Deep Dive: Artificial Intelligence

How well do you AI?

I wrote this introduction:

• The aim of The EO Report is to foster a deeper appreciation and understanding of effective communication in all its forms and increase clarity skillsets. Articial Intelligence tools are here to stay, and it’s hard to tell how to assess if you are behind the curve or ahead. This newsletter will begin that conversation.

AI, through ChatGPT, wrote this introduction based off of my original writing:

• The objective of The EO Report is to cultivate a profound appreciation and comprehension of effective communication across all its manifestations, enhancing clarity and skill sets. With Artificial Intelligence tools becoming a permanent fixture in our landscape, discerning whether you're lagging or leading in this evolving field can be challenging. This newsletter is designed to initiate this vital dialogue, guiding you through the nuances of staying current and proficient in the age of AI-enhanced communication.

You can see some classic ChatGPT markers when you compare the two paragraphs:

• Thesarus function: swapping one word for another when the original word functioned just fine:

  • aim vs objective

  • foster vs cultivate

• Elevated words and language: taking the original language and making the writing sound more formal:

  • Words: manifestations, discerning

  • Phrases: vital dialogue, permanent fixture etc.

• Tone: typically a consequence of the two previous points is a change in tone for the writer.

  • If the writer isn’t aware of the tone they want to achieve, ChatGPT’s edits can easily take over and unintentionally sway how the writing is received by the reader.

Definitions

There are a range of definitions including:

• According to the State Department: The term ‘artificial intelligence’ means a machine-based system that can, for a given set of human-defined objectives, make predictions, recommendations or decisions influencing real or virtual environments. (National Artificial Intelligence Act of 2020)

• McKinsey: Deep learning is a type of machine learning that can process a wider range of data resources (images, for instance, in addition to text), requires even less human intervention, and can often produce more accurate results than traditional machine learning. Deep learning uses neural networks—based on the ways neurons interact in the human brain—to ingest data and process it through multiple iterations that learn increasingly complex features of the data. The neural network can then make determinations about the data, learn whether a determination is correct, and use what it has learned to make determinations about new data.

• IBM: Artificial intelligence leverages computers and machines to mimic the problem-solving and decision-making capabilities of the human mind.

• ChatGPT: Artificial Intelligence (AI) refers to the development of computer systems that can perform tasks that typically require human intelligence. These tasks include learning, reasoning, problem-solving, perception, language understanding, and decision-making. AI systems are designed to analyze large amounts of data, identify patterns, and make predictions or decisions based on those patterns.

I asked ChatGPT to merge all of these AI definitions into one:

• Artificial intelligence (AI) mimics human cognitive functions such as learning, reasoning, and decision-making, using algorithms and computer systems. It processes diverse data types, including images and text, through techniques like deep learning, which is inspired by the human brain's neural networks. AI systems can perform tasks requiring human intelligence, like visual perception and speech recognition, with minimal human intervention. They learn from data to make predictions or decisions, improving over time to handle new situations effectively.

AI Tools Categories

One way to stay on track with the continual addition of AI tools and to bring order to your AI learning, place AI tools into function categoris. This way, it’s easier to track what is available for your top needs. You don’t need to know it all.

Here are some functional categories to help categorize AI tools.

• Idea Generation

• Formatting

• Document Creation

• Research

• Reporting

• Monitoring

• Mechanics of Writing and Editing

• Visual Generation

National AI Survey Findings

The EO Report partnered with Researchscape to conduct an online survey of 1,052 U.S. adults, aged 18 and up, conducted from February 2-4, 2024. The credibility interval for questions is plus or minus 4 percentage points.

Survey Highlights:

• What have you ever used AI for, if anything? (Top 3)

  • None of the above (50%)

  • Chats (29%)

  • Writing (24%)
    

    ChatGPT’s Top Take-Away: A significant portion of respondents (50%) have not used AI for any listed purposes, but there is a notable interest and application in AI for communication-related tasks. Specifically, "Chats" and "Writing" are the primary areas where respondents have utilized AI, indicating a trend towards using AI for enhancing communication and content creation. This suggests that as familiarity with AI grows, its applications in facilitating and improving written and interactive communications are gaining traction among users.

• What have you ever used AI for, if anything, at work? (Top 3)

  • None of the above (61% of the employed)

  • Writing (22%)

  • Chats (20%)
    

    ChatGPT’s Top Take-Away: This survey finding indicates that a significant majority of the employed respondents (61%) have not used AI for any of the listed purposes at work, suggesting either a lack of awareness, access, or perceived need for AI applications in their professional environments.
    
    
    

• How would you rate your Artificial Intelligence skills?

  • 49% = Poor (29%) + Terrible (20%)
    

    ChatGPT’s Top Take-Away: The assessment indicates that nearly half of the respondents view their AI skills as lacking. This suggests a significant portion of the population feels underprepared or inexperienced with AI technologies. This perception could stem from a variety of factors, including rapid advancements in AI that outpace general understanding, limited access to education or training on AI, or perhaps a low level of engagement with AI tools in daily tasks.

• How often do you think about Artificial Intelligence?

  • 49% = Less often (29%) + Never (20%)
    

    ChatGPT’s Top Take-Away: The responses reveal that a significant portion of the population rarely considers AI in their daily lives. This suggests that despite AI's growing presence in technology and society, it remains a peripheral concern for nearly half of the respondents. This could reflect a lack of awareness about how AI impacts everyday activities or a disconnect between AI as a concept and its practical applications.

• How trustworthy is news information or analysis created by Artificial Intelligence?
  

  • 45% = Hardly trustworthy (27%) + Not at all trustworthy (18%)
    
    

    ChatGPT’s Top Take-Away: The responses indicate that there is a notable skepticism towards the trustworthiness of news information or analysis generated by AI. This skepticism could stem from concerns about AI's ability to understand context, detect nuance, and maintain impartiality, as well as worries about misinformation or bias in AI-generated content. The finding underscores a significant challenge for AI in the field of news and information: building credibility and trust with the public. It highlights the need for transparency, accuracy, and ethical considerations in AI development and deployment in journalism and information analysis.

Thank you to Jeffrey Henning and Tony Cheevers from Researchscape for the survey and data collaboration!

So … Are you Ahead?: The AI Readiness Checklist

If the statements below resonate with you, you're not just keeping pace—you're setting the pace in mastering AI within the strategic communications field. This proactive approach and your expereimenting with AI not only differentiate you but also equip you with a competitive edge in the field. Do you …

• Understand the definition of AI?

• Prioritize ethical considerations and adhere to guidelines in AI use?

• Identify and categorize AI tools by their functionalities?

• Engage actively with AI, whether for personal or professional use?

• Stay informed on the latest AI trends, research, and technological advancements?

• Acknowledge and investigate the boundaries, legal implications, and limitations of AI?

• Assess your AI skills and intentionally seek professional development?

• Think about AI's role and impact frequently?

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