Don't read reports, talk to them instead
Three AI reports that can answer you back.
Dear reader,
Welcome to BN Edition: concise analysis on the stories that offer us hints at our unfolding future. Fresh from the desks of the Brilliant Noise team.
Each edition takes a handful of stories from recent weeks and asks three things:
What? The story in a few sentences.
So what? Why do I need to know?
What next? What do I need to do or watch out for?
This week, something a little bit different.
We turned our three recommended reads into AI chatbots for you to talk to, rather than read.
That way, you can get to the point faster.
Let’s get into it.
This week:
The Economic Impact of Generative AI
What?
Andrew McAfee, who is a respected MIT academic in the field of automation and digitisation and also currently ‘the visiting Technology & Society fellow at Google’ published a paper last week about the economic impact of Generative AI.
Report: Generally Faster: The Economic Impact of Generative AI, by Andrew McAfee
So what?
He identifies Generative AI as a transformative technology that:
Double the speed of tasks in 80% of jobs* without losing quality, marking a significant acceleration in economic growth.
Unlike previous general-purpose technologies, generative AI's rapid diffusion and ease of adoption predict a quicker impact on productivity and the economy, alongside challenges such as workforce transitions and job disruption.
May level the playing field between large and small firms and improve wage inequality by upskilling entry-level employees.
What next?
For deeper, tailored insights, rather than read the report, ask it questions instead.
Example questions you could ask:
How does the information in the report apply to [insert your job role or industry]?
Give me a thoughtful perspective on this report.
What are the three most important key takeaways from this report?
What key data points are shared in this report?
Measuring Trends in AI
What?
Last week, Stanford University released its seventh annual AI Index report. It covers trends such as technical advancements in AI as well as public perceptions of the technology and the geopolitical dynamics surrounding its development.
Report: Measuring trends in AI: Stanford University’s AI index
So what?
Key findings:
1. AI beats humans on some tasks, but not on all.
2. Industry continues to dominate frontier AI research.
3. Frontier models get way more expensive.
4. The United States leads China, the EU, and the U.K. as the leading source of top AI models.
5. Robust and standardised evaluations for LLM responsibility are seriously lacking.
6. Generative AI investment skyrockets.
7. The data is in: AI makes workers more productive and leads to higher quality work.
8. Scientific progress accelerates even further, thanks to AI.
9. The number of AI regulations in the United States sharply increases.
10. People across the globe are more cognizant of AI’s potential impact—and more nervous.
What next?
We used Poe (a Generative AI platform from Quora) to build a bot trained on the report’s findings.
Talk to the report and ask it questions.
Example questions:
What will be the biggest thing to happen in AI in 2024?
As a [insert job role], what are the three most important takeaways from this report?
What ethical considerations does the report highlight?
How AI will be used for national security
What?
The Alan Turing Institute conducted research into AI’s potential to enhance national security…AKA spying.
Report: AI and Decision-Making, from the Alan Turing Institute
So what?
The research explored:
The ability of national security decision-makers to evaluate the uncertainties and limitations of AI-enriched intelligence.
Optimal methods and timing for communicating these limitations to ensure a balance between clarity and detail.
The need for additional governance, guidelines, or training to support informed decision-making with AI insights.
What next?
Ask the report your questions!
Example questions and prompts:
How can AI be used in intelligence gathering?
Pull out some key quotes from the report about what this means for our intelligence agencies
What does this mean for spies?
Thank you for reading.
The Brilliant Noise team