LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman recently delved into the realm of AI avatars by engaging in a video interview with a remarkably human-like digital clone of himself. Developed by Hour One and featuring voice cloning by 11ElevenLabs, this AI replica not only mimicked Hoffman’s knowledge and voice but also exhibited nuanced body language, actively nodding, smiling, and shrugging in sync with the real-world counterpart.
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The Shifting Dynamics Of Large Language Models
We are clearly in the early days of a transition and we are watching it unfold before us. Hype aside, it is fascinating to watch artificial intelligence rapidly evolve. A recent article provides a small example. As we view this evolution through the lens of accelerants and obstacles, much has been said about regulations and the limitations of data and compute power (potential obstacles). The article identifies two possible accelerants: intensifying competition and new sources of data. Here is a brief summary.
Continue readingBeyond Fear: Embracing The Positive Potential Of Artificial Intelligence
I had the pleasure of sitting down for a discussion with Journalist Kevin Williams. His article went live on CNBC on April 6. I really enjoyed this one for multiple reasons. First, the positive focus that Kevin was looking for – a focus inspired by the recent TCS Futurist Study. Second, Kevin sought additional perspectives, one from another Futurist and the other from a psychologist. The question of human behavior is an important one – so I was thrilled when Kevin pursued that angle. As the advent of generative artificial intelligence (AI) has sparked both fascination and fear in equal measure, these conversations are important. Here are some key messages from the article.
Continue readingNavigating The Workforce Shift
In a recent article, Don Reisinger describes a consortium formed to address the impact of jobs lost to AI. In an era where technological advancements have the potential to reshape industries at an unprecedented pace, concerns about the displacement of jobs due to artificial intelligence (AI) adoption have reached a critical juncture. Acknowledging this challenge, several leading tech companies, deeply entrenched in the realm of AI, have joined forces to mitigate the impact of job loss and facilitate workforce transitions.
Continue readingBeyond The Tomb: AI’s Duality – From Reuniting Families To Automating War
A recent article focused on the duality of innovation. Author Andy Meek describes how AI is evolving in this dual context, in this case, resurrection versus killing. He describes the futuristic turn taken by China’s Ching Ming Festival, a time-honored tradition of honoring the dead. While families still visit gravesites and burn offerings, a growing trend sees them paying for hyper-realistic AI avatars of their loved ones.
Continue readingTransforming Education: Learning In The Modern World
A recent article by Forbes Councils Member MacKenzie Price explores the role of AI and humans in emerging transformation of education. As readers of my Blog know, I view education as the bridge to a new era. Here is a brief summary of the article:
Continue readingWill AI Reshape Our World Faster Than Electricity?
Imagine a world transformed not in decades, but years, by a single invention. That’s the potential future with Artificial Intelligence (AI). History offers a fascinating comparison: electricity. This seemingly simple technology took 40 years to fully revolutionize factories, forever altering manufacturing. Along the way, it changed how we lived in our homes, altered the workforce, and transformed various aspects of society. But will AI follow the same slow burn, or are we on the cusp of an exponential leap?
Continue readingBook: Our Biggest Fight – A Fight For A Better Digital World
I finished reading my most recent book. This one titled Our Biggest Fight focuses once again on the dual paths of innovation – in this case, the Internet. I have added the book to my library and provide a brief summary below.
The internet, once a beacon of hope and connection, has become a battleground according to Frank H. McCourt Jr.’s new book, “Our Biggest Fight: Reclaiming Liberty, Humanity, and Dignity in the Digital Age.” Published in March 2024, the book argues that the current state of the internet, dominated by big tech companies and manipulative algorithms, is a threat to our freedoms and well-being.
Continue readingFuture Today Institute – 2024 Tech Trends Report
Each year, Amy Webb and her Future Today Institute launch their tech trends report. This edition of the annual report tracks more than 700 technology and science trends that are likely to influence every industry. Amy had this to say about the report on LinkedIn:
Continue readingEmbracing Tomorrow: Futurists’ Optimism On AI And The Future Of Work
In today’s rapidly evolving landscape, the role of futurists in enterprises is paramount. These visionaries not only anticipate possible futures but also guide companies in preparing for what lies ahead. Unsurprisingly, technology trends often dominate these discussions, with the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) sparking both celebration and concern. That’s why Futurists here at TCS decided to launch a study titled Working Towards the Future.
The survey reveals an overwhelming sense of optimism among futurists regarding AI’s impact, particularly in the realm of work. A staggering 90% of surveyed futurists express optimism about the changes AI will bring, with nearly half of them being very optimistic. This optimism extends to AI’s potential contributions to employee health and wellness, as 72% of participants foresee significant positive impacts.
Unlocking The Power Of AI: Lessons From Chess And Beyond
A recent article did a great job of looking backward to see forward. The author delves into the intricate relationship between AI and strategic games like chess and Go, offering insights into AI’s broader societal impact. Initially met with trepidation, AI’s victory over human players sparked fears of obsolescence within the chess community. However, the aftermath revealed a flourishing chess scene, with increased interest, diverse talent, and heightened sponsorship—a testament to AI’s role in rejuvenating rather than diminishing the game. Beyond gameplay, AI revolutionized strategic thinking and decision-making processes. By providing access to vast amounts of data and novel strategies, AI empowered players to innovate and adapt, reshaping the landscape of traditional games.
Continue readingNavigating The Duality Of Artificial Intelligence
Everyday, we see more headlines focused on artificial intelligence (AI). Given the possibilities, it stands to reason that the conversation will continue into the foreseeable future. At the heart of the discussion lies the dual paths of innovation. The path forward represents a delicate balance between the socially constructive benefits of innovation and a destructive path driven by technologies that have no ethics, and an innovation engine that has no governance. The AI discussion has historical precedent. Artificial intelligence has permeated our lives, from the algorithms recommending your next purchase to the groundbreaking medical diagnoses saving lives. While AI’s potential for positive impact is undeniable, it also evokes concerns about job displacement, algorithmic bias, and even the dystopian possibilities of superintelligence.
This discourse around AI hinges on two distinct perspectives: techno-optimism and techno-pessimism. Techno-optimists, brimming with faith in progress, view AI as the ultimate problem-solver, a tool to unlock a brighter future. They envision AI revolutionizing healthcare, tackling climate change, and propelling us towards a utopia driven by innovation.
Continue readingGenerative AI Propels Humanoid Robots Into Unstructured Frontiers
The field of robotics stands at a pivotal point, poised to venture beyond the controlled confines of factories and laboratories. At the forefront of this progress lies the potent collaboration between generative AI and humanoid robots, paving the way for their operation in the dynamic and unpredictable world – unstructured environments. Generative AI, with its ability to analyze and synthesize data across varied domains like text, images, and video, plays a crucial role in empowering these robots. One primary contribution lies in enhancing their understanding of unstructured environments. These environments, unlike the pre-programmed structures robots traditionally operate in, are characterized by their dynamism, with constant changes in layout, object placement, and even lighting conditions.
Continue readingProgress In Robot Dexterity Is Accelerating
Generative AI systems operating on language, text, images and video have the potential to extend the digital footprint of robotics to increasingly unstructured environments.
Gordon brown, Mohamed A. El-erian, Michael Spence – Permacrisis
Based on the progress demonstrated in the video, I’d say that quote is playing out.
The Top Global Risks In 2024
The World Economic Forum just released their global risk report for 2024. You can find a nice summary of the report here. As visualization remains the best method of consuming information, the folks at visual capitalist wrote about the report and provided one of their signature visuals via this article (captured here). Given what many of us are experiencing, it should surprise no one that extreme weather events tops the list.
Continue readingAI-Powered Bionic Limbs
You get the sense with every new headline that the possibilities are endless. Viewed through the lens of Clayton Christensen’s jobs to be done, these advances broaden the application of those jobs to a large spectrum of human need. Human-machine convergence in this video enables the disabled. Take a look.
Generative AI And The Emerging Question-And-Answer Paradigm
Happy New Year everyone! I thought my first post of the year would focus on the popular topic of our times – generative AI. My experience during this holiday season was the inspiration for the post. To do the story justice, I need to go back to my youth. One of my strong passions through the years has been music. As a young boy in the 1970s, I loved classic rock, however, sports became my dominant passion and all my focus remained there. As a result, I was limited to singing along to my favorite songs. When I entered the world of work, it replaced sports as my dominant focus – and once again I was resigned to singing along – but this time, in my car during commutes.
Continue readingThe Coming Wave
Permeating humanity’s oral traditions and ancient writings is the idea of a giant wave sweeping everything in its path, leaving the world remade and reborn.
Mustafa Suleyman – The Coming Wave
That quote from a book published this month is closely aligned with the compelling argument made by the authors of The Fourth Turning. While the latter book describes rebirth in the context of generational turns, this one views it through the lens of AI and Synthetic Biology. The Coming Wave comes to us from Mustafa Suleyman, the Co-Founder of DeepMind. The author defines a wave as a set of technologies coming together around the same time, powered by one or several new general-purpose technologies with profound societal implications. Thinking back, one major study found that twenty-four general-purpose technologies have emerged over the entire span of human history. Artificial intelligence and synthetic biology are likely to add to that number. The question I have asked in a poll is this: will they be more profound in their impact then previous technologies? Consider that fire, language, writing, electricity, the printing press, the steam engine, the Internet, the domestication of plants and animals, and the wheel, are all on the list. To even be considered among that list speaks volumes. But to be thinking in terms of most profound?
Continue readingThe Path Of AI: Machine Intelligence or Machine Usefulness
Central to my thinking on innovation is a belief that human advancement is within our grasp. The innovation wheel I developed was inspired by this belief, and while I am an optimist, I also appreciate the role that history plays in providing perspective. Just because we have the opportunity to advance human development doesn’t mean that we will take it. History tells us that opposing forces fight to influence our path. With that as context, I ventured into reading a book titled Power and Progress. Authors Daron Acemoglu and Simon Johnson explore a thousand years of history and contemporary evidence, making the case that progress depends on the choices we make about technology.
Continue readingThe Transformative Role Of Artificial Intelligence And Automation In The Future Of Warfare
I just finished reading another book. This one was titled Four Battlegrounds – Power in the Age of Artificial Intelligence. It should be no surprise at a time when everyone wants to talk about artificial intelligence, that the last three books have been focused on that space.
The author is autonomous weapons expert Paul Scharre. In this informative book, Mr. Scharre describes the competition to develop and implement artificial intelligence, and the implications to our geopolitical order. He uses my favorite storytelling mechanism by using history as a guide. He compares the pending revolution to the industrial revolution, where mechanization and electricity touched every aspect of our lives.
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Reimagining the Future 