The rapid rise of generative AI has captured the attention of tech giants and the public alike.
I wrote about how much AI has advanced in 21 months, with examples from video to music to text, as well as AI adoption.
Also, otters on airplanes using wifi. https://t.co/we39LXMHiK
— Ethan Mollick (@emollick) August 12, 2024
Companies like Google, Microsoft, and OpenAI are racing to integrate AI into their products and services, promising to revolutionize the way we interact with technology. One of the most prominent applications of AI is in summarization.
In my experience teaching experts to use AI for work, a big change happens when they stop feeling relieved or smug when AI can’t do something and instead try to figure out how to make the AI succeed
Ask the question: “if this was a human, what feedback or guidance would I give?”
— Ethan Mollick (@emollick) August 11, 2024
Tech companies are using AI to summarize user content, from emails and social media posts to product reviews and medical records. While this can be a useful tool in certain contexts, such as streamlining workplace communication, the current state of AI summarization often falls short. AI-generated summaries can be vague, inaccurate, or even bizarre.
The Human Feeling of Artificial Intelligence. As described by the artists who are using it. pic.twitter.com/lZzQraMydb
— Runway (@runwayml) August 12, 2024
For example, Google’s Gmail summarized a brief exchange about a relative being “interested in seeing John Herrman’s special puppies,” while Apple’s Intelligence turned understandable text messages into confusing ones. As AI continues to evolve, it’s crucial for companies to carefully consider the contexts in which summarization is appropriate and effective. While AI can be a powerful tool, it cannot replace the nuance and deliberate communication that humans provide.
The race to integrate AI into search engines is another area of intense competition.
Seen this do rounds.
It’s from 2022, but properly getting a break now, never too late to market your existing products.
This is an absolute mega powerful use-case for AI.
— Linus ●ᴗ● Ekenstam (@LinusEkenstam) August 11, 2024
Companies believe that generative AI can transform how we find information online, replacing traditional search engines with interactive bots that synthesize knowledge.
Racing to integrate AI technologies
However, the quality of these AI-powered search results is still a concern. Dmitry Shevelenko, chief business officer at Perplexity, emphasizes the importance of accurate source material for AI search engines. One of the key ingredients for our long-term success is that we need web publishers to keep creating great journalism that is loaded up with facts,” he says.
However, this raises questions about the value placed on human creativity and the potential for AI to simply regurgitate information without true understanding. As the AI search war heats up, it’s essential to critically assess the potential future of this technology. While AI has made significant strides, it may have already exhausted its initial wave of excitement.
Managers and decision-makers must consider the risks and limitations of AI adoption and remain open to revisiting their perspectives as the technology evolves. The evolution of AI can be likened to the advancement of the automobile industry. Just as cars have come a long way since the Model T, AI has made significant progress.
However, like electric vehicles, it remains to be seen how much further AI can go. As we navigate the AI landscape, it’s crucial to foster creative ingenuity and recognize the irreplaceable value of human communication. The future of AI depends on our ability to nurture its potential while acknowledging its limitations.
