As management urges for higher productivity, AI and automation emerge as key allies in the modern workspace.
For decades, we in the copier industry have been telling prospects our hardware "increases productivity and reduces costs".
We lied.
Well, we defined the narrative to fit our mission of selling 10 copiers a month. (or whatever)
The world is increasing productivity and reducing costs through more efficient workflows - and if you are simply selling copiers, printers, or MpS, they are doing it without you and viewing your relationship as a target for cost reduction.
AI eats workflows 24/7 and will decimate everything from middle management to the C-Suite.
“It has the capacity to reshape the practice of law,” Mr. Villasenor said. Previous waves of automation mostly affected blue-collar jobs in industries like manufacturing, or back-office roles that required many calculations, such as accounting or mortgage processing.
Rapid developments in AI could pose threats to the type of work performed in white-collar professions, like the practice of law..." - WSJ
Greg's Words
See, I told you so. One of the most paper-intense business models in the history of print is going to someday soon, be inhabited by Chat Agents.
Imagine ChatGPT attached to the Nexus/Lexus databases. Every judgment, law, regulation, and legal action is at the disposal of savvy prompt-generating Legal Eagles.
Roll-playing with AI before a trial.
Digging up every relevant precedence, ever.
Determining which jury members are the best to accept and reject.
And mathematically predict outcomes.
This changes everything.
A quick summary of a WSJ article. Enjoy.
Key highlights:
Law firms and in-house legal departments are employing AI tools using GPT-4 technology to handle writing and research tasks, traditionally assigned to entry-level lawyers.
The AI tools are set to revolutionize white-collar jobs, potentially affecting 44% of legal work, as per a Goldman Sachs report.
Despite AI's promise, there are concerns about uploading sensitive data to cloud-based products and the opacity of AI software.
Empowering Copier Service, Document Management, and User Support with AI Chatbots
Greg's Words
If Wendy's can train a Chatbot to take drive-through orders, why can't copier OEMs train bots to handle Tier 1,2, and maybe 3-level customer support calls?
Taking orders, interpreting multiple dialects, accents, and jargon securing correct orders has got to be as challenging as telling an end user how to install a toner cartridge, right?
The notion is far from original as Xerox has been on this path for a few years now(if not longer). Indeed our little niche may be a laggard on this front as many other service-centric industries are not only exploring but implementing remote, augmented reality, and AI-supported field service teams.
If one of our dealers could build a remote service system, utilizing remote diagnostics, augmented reality lenses, and artificial intelligence, they would be able to sell the solution to service companies all over the world.
Another pipedream, keep selling those toner cartridges.
We grabbed three articles and put them through the AI in the Sky to produce a simple piece outlining the opportunity and current status of AI Chatbots enhancing customer experiences.
Uncovering the Impact of Loaded Language and Biased Headlines on Journalism's Demise - Insights from the Wall Street Journal
Here are two headlines Illustrating the Downfall of Journalism, from nonother than the Mighty Wall Street Journal -#WSJ #loaded
Real Headlines, May 11, 2023:
1. "Trump Mocks Sexual Abuse Case, Repeats False 2020 Election Claims at CNN Town Hall"
2. "Migrant Influx Overwhelms Southern Border as Title 42 Winds Down"
These use loaded language. For me, there are better and more neutral headline alternatives. Moreover, in light of the movement to regulate AI, who can we trust to be neutral, and unbiased when developing rules and regs for the general use and mass adoption of artificial intelligence?
There is a connection between journalistic standards and artificial intelligence evolution. These headlines bear this out.
Consider the process involved with developing and publishing headlines. There is a conscious, human process involved when choosing words - especially when your lifestyle and business model are based on the presentation and usage of WORDS.
Remember, the current AI darling, ChatGPT is a large LANGUAGE model that uses AI to predict the next word based on the previous words and learned models; every teacher in the history of the world has biases.
The advancements in technology, especially AI, make it mandatory that we as humans hone our now dull skill - critical thinking.
Regardless, these headlines seem posed, positioned, and loaded. Don't take my word for it, I asked the AI In The Sky to analyze both:
When financial forecasts take a U-turn: Konica Minolta in the spotlight.
Greg: Please explain in the simplest manner, this content:
The company expects to breach one of the clauses of financial covenants in syndicated loan agreements due to the revised forecasts. However, they have obtained consent from all relevant financial institutions not to request the company to forfeit the benefit of time due to this breach.
ChatGPT:
In very simple terms:
The company has borrowed money from several banks, and as part of the agreement, they promised to meet certain financial targets. Because of the changes in their financial forecasts, they expect to break that promise.
Greg's Words
Sure, an $800 Million net loss is bad. And yes, adjusting DOWN is very bad.
Most of the time, releases like this from the Whitehouse go without notice. In the current State of Fear being generated by just about every status quo institution, something this administration and the media in general forcefully promote, it is prudent to keep an eye on what is said, even though it will end up on the 'cutting room floor' of AI history.
An AI "Bill of Rights" sounds impressive, patriotic, rebellious, and official.
Of course, it isn't anything near the real Bill of Rights - irony.
The Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights is a set of five principles and associated practices:
Safe and Effective Systems
Algorithmic Discrimination Protections
Data Privacy
Notice and Explanation
Human Alternatives, Consideration, and Fallback
I've never heard of "Algorithmic Discrimination" and am curious about "Human Alternatives".
Regardless, I don't see this carrying much water, getting a great deal of traction or otherwise high relevancy of this document. An interesting, yet out-of-date approach that will end up being nothing more than a footnote in the story of AI Evolution.
If you feel up to it, read the entire "Bill", here.
We've digested the bill here as a summary for you. Check it out.
