AI Currents

?? Welcome to the fifteenth 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...

In an effort 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

AI Snake Oil

As we ride the AI wave, it's equally important to pause and consider the challenging questions about the potential harmful impacts of AI. AI Snake Oil", a new book by computer scientists Arvind Narayanan and Sayash Kapoor, aims to cut through the hype surrounding artificial intelligence.

The authors, two of TIME’s 100 Most Influential People in AI, examine both the real potential and the exaggerated claims of AI, exposing its limitations and the risks of relying on it for everything. The book warns readers of the dangers of companies using AI as a marketing tool to sell products that don't work and cautions against the unaccountable power of big tech companies in this field. Through clear explanations of the different types of AI and its real-world applications, the book aims to equip readers with the knowledge to make informed decisions about how and when to use AI.

Alphabet's Clean Energy Moonshot: Why it Depends on AI

This article discusses how Alphabet's X division is using AI to improve the electrical grid's ability to handle the transition to clean energy. Alphabet's project, called Tapestry uses AI to create a complete and accurate digital model of the grid, which is crucial for planning and managing the integration of renewable energy sources. The article highlights how Tapestry utilizes Google Street View to identify and track grid components, combines data from various sources, and enables high-speed simulations to assess potential scenarios. The project aims to address the challenge of limited grid visibility, allowing for efficient grid upgrades and ultimately accelerating the shift to sustainable energy.

AI Tools to Try

Illuminate - Turn Academic Papers into AI Generated Discussions

If you love Notebook LM, then you are going to love Illuminate even more! Google Illuminate is an experimental AI tool designed to transform academic papers and books into podcast-style audio content. It uses AI-generated male and female voices to create engaging, conversational audio that summarizes the main points of complex texts. This makes scholarly research more accessible, whether for someone on a long drive or those who find it challenging to read traditional academic papers.

You can tailor the podcast to various audiences from beginner, general to expert, the duration from quick (~<5 mins long), medium (5-10 mins), longer (10+ mins), and the tone from professional, semi-professional to casual.

There's no longer an excuse for avoiding the drudgery of reading scholarly papers! Now, accessing and understanding complex research doesn't have to be such a daunting task!

Courses You've Got to Take

UI Path Academy: Explore Automation for Individuals and Businesses

UiPath is a robotic process automation (RPA) software company. They offer FREE courses covering a wide range of topics, from introductory concepts in RPA and automation to more advanced topics such as AI-powered automation, testing, and specific applications of UiPath tools. These courses are aimed at various audiences, including developers, business analysts, and citizen developers, providing them with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively use UiPath's platform. The courses explore topics like building automations, working with various tools within the UiPath ecosystem, and understanding the underlying principles of RPA. This is truly a treasure trove of FREE resources!

Podcasts about AI

At the Edge - McKinsey & Company Digital

Check out the At the Edge podcast from 麦肯锡 . It explores the implications of generative AI and technology on business, featuring insights from industry experts, emphasizing responsible deployment and human oversight. Stay updated with fresh content every two months.

In this episode of the At the Edge podcast, venture capitalist Reid Hoffman and McKinsey's Lareina Yee explore the generative AI revolution and discuss ways it can empower users to unlock its full potential.

Highlights

• ?? Steam Power Revolution: Transformed industries in the late 18th century.
• ?? Generative AI: A new wave of technology enhancing language capabilities.
• ?? Communication Boost: AI improves how we interact and convey ideas.
• ?? Enhanced Reasoning: AI aids in analytical capabilities across sectors.
• ?? Sales & Marketing Evolution: AI tools reshape approaches to business.

Potentially Promising Prompts

Go from Zero to Hero with PromptHero ????♀?

If your image-generating prompting skills are stuck at zero and need a hero-level boost, check out PromptHero. PromptHero is a platform for discovering, creating, and sharing AI art prompts for models like DALL-E, Stable Diffusion, Midjourney and even ChatGPT. It offers a vast collection of community-verified prompts, making it easy for users—artists, content creators, and AI enthusiasts like you and me—to generate unique digital art and improve prompting skills while you're at it. Whether you're seeking inspiration or wanting to share your work, PromptHero connects you to a creative AI community!

AI in the News

A Robot, a Cyber-Taxi and a RoboVan

Tesla’s ‘We, Robot’ event showcased fully autonomous vehicles, including the Cyber Cab, and introduced the Optimus robot, highlighting advancements in transportation and robotics.

Highlights

• ?? Autonomous Cyber Cab: Tesla showcased driverless taxis, emphasizing cost efficiency and accessibility.
• ?? Low Transport Costs: The Cyber Cab’s operational cost is projected to be just 20-40 cents per mile.
• ?? Introduction of Roboven: (not Robo-van) A larger vehicle for transporting goods and up to 20 passengers, enhancing urban transport.
• ?? Optimus Robot: Tesla’s humanoid robot will leverage existing automotive technology to perform various tasks.
• ?? Affordable Robotics: Optimus could be priced around $20,000-$30,000, making personal robots accessible.
• ??? Multifunctional Capabilities: Optimus can assist in daily chores, childcare, and companionship.
• ?? Major Market Potential: The Optimus robot is predicted to be one of the biggest consumer products ever.

AI Gets Its Nobel Moment

On October 10, 2024, AI research received significant recognition with two Nobel Prizes awarded to Geoffrey Hinton and John Hopfield in Physics, and to Demis Hassabis, John Jumper, and David Baker in Chemistry. This acknowledgment highlights AI’s growing influence in scientific advancements, addressing complex problems and enhancing scientific research, while also raising concerns about potential misuse.

Highlights -??

• Nobel Recognition: Geoffrey Hinton and John Hopfield win Physics Nobel for AI breakthroughs. ??
• Chemistry Nobel: Awarded to DeepMind’s team for protein structure prediction using AI. ??
• AI Maturity: The field of AI is evolving, demonstrating significant scientific contributions. ??
• Global Impact: Over 2 million scientists utilize AI tools like AlphaFold2 worldwide. ??
• Future Concerns: Recognition brings attention to potential risks of AI in science. ??
• Innovation Pathways: Debate continues on the future directions of AI research methodologies. ??
• Industry Ties: Many laureates have connections to major tech companies, raising ethical questions. ??

Demis Hassabis, co-founder of DeepMind, won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for developing AlphaFold, revolutionizing protein research and biomedical applications.

Highlights

• ?? Nobel Prize awarded to Demis Hassabis and colleagues for AI breakthroughs in protein research.
• ?? AlphaFold predicts protein structures from genetic sequences, speeding up research significantly.
• ?? AlphaFold has been cited over 20,000 times in scientific studies since its launch.
• ?? Proteins are essential for life; understanding their structure aids drug discovery and disease understanding.
• ?? AI’s potential extends to addressing climate change and developing new materials.
• ?? Concerns exist regarding AI’s risks and ethical considerations in its deployment.
• ?? Hassabis emphasizes the need for societal discussions on AI’s future impact.

More AI Resources

The End of Work?

Geoffrey Hinton warns that AI could replace 50% of jobs in the next decade, impacting creative, physical, and analytical roles, while suggesting universal basic income as a potential solution.

Highlights

• ?? AI could replace 50% of jobs in the next decade.
• ?? Creative jobs are increasingly influenced by AI technology.
• ?? 26% of tasks in arts and design may be automated.
• ?? 41% of code on GitHub is currently AI-generated.
• ?? Hinton advocates for Universal Basic Income as a solution to job loss.
• ?? Jobs requiring empathy and complex decision-making are less likely to be replaced by AI.
• ?? The AI revolution may create 375 million new jobs by 2030.

DeepLearning.AI The Batch

The Batch is a weekly newsletter that delivers essential AI news and insights, catering to both beginners and experts. It provides curated content that is concise, easy to understand, and focused on the practical implications of AI developments. With contributions from industry leaders like Andrew Ng, it aims to keep readers informed about the latest trends and research in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.

Highlights -??

• Weekly Updates: Stay informed with the latest in AI every week.
• Curated Content: Focuses on top stories to save you time.
• Expert Insights: Features direct conversations with industry leaders.
• User-Friendly: Written in clear, jargon-free language.
• Practical Focus: Emphasizes real-world implications of AI.
• Deep Dives: Provides links for those wanting to explore further.
• Andrew Ng’s Perspective: Personal letters from Andrew Ng in each issue.

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! ?? ??