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Another Crazy Day in AI: A top-secret AI device in the works

Sep 23, 2024
4 min read

Hello, AI Enthusiasts.

As Monday night rolls in and the first workday of the week fades into memory, it’s time to kick back with some exciting AI updates. Two visionaries—the former Apple design chief and the CEO of OpenAI—are joining forces to develop a groundbreaking AI-powered computing device!

Plus, dive into two intriguing papers on Generative AI: one on its rapid adoption and another exploring its creative and strategic capabilities through large-scale experiments.

Ready to dive in? Enjoy your evening with these captivating insights. 💡

Here's another crazy day in AI:

A New AI Device from Two Visionaries
Paper: The Rapid Adoption of Generative AI
Creative and Strategic Capabilities of Generative AI: Evidence from Large-Scale Experiments | Discussion Paper Series
Some AI tools to try out

TODAY'S FEATURED ITEM: Jony Ive and Sam Altman’s Top-Secret Device

Image Credit: Wowza (created with Ideogram)

What happens when two tech visionaries team up on a top-secret AI computing project?

Jony Ive, the iconic designer behind Apple’s most groundbreaking products, and Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, are quietly developing a new AI-powered device that could change the way we use technology. In a report by Samantha Kelly for CNET, it’s revealed that this mysterious project aims to create a product "less socially disruptive than the iPhone," although many details are still tightly guarded.

This unique partnership brings together the design expertise of Ive’s firm, LoveFrom, and Altman’s AI leadership. While the specifics of the device are still unknown, the duo has already secured significant funding and high-profile backing from investors, including Laurene Powell Jobs.

Here's what we've learned so far:

The project details are tightly guarded, with little information available to the public.
Funding is expected to reach up to $1 billion by the end of the year.
Notable investors include Laurene Powell Jobs, widow of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs.
Ive's design firm LoveFrom is spearheading the development.
The device aims to be "less socially disruptive than the iPhone."
It enters a market where other AI gadgets have faced mixed receptions.
The concept emerged from discussions between Ive and Altman about AI's potential in computing.

This partnership has the potential to bring something truly new to the tech landscape—an AI device designed to seamlessly integrate into everyday life, rather than demand constant attention. Their focus on creating a less intrusive product feels especially relevant today, as many of us

As we await more details, it's natural to wonder about the possibilities. Could this be the device that finally allows us to harness AI’s potential without feeling overwhelmed? Could it provide a more intuitive, natural way of interacting with technology?

For now, we'll have to wait and see what emerges from this high-profile partnership. But one thing's for sure - when visionaries like Ive and Altman come together, the results are bound to be interesting.

Read the full article here.

OTHER INTERESTING AI HIGHLIGHTS:

Paper: The Rapid Adoption of Generative AI

/Authors: Alexander Bick (Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis & CEPR), Adam Blandin (Vanderbilt University), David J. Deming (Harvard Kennedy School & NBER)

This paper presents findings from a nationally representative survey of generative AI adoption in the U.S., revealing that 39% of the population aged 18-64 used generative AI by August 2024. The adoption rate of generative AI has surpassed that of personal computers and the internet, with significant usage in both workplace and home settings. The study highlights generative AI's broad application across various occupations, showing notable differences in adoption based on age, education, and income, while also noting a gender disparity in usage.

Read the full paper here.

Creative and Strategic Capabilities of Generative AI: Evidence from Large-Scale Experiments | Discussion Paper Series

/Noah Bohren (University of Lausanne), Rustamdjan Hakimov (University of Lausanne), Rafael Lalive (University of Lausanne and IZA)

This study investigates the creative and strategic capabilities of generative AI compared to a representative sample of U.S. adults. The results indicate that AI-generated ideas are perceived as more creative than those from humans, with ChatGPT performing notably better than its competitors. Interestingly, while AI enhances human creativity, the competitive pressure from AI appears to negatively impact the creativity of women. In strategic tasks, ChatGPT adapts well to opponents' moves, but humans generally outperform AI in this area.

Read the full paper here.

SOME AI TOOLS TO TRY OUT:

Solidroad - AI-powered platform for training and assessments, providing simulations and feedback for customer-facing teams.
Scenery - Collaboratively edit professional-quality videos online with this browser-based platform.
Roast your website - Evaluates your website and determines if you're in "Founder mode."

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: Tech giant brings an education expert on board

Sep 20, 2024
4 min read

Hello, AI Enthusiasts.

It’s the weekend! How did your week go?

Here’s something to explore: OpenAI has brought on a former Coursera executive to spearhead their educational AI initiatives.

Also, take a moment to catch up some intriguing AI reads, including innovative strategies for leveraging generative AI in business and a roundup of the top podcasts discussing the latest trends in the association sector.

Have a wonderful weekend! 🎉

Here's another crazy day in AI:

OpenAI Expands AI Use in Schools with New Leadership
How CEOs Leverage AI for Enhanced Strategic Planning
This Week’s Top Podcasts for Association Leaders
Some AI tools to try out

TODAY'S FEATURED ITEM: OpenAI Taps Edtech Talent

Image Credit: Wowza (created with Ideogram)

What does it mean for education when OpenAI hires a former Coursera Executive to lead its efforts in schools?

OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, is making a significant move in integrating artificial intelligence into education by appointing Leah Belsky, a former Coursera executive, as its first general manager of education.

AI Reporter Shirin Ghaffary of Bloomberg explores this strategic move, highlighting how Belsky will lead efforts to responsibly incorporate AI into classrooms. With her extensive background in educational technology, she’s tasked with strengthening OpenAI’s relationships with educators and institutions to support learning through AI tools.

Here’s what’s happening:

Leah Belsky, previously with Coursera, joins OpenAI as the general manager of education.
Her focus will be on expanding AI adoption in K-12, higher education, and lifelong learning environments.
Belsky will work closely with teachers and institutions to integrate AI tools like ChatGPT Edu, which is already used in prominent schools such as the University of Oxford and Columbia University.
ChatGPT Edu offers features tailored for education, including custom controls, enhanced privacy measures, and content filters.
OpenAI is hosting a meeting with university leaders in October to discuss AI's role in research and teaching.
The company plans to gather ongoing feedback from educators and students to improve their AI tools for academic use.
OpenAI’s latest models show advanced reasoning skills, performing similarly to Ph.D. students in fields like biology and physics.

Since ChatGPT's launch, it has sparked both excitement and concern in academic circles. By bringing Belsky on board, OpenAI seems to be taking a proactive approach to address these issues and explore AI's full potential in education.

Belsky’s appointment comes at a crucial time as AI becomes more embedded in education. While some educators are concerned about students misusing AI, others are embracing its potential to enhance learning experiences. Belsky’s experience at Coursera, an established online learning platform, positions her well to lead this charge. Her role will involve ensuring AI is adopted thoughtfully and used to support students and teachers alike. As more universities and schools explore the possibilities of AI, the upcoming meeting between OpenAI and academic leaders will be key in shaping how AI fits into the future of education.

It will be interesting to see how this develops. Will we see AI tutors becoming commonplace in classrooms? Could AI-powered tools help create more personalized learning experiences? And how will educators adapt their teaching methods to incorporate these new technologies? OpenAI's latest move brings us one step closer to finding out.

Read the full article here.

OTHER INTERESTING AI HIGHLIGHTS:

How CEOs Leverage AI for Enhanced Strategic Planning

/Graham Kenny, Marek Kowalkiewicz, and Kim Oosthuizen on Harvard Business Review

Generative AI offers a powerful advantage for CEOs navigating the complexities of strategic planning, surfacing overlooked challenges and untapped opportunities. By presenting fresh perspectives and challenging human biases, it supports better decision-making. But with its reliance on historical data, can AI truly predict future trends, or is it bound by the limits of the past? CEOs are urged to view AI as a strategic partner, enhancing, but never replacing, human judgment.

Another Crazy Day in AI: NotebookLM turned Mollick’s book into a podcast—and more

Sep 19, 2024
3 min read

Updated: Sep 20, 2024

Hello, AI Enthusiasts.

End your Thursday on a high note with tonight’s newsletter!

Ethan Mollick has put Google’s NotebookLM to the test, creating an AI-generated podcast from his book that feels like a genuine conversation. Plus, we’re sharing the latest on Google’s AI ad tools and Sam Altman’s predictions about upcoming advances in AI reasoning.

There’s plenty to explore, so enjoy the read! 🌙

Here's another crazy day in AI:

The AI tool that can turn your book into a podcast and more
Google boosts AI ad tools with new features
Sam Altman predicts big leap in AI reasoning with o1 model
Some AI tools to try out

TODAY'S FEATURED ITEM: How NotebookLM Transformed Mollick's Work

Image Credit: Wowza (created with Ideogram + Canva magic expand)

What if AI could turn a book into a podcast, study guide, and interactive chat in just minutes?

Google's NotebookLM has caught the attention of Ethan Mollick, author of "Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI." Shared in a recent X post, he used his own book to put the platform to the test. The results were surprising: NotebookLM didn’t just summarize the book; it created a podcast, a study guide, a timeline, an FAQ, and even allowed for a conversational interface about the book's content.

But here's the kicker: the AI-generated podcast actually sounds like a real conversation between two people discussing the book's ideas.

Let's break down what makes this interesting:

NotebookLM transforms text into various formats: a podcast, study guide, FAQ, timeline, and even a conversational chat interface.
The AI-generated podcast has a natural, conversational flow that's surprisingly engaging.
It's a glimpse into how quickly AI can process and repurpose large chunks of information.
Users can likely tailor the generated content to suit their needs.

This kind of technology is pushing the boundaries of what we thought was possible with content creation. It's not about replacing human creativity, but rather opening up new ways for us to interact with information. Imagine being able to "read" a book by listening to an AI-generated discussion about it, or having a conversation with an AI that's digested an entire textbook. It's not science fiction anymore - it's happening now.

But let's not get ahead of ourselves. While this is impressive, it's important to remember that AI is a tool, not a magic wand. The real power comes from how we use it, the questions we ask, and the human touch we bring to the table.

The challenge now lies in how we integrate these tools into our workflows and learning processes. As AI continues to evolve, so too must our approach to using it effectively and responsibly.

Watch it on X here.

OTHER INTERESTING AI HIGHLIGHTS:

Google boosts AI ad tools with new features

/Andrew Hutchinson on Social Media Today

Google is rolling out advanced AI updates for Google Ads, announced at DMEXCO. New features include AI asset generation, expanded AI language support, and improved reporting. These updates allow advertisers to customize ads in more languages, generate images using AI, and gain better control over AI-generated content. The integration of omnichannel bidding and campaign-level negative keywords into Performance Max campaigns further boosts ad performance.