another crazy day in ai

Another Crazy Day in AI: Amazon's Alexa gets a Claude upgrade

Sep 2, 2024
3 min read

Hello, AI Enthusiasts.

As Monday night settles in, we hope you had a fantastic Labor Day holiday.

Now that the long weekend is behind us, unwind with some interesting AI reads.

Tonight, we’re exploring the latest buzz about Amazon’s partnership with Anthropic to boost Alexa’s capabilities, along with some other fresh AI news.

Enjoy your evening and these engaging updates!

Here's another crazy day in AI:

Amazon's Alexa gets a major AI upgrade
How AI is transforming antibiotic discovery
Copyright conflicts in AI development
Some AI tools to try out

TODAY'S FEATURED ITEM: Amazon's Alexa gets a boost from Anthropic

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

Image Credit: Amazon Alexa YT | "Get more ideas on how to use Alexa | Tips & Tricks | Amazon Echo"

What if your virtual assistant could do more than just set timers and play music?

Amazon is taking Alexa to the next level by integrating advanced AI technology from Anthropic, known as Claude. In an effort to make Alexa more conversational and capable of handling complex requests, Amazon has partnered with Anthropic to enhance its voice assistant's capabilities. Greg Bensinger from Reuters takes a closer look at why Amazon made this move and what it means for the future of Alexa.

What’s Happening?

Alexa's Transformation: Amazon is launching an enhanced version of Alexa in October, powered by Anthropic's Claude AI to deliver a more intelligent experience.
Paid Subscription: The new "Remarkable" Alexa will cost between $5 to $10 per month, while the existing "Classic" Alexa remains free to use.
Why Claude? Amazon turned to Anthropic because their own AI was falling short, leading to slower responses and less reliable performance.
Enhanced Abilities: This upgraded Alexa will offer personalized shopping advice, manage your smart home more efficiently, and handle more complex tasks.
The Bigger Picture: With this upgrade, Amazon hopes to make Alexa a profitable service, banking on the new features to draw in paying customers.

Amazon's ambitious plan to revamp Alexa is creating quite a buzz in the tech world. By partnering with Anthropic, they're not just giving their virtual assistant a facelift – they're potentially redefining how we interact with AI in our homes. It's a clever move, showing that even tech giants recognize when to bring in fresh talent to stay competitive.

But here's the million-dollar question: will people open their wallets for features they've been enjoying for free?

Amazon's betting that users will see the value in a smarter, more capable Alexa. They'll need to make a compelling case, addressing privacy concerns and regulatory scrutiny along the way. Plus, they've got to ensure that all this new tech doesn't turn Alexa into a complex gadget that requires a user manual.

Come October, all eyes will be on Amazon. If they can stick the landing, we might be looking at a real game-changer in the AI assistant arena. It's not just about making Alexa smarter – it's about raising the bar for what these digital helpers can do in our daily lives. One thing's certain: the race to build the ultimate AI assistant is heating up, and Amazon's jumping in with both feet.

Read the full article here.

OTHER INTERESTING AI HIGHLIGHTS:

How AI is transforming antibiotic discovery

/Dhruv Khullar, The New Yorker

AI is transforming drug discovery, particularly in the search for new antibiotics. By analyzing vast datasets, AI models like those at MIT have uncovered novel compounds, such as the promising antibiotic "Halicin," which could be critical in combating resistant bacteria. The potential of AI to revolutionize medicine by identifying drugs that traditional methods might overlook is emphasized.

Read more here.

Copyright conflicts in AI development

/George Hammond, Financial Times

Legal challenges are mounting as AI companies push the limits of available data. Lawsuits against firms like Anthropic for alleged copyright infringement highlight the tension between technological advancement and intellectual property rights. The industry is now navigating a complex landscape where securing data through legal means or partnerships is becoming increasingly essential.

Read more here.

SOME AI TOOLS TO TRY OUT:

SpeakHints - real-time speech assistant that offers AI-generated suggestions on what to say next
Fellow - automatically records, transcribes, and summarizes meetings, integrating seamlessly with your workflow and tools
CheatSheet AI - generate visual cheat sheets on any subject effortlessly

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

Catch us almost every day—almost! 😉

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: ASAE 2024 Highlights

Aug 30, 2024
4 min read

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

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! 😉

Another Crazy Day in AI: When machines speak for us

Aug 27, 2024
3 min read

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:

Voice cloning technology has made significant strides, producing synthetic voices that can often pass for human.
AI-driven voice agents can now conduct independent phone conversations, raising questions about the future of communication.
The technology presents complex ethical dilemmas surrounding identity, deception, and human-AI interaction.
Voice cloning is poised for widespread adoption in customer service and sales, but also opens up new avenues for potential misuse.
The rise of synthetic voices may reshape our trust in and perception of the voices we encounter daily.
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! 😉