Another Crazy Day in AI 35/104

Another Crazy Day in AI: The Motivation Trade-off

May 16
4 min read

Hello, AI Enthusiasts.

Another Friday, another chance to kick off your shoes and try not to think about work.

But before the weekend takes over, here’s a little food for thought: a new HBR article suggests that while GenAI makes us faster and sharper on the job, it might also make things... boring. Good thing the researchers offer tips for keeping teams energized without losing the AI edge.

Meanwhile, Netflix wants your ad breaks to be interactive. And Google Cloud wants to make AI literacy the new MBA.

A little perspective before your third coffee or first cocktail.

Here's another crazy day in AI:

The human cost of AI help
Netflix prepares mid-roll AI ads for streams
Google Cloud debuts gen AI training for business pros
Some AI tools to try out

TODAY'S FEATURED ITEM: When AI Helps but Motivation Slips

A robotic scientist in a classic white coat with 'AI Scientist' on its back stands beside a human scientist with 'Human Scientist' on their coat, looking towards the AI Scientist.

Image Credit: Wowza (created with Ideogram)

Can something that makes us more productive also leave us feeling uninspired?

A new study featured in Harvard Business Review explores an emerging pattern in workplaces using generative AI. Written by researchers Yukun Liu, Suqing Wu, Mengqi Ruan, Siyu Chen, and Xiao-Yun Xie from Zhejiang University, the article digs into how gen AI can both improve performance and unintentionally chip away at employees' intrinsic motivation. Based on a series of experiments with over 3,500 participants, their findings open up a critical conversation about how companies are integrating AI into everyday workflows—and the emotional trade-offs that may come with it.

Wu, S., Liu, Y., Ruan, M. et al. Human-generative AI collaboration enhances task performance but undermines human’s intrinsic motivation. Sci Rep 15, 15105 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-98385-2 — Wu, S., Liu, Y., Ruan, M. *et al.* Human-generative AI collaboration enhances task performance but undermines human’s intrinsic motivation. *Sci Rep* 15, 15105 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-98385-2

What the study noticed along the way:

Participants produced more polished, thoughtful work with gen AI support.
AI tools helped speed up tasks and improve confidence in outcomes.
Once AI was removed, participants showed lower engagement with similar tasks.
Some felt more bored or less challenged by tasks after using AI assistance.
The dip in motivation wasn’t tied to poor results—but to a shift in how the work felt.
A possible explanation: AI use may lessen the feeling of ownership or creative involvement.

The researchers don’t argue against the use of AI. Instead, they highlight the need for thoughtful integration. Their recommendations focus on reshaping how we design workflows—so that AI can support rather than replace the human drive for autonomy and creativity. Suggestions include blending AI-generated drafts with human insights, designing engaging solo tasks, rotating between assisted and non-assisted work, and offering training that encourages mindful use of AI tools.

The broader message is clear: productivity gains shouldn't come at the cost of human engagement. In trying to make work more efficient, we risk flattening the experience of doing the work itself. That loss might not be obvious right away, but over time, it can affect satisfaction, growth, and even retention.

What makes this research worth your attention is its balance. It doesn’t push hype or raise alarms. Instead, it lays out a measured, evidence-based look at something many professionals may already be feeling but haven’t quite named: the subtle shift in how work feels when AI becomes part of the process. It's a thoughtful prompt to reflect on what we want from our tools—and what we still need from our work.

Read the full article here.

Read the full paper here.

OTHER INTERESTING AI HIGHLIGHTS:

Netflix Prepares Mid-Roll AI Ads For Streams

/Scharon Harding, Senior Technology Reporter, on Ars Technica

Netflix is preparing to roll out generative AI-powered ads in 2026 as part of its growing ad-supported tier. At its latest upfront event, the company announced new formats like interactive mid-roll ads and pause ads designed to engage viewers with AI-enhanced creativity. With 94 million subscribers now on its ad tier, Netflix is rapidly expanding its in-house advertising platform to boost revenue and double ad earnings by 2025. These AI-generated ads signal a new era of dynamic and personalized ad experiences for streaming audiences.

Read more here.

Google Cloud Debuts Gen AI Training for Business Pros

/Erin Rifkin, Managing Director of Training and Certifications, on Google Cloud Blog

Google Cloud has launched a first-of-its-kind Generative AI Leader certification, aimed at non-technical professionals across roles like HR, marketing, and operations. Backed by real-world use cases, this new credential helps validate strategic understanding of gen AI and prepare professionals to lead adoption in their organizations. The $99 exam covers AI fundamentals, Google’s AI tools, techniques for improving outputs, and business strategies. A free learning path is also available, designed to empower the next generation of AI-literate leaders across industries.

Read more here.

SOME AI TOOLS TO TRY OUT:

Tome – Share ideas with AI-powered content, images, and presentations.
Samaya – AI agents that analyze market data and answer complex finance questions.
TranslateAIr – Instantly translates text and images without leaving your app.

That’s a wrap on today’s Almost Daily craziness.

Catch us almost every day—almost! 😉

EXCITING NEWS:

The Another Crazy Day in AI newsletter is on LinkedIn!!!

Leveraging AI for Enhanced Content: As part of our commitment to exploring new technologies, we used AI to help curate and refine our newsletters. This enriches our content and keeps us at the forefront of digital innovation, ensuring you stay informed with the latest trends and developments.

Another Crazy Day in AI: Your SEO Process Needs This

May 15
4 min read

Hello, AI Enthusiasts.

The inbox is slowing down, the snacks are calling, and your brain might already be halfway into the weekend. But before you unplug, here’s a little something to chew on:

If SEO’s on your plate, a Senior Marketing exec just dropped six ways to integrate AI that actually make sense—from repurposing videos to building custom GPTs. Fewer headaches, better results.

Need to level up your AI chops? A reader-supported publication for AI Engineers compiled a 50-piece reading list that skips the classics and gets straight to the stuff engineers actually need.

And YouTube’s new ad trick? They’re reading the room. Catching you right after the most emotional moment.

Here's another crazy day in AI:

How AI fits into everyday SEO
What every AI engineer should read in 2025
YouTube’s new AI tool finds the best time to show ads
Some AI tools to try out

TODAY'S FEATURED ITEM: Make AI Your SEO Sidekick

Image Credit: Wowza (created with Ideogram)

Are you using AI in your SEO workflow, or is it using you?

Search Engine Optimization is a long game, and for many marketers, it's been filled with tedious tasks and repetitive workflows. But with the right approach, AI can transform your everyday SEO—from speeding up content creation to finding hidden growth opportunities. Stephanie Wallace, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Nebo Agency, recently shared valuable insights on Search Engine Land about integrating AI into everyday SEO practices. She outlines six practical, responsible ways to embed AI into your SEO workflow—without cutting corners or losing your voice.

Whether you're looking to build a custom AI assistant or scale content with purpose, her guide offers tactical advice and real examples that go beyond basic prompts.

Create a GPT: Walk through some of the initial questions posed around what your GPT should do and who it’s for. Source: Stephanie Wallace — *Create a GPT: Walk through some of the initial questions posed around what your GPT should do and who it’s for.* Source: Stephanie Wallace

6 smarter ways to boost your SEO with AI (the right way):

Create a custom AI assistant tailored to your SEO needs for more consistent, specialized outputs.
Scale your content ideation by priming AI with audience personas, funnel stages, and keyword themes.
Perform faster content gap analyses to uncover missing topics and better compete with rival content.
Repurpose video content into blogs, social posts, or landing pages by using transcription + AI writing tools.
Use prompts strategically, giving clear direction, tone, audience, and examples for more accurate outputs.
Treat AI like a junior teammate—give it feedback, refine prompts, and iterate as you go.

Configure your GPT: Navigate to the Configure tab to further refine the GPT settings and instructions. Source: Stephanie Wallace — *Configure your GPT: Navigate to the Configure tab to further refine the GPT settings and instructions.* Source: Stephanie Wallace

What’s especially helpful about this piece is how grounded it is in actual use cases. The suggestions aren’t abstract—they’re practical, based on real workflows that teams are testing and refining. Wallace emphasizes the importance of balance: using AI where it adds efficiency, but staying involved where judgment, tone, and strategy still matter.

It’s a measured take that encourages experimentation, not over-reliance. Instead of adopting AI just to follow a trend, it’s about seeing where it fits into the work you're already doing—making small improvements that add up over time. For those navigating how to bring AI into an existing SEO process, this article offers a solid starting point and a few thoughtful reminders along the way.

Read the full article here.

OTHER INTERESTING AI HIGHLIGHTS:

What Every AI Engineer Should Read in 2025

/Latent Space

Latent Space has curated a practical, focused reading list of 50 essential papers, models, and blogs for AI engineers — covering everything from LLMs and prompting to RAG, agents, and diffusion. Designed for engineers who want to build, not just theorize, the list skips academic classics in favor of what actually matters in 2025 AI workflows. Whether you're fine-tuning models, experimenting with Chain-of-Thought prompting, or implementing retrieval-augmented generation, there’s something useful here. Think of it as a one-year crash course in the current state of AI engineering.

Read more here.

YouTube’s New AI Tool Finds The Best Time To Show Ads

/Lauren Forristal, on TechCrunch

YouTube is launching “Peak Points,” a new AI-powered ad format that inserts ads immediately after emotionally intense or highly engaging moments in videos. Powered by Google’s Gemini AI, the system analyzes content to determine when viewers are most captivated, then delivers an ad right after. While it’s a smart play for advertisers seeking to maximize recall, it may frustrate users who want to stay in the moment. YouTube also introduced a new shoppable product feed, making it easier for users to shop directly from ads.

Read more here.

SOME AI TOOLS TO TRY OUT:

Skarbe – Automates your sales workflow, no traditional CRM needed.
Tensorlake Cloud – Turns messy documents into clean, structured, AI-ready data.
Curio – Interactive experiences that bring toys to life and spark imagination.

That’s a wrap on today’s Almost Daily craziness.

Catch us almost every day—almost! 😉

EXCITING NEWS:

The Another Crazy Day in AI newsletter is on LinkedIn!!!

Another Crazy Day in AI: How to Teach Models to Say “I Don’t Know”

May 14
4 min read

Hello, AI Enthusiasts.

If your brain's a bit fried by now, Google Research just gave us something fresh to chew on. They’re rethinking RAG systems—not just for relevance but for sufficiency. The takeaway? It’s not enough for AI to find facts. It needs enough of the right ones to actually answer (or know when not to).

Meanwhile, arketing pros are hitting the brakes on over-AI’d content. And if you’re on TikTok, your still photos are about to start moving. Literally.

Wednesdays used to be slow. Not anymore.

Here's another crazy day in AI:

Why RAG systems still hallucinate
Avoiding the AI marketing trap
TikTok introduces AI Alive to animate your photos
Some AI tools to try out

TODAY'S FEATURED ITEM: When AI Should Say Nothing

Image Credit: Wowza (created with Ideogram)

What if your AI model could tell you when it shouldn’t answer?

Researchers Cyrus Rashtchian and Da-Cheng Juan propose a new way to evaluate retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) systems—not just by how relevant the retrieved context is, but by whether it’s sufficient. Their paper, “Sufficient Context: A New Lens on Retrieval Augmented Generation Systems,” was presented at ICLR 2025 and dives into why RAG models hallucinate, how to classify when context is actually enough to answer a question, and what we can do to reduce false outputs.

They introduce the concept of “sufficient context”—the idea that the retrieved information must include everything needed to produce a correct answer. Using a new automatic rating method and a selective generation approach, they examine when it might be better for a model to skip answering altogether. Interestingly, their work shows that providing more context can sometimes make things worse—leading to hallucinations when the extra information isn’t quite right.

What they discovered about how RAG systems really behave:

Relevance ≠ Sufficiency: Context may be on-topic but still not have the information needed to answer a question accurately.
Introducing the “autorater”: An LLM-based tool classifies context as sufficient or insufficient with 93%+ accuracy—no ground truth answers needed.
Top models still struggle: Even the best models (Gemini, GPT, Claude) tend to hallucinate when context is insufficient, instead of just saying “I don’t know.”
Smaller models hallucinate more: Open-source models often fail even when context is technically sufficient.
More context, more confidence... more hallucinations: Adding context increases the risk of confident, wrong answers—especially in models like Gemma.
Selective generation helps: Combining model confidence with sufficiency ratings reduces hallucinations without sacrificing too many correct answers.
Dataset matters: Datasets like FreshQA, with human-curated supporting docs, provide more sufficient context than others like HotPotQA.

The implications are far-reaching for anyone working with RAG pipelines or trying to improve trust in AI-generated responses. Instead of focusing only on document relevance or retrieval hit rates, the paper encourages a closer look at whether the input truly supports a reliable answer. This shift in evaluation could influence how future systems are trained, optimized, and judged in real-world use.

For builders, this opens up a practical takeaway: sometimes, less is more. Knowing when not to answer—or when the retrieved context doesn’t cut it—might be just as important as knowing the right thing to say. As more teams deploy AI assistants into high-stakes settings, understanding and applying the idea of “sufficient context” could be key to reducing costly errors and improving user trust.

Read the full blog here.

Read the full paper here.

OTHER INTERESTING AI HIGHLIGHTS:

Avoiding the AI Marketing Trap

/Olivia Bunescu, Senior Associate Editor, on Multi-Housing News

As AI takes center stage in modern marketing strategies, experts warn against over-reliance. While AI tools streamline workflows and spark ideas, they can’t replace human intuition, emotional intelligence, or strategic thinking. From mishandling negative reviews to generating tone-deaf content, the risks of letting AI steer your messaging are real. Marketers are encouraged to treat AI as a creative collaborator—not the lead driver.

Read more here.

TikTok Introduces AI Alive To Animate Your Photos

/TikTok Newsroom

TikTok’s newest feature, AI Alive, transforms still images into dynamic video stories with atmospheric motion and expressive effects—no editing experience required. Integrated directly into the Story Camera, this creative tool brings static moments to life through subtle animation and sound, unlocking fresh storytelling possibilities for everyday users. Safety and transparency are built in, including visible AI-generated labels and behind-the-scenes content checks. It's another step in TikTok’s push to democratize creative tools for its global user base.

Read more here.

SOME AI TOOLS TO TRY OUT:

Fluig – Turn documents and ideas into diagrams instantly with AI.
Willow Voice – Fast, accurate AI dictation that works across any app.
Gleo AI – Rehearse tough conversations and get feedback on your speaking style.

That’s a wrap on today’s Almost Daily craziness.

Catch us almost every day—almost! 😉

EXCITING NEWS:

The Another Crazy Day in AI newsletter is on LinkedIn!!!