CEOs think AI is the technology most likely to impact their industry in the next three years, according to 21% of respondents to a Gartner survey released Wednesday. The firm surveyed 400 CEOs and other senior executives. According to the study, AI’s potential to accelerate productivity matches the top two strategic priorities CEOs are working on in 2023: growth and technological development.
Ready for a collision of ideas?
A new Reuters/Ipsos poll showed that more than two-thirds of Americans have concerns regarding AI risks. 61% believe that AI is a threat to humanity, nearly triple the amount of respondents who didn’t foresee it being a threat.
Yet at the same time. 58% of workers believe artificial intelligence can help alleviate burnout and improve job satisfaction. The report, created by UiPath, says workers from Gen Z, Millennials, and Gen X together comprise the “automation generation,” which is particularly receptive to the potential of automation and improving job performance. The report also states that 57% view employers that adopt AI-powered tools more favorably than those who do not.
Walk and chew gum.
Another pair – Apple has restricted the use of ChatGPT, per reporting by the Wall Street Journal. Apple employees have also been warned against using GitHub’s AI programming assistant Copilot. But who has reversed that? New York City Public Schools, announcing that they are backing off from that ban and leaning into embracing the technology. From the new statement: “New York City Public Schools will encourage and support our educators and students as they learn about and explore this game-changing technology while also creating a repository and community to share their findings across our schools. “
Not that Apple isn’t in the AI business – new reporting by TechCrunch has the company looking to hire more than a dozen experts in generative AI.
Last week I talked about the idea of a digital agency – two senators reintroduced the idea last Thursday. The concept is establishing a new federal agency to oversee digital platforms and artificial intelligence providers. It would be a Federal Digital Platform Commission” to have more direct oversight and authority over AI products and online platforms.
Finally, Axios dives into Medical AI with warnings from the World Health Organization about the risk of bias, misinformation, and privacy breaches. Also notable, the FDA reported in September that their current framework for regulating medical devices is not ready for AI, and the CDC’s guidance for bioterrorism dates to 1999.
Why do we care?
There’s a sure delight in chaos, as the confusion breeds questions, which those who sell will identify as an opportunity.
The WHY of these stories matters. Why did Apple join a long list of large companies blocking generative AI? They don’t want their IP in the data models. Why did NYC schools embrace it? Because they are in the business of expanding data access, not slowing it. Why the concern over AI risks? Because humans naturally see threats as a protective measure. Yet we also see opportunity.
Those concerns around medical applications of AI speak to the consultative guidance to provide customers. If nothing else, there’s an educational opportunity within your customer base.