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Another Crazy Day in AI: An Almost Daily Newsletter


Hello, AI Enthusiasts.


After the first workday of September, post-Labor Day, we’ve got some intriguing AI content to help you wind down.


Ever wondered why so many AI projects fall short of their promises? Some experts are sharing their insights on what might be missing. Plus, get the latest on Canva’s price increase and check out a new book that tackles AI hype and how to sidestep it.


Settle in and enjoy your evening read!


Here's another crazy day in AI:


  • Engineered Intelligence: the missing link in AI's success story

  • Canva’s AI rollout drives major price hike

  • A new book exposes AI hype and how to avoid it

  • Some AI tools to try out


TODAY'S FEATURED ITEM: The missing piece in AI implementation


WOWZA: A tech-themed image showcasing the concept of 'Engineered Intelligence' with AI and engineering symbols blending together. The background features a futuristic cityscape, symbolizing real-world applications. The image should be sleek, modern, and convey a sense of innovation and practicality.

Image Credit: Wowza (made with Ideogram 2.0)



Ever wondered why brilliant AI ideas often struggle to make it in the real world?


AI experts Brian Evergreen and Kence Anderson, might have cracked the code.


In their recent article on VentureBeat, they introduce a fresh perspective on why so many AI projects fail to deliver. They argue that AI has been missing a critical component: a dedicated discipline for applying AI research to real-world challenges, much like how other scientific breakthroughs are handed off to engineers for practical use. This new field, which they call "engineered intelligence," aims to fill that gap by blending scientific advancements with engineering principles to create tangible value.


Here's what stood out:

  • AI Winter Warning: There's a growing concern that AI isn't delivering the returns many hoped for. We could be heading for another "AI winter" unless something changes.

  • The Engineer-Shaped Hole: Unlike other scientific fields, AI lacks a clear path from research to real-world application. This gap might explain why a whopping 87% of AI projects aren't meeting expectations.

  • Enter "Engineered Intelligence": This new approach aims to bridge the gap between AI theory and practice. It's about creating real-world solutions without relying solely on data scientists.

  • A Practical Roadmap: The authors outline a five-step process to bring engineered intelligence into organizations. It starts with identifying valuable areas of expertise rather than just looking at available data.

  • AI's Next Chapter: By adopting this engineering-focused approach, companies might finally unlock AI's true potential. There's also hope that this could create new jobs and economic opportunities as the field grows.

What's compelling about this perspective is how it grounds AI in practical, real-world needs. Instead of chasing the next big AI breakthrough, it focuses on making the most of existing technology and scaling human expertise through intelligent systems.


While it's too soon to say if engineered intelligence is the silver bullet for AI's challenges, it's certainly a fresh take worth considering.


In a field that's often dominated by hype and grand promises, this grounded, expertise-focused approach feels like a breath of fresh air. It'll be interesting to see how these ideas evolve and potentially reshape the AI landscape in the coming years.



Read the full article here.

OTHER INTERESTING AI HIGHLIGHTS:


Canva’s AI rollout drives major price hike

/Jess Weatherbed, News Writer, The Verge

Canva is raising subscription prices for some users by over 300% due to the introduction of new AI features. The price increase primarily affects Canva Teams subscribers, with some users in the U.S. seeing costs rise from $120 to $500 per year, though a temporary discount reduces it to $300. These changes have sparked backlash among customers, who are considering alternatives like Adobe. Canva justifies the hike by pointing to the enhanced value of its AI tools, which have expanded the platform's offerings.


Read more here.


A new book exposes AI hype and how to avoid it


/Elizabeth Quill, Executive Editor, Science News


Arvind Narayanan and Sayash Kapoor’s book AI Snake Oil critiques the overhyped claims of AI, highlighting its limitations and potential harms. They explore AI tools that claim to predict future events, arguing that most fail to deliver on their promises. The book also delves into the ethical issues surrounding AI, including privacy, misinformation, and social inequities. The authors stress that society must scrutinize and regulate AI more effectively, focusing on how people use it rather than fearing the technology itself.


Read more here.


SOME AI TOOLS TO TRY OUT:



  • Collato - instantly turn meetings into documents with customizable templates

  • ClickUp Brain - connects tasks, docs, and team knowledge with AI

  • Jamboss - create personalized songs for friends and family using AI


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.


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Hello, AI Enthusiasts.


The weekend is just around the corner, and we’re here to help you make it there with some captivating reads.


Dive into today’s newsletter and find something to inspire your evening.


Here's another crazy day in AI:


  • Gen AI means business: 7 real-world applications

  • Canva expands with Leonardo AI

  • Comparing Siri and ChatGPT Voice

  • Some AI tools to try out


TODAY'S FEATURED ITEM: The most promising GenAI use cases in business


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Image credit: charlesdeluvio / Unsplash



Ever catch yourself wondering how businesses are actually putting generative AI to work?


It's not just hype - some companies are finding real value in this technology.


In a recent article for CIO, Senior Writer Grant Gross explores how companies are putting generative AI to work in meaningful ways. While many companies are still figuring out how to effectively implement this technology, some clear frontrunners are emerging in terms of practical applications.


Let's break down the most promising use cases:

  1. Advanced Chatbots: Modern gen AI chatbots provide more natural-sounding interactions and efficiently handle customer service tasks, as seen with companies like Bolt and Deutsche Telekom.

  2. Digital Assistants: Tools from Microsoft and Google streamline tasks such as document creation, email summarization, and supply chain management.

  3. Coding Assistants: Gen AI helps programmers by generating code and keeping them focused, particularly benefiting web development projects.

  4. Marketing Support: AI enhances content creation, market analysis, and personalized marketing, improving efficiency and insights.

  5. Drug Discovery: AI accelerates the modeling of molecules and prediction of drug interactions, promising faster development of new medications.

  6. Cybersecurity and Fraud Detection: AI strengthens cybersecurity measures and predicts fraudulent activities by analyzing user behavior patterns.

  7. Business Process Augmentation: AI improves workflows in industries like finance, insurance, and legal services, enhancing efficiency and decision-making.


As we've seen, generative AI isn't just a futuristic concept – it's already making waves across industries. But here's the million-dollar question: What does this mean for you and your business?


Think of gen AI as a powerful new tool in your business toolkit. Like any tool, its value lies in how you use it. Some companies are already sprinting ahead, using AI to supercharge their operations and outpace competitors. Others are still cautiously dipping their toes in the water. Where do you stand?



Read the full article here.

OTHER INTERESTING AI HIGHLIGHTS:


Canva expands with Leonardo AI

/Ben Wodecki, Jr. Editor on AI Business

Design application Canva announced plans to acquire the image generator and AI creative platform Leonardo AI. Canva plans to integrate Leonardo's Phoenix model into its Magic Media tool, enhancing AI image and video generation capabilities. Leonardo will continue to operate independently, building on its existing products while ensuring no user content is shared without opt-in. This acquisition follows Canva's purchase of the creative design platform Affinity in March.


Read more here.


Comparing Siri and ChatGPT Voice


/Ethan Mollick, One Useful Thing


Ethan Mollick discusses his experiences with ChatGPT's new Advanced Voice mode and the new AI-powered Siri. While Siri remains a privacy-focused Copilot, using a small AI model on-device, ChatGPT Voice offers a more powerful and interactive experience, demonstrating the divide between narrow, specialized AIs and more general, multimodal systems. This comparison highlights different philosophies in AI development, with implications for future AI interactions.


Read more here.


SOME AI TOOLS TO TRY OUT:



  • MaxAI.me: instantly compose, improve, summarize, translate, and reply to text with one click


  • Extruct: automate company research with AI for real-time data and customizable workflows


  • Toby: real-time speech translation for video calls across multiple languages and platforms



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


Catch us almost every day—almost! 😉


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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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