Ron Skylstad’s Post

AI used to scare me—now it’s my secret weapon. As designers, we’ve all felt that looming uncertainty about where we stand in a future dominated by AI. We inherently know that AI will likely first affect creative roles, simply because of the immense amount of training data available online. Just think about the millions of thumbnails on YouTube and what current AI tools can do with that—not to mention the AI agents running in the background or in beta. But here’s the silver lining: designers who embrace AI will gain an unfair advantage over those who don’t. I’ve learned that while we often focus more on our creative expression than the tools at our disposal, things won’t simply work out by ignoring the shift around us. In my 4 years of experience, I’ve seen firsthand that wishful thinking fades in the presence of reality. The truth? AI is going to reshape how we approach design. It will push us to focus more on outcomes rather than the process. And those who can blend creativity with AI will be the ones leading the charge. Let’s embrace AI, not fear it—because it’s not just the future, it’s the competitive edge we’ve been looking for. #DesignInnovation #AIinDesign #FutureOfWork #TheCmute

AI POWERED DECISION-MAKING Imagine having a super smart assistant that can crunch numbers, spot patterns, and suggest the best choices, all without getting tired or bored. That's basically what AI-powered decision-making is. What does it do? AI helps us make better choices by looking at lots of information (like numbers, words, and pictures) really fast. It finds hidden patterns and trends that we might miss. Then, it gives us ideas on what to do next. Why is it helpful? 1. Faster decisions: AI can process information super quickly, so you don't have to wait around. 2. Smarter choices: AI helps you avoid mistakes by using data instead of just guessing. 3. More options: AI can find solutions you might not have thought of. Where can you use it? You can use AI to help with all sorts of things, like: 1. Figuring out what products to sell 2. Deciding which patients need the most care 3. Investing your money wisely 4. Planning the best routes for delivery trucks But wait, there's a catch! AI is still learning, so it's not perfect. Sometimes it needs really good information to work properly. Also, we need to be careful that AI doesn't copy the mistakes people make. Overall, AI is a powerful tool that can help us make better decisions. It's like having a super smart friend who always has your back! #My3MTT #3MTTWeeklyReflection

A lot of people think that to harness the power of AI, you need to be a tech expert or have a degree in computer science. But that’s not true. In reality, anyone can leverage AI to enhance their work and amplify their creativity. The next evolution of AI is about making these tools accessible and useful for everyone. Here’s what you can do today to start integrating AI into your workflow: 1. Identify a repetitive task in your day-to-day operations. This could be anything from drafting emails, summarizing reports, or even data entry. 2. Research free or low-cost AI tools tailored to that task. For instance, if your goal is to improve your writing, you might explore AI writing assistants that can help you generate ideas or polish your text. 3. Spend a few minutes experimenting with the tool. Set aside time today to try it out on a small task. This will help you understand its capabilities and limitations. 4. Document the time you save or the improvement in your output. Compare it with how you were working before. By implementing this system, you’ll find that your life becomes much easier and more productive. Don’t forget to share this with a friend who might benefit from getting started with AI.

When’s the last time you were asked to show your work?   Perhaps your teacher scribbled in red on the margins of an algebra test in high school. Or maybe you dug up an old process doc last time you helped onboard a new colleague. The reason to show our work is to help make sure that everyone we're collaborating with is on the same page at the underlying logic at play. That way we can either confidently move forward knowing we're aligned, or can quickly make tweaks to get things correct. This is double true when collaborating with AI. One of the hardest things for companies who want to start experimenting with AI is trusting that the answer it comes up with is accurate, especially when it’s on the hook for business critical calculations: And this fear is valid, because AI isn’t perfectly deterministic. This is why I’m so obsessed with showing your work. It’s super clear that every business needs to be adopting AI into their workflows, but actually having the confidence to do that can be hard. We make sure that Parabola (and our AI) shows the logic behind whatever calculation it’s performing — this way you know you’re operating off of the same base reality as the AI and can make decisions knowing that you’re talking about the same thing. This makes it easy for users to understand and deploy AI with faith in the outcome.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has transformed from science fiction to a cornerstone of modern technology. No longer confined to research labs, AI tools are actively revolutionizing every facet of our lives, from creating captivating content to streamlining business processes. This article dives deep into the top 10 AI tools of 2024, categorized by their function, to equip you with the knowledge to harness their potential and propel yourself or your business forward. The Rise of the AI Assistant: Unleashing Creativity and Efficiency. The days of writer's block and tedious video editing are numbered. AI assistants are here to empower you to achieve more in less time. Here are some of the leading players: https://lnkd.in/dNxp6whv

🦄 AI is supposed to be a game-changer, right? We’ve heard about advanced AI agents, smart assistants, and AGI transforming industries. But is it really living up to the hype? Demos look great, but making these AI systems work well in the real world is hard. They often lack the precision and reliability needed for production, and people are still figuring out how to make them work consistently. 🚧 Many companies have stopped these projects because the technology behind agents and assistants isn’t fully ready yet. So, be cautious before jumping in. 🔍 Let’s talk about something less flashy but much more useful. The true strength of AI is behind the scenes, sorting out messy data and organising it. Think about pulling key details from reports, cleaning text in spreadsheets, or sorting through customer requests. A few years ago, developing such a model would take months. Today, it takes a fraction of the time, making these solutions practical for more businesses. For example, you can internally develop a tool that automatically categorises customer feedback by sentiment and product, to quickly identify common issues and build actionable insights — in a matter of days! 💡 That's why it’s crucial to understand where AI adds value before starting a project. AI isn’t a magical solution for every problem; it often falls short on broad tasks like mimicking humans. But in the right areas, it’s incredibly effective and production-ready. 👋 I’m planning to dig more into these practical uses, feel free to follow!

Prompt : the Secret Sauce 🍲 Can prompt become the competitive advantage of a billion-dollar company? In a world driven by Generative AI, where technology and code are accessible, the code is no longer the secret sauce. It's a question worth pondering. Let's explore why prompts could be the new key to success. ☑ The Power of Prompts ↳ Prompts guide AI to produce desired outputs. The quality and specificity of a prompt can significantly impact the results. Understanding how to craft effective prompts can give a company an edge. ☑ Accessibility of Technology* ↳ With technology becoming more accessible, the barrier to entry for using advanced AI has lowered. This means that the unique value may lie not in the technology itself but in how effectively it is utilized. ☑ Innovation Through Creativity ↳ Crafting prompts requires creativity and a deep understanding of the desired outcomes. Companies that master this can innovate faster and more effectively than their competitors. ☑ Personalization at Scale ↳ Effective prompts enable AI to deliver highly personalized experiences at scale. This can lead to better customer satisfaction and loyalty, driving business growth. ☑ Building a Competitive Edge ↳ In the age of GenAI, where the playing field is level in terms of technology, the competitive advantage may well come from who can leverage it most creatively and effectively.

AI: Stop Asking the Wrong Question Let’s get something straight: AI isn’t some magical panacea that will solve your business problems just because it’s shiny and new. Yet, the number of enterprises kicking off their AI journey with the wrong question—“What’s the use case for AI?”—is staggering. If that’s you, stop it. ❌ That’s not the place to start. Here’s the thing: AI is a tool, not a service. A tool is versatile—it can do just about anything if you know how to wield it. 🛠️ A service? It’s purpose-built to do one specific thing. The value of AI doesn’t come from the tool itself; it comes from how you use it. Start with Problems, Not AI Asking, “What’s the use case for AI?” is like asking, “What’s the use case for a hammer?” 🪚 It depends on what you’re trying to build. Here’s the real question: What are your core business challenges? Even better, what are the questions you’ve avoided because they’re too big, messy, or expensive to answer? Think about it: • 🔮 What if you could predict demand with 90% accuracy instead of 70%? • ⏱️ What if you could cut decision-making cycles from weeks to hours? • 🔍 What if you finally understood why some customers leave and others stay—and acted on it? Those are the questions worth asking. Once you’ve nailed those, then you ask, “Could AI help us solve this?” Focus on the Outcomes AI is not your strategy. It’s a means to an end. That end is solving problems that actually matter to your business. Start with your business problems. Ask the hard questions. Then decide if AI is the right tool to get the answers you need. AI isn’t here to fix bad strategy or unclear priorities. It’s here to help when you know what you’re aiming for. 🎯 Get that right, and the rest will follow. 👀 Fellow consultants: How are you steering clients away from the “use case” trap? Let’s compare notes below. 👇 #EnterpriseAI #AIStrategy #DigitalTransformation

🔄 Innovating Interactivity: Dynamic Prompt Systems in AI 🔄 Welcome to our new series on innovative prompt engineering, starting with Dynamic Prompt Systems. These systems represent a leap in AI technology, where the AI not only responds to prompts but also generates and adjusts them dynamically to optimize outcomes. What are Dynamic Prompt Systems? Dynamic Prompt Systems are advanced AI frameworks that autonomously modify their own prompts based on ongoing feedback and changing conditions. This capability enables AI to be more adaptive, responsive, and effective without constant human oversight. Key Features of Dynamic Prompt Systems Self-Optimization: The AI continually refines its prompts to improve response accuracy and relevance. Real-Time Adaptation: Adjusts prompts based on new data or changes in the environment, ensuring timely and appropriate responses. Feedback Loops: Incorporates user feedback directly into prompt adjustment processes, enhancing learning and adaptation. Practical Example: Customer Service AI Scenario: An AI customer service agent is designed to handle inquiries and complaints. Dynamic Prompt Generation: Initially, the AI uses a standard prompt to gather customer issues. Based on the customer’s responses, the AI dynamically adjusts its prompts to ask more targeted questions, leading to a quicker and more accurate resolution. Example: Initial Prompt: "How can I assist you today?" Customer Response: "I have a problem with my order." Dynamic Prompt: "Could you specify the issue with your order? Is it related to delivery or the product condition?" Outcome: The dynamic prompt system quickly narrows down the problem area, allowing for a more efficient resolution process. Benefits of Dynamic Prompt Systems Increased Efficiency: Reduces the time needed to reach effective outcomes by minimizing less effective interaction loops. Enhanced User Experience: Adapts to user needs and preferences, providing a more personalized interaction. Reduced Need for Human Intervention: Frees up human resources by handling routine or straightforward interactions autonomously. Challenges and Considerations Complexity in Implementation: Developing systems capable of effective self-modification requires advanced AI development skills and robust testing. Monitoring and Control: Ensuring that the AI remains within operational parameters and does not develop undesirable behaviors through its adaptations. 📢 Discussion Prompt Imagine implementing a dynamic prompt system in your field. What specific applications do you see? What challenges might arise, and how could they be addressed? Stay tuned for our next post, where we will explore cross-lingual prompt engineering to enhance global AI interactions. #DynamicPrompts #AIInnovation #TechTrends #ArtificialIntelligence

I've noticed an interesting pattern in the creative sector's response to AI. It's either seen as the grim reaper of creative jobs or dismissed as a poor imitation of human creativity. But while we're busy debating whether AI can "truly be creative," we're missing the real opportunity. The question isn't whether AI can replace human creativity – it's how it can amplify it. • How much time do creatives spend on file management instead of ideation? • How many hours go into formatting and resizing instead of conceptualizing? • How much creative energy is drained by repetitive client revisions rather than fresh creation? The most powerful AI implementation isn't about replacing creative genius – it's about freeing it from mundane tasks. It's about automating the mechanics so creatives can focus on what they do best: being creative. Yet many creative professionals are taking an "all or nothing" stance. They're missing the opportunity to automate project management workflows, streamline client communication, generate quick mockups for ideation, handle routine editing tasks, and create variations of finished work How do we shift the conversation from "Will AI replace creativity?" to "How can AI enhance creative work?" Maybe it starts with reframing AI not as a replacement, but as a creative assistant – one that handles the grunt work while human creativity soars. What do you think? If you're in a creative field, what tasks would you love to automate so you could focus more on pure creation? #CreativeIndustry #AI #Innovation #DigitalTransformation #CreativeTechnology #FutureOfWork