Employee Anxieties Take Center Stage

☕️ Happy Friday, September 22nd.

!? The 2023 Report from Anti reveals a pervasive sense of caution surrounding Digital Employee Experience (DEX) and AI's role within it. Although DEX is seen as critical for organizational goals, 63% of IT professionals fear that AI might make their jobs obsolete. The study emphasizes that this apprehension isn't limited to tech-savvy employees; a significant 58% of all workers would rather engage with a human than a chatbot for IT issues. Concerns stretch beyond job security to the quality of DEX, affecting overall productivity (78%), and morale (61%), and even leading some to consider leaving their jobs (17%). Thus, the onus is on executives to address these anxieties and refine DEX to better meet employee needs.

Reference: (New Ivanti Research: 63% of IT Workers and 44% of Office Workers Are Concerned Generative AI Will Take Their Job in Five Years)

🗞️ Today’s Highlights:

• LATEST NEWS & TRENDS — Gartner Expects 60% of Seller Work to Be Executed by Generative AI Technologies Within Five Year

• INDUSTRY | FUNCTION — How Edmunds builds a blueprint for generative AI

• RESOURCES — UMich becomes the first major university to develop its own generative AI

• WORK — Does Using AI Make Me Lazy?

• AI TOOLS — Glimpse: Chat with the internet. Glimpse is a browser extension that understands any site you visit. Read faster, write better & surf smarter.

• CHARTS — Latest Generative AI update from Sequoia 

🗞️ LATEST NEWS & TRENDS

1️⃣ According to Gartner, by 2028, generative AI is poised to significantly change the landscape of B2B sales, automating 60% of seller work, up from less than 5% today. Adnan Zijadic, Director Analyst at Gartner, emphasizes that this will transform everything from dynamic process automation to deal-planning activities. Generative AI will enable a more nuanced understanding of customer data, streamlining sales strategies. Combined with Sales Force Automation data, it will offer real-time adaptability in market approaches. Such tech evolution suggests companies should invest in AI readiness and data maturity for optimal gains.

Reference: Gartner (Gartner Expects 60% of Seller Work to Be Executed by Generative AI Technologies Within Five Years)

2️⃣ The initial enthusiasm for generative AI has simmered down since ChatGPT's meteoric rise. However, a new, more mature phase is unfolding, shaped by three key elements: computing power, data, and capital. Rising costs are pushing OpenAI towards more efficient models like GPT-4.5, leaving room for competitors like Google. Meanwhile, the need for data is driving partnerships with news agencies and innovation in synthetic data. Lastly, the focus is shifting towards monetization, with companies like OpenAI targeting enterprise clients.

Reference: (ChatGPT mania may be cooling, but a serious new industry is taking shape)

3️⃣ China's tech hubs Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen are embracing the Silicon Valley fervor for generative AI. Fueled by financial might, high-end computing capabilities, and massive data, leading Chinese tech companies are vying to excel in building large language models (LLMs), a cornerstone of generative AI. This installment explores the perspectives and challenges faced by China's generative AI industry, based on detailed discussions with key players.

Reference: (This is the state of generative AI in China)

4️⃣ A new Salesforce report highlights the burgeoning influence of generative AI in Canadian retail. While 33% of Canadian consumers express interest in using AI for fashion inspiration and 45% for appliance and tech research, only 7% have actually leveraged it. Meanwhile, 92% of retailers are amping up their AI investments. This data accompanies a broader digital shift in shopping, spotlighting the disconnect between consumer awareness and retail sector enthusiasm for generative AI's potential.

Reference: (Canadian Shoppers Embrace Generative AI for Shopping Suggestions: Report)

5️⃣ Artificial intelligence is swiftly becoming an essential component in societal change, offering a range of opportunities for government agencies. The responsible application of AI promises to modernize public services, targeting key aspects like workforce development, citizen engagement, and technological evolution. Yet, embracing AI's full potential demands a commitment to ethical guidelines such as fairness and transparency. Early success stories underscore the pressing need for more governmental bodies to harness this innovative technology responsibly.

Reference: (What can AI and generative AI do for governments?)

🗞️ INDUSTRY | FUNCTION

GenAI in the Automotive Industry

The advent of large language models (LLMs) signals a transformation in the way we work, potentially automating up to 70% of employee tasks by 2030. Organizations like Edmunds are spearheading this shift, consulting with AI experts like Databricks for insights. Through these dialogues, Edmunds is crafting a strategic approach to harness the disruptive potential of LLMs, reinforcing their commitment to innovation and customer-centricity.

Reference: (How Edmunds builds a blueprint for generative AI)

🗞️ RESOURCES

The University of Michigan has rolled out a suite of proprietary AI tools, including U-M GPT, designed to assist its campus community in academia and beyond. Announced on X (formerly Twitter), these tools, developed in collaboration with Microsoft and the University's Information and Technology Services, offer a range of features from academic support to personal media recommendations. While some faculty and students welcome this initiative as a groundbreaking educational aid, others express reservations about AI's role in academic integrity and creative fields.

Reference: (UMich becomes first major university to develop its own generative AI)

🗞️ WORK

The article explores the adoption of generative AI tools in workplaces, focusing on the UK and US. Despite 29% of the UK's workforce using AI weekly, there's a looming fear that it diminishes employees' value and creative skills. The apprehension is particularly pronounced among younger demographics like Gen Z and millennials. Corporate policies or lack thereof contribute to this uncertainty, with only 24% of companies offering AI use guidelines. Experts opine that reframing AI as a productivity enhancer and providing clear guidance could ease these fears and improve workplace adoption.

Reference: (Does Using AI Make Me Lazy?)

🗞️ AI TOOLS

🔧 Glimpse: Chat with the internet. Glimpse is a browser extension that understands any site you visit. Read faster, write better & surf smarter.

🔧 KLU: Work faster, smarter, and more productive. Unify your apps. Seamlessly search and discover. Bring ChatGPT to your internal data.

🔧 Querio AI: Instead of relying on your data team (if you even have one), Querio lets you become data driven today by connecting and analyzing any data with zero technical effort.

🔧 Rewind AI: Your AI double that remembers everything for you is coming to your Windows PC. Get superpowers that will make your colleagues wonder how you do it all.

🔧 Cardinal: An AI-powered backlog enriching your features with customer feedback and revenue data so you can best choose what to build next.

Disclaimer: 1) The tool descriptions are from the company behind each tool/app. 2) Please read the site details thoroughly before using and/or acquiring any of the tools listed above. We have not tested these tools and we will not be liable for anything.

🗞️ CHARTS

 👀 Latest Generative AI update from Sequoia

Sequoia remains committed to generative AI, acknowledging its shift from a focus on novelty to delivering tangible value. With rising consumer interest and transformative applications as evidence, the firm practices thoughtful investing, guided by Amara's Law's warning to avoid misestimating tech impact in the short and long term. Sequoia is encouraged about the sector's future trajectory, spurred by ongoing improvements in computational models and end-user engagement.

Reference: (Generative AI’s Act 2)

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_{I'm not a newsletter expert so you might find my approach a tad different. In my daily dives into the world of AI, I handpick the latest gems, initially to support the AI projects that I’m working on. Realizing that these snippets might resonate with others, I thought, "Why not share this with my community and fellow AI enthusiasts?" I truly want this newsletter to be valuable to you so if there's anything on your mind—praises, critiques, or just a hello—please drop me a note. You can hit reply or shoot me a message directly at my email address: [email protected].}