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How you can future-proof your career in the era of AI

Also: A jargon-free explanation of how AI large language models work

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AI KATANA
August 01, 2023

Welcome!

Today, we look at how professionals can prepare for the future, considering the rapid advancements of AI and the changing dynamics of careers. We also touch upon the ethical dilemmas faced by tech companies as their innovations potentially displace jobs. The mystifying mechanics behind large language models, like the one you're interacting with right now, are explained in a jargon-free manner. Instagram is making headlines with its new AI features aimed at enhancing user experiences and mitigating misinformation. In the finance world, an AI safety analytics firm has secured significant funding to broaden its horizon. Enjoy your read!

Sliced:

  • 🧑🏽‍💻 How you can future-proof your career in the era of AI

  • 😳 Adobe Staff Worry Their AI Could Kill the Jobs of Their Own Customers

  • 🤓 A jargon-free explanation of how AI large language models work

  • 🖼️ Instagram reportedly developing new AI features, including an AI-generated image detector

In the era of AI, future-proofing one's career requires acknowledging the likelihood of task automation and continuously learning to adapt to this evolving landscape. It is essential to develop the ability to learn new skills throughout one's career rather than focusing solely on specific skills that may become outdated. On-the-job training, higher education, and executive education courses can aid this process. Key competencies, including critical thinking and analytical skills, will be particularly important in the human-machine collaboration. While automation might alter the nature of some tasks, it doesn't necessarily equate to job elimination. Maintaining a passion for your job and keeping up with learning will enable career adaptability for future changes.

Adobe employees are expressing fears that their AI innovations, specifically the text-to-image generator Firefly, could lead to job losses among their customer base in the graphic design industry. Their concerns arise from reports of companies already downsizing their design departments due to Firefly's effective integration into Photoshop. Some staff are experiencing an existential crisis, debating the ethical implications of providing tools that accelerate job displacement. While Adobe continues to perform strongly in financial terms, there are concerns that as AI makes labor reduction easier, this could lead to fewer subscriptions to Adobe's Creative Cloud, thus potentially harming Adobe's own profits. This internal debate reflects larger industry questions about the impact of AI on jobs and company revenues.

Large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT work through a machine learning process called "predictive text," using a vast quantity of language data to anticipate the next word in a sentence. This model is based on neural networks trained on billions of words. While the specific inner workings remain complex and not fully understood, the general principle involves learning from patterns in the data, where the model picks up grammar, facts about the world, and even some reasoning abilities. Although the technical details are a subject of ongoing research, the essence of how LLMs function is through identifying and applying patterns from massive amounts of text data.

Instagram is reportedly working on novel AI features to enhance user experiences and address misinformation, according to app researcher Alessandro Paluzzi. The features include AI-generated image detection labels to help users discern between authentic and AI-created photos, thus mitigating potential misinformation. The platform is also introducing AI-powered direct message summaries, aimed at assisting influencers and content creators overwhelmed by large volumes of messages. Instagram is utilizing generative AI for photo-editing tools like Restyle and AI Brush, to transform visual styles and alter specific parts of images, respectively. The timeline for public release of these features is still undisclosed, but they signify Instagram's rapidly expanding repertoire of generative AI tools.

🛠️ AI tools updates

The Professional Voice Cloning (PVC) model, previously only available to enterprise clients, is now open to the public, enabling users to create a flawless digital copy of their voice. Users can provide voice data which is used to train a dedicated model to replicate their voice with exceptional accuracy, even across multiple languages, thanks to integration with the Eleven Multilingual v1 model. The technology ensures safe and ethical use by implementing robust security measures, which involve voice verification to allow only the cloning of one's own voice. This breakthrough offers vast possibilities for personal and commercial projects, including content creation, audiobooks, digital presentations, IVR systems, and podcasts, presenting users with greater control and consistency in audio representation.

💵 Venture Capital updates

AI safety analytics firm CompScience Insurance Services has secured $10 million in a Series A funding round, led by Valor Equity Partners, an early Tesla investor, and participated by Four More Capital. The company combines visual AI with insurance incentives to provide risk mitigation services and analyse workplace security videos. With partners including Swiss Re and Nationwide, it reported a tenfold expansion of its insurance business and a 23% reduction in injury rates this year. The new funding will be used to expand into more industries, upgrade its technology, and enlarge its expert team. CEO Josh Butler emphasized the potential of their technology to eliminate many workplace risks, labeling it a "no-brainer" for companies buying their workers’ compensation, given it includes the technology at no extra cost and can lower their rates.

🫡 Meme of the day

⭐️ Generative AI image of the day