June 26, 2023
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Healthcare
A.I. May Someday Work Medical Miracles. For Now, It Helps Do Paperwork.
The New York Times, 06/26/23. The integration of artificial intelligence (A.I.) in healthcare holds great promise, particularly in easing the burden of administrative tasks for physicians. Dr. Matthew Hitchcock, a family physician in Tennessee, utilizes an A.I. helper that records and summarizes patient visits, significantly reducing the time spent on documentation. While concerns about patient safety and regulatory challenges may slow the adoption of generative A.I. in diagnosis and treatment, A.I. software like Abridge has already shown positive outcomes, improving physician productivity, patient engagement, and accessibility of visit summaries. The potential benefits of A.I. in healthcare are undeniable, even as its implementation requires careful consideration. READ THE ARTICLE
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Internet
AI is killing the old web, and the new web struggles to be born
The Verge, 06/26/23. The web is facing a transformative shift driven by AI, particularly generative models. While AI systems can produce abundant content, their quality often falls short and relies on imperfectly recreated data. Platforms like Reddit, Wikipedia, Stack Overflow, and Google are experiencing challenges related to AI, including misinformation, content scraping, and the degradation of content quality. The decisions made now will shape the future of the web, determining how it evolves in the face of artificial abundance and the impact on content creators and users. READ THE ARTICLE
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Adobe
Adobe indemnity clause designed to ease enterprise fears about AI-generated art
TechCrunch, 06/26/23. Adobe has introduced an indemnity clause for its generative AI art creation tool, Firefly, in response to legal concerns from enterprise users regarding copyright claims. The clause states that Adobe will pay any copyright claims related to works generated in Firefly. This move demonstrates Adobe’s commitment to protecting its customers from potential lawsuits. By training Firefly on legally permissible content like Adobe Stock images and open datasets, Adobe minimizes its risk and confidently offers the indemnity clause. This approach provides reassurance to enterprise customers and strengthens Adobe’s position in the market. READ THE ARTICLE
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Jobs
Workers with less experience gain the most from generative AI
MIT Sloan Management, 06/26/23. Generative AI, a type of artificial intelligence that can generate human-like content, has shown promising results in controlled settings such as passing the bar exam or helping CEOs write speeches. However, its impact on workers, especially those with limited experience, in real-world situations remains unclear. A recent study by MIT and Stanford researchers found that contact center agents who had access to a conversational assistant powered by generative AI saw a 14% increase in productivity, particularly benefiting new or low-skilled workers. This suggests that generative AI can enhance and upskill workers rather than replace them. The study also revealed improvements in customer sentiment and efficiency. However, questions remain regarding who benefits from the productivity gains and whether workers are genuinely learning from the AI model or simply following instructions. It is crucial for companies to teach workers how to effectively use and augment their work with generative AI to maximize its benefits. READ THE ARTICLE
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IBM
IBM’s HR team saved 12,000 hours in 18 months after using A.I. to automate 280 tasks: ‘We’re spending time on things that matter’
Fortune, 06/26/23. Over the last decade, IBM has been actively developing and implementing AI tools to enhance its operations. These tools aim to solve uniquely human problems and free employees from administrative tasks, allowing them to focus on more nuanced work. One such example is AskHR, a virtual assistant that provides employees with information based on their specific needs. IBM also uses AI for performance evaluation, automating the process of determining promotions and raises. Despite the potential impact on jobs, IBM believes in the importance of upskilling employees and being transparent about their AI strategy. Continuous learning has become a defining skill in today’s rapidly evolving technology landscape. READ THE ARTICLE
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Coding
AI is my copilot: The promise, and perils, of AI code generation
Infoworld, 06/26/23. The rise of large language models (LLMs) and generative AI is transforming the role of software engineers. These tools, such as ChatGPT and Google Bard, have impressive capabilities that can augment our ability to solve complex problems. However, they also pose risks if misused, potentially leading to the deployment of harmful code. Just like tools such as Dreamweaver in web development, LLMs and AI won’t replace human engineers but rather enhance their abilities. GitHub Copilot is an example of how LLMs can streamline tasks, provide intelligent autocomplete, and detect patterns, but it is important to double-check the generated code. The value of human developers lies in their ability to make critical decisions, improve code quality, and tackle innovative challenges. The future lies in a partnership between human engineers and LLMs, where both can leverage their strengths to craft secure and sustainable solutions. We must train LLMs for quality and ensure responsible application to avoid creating derivative and dangerous software. By embracing this collaboration, we can unlock the full potential of LLMs and become exceptionally skilled cyborg hybrid engineers. READ THE ARTICLE