Technology manufacturers recognize that consumers are craving AI solutions to make their lives easier.
Although artificial intelligence is still in its infancy, its possibilities are limitless. There are already AI solutions that can automate everyday tasks, analyze data and guide us around traffic jams. It can update our photos, find out what time we wake up so that our smartphones are fully charged and much more.
Some tech-savvy individuals are willing to entrust more of their personal and professional lives to AI. However, AI is still just a tool. It is there as a personal assistant, but does not replace human expertise.
Recently, the Lee County Clerk invited Manny Gonzalez, Priority Marketing’s Senior Director of Web Services, to lead two workshops on AI solutions. The sessions, titled “AI and You: Reconstructing Your Life,” explored the potential benefits of artificial intelligence in our lives.
“People don’t realize how powerful the smartphone has become,” Manny said at the clerk’s annual In-service Day for employees. “We have only just scratched the surface of AI’s possibilities.”
Manny helped make his points with some gripping statistics revealed by SearchLogistics:
- 95% of smartphone users say they use a built-in AI-powered voice assistant (Siri, Google Assistant, Cortana and Alexa).
- 45% of US households own a smart speaker and 26% plan to purchase one soon.
- 85% of online customer service interactions were found to involve an AI-powered chatbot.
“AI is no longer just something out of a science fiction movie,” says Manny. “It changes our lives.”
Automation vs AI
Manny started his presentation by explaining the difference between automation and artificial intelligence. IBM defines automation as “the application of technology, programs, robotics, or processes to achieve results with minimal human input.” Meanwhile, the tech company notes that AI is “technology that enables computers and machines to simulate human learning, understanding, problem solving, decision making, creativity and autonomy.”
Simply put, automation follows predetermined rules: we tell it what to do. It performs the same task over and over without changing. Some examples of automation are:
- A coffee maker that is programmed to start brewing coffee at 6:00 am every day
- The cruise control of a vehicle that maintains speed on a highway.
- The email filter that automatically moves certain messages to a specific folder.
On the other hand, AI learns and adapts. AI developers are creating technology that can dynamically respond to new information and complete tasks without human intervention. Although this concept may concern some people, its applications are already widely accepted:
- Netflix suggests movies based on the genre and types of movies we have watched before.
- YouTube recommends videos based on music or content from our listening/watching history.
- Google Maps shows suggested routes to work, home or school based on current traffic flow.
The importance of good directions
Artificial intelligence is only good as the information it receives. Certain models, such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT, rely on humans as guides. Strong communication is essential when developing AI solutions.
“If you don’t know how to explain what you want to the models or chatbots, you won’t get anything useful,” says Manny.
The importance of good directions cannot be underestimated. For example, if you asked “What’s the weather like today?” typing into ChatGPT asked the chatbot to return this in response: “The current weather in San Jose, California is sunny and hot, with a high of 96°F today and a low of 65°F tonight. The wind is weak and comes from the northwest at a speed of about 5 to 10 km/hour. Tomorrow’s forecast predicts similar conditions, with temperatures reaching 30 degrees Celsius under sunny skies.”
Unfortunately, not specifying the location meant that the answer was essentially useless. Typing ‘What is the weather today in Fort Myers, Florida?’ evoked a very different response: “Today’s weather in Fort Myers, Florida will include scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 3 p.m., with mostly sunny skies earlier in the day. The high temperature will be around 90°F, with heat index values reaching 100°F, so it will feel quite warm. Expect scattered showers and thunderstorms tonight before 10pm, with mostly cloudy skies and a low around 76°F. There is a 40% chance of rain in the evening. Winds will be light and from the east at a speed of approximately 5 to 13 km/h.”
Manny suggests focusing on four elements when creating prompts for AI models or chatbots:
- Clarity: this reduces the chance of misinterpretations.
- Specificity: This explains exactly what you need or want.
- Creativity: This helps generate results that are more innovative or outside the box.
- Efficiency: This saves time and minimizes any back-and-forth clarifications.
AI solutions: wow the crowd
In 2020, researchers published a study showing that the average couple argues over dinner 156 times a year. What to eat and where to eat are the sticking points.
Manny was looking for an AI solution. Can AI make mealtimes easier for couples and families, he asked. He started the demonstration by asking AI to generate a list of forty dinner options for people with nut allergies, gluten intolerance and sugar-free diets. He then asked for an aesthetically pleasing version of the report, displayed on a calendar, making it easier to see what was for dinner each day. Manny then asked AI to generate a list of ingredients needed to prepare each meal, essentially creating a shopping list. And of course, AI can generate recipes and even photos that show what the final product should look like. The list can even be exported to a shopping app for those who want their groceries delivered.
“The field of AI is developing at such a rapid pace,” says Manny. “Five years ago, it was laughable that AI could ever generate works of art or draw up a script. Now AI creates works of art and writes scripts for Super Bowl commercials.”
A warning about security
Unlike online banks, healthcare providers, educational institutions and e-commerce websites, not all artificial intelligence models and chatbots are safe. Manny recommends not including certain types of information when working in these programs or apps:
- Personally identifiable information: name, date of birth, address and telephone number.
- Financial information: bank names, account numbers and balances.
- Login details: usernames and passwords.
- Private medical information: medical history and prescriptions.
- Confidential work information: customer information, finances, payroll and account numbers.
- Private communications: conversations that are generally personal or confidential.
- Legal information: documents, account numbers or items protected under attorney-client privilege.
- Intimate personal information: topics or conversations that are considered secret or private.
- Anything illegal: possible crimes or misdemeanors.
“Cyber security is always a concern when using any digital device, and when AI is involved, you should assume that someone or something is watching your activities,” says Manny.
Priority Marketing is in-house Web services team offers web design, development, hosting, maintenance and security, as well as server and domain management. Would you like to know more about possible AI solutions for your company or organization? Call us today at 239-267-2638 or email us at LetsTalk@PriorityMarketing.com.
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