OpenAI | Wowza

Another Crazy Day in AI: Beyond quick answers

Oct 21, 2024
4 min read

Hello, AI Enthusiasts.

How did your weekend go? Now that we’re back into the week, let’s explore some AI updates.

OpenAI recently hosted a webinar where they introduced their O1 series of reasoning models, detailing how they differ from the GPT series and showcasing their potential applications in strategy, coding, and research.

Plus, you won’t want to miss these 8 insider tips for maximizing your NotebookLM experience. And check out an intriguing paper looking into the potential effects of AI on the integrity of online questionnaires.

Let’s make the most of this week! 🚀

Here's another crazy day in AI:

How OpenAI’s o1 models solve complex problems
8 insider tips for maximizing your NotebookLM experience
PAPER: "Detecting the corruption of online questionnaires by artificial intelligence"
Some AI tools to try out

TODAY'S FEATURED ITEM: AI Models that Think Deeper: OpenAI’s o1 Series

Image Credit: Wowza (edited with Canva; screenshots from the OpenAI webinar)

Have you ever thought about how AI can actually think through complex problems like strategy and coding, instead of just giving quick responses?

OpenAI recently hosted a webinar introducing their o1 series of reasoning models. Hosted by Victoria from OpenAI’s product marketing team and Joe from solutions engineering, the webinar provided an in-depth look at how these models differ from their predecessors in the GPT series. Rather than just responding quickly, the o1 models are built to reason through problems, making them particularly effective for tasks requiring detailed analysis, such as strategic planning, research, and coding.

What you need to know:

o1 models prioritize reasoning over quick responses, leading to more thoughtful and robust answers.
These models reduce the need for multiple prompts, making answers more comprehensive and efficient.
Two models in the series: The o1-preview model is especially suited for strategic ideation and research, while the o1-mini excels at coding and math tasks.
O1 models produce a summary of their chain of thought, allowing users to follow their reasoning process.
Enhanced safety features ensure the models can adhere to security guidelines and prevent jailbreaking attempts
Real-world applications were demonstrated, including market expansion planning and web application development
Future updates will include web browsing, file and image uploading, and automatic model selection based on prompts.

One of the key features that sets the o1 models apart is their ability to reason through tasks in a way that previous models couldn’t. In the webinar, for example, they demonstrated how the model approaches a market expansion problem, working through multiple scenarios, suggesting alternatives, and evaluating risks. The result is a more complete solution that considers multiple angles, which can be incredibly useful for decision-making in business settings. This kind of detailed analysis is a significant departure from simply providing quick, surface-level responses.

At the same time, OpenAI acknowledges that the o1 models are still in the early stages of their development. The team continues to refine these models, with plans to integrate even more features in future updates, including expanded capabilities for research and coding tasks. This commitment to iterative development means that while the o1 series already offers powerful tools for problem-solving, there is still significant room for growth, making these models even more versatile in the future.

Overall, this webinar provides a grounded look at the current capabilities of these models while also highlighting their potential. These models don’t just respond to queries—they engage in deeper reasoning, offering insights that could be transformative for how we approach complex challenges in fields like strategy, research, and engineering. The real value here is in how these tools can evolve alongside the growing needs of businesses, bringing a new level of thoughtfulness and precision to the tasks they’re asked to solve.

Watch the recorded webinar here.

OTHER INTERESTING AI HIGHLIGHTS:

8 insider tips for maximizing your NotebookLM experience

/Molly McHugh-Johnson, The Keyword, Google Blogs

NotebookLM, a new tool from Google, acts as a research assistant designed to help users dive deep into their projects. From organizing sources to synthesizing information, it aids in connecting the dots between documents and creating personalized outputs like study guides or briefings. With up to 50 sources, NotebookLM leverages AI to manage information effectively. Steven Johnson, a member of the development team, offers eight essential tips for beginners to maximize its potential, from experimenting with recent documents to using creative formats like Audio Overviews.

Read the full article here.

PAPER: "Detecting the corruption of online questionnaires by artificial intelligence"

/Featured on Ethan Mollick's LinkedIn post

This paper explores how artificial intelligence (AI) threatens the validity of online research questionnaires. AI-driven responses, often undetectable by automatic systems, are corrupting crowdsourced surveys. While human reviewers achieve a 76% accuracy rate in identifying AI-generated text, this is still insufficient for maintaining data quality. The research highlights the growing concern that, if unchecked, AI could render online surveys ineffective as a research tool, with platforms unable to rely on current detection systems.

Read the paper here.

Check out Mollick's LinkedIn post here.

SOME AI TOOLS TO TRY OUT:

TimeSkip - Instantly create YouTube video chapters with easy-to-copy timestamps.
Contract AI - AI platform for easy contract understanding, analysis, and management.
AI Desk - AI-powered customer support tailored for your website.

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: The intelligence age

Sep 25, 2024
4 min read

Hello, AI Enthusiasts.

It’s Wednesday night, the perfect time to reflect as we reach the week’s midpoint—how has your week been treating you so far?

OpenAI's CEO shares a transformative view for the "intelligence age" and its potential impact on technology and society. We also have an interesting article cowrote and shared by one of our study group members, exploring the intricacies of data ingestion for generative AI applications. Plus, former Google CEO Eric Schmidt's predictions about AI suggest that we will see changes that are "unimaginable" in just 3-5 years.

As you wrap up your day, take a look at these insights.

Here's another crazy day in AI:

OpenAI's CEO discusses the future of Superintelligent AI
Challenges in data ingestion for GenAI pipelines
Schmidt’s vision: everything, everywhere, all at once
Some AI tools to try out

TODAY'S FEATURED ITEM: Altman’s Bold Vision: The Intelligence Age

Source: Sam Altman, The Intelligence Age

Could we be just a few thousand days away from superintelligent AI?

Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI (the company behind ChatGPT), recently shared his thoughts on the future of artificial intelligence. In a blog post that's got everyone talking, Altman painted a picture of a future where AI doesn't just assist us—but fundamentally changes how we live and work. Samantha Kelly from CNET unpacked Altman's predictions and gives us a closer look at what he believes the "Intelligence Age" will bring.

Let's dive into the main points:

Altman believes we’re on the verge of an "Intelligence Age," where superintelligent AI transforms society.
Superintelligent AI could help solve global challenges like climate change, establish space colonies, and unlock groundbreaking scientific discoveries.
These advancements will be gradual but may ultimately feel like science fiction becoming reality.
The development of this "Intelligence Age" depends on reducing computing costs and building the infrastructure to support it.
Altman emphasizes the need to balance AI's benefits with potential risks. Without proper infrastructure, AI could become a scarce resource, potentially leading to global conflicts or only benefiting the wealthy.
Not all tech experts share Altman’s optimistic outlook. While Altman and other tech leaders see great promise, skeptics like Noam Chomsky and Rodney Brooks argue that AI may never surpass human intelligence.

Read the full blog here.

Altman's vision of the future certainly gives us a lot to think about. While the idea of AI solving major global problems is appealing, it's essential to approach these predictions with a level head. The path to superintelligent AI — if it's even possible — is likely far more complex than a simple timeline suggests.

As we consider this potential future, we must balance the promise of AI with its practical and societal implications. How will it affect jobs, privacy, and social structures? What safeguards need to be in place? These are questions that demand careful thought and wide-ranging discussion.

Whether or not Altman's predictions come to pass, one thing is clear: AI will continue to play an increasingly significant role in our lives. It's up to all of us — not just tech leaders, but also citizens, policymakers, and ethicists — to engage in this conversation. We need to think critically about how we want AI to be developed and used. The future of AI isn't predetermined; it’s something we will shape through our choices, policies, and values.

Read Altman's full blog here.

Read the full article on CNET here.

OTHER INTERESTING AI HIGHLIGHTS:

Challenges in Data Ingestion for GenAI Pipelines

/Pierre Villard on Datavolo (Source: Wowza's AI Study Group member, Caroline Holden—she actually cowrote this piece!)

Successfully launching a generative AI application requires a deep understanding of data ingestion processes, which can often be more complex than anticipated. The article emphasizes the necessity of efficient parsing and chunking to prevent AI hallucinations and ensure high-quality outputs. Key factors, such as document types and data representation, play a vital role in determining the right strategies for data handling. Moreover, compliance with privacy regulations through PII anonymization and the preservation of access permissions are critical components in managing data responsibly. Datavolo’s insights offer practical solutions to navigate these challenges and optimize the generative AI pipeline for better performance and scalability.

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.