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Another Crazy Day in AI: Copilot transforms Microsoft 365

Sep 16, 2024
3 min read

Updated: Sep 19, 2024

Hello, AI Enthusiasts.

Now that the first workday of the week is behind us, it’s the perfect time to relax with some intriguing AI news.

Tonight, we’re featuring Microsoft’s unveiling of its “Copilot Wave 2” updates, which integrate advanced AI features into Microsoft 365 applications like Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

Also, discover how OpenAI has resolved the issue of ChatGPT messaging users unprompted and delve into the ongoing concerns of college students regarding AI policies.

Have a relaxing evening with these intriguing updates!

Here's another crazy day in AI:

New AI features in Microsoft 365 you should know about
ChatGPT’s glitch fixed after unsolicited messages
Survey finds ambiguity in college AI policies
Some AI tools to try out

TODAY'S FEATURED ITEM: Copilot’s AI Boost in Microsoft 365

Image Credit: Microsoft

How are companies like Microsoft transforming workplace productivity with AI, and what does that mean for the future of work?

In his article for Yahoo Finance, Technology Editor Daniel Howley explores Microsoft’s ongoing push to embed AI into its Microsoft 365 suite through its latest “Copilot Wave 2” rollout. These updates bring AI-powered features to well-known tools like PowerPoint, Outlook, and Excel, designed to enhance productivity and ease routine tasks. The advancements reflect Microsoft’s larger strategy to stay ahead in the AI space, competing with major players like Google and Salesforce, while helping businesses work smarter with the power of AI.

Let's break down the key developments:

Microsoft has expanded AI functionality in its 365 apps, adding tools like PowerPoint Copilot for drafting presentations and email management features in Outlook.
The introduction of Copilot Pages allows teams to collaboratively manage and edit data in real time, improving efficiency.
The agent builder in Copilot Studio lets users create custom AI assistants tailored to their organization’s specific needs, without needing extensive technical expertise.
Copilot’s user base continues to grow, with companies like Vodafone reporting significant time savings for employees who use the software regularly.
Microsoft’s broader goal is to integrate AI across all its business products, helping companies improve workflows and increase productivity.

Microsoft’s newest tools represent a shift in how we approach productivity—no longer about just getting tasks done, but about doing them better and more efficiently. These updates aren’t revolutionary on their own, but together they offer teams the opportunity to streamline workflows and collaborate more seamlessly. As businesses continue to adapt to new ways of working, tools like these will play a key role in helping professionals stay focused on what really matters.

Looking ahead, it's clear that the nature of work is evolving rapidly. While new technologies offer powerful capabilities, they also bring challenges and questions. How will we maintain the human touch in an increasingly digital workplace? What new skills will become essential?

As we embrace these changes, it's important to approach them with both optimism and critical thinking. After all, the goal isn't just to work faster, but to work better – in ways that are fulfilling, sustainable, and beneficial for all.

Read the full article here.

OTHER INTERESTING AI HIGHLIGHTS:

ChatGPT’s glitch fixed after unsolicited messages

/Victor Tangermann on Futurism

A Reddit post raised concerns when ChatGPT appeared to initiate messages on its own, asking users about their personal experiences without being prompted. OpenAI has clarified that this was due to a glitch in the chatbot’s system, which has now been resolved. The company reassured users that the issue was unintentional and related to errors in message delivery.

Read more here.

Survey finds ambiguity in college AI policies

/Ashley Mowreader on Inside Higher Ed

A recent survey indicates that many college students are confused about when and how to use AI tools in their coursework. With a large number of institutions yet to establish clear AI policies, students often depend on individual faculty guidance. Education experts emphasize the need for transparent, institution-wide AI usage guidelines and enhanced faculty training.

Read more here.

SOME AI TOOLS TO TRY OUT:

AFFiNE AI - assists with writing, drawing, and creating presentations
Infography - turns blog posts into interactive infographics
Solvr - provides answers from screenshots, PDFs, or highlighted text without switching tabs

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 now 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: Learn and earn in a weekend

Sep 13, 2024
4 min read

Hello, AI Enthusiasts.

Happy Friday night! 🌙 As you settle into your weekend, here’s something you might find interesting.

If you have some time to spare, check out IBM’s free AI Fundamentals program, which offers a comprehensive introduction to AI in just about 10 hours, and you’ll even earn a digital credential upon completion.

Plus, interesting reads on Google's NotebookLM app updates and the “godmother of AI” raising $230 million for an AI startup focusing on spatial intelligence.

Enjoy your weekend and these amazing insights!

Here's another crazy day in AI:

IBM offers free 10-hour course for essential tech skills
Google's AI turns your notes into podcasts
AI pioneer Fei-Fei Li secures $230m for new AI venture
Some AI tools to try out

TODAY'S FEATURED ITEM: Get Certified in AI with IBM’s Free Program

Image Credit: Wowza | IBM's AI Fundamentals program + Canva mock ups

Have you ever thought about upgrading your AI skills in just one weekend, or getting into AI but felt overwhelmed by the complexity?

IBM has created a solution that might just be your ticket to understanding this rapidly evolving field.

David Gewirtz, Senior Contributing Editor at ZDNET, recently shared his personal experience with IBM’s free AI Fundamentals credential program. Available through IBM's SkillsBuild platform, this program offers a quick yet comprehensive dive into key AI concepts. Over the course of 10 hours, David completed the credential, gaining valuable insights into the world of AI ethics, machine learning, and more—all while earning a certificate that he proudly added to his LinkedIn profile.

The program consists of six courses covering various aspects of AI:

AI Fundamentals: Learn about the origins and potential of AI, covering concepts like predictions, natural language, and machine learning models.
Ethics and AI: Understand the balance between innovation and ethical responsibility, including fairness, transparency, and privacy in AI systems.
Machine Learning and Deep Learning: Dive into how AI systems are designed to learn and adapt, mimicking the human brain in problem-solving.
Natural Language Processing and Computer Vision: Explore how AI interprets human language and visual inputs, with real-world applications like chatbots and photo recognition.
Hands-on Projects: Use IBM Watson Studio to get practical experience by building your own machine learning models.
Career in AI: Get an overview of the growing job landscape in AI and the skills needed to break into the industry.

If you’ve been thinking about expanding your tech skills, IBM’s free AI Fundamentals course is a great place to start. In just 10 hours, you'll gain insights into machine learning, natural language processing, and key ethical issues surrounding AI. By the end, you'll have earned a certificate — a solid credential to showcase on your LinkedIn profile or resume.

But the learning doesn't have to stop there. IBM's SkillsBuild portal offers additional short courses on topics like generative AI and AI-assisted resume writing. They've even introduced a course on the Fundamentals of Sustainability and Technology, highlighting the growing intersection of tech and environmental concerns.

The beauty of IBM's program lies in its accessibility. You don't need to be a coding wizard or have a Ph.D. in computer science to benefit from it. It's designed for anyone with an interest in emerging technologies, regardless of their current tech savviness. This inclusivity makes it an excellent starting point for those looking to dip their toes into the waters of cutting-edge tech.

Read the full article here.

Get started with IBM's AI Fundamentals program.

OTHER INTERESTING AI HIGHLIGHTS:

Google's AI turns your notes into podcasts

/Emma Roth, The Verge

Google’s NotebookLM app now allows users to generate AI-hosted podcasts based on their notes and research documents. This new feature creates lively discussions between two AI hosts who summarize, explore connections, and add a lighthearted tone. While this engaging tool could make learning more interactive, its approach might not be suitable for more serious subjects.

Read more here.

AI pioneer Fei-Fei Li secures $230m for new AI venture

/Anna Tong and Katie Paul, Reuters

Fei-Fei Li, the renowned "godmother of AI," has raised $230 million to launch World Labs, an AI startup focusing on spatial intelligence. The company will develop models that understand the 3D physical world, opening new possibilities for augmented reality and robotics. Backed by top investors, Li aims to revolutionize AI by moving beyond two-dimensional understanding.

Read more here.

SOME AI TOOLS TO TRY OUT:

Notebook LLM from Google - Converts your notes into audio summaries, like a podcast
FunBlocks AIFlow - AI-powered tool for whiteboarding and mind mapping
Filmora - AI-enhanced software for streamlined video editing

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 now on LinkedIn!!!

Another Crazy Day in AI: Strawberry and complex reasoning

Sep 12, 2024
4 min read

Hello, AI Enthusiasts.

It’s Thursday night, and with the weekend just around the corner, we’ve got some fascinating updates to share.

OpenAI’s latest model is turning heads with its ability to work through complex problems before presenting a solution. Plus, a recent survey reveals that 75% of companies are now using marketing technology and generative AI. And in a significant move, AI leaders are gathering at the White House to address energy challenges.

Hope you enjoy the read!

Here's another crazy day in AI:

A closer look at OpenAI’s next-gen reasoning
Survey shows 75% of companies now use marketing tech and gen AI
AI leaders meet at the White House to address energy concerns
Some AI tools to try out

TODAY'S FEATURED ITEM: Strawberry: A new approach to AI reasoning

Source: OpenAI | Introducing OpenAI o1

What if computers could think through problems step-by-step, just like we do? How might this reshape our approach to complex challenges?

OpenAI has just unveiled o1, a groundbreaking AI model that does exactly that. It's not just faster or more powerful – it's fundamentally different in how it approaches problems. Unlike previous models, o1-preview can “think through” complex problems before producing a solution. This new capability allows the AI to handle intricate tasks like advanced physics and long-term planning, something traditional models have struggled with.

Ethan Mollick, known for his insightful "One Useful Thing" blog, reflects on his early access to this new system, codenamed “Strawberry.” Mollick shares his personal experiences with the model, showcasing its strengths in problem-solving while also discussing its limitations. He compares it to other well-known AI systems and considers the potential impact of this shift on how humans work alongside increasingly independent AI systems.

What you should know:

o1 doesn't just process data; it reasons through problems, considering multiple angles before settling on an answer.
In tests, it outperformed human experts on intricate physics problems – a feat that was once thought to be years away.
While it excels in tasks requiring careful planning, it's not universally superior. For instance, its writing skills haven't surpassed previous models.
The model showed impressive results in solving complex puzzles like crosswords, demonstrating an ability to try, discard, and refine ideas.
Despite its advancements, o1 isn't infallible. It can still make mistakes or generate inaccurate information.
This leap in AI capability is prompting a reevaluation of how humans and machines can collaborate most effectively.

The arrival of o1 feels a bit like welcoming a new colleague – one with some impressive skills that complement our own. It's pushing us to reconsider how we tackle complex problems and what it means to be innovative.

As AI starts to "think" more like us, we might find ourselves shifting roles. Instead of just giving instructions, we could become guides, helping these systems navigate the nuances of real-world challenges. It's an adjustment, for sure, but one that could open up exciting new possibilities.

This development also nudges us to reflect on our own unique strengths. Our ability to think creatively, to understand context, and to make ethical judgments – these human traits become even more valuable as AI evolves.

There's still a lot to figure out. How do we ensure these AI systems align with our values? How might our education and work environments need to adapt? These are questions we'll need to grapple with as we move forward.

Read Ethan Mollick's insights here.

Check out OpenAI's announcement.

OTHER INTERESTING AI HIGHLIGHTS:

Survey shows 75% of companies now use marketing tech and gen AI

/Muhammad Zulhusni, Marketing Tech News

A survey from Duke University reveals that 75% of marketing leaders now use marketing technologies (martech), though companies leverage only about 56% of the tools they purchase. Despite the potential, the benefits of martech lag behind expectations. Generative AI, although still in its early stages, has already boosted productivity and customer satisfaction. However, challenges remain, including managing AI bias and balancing marketing budgets. The report predicts marketing spending will grow in the next year, while the role of social media and digital marketing continues to rise.

Read more here.

AI leaders meet at the White House to address energy concerns

/Matt Egan, CNN

In a critical meeting at the White House, Sam Altman (CEO of OpenAI), Ruth Porat (Google), and Dario Amodei (Anthropic) are set to discuss the rising energy demands driven by AI. AI's power consumption is rapidly increasing, with forecasts of a significant surge in data center energy use by 2030. The meeting aims to explore solutions for building sustainable AI infrastructure to prevent a strain on the US power grid while maintaining US leadership in AI innovation. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo are among the officials attending.

Read more here.

SOME AI TOOLS TO TRY OUT:

Scripe - converts voice, video, and text into customized linkedin posts
Verse - build interactive landing pages and more from your mobile device
Effie - speeds up writing with outlining and mind-mapping tools

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 now on LinkedIn!!!