This Week’s BIG thing

Google’s under-hyped tool just got better

We just had the release of the powerful “thinking” model by OpenAI, then found out that most don’t know how to best make use of it... Is it a sign that we’re falling behind rapidly advancing AI, or are OpenAI jumping ahead? Out of the spotlight, Google have been focusing their AI advances on capability built for the now, making waves with “Notebook LM” the AI-powered, talk-to-your-documents technology.

Here’s everything you need to know about Notebook LM’s stand out capabilities:

• Audio overview generates podcast-style summaries of documents, making it easy to digest information on the go.

• Source integration lets users upload multiple types of files like PDFs and Google Docs, centralising all their content.

• AI-powered analysis provides quick overviews, key topics, and even generates questions based on your content.

• Intelligent Q&A allows users to ask questions about their sources and get answers with inline citations.

• Multilingual support includes 38 languages, making it accessible for global use.

• Globally accessible with availability in over 200 countries

How it compares

NotebookLM's AI-powered features set it apart from traditional note-taking apps like OneNote and Evernote. More advanced tools like Roam Research and Obsidian have AI capabilities but lack NotebookLM's powerful source integration within the Google ecosystem. And while OpenAI’s o1 model excels in reasoning tasks, it doesn't offer the same practical, document-centric features NotebookLM brings to the table.

For researchers, academics, and professionals alike, NotebookLM offers more than just note-taking—it provides a way to engage with information on a deeper, more accessible level.

Mixed but promising public perception

Early users are excited by NotebookLM’s innovative features, particularly the Audio Overview. Some have raised concerns about the user interface, but overall, the tool is seen as having immense potential—especially if Google addresses its minor flaws.

Why You Should Care 🫵

NotebookLM's features have clear real-world benefits. For project managers, the audio overview allows teams to grasp key concepts quickly, while source integration centralizes all project-related files. Its AI analysis saves time by summarizing large documents, and intelligent Q&A improves efficiency by quickly locating specific information. With multilingual support, it’s perfect for global teams working across language barriers.

The Rabbit Hole 🐰

• How to use Notebook LM -  https://www.zdnet.com/article/how-to-use-notebooklm/

• Why its AI-powered audio is a gamechanger -https://techcrunch.com/2024/09/11/googles-ai-note-taking-app-notebooklm-can-now-explain-complex-topics-to-you-out-loud/

• Public perception - https://x.com/emollick/status/1836575562640351421

We event tried it on this newsletter - check out the generated podcast below

What’s new: Tech

LinkedIn’s AI Training Controversy: Are You Being Used to Train AI?

Summary

LinkedIn has silently opted users into a new AI training program, using their public posts and activity data to train its AI models. This move has sparked significant backlash, especially in the UK, where LinkedIn temporarily halted the program due to regulatory concerns. Privacy advocates argue that LinkedIn’s lack of transparency undermines user trust, as many were unaware their data was being utilised for AI development. This incident highlights the ongoing debate over user consent and data privacy in the age of AI.

Why You Should Care

For professionals in project delivery and productivity sectors, data privacy is paramount. This LinkedIn issue serves as a reminder to review platform settings and understand how your data is being used. If you're using LinkedIn for networking, recruitment, or industry insights, being informed about data practices is crucial to safeguarding personal and organisational information. As AI continues to integrate into business processes, ensuring transparent and ethical data use will be essential to maintaining trust and compliance.

 Rabbit Hole

For a detailed look at LinkedIn’s opt-in controversy, read the full story here. Discover more about why LinkedIn halted its AI model training in the UK here. For further insights, see cybersecurity expert Rachel Tobac's take on the issue here. As AI evolves, staying informed about data privacy is more important than ever.

💙 Other tech news we’re loving

_{ChatGPT Messaging Users: OpenAI’s ChatGPT is reportedly initiating conversations with users, raising concerns about AI autonomy and user privacy. OpenAI addresses these fears, emphasising safety measures and user control over AI interactions.}

_{Humanity’s Last Exam: A thought-provoking initiative explores the ethical implications of advanced AI systems, challenging humanity to consider the future role of AI and how we navigate its potential impact on society.}

_{We Are Moving Faster Than Moore’s Law: Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang states that AI technology is advancing faster than Moore’s Law, highlighting the rapid pace of innovation and its transformative implications for industries and society.}

What’s new: Projects

Unlocking Construction 4.0: Is AI the Future of Building?

Summary

Adopting AI in construction is no longer a futuristic concept but a strategic imperative. The industry is embracing AI-driven technologies like BIM (Building Information Modelling), robotics, and machine learning to streamline project management, reduce errors, and enhance safety. From automating routine tasks to predictive analytics for risk management, AI is driving what’s known as Construction 4.0. However, the path to full adoption involves overcoming challenges such as data integration, workforce upskilling, and navigating regulatory landscapes. The transition requires a holistic approach to ensure these technologies deliver the expected value and improve overall project delivery.

Why You Should Care

For project managers, engineers, and stakeholders in construction, AI represents a transformative tool that can optimise every phase of a project—from planning and design to execution and maintenance. As the industry shifts towards Construction 4.0, embracing these technologies can significantly improve productivity, safety, and profitability. Understanding the benefits and barriers to AI adoption is crucial for staying competitive in a rapidly evolving market. Those who adapt early will likely see better project outcomes and greater operational efficiency.

Rabbit Hole

Explore the full journey of AI adoption in construction with the article on The Path to Adopting AI in Construction here. For insights into how BIM, AI, and robotics are shaping Construction 4.0, dive into the discussion here. As AI continues to evolve, staying informed about these technologies is key to leveraging their full potential. 

💙 Other Project news we’re loving

_{AI Reviving Nuclear Power: AI is playing a key role in reviving nuclear power, optimising operations, and improving safety. This includes rebooting the Three Mile Island plant to meet growing energy demands sustainably.}

_{BlackRock and Microsoft: BlackRock and Microsoft are planning a $30 billion fund to develop AI infrastructure, targeting projects that enhance AI capabilities and drive innovation across industries.}

_{White House Task Force: The White House forms an AI Data Center Infrastructure Task Force to guide the development of national AI capabilities and infrastructure, ensuring safe and responsible growth of AI technologies.}

What’s new: Productivity

AI Personas: Navigating the Human-AI Collaboration in the Workplace

Slack’s Workforce Lab research has unveiled five distinct AI personas that capture how employees engage with AI at work, providing a roadmap for employers looking to foster a more cohesive “AI Team” environment:

· 🥰 The Maximalist (30%): Eager adopters who use AI frequently to boost productivity and openly advocate for its benefits.

· 🤫 The Underground (20%): Secret AI users who rely on the technology but choose not to disclose it to colleagues.

· 😎 The Rebel (19%): AI sceptics who avoid using the technology, viewing it as unnecessary or even detrimental to fair competition.

· 🤩 The Superfan (16%): Admirers of AI’s potential, but still on the sidelines, not fully integrating it into their workflow.

· 🧐 The Observer (16%): Cautious onlookers who are yet to adopt AI, observing its evolution with interest and caution.

These personas reflect the varied responses to AI adoption, highlighting both the enthusiasm and resistance within the workforce. Understanding these profiles is crucial as organisations move towards integrating AI, ensuring that they cater to different attitudes and concerns.

 This diversity in AI adoption is also visible in the construction industry, where AI-driven technologies are reshaping traditional roles and workflows. As seen in the rise of Construction 4.0, embracing AI can lead to significant gains in efficiency, safety, and project management. However, overcoming challenges such as data integration and workforce upskilling is essential for successful adoption.

The future of AI in the workplace hinges on finding the right balance between human expertise and machine intelligence. Employers must navigate this landscape thoughtfully to maximise benefits while maintaining trust and integrity.

 For a deeper dive into these personas, explore the Slack Workforce Lab report. To learn more about AI’s role in transforming construction, check out this article.

💙 Other productivity news we’re loving

_{New YouTube Creator Features: YouTube introduces AI-powered tools, including video editing, the "Inspiration Tab" for content ideas, and interactive features to empower creators in producing high-quality, engaging content more efficiently.}

_{Microsoft Copilot Wave 2: Microsoft unveils Copilot Wave 2, introducing new features like Copilot Pages, Python integration in Excel, and AI agents, enhancing productivity and collaboration across Microsoft 365 applications.}

_{Julius AI: Julius AI offers powerful capabilities to analyse datasets, create visualisations, solve complex math problems, and much more—transforming business intelligence and data-driven decision-making for teams.}

_{BuiltWorlds ML/AI Preparedness Report: A new report highlights the construction industry’s readiness for adopting AI and ML technologies, revealing gaps and opportunities for businesses to integrate these tools and improve project delivery and efficiency.}

_{Nevada Employment Benefits: Nevada adopts Google’s AI to assist in determining eligibility for unemployment benefits, aiming to improve decision-making accuracy and efficiency in processing claims.}

_{Google’s Time Series Forecasting: Google unveils TimeSFM, a foundational model for time series forecasting, offering advanced predictive capabilities to improve business forecasting, resource planning, and operational efficiency.}

Events

ACOSTE: Demystifying AI in Project Controls (London, 3^rd October from 5pm)

As the ACOSTE (Association for cost engineers) welcome their community of practice leads at this London event, joining them as digital CoP lead is our very own flux co-host Yoshi Soornack!

Join Yoshi and the other leads as they discuss demystifying AI in project controls. Project controls is evolving alongside generative AI, from how we analyse project data to how we communicate the insight across teams. This discussion topic looks into the current state of this dynamic, with takeaways into how professionals can look to better integrate generative AI into their workflows.

🔗 Join the event here!

Podcast of the Week: Navigating AI Adoption with Mark Lockton

In this week’s Project Flux episode, we sit down with Mark Lockton, CEO of Embracent, to explore the challenges and opportunities of AI adoption for businesses:

1. Falling Behind AI Advancements: With rapid developments like OpenAI's o1, the most advanced LLM to date, many businesses risk falling behind if they don’t keep pace with AI advancements.

2. The Blackbox Problem: Mark discusses how the opaque nature of AI—often called “blackbox thinking”—can deter businesses from fully trusting and integrating these technologies into their operations.

3. Perceptions of AI: There's a stark contrast in how small and large businesses view AI, with larger enterprises often more willing to invest in AI, while SMEs may hesitate due to perceived high costs and complexity.

4. Influencing Stakeholders: Successfully adopting AI and digital transformation requires influencing stakeholders across all levels. Mark shares effective strategies for engaging different business roles, from C-suite executives to frontline employees.

5. Key Takeaways: Embracent’s approach focuses on demystifying AI for mid-sized companies, showing that effective AI adoption doesn’t have to be costly or complex. Businesses should focus on data quality, integrating security from the start, and leveraging AI to enhance human capabilities rather than replace them.

For more insights, connect with Mark Lockton on LinkedIn or visit Embracent.

Oprah Talks AI with Sam Altman and Bill Gates

In a captivating prime-time special, Oprah sat down with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates to discuss the future of AI. Here are the key takeaways:

1. AI’s Transformative Potential: Bill Gates emphasised that AI will revolutionise industries beyond technology, such as healthcare and education, making personalised learning and diagnostics more accessible.

2. Ethical Challenges and Regulation: Sam Altman highlighted the need for robust regulation to ensure AI’s safe and ethical use, advocating for global standards to prevent misuse and promote transparency.

3. Job Displacement Concerns: Both Gates and Altman acknowledged the potential for AI to disrupt the job market but argued that it will also create new opportunities. They urged a focus on upskilling and education to prepare the workforce for these changes.

4. AI as a Co-Pilot, Not a Replacement: The consensus was that AI should be seen as an assistant to human capabilities, enhancing productivity rather than replacing human roles.

5. The Road Ahead: Oprah concluded that we are on the brink of a new era, stating, “We are in for the ride of our lives,” capturing the mix of excitement and uncertainty that AI brings.

One More Thing

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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.

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, podcasts and 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.

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