Monthly Archives: January 2024

AI’s Impact on Knowledge is Revolutionizing Our Insights

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AI tools have advanced to a point where they can navigate the vast expanse of the internet. Although LLMs may not fully grasp context, they treat all online posts and comments as factual data. As AI evolves, it might start to “read the room,” learning from individuals’ responses to its outputs. However, this could lead to AI reinforcing harmful beliefs, which is a concern for societal well-being.

Despite these potential drawbacks, AI can access and process an immense volume of information, far beyond human capabilities. Unlike responses influenced by limited knowledge or corporate agendas, AI’s answers are derived from years of accumulated data. This includes everything from front-page news to overlooked comments in an article thread, offering fresh perspectives.

The quality of AI-generated answers may raise some questions, particularly regarding the reliability of sources. Yet, the speed and availability of these responses are often invaluable, especially when they can expedite projects, enhance conversations, and contribute to successful outcomes. AI’s potential extends to aiding those in less connected, challenging environments, addressing social and economic disparities. Even if occasionally inaccurate, a well-informed individual, aided by AI, might overcome their current limitations.

Reflecting on social and familial influences on decision-making, I recall a scenario where a person didn’t pursue programming due to a lack of encouragement from their circle. This isn’t to suggest replacing personal connections with AI. Instead, AI could offer additional reinforcement, tools, and guidance, potentially inspiring new directions beyond one’s immediate social norms. While not everyone should aim to be an engineer, AI can facilitate quicker success in various fields of knowledge.

AI’s potential extends beyond individual development and business efficiency, particularly in addressing severe global challenges. AI can stimulate innovations in the scientific community by synthesizing valuable insights from online scientific discussions. For instance, in addressing colossal issues like asteroid threats, AI could offer new perspectives by deciphering complex information from various scientific disciplines.

AI may be able to revolutionize healthcare by accelerating the discovery of antivirus strategies through learning from online medical discussions. AI’s ability to rapidly compile solutions can outrun human effort. AI can also tackle global hunger by quickly exploring and implementing innovative ideas from agricultural forums.

As the world has moved to quick bites of information, quick cut videos and snippets news articles, AI may be able to entice someone to read longer text by teasing through its ability to quickly summarize text and video. By summarizing information efficiently and accurately, AI not only improves communication but also extends self-learning, enhancing knowledge democratization across various fields.

Please note that if you purchase from clicking on a link, it may result in my getting a tiny bit of that sale to help keep this site going. If you enjoy my work, perhaps you would consider donating to my daily cup of coffee, thank you.

Vacation Alert: Protect Family & Coworkers from Travel Scams

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Traveling continues to be growing back from the pandemic time. It is smart to plan ahead, being careful when your family members and coworkers go on vacation with bad actors looking to profit via scams. A couple paths they will take to acquire money if they know an individual is on vacation is kidnapping or emergency request for money scams. I wont get into the kidnapping element, remind your folks to be mindful of where they are at and the element they are with. For a scam, you need to be sure you know it’s really the person you know who is in trouble and not a scammer, you should set up a way to check. 

If you’re looking for an AI solution since most of my recents posts are about AI, that isn’t here. Though, the following should help you if a bad actor is trying to scam you using a deep fake to mimic the traveler’s voice.

First, pick a secret word or phrase that only you, and they know. This should be a word that’s not easy for others to guess or find out. I actually like to use a conversation, or at least a couple lines dealing with a subject so that someone overhearing an early key phrase can just repeat that. This could be several back and forths that must include the weather tied into the sunny weather and the key word in that exchange. Rather than “state your keyword”.  

Next, depending on the relationship and location of travel, agree on times when they will tell you or their family that they’re okay. They could use a secure text app, email, or call to do this. It’s also a good idea to use apps that keep messages safe, like WhatsApp, Signal, or Telegram. These apps make it hard for scammers to sneak into the conversation.

It’s also smart to have important phone numbers ready, both you and the traveler should have  the local embassy or emergency numbers for the place they’re visiting. They should be careful about who they tell their travel plans to, especially on social media, because scammers will use that to convince you that they are your coworker or family member. Some folks will roll their eyes at you, but it is worth it to explain or send them links to posts for common tricks scammers use when people travel. An often forgotten planning item is a backup plan, what to do if they lose their phone, like how to reach them or they reach you in other ways.

Knowing who they are traveling with can also help. Get the full names and basic info about these people, like if they’re friends or family. It’s good to have their phone numbers or email too. Sometimes you might need to talk to these travel buddies directly, especially if something happens to them that affects the person you know.

Remember to respect everyone’s privacy and only share this info for safety. Travel friends should feel comfortable sharing their details for this reason. Having their travel plans, like where they’re staying, is also useful. Keep this information safe and only let people who really need it have it. Tell the travel buddies about your secret safety check too, in case they need to use it. They may be less careful so secret words or phrases should be their own, not the one you agreed to use with your family member or coworker.

If anyone in the group changes their travel plans., make sure to update this information. This way, you’ll always be ready to help if something goes wrong.

Please note that if you purchase from clicking on a link, it may result in my getting a tiny bit of that sale to help keep this site going. If you enjoy my work, perhaps you would consider donating to my daily cup of coffee, thank you.

AI OS Devices: Revolutionizing Interaction Beyond Screens

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You thought it, I thought it, and as soon as we see a video or interview, we feel that everyone else sees the problem. The newly released AI OS powered devices all use your voice to communicate with it. When discussing, everyone does the same thing, they say they are in a meeting and need to check an incoming message, lifting their hand as if holding and reading the screen of a mobile phone.

There is the problem, we are trying to fit the new interaction with a current standard we have become accustomed to. Our lives have to have that large screen pocket device interaction in order to get done what we need. Sometimes, someone will say they go down a rabbit hole with their phone or that they really should spend less time on it, but there is a need to be connected so few are able to find a path. 

There appears to be a possible path with the Hu.ma.ne AI Pin and Rabbit AI R1. Both offer an interface that requires your voice to make requests, they have a button to activate when the voice exchange will happen and a minimal screen. The Rabbit R1 with a small color screen and scroll wheel, while the Humane Pin uses a touch sensitive pad and laser projection. 

Neither of these solutions will be acceptable to use in a meeting, and that is their strength. What if everyone was fully engaged in a meeting, would the meeting go faster? Would the meeting have better results? Would people think twice if the meeting was actually needed? An alert can still be received, but there isn’t a group of people sidetracked in the meeting as they just check their email real quick but then click on their social alert for a quick bit of humor… why not, the meeting is going nowhere. Problem solved.

The AI OS driven devices also have a camera, while they can both be used to snap photos for additional information, the Hu.ma.ne Pin also offers a distraction free quick snapshot of a family time without getting out and holding up a pocket mobile device.

The future of AI OS devices bring the power of knowledge when we need it, they can be asked questions and present information. As well, they can tie together what we used to do across multiple apps to take action on. Adding a take away or todo is a tap and then speak. Perhaps everything shouldn’t be said out loud in a grocery store, everyone doesn’t need to know your lab results, but no one should be cutting themselves off from everything. They should explore a time when they don’t need to take their phone out of their pocket or bag to get things done. Simplifying their life and being more engaged while still being able to find out the diameter of the moon when the need arises. 

Please note that if you purchase from clicking on a link, it may result in my getting a tiny bit of that sale to help keep this site going. If you enjoy my work, perhaps you would consider donating to my daily cup of coffee, thank you.

AI Scheduling Agent that Streamlines Workflow Productivity

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The major names in workflow tools like Microsoft and Google offer a variety of AI assisted writing, spreadsheets and calendar tools. I have been working on a different perspective, a scheduling rather than a calendar AI Agent. This article will be outlining how a scheduling tool works automatically via an agent to do the many steps outside of a calendar meeting invite that actually happens via a person tracking and typing.

The AI scheduling agent is designed to help users quickly and easily create and manage their calendars. Users can get started quickly by outlining a new meeting time, with the agent providing recommended time slots and options based on the user’s existing calendar.

The agent comes in both a free and paid “Pro” version. The free version contains core functionality like creating meetings, blocking off times, and basic time management. It gives users examples of some of the more advanced features of the Pro version where possible to incentivize upgrading.

When the agent assists in planning a meeting, it identifies the type of meeting and suggests times based on rules of that meeting type such as allowing time prior to the meeting if there is last minute prep in previous instances or not having 1:1s back to back, as well the attendees available times. Additionally, the agent allows users to specify standing blocks of time on certain days where no meetings will be scheduled without the user’s override.

As meetings are created, the agent proactively makes recommendations to enhance meeting productivity. This includes the option to block off prep time beforehand to complete pre-work, create linked documentation that will be shared with attendees ahead of the meeting, and schedule repeating meetings with templates.

Inviting the actual agent to meetings results in the Agent providing a transcript, follow up task lists, distribution of efforts required and scheduling of the next meetings. Follow up tasks may be distributed to individuals that were not at the meeting based on project rules for the agent to direct work to a Project Manager.

The agent aims to make meetings easy to adjust on the fly. Users can make quick changes like adding group notes documents, pushing the time back, or comprehensively shuffling around other meetings because one is running long. Straightforward natural language commands enable these rapid calendar changes to be done on a desktop, mobile and voice interfaces..

Looking beyond individual meetings, the agent seeks to provide value through higher-level schedule organization. The Agent can create focus blocks for powering through high priority tasks based on rules and level of difficulty of tasks on a ToDo list. It breaks down large to-do lists into manageable chunks ordered strategically. The daily schedule is summarized, highlighting important meetings and blocks of free time.

Across all features, the consistent focus is using AI to simplify calendar management and ensure users’ time is spent thoughtfully and productively.

Please note that if you purchase from clicking on a link, it may result in my getting a tiny bit of that sale to help keep this site going. If you enjoy my work, perhaps you would consider donating to my daily cup of coffee, thank you.

Boosting Engineering Teams with Training Completion Badges

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Part of my role is as an Engineering Manager, I am constantly seeking ways to foster growth, boost skills, and cohesion with collaboration within my team in an ever-evolving technology landscape. When the company I work at started talking about Badges for training completion, I needed to take time to dig into why the feature was important to the Engineering teams I work with. 

It didn’t take long to find that badges have become a part of helping to motivate, they offer more than mere recognition of achievement; they are vital tools for professional development and enhancing team dynamics. Let me share what I have found from my research and the impacts since the feature rolled out.

Being a training company, we consciously provide methods to upskill. Training badges are a way to acknowledge the hard work and dedication my team invests in learning new technologies and methodologies. When an engineer completes a challenging course and earns a badge, it’s a testament to their commitment and skill. This recognition is crucial for morale and motivation. As a manager, seeing my coworkers share these badges with pride on services like LinkedIn underscores their continuous commitment to professional growth, which, in turn, contributes to a positive and progressive team environment.

In the ever changing field of engineering, maintaining and advancing skill sets is critical. Training badges serve as micro-credentials, adding value to my team members’ professional profiles. Displaying these badges is not just a personal achievement; it reflects on the collective expertise of the team and readiness of our team to collaborate on project challenges. The badges are not just personal accolades but markers of our team’s collective capability and dedication to staying at the forefront of technological innovation.

The information within these badges is valuable for me as a manager working on projects that span teams. It allows me to accurately assess and utilize the specific skills and competencies of multiple team members. This is vital for optimally assigning project roles from planning through development and documentation of features for future updates. The clarity provided via the badges aids in the smooth execution of projects, as I can align tasks with the verified skills of my team members, ensuring efficiency and excellence in our work.

One of my key responsibilities is to cultivate an environment that values continuous learning and adaptation. Training badges are instrumental in this regard. They not only represent individual learning achievements but also symbolize our team’s collective commitment to staying abreast of emerging trends and technologies. This shared value of lifelong learning fosters a sense of unity and purpose within the team, driving us to collectively push the boundaries of what we can achieve.

An often overlooked aspect of training badges is their role in creating common ground among engineers. When team members earn badges in similar areas, it naturally leads to conversations and knowledge sharing. This not only strengthens team bonds but also sparks innovative ideas and collaborative problem-solving. The badges provide an excellent talking point for my engineers in wider professional circles, facilitating networking and opening doors to new collaborations and opportunities.

Badges serve as a unifying symbol, bringing together like-minded professionals and fostering a community of learners and innovators. Many times a fresh idea comes via engineers talking with other like minded and common skilled engineers. Training badges are more than just symbols of individual achievement in the field of engineering. They are tools for motivation, professional development, skill verification, and fostering a culture of continuous learning. As I said, they serve as a catalyst for building common ground, enhancing team dynamics, and broadening professional networks. I have found these badges are not only advancing the skills of individual team members but also in strengthening the collective capability and cohesion of our team.

Please note that if you purchase from clicking on a link, it may result in my getting a tiny bit of that sale to help keep this site going. If you enjoy my work, perhaps you would consider donating to my daily cup of coffee, thank you.

AI Evolution: Shifting from Apps to Integrated Solutions

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In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, a significant paradigm shift is underway. The focus is shifting from using multiple, distinct applications for different tasks to embracing AI solutions that integrate data from various sources, streamlining processes and enhancing efficiency. Here I will cover a touch of the path to get here and will delve into the progress and implications of this transition.

In the emerging framework, the operating system is not just a platform for running applications; it has evolved into a dynamic hub that amalgamates content and services from various apps. This integration eliminates the need for users to jump across different applications, providing a seamless experience. The OS now does the heavy lifting, allowing for more streamlined and efficient workflows.

Historically, there have been attempts to create such integrated systems. The Apple Newton, for instance, allowed apps to access information from other applications. However, it faced challenges in adequately controlling Personally Identifiable Information and other sensitive data.

Similarly, Microsoft once proposed the idea that there was no need for traditional file folders, advocating that everything should be findable via the Windows search function. This solution felt ahead of its time, foreshadowed the current trend towards more fluid data management.

The Google ecosystem attempts to offer a solution where users could find anything they created, like documents and spreadsheets. However, it struggles with more complex queries, such as searching for notes from a specific meeting about a particular subject. This limitation highlights the challenges of traditional search algorithms in handling nuanced and context-rich data queries.

The advent of Generative Pre-trained Transformers (GPT) with OpenAI has marked a new era. It encourages apps to tie into ChatGPT’s extensive reach, allowing developers to expand their functionalities by calling on multiple data sources and features. This integration signifies a move towards a more interconnected and intelligent application ecosystem.

The ability to schedule a meeting within multiple people’s available time, set to the right length with notes and follow up emails is a simple example of what has taken multiple apps and time previously being a single interface.

A notable example of this trend is the Rabbit AI R1 device announced at the 2024 CES event. It amalgamates information and presents it in a way individual apps would, but it leverages the data and management capabilities of numerous resources via their LAM. Rabbit created a LAM, large action model, that understands and executes human intentions on computers. Being a cloud-based solution, it requires constant internet access, for a speedy response. Highlighting a dependency on network connectivity.

For areas with limited or no internet access, on-device AI capabilities are crucial. While many regions still suffer from inadequate cellular coverage, having on-device processing ensures that essential functions remain available, albeit with some limitations in accessing updated information.

Despite the advancements in on-device processing, the need for updated information remains a critical aspect, inherently tied to internet access. This reliance underscores the importance of developing technologies that can balance on-device capabilities with the necessity of real-time data updates from the internet.

2023 marked the era of AI excelling in generating and revising text, as well as creating images. 2024 is poised to be the year where AI Agents will take on complete workflows.

Please note that if you purchase from clicking on the link, some will result in my getting a tiny bit of that sale to help keep this site going. If you enjoy my work, perhaps you would consider donating to my daily cup of coffee, thank you.

Finding New Ideas: Benefiting From Employee Innovation

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Everyone knew why they were there, the meeting was clearly titled that the company needs ‘Ai’. After a brief exchange of everyone saying their version of understanding the importance, a relief is felt by all when one individual points to a text box in their offering that could use an AI Assistant to help the user with suggested text.

The suggestion goes through a Sr Management review, then a brief and off to the Engineers. The functionality work is turned around quickly, a short time for Design to do user interviews, then Marketing starts creating media around announcing their integration of AI. 

Upon release, there is a lot of buzz around the industry, driven by Sales to help expand their current agreements. Is the feature really a feature? At the minimum, is it a new use of the technology, or a bandaid on what should be rethought in general. Sales quickly hears that the user base doesn’t see a return so nothing is actually gained outside of Marketing using the announcement to get in front of the user base.

That was just a light version of most company’s with their top-down feature idea generation. Helping to make the argument why Employee-led innovation in modern corporations is important to consider. A multifaceted approach for idea generation that brings with it a blend of benefits and challenges. Bottom up ideas can spark a fresh look at possible improvements, but if not managed well, can bring disappointments too.

One of the significant advantages of employee-led innovation is the infusion of diverse ideas and perspectives. Employees from various departments and levels within the organization can offer a wide range of insights and innovative solutions that might not surface in a traditional top-down approach. This diversity in thought is crucial for fostering true innovation. As well, when employees are encouraged to innovate, they feel more valued and engaged, leading to higher job satisfaction and retention. This sense of ownership and participation can drastically improve morale and create a more committed workforce.

Another benefit is the speed of problem-solving. Employees who are directly involved in the day-to-day operations of a company often have a clearer understanding of the immediate challenges and can propose practical, innovative solutions swiftly. Cultivating an environment where innovation is encouraged at all levels can foster a culture of creativity and continuous improvement, making the company more adaptive, forward-thinking, and giving it a competitive edge in the marketplace.

However, this approach is not without its challenges. Managing and supporting a multitude of innovation projects can strain resources and requires careful coordination and oversight. There’s also an inherent risk of failure associated with innovative ideas, which can incur costs and potentially impact employee morale if not managed well. There is the potential for these employee-led initiatives to deviate from the overall strategic objectives of the company.

Ideas that are generated will need a path to present, test and review. Even if initially they appear to not be the current company direction. They may be ideas out of the normal cycle, possibly opening a new or secondary company growth path. Don’t fall into allowing a group to shut down fresh ideas because the idea doesn’t match their single view of the future. Too many quick ‘no, but keep thinking’ results in a lack of team involvement and people feel their hard work is unappreciated.

Intellectual property issues are another concern, as companies need to have clear policies regarding the ownership of ideas and inventions created by their employees to avoid legal complications. Lastly, successful employee-led innovation requires an infrastructure that supports ideation, experimentation, and implementation. Establishing and maintaining such an infrastructure can be challenging and requires commitment from all levels of the organization.

Think about the options you have to encourage the innovations, is there a reward for employees to do the thinking and creating along with their regular work efforts, do you have ongoing small chunks of time for employees to work on their ideas, or you may choose to do a once or twice a year two week heads down time to come together and develop/present ideas.

In essence, while employee-led innovation can significantly drive a company towards growth, adaptability, and employee satisfaction, it necessitates careful management, strategic alignment, and a supportive culture to be truly effective and beneficial.

Please note that if you purchase from clicking on the link, some will result in my getting a tiny bit of that sale to help keep this site going. If you enjoy my work, perhaps you would consider donating to my daily cup of coffee, thank you.