AI round-up: Week of April 1, 2024

Well, I know I’m going to regret saying this, but … it’s actually been a somewhat, kind of, maybe slowish week in the world of AI.

Keep that in mind as you go through the stories –- not the big news we’ve grown accustomed to, but still some beefy reads. So take your time, grab a cup of your favorite warm beverage and curl up with some AI reads.

The Big 5

1. How one tech skeptic decided AI might benefit the middle class.
   I kept reading this thinking, ‘Yeah, but….’ and I realized how much of a skeptic I’ve become these past 12 months. If you want to see how AI could positively impact the job market, take a minute and give this a read.
2. How AI may actually end the world.
   Ah, an uplifting piece. But this isn’t exactly what you think.
3. Microsoft and OpenAI are building a supercomputer called ‘Stargate.’
   I loved that movie so much. And now I want this supercomputer to look like that and transport us to the future(?).
4. Two hundred artists sign an open letter from Artists Rights Alliance claiming AI is a threat to their livelihoods.
   I don’t know what they’re worried about. I mean, this song I made about Akhia in roughly 90 seconds on Suno isn’t that good….
5. Perplexity is going to start selling ads.

Learn a little

Speaking of Perplexity, here is a piece that explains why AI search engines won’t mean the end of Google. All of that aside, it is going to disrupt search as we know it, though. These are the types of pieces I think we need to read and understand to stay ahead of the SEO game and make informed decisions.

Did you hear about…

…Copilot pushing more AI into your Teams calls and chats?

…Taco Bell and Pizza Hut going all in on AI?

…ChatGPT is now open to everyone, regardless if you have an account?

…Paid ChatGPT users can use AI to edit Dall-E images?

…Beyonce’s new album being anti-AI?

…AI determining what the best parts of a YouTube video are for you?

Must read/must discuss:

One key AI metric where China is ahead of the U.S.? Talent. When I read this, I can’t help but think of what Mustafa Suleyman wrote about in his book The Coming Wave. He said we don’t have nearly enough talent for AI containment as it is now … and not nearly enough to keep up with the pace at which AI researchers and engineers are going to be creating new tools.

So, if we’re already behind in talent here, and there is a global war on (AI) talent, who will be left to implement those containment policies and safeguards? It all connects.

Finally.

An AI March Madness update. You may have seen this on LinkedIn, but in our AI bracket at work (that ChatGPT picked), the winner is … NC State. And we’re all starting to get a little freaked out.

Always here to talk or brainstorm!

Thanks for reading! Feel free to share!

-Ben

As a reminder, this is a round-up of the biggest stories, often hitting multiple newsletters I receive/review. The sources are many … which I’m happy to read on your behalf. Let me know if there’s one you’d like me to track or have questions about a topic you’re not seeing here.