Ep 69 What is Artificial Intelligence (A.I.)? Part 3 of 4

Today's episode was inspired by recent conversations where AI emerged as a hot topic. It's clear that many people remain unfamiliar with AI's capabilities and potential. Let's set the stage with a couple of scenarios. For instance, at a recent party, I mentioned "Chat GPT" to a woman, assuming it was common knowledge. To my surprise, she had no idea what I meant, highlighting the gap in AI awareness.

Another scenario involved a woman using an AI plugin in Canva to create custom images. Despite her experimentation, she couldn't find a compelling use case for AI tools. Many people express similar confusion, unable to grasp the transformative power of AI, which can be both beneficial and detrimental. This podcast will explore these aspects in the future, but for now, let's start with the basics.

Before delving into advanced AI tools in the next episode, I aim to establish AI's foundational elements. I've prepared five key questions to provide a solid understanding. These questions are:

1. What is AI? Artificial intelligence, or AI, is a set of computer systems that can perform tasks that typically require human intelligence. These tasks can range from simple ones like recognizing patterns or understanding speech to more complex activities, like decision-making, problem-solving, and even creativity. AI is a technology that can mimic human cognitive functions, making it capable of performing tasks that were once reserved for humans.

2. What is generative AI? Generative AI is a subset of AI. AI is the broader field, while generative AI focuses on creating new content or data instead of just analyzing and processing existing information. It can produce entirely new content that never existed before, such as text, images, music, or other forms of creative output. Generative AI is a powerful tool that can be used for a wide range of applications, from content generation to creative design.

3. Why is AI important? AI is important for several reasons. It has the potential to automate repetitive and time-consuming tasks, which can boost efficiency in various industries. AI can analyze vast amounts of data quickly and accurately, leading to better decision-making. This capability is invaluable in fields like healthcare, finance, logistics, and more. AI also opens up new frontiers in science and research, allowing us to tackle complex problems like climate change and drug discovery. Additionally, AI can enhance accessibility, making technology and services more inclusive for people with disabilities.

4. Why is AI taking off now? AI is experiencing a significant surge in popularity and advancement for several reasons. There's been a massive increase in available data, which AI thrives on. With more data, machine learning algorithms can become more accurate and useful. Advancements in hardware, such as graphic processing units (GPUs) and specialized chips designed for AI, make it faster and more cost-effective to train and run AI models. Moreover, there has been a surge in research and investment in AI from both the public and private sectors, driving innovation and pushing the boundaries of what's possible.

5. How can you get ahead with AI? Getting ahead with AI involves several key steps:

• Learn the basics of AI, understanding its fundamental principles.
• Choose a specialization within AI, aligning your interests and career goals.
• Consider practicing coding, as it can provide valuable skills.
• Stay up to date with AI trends, attend conferences, and follow industry experts.
• Approach AI ethically and responsibly, understanding the ethical considerations in AI.
• Build a network of professionals in the AI field, as collaboration and networking are vital in this rapidly evolving field.

Remember, you don't need to become an AI expert, but gaining essential knowledge about AI can empower you to participate in meaningful discussions, improve your professional profile, and adapt to a world increasingly intertwined with AI.

Join me if you're intrigued and want to be an early adopter of AI. Click here join my waitlist for my new program called the AI Skillet, which will launch in October 2023. It offers hands-on experience and practical skills in AI. You can find more details in the show notes.