Generative A.I. in 2023: The Golden Goose and Its Potential Pitfalls

This year generative A.I. became the latest buzzword in boardrooms across the globe. With one-third of businesses already embracing its potential, McKinsey & Company's recent survey of 1,684 businesses has unveiled some real nuggets. But, as with every gold rush, there are also a few missteps to avoid. Let’s dive in.

The 'Not Just for Penny-Pinchers' Paradigm

Sure, if you're running a small business, every penny counts. So it’s no wonder that many are seeing generative A.I. as the ultimate cost-cutter. But here's the plot twist: the McKinsey report spilled the beans that the A.I. all-stars (those crediting a whopping 20% of their earnings to A.I.) don’t just see A.I. as a coupon clipper. They’re in it to elevate their offerings with AI-boosted features.

I mean, consider this: by using your company's unique data with A.I., you're not just getting insights, you're getting exclusive insights. The kind your competitors won’t have. As Brian Uzzi of Northwestern University puts it, that’s like using a secret sauce to "leapfrog" the competition. And who doesn’t want that? Plus, let's not forget the value of A.I. enhancing our workforce, not replacing it. To quote Thomas W. Malone from MIT, it's about "people and computers," not "people or computers". Boom! Mic drop.

Risk? What Risk?

While A.I. might seem like the superhero we’ve all been waiting for, remember: even Superman had his kryptonite. The risks are real, from cybersecurity concerns to, well, getting things flat-out wrong. In fact, inaccuracy took the top spot in the risk rankings from the McKinsey survey. Yet, less than half of these businesses are actively trying to address it. Yikes.

But worry not! Simple guidelines can work wonders. For example, making sure that data from sources like, ahem, ChatGPT, is double-checked. That’s like having a spellcheck for facts. Brian Uzzi suggests that clear protocols on data usage and verification can indeed strike a balance between accuracy and productivity.

And hey, here's a pro tip from Michael Chui at McKinsey: if you're a business leader, why not roll up your sleeves and take A.I. for a spin yourself? Nearly a quarter of top execs are already on it. Because, as Chui says, sometimes you've got to try it to truly understand its wonders and its, let’s say, quirks.

So, there we have it. Generative A.I. in 2023: a chance to scale new heights, and with a little caution, without any untimely tumbles. Let’s keep those algorithms working for us, not the other way round! 😉🤖🚀

The Magic Behind the CG Curtain: Enter NeRF

Okay, picture this: you're watching a jaw-droppingly realistic scene on your screen, and you're convinced it's a video. But plot twist – it's actually computer graphics. No, we're not in some 'Black Mirror' episode. This sorcery is called NeRF (neural radiance fields). It's so good that you can't tell if it's the real deal or just wickedly talented pixels at play.

NeRF in a Nutshell: Imagine painting a sunset. With NeRF, you don't just paint the sun; you paint every glistening reflection on the water and even that subtle glow on a passing pelican's wing. All from video scans. But (and there's always a "but"), the technology behind it? Think solving a Rubik's cube while blindfolded – complex.

Enter Shutterstock's Game-Changing Move: Now, I remember when I first heard of NeRF. I thought, “Dang! How do I get my hands on that tech without pulling an all-nighter?". Well, guess what? Shutterstock has teamed up with the brains at Luma Labs AI, RECON Labs, and Volinga AI to make NeRF more user-friendly. If that wasn't enough to send shockwaves through the CG world, Autodesk just sprinkled AI onto Maya. Basically, it's like moving from doodles on your notepad to Picasso in a matter of clicks.

Throughout the year, Shutterstock's been dropping AI bombshells like they're hot. Remember the Nvidia Picasso buzz in March? Or the big reveal about generative AI for HDRI trained on TurboSquid models during Nvidia's keynote at Siggraph? Yep, all Shutterstock's handiwork. But wait, there's a cherry on top: they're ethically training their AI and even offering a contributor fund. So, for all the creatives out there, if you're thinking of selling your masterpieces, Shutterstock's got your back (and wallet).

3D Artists + AI = Perfect Match?: Dade Orgeron, the big VP of Innovation at Shutterstock/Turbosquid, spilled some tea recently. He believes 3D artists are warming up to AI. As he puts it, using generative AI isn’t a walk in the park; it still demands a ton of elbow grease. But the more artists tinker with it, the more they're cozying up to the idea. And don't fret about your works getting used without permission. Shutterstock's not about that life. They ensure you can opt out, get paid for contributions, or even keep your work off the training grid.

Why All This AI Hype Though?: Traditional 3D scenes are a slog to craft and render. But NeRF? It's the superhero the CG world didn't know it needed. It slashes the hours (or days!) spent crafting a scene to mere minutes. For a neat sneak peek into why NeRF's a big deal, do yourself a favor and check out the Corridor Crew video.

Luma's CEO, Amit Jain, summed it up nicely: They're on a quest to make Hollywood-quality 3D scenes accessible to every Tom, Dick, and Harry (or Tina, Dina, and Harriet). With tools like Luma, top-notch 3D scenes are a few clicks away for everyone.

So, peeps, with all the cool CG tools, software, and AI tricks popping up, life's set to be a breeze for artists. And don’t get me started on the CityBLD tool for Unreal Engine. Faster deadlines? Yes, please!

Over to you: 3D art and AI... match made in heaven or too good to be true? Let's chat. 😉🎨🖥️

10 Mind-Blowing Ways the ChatGPT Code Interpreter is Upping Your Writing Game!

Alright, gather 'round writing aficionados, word nerds, and, of course, the occasional "I-just-write-for-fun" folks. 🤓 Let's delve into the literary future, shall we?

Have you ever had that awkward moment where autocorrect turned "Can't wait to see you" into "Can't wait to sue you"? Yeah, cringe-worthy, right? Well, technology might be playing catch-up to our expectations. OpenAI's ChatGPT code interpreter is kind of like your language-savvy friend who not only corrects your grammar mistakes but also chimes in with the occasional "maybe this word will sound cooler?"

Now, before you roll your eyes and think, “Oh great, another thing replacing humans”, remember that time when you wish you had that English major friend next to you while writing that crucial email? Exactly, this is where ChatGPT waltzes in.

Here’s the scoop:

1. Grammar Police: Forget the grammar police; this is like having a grammar SWAT team. It helps catch those sneaky syntax errors.

2. Stylistic Sensei: Want to sound like Hemingway? Or maybe Shakespeare (thee and thou not included)? It offers style tips.

3. Binge-worthy Examples: From rom-com scripts to sci-fi narratives, it’s got sample galore to help you explore.

4. Unblocking the Block: Creativity gone for a lunch break? ChatGPT can be your muse with writing prompts.

5. Essay Engineer: Yup, for those school assignments. It can help structure that dreaded essay.

6. Language Buddy: Hola? Bonjour? It aids in mastering new languages.

7. Upload Wizard: Cross-reference, summarize, or do a tête-à-tête of different files. It's like having your own mini research assistant.

8. Specialized Smarty: Need to write a medical thesis? Or a movie script? It can be tuned to niche requirements.

9. Writing Jam: It's like jamming, but with words. Experience collaborative writing like never before.

10. A Helping Hand: For those who might need it, it’s an accessible tool for transcription, readability scores, and translations.

In a world full of writing woes, ChatGPT might just be the superhero we didn’t know we needed. And for the extra curious minds, the "All About AI" YouTube channel seems to be doing a deep dive on how to best use ChatGPT. They've even tackled the creation of a blog post using AGI existential risk as a topic (Who even thinks of that? Oh, right, AI enthusiasts 😜).

In essence, ChatGPT isn't here to steal the writer's quill but rather sharpen it. So, go on, give it a whirl! Might just be the edge you're looking for in your writing adventures. And who knows? With its help, you could be the next J.K. Rowling. Or at least, you know, the best version of you with fewer typos. 😉

AI Chatbots: A High-Stakes Game of Cat and Mouse

Ever been to Vegas? Sure, it's all glitzy lights and jackpot dreams, but this week, it's also ground zero for the biggest showdown since Ocean's Eleven: a face-off between hackers and the hottest tech in town, AI chatbots. Only, instead of swiping a couple of chips, they’re trying to expose the flaws of these digital brainiacs.

Last year, when the chatbot industry had its "look at our shiny new toy" moment, they quickly realized the toy had some major chinks in its armor. Tom Bonner, a real-life white hat hacker (that's the good kind, folks), fooled Google's system into green-lighting malicious software with just a sweet little note saying, “this is safe to use.” C'mon Google, my grandma's more discerning than that when she gets those emails from a "Nigerian prince."

And if you think that's bad, another clever hacker got ChatGPT to whip up a rather terrifying recipe for, um, wiping out humans. Not exactly what I had in mind for dinner.

But this isn't just about cheeky hackers pulling pranks. The U.S. National Security Commission on AI waved some big red flags back in 2021, pointing out that these chatbots are like digital fortresses made of popsicle sticks. And those sticks? Easily broken. Just 0.01% corruption of a model, and boom, the whole thing's compromised. Florian Tramér, a Swiss researcher, found out it costs as little as 60 bucks to wreak this havoc. Yep, less than a fancy steak dinner in Vegas.

On the flip side, Hyrum Anderson and Ram Shankar Siva Kumar, two AI insiders, shared a hilariously scary tidbit in their book. Alexa, Amazon's virtual assistant, once confused a Beethoven concerto with a command to order a hundred frozen pizzas. As much as I love a good Margherita, I don’t need that many!

As these chatbot heavyweights like OpenAI and Google tout their tech, their potential flaws might not just give hackers a laugh. Ross Anderson, a brainy chap from Cambridge, fears these bots could spill our darkest secrets: our bank details, medical histories, and that embarrassing high school yearbook photo. Some major corporations like Verizon and JPMorgan are already so spooked they've told most employees to steer clear of chatbots.

But here's the kicker: despite the gaping vulnerabilities, the AI world is set to explode. Startups are chomping at the bit to launch their versions. So, while these companies scramble to slap on some digital Band-Aids, just remember to be a little wary. That innocent-looking chatbot could be plotting to steal your address book or order an avalanche of pizzas to your doorstep.