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Another Crazy Day in AI: What’s Holding Sales Teams Back?

Another Crazy Day in AI: An Almost Daily Newsletter

Hello, AI Enthusiasts.


After a long Tuesday, let’s explore how AI is changing the game! 🚀


In a world where technology is rapidly transforming business, sales teams still struggle to unlock their full potential. So, what’s missing? Industry experts, in a Harvard Business Review article, suggest that outdated practices and resistance to change could be holding sales teams back from fully embracing AI's game-changing capabilities.


Plus, a new MIT study sheds light on how AI is reshaping scientific research. And, in a fun experiment, Ethan Mollick challenged Claude, an AI language model, to create an immersive puzzle game with interactive challenges. 🧩


Here's another crazy day in AI:

  • Why sales teams struggle and how AI can help

  • Study shows AI can boost scientific breakthroughs and patents

  • Claude’s Attempt at Creating an Immersive Puzzle Game

  • Some AI tools to try out


 

TODAY'S FEATURED ITEM: How Generative AI is Changing Sales


Image Credit: Wowza (created with Ideogram)

Image Credit: Wowza (created with Ideogram, idea sourced from HBR Staff/Radka Janouskovcova/Getty Images)


What's stopping sales teams from reaching their full potential? The answer might be simpler than you think.


Sales teams are often underperforming, not because they lack talent or drive, but because they’re held back by outdated systems and practices. Despite the surge in technology and AI advancements, many sales teams still rely on manual tasks and conventional strategies that limit their effectiveness. The truth is, the solution could be simpler than we think.


A Harvard Business Review article by Prabhakant Sinha, Arun Shastri, and Sally Lorimer dives into the gap between the vast potential of AI and its underutilization in sales processes. It suggests that the key to unlocking this potential lies in integrating generative AI to streamline workflows, enhance personalization, and provide better support for sales teams.


Screenshot by Wowza | Source: HBR
Screenshot by Wowza | Source: HBR

Here’s how Generative AI can help:

  • Automation of Routine Tasks: From managing emails to updating CRM entries, AI can handle many repetitive administrative tasks, freeing up salespeople to focus on more impactful work.

  • Enhanced Personalization: AI tools, like Microsoft’s Viva Sales or Salesforce’s Einstein GPT, can generate real-time, data-driven insights that help sales reps personalize their conversations with clients—leading to more meaningful engagements.

  • Support for Sales Managers: AI also benefits managers by offering suggestions for coaching, providing insights into team performance, and identifying areas for improvement.


The integration of AI into sales processes offers immense potential, but there’s more to it than just implementing a tool. To truly maximize its impact, companies need to carefully consider how they introduce AI into their operations. It’s not about replacing salespeople, but empowering them with the right tools to succeed. AI should be seen as a valuable complement, not a replacement, for human talent.


However, the biggest challenge remains not technology, but the adoption of these tools within teams that may be resistant to change or hesitant to adopt new technologies. Embracing AI requires a shift in mindset and a commitment to ongoing training. The goal should be to make AI work for the sales team, supporting their strengths and helping them overcome their limitations. Once teams begin to trust and effectively integrate AI, the results can be transformative, improving productivity and ultimately driving business growth.



Read the full article here.

 

OTHER INTERESTING AI HIGHLIGHTS:


Study Shows AI Can Boost Scientific Breakthroughs and Patents

/James Pethokoukis on AEIdeas


A recent study from MIT sheds light on the transformative power of AI in scientific research. Using an AI tool to assist in materials discovery, a U.S. R&D lab reported a 44% increase in materials discovered and 39% more patents filed. Notably, this AI-augmented approach spurred more novel innovations, challenging concerns that AI might limit creativity by focusing on known data. The findings underscore AI's potential to accelerate innovation in fields from healthcare to manufacturing by exploring new scientific territory.



Read more here.

 

Claude’s Attempt at Creating an Immersive Puzzle Game

/Ethan Mollick on LinkedIn


In an experiment, Ethan Mollick asked Claude, an AI language model, to create an immersive puzzle game with unique world-building and interactive challenges. While the puzzles required some adjustments for difficulty, Claude generated an impressive first draft of a story-driven game on demand. Mollick’s prompt explored AI's creative capabilities, hinting at the future potential of AI to generate games or interactive stories on the fly with personalized elements and puzzle-solving dynamics.



Read more here.

 

SOME AI TOOLS TO TRY OUT:


  • Theo - Tailor AI to your business strategy for outputs that reflect your unique model and goals.

  • DuckDuckGo - Privacy-focused search engine, Now featuring an AI chatbot.

  • AI Studios  - All-in-one platform for creating lifelike AI avatars, natural text-to-speech, and seamless video editing.

 

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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