Google + 2023 + AI = ?

- Simplified AI -
Your gateway to discovering the world of Artificial Intelligence!

Congratulations, you've successfully navigated your way through 2023. Set those 2024 goals high and stick to them; after all, you wouldn't want to find yourself among the 40% of people who see their New Year's resolutions crumble within the first week.

Here's a fun historical tidbit: Did you know that January 1st was christened New Year's Day back in 45 BCE when the Julian Calendar was introduced? The Romans, with their flair for grandeur, used to throw lavish festivals to pay tribute to their Roman gods. Nowadays, we've just watch a ball drop on our TV while Ryan Seacrest rambles on. It's crazy how traditions change!

As we set our sights on 2024, you'll notice that this sneak peek section below takes a different approach. Rather than a sneak peek of this edition, I'm excited to share some important updates about Simplified AI and more!

A sneak peek of what’s ahead in 2024:

• Continuing Simplified AI, our weekly email newsletter that makes it easier for everyone to understand AI!

• Launching a second email newsletter (monthly) that dives really deep into 1 specific AI topic, like a case study or business use case!

• Launching a new specialized consulting service that helps small businesses gain a competitive edge through using AI!

• Launching FREE AI guides, so you can level up the way you use AI and supercharge your productivity in the new year!

What are AI hallucinations?

Turning AI topics into a walk in the park, not a mind-boggling maze

After our last newsletter, I got a few questions from readers about what AI hallucinations were, so I figured it would be a great topic to talk about this week!

The National Institute of Health notes that anywhere from 12-53% of healthy individuals can experience hallucinations. At least, that's what Casper the ghost is telling me as he sits next to me while writing this. Just like humans can experience hallucinations for any number of reasons, AI models can experience them too.

Have you ever asked AI a question and received a response that left you scratching your head? You may have encountered what's known as an AI hallucination. But why do these unexpected and imaginative outputs generated by AI models happen?

AI hallucinations occur due to challenges in training AI models. AI systems learn from vast amounts of data, and sometimes, they might generate outputs that push the boundaries of creativity or produce results that are not entirely accurate.

The two main factors contributing to hallucinations are the input of poor-quality data and training a model with excellent data but within a limited scope. In the latter case, when you query the AI about a topic beyond its narrow focus, it attempts to provide an answer, but the information might not be as accurate or reliable as you'd hope because it wasn't fully trained in that area.

It's important to remember that AI models lack human-like understanding and context, making them prone to generating content that can seem nonsensical. Think of it like asking a 5th grader to explain advanced quantum physics—they're likely going to make things up because they don't have knowledge of that subject.

Why is this important?

Discussing AI hallucinations is crucial for understanding limitations of AI technology and realizing that it is not perfect, but very much still a work in progress. It reminds us that AI, while incredibly powerful, is not infallible. Acknowledging these challenges is a step toward building more robust and reliable AI systems.

While AI hallucinations aren't a big deal when it comes to casual writing, it has big implications in large industries like healthcare, for example. AI can significantly accelerate the diagnosis process and contribute to the development of new cures and treatments. However, if hallucinations are prevalent, it becomes more challenging to trust the answers provided.

As users, we play a role in addressing this issue. First, it's important to exercise caution when using AI, taking every answer with a grain of salt and verifying the information provided, especially before incorporating it into your work. Providing feedback is a great way to contribute; whether the response aligns with your expectations or not, both types of feedback help improve AI systems. Human oversight remains crucial to ensure AI systems serve us effectively and safely.

Next time you encounter an unexpected response from an AI system, remember that you might have stumbled upon an AI hallucination.

AI News Flash

Catch the latest AI news that is making all of the headlines this week!

Google + 2023 + AI = ?

Google's 2023 year-in-review article has surfaced, and it's brimming with exciting AI achievements that dominated the tech giant's landscape this year. In a big shift from 2022, where AI was barely mentioned, the 2023 article highlights "AI" 26 times, with the top three spots held by AI-related accomplishments.

Google's Top 3 for the year:

• First on the list is the advent of the "Gemini" era, Google's cutting-edge AI solution.

• The second spot is claimed by "Bard," a chatbot that made an entrance into the world of conversational AI.

• Third, Google proudly showcases its foray into the realm of generative AI within its search engine, a daring experiment.

Beyond these three, Google highlights how it has turbocharged photo editing with AI, expanded its cloud capabilities, and is tirelessly working on embedding AI seamlessly into Google Workspace.

Why does this matter?

For over 25 years, Google has reigned as the internet's undisputed guide, connecting people with the information they crave. With this authority, however, comes immense responsibility. Yet, Google faces new challenges as other companies launch exciting AI tools, positioning themselves as viable alternatives for AI-driven content discovery. This shift means Google must now play catch-up in the world of Gen AI, where users are empowered to find information directly within their favorite apps.

Looking ahead to 2024, it's anticipated that Google will continue to bolster its AI capabilities, potentially exploring acquisitions of leading AI companies to maintain its position at the forefront of AI innovation. The battle for AI dominance is heating up, and Google is gearing up for an exhilarating year ahead.

Other Stories We're Following:

• The New York Times is suing OpenAI for training its AI on millions of Times' articles

• "Virtual Influencers" are on the rise - is this a good or bad thing?

AI Company Spotlight

Explore trailblazing companies that are shaping our digital future

Jasper

Jasper AI is swiftly emerging as a leader in generative AI for marketing and content generation. Valued at ~$1.5 billion, its platform enables users to create diverse content, including blog articles, social media posts, and website copy, tailored to specific goals like SEO optimization or content repurposing​​.

Setting itself apart in a competitive field, Jasper's language models are uniquely trained and fine-tuned for specific customer requirements and the tool can learn your company tone and the words you tend to use. Additionally, Jasper Art, its AI art-generating feature, offers unique marketing applications, such as creating copyright-free stock photos.

Endorsed by customers across various industries for its efficiency and ease of use, Jasper has enhanced content production and audience engagement significantly. As it progresses, the company is keenly aware of the ethical implications in AI content generation, emphasizing responsible technology use​​​​.

Jasper's blend of advanced AI technology and ethical commitment positions it as a transformative force in AI-driven content creation.

For more information on Jasper, its capabilities, and how your company could use it - you can visit their website and check out a free trial.

Get Creative with AI

Practice using AI and unleash creativity with your new collaborator

Copy the prompts below and paste them into ChatGPT, BingAI, Google Bard, or your generative AI tool of choice and let AI work its magic. Share your results with us…and take it a step beyond the initial prompts and see what you can create!

Text-based

• As the clock strikes midnight on New Year's Eve 2023, you stumble upon a mysterious, glittering door labeled "2025." With a sense of cautious excitement, you decide to step through and skip ahead a full year. What adventures and surprises await you on the other side?

Visual-based*

• Imagine a cityscape on New Year's Day 2024, under a sky illuminated by a dazzling fireworks display. Crowds, dressed in festive attire and holding sparklers, celebrate on the streets among buildings adorned with shimmering lights. A prominent digital billboard displays "Welcome to 2024!"

Visit us on Instagram and Twitter to see how our examples turned out!

*Visual-based examples are for users of Dall-E, BingAI, or premium users of ChatGPT - may require paid subscription.