Remember when the Internet came around and it changed everything it touched?  I’m not old enough, but my understanding is that the same happened when the phone, TV, assembly lines and manufacturing processes came on the scene.

The same statement can be said about generative AI.  It is going to seep into every creative and analytical system that exist. It will be a commonplace assistant for our jobs.

We are diving deep into the coming influence of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and its implications in shaping the world, both from a personal and business standpoint.

The Growth and Resistance of AI

No doubt, AI has become a hot topic these days. It’s a subject that tends to stir a myriad of feelings and reactions. Some people are fascinated by it, some are skeptical, and others downright despise it. Recently, the introduction of AI in the new Marvel show “Secret Wars” caused a ripple in the audience with mixed reactions. However, like it or not, AI isn’t a passing fad. On the contrary, it’s steadily weaving itself into the very fabric of our lives.

The Dawn of Llama 2 and Open Source AI

Recently, tech giants Microsoft and Facebook announced their collaboration on a new GPT engine named Llama 2.  You may not have heard about this, but it is a big deal. The announcement caused a stir in the tech community, not because it’s another GPT engine, but because it’s open-source. The open-source aspect of Llama 2 means that it’s accessible to anyone who wants to tinker with it, opening a myriad of possibilities for programmers, entrepreneurs, and researchers alike.

Open Source: A Key to the Future

The initial launch of OpenAI was open source, offering a vast number of plugins, enhancements, and other features to users before transitioning to a for-profit model. OpenAI though is no longer open-source.

However, the idea of an open-source AI language model is still very appealing and highly sought after. As we move forward, open-source AI could be the key to unlocking a new era of creativity, innovation, and development.

Open-source AI is a big deal for several reasons, which are underpinned by the principles of openness, transparency, and community collaboration that form the core of open-source software:

1. Democratization of Technology: Open-source AI allows for the democratization of AI technology, meaning that it’s available to everyone regardless of their economic status or geographical location. This accessibility makes it possible for more individuals and organizations to use and build upon this technology, leading to innovation and rapid growth.
2. Fosters Innovation: Open-source projects often lead to innovation because they allow developers worldwide to use, modify, and improve the AI’s code. This collaborative environment enables the generation of new ideas and solutions that might not have been possible within a closed-source environment.
3. Transparency: Open-source AI models, like Llama 2, provide transparency since their source code is publicly accessible. This transparency allows developers and researchers to understand how the AI makes decisions, which is crucial in addressing issues of bias and fairness. It also enables scrutiny and validation of the model’s claims by the wider community.
4. Skills Development: As the AI field continues to grow, there’s a substantial need for skilled AI practitioners. Open-source AI projects provide an opportunity for students, developers, and enthusiasts to learn, experiment with real-world models, and hone their skills.
5. Customization: With access to the source code, developers can customize the AI to better fit their unique requirements or the specific needs of a project. This can lead to more effective and efficient AI solutions.
6. Security: While open-source projects are vulnerable to malicious activity due to their public nature, they can also be more secure. With a large community of developers scrutinizing and improving the code, vulnerabilities can be identified and fixed rapidly.
7. Independence: Open-source AI tools provide independence from proprietary AI solutions that may come with usage restrictions, high costs, or risk of discontinuation.

In essence, open-source AI can lead to a wider distribution of knowledge, foster the development of novel AI applications, and provide insights into the inner workings of complex models.

The Emergence of AI in Everyday Applications

We want to stress though that AI isn’t just making waves in the tech industry.  It is going to become an integral part of our day-to-day activities.

• Grammarly, a widely used digital writing tool, uses AI to make writing easier and more efficient.
• Wix, a web development platform, is also harnessing the power of AI to provide more intuitive and user-friendly design tools.
• Adobe is testing AI in graphic design.
• Video creation using AI is becoming more and more feasible.
• Otter is translating our conversations to searchable text.
• Google is using AI in text completion for our devices.  Its just a matter of time before we can use it in spreadsheets, documents, and presentations.
• Apple has announced its venture into the AI realm, but it has been using it for quite a while.

AI: A Catalyst for Efficiency

The implementation of AI in different business processes is causing a significant shift in how tasks are performed. Not only does it streamline the processes, but it also enhances the efficiency and productivity of the workforce. However, businesses that are reluctant to embrace AI could potentially find themselves lagging behind their competitors.

The Transformation of Content Creation and Curation

The advent of AI is profoundly changing the landscape of content creation and curation. Google is rumored to be working on an AI that can autonomously write articles and present them to news sources. In an age where information is abundant, AI could play a vital role in organizing, presenting, and even creating new content.

The Advent of AI in Coding

AI’s influence isn’t limited to content creation; it’s making significant strides in the world of coding as well. Visual Studio, for instance, is integrating AI tools like CoPilot to streamline the coding process. With AI, tested and bug-free code snippets can be quickly recycled and reused, reducing redundancy, and enhancing efficiency.

AI: The Future of Software

The influence of AI in software development is rapidly expanding. As more and more companies start incorporating AI into their tools and offerings, it’s clear that AI is becoming an essential component of modern software. The saying “software is going to eat the world” might soon be replaced with “AI is going to eat software.”

Wrapping Up: An Era Defined by AI

The AI revolution is undoubtedly here, and it’s making its mark in every aspect of our lives. As AI continues to evolve and integrate into various domains, it’s becoming more of a necessity than a luxury. The question is no longer whether AI will shape our future but how we will navigate this AI-defined era.

Whether it’s for better or worse, only time will tell. However, one thing is for certain: ignoring AI is no longer an option. It’s imperative for businesses, developers, and individuals alike to stay informed, explore, and adapt to this rapidly advancing technology. After all, in the world of AI, the only limit is our imagination.