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Another Crazy Day in AI: A New Approach to Academic Data Collection

Another Crazy Day in AI: An Almost Daily Newsletter

Hello, AI Enthusiasts.


Reflecting on the week—what stood out for you? 💬


Before the weekend fully kicks in, here’s some AI news worth your attention: Friedrich Geiecke and Xavier Jaravel from LSE have unveiled a groundbreaking chatbot that brings scalable efficiency to academic interviews, blending conversational expertise with innovation.


Plus, big questions loom over AI’s role in the economy—are we heading toward steady progress, or could AGI arrive in just five years? Meanwhile, for creators, HeyGen’s iOS app launch means cutting-edge AI tools are now more portable than ever.


Have an amazing weekend! 🌟


Here's another crazy day in AI:

  • How an AI chat bot is redefining research methods

  • Planning for an AGI-powered economy

  • HeyGen brings AI video tools to your iPhone

  • Some AI tools to try out


 

TODAY'S FEATURED ITEM: AI That Listens: A New Approach to Research


Image Credit:Wowza (created with Ideogram)

Image Credit:Wowza (created with Ideogram)


Have you ever held back during a survey, worried about being judged for your true thoughts?


Surveys are a common tool for gathering insights, but many participants hold back, concerned that their responses might be judged or misunderstood. What if the process was different? What if you could have a more natural conversation, where your answers were treated with empathy and curiosity? That’s the idea behind a new AI-powered chat bot developed by two London School of Economics scholars, Friedrich Geiecke and Xavier Jaravel.


In her article for Times Higher Education, Juliette Rowsell explores how this chat bot is transforming the way research interviews are conducted. Unlike traditional surveys that rely on fixed questions and responses, this AI tool engages participants in a dynamic conversation, adjusting its questions based on the answers provided. The result is a deeper, more authentic exchange that encourages participants to share their thoughts without fear of judgment.


Geiecke, Friedrich and Jaravel, Xavier, Conversations at Scale: Robust AI-led Interviews with a Simple Open-Source Platform  (October 02, 2024).
Geiecke, Friedrich and Jaravel, Xavier, Conversations at Scale: Robust AI-led Interviews with a Simple Open-Source Platform (October 02, 2024).

Here’s what makes this tool interesting:

  • Real-Time Engagement: The bot adjusts its questions based on your responses, creating a more fluid, personalized conversation.

  • Comfortable Conversations: With its neutral approach, the bot encourages participants to express themselves freely, especially on sensitive topics.

  • More Detailed Responses: Studies show that people provided significantly longer, more detailed answers—142% more words—compared to traditional survey formats.

  • Affordable and Scalable: The tool can conduct interviews with thousands of participants quickly and at a relatively low cost, around $3.79–$5.05 per participant.

  • User Preferences: Most respondents found the chat bot’s conversational style more engaging than traditional open-text surveys.

  • Future Features: The developers are working on integrating voice interaction and advanced data analysis to handle large volumes of responses.


Geiecke, Friedrich and Jaravel, Xavier, Conversations at Scale: Robust AI-led Interviews with a Simple Open-Source Platform  (October 02, 2024).
Geiecke, Friedrich and Jaravel, Xavier, Conversations at Scale: Robust AI-led Interviews with a Simple Open-Source Platform (October 02, 2024).

This tool doesn’t claim to replace traditional interviews altogether. Its developers acknowledge that fields requiring deeply personal, face-to-face engagement—like anthropology or sociology—may not adopt it immediately. Instead, its strength lies in its ability to bridge the gap between qualitative and quantitative methods, offering a cost-effective way to collect large-scale, meaningful data.


For researchers in economics or political science, the benefits are clear. The chat bot’s adaptive questioning and empathetic design keep participants engaged, yielding insights that might otherwise be missed in standard surveys. At the same time, it addresses logistical challenges, such as time and cost, that often limit the scale of academic studies.


Ultimately, this innovation invites broader questions about the role of AI in research. As tools like this evolve, they don’t just enhance the efficiency of data collection—they redefine how researchers connect with participants. Whether you see it as a tool to complement human expertise or a new standard in large-scale studies, it offers a glimpse into how technology can help academics push the boundaries of what’s possible.



Read the full article here.

Read the paper here.

 

OTHER INTERESTING AI HIGHLIGHTS:


Planning for an AGI-Powered Economy

/Anton Korinek, International Monetary Fund Publications


AI is evolving at an unprecedented pace, with experts debating whether artificial general intelligence (AGI) could arrive within 5 to 20 years. Anton Korinek highlights three potential scenarios for AI’s economic impact, ranging from gradual productivity boosts to rapid AGI development that could revolutionize labor markets. Policymakers are urged to adopt adaptive, scenario-based planning to navigate uncertainty and ensure shared prosperity as AI reshapes economies.



Read more here.

 

HeyGen Brings AI Video Tools to Your iPhone

/HeyGen Status on X


HeyGen has launched its iOS mobile app, bringing powerful AI tools to creators on the go. Users can craft lifelike avatars, translate videos into over 175 languages, and create dynamic content—all from their iPhones. With industry-leading avatar technology and video translation capabilities, HeyGen empowers professionals and marketers to elevate their content production effortlessly.



Read more here.

 

SOME AI TOOLS TO TRY OUT:


  • NotClass - Search YouTube and podcasts for exact answers without watching the whole thing.

  • Syndie - AI-automated LinkedIn outreach with a personal touch.

  • Papira  - Improve writing with grammar corrections, flow suggestions, and style preservation.

Source: Papira
Source: Papira
 

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!!!



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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