29 November, 2024

November 29, 2024

🎙️ Video Podcast: Weekly Matters

🎧 Audio Podcast: Apple, Spotify, and more.

📩 Newsletter Link: Being AI Group on LinkedIn - Newsletters

AI in the News. And Why It Matters.

Episode 15

Episode Summary

In this episode of Weekly Matters, Nyssa Waters (CEO, Being Consultants) and Sean Muller (CTO, Being Consultants) return to discuss the ever-changing AI landscape. Topics include major investments in AI, the challenges of integrating conversational AI into practical workflows, Salesforce’s bold pivot, and the societal impacts of generative AI. They also dive into the latest developments from OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google.

Why Does Any of It Matter to You?

AI’s rapid evolution affects industries, governments, and individual users. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, enterprise leader, or curious tech enthusiast, understanding these shifts is essential to staying competitive and using AI responsibly.

Key Takeaways

• Massive AI Investments: SoftBank’s $1.5B offer to OpenAI and Amazon’s $4B investment in Anthropic signal a big-tech race to dominate AI infrastructure.

• Alexa’s Struggle: Amazon’s challenges in delivering conversational AI with robust automation highlight the complexity of AI adoption.

• Salesforce Goes All-In on AI: Their pivot shows the growing importance of integrating generative workflows into business operations.

• AI Safety & Governance: OpenAI’s red-teaming efforts and ongoing policy discussions emphasise the need for thoughtful adoption.

• Societal Shifts: The potential reduction in workweeks and AI’s role in isolating or connecting people provoke deep questions about future lifestyles.

Why This Matters for C-Suite Executives in ANZ

AI offers unprecedented opportunities for productivity and innovation, but adoption must align with robust governance and ethical considerations. With ANZ businesses trailing global leaders in AI integration, staying informed ensures your organisation remains competitive while managing risks responsibly.

Additional Points from the Podcast

• Anthropic’s MCP: This groundbreaking initiative aims to standardise model-software integration, revolutionising enterprise AI use.

• Google’s DOJ Battle: Antitrust pressures could disrupt Google’s ecosystem, opening doors for competition and innovation.

• Generative AI Summit: Nyssa and Sean will represent Being Consultants next week in Auckland, showcasing their partnership with Glenn.

• SoftBank to boost OpenAI stake with up to $1.5bn investment

•Amazon invests another $4bn in AI start-up Anthropic

• Anthropic launches tool to connect AI systems directly to datasets

•OpenAI ‘Operator’ Set to Launch in January Next Year!

•Al improvements are slowing down.Companies have a plan to break through the wall

•Ex-Google CEO Eric Schmidt warns perfect AI girlfriends could worsen loneliness for young men

•Hardly workin’?: Shocking 88% of Gen Z uses AI to do their jobs for them, poll reveals

•The AI War Was Never Just About AI

•Artists say they leaked OpenAI’s Sora video model in protest

•Salesforce launches AI platform for automated task management

Notable Quotes

“Integrating those pieces together, the ecosystem that sits behind it, to be able to functionally…that’s the hard part.” – Sean Muller
“The hard part is, is that we have now come to a place where we expect Alexa to do some things.” – Sean Muller
“We believe every enterprise should be using AI and almost everything that they do.” – Nyssa Waters
“Anthropic gave the world 18 months before a catastrophic AI incident will occur.” – Nyssa Waters
“We want to do AI the right way, that makes sure that we’re protecting the people and doing the right thing.” – Sean Muller