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AI's Great Expectations: Apple's Innovation to Meet Industry Reality?

Adjusting the Lens on AI's Accelerated Ambitions

Author

James Garner
April 07, 2024

This Week’s Wisdom: Tip of the Week

Tip of the Week

Adoption of OpenAI's ChatGPT at work has seen a notable rise among Americans, jumping by 12 percentage points since March 2023, reflecting a sharp uptake from 8% to 20%. The period from July 2023 shows an increase of 8 points, indicating a rapidly growing trend in the workplace for AI integration.

Quote of the Week

"Later this year, I look forward to sharing with you the ways we will break new ground in generative AI, another technology we believe can redefine the future," he said during the company's annual shareholders meeting, which was held virtually.” - Tim Cook, Apple

This Week's Big Thing in the Industry

Project management professionals have expressed concerns about the unrealistic expectations created by advancements in artificial intelligence (AI). A survey conducted by the Ireland chapter of the Project Management Institute found that 72% of respondents believed that AI has led to higher expectations from individuals who do not fully understand its capabilities.

However, the majority of project managers remained optimistic about the impact of AI on their roles and believed it could reduce stress in the workplace.

Events Coming Up

Apple's World Wide Developer Conference (WWDC) is scheduled for June 10-14, 2024, with significant anticipation around its AI ambitions. Promising an "Absolutely Incredible" event, WWDC will focus on developers for Apple’s operating systems, likely introducing major updates to iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS. Notably, AI will take centre stage, with expectations of groundbreaking innovations and possibly details on a partnership with Google. Additionally, there's a hint at iOS 18 being a substantial update, incorporating AI tools for daily life management​ (TechCrunch)​.

The Growth School is offering "ChatGPT 101", a comprehensive course designed to explore the capabilities of ChatGPT. Aimed at users keen on harnessing the power of AI for enhancing productivity and creativity, this course promises to equip attendees with the knowledge to utilise ChatGPT effectively. Whether it's automating routine tasks, generating content, or even coding, "ChatGPT 101" covers essential skills for anyone looking to integrate AI into their workflow. For details and registration, visit Growth School's website.

The Generative AI Summit 2024, hosted at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London from May 20th-22nd, is the must-attend event for AI and tech leaders. With Cassie Kozyrkov among the keynote speakers, this summit dives into how generative AI is shaping enterprises, featuring over 100 speakers, 240 attendees, and more than 80 sessions. It's an unparalleled opportunity for insights into AI's commercial and operational benefits, aiming to transition AI from trials to significant, value-adding enterprise applications. For more details and to secure early bird discounts, visit the Generative AI Summit website.

The webinar "Lessons Learned from Major Projects in the Use of Technology for Construction Excellence" scheduled for 23 April 2024, 2:00-3:00pm, promises to share invaluable insights into how technology is transforming the construction industry. It will cover the impact of digital transformation technologies like BIM, IoT, and AI on construction methodologies, showcase real-world case studies, address implementation challenges, and explore future trends. This event is a must-attend for professionals aiming to stay at the forefront of construction technology. For more details and registration, please visit the event page.

Discover the future of project management with PMI UK's webinar on 8th April 2024, featuring PMI Infinity – the AI-driven CoPilot for project professionals. Learn how Generational AI propels PMI Infinity, providing access to a substantial database for superior outcomes and efficiency. Delve into the Infinity RoadMap to see how it aligns with your organisational strategies. Ranjith Nair, PMI's Director of Innovation, will share invaluable insights. Join us to shape the future of PMI Infinity. For more details and to register, visit PMI UK Webinar: PMI Infinity – A Project Manager's CoPilot.

What You Need to Know This Week

OpenAI has announced that it will make its ChatGPT generative AI chatbot accessible to users without requiring sign-ups. The move aims to democratise AI and make it more accessible to anyone interested in exploring the capabilities of the technology.

OpenAI will gradually roll out the feature to users starting from Monday.

Flux Feed: Curating the Latest Industry News

AI in Construction and Project Delivery

The role of the "Main Information Contractor" is becoming increasingly important in the construction industry as AI technology becomes more prevalent. Architects, engineers, general contractors, technology providers, and owners and developers all have the potential to assume this role and shape data governance frameworks.

The Build Chain has developed a digital construction materials procurement platform aimed at increasing efficiency and addressing challenges in the industry. The platform is designed to assist professionals rather than replace them, and it offers benefits such as increased productivity and improved decision-making.

The article discusses a webinar hosted by APM that explores the current use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the project profession. Representatives from various organisations shared their insight and approaches to adopting AI in project work streams.

The webinar aimed to help professionals understand the implications of AI in project management.

Artificial intelligence (AI) in project management refers to the use of technology to aid in decision-making and data analysis. AI tools such as ChatGPT and expert systems can assist with tasks like responding to emails and generating project ideas.

AI has the potential to enhance project success and efficiency, but its practical implementation is often delayed due to uncertainty and the difficulty of reusing AI models. The future of AI in project management will focus on improving performance and delivering project outcomes.

The construction industry in Britain must embrace the use of robotics and automation to stay competitive on a global scale, according to Pete Felton of the National Robotarium. Robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) can improve efficiency, safety, and eco-friendliness in construction, as well as aid in the creation of sustainable and adaptable buildings.

The National Robotarium aims to drive collaboration in the sector and develop innovative robotic solutions.

Discount Reactor has introduced AI solutions that aim to transform project management efficiency. These solutions can automate tasks, facilitate communication and collaboration, enhance decision-making, enable intelligent scheduling, and integrate seamlessly with project collaboration tools.

The future of AI in project management holds great potential for transformative progress.

The UK's Infrastructure and Projects Authority (IPA) has released a framework outlining how artificial intelligence (AI) can be used to improve productivity in public project delivery. The framework encourages responsible experimentation with AI and suggests upskilling project delivery professionals in data analytics and AI.

The government hopes that the use of AI will lead to more efficient and cost-effective public projects.

A survey conducted by the Ireland Chapter of Project Management Institute found that only 11% of recent AI projects met all project success metrics. The average cost of failed projects in the last 12 months was €710,896.23, leading to mixed views on efficacy and cost among project managers.

AI impact on work

The article discusses the potential impact of artificial intelligence on the meaning and purpose of human life. It explores the question of whether having all our problems solved by AI would ultimately lead to a loss of meaning and happiness.

DeepMind CEO, Demis Hassabis, has warned that the massive funding being poured into artificial intelligence (AI) is leading to hype and "grifting." He emphasised the need for realistic expectations about AI capabilities and cautioned against overpromising what the technology can deliver.

Tech News

OpenAI has announced that users of its ChatGPT platform can now edit DALL-E generated images across the web, iOS, and Android. The image editing feature includes a selection tool, undo/redo options, and the ability to add, remove, and update parts of an image.

Additionally, ChatGPT now provides style inspirations for DALL-E images within the interface.

Apple and Google are reportedly in talks to bring Google's generative artificial intelligence model, Gemini, to the iPhone. The deal would further strengthen the long-standing partnership between the two companies.

Talks are still in the preliminary stages, and the scope of the potential deal has not been defined. Apple has also had discussions with other AI companies.

Microsoft's Copilot AI service is expected to run locally on PCs, according to Intel. The next-generation AI PCs will require built-in neural processing units (NPUs) with over 40 TOPS of power, which is currently beyond the capabilities of any consumer processor available.

This development would reduce lag and potentially improve performance and privacy.

OpenAI has unveiled Voice Engine, a voice cloning tool that can generate synthetic voices from 15-second voice samples. The company is initially limiting access to a select group of developers while it assesses the technology's potential risks and benefits.

Training for the model used in Voice Engine comes from sources including licensed and publicly available data.

Apple has developed an AI called ReALM that aims to optimise Siri. ReALM has the ability to understand vague phrases and can process data within the phone itself, making it more secure and private.

OpenAI has given a select group of artists early access to its Sora text-to-video tool, which generates videos up to a minute long based on a single text prompt. The artists have been able to create surreal videos with the technology, and OpenAI said this early access will help it evaluate the capabilities and limitations of Sora.

Classical views, on the other hand, see generative artificial intelligence tools as capable of stealing work or even taking on creative roles entirely.

Anthropic's new large language model, Claude-3, has surpassed previous models and received praise for its abilities in economic modeling, science understanding, problem-solving, code writing, and more. However, the article questions whether this intelligence is truly comparable to human intelligence, as LLMs have been trained on vast amounts of data and lack the ability to solve mundane tasks or generalise beyond their training.

The article suggests that LLMs have a different kind of intelligence, not the general intelligence that humans possess.

AI companies are facing a shortage of internet data to train their large language models (LLMs). The internet is finite, and companies want their models to continue growing.

Some companies are exploring alternatives like using transcriptions of public videos or synthetic data.

AI in Other Industries

Artificial intelligence (AI) refers to machines' ability to perform cognitive functions associated with human minds, such as problem solving and creativity. AI has become more prevalent in our lives and has the potential to make businesses more efficient and profitable, but it is important for organisations to build trust and explain how AI systems work to stakeholders.

AI models, such as machine learning and deep learning, have revolutionised industries like medical imaging and weather forecasting. However, there are limitations and risks associated with AI, such as biases in data and the potential for unethical use.

Organisations can scale up their AI efforts by promoting interdisciplinary collaboration, empowering data-based decision making, and adopting an agile mindset. The development and use of AI are also subject to regulatory frameworks, and organisations should be aware of the risks and engage in responsible AI practices.

Hard rock band Kiss has sold its back catalogue of songs and its brand to Swedish music investor Pophouse Entertainment for an estimated $300m. This comes as more artists, including Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen, sell their back catalogues for large sums of money.

Pophouse will own the rights to both the music and the Kiss brand, allowing them to generate future AI-generated content.

Billie Eilish, Nicki Minaj, Katy Perry, and others have signed an open letter warning against the "predatory" use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the music industry. They are calling on tech companies to pledge not to develop AI music-generation tools that undermine the work of human artists and do not ensure fair compensation.

Google has unveiled updates to its search engine that will allow users to build travel itineraries using artificial intelligence (AI). The feature, currently only available in the US and in English, draws information from sites across the web, along with photos, reviews and other details submitted to Google.

Users can request an itinerary based on their preferences, and will receive a sample itinerary including flights, hotels, attractions and restaurants. The itineraries cannot be purchased within the app, and any plans saved must be exported to Gmail, Docs or Maps.

The company has not announced plans for broader availability.

An entrepreneur has developed a virtual reality tool called "live forever mode" that uses AI to create digital avatars of deceased loved ones. The avatars can simulate a person's voice, mannerisms, and movements, allowing future generations to interact with them as a form of digital memory.

Some experts have expressed concerns about exploiting existential fears for profit, while others see the technology as a way to continue one's legacy. However, there are unanswered questions about data storage, fees, and privacy after death.

AI Regulation and Security

Tech companies are exploring the use of synthetic data generated by artificial intelligence (AI) to train their AI models. However, there are concerns about the flaws and biases that AI models may have, and synthetic data is not widely used in AI systems at present.

Courts are beginning to consider whether generative AI violates copyright laws. The article explores the complex relationship between copyright and generative AI, discussing issues such as fair use, the replication of copyrighted material in training data, and the potential consequences for the AI industry.

The author calls for a nuanced legal framework that balances the protection of human creativity with the advancements of generative AI.

The article discusses the state of global AI safety research based on insights from ETO's Research Almanac and Map of Science. It highlights that AI safety research is growing rapidly but still represents a small portion of overall AI research.

American schools and companies lead the field, and notable clusters of AI safety research include topics such as data poisoning, algorithmic fairness, and explainable machine learning. The article also provides information on country trends, top organizations, and research clusters in the field of AI safety.

The U.S. House of Representatives has implemented a ban on congressional staffers' use of Microsoft's AI Copilot due to concerns over data security and the potential leaking of House data. Microsoft said they are working on AI tools that meet federal government security requirements.

The UK and US have signed a bilateral agreement to collaborate on testing advanced artificial intelligence (AI) systems and evaluating their safety. The agreement aims to address the risks posed by AI technology and harness its potential to improve lives.

The deal builds upon commitments made at the AI Safety Summit and marks the first bilateral agreement of its kind. The EU is also moving towards implementing AI regulations that will require developers to be transparent about risks and data use.

Elon Musk recently spoke about the risks of artificial intelligence (AI), stating that there is a small chance of AI causing harm to humanity, possibly 10 to 20 percent. However, Musk believes that the potential benefits of AI outweigh the risks.

He emphasized the importance of teaching AI to be truthful and curious to ensure its safety. Musk's plan to keep AI safe revolves around ensuring that AI always tells the truth.

Here is the latest Linked In Newsletter

GPT of the Week

The custom GPT, 'ElevenLabs Text to Speech', converts text to lifelike speech, limited to 1,500 characters. This tool could be invaluable for project professionals, enabling them to create voiceovers for presentations, audio versions of reports for accessibility, or simply to listen to project documents for convenience, ensuring multitasking and efficient information consumption.

New Tools in Tech

VideoToBlog is a tool that lets you transform YouTube videos into blogs using AI, specifically GPT technology. It's a boon for project professionals who want to leverage video content into written form, perhaps for sharing insights or updates on project progress. The service offers free conversions for up to three blogs a month, with a subscription option for more frequent use. Check it out at VideoToBlog.

ConstructAI is designed for the UK Construction Industry to answer questions and enhance skills using AI. Professionals can sign up for early access to use this tool, which could be a significant asset in project planning, resource management, and skills development. For more details or to register, you can visit ConstructAI.

Podcasts: Must-Subscribe List

Podcast of the Week: ‘The Human Edge’ from Project Flux Podcast Series. In our first episode, join hosts James Garner and Yoshi Soornack as they tackle the pivotal role of humans in the AI era. They discuss the impending robotic revolution with a projected $38 billion investment by 2035 and the paradox of AI potentially affecting 8 million UK jobs while also creating new opportunities. This 46-minute inaugural episode is an essential listen for project professionals aiming to navigate the AI landscape.https://linktr.ee/projectflux

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Meet Project Flux: About Us

At Project Flux, we're committed to pioneering the future of construction and project delivery through the lens of cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence insights. Our vision is to be at the forefront of integrating AI into the fabric of project delivery, transforming how projects are conceptualised, planned, and executed.

About James Garner James Garner, the Senior Director at Gleeds and Global Head of Data, Insights & Analytics, is the driving force behind Project Flux. With his extensive experience in the field and a track record recognised by Data IQ 100 in 2023, James combines his expertise in data and project delivery with a passion for AI in project delivery.

Our Mission Project Flux aims to not only inform and educate but also to inspire professionals in the construction industry to embrace the transformative potential of AI. We believe in the power of AI to revolutionise project delivery, making it more efficient, predictive, and adaptable to the dynamic demands of the modern world.

What We Offer Through our insightful newsletters, curated content on LinkedIn, and engaging discussions, Project Flux serves as a resource for professionals seeking to stay ahead in their field. We offer a blend of practical advice, thought leadership, and the latest developments in AI and construction technology.

Connect with us on LinkedIn and subscribe to our newsletter for regular updates. Together, let's shape the future of construction and project delivery!