And we’re back.
Assuming I have more of your attention than I would’ve had last week, no?
Today, I want to talk about Apple Intelligence—not the technology itself, but the ads that are running to promote the launch. I just … well … I’m not sure…. ah hell, I don’t like them.
I think it sends the wrong message about AI altogether. As someone who’s been tracking this technology on multiple levels since ChatGPT debuted, it’s validating one of my fears (that AI is simply seen as a tool to reward the lazy or those inadequate at their jobs) and more importantly is being reduced to an ‘easy button’, which I go out of my way in AI presentations to say AI isn’t.
I’m questioning the intent behind the ads – is this what Apple thinks of the masses? Is this truly how they want us to use its product? So while we’ve been trialing tools and talking about the big picture advantages these past two years, here comes Apple with their product and wants us to treat it as spellcheck. Got it.
Here are a few of the ads if you haven’t seen them:
Catch-up quick.
Change your tone.
Writing tools.
Let’s dig into the AI topics that are a little heavier than helping me rewrite an internal office memo about my pudding.
1. Wait. I guess Apple Intelligence isn’t all bad!
This article from The Verge is hilarious. Have you experienced any interesting notification summaries? Please share!
2. AI Confidential: Notes from an off-the-record from an AI expert roundtable
A nice, quick read from the Chief Executive. One of the takeaways echoes my opening rant:
The consultants and AI CEOs in the room all expressed some frustration that their clients and customers invariably looked at generative AI primarily for productivity and cost-cutting. Most agreed that “productivity and cost-cutting” were among the least interesting things you could do with generative AI.
3. OpenAI … what’s up?
Greg Brockman? He’s back. Maybe he’ll stay?
Mira Murati’s team for her new company is taking shape.
All this while the company is admittedly hitting a rut. A wall. Diminshing law of return. Whatever you want to call it, they’re a little stuck.
4. Should you feel guilty about using AI?
One of the themes I talk about the most here – the environmental impact.
Side note: Funny, I didn’t hear much about the big-picture impacts of AI during the presidential election season. Yet, it is probably the one thing that will impact (almost) everything that WAS discussed.
5. Elon.
Speaking of the election, you can’t have an AI Round-Up and not at least mention the fact that one of the loudest AI voices out there now occupies a very powerful seat (what that actual seat will be is TBD) in our government.
This isn’t a political conversation. It’s a realistic one. If you run any other AI company, how could you not wake up on November 6 feeling nervous? Government contracts around AI use. Regulations. Usage. Technology guardrails. These will now all almost certainly skew xAI’s way.
Anything he wants to do … it would seem he has very little standing in his way to do it.
Update: it looks like he’s joining/co-managing the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency.
Do you have five hours you can spare? Nah, of course you don’t. So, we are going to have to break this one up a little. But I am so excited to listen to the latest Lex Fridman podcast. Coming in at just under five hours and 15 minutes, Lex interviews Dario Amodei, CEO of Anthropic (you’re my boy, Claude!).
…AI could conduct your next job interview? (Newsweek)
…AI could take your Taco Bell order? (CIO Dive)
…AI is having a hard time taking your order at Taco Bell? (TikTok)
…Anthropic put out a statement on targeted regulation? (Anthropic)
…OpenAI believes US allies should partner on AI to take on China? (Bloomberg) Hmmmmmm…. interesting timing.
…AI creep in hospitals and healthcare is terrifying this nurse? (.coda) And we have a winner for the scariest headline of the day.
I stand corrected. The Atlantic has just asked me to hold its beer.
…AI can save humanity—or end it. (The Atlantic) As written by Henry Kissinger, Eric Schmidt and Craig Mundie. Ok, you have my attention.
Meta’s plans for nuclear-powered AI data center thwarted* by rare bees.
*We just don’t use the word ‘thwarted’ enough anymore.
Bees! Bees! Your firearms are useless against them!!
We talk a lot about learning and getting ahead of the AI curve in this newsletter.
I came across an article that articulated why I believe this content and conversations are so important. If you have been reading along for the past year, you should look at an article like this and think to yourself, ‘This is news?’
I’m serious. The article, titled ‘AI in the C-suite: using AI to shape business strategy’ was published on November 4 In CIO. Now to you, it seems like an article that we may have shared and talked about a year ago. But to a lot of folks, this is new and relevant info. Good for them for getting onboard, but better for you.
I know I say this a lot, but simply by reading and learning more about AI, you are ahead of the curve. Hopefully this article helps to articulate that point.
-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.