volatility could accelerate.
Academic studies show hallucination rates vary but persist across model versions. Oxford researchers recently linked higher semantic entropy to error spikes. Additionally, OpenAI papers attribute hallucinations to optimization for fluency over factuality. Therefore, Donovan’s multi-model approach almost guarantees visible contradictions. These discrepancies provide viral screenshots yet threaten broader information integrity. Eventually, regulators may demand audit logs whenever Corporate actors rely on chatbot content. Such requirements would raise governance costs considerably.
Risks now extend beyond PR annoyances. Meanwhile, compliance leaders must anticipate litigation, investor action, and policy scrutiny.
Shell has mostly stayed silent throughout the AI phase. However, silence itself fuels Reputational speculation in online forums. PR strategists warn that delayed responses can signal indifference to stakeholders. In contrast, an immediate rebuttal can amplify the disputed content further. Therefore, communication chiefs face a dilemma commonly termed the “amplification trap.” Adding ESG framing complicates messaging, because sustainability claims undergo heightened scrutiny. Meanwhile, AI transcripts can remix climate statements, altering perceived commitments overnight.
Donovan’s extensive Archiving enables quick retrieval of documents supporting his narrative. Moreover, he can surface forgotten memos faster than Corporate historians. Consequently, Shell’s past statements receive renewed attention under an algorithmic magnifying glass. Journalists following links may bypass paywalled databases, because Donovan hosts scanned originals. Therefore, companies must assume every historical record can reemerge without warning.
The publicity stakes now span decades of stored data. Nevertheless, proactive disclosure plans can reduce surprise disclosures.
Organizations can blunt AI-driven disruption through structured processes. First, internal Archiving should adopt retrieval-augmented generation systems that anchor outputs in verified sources. Secondly, all outbound chatbot content must undergo cross-model comparison and human vetting. Additionally, maintain a living issues brief so executives see emerging narratives quickly. Crisis teams should rehearse responses that acknowledge uncertainty yet supply primary documents promptly. Moreover, investing in staff training enhances fluency with AI risk. Professionals can deepen that expertise through the AI Researcher™ certification. Consequently, certified staff can evaluate model behavior before public release. Corporate governance committees should request quarterly audits covering hallucination frequency and content safety. Furthermore, ESG reporting frameworks increasingly ask for disclosure of AI controls. Therefore, aligning technical safeguards with sustainability metrics strengthens overall assurance.
Key immediate actions include:
These steps build resilience against synthetic narrative shocks.
Effective governance reduces surprise and cost. Consequently, leaders can shift focus back to strategic objectives.
Donovan’s campaign demonstrates how individuals can weaponize open models against powerful firms. Nevertheless, the same technologies offer defensive advantages when implemented responsibly. Corporate leaders should view multi-model monitoring as an early warning radar. Meanwhile, ESG investors will judge response speed and transparency. Organizations that release verifiable datasets can undercut speculation and build stakeholder trust. Furthermore, sharing structured evidence aligns with Reputational recovery best practices. However, no technical fix removes the need for honest communication. Therefore, aligning narrative management with ethical principles remains critical.
Strategic integration of technology and ethics defines future resilience. Subsequently, we explore actionable conclusions.
The Shell-Donovan bot war will likely inspire similar campaigns against other Corporate giants across industries. Moreover, it proves that archival access plus public AI equals outsized influence. Consequently, organizations must mature their AI governance, Reputational monitoring, and Archiving strategies in parallel. Transparent handling of synthetic content further strengthens stakeholder confidence. Nevertheless, technical safeguards alone are insufficient. Authentic dialogue and rapid evidence release remain the cornerstone of sustained Corporate credibility. Therefore, readers should audit their own AI workflows today. Consider upskilling teams through the previously mentioned AI Researcher™ certification to navigate emerging challenges. Proactive action now can convert risk into competitive resilience.
Posted in: AI, AI Hallucinations, bot war, Business ethics, Business Principles, ChatGPT, Copilot, Donovan Shell Feud, Donovan Shell Radioactive Archive, Environment, Google A1 Mode, GoogleNews, John Donovan, Litigation.
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Sir Henri Deterding, the controversial and outspoken founder of Royal Dutch Shell, now haunts the website. Wise to all the knowledge of Shell, and its shellanigans, he delivers informative and satirical insight to anything about Shell. He’s a grumpy old sod, so you’ll have to excuse his bluntness.
Click the big chat-bubble (bottom-right of the website) to ask Sir Henri a question. Enjoy!
EBOOK TITLE: “SIR HENRI DETERDING AND THE NAZI HISTORY OF ROYAL DUTCH SHELL” – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
EBOOK TITLE: “JOHN DONOVAN, SHELL’S NIGHTMARE: MY EPIC FEUD WITH THE UNSCRUPULOUS OIL GIANT ROYAL DUTCH SHELL” – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.
EBOOK TITLE: “TOXIC FACTS ABOUT SHELL REMOVED FROM WIKIPEDIA: HOW SHELL BECAME THE MOST HATED BRAND IN THE WORLD” – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.
I ordered shell energy broadband on nov 2. I was promised connection the following week. They initiated the direct debit. I called the following week and was told router would arrive on 13 and service would go live on 17. No further email or communication until 20 when I was told service would start on 30th. Spent 10 minutes waiting on phone line and spoke to a polite assistant who was absolutely useless in solving my problem. Avoid this unprofessional and chaotic… Read more
I used shell broadband. It was by far the worst broadband provider ever! The internet did not work most days. I had their super fast broadband and it dropped out constantly. Watching a movie was awful with the constant buffering. Customer support was super slow. Now their going to charge me for the useless router which I have sent back.
Date of experience: 21 November 2023
I used shell broadband. It was by far the worst broadband provider ever! The internet did not work most days. I had their super fast broadband and it dropped out constantly. Watching a movie was awful with the constant buffering. Customer support was super slow. Now their going to charge me for the useless router which I have sent back.
Date of experience: 21 November 2023
See our link list of over 500 articles by the FT, Wall Street Journal, Reuters, Bloomberg, Forbes, Dow Jones Newswires, New York Times, CNBC etc, plus UK House of Commons Select Committee Hansard records, information on U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission website etc. all containing references to our Shell focussed websites, or our website founders Alfred and John Donovan. Includes TV documentary features in English and German, newspaper and magazine articles, radio interviews, newsletters etc. Plus academic papers, Stratfor intelligence reports and UK, U.S. and Australian state/parliamentary publications, also citing our Shell websites. Click on this link to see the entire list, all in date order with a link to an index of over 100 books also containing references to our non-profit websites and/or our activities.
John Donovan, the website owner
This is not a Shell website. The nature of this platform should be evident from the content presented here and on our related Shell-focused websites, including shellnazihistory.com. For more details, please refer to the Disclaimer link at the top of this page. Shell does not endorse or approve of this website.
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