Exploring Tomorrow: Harnessing AI's Transformative Potential

In today's rapidly evolving landscape, the influence of artificial intelligence (AI) is undeniable. As we stand on the cusp of a new era, it's imperative to explore the profound impact AI is poised to have on our lives, industries, and education systems, especially in the realm of automotive mobility. Let's take a moment to ponder the monumental shifts on the horizon.

Let's take a brief pause to explore some interesting statistics that shed light on the impact of AI –

??????? By 2025, AI is projected to power 95% of customer interactions, fundamentally altering the dynamics of engagement.

??????? Just the manufacturing sector stands to gain an additional $3.8 trillion in Gross Value Added by 2035, courtesy of AI's disruptive potential.

??????? However, amidst these advancements, the World Economic Forum predicts a significant shift in employment dynamics, with AI poised to replace 85 million jobs worldwide by 2025 and create 97 million new roles i.e. net new opportunities.

So, while AI brings about disruptions it brings along with it net new opportunities. We need to use it to our advantage to increase productivity and not fight it.

Picture BMW, not just as an automaker but as a pioneer in leveraging virtual factories. Their partnership with Nvidia brings forth a virtual EV plant, a replica of their physical facility, set to open in 2025. It is enabled by Nvidia’s Omniverse – which is a convergence of graphics, accelerated computing simulation and AI technology. Employees immerse themselves in virtual environments, optimizing layouts and logistics systems even before production commences. This is the epitome of innovation, where the boundaries between the physical and digital realms blur seamlessly. The real business benefit is huge, the plant will be running at full capacity when actually launched which typically takes up to a year.

Similarly, consider the metamorphosis in the car buying experience, where an indulgent car buying experience is not a distant dream but an imminent reality, thanks to the metaverse's expansion and GenAI capabilities that enable a seamless co-existence between digital and physical realms.

In a future scenario, the adventure begins at home, with a family entering a virtual car dealership. This digital environment, part of the metaverse, allows them to browse various car models in 3D, interact with AI-driven sales representatives, and even customize potential cars to their liking. After selecting a few top contenders in the metaverse, the family schedules test drives for these models at their local dealerships. This step brings them back to the tangible world, where they can experience the cars firsthand—feeling the leather of the seats, smelling the new car scent, and hearing the engine's roar. Returning home, the family revisits the metaverse to finalize their customization options based on their real-world test drives. They adjust their chosen model with preferred colors, wheels, and interior options, visualizing these changes in real time. Satisfied with their choice, the family proceeds with the purchase. They complete the paperwork and financial transactions online, a process streamlined by the dealership's digital and physical customer service integration. The final step is a real-world one: they visit the dealership to pick up their new car, culminating in their hybrid buying experience. All of this is enabled by a digital id which ensures between channels the journey is seamless, picking exactly where they left – digital or physical.

The scenario exemplifies the future of consumer experiences—a seamless blend of the metaverse and GenAI’s vast possibilities with the indispensable value of real-world interactions.

Technology becoming “Humane”– amplifying the relationship between human and technology

The success or failure of technological innovation often hinges on their on their adoption. Throughout history, numerous technologies have failed, not necessarily because they lacked innovation or functionality, but because they required humans to significantly alter their habits, behaviors, or ways of thinking. ?This friction can be reduced if reverse happens i.e. tech adapts to humans which is what direction we see today.

Accenture’s 2024 Technology Vision talks about Human by Design advocating the need for technology to become more human. It describes how the inhuman aspect of technology can often be its downfall. For instance - Excessive screen time can worsen vision issues. Despite having advanced navigational aids, our attention can still be diverted while driving. This misalignment extends to our living and working spaces—structures are sometimes built for optimal connectivity rather than human comfort. Despite efforts towards user-friendly and ergonomic tools, we frequently find ourselves making life choices that prioritize technological needs over enhancing human capabilities. This ongoing tension between humans and their tools has led artists to depict a future where this conflict escalates. Nonetheless, a shift is underway, where we are moving towards a new era of tech that embodies human traits more closely.

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Generative AI is resetting our relationship with Technology

Generative AI stands out as a technology that is more human by design. It not only mimics human intelligence and creativity but also adapts and responds to our needs in ways that feel natural and intuitive. By generating text, images, music, and more, GenAI reflects our own creative processes, making technology feel like an extension of our human capabilities rather than an external tool. This shift towards more human-centric technology promises to bridge the gap between the digital and the natural, weaving technology into the fabric of our daily lives seamlessly.

The key trends that outline how our relationship with technology is changing -

1.The rise of AI/GenAI, marks a shift from being mere librarians of data to trusted advisors.

Historically, AI systems have functioned primarily as vast databases, capable of storing, organizing, and retrieving information upon request. They acted much like digital librarians, providing users with access to information but offering little in the way of interpretation, insight, or recommendations. The advent of Gen AI has catalyzed a transformation, enabling AI to not only manage data but also understand, interpret, and generate actionable recommendations from it. This has elevated AI from the role of a librarian to that of a trusted advisor. Unlike their predecessors, modern AI systems can analyze patterns, predict outcomes, and recommend actions based on vast datasets, encompassing everything from market trends and consumer behavior to scientific research findings.

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To quote the trend with an example - November 2022 when OpenAI launched ChatGPT, which became the fastest growing app of all time. 20 Large language models (LLMs) had been around for years, but ChatGPT’s ability to answer questions in a direct and conversational manner made the difference. Microsoft, OpenAI’s partner, quickly recognized what was happening and released Bing Chat in February 2023, they positioned it not just as a search tool but as a “copilot for the web.”

However, it’s now without its challenges

In March 2023, a lawyer submitted a brief to a New York judge. In it, he cited multiple prior court decisions, indicating that his client’s case should not be dismissed. But there was a problem. None of those court decisions, or related quotations and citations, could be found – ChatGPT had created fictitious cases. According to the lawyer, he was not aware that ChatGPT could fabricate information, but the judge was not pleased. Not only did the judge fine that lawyer and others involved, but he required them to notify the real judges who were identified as having written the fake cases.

However, despite its transformative potential, several gaps and challenges remain, impacting its effectiveness and integration.

????? Value gap – organizations need to demonstrate value from these investments. 2024 should be year of value being realized.

???? Readiness gap –Organizations need to be ready with data, technology, skills.

·?????? Policy Gap – Worth mentioning it’s the most critical component. Only EU have some form of Policy action though impact one could debate on.

2.The emergence of Agent Ecosystems

Ecosystems where intelligent agents not only advise but take proactive actions on behalf of humans. Envision a scenario wherein ecosystems are augmented by intelligent entities, such as Tesla Humanoids.? Imagine humanoid agents seamlessly integrating into our daily lives, augmenting our capabilities in ways previously unimaginable.? However, Agents need to gradually earn their organization’s trust and fulfill their explosive potential.

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China is strategically positioning humanoid robots at the forefront of its industrial future, aiming for mass production by 2025 and reaching a globally advanced level by 2027.

In a 2023 published guideline, the government emphasizes the development of an innovation system for humanoid robots, breakthroughs in key technologies, and the assurance of core component supplies. By enhancing the capabilities of humanoid robots in sectors such as healthcare, home services, agriculture, and logistics, China anticipates a transformative impact on production and daily life, potentially altering the global industrial landscape. This push is partly motivated by a desire to overcome labor challenges exacerbated by a declining population and economic pressures, aiming to make humanoid robots a new engine for economic growth and international competitiveness.

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3. Blurring line between Digital and Physical worlds

The convergence of digital and physical realms, a direct result of advancements in human-centric technology design, is reshaping our interactions with technology and the world around us. The transformation is driven by ?broad range of technologies, including Metaverse, Virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), mixed reality (MR), and extended reality (XR), as well as sensor technologies and advanced computing – collectively called as spatial computing.

At the heart of this evolution is Generative AI (GenAI), which is revolutionizing the creation of digital content, environments, and experiences within the Metaverse. GenAI enables the development of more immersive, interactive, and personalized experiences by generating realistic images, videos, sounds, and even virtual personas. Early applications in industrial digital twins, virtual training, and real-time assistance highlight the ability of Spatial computing to manage and communicate intricate data effectively. Another interesting concept which is bringing both the worlds together is - The concept of a "human interface". It encompasses a collection of technologies aimed at deepening our understanding of human intent, a crucial factor across various industries. Innovators are leveraging wearable devices and bio signal tracking to anticipate desires or cognitive states.

Neurotech, including neuro-sensing and brain-computer interfaces (BCI), represents a significant advancement in the "human interface." Contrary to beliefs that neurotech would remain confined to healthcare due to its invasiveness, recent developments indicate a shift towards consumer-oriented applications. Advances in decoding brain signals, aided by AI and open-source data, are making it easier to recognize and classify brain signals across individuals without extensive calibration. Additionally, improvements in external neuro-hardware are expected to expand market appeal, demonstrating the potential of neurotech to become mainstream in enhancing human-tech interaction.

A very recent example in Neuro tech is Elon Musk’s Neuralink venture has successfully implanted a device in its first human subject in the trail. A notable point here is that Elon Musk’s goal with Neuralink is to “develop a technology that helps humans “merge with AI” so that we won’t be “left behind” as AI becomes more sophisticated”.

Implications for Enterprises

The swift advancement of Generative AI (GenAI) marks more than a leap in technology—it's a force revolutionizing business practices at their core. Here, we explore significant trends that underscore GenAI's deep impact across the board.

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1.?????? Relook at business models - Businesses need to relook at their business models as AI permeates every fabric of the value chain, right from product design to lifetime services. Every business is a tech / digital business. GenAI introduces capabilities that extend far beyond traditional automation and data analytics, offering the potential to generate new content, ideas, products, and services

2.?????? Data and digital capabilities – The advancements are forcing businesses to improve their digital capabilities.? Generative AI will be the interface that rests on top of enterprises’ vast data architectures. 95% of executives believe that Gen AI will compel their organization to modernize its architecture. Many companies are struggling to modernize their data strategy and needs investment.

3.?????? Responsible usage of AI - Agents could dramatically multiply the output of individual employees but need to be regulated.? Technology empowered the skillset of employees. However, the problem arises when the agent creates information that might not be true. Humans need to create and enforce rules for agents. Hence, the valuable employees are those who can set the guidelines for agents, but employees must have an intricate understanding of the company’s values.

In this rapidly changing environment, shaped by the advancements in AI everyone needs to view technology as an ally rather than an adversary. Case in point, we leveraged GenAI for text and image to write this blog augmenting our human capabilities ?? ?The evolving job market offers a spectrum of opportunities and challenges, emphasizing the need for skills that AI cannot replicate, such as emotional intelligence, empathy, and adaptability. This necessitates a continuous learning mindset for businesses and academicians alike, to stay updated with AI advancements and ensure all are well-prepared for the future.

As we forge ahead through these transformative times, the collective goal should be to harness the immense potential of GenAI, adapting our strategies, learning paradigms, and business models to thrive in this new era.

Tx to my colleagues who shaped this and got this out Akilan T M Harish Kumar

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Disclaimer : ?The views expressed herein are solely those of the individual and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or policies of the organization

Tx to my colleagues who shaped this and got this out Akilan T M M Harish Kumar