This Week’s BIG thing

The first AI-powered real-time election information hub

Perplexity has made waves in the AI world with its bold move to launch an election information hub for the 2024 US presidential election. While other tech giants played it safe, Perplexity stepped up to provide real-time, accurate election insights. Here's how they did it and what other companies can learn.

Key features of Perplexity's election hub
Perplexity's election hub offered minute-by-minute updates, featuring an interactive electoral map and data from trusted sources like the Associated Press. Users could enter their address to receive highly localised information, from ballot measures to polling stations. Each response was backed by citations, ensuring full transparency.

Performance and competitive edge
By focusing on partnerships with trusted sources like the Associate Press (AP) and Democracy Works, Perplexity ensured reliability and accuracy. While other AI giants avoided election content, Perplexity seized the opportunity and delivered—providing a reliable, intuitive experience that set it apart from competitors like xAI's Grok - despite Elon's heavy involvement in the US election.

How they delivered with accuracy
Perplexity's election hub kept data generation and raw information distinct. This careful separation allowed for reliable election results while reserving AI content for summaries of candidate profiles and ballot measures, reducing the risk of inaccuracies during high-stakes events.

Lessons for other AI companies

1. Data Partnerships: Collaboration with trusted organisations ensured data accuracy.

2. Risk Management: Separating AI-generated content from live data feeds reduced potential errors.

3. User Experience: Clear source citations and personalised information created trust and transparency.

A calculated risk that paid off
Perplexity demonstrated that AI, when combined with reliable data sources and transparency, could responsibly empower voters. Their approach provides a valuable blueprint for any company looking to make an impact in critical areas. Trusted partnerships, user engagement, and calculated risks can make all the difference

The rabbit hole 🐰

Read the full story 🧠

• _{Hear from Perplexity’s CEO Aravind Srinivas} 🔗

• _{Read what Perplexity had to say} 🔗

• _{How Perplexity stole the spotlight from ChatGPT} 🔗

• _{Stress testing the live election capability and visual examples}  🔗

What’s new: Tech

Tech Story: OpenAI Acquires Chat.com for Enhanced User Access

Source: TechCrunch

Summary
OpenAI recently acquired Chat.com, a strategic move aimed at expanding its reach and simplifying access to its ChatGPT services. By securing the highly intuitive domain name, OpenAI enhances brand visibility and positions itself to engage a broader audience through a straightforward web presence. This acquisition aligns with OpenAI's mission to make conversational AI more accessible and user-friendly, signalling potential developments in both usability and direct customer engagement.

What Does This Mean for Me?
If you’re involved in project management or productivity, expect a streamlined pathway to AI tools, potentially making it easier to integrate ChatGPT into daily workflows. With Chat.com likely evolving as a central hub, project teams could benefit from quicker access to generative AI support for tasks such as drafting, brainstorming, and data analysis, directly supporting productivity and innovation in project delivery.

Rabbit Hole: Explore Further
Curious about how OpenAI’s branding changes could impact AI adoption? Explore how direct-access domains like Chat.com can influence AI service accessibility, potentially reducing barriers to widespread adoption across industries like construction, energy, and engineering, where seamless access to AI tools is becoming increasingly valuable.

💙 Other tech news we’re loving

• Claude AI Launches Desktop App: Claude AI has introduced a desktop app, making it easier for users to access AI assistance directly from their computers. This release is part of Claude's efforts to enhance user convenience and accessibility. Download it from Claude.ai.

• Amazon Eyes More Investment in Claude: Amazon is considering further investment in Claude's AI technology, contingent on certain conditions. This move could strengthen Amazon's AI offerings and support Claude’s development. Read the details on TechCrunch.

What’s new: Projects

How Generative AI Can Augment Human Creativity
Source: Harvard Business Review

Summary
Generative AI has the potential to revolutionise creativity by promoting "democratised innovation," allowing both employees and customers to contribute novel ideas. By enabling divergent thinking, AI tools can make unexpected connections and facilitate the generation, combination, and refinement of creative concepts. These tools support ideation, reduce biases, and assist with idea evaluation, making previously unimagined solutions achievable. From transforming product design to offering new ways for crowdsourcing ideas, generative AI enhances creativity by offering feasible, inventive solutions beyond human capabilities alone.

What Does This Mean for Me?
For project managers and designers generative AI offers a powerful tool for creating and refining innovative solutions. It can accelerate concept development, help evaluate complex ideas, and reduce decision fatigue by producing cohesive designs from multiple suggestions. Leveraging AI for ideation could improve efficiency and give your projects a competitive edge in delivering fresh, user-driven innovations.

Rabbit Hole: Explore Further
Dive into using generative AI for concept development through models like ChatGPT, Midjourney, and Stable Diffusion. Experiment with prompts to transform product designs and discover the potential for applications in fields from project management to engineering solutions.

💙 Other Project news we’re loving

•  How AI is Revolutionising Construction: AI is reshaping the Architecture, Engineering, Construction, and Operations (AEC/O) sector, boosting innovation, efficiency, and sustainability. New AI-driven solutions are streamlining workflows and addressing industry-specific challenges in real-time. Explore more on PBC Today.

• AI-Powered Automation and Workforce Shifts: AI automation is changing workforce dynamics, shifting roles and skill requirements as repetitive tasks become automated. This trend is transforming industries and prompting a re-evaluation of human roles within automated processes. Read the full analysis on Data Science Central.

• AI Revolutionises UK Beef Farming: A £1.2 million project has brought AI-driven innovations to UK beef farming, improving animal welfare, productivity, and sustainability. This project showcases how AI is transforming agriculture by optimising farm management. Read the story on PM Global News.

What’s new: Productivity

10 Powerful Use Cases for Automated AI Computer Use Technology

Anthropic's Claude “computer use’ capability is transforming automation. From simplifying tedious tasks to unleashing creative potential, here are ten ways this technology is making an impact:

1. Data Entry: Skip long forms—Claude extracts data and fills forms automatically, saving time and reducing human error.

2. Software Testing: Developers can automate tests and debugging, letting the AI handle troubleshooting while they focus on building.

3. Content Creation: Automate edits and summaries for documents and spreadsheets, making working with reports a breeze.

4. Research Assistance: Command Claude to gather and synthesise information from across the web, helping you create well-organised research documents.

5. Gaming: Claude analyses game interfaces, adjusts strategies, and even optimises resources, adding a new AI-driven edge to gaming.

6. Video Analysis: AI reviews video content, notes key events, and improves safety on construction sites by identifying issues, see a great example here.

7. Accessibility: Claude makes computer use more inclusive by navigating interfaces for users who face challenges with traditional input methods.

8. Web Automation: Automate repetitive web interactions, from simple form-filling to navigating specific website content.

9. Creative Projects: Claude assists in design software, handling tasks like setting up layouts, so creators can focus on their vision.

10. Remote IT Management: AI can manage remote desktops, update software, and organise files—acting as an automated IT assistant.

A New Era of AI Automation

From everyday tasks to enhancing creativity, AI is transforming our digital experience. Whether you're a developer, creator, or just looking for more efficiency, these tools can turn your computer into a true digital partner. The future is here—and it's automated.

Want more context? Read the full article here 👈

Events

The AI Conference on November 14, 2024, is a must-attend virtual event for leaders exploring AI's return on investment. Top executives, like Scott Galloway and Bhavesh Dayalji, will share candid insights into the effectiveness of enterprise AI applications, discussing real-world cases, AI business models, and evaluating AI's actual business returns versus costs.

Project Flux Podcast

In this week’s episode of the Project Flux podcast, founder of Rocketlane, Srikrishnan Ganesan, shares his journey in building a platform designed to enhance project delivery and customer onboarding.

Sri highlights how AI can transform project management, from automating risk detection to improving decision-making with real-time data. The episode also explores the launch of ChatGPT’s Search feature, its integration challenges, and comparisons with tools like Perplexity. Insights from Sam Altman’s Reddit AMA, Meta’s open-source push, and Apple’s disappointing AI release add context to the varying strategies of tech giants in the AI race.

For more, tune in to the full episode!

One More Thing

Sam Altman Predicts Big Changes Ahead—but Society May Stay the Same

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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