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Another Crazy Day in AI: An Almost Daily Newsletter


Hello, AI Enthusiasts.


After a full week, it’s time to unwind and enjoy the weekend ahead. Whether you’re kicking back after a hectic day or gearing up for some well-deserved downtime, we’ve got some interesting updates to share with you!


Fresh from the bustling ASAE 2024 Annual Meeting, Ray van Hilst from Yoko Consulting shares key AI insights. Missed the event? Don’t worry—we’ve summarized all the key points for you!


Also, don’t miss Applied AI’s upcoming event on Gen AI and a new update from Google's Gemini.


Have a fantastic Labor Day weekend and enjoy the read! 🎉


Here's another crazy day in AI:


  • AI’s Impact on Associations: Key Learnings from ASAE’s 2024 Meeting

  • Applied AI’s First Thursdays Event: Practical Uses of Generative AI

  • Gmail Q&A: Gemini AI expands to mobile devices

  • Some AI tools to try out


TODAY'S FEATURED ITEM: Strategic AI for Associations from ASAE 2024


Source: ASAE TV Daily Recap: Day 1 from the 2024 ASAE Annual Meeting & Exposition

Source: ASAE TV Daily Recap: Day 1 from the 2024 ASAE Annual Meeting & Exposition



How can associations navigate the complexities of AI while staying true to their mission and values?


At the recent ASAE 2024 Annual Meeting, AI took center stage, sparking both excitement and concern among association leaders. Ray van Hilst, Director of Client Results at Yoko Consulting, offers a comprehensive look at the AI landscape for associations, balancing the promise of innovation with the need for responsible implementation.


Key insights from the conference:

  • AI Integration: Like it or not, AI is becoming an integral part of daily operations. From content creation to data analysis, it's already embedded in many tools associations use. The challenge? Leveraging AI to do more with less without losing the human touch.

  • Strategic Alignment: Don't fall for the "shiny object syndrome." AI adoption should be tied to your association's strategic objectives. Whether it's increasing content production or optimizing member services, AI should serve your mission, not dictate it.

  • Transparency: Be upfront about your AI use. If you're using AI to draft content or summarize meetings, let your members know. Transparency isn't just ethical – it's a trust-builder.

  • Ethical Considerations: Associations face unique ethical challenges with AI, including potential misinformation, bias, copyright issues, and data privacy concerns. Staying vigilant and establishing clear guidelines is crucial.

  • Evolving Policies: Your AI policies shouldn't collect dust. They need regular updates to keep pace with rapidly evolving technology and changing terms of service. Make them accessible, understandable, and reinforced through ongoing training.

  • Managing Shadow IT: Unmanaged AI tool usage can lead to security vulnerabilities and data inconsistencies. Clear policies and oversight are essential to prevent these risks.

  • Data and Knowledge Governance: For AI to function effectively, it needs accurate, up-to-date information. Prioritize data and knowledge governance to ensure your AI tools are working with the best possible inputs.

The path forward for associations in the AI era is one of balanced innovation. It's about harnessing the power of AI to enhance operations, improve member services, and drive mission fulfillment, while simultaneously navigating the ethical, legal, and practical challenges it presents.


As AI continues to evolve, associations must stay informed and adaptable. This means investing in ongoing education for staff and leadership, regularly reassessing AI tools and practices, and maintaining a steadfast commitment to ethical AI use. By approaching AI with a mix of enthusiasm and thoughtful consideration, associations can position themselves at the forefront of innovation while staying true to their core values and member-centric missions. The key lies in viewing AI not as a replacement for human expertise and connection, but as a powerful tool to augment and enhance the valuable work associations do. With careful planning, clear policies, and a focus on ethical implementation, associations can leverage AI to better serve their members, advance their missions, and navigate the complexities of an increasingly digital world.


Read the full article here.

OTHER INTERESTING AI HIGHLIGHTS:


Applied AI’s First Thursdays Event: Practical Uses of Generative AI

/Applied AI

Join Nate Tower from Perrill at the upcoming Applied AI First Thursdays event as he shares how his team overcame initial AI implementation challenges. Discover the strategies he used to build excitement and commitment to AI across his organization. Ideal for those looking to create a culture of AI enthusiasm at work.


Date and Time: Thursday, September 5th, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM CDT

Location: Lab651 | Custom Software Development & Process

(550 Vandalia St 231 Saint Paul, MN 55114)


Read more here.


Gmail Q&A: Gemini AI expands to mobile devices


/Jay Peters, The Verge


Google’s Gemini AI chatbot is now expanding to mobile, allowing users to interact with Gmail Q&A features. This update lets you ask questions about your inbox, find specific emails, and summarize content. Initially available on Android with iOS coming soon, it requires a Google One AI Premium subscription or certain Google Workspace plans. Keep in mind to verify the accuracy of responses, as AI can sometimes generate incorrect information.


Read more here.


SOME AI TOOLS TO TRY OUT:



  • Podcraftr - effortlessly convert written content into engaging podcasts

  • Swatle - all-in-one team collaboration hub with AI-powered project management, instant chat, and task automation

  • Clockwise Prism - intelligent calendar that streamlines scheduling by interacting directly with your requests, optimizing your schedule automatically


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


Catch us almost every day—almost! 😉


Wowza, Inc.

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: An Almost Daily Newsletter


Hello, AI Enthusiasts.


With the week moving along, it’s time to relax and catch up on AI developments. Today’s highlight is Google Gemini’s dual upgrade—find out what’s new and how it could influence the AI landscape as you enjoy your evening.


Enjoy the read and have a great night!


Here's another crazy day in AI:


  • Gemini upgrades with custom chatbots and enhanced image generation

  • A new AI productivity wearable: Plaud’s NotePin

  • AI misses spelling simple words like 'strawberry'

  • Some AI tools to try out


TODAY'S FEATURED ITEM: Gemini Upgrades: Gems & Imagen 3


Google Gemini/Image Credit: Google

Image Credit: Google



Tired of generic chatbots and lackluster image generation?


Google’s latest updates to Gemini might just be the game-changer you’ve been waiting for.


Just a few hours ago, Google has just rolled out two groundbreaking updates to Gemini that could transform the way you interact with AI. Dave Citron, Senior Director of Product Management for Gemini Experiences, introduced Custom Gems and the enhanced Imagen 3 image generation model. These features are designed to give users more control and creativity in how they use AI.


Source: Google


Let's dive into what's new:

  • Custom Gems: Create personalized AI experts for any topic or task, available to Gemini Advanced, Business, and Enterprise users, with pre-built options like Learning Coach, Brainstormer, and Career Guide.

  • Imagen 3 Image Generation: A significant leap in AI-created visuals, accessible across all Gemini Apps and languages, capable of generating diverse styles from photorealistic to fantastical.

  • User-Centric Design: Features built-in safeguards and ethical guidelines with easy image refinement through user feedback.

  • Human Image Generation: A carefully implemented feature for creating images of people, initially available to Advanced, Business, and Enterprise users, with strict policies against generating identifiable individuals.

  • Global Rollout: Custom Gems launching in over 150 countries, and Imagen 3 set for a phased release to a wider audience.


Image Credit: Imagen 3 / Prompt: A vibrant abstract painting with the words "Dream Big" splashed across the canvas in bold colors.

Image Credit: Imagen 3 / Prompt: A vibrant abstract painting with the words "Dream Big”

splashed across the canvas in bold colors.


These updates represent more than just technological advancements; they're a step towards a future where AI adapts to us, not the other way around. As these features roll out globally, we're likely to see a surge in creativity, productivity, and innovation across various fields.


The question is: How will you take advantage of these innovations to transform your approach and results?



Read the full article here.

OTHER INTERESTING AI HIGHLIGHTS:


A new AI productivity wearable: Plaud’s NotePin

/David Pierce on The Verge

Plaud’s new AI device, NotePin, is designed to help users capture and manage their daily activities. This wearable, which can be worn around the neck, wrist, or clipped to clothing, records conversations and meetings with a simple tap. Unlike other devices, NotePin emphasizes user control and privacy by requiring manual activation for recording. Its AI features include transcription, summarization, and action item extraction, aiming to enhance productivity. The device has a battery life of up to 20 hours and costs $169, with advanced features available via a $79 annual subscription. Plaud’s NotePin offers a fresh approach to wearable technology, focusing on practical applications for organizing and recalling information.


Read more here.


AI misses spelling simple words like 'strawberry'


/Amanda Silberling on TechCrunch


Despite the impressive capabilities of large language models (LLMs) like GPT-4, they often struggle with seemingly simple tasks, such as accurately counting letters in a word. This challenge stems from the fact that LLMs process text as tokens, which are broader representations of words or concepts, rather than handling individual letters. For instance, when asked about the number of “r”s in “strawberry,” these models may falter because they don’t process text in a manner akin to human cognitive functions. This limitation reveals a significant gap between AI's text processing and human-like understanding. Compounding the issue are complexities with multilingual text and tokenization. Efforts like OpenAI’s upcoming Strawberry model aim to tackle these problems, but the struggle highlights the ongoing limitations in AI’s text comprehension capabilities.


Read more here.


SOME AI TOOLS TO TRY OUT:



  • Kraftful 3.0 - instantly analyze user feedback with AI to refine your product


  • Brighterway - AI-driven tool to focus on key medical records, saving you time


  • PackPack - one-click browser extension for saving and summarizing web content



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


Catch us almost every day—almost! 😉


Wowza, Inc.

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: An Almost Daily Newsletter


Hello, AI Enthusiasts.


Good evening! After a packed Tuesday, we’ve lined up some captivating AI content for you. Imagine cloning your voice and setting an AI version of yourself loose on the world—well, one journalist did just that, and it’s all in this thrilling podcast. Definitely one to check out!


And we’re also covering some exciting AI innovations that might soon change the way we work and communicate. Ready to dive in?


Here's another crazy day in AI:


  • When your voice takes on a life of its own

  • Google Meet's new note-taking AI

  • Apple's first AI-driven iPhone set to debut

  • Some AI tools to try out


TODAY'S FEATURED ITEM: The Digital Doppelganger Experiment


Person holding a phone with a screen showing 'AI CHATBOT' at the top and 'WOWZA' in the middle.

Image Credit: Shell Game's logo + Canva stock photos and magic expand



Have you ever wondered what would happen if an AI version of yourself was set loose in the world?


In the first episode of the podcast Shell Game, journalist Evan Ratliff takes us on a wild ride through the world of AI voice cloning. He creates a digital copy of his own voice, hooks it up to an AI chatbot, and basically creates a virtual Evan. Then, he lets this AI version of himself loose to interact with everyone from customer service reps to scammers, and even his own family. It's like a bizarre social experiment meets tech adventure.


Listen to the Podcast via Apple Podcast



Key takeaways from Ratliff's journey:

  1. Voice cloning technology has made significant strides, producing synthetic voices that can often pass for human.

  2. AI-driven voice agents can now conduct independent phone conversations, raising questions about the future of communication.

  3. The technology presents complex ethical dilemmas surrounding identity, deception, and human-AI interaction.

  4. Voice cloning is poised for widespread adoption in customer service and sales, but also opens up new avenues for potential misuse.

  5. The rise of synthetic voices may reshape our trust in and perception of the voices we encounter daily.

  6. Despite impressive capabilities, current AI voice technology still has noticeable limitations.

Ratliff's journey through this new frontier serves as both a warning and a call to action. It challenges us to think critically about the role of AI in our lives and to actively shape the future we want to see. As we stand on the brink of this new era, "Shell Game" reminds us that the choices we make today about how we develop and use these technologies will have lasting implications for generations to come.


As this technology evolves, so too must our understanding of identity, communication, and what it truly means to be human in an increasingly digital world. The voice of our future is being synthesized today – it's up to us to decide what it will say.



Listen to the podcast here.

OTHER INTERESTING AI HIGHLIGHTS:


Google Meet's new note-taking AI

/Joanna Nelius, The Verge

Google Workspace customers can now use Google Meet’s AI-powered note-taking feature, which summarizes meeting discussions and automatically saves notes in a Google Doc. While currently only supporting spoken English, this tool offers a handy way to catch up on missed meetings or stay focused without worrying about taking notes. However, concerns about its accuracy remain, given the mixed performance of Google Meet’s transcription tool.


Read more here.


Apple's first AI-driven iPhone set to debut


/Ramishah Maruf, CNN


Apple’s upcoming September event is expected to unveil the iPhone 16, which will be the first iPhone designed with generative AI at its core. While AI features like Genmoji and an enhanced Siri have already been teased, the new device could mark a significant shift in how AI is integrated into smartphones. Despite high expectations, analysts predict that the full rollout of these AI capabilities will be gradual, extending into 2025.


Read more here.


SOME AI TOOLS TO TRY OUT:


  • Mixpeek: extract key data from any file instantly


  • Theysaid: turn surveys into real-time, AI-driven conversations


  • Sider: interact with on-screen content using AI with just a double-tap on iOS



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


Catch us almost every day—almost! 😉


Wowza, Inc.

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.

Copyright Wowza, inc 2025
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