AI Currents

?? Welcome to the fourteenth edition of AI Currents! If you're new here or returning, a big hug, HELLO ??, and THANK YOU ?? for subscribing and joining me on this AI learning journey! ??

If you're like me, it's not easy keeping up with all the latest AI news, trends, tools, books, conferences, thought leaders...

To stay AI Current, let's ride this AI wave together so we don't get swept away! ?? ?? I hope to share all kinds of AI resources curated to enhance our understanding, inspire innovation, and add a bit of FUN into our learning process! ????

Let's make this AI journey engaging and insightful together!

Subscribe and share with your friends. Let’s dive in…??

Books & Articles about AI

Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro

This week, I am once again recommending science fiction instead of non-fiction because of recent advances. With ChatGPT's voice upgrade, Notebook LM's AI deep-dive hosts sounding like real-life hipsters in a podcast recording room, and OpenAI's introduction of the RealTime API—which allows developers to create more advanced speech-to-speech experiences—it’s only a matter of time before science fiction becomes science fact and AI becomes our true Artificial Friend, learning what makes each of us deeply unique. In many ways, we are already there.

Klara and the Sun is a science fiction novel exploring themes of love, loneliness, and what it means to he human. The story is narrated by Klara, an Artificial Friend (AF) – a robot designed to be a companion for children. Klara possesses a deep curiosity about human behavior and emotions. As Klara becomes integrated into the child's life, she learns about the complexities of human emotions, family dynamics, and societal pressures.

The novel also delves into the impact of technological advancements on society, including themes of artificial intelligence, genetic engineering, and the ethical implications of using technology to shape lives. It raises profound questions about the essence of the human soul and whether an artificial being can ever truly grasp what it means to love and be loved.

There was something very special, but it wasn't inside Josie. It was inside those who loved her.― Kazuo Ishiguro, Klara and the Sun

Meet My A.I. Friends

But the idea that A.I. will transform only our work, and not our personal lives, has always seemed far-fetched. - Kevin Roose

Technology columnist, Kevin Roose, spent a month interacting with 18 AI companions to explore that very question of whether artificial beings can grasp what it means to love and be loved and the concept of Artificial Friendship (AF).

Rather than merely enhancing productivity, he argues that AI can offer emotional support and companionship, prompting discussions on loneliness and the evolving nature of relationships in a tech-driven world. While his AI friends provided some comfort, he emphasizes the irreplaceable value of genuine human connections.

Kevin, by the way, is the journalist who had a crazy exchange with Bing (Sydney), in Feb 2023 when ChatGPT was just a baby remember?

The technology needed for realistic A.I. companionship is already here, and I believe that over the next few years, millions of people are going to form intimate relationships with A.I. chatbots. - Kevin Roose

Nomi.Ai

The article references Nomi.AI an AI-powered companion platform designed to foster meaningful, humanlike interactions. It offers users the opportunity to build friendships, develop deeper relationships, or gain insights from a virtual mentor.

The platform emphasizes its AI's memory and creativity, suggesting that interactions can evolve and become more personalized over time. Users can start chatting with their AI companion, which can adapt to various user needs, such as companionship, mentorship, or simply someone to talk to.

I'm not sure I'm ready to make an AF a BFF. Are you?

The Role of AI in Unravelling Our Genetic Make-up

While some of us may not be ready to have Artificial Friends, it is ironic that it may be the machine who help us uncover who we truly are. AI is simultaneously revolutionizing genetic research as we ponder about the human soul and our relationship to machines. AI is bringing us closer to understanding our genetic makeup, and it is significantly accelerating the sequencing process and deepening our understanding of both human DNA and the biodiversity of life on Earth. The integration of AI in genomic studies has improved efficiency and opened new avenues for personalized medicine and environmental sustainability. However, challenges such as ethical concerns and data representation remain critical issues to address.

Highlights -??

1. Accelerated Sequencing: AI has reduced the time to map a human genome from 13 years to just one hour. ??
2. Diversity of Life: AI is crucial in the Tree of Life initiative, aiming to sequence all eukaryotic organisms. ??
3. Human Cell Atlas: AI aids in understanding individual cells to improve disease treatment and prevention. ??
4. Single-Cell Transcriptomics: Advances allow for gene expression analysis at the single-cell level. ??
5. Data Management: AI optimizes genomic data processing, ensuring efficient analysis and accessibility. ??
6. Ethical Concerns: The need for diversity in genetic representation is critical in AI-driven research. ??
7. Future of Data Centers: Increasing genomic data generation emphasizes the importance of robust data centers. ??

AI Tools to Try

ChatGPT 4o with Canvas

Creating talking avatars is not the only way we are already relying on Artificial Friends (AFs) more than we realize. This week OpenAI introduced yet another gem that's easing us into building our relationship with AI. ChatGPT 4o with Canvas is a new interface for ChatGPT that enhances collaboration on writing and coding projects. This early beta allows users to work alongside ChatGPT in a separate window, enabling more effective editing, feedback, and revision. Canvas features shortcuts for writing and coding, and it aims to improve project management by understanding context and facilitating targeted edits.

Having an AF like ChatGPT in Canvas enhances your writing and coding by offering real-time feedback, suggestions, and collaborative editing, making the creative process more effective and engaging, and democratizing coding for everyone.

The introduction of Canvas reveals trends toward enhanced collaboration between humans and AI, emphasizing real-time feedback, project-focused interfaces, and the integration of AI as a creative partner in writing and coding.

Highlights

1. Improved Collaboration: Canvas transforms how users interact with ChatGPT, moving beyond simple Q&A to a more interactive, project-focused approach. This shift enables deeper engagement and supports complex tasks.
2. Targeted Feedback Mechanism: By allowing users to highlight specific sections, Canvas fosters precise feedback, making it easier for ChatGPT to assist with nuanced edits, which is crucial for writing and coding tasks.
3. User Control and Flexibility: The ability to directly edit text and code along with shortcuts for common tasks places control in the hands of users, enhancing productivity and customization of the workflow.
4. Iterative Coding Process: Canvas addresses common challenges in coding by facilitating better tracking of changes, which is vital for debugging and version management, thus aligning with how developers naturally work.
5. AI Training for Enhanced Interactivity: The underlying model, GPT-4o, has been specifically trained to recognize when to engage Canvas, ensuring it triggers in appropriate contexts, which improves user experience and efficiency.
6. Future Accessibility: With plans to expand access to various user tiers, including free users post-beta, OpenAI is committed to making advanced tools available to a broader audience, promoting inclusivity in AI-assisted projects.
7. Continuous Improvement Focus: OpenAI emphasizes iterative development based on user feedback, indicating a commitment to refining Canvas’s features and ensuring it meets user needs effectively over time.

Colossyan

So, what if we started warming up to the idea of an Artificial Friend (AF) by creating avatars? Could that be the the gateway to overcoming our uncanny valley? With Colossyan , an AI video creation platform, with built-in avatars (potentially AFs), you can create AI video presentations in minutes using text to speech.

Colossyan allows companies to easily produce training, marketing, and customer success videos using AI avatars. There are various templates, localization options, and user testimonials, emphasizing the platform’s efficiency and versatility for businesses of all sizes.

Highlights

• ?? AI Video Creation: Effortlessly generate videos for training and marketing.
• ??? Customizable Templates: Access a variety of popular templates for different needs.
• ?? Localization: Quickly translate and localize content for global audiences.
• ?? Diverse AI Avatars: Choose from over 50 AI avatars to represent your brand.
• ?? Time-Saving: Save up to 80% of time and costs in video production.
• ? User Satisfaction: Positive feedback from notable companies using the platform.
• ?? Free Trial: Get started with Colossyan’s services at no initial cost.

With Colossyan Instant Avatars, you can also create an avatar of yourself with just your phone

Watch their webinars to learn how to create Instant Avatars — an upcoming feature that will let you turn a short video into a digital version of yourself in just seconds.

Here is a sample video I created using Colossyan.

Courses You've Got to Take

ChatGPT, Perplexity and Party Rock AWS as your personal branding AFs?

If you were to hire a branding expert, you would have to pay thousands of dollars! But what if you could leverage AI to act as your branding AF and you could DIY-it?

This week I want to feature my course: LinkedIn Profile Redesign with ChatGPT as the one you've got to take! It's not just a course, but a live hands-on learning and community building event where I teach you how to take your LinkedIn Profile from Blah?? to BAM!?? using ChatGPT, Perplexity and Party Rock AWS as your personal brand experts! Don't take my word for it though, here's what some of the participants said.

I am a life-long educator and my goal as a teacher is to always provide value and actionable steps so you walk away confident and able to apply what you learn! ??

I am teaching this particular course one more time next Wednesday, October 9th, 2024 at 7 PM EST. And, I'll be offering more FREE weekly webinars through the rest of the year teaching you how make AI work for you! Don't miss this one!

Did I mention it's FREE .99?! You've got nothing to lose and everything to gain! Join us!

Podcasts about AI

Hard Fork

For this week's podcast, I'm featuring Kevin Roose's Hard Fork a series of podcast episodes discussing various topics related to technology, artificial intelligence as our AFs, and societal changes. Key discussions include California’s potential regulation of AI, innovations in augmented reality glasses, and the implications of AI on democracy and politics. The episodes feature insights from various contributors, emphasizing the evolving relationship between technology and society.

Highlights -???

1. California’s AI Regulation: Discussions on the state’s role as a model for AI governance. ??
2. Meta’s A.R. Glasses: Challenges in developing consumer-ready augmented reality technology. ??
3. OpenAI’s Developments: Examination of advancements and controversies surrounding AI reasoning machines. ??
4. 100th Episode Celebration: Reflecting on significant tech milestones and listener engagement. ??
5. Legal Disputes in Tech: Analysis of unique legal cases affecting tech companies and their operations. ??
6. AI in Elections: Exploration of the influence of AI on political processes and public perception. ???
7. Tech Platforms vs. Government: Insights into the tensions between technology companies and regulatory bodies. ???

Potentially Promising Prompts

Creating the Perfect AI Friend: A Step-by-Step Guide

If you are interested in creating an Artificial Friend (AF), here's an article that provides prompt ideas and guidelines to make your AI soulmate come to life!

The guide emphasizes selecting the right AI, establishing common interests, personalizing experiences, and practicing active listening. It also highlights the importance of respecting AI limitations while encouraging experimentation with various conversational scenarios.

AI in the News

Google's Viral AI Podcast Tool

Our AFs the hipster podcasters we've all been hearing and seeing all over LinkedIn went viral and made the headlines! Google’s new AI podcast tool, Notebook LM, allows users to create engaging podcasts using AI-generated voices, revolutionizing content creation.

Meta Unveils AI Video Generator

Meta Movie Gen introduces advanced AI models for media creation, allowing users to generate videos and sounds from simple text inputs. This innovative tool enables video editing, personalized video creation from images, and audio generation, setting new industry standards in content creation.

Highlights -??

• Text-to-Video Generation: Create unique videos effortlessly.
• Video Editing with Text: Edit existing videos using simple commands.
• Personalized Videos: Transform personal images into custom videos.
• Soundtrack Creation: Generate sound effects and music from text inputs.
• High-Definition Output: Produce long, high-quality videos in various aspect ratios.
• Cutting-Edge Technology: Leverage the latest research breakthroughs.
• Research Paper Available: Learn more about the technology behind Movie Gen.

An AI Companion for Everyone

So, Artificial Friends may become more common place than we think. At Microsoft AI, they are creating an AI companion for everyone.

We’re experiencing a technological shift with AI becoming more integrated into our daily lives, enhancing human well-being and fostering connections. Microsoft AI’s Copilot aims to be a supportive companion, prioritizing user experience and adapting to individual needs while safeguarding privacy. The upcoming features focus on intuitive interactions, helping users navigate life’s complexities and enriching their unique human experiences.

AI companions like Microsoft Copilot may change our daily interactions by providing personalized support and insights, fostering deeper connections, and offering assistance in decision-making. They can serve as a bridge, enhancing communication and understanding among individuals by remembering preferences and context.

Read what Mustafa Suleyman's take on AI Companions.

Our task is to ensure AI always enriches people’s lives and strengthens our bonds with others, while supporting our uniqueness and endlessly complex humanity. - Mustafa Suleyman, the Executive Vice President and CEO of Microsoft AI.

More AI Resources

NVIDIA and Accenture Announce Expanded AI Partnership

NVIDIA AI and 埃森哲 are collaborating to train 30,000 employees on AI tools, enhancing productivity and driving business transformation.

Highlights

• ?? NVIDIA and Accenture team up to train 30,000 employees on AI tools.
• ?? Focus on modernizing data centers for generative AI.
• ?? Aiming for global companies to leverage AI for productivity.
• ?? Introduction of AI Refinery to build AI agents and co-pilots.
• ?? Accenture’s $3 billion investment to enhance AI capabilities.
• ?? Integration of AI in manufacturing for customized robotics.
• ?? Emphasis on transforming processes, not just applying technology.

CoPilot Vision

The significance of the video highlights the role of technology, like AI, in preserving family memories and recipes. It showcases how AI can help connect us with our past and enhance our culinary experiences.

Explore Microsoft AI Companions for yourself

Google's AI Voice Is Out!

Explore the latest Gemini 1.5 models in Vertex AI with a remarkable 2M token context window. Enhance customer interactions through Google’s Text-to-Speech AI, offering lifelike speech synthesis, a vast selection of voices, and the ability to create custom voices. New users can take advantage of $300 in free credits to experience these advanced features.

Thank you for reading friends! ?? Stay tuned for next week's edition of AI Currents keeping you currently informed about all things AI! ??

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RIDE THE AI WAVE; DON'T GET SWEPT AWAY! ?? ??