AI is going mainstream. On September 12, Oprah Winfrey is talking with Sam Altman, Bill Gates, and other AI leaders on her ABC special called “AI and the Future of Us.”

Now lots of different people can learn about AI on TV like the person mowing the park across the street, the nanny pushing a stroller and walking a dog, my kids in school, and my brother in the Philippines.

Understanding AI is really important. It’s arguably going to change how we work and live in big ways.

No matter how we feel about AI, knowing more about it helps us make better choices for ourselves, our families, our careers, our businesses, and society. If we don’t understand it, other people might make decisions for us, and they might not care about the same things we do.

I think this show is a must-watch. I thought it was a big deal when the Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau talked about AI on the Hard Fork podcast. But Oprah discussing AI along with AI experts is next level awareness and visibility. I’m eager to hear what they’ll tell everyone about AI.

But we also need to be realistic: I don’t believe any 1-hr special on AI will answer everyone’s questions. What I like about this is that it will create awareness and elevate the conversation across a much broader and diverse audience.

I would love critics and people with different perspectives to voice their opinions. I would love people of all walks of life, races, cultures, genders, ages, etc to weigh in. It’s important in helping ensure that AI benefits all of humanity and not just a select few.

Are you planning to watch (live or recorded)? Let’s think twice before we say no.

UPDATE: Here’s my take after I saw the special, https://lnkd.in/gSZaDUgn

#MainstreamAI #AI #OpenAI #OprahWinfrey #Microsoft GrowthPath Partners

Mohammed Qahtani, the 2015 world champion of public speaking who overcame stuttering, gave a famous speech called “The Power of Words” (see link in comments). It got me thinking about AI.

I noted some parallels below:

• Making things up confidently – Qahtani said, “The leading cause of lung cancer is not actually a cigarette. It’s your DNA.” He made it up, but his friends believed him. AI can also sound very sure when hallucinating.

• Positivity bias – Qahtani showed how positive words change behavior: “Sweetie, come here. Don’t do that, you’re a big boy now”. AI often tries to be nice and encouraging, which can be powerful but might not always reflect reality or be critical enough.

• Trusting without questioning – Qahtani warned, “If you’re someone who is looked up to, who is admired, anything you say… can be considered as truth”. Many people treat AI the same way, believing what it says without checking.

• Making it personal – Qahtani shared how his friend’s life changed after his father said, “You’re a loser”. AI adapts its responses to each user, which could deeply affect people.

• Two sides of the coin – Qahtani ended by saying, “Your mouth can spit venom or it can mend a broken soul”. AI can also spread harmful misinformation or give helpful insights.

As AI becomes more common, we need to think carefully about what it tells us, just like we do with people. With great power comes great responsibility. How can we use AI safely? What are some rules that you’ve put in place?

For your reference, here are 10 ways to doublecheck AI’s work: https://lnkd.in/gMN2Em_G

#AI #CriticalThinking #PoweOfWords #AIEthics #AIHallucinations GrowthPath Partners

Know Labor Day trivia? Take this AI-generated quiz (link in the comments). It’s trickier than you’d think!

I used Claude, Anthropic’s AI assistant, to create an interactive 5-question quiz that mixes Labor Day history with AI’s impact on work.

• Test your knowledge on labor’s past and AI’s future

• Learn surprising facts about work in the AI era

• See if you can outsmart an AI-crafted quiz

Enjoy your well-deserved break, and to all my American and Canadian friends, Happy Labor Day!

#LaborDay2024 #FutureOfWork #Claude #ClaudeArtifacts GrowthPath Partners

The AI Gender Gap: Are We Leaving Women Behind?

A recent study in The Economist (see comments) revealed a concerning trend: women are 16-20% less likely to use AI tools than men, even in the same jobs. As an AI advisor and fractional CMO, I’ve seen AI level the playing field, but we can’t ignore this widening gap.

Some key takeaways:

• This gender gap persists across industries: only 1 in 3 female teachers use AI at work, compared to 1 in 2 male teachers. For software developers, about 2 in 3 men use AI, but less than half of women do.

• High-achieving women are less likely to use AI. The researchers suggest this might be due to self-imposed restrictions, with one describing it as a “good girl thing” – the idea that “I have to go through this pain, I have to do it on my own and I shouldn’t cheat and take short-cuts.”

• Interestingly, companies value women with AI skills more, offering them 8% higher salaries, a premium not extended to men.

This matters because AI is democratizing tech with just natural language, no coding required. Companies value employees who can guide AIs responsibly. For AI to benefit all of humanity, we need diverse voices influencing it.

To Sandy Carter, Allie K. Miller, Tahnee Perry, Lara Shackelford, Jessica Hreha, Erin Mills, Cathy McPhillips, Jillyn Johnson, Katie Robbert, Rachel Woods, Debi Davis, Lauren Morgenstein Schiavone, Nicole Leffer, Celeste Yamile 🤖, Helen Baptist, Jill Axline, Wendy White, Kimber Spradlin, Susan Westwater, Carol-Lyn Jardine, Baylee Jost, Megan Ratcliff, Maryrose Lyons, and more, you’re not just using the tech responsibly, you’re blazing trails.

My call to action for women in tech (and beyond):

• Embrace AI literacy. It’s critical for making informed decisions in our careers, businesses, and society.

• Lean in. In this AI era, we’re all learners. No room for impostor syndrome and judgment as no one is an expert. Your voice and perspective are invaluable.

• Take up space. Participate in AI discussions, contribute to projects, and share your unique insights.

• Seek out training and mentorship. Don’t let a perceived lack of expertise hold you back. Many organizations like the Marketing AI Institute, AI Marketing Forum, The AI Exchange, and Institute Of Ai Studies, offer resources to help you get started. Also listen to AI podcasts like Leveraging AI, FutureCraft Marketing, and The Artificial Intelligence Show

• Challenge the “good girl” mindset. Using AI tools responsibly isn’t cheating. You guide AI with your unique expertise, knowledge, and data to get the most out of it, making your work faster, better, and innovative

Remember that the rising tide lifts all boats. By learning and sharing together, we can close this gap. The field of AI is young, making this the perfect time for women to make their mark.

What steps are you taking to embrace AI? How can we better support women in gaining AI literacy?

#AILiteracy #WomenInTech #AI #GenderEquality #TechInclusion GrowthPath Partners