Scott Galloway, aka Prof G, summarized AI’s impact very well when stating that

“AI is not going to take your job. Someone who understands AI is going to take your job. Just get good at it.
If you didn’t want to learn computers in the 80s or 90s, it meant eventually you weren’t as skilled as the person next to you.
No machine is going to show up (in the short term at least) and take your job, but some young person who really understands this is going to come and just add more value for less money (unless you understand AI). “

What’s news in AI workplace Productivity

Artificial intelligence continues to transform workplace productivity by automating tasks, enhancing decision-making, and reshaping how we work.

The AWS report on AI in the workplace highlights five key trends: 92% of U.S. organizations plan to adopt AI by 2028, with generative AI tools set to become commonplace. Employers are willing to pay an average of 47% more for workers with AI skills, highlighting an AI talent gap. AI is expected to boost productivity by automating tasks, driving innovation, and improving decision-making. Despite its potential, many organizations still struggle to find AI-skilled talent.

Read the full report here.

The Microsoft report on generative AI in workplaces highlights significant productivity gains, particularly in task automation and decision-making. It finds that AI is most impactful in roles involving repetitive tasks, customer service, and content creation, while specialized technical fields show more modest improvements. The report also underscores the importance of AI adoption for enhanced efficiency and reduced workload but emphasizes variation in results based on job function and AI usage. Early evidence suggests that AI may reduce cognitive fatigue by automating routine tasks.

Read more here.

These developments show how major tech companies are racing to enhance workplace productivity with AI. Whether it’s through task automation, collaboration tools, or cutting-edge AI models, the future of work is increasingly AI-driven.

Imagine your next employer not giving you merely an iPhone and a MacBook to work on but also  Vision Pro.

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Tools to try out

• Notion is my Personal Knowledge Management tool of choice; now powered by AI!

• Looka is an AI-powered logo maker that gives business owners a quick and affordable way to create a beautiful brand. The platform takes a non-templated approach to logos to generate tons of unique options that you can customize in an easy-to-use editor. 

Stay Hungry; Stay Foolish.
Peter K.

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What’s news in Ai

A lot comes from the World Economic Forum in Davos each year. Well, 2024 is the year of AI, so Artificial Intelligence was a key theme at the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting, which took place from 15 to 19 January 2024. Here’s a nice summary From Sam Altman to António Guterres: Here's what 10 leaders said about AI.

Of course, all eyes were on what Sam Altman said about the future of OpenAI. What’s interesting for the ModernAiWorkplace.com newsletter, though, is the future of work:

• Soon, "you might just be able to say 'what are my most important emails today,'" and have AI summarize them.

• Altman says AI advances will "help vastly accelerate the rate of scientific discovery." He doesn't expect that to happen in 2024, "but when it happens, it's a big, big deal."

Another Axios article on the AI’s Impact on the Workforce, Now and in the Future also touched interesting topics:

• … there will be short, medium, and long-term effects of AI on the job market and employee workflows. "Long run, just like with the internet, there will be some jobs that get displaced, most jobs will get reinvented, and there will be new categories of work that get created that we can't even imagine right now," …

• "We've seen with every big sort of technological leap forward, jobs change and jobs be displaced. The problem historically is that those least able to bear the burden have suffered most, certainly in the short term," Euan said. "But if we stop focusing on cure, and instead look at prevention, basically we start skilling in advance, training people ... We can actually do something really great."

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Of course, Microsoft Copilot will forever change the way we work. The more I look into it, the more amazed I get about the productivity boosts we can take out of this. My take: become a self-taught prompt-engineer NOW to get ahead and avoid being left behind like all the other suckers at your company 🤣.

Prompt Engineeringg should be everyone’s 2024 learning resolution!
👉 This is a great video to get you started.

Tools to try out

• Notion is my Personal Knowledge Management tool of choice; now powered by AI!

• Looka is an AI-powered logo maker that gives business owners a quick and affordable way to create a beautiful brand. The platform takes a non-templated approach to logos to generate tons of unique options that you can customize in an easy-to-use editor. 

Stay Hungry; Stay Foolish.
Peter K.

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Well, the USA has had more than $249B (privately) invested in AI so far. In the meantime, in the EU, we are introducing regulation before the innovation actually even kicked off. 🤦‍♂️

Is the European Union Stifling AI Innovation with its Regulations?

The European Union (EU) has been at the forefront of regulating AI, aiming to establish frameworks that ensure AI systems are safe, transparent, and ethical. However, this regulatory approach has sparked a debate: Is the EU inadvertently killing AI innovation?

The Case for Regulation

The EU's focus on regulation stems from legitimate concerns. AI, if left unchecked, can lead to issues like privacy invasion, biased decision-making, and other ethical dilemmas. The EU’s regulations, such as the proposed Artificial Intelligence Act, emphasize protecting citizen rights and ensuring AI is used responsibly. By setting clear standards, these regulations can actually encourage innovation by creating a stable environment where developers know the rules and can innovate within safe boundaries.

The Innovation Dilemma

However, regulations can also be a double-edged sword. The primary concern is that stringent rules could stifle innovation. AI is a rapidly evolving field, and overly restrictive regulations might slow down progress. Start-ups and smaller companies, in particular, might find it challenging to navigate the complex regulatory landscape, which could hinder new entrants and maintain the status quo dominated by large, established players.

The Global Perspective

There's also the global aspect to consider. The EU's regulations might not only impact European companies but could also set a precedent for other regions. If the EU's approach is too conservative, it risks placing European AI companies at a competitive disadvantage globally, especially against countries with more lenient regulatory frameworks.

Finding the Balance

The key lies in finding a balance. Regulations are essential for ensuring ethical AI, but they must be flexible enough to adapt to the fast pace of AI development. A collaborative approach involving policymakers, technologists, and ethicists could lead to a regulatory framework that both protects society and fosters innovation.

In conclusion, while the EU's intentions in regulating AI are commendable, there's a fine line between regulation and innovation. The challenge is to develop a regulatory framework that ensures ethical AI use without hampering the creative and technological advances essential for progress in this field.

Further reading: EU AI Act: first regulation on artificial intelligence.

Guess how much you’d have now if you invested $10K in Microsoft when Satya Nadella became CEO. And it might be better a decade from now because, AI. So, now you know where to put your ten grand. Thank me in 10 years. 🙏

Tools to try out

• Notion is my Personal Knowledge Management tool of choice; now powered by AI!

• Looka is an AI-powered logo maker that gives business owners a quick and affordable way to create a beautiful brand. The platform takes a non-templated approach to logos to generate tons of unique options that you can customize in an easy-to-use editor. 

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Stay Hungry; Stay Foolish.
Peter K.

Microsoft’s Copilot is free on Android and now on iOS devices like iPhone and iPad, as well. Saving you $20 on a ChatGPT subscription. The OpenAI’s free version of ChatGPT is powered by an older version, 3.5, and the GPT-4 costs you a $20 monthly subscription. Thank you, Microsoft, for investing $10B to save me twenty bucks a month! 😇

And yes, DALL-E image generation is also available! This is democratizing AI. Let’s make the most of it.

Satya Nadella called 2023 the Year of AI, and I think the best is yet to come. 2024 will be the leap year — also for Artificial Intelligence!

AI impact on jobs.

Artificial Intelligence has been transforming various industries, leading to significant changes in the job market. As AI technology continues to advance, its impact on jobs is a topic of great interest and concern.

AI has the potential to automate repetitive tasks and streamline processes, leading to increased efficiency and productivity. However, this also means that some jobs may become redundant or undergo significant changes. Roles that involve routine manual tasks or data analysis, for example, are particularly susceptible to automation.

On the other hand, AI also creates new job opportunities. As AI systems become more sophisticated, there is a growing demand for professionals who can develop, maintain, and improve AI technologies. Additionally, AI can enhance human capabilities, enabling workers to focus on more complex and creative tasks that require human judgment and empathy.

By recognizing the opportunities and challenges that AI brings, we can prepare for a future where humans and AI work together harmoniously, creating a more productive and inclusive workforce.

And that’s the path where AI creates new tasks and capabilities for humans. It’s the path of augmenting our capabilities by providing better tools and information for workers. Looking at the opportunity, AI could magnify the power of human+machine synergies. Welcome to the era of “New Collar” workers.

We have to get ready for this by learning prompt engineering today so we can take part and empower ourselves by leveraging the power of AI. Start today.

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Microsoft is a company able to “enterprise” AI.

Microsoft, as a leading technology company, has the capability to "enterprise" AI solutions. By “enterprising,” I mean they can take it to mainstream workplace usage.

Companies often have concerns about the potential leakage of sensitive data when implementing AI technologies. However, Microsoft can help alleviate these concerns by providing secure and reliable AI solutions that prioritize data privacy and protection.

Because your CFO and CIO will trust Microsoft before trusting any of the thousands of super-innovative startups. If your company is already using Microsoft products, AI will simply be a thing to turn on and can immediately improve the current workflows!

I’m excited that 2024 is the year of the Modern Ai Workplace of the future — today.

Tools to try out

• Notion is my Personal Knowledge Management tool of choice; now powered by AI!

• Nuelink is a wonderful social media planner/scheduler/automator giving me the power of having a marketing agency.

Stay Hungry; Stay Foolish.
Peter K.

Microsoft’s next Surface laptops will reportedly be its first true ‘AI PCs’. Rumors go, that the upcoming devices will have a keyboard button dedicated to Windows Copilot.

According to Wired, this year’s CES, which kicks off January 9 in Las Vegas, will feature the usual assortment of new consumer tech products. This year, even more of that stuff will be empowered by machine intelligence.

AI in the Workplace: 16 Ways to Stay Ahead in 2024 & Beyond! As we stand on the brink of 2024, artificial intelligence (AI) is not just a buzzword anymore. Rather, it is a pivotal force for driving innovation and efficiency across various sectors.

Stay Hungry: Stay Foolish.
Peter K.

Looking at the AI, we can’t help but wonder, when is it coming for our jobs? In a way, AI will do to white-collar jobs what robotics and automation did to the blue-collar ones.

The more I think of it, the only edge we humans have left against AI is being physically present, socializing, networking, and crafting empathetically creative solutions to interesting problems.

Jobs done remotely, with cameras off, responding to requests; they’ll be gone. Because once you stop showing up to the office, your camera is off, and your work is done passively, all of that can be done more efficiently by an AI that never takes a vacation, sick day, or forms a union.

Seth Godin emphasizes the danger of being a cog in the system that’s trying to replace you. If what you do can be described step-by-step, then it can be taught to an AI, and you’re no longer needed for that. Of course, the best companies will try to figure out how to put you to use for the jobs where you still have an edge. Others will simply sack you.

Imagine when we start using avatars in remote meetings, and those move into VR. And you get your AI intern that learns from your writing, talking, thinking, and other cognitive processes until it eventually becomes better than you at being, well, You. For twenty dollars a month in subscription. This scenario isn’t just a possibility; it’s an impending wave, much like the introduction of the internet disrupted industries across the globe, revolutionizing the way we communicate, access information, and conduct business. It opened up endless possibilities and transformed the way we live and work. Similarly, the impending wave of AI has the potential to reshape our society and workforce, challenging the very nature of our jobs and roles.

Of course, the global economy would collapse if no one had a job. So, we’ll have to start considering the Universal Basic Income again. And we’ll have to find meaning for humans that don’t need to work. Because if you don’t have an organized way of life around work, what do you do with yourself? What’s the meaning?

Matt Levine says that “they are extremely good at being mediocre at a lot of white-collar jobs.” So, the mediocre ones are out. And Ben Evans said that we might think of LLMs as infinite interns. You know, that’s when you get a young person temporarily hired for close to nothing, and they know nothing, and you hope they’ll sponge the knowledge by shadowing the best employees. Eventually, they become mediocre at those same tasks. Well, AI can do that better, faster, and cheaper. And it won’t quit on the spot or show up late and hungover.

When is this going to start happening? As soon as the CIO learns enough to explain it confidently to the CFO, they both go together to the CEO and the Board for approval. Depending on the organization you work in, that might already be in motion; it might happen tomorrow, next month, or never (and your company will go bankrupt).

So, what can we do? The first thing is to turn ourselves into doctors of Prompt Engineering, and we do that by investing $20/month in ChatGPT and possibly some other tools that can help us get super-productive at what we do while at the same time helping us understand how man+machine is the best combo going forward.
This is our call to action, our opportunity to ride the wave of change rather than being swept away by it.

To put it in another perspective, let's look at AI's potential for Augmentation, not just Automation. There is a possibility for AI to augment human capabilities instead of simply automating tasks. This approach focuses on creating new tasks and enhancing human decision-making. Considering how AI can complement and enhance human work rather than replace it could lead to more optimistic and productive outcomes.

In the meantime, let us cultivate meaningful hobbies that keep us mentally sharp and inspired during our free time. We may find ourselves with an abundance of it sooner than we think, perhaps before 2030. It’s a chance to redefine our place in a world shared with AI.

Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish.
AI-augmented Peter K.

This year, we have witnessed exponential growth in the field of Artificial Intelligence, which started to transform the way we live and work. From ChatGPT to intelligent virtual assistants, AI is becoming an integral part of our daily lives.

To stay updated on the latest developments in this field, I am embarking on a personal project to intentionally learn about the tools and solutions that can help me be more productive and efficient in my professional and private spheres.

As I learn about this in public, I'm excited to announce a new AI newsletter - The Age of AI —AI for the rest of us.

The Age of AI newsletter is all things AI and helps you generate ideas for how to use and make the most out of AI. As a modern professional, you are curious about how you can leverage AI to stay relevant and productive and to get ahead.

We are at the start of the AI gold rush, and we need to practice a growth mindset as the world is changing. Or we’ll get left behind.

This is for the modern professional who is in the first stages of interaction with AI. You have heard of GPT-4 and perhaps even played with it, and you need to explore further and dig deeper to find ways to leverage this technology to achieve personal and professional breakthroughs. Let's do this together.

Sign up for The Age of AI

AI for the rest of us

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No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

Stay Hungry & Stay Foolish when it comes to developments in Artificial Intelligence so you can stay relevant and future-proof.

Here’s to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers.

So, this is the first edition of The Age of AI.

What's happening in The Age of AI

Every year, Benedict Evans produces a big presentation exploring macro and strategic trends in the tech industry. For 2024, it's titled "AI, and everything else." You can click through the almost 90 interesting slides, or you can watch him talk you through it very fast in this YouTube video shot in December 2023 in Helsinki. I did both, and it was a worthwhile time investment.

When you have a new tool, to begin with, you make it fit what you're already doing, and then over time, you change the way that you work in order to fit the new tool.

Tools are better in The Age of AI

Looka

You see the newsletter logos above? Well, what if I told you they were automagically designed by an AI after I answered a few questions about what I'm up to and clicked some design preferences, and I suddenly had everything from a logo to a social media kit, business cards, e-mail signatures, presentation templates, and the tool can even produce a company landing page.

Looka is an AI-powered logo maker that gives business owners a quick and affordable way to create a beautiful brand. Looka uses machine learning to apply design rules around color contrast, font pairings and more, to provide users with better “out-of-the-box” logo options than other online logo makers.

Get better at ChatGPT

Here are 10 best practices for creating effective ChatGPT prompts, each accompanied by a short example:

1. Be Specific and Detailed: Clearly state what you want to know or achieve.
   Example: "Provide a detailed itinerary for a 3-day trip to Paris, focusing on art museums and historical sites."

2. Use Clear and Concise Language: Avoid ambiguity and be straightforward.
   Example: "Explain the process of photosynthesis in simple terms."

3. Set Context: Give necessary background information.
   Example: "Considering the latest advancements in AI, what are the ethical implications of using AI in healthcare?"

4. Sequence Your Questions Logically: Order your questions or points logically.
   Example: "First, define quantum computing. Then, explain its potential impact on data security."

5. Limit to One Main Idea per Prompt: Focus on a single topic or question.
   Example: "What are the health benefits of a Mediterranean diet?"

6. Use Correct Grammar and Spelling: This ensures better understanding.
   Example: "How does Shakespeare's use of iambic pentameter influence the rhythm of his plays?"

7. Be Direct: Ask your question or make your request directly.
   Example: "List the top five most populous cities in the world as of 2023."

8. Include Keywords: Incorporate relevant terms to focus the response.
   Example: "Discuss the role of mitochondria in cellular respiration."

9. State the Desired Format: Specify if you want the information in a certain format.
   Example: "Summarize the plot of '1984' by George Orwell in bullet points."

10. Adjust Based on Responses: Refine your prompt if the initial response doesn’t fully meet your needs.
    - Initial Prompt: "Tell me about the French Revolution."
    - Refined Prompt: "Provide a timeline of the key events during the French Revolution."

Using these best practices, you can craft prompts that are more likely to yield precise, relevant, and useful responses from ChatGPT.

Stay Hungry; Stay Foolish.
Peter K.

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Of course, in August 2011, Marc Andreessen famously wrote, "Software is eating the world." He had to. It's not like he had a choice. He witnessed firsthand how the cost of running internet applications dropped from $150,000 to $1,500 a month. All the technological ducks were suddenly in a row, and the rest of the world had no idea.

More than a decade later, we got used to the apps generating annual incomes higher than many of the world's countries' GDPs.

If software wouldn't eat the world, covid could have been much worse. Everything is a software problem.

And now, in 2023, we can confidently say, "AI is eating the world." AI has surpassed the scope of software and is creating a new world in which humans can work more efficiently and be more productive.

AI can drive a car better than you and me. Yes, it can be a doctor. A teacher. A financial advisor or a banker. And now, it can be your creative marketing advisor.

We used to think that machines, robots, and artificial intelligence were coming after blue-collar jobs. But they're coming after the well-educated mediocre white-collar cogs as well.

Whatever tasks can be well-described in a simple step-by-step guide are going to go away. First, they were outsourced to countries with no unions, no human rights, and low costs of labor. And the next level of outsourcing is AI. We got used to robots replacing manual labor, and now we'll have to get used to AI replacing "good enough" creative work.

So, what's the answer? The only well-paid manual workers are now craftsmen. It's probably going to be the same for the creatives. The mediocre ones who used to sell their freelance hours on Fiverr and UpWork are no longer needed. ChatGPT can take over. Of course, we'll always have room for the best.

As AI continues to drive economic and societal change, it's clear that we are only beginning to scratch the surface of its potential. The future belongs to those who embrace this technology and use it to create positive outcomes.

Of course, nobody remembers that Garry Kasparov won the first match against Deep Blue.

The lizard brain helped us to survive, but the growth mindset can help us thrive. AI is the fuel that can power our dreams and take us to a new place where anything is possible. As we look ahead with optimism, it's up to each of us to ensure that AI continues to be used ethically and responsibly. We must work together to make sure that the opportunities presented by this technology are available for everyone.

I've written this article with the help of AI. But you can't tell which parts were written by me and which were generated by Jasper. Does it even matter?

Today is a Sunday. My speaker is playing the playlist I asked my Google Assistant to play. iPhone alerts me to tasks I asked Siri to add to my reminders yesterday. Jasper.AI helps me outline and write this article. Grammarly takes care of linguistics.

AI is eating the world and making it better. It's making us better.