Blog Software Development What should every decision maker know about the Generative AI revolution?What should every decision maker know about the Generative AI revolution?
Generative AI isn’t just a fleeting tech trend. It’s a powerful force changing many sectors and it is already happening. It’s crucial for decision makers to grasp the idea, together with its chances and threats. I wrote this article to help you explore how Generative AI is reinventing not only product development and IT services, but also impacting a variety of other fields. By sharing my experiences, I hope to highlight the game-changing potential of Generative AI to aid better decision-making. I encourage all leaders and strategists to read this, and I hope you find it useful!
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Disclaimer: to make things a bit easier, when I’m referring to AI I mean Generative AI and tools based on Large Language Models (LLMs), like ChatGPT. There’s plenty of different models and tools nowadays, but these are the most recognizable, so I used them as a benchmark for the purpose of this article.
Which industries can get the most value from Generative AI tools?
I will start with a quite obvious statement, but AI has become more than just a trend. Some readers already know that. Generative AI is changing the way we work and create across many sectors, not just in product development. However, a company’s ability to leverage these technologies effectively depends on their readiness to adapt to market changes swiftly. The more agile and flexible it is, the better chances it has to get advantage from the change.
From my observations, the game development industry is a best example of where these AI tools can have a profound impact. Automation has taken the lead here, simplifying processes and creating content, scenarios, dialogues, voice-overs, and even AI-generated audiobooks. The notion of having AI-created content read out by artificial voices truly pushes the boundary between the digital and the real. At this very moment we can create entire stories and dialogues between game’s characters using only digital sources. They’re indistinguishable from the actors’ voices. This means that a game that you, or your kids, will play next year, will most likely have AI generated voices and scripts. While this is still supervised by humans, the change has already been made.
This is just the first example I can think of. Potential implementations of Generative AI are vast and span across various industries and the possibilities are almost endless. As you can see from the example, every industry where AI can imitate human interaction can take advantage of this technology.
But, it’s crucial for leaders to use Generative AI responsibly to get its full benefits and avoid any downsides. In doing so, this technology can be a game-changer, helping industries become more efficient and forward-looking.
How can AI support acquiring new skills?
From my own experience AI has altered how we learn and acquire new skills, particularly in the programming world. That’s clear for everyone who’s working in the software development industry.
So honestly, if you’ve been waiting for the right moment to kickstart your coding journey, there’s no better time than now. Tools like ChatGPT is like the teacher we all dreamed of having – incredibly patient, full of insights, and it’s always there for you, ready to take on even the trickiest of your queries. And the best part? It’ll never tire of your questions. Instead, it swiftly comes up with accurate answers, making the learning process much easier and less frustrating.
What really excites me about AI’s role in teaching programming is that it’s not just for us, coding veterans. It’s a helping hand to everyone, even those who haven’t written a single line of code before. AI has opened the door for learners to effortlessly tap into fields like machine learning or computer vision. Tools like CoPilot radically simplify the life of a software developer, regardless of their experience level. Making cross-domain skill application so much simpler, but of course - it still demands some technical skills.
From my own experience, AI’s role in helping us acquire new skills is reshaping how we learn, and it’s unlocking potential for personal and professional growth. So if you’re contemplating beginning your programming journey, I say, go for it! The AI will be a great companion and guide on this journey.
What skills are necessary to make the most of LLM-based tools?
The real value of AI technologies can be amplified with skills that are not necessarily connected with programming or technological skills. Being able to think algorithmically and comprehend cause-and-effect relationships is crucial, without a doubt, but that’s not all.
From my experience, great communication skills to express ideas with precision becomes equally important. Proficient communication, along with empathetic human abilities, enables users to articulate their thoughts plainly, using suitable language and expressions can improve results of the communication between the user and LLMs like ChatGPT.
It’s important to pay attention to how we ask questions to AI. This helps avoid bias or unfairness in AI’s answers. By skillfully avoiding unintended influences, professionals can make sure that the AI’s output matches what they aimed for. But even then, it’s worth remembering that LLMs have a tendency to hallucinate, so extra precaution when dealing with some outputs is recommended.
To sum it up, having a mix of coding knowledge and “soft” skills enables people to use AI tools better. It also helps us to understand how the tools are working and how to make better use of them.
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You manage an IT or software related department or company? Here’s how to implement AI efficiently
When you’re leading a large department and your goal is to incorporate innovations using Generative AI, having a clear strategy is the key. The first step involves reaching out to experts in the AI field (like me!) for advice and fine-tuning your plan. Their insight can guide you, ensuring your strategy is in line with best practices and industry standards.
Creating an innovative and collaborative culture within your department is the next step. Consider hosting a hackathon, like Boldare did, as this provides a space for your team members to voice any concerns, contribute ideas, and help develop AI solutions. This not only gives your team more agency but also encourages a sense of shared responsibility.
The success of AI projects hinges on providing your team with unrestricted access to tools like Chat GPT or CoPilot. This enables them to thoroughly explore and harness the technology, fostering productive work that’s facilitated by AI. A quote by John Cleese, a key member of Monty Python, conveys this concept beautifully: “If you want creative workers, give them enough time to play.” Brilliant, isn’t it?
In a nutshell: Implementing Generative AI in your department or company requires a clear strategy that includes expert advice, fostering an innovative and collaborative culture, and, last not least, providing unrestricted access to tools like Chat GPT or others - depending on actual needs.
Which companies, outside of Big Tech, are great inspiration when it comes to use of Generative AI?
Generative AI is impacting more than just Big Tech and tech-focused companies. Take the government of Iceland, for instance. They built a dedicated department using ChatGPT 4 to protect their national identity. They employ a GPT model, specifically trained for preserving their rich cultural heritage, putting an emphasis on their language. Another, really great use of Generative AI, is a project that I’m involved in - it’s a sign language interpreter that will be able to translate sign language in real time. It’s one of my favorite use cases - not only is it amazingly needed, but it goes beyond typical, programming related scenarios.
Those are examples that technology can influence literally any area of life or work. It’s only up to use, how we will use it.
On the other hand…
Microsoft’s leadership in the implementation of Generative AI stands out as both impressive and somewhat … unexpected. Their progress has not been without its challenges - the Bing setback is a notable example - but their success has been noteworthy. The company’s approach to deploying this innovative AI-related technology cannot be overstated. In my opinion (and presumably, not only in mine), Microsoft has outpaced firms like Google, who typically keep their advancements closely guarded. Moreover, it’s really interesting how Microsoft transformed from a software-focused company to one that now masters a service-oriented model. This change shows their flexibility and bold vision for the future. As Generative AI changes the tech world, Microsoft’s leading role is key in guiding this change.
Generative AI will change the marketing
The transformative potential of Generative AI in the marketing sector is clear, with SaaS tools ranging from generating content to creating appealing visuals. Its real power, however, lies in the automation of complex marketing tasks, thus driving operational efficiency. An example that comes to mind is a colleague who has used LLM tools for executing well-orchestrated Facebook campaigns, improving their efficiency, and saving his valuable time at the same time.
Looking ahead, it’s easy to see companies capitalizing on Generative AI for creating tools to automate marketing campaigns on the scale that we have never seen before. The technology enables the extraction of valuable customer insights and the fine-tuning of marketing efforts, improving personalization and engagement. Importantly, AI tools can also streamline the process of analyzing campaign results, freeing up marketers to focus more on creative and strategic pursuits. Still, human understanding is crucial when interpreting and applying AI-generated insights, as it ensures that marketing strategies are in tune with audience preferences and brand objectives. Generative AI becomes a key part of marketing, helping brands to bond with their customers better and faster, improving ROI.
How will AI affect human labor?
The ongoing AI revolution and its growing influence across various sectors sparks important and unavoidable discussions about its effects on human labor. In my opinion, the rise of AI-driven content creation doesn’t lessen the value of human effort. Instead it amplifies our creativity and saves time that can be spent on other aspects of work. We all love to watch beautiful graphics created using software like Midjourney or Stable Diffusion (two of my personal favorites!). Tools like ChatGPT are handy for content creation, but there remains a significant demand for content created by humans, even if it’s AI-assisted. And let’s make it clear - using ChatGPT-based tools for content or graphic design is perfectly fine! They’re designed for that purpose!
In a similar vein, within product development ecosystems like the one in which Boldare works, a valuable product that caters to users’ needs can’t solely be the work of AI-powered tools. Sure, tools like CoPilot are incredibly useful, but they can’t substitute the hard-earned experience of developers, product designers, and other experts gained over years of building digital products. The human element and experience remain integral to creation - solutions based on Large Language Models (LLMs) are tools, not replacements for human talent.
In the end, as AI improves, it’s clear that the future of work will involve AI helping us, not competing with us. This balance of AI and human creativity can boost industries, start new trends, and highlight the continued importance of human skill in our increasingly digital world. But won’t replace the experience and human empathy towards customers.
What should we expect from AI in the near future?
Looking to the future of LLMs, I expect a shift towards more focused, efficient and lighter models. They’ll be fine-tuned for different needs and sectors. Most probably, companies will have their own AI models that match their goals and frameworks. In short, we’ll have AI models for every possible purpose.
Moving forward, we need to be aware of possible hurdles linked to AI growth. A major concern is the tendency to overlook AI’s importance or view it as a passing fad, which could limit innovation and progress in different sectors. Plus, the rise in AI-produced content could lead to a flood of misleading data, creating information overload and causing public confusion.
Dependence on Large Language Models (LLMs) can result in unwise choices if these systems are mistaken for being superior to complex, expert mechanisms. Can’t stress this enough: we must understand that AI is designed to be a powerful tool that supplements human abilities, not an alternative to human judgment and critical thought.
Conclusion
The well-known Netflix series “Black Mirror” effectively showcases (as seen in the episode “Be Right Back” or others) the need for careful deployment of potent technologies like AI, as rushed application could result in unexpected and possibly damaging outcomes. Therefore, it is vital to be cautious and responsible when adopting Generative AI, so as to leverage its advantages while steering clear of potential pitfalls.
While it’s important not to be too concerned by negative possibilities, I’m hopeful about the power of Large Language Models. I believe the near future is full of promise for AI, with smaller, tailored models pushing various industries forward. But, we need to be careful and alert as we face possible challenges. By using AI wisely and understanding its limits, we’re well-prepared to overcome these issues, using this transformative technology to improve society and our shared future.
About the author: Max Salamonowicz is a robotics engineer known for his innovative work with BeSteady Ltd and ACR Systems. He has designed hardware used on numerous professional movie sets and is a co-author of the hybrid board game ‘Beyond Humanity: Colonies’. Recognized as one of 2015’s ‘50 Most Creative In Business’ by BRIEF Magazine, Max is also a crowdfunding expert, having consulted on over 30 campaigns, most of which achieved their desired backing. Though he describes himself as a ‘lazy AF ex-coder’, Max is an AI/ML expert, project manager, game developer, drone enthusiast, and robotics devotee, showcasing his multifaceted talent in technology, crowdfunding, and game development.
Disclaimer: The primary graphic design in this article was created with the assistance of the Midjourney app.
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