Is AI overhyped?

It's impossible to keep your eyes open while sneezing due to an involuntary reflex that protects your eyes from particles that might be expelled. But we’ve all tried it, right?

What’s in store:

• How many of us are using AI really?

• Amazon is coming out with Alexa 2.0. And the new name is interesting.

• Around the web: Brazil suspends X after Elon Musk fails to appoint a legal representative.

• Our very own Gen AI course is on sale!

Read Time: 6 minutes

AI ADOPTION

How many of us are using AI, really?

AI is everywhere, that’s what we keep hearing anyway.

Big hitters like JP Morgan are coming out with custom AI tools for their staff to help with productivity, healthcare companies are turning to AI to reduce costs and increase efficiency and even your Grandma is using ChatGPT now.

But, how many of us are really on board with it all?

The headline stats

Key findings from a new study undertaken by Pipedrive show that while a significant portion of workers are embracing AI tools, there’s still a good number of people who remain hesitant.

Here are the headline figures:

• 37% of respondents are already using AI-powered tools.

• 33% are willing to dive in soon.

• 30% are not convinced and have no plans to use AI at all.

  

Why aren’t more people using AI?

So what puts people off?

It comes down to two factors: lack of knowledge and trust in output.

According to the survey, 48% of respondents said it’s due to the lack of understanding of tools. Another 40% worry that AI outputs might not be reliable.

These concerns underline the importance of educational initiatives and trust-building efforts to encourage people to start adopting AI tools.

It also shows that AI has a long way to go before reaching complete adoption into our daily lives.

Personal use is key

Interestingly, many people who are hesitant to use AI at work are already familiar with it in their personal lives.

Tools like voice assistants, like Siri and Alexa, and fitness trackers are the most common of them.

By leveraging these personal experiences, businesses can make the integration of AI into workplace tasks feel more intuitive and less intimidating.

To drive AI adoption, addressing knowledge gaps and trust issues is crucial.

Organisations could invest in training sessions and educational programs that not only inform but also build confidence in AI’s capabilities.

This will help overcome barriers and help users leverage the full potential of AI in the workplace.

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On This Day

September 1st 1878- Emma Nutt becomes the first female telephone operator, starting her job at the Edwin Holmes Telephone Despatch Company in Boston.

AI Image Or Real? The Results

It smells like autumn right around the corner. And this looks delicious. But is it real?

52% said AI…

48% said it was real…

This was real. It was taken by Diliara Garifullina.

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AMAZON

New Alexa, who dis?

Amazon is preparing to release a new version of Alexa, called “Remarkable Alexa,” later this year.

This model will be powered mainly by Anthropic’s Claude AI after Amazon’s own AI had issues with accuracy during early tests.

Amazon’s $4 billion investment in Anthropic, which gives it a minority stake, is currently being reviewed by UK competition regulators.

Developing Remarkable Alexa has been challenging since its announcement last September.

Former Alexa AI scientist Mihail Eric noted ongoing technical and bureaucratic problems within the team.

However, reports indicate that the Claude-powered Alexa performs better than earlier models.

Here’s what you should know:

• Remarkable Alexa will use Anthropic’s Claude AI for improved performance.

• Amazon’s $4 billion stake in Anthropic is under investigation by UK regulators.

• New features include AI-generated news summaries, a child-friendly chatbot, and conversational shopping tools.

Glow up of the century (kinda)

Remarkable Alexa is expected to launch in mid-October with features like daily AI-generated news, a chatbot for children, and tools for conversational shopping.

It may come with a $5 to $10 monthly subscription, though the current version of Alexa will stay free.

A demo of the new Alexa is likely to be showcased during Amazon’s annual devices and services event, usually held in September.

Yeah, I’m not paying extra for Alexa. Nice try Amazon.

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Yesterday’s Poll

“Do you think AI can ease teacher workloads, or will it just add complexity?

It will ease workloads. - 73% ✅

It will add complexity. - 27%

Your Views:

“I have just handed back a scholarship to do a Master of Teaching, and am about to withdraw completely from the courses and degree proper. Why? Because the degree subject matter was completely outdated and the Universities' attitude to AI was punitive” - Walker.J

“There will be a learning curve but eventually, it will make work easier. I have been playing around with it for my classes, and I can already tell it will greatly help prepare lessons, improve activities, and develop meaningful rubrics.” - Mblancopate

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