Top AI Questions and Answers

Everything you ever wanted to know about generative AI but were afraid to ask.

[1] What is generative AI?
The closest thing to magic ever seen, actually the product of using vast computing power on an enormous amount of human knowledge. Generative AI applies, in part, the same idea (kind of) as predictive text...with just a zillion times more power.

[2] Do you have to have good data first to benefit from using generative AI?
The powerful generative AI choices work extremely well straight out of the box. Where data are involved AI is an extremely good tool for both cleaning messy data and handling incomplete data.

[3] What common mistakes can companies make when adopting AI?
(a) Starting with a vague goal to start using AI rather than systematically identifying the opportunities.
(b) Not appreciating that generative AI is such a large beast and good training is important.

[4] How expensive is it to introduce generative AI?
Many introductory tools are free and then on a low cost subscription for their fuller featured levels.

[5] Can generative AI make better business decisions than experienced humans?
Yes, after only three years out 'in the wild' AI has already been proven to outperform humans in many areas. The short- and medium-term futures will yield stunning further advances.

[6] What happens when two AIs in different companies start negotiating with each other?
They will speed up deals and reduce friction. Human approval thresholds will remain a good idea in the short term.

[7] Will generative AI help spot business opportunities colleagues have become blind to?
Yes. For example, AI can identify faint patterns and weak signals and nudge us to look again where “there could be something really interesting here”.

[8] Can creativity i.e. ideas, design and problem-solving really be done better by AI?
Expert humans using generative AI produce brilliant writing, original music and incredible videos to name just a few areas of AI creativity.

[9] Might customers one day prefer to deal with an AI instead of a human?
For instant tasks many already do. This will gradually evolve even into complex and high-value areas.

[10] AI can’t have empathy, can it?
Generative AI is as good or better than many humans in being empathetic, and faster with it.

[10] How can we trust AI?
Firstly, in the real world AI errors are much rarer than some would have us believe. However users only need to ask for workings transparency to be able to cross check.

[11] How do we know AI isn’t quietly hoovering up our data for profit?
Choose from the platforms (most) that are explict about not training on your inputs. A simple, accredited, data cryptography app used outside the AI removes even the perceived risk where confidential or client data are involved.