Google Unveils 6 AI-Powered Pixel Upgrades: From Magic Photo Edits to Noise-Cancelling Video Tools!

If there's ever been a sign that AI is making serious inroads in our day-to-day tech, this is it. Let's dive into what they've cooked up:

1. Magic Editor: Remember those times you snapped a killer photo, but there's a photobombing squirrel in the backdrop? With Magic Editor, that's no problem. This AI-powered feature can tweak photo details like a pro - resizing subjects, changing backgrounds, or even magically making unwanted objects vanish. Imagine a Photoshop genie in your pocket.

2. Audio Magic Eraser: Think of that beach video ruined by strong winds or the irritating chatter of a random couple in the background. Well, the Magic Eraser is like noise-cancelling headphones for your video clips. It can drown out background noise, leaving you with the sounds that matter.

3. Web Page Summarizer: In the world of information overload, Pixel's got your back. It can churn out concise summaries of web pages. Whether you're looking for key points, main arguments, or just the overall vibe of an article, this feature is like having your own personal TL;DR generator.

4. Zoom Enhance: Pixel photography just got a little more futuristic. This feature predicts fine details and fills in gaps between pixels. You can say goodbye to grainy zoom-ins and hello to sharp, detailed pictures, even from a distance.

5. Supercharged Gboard: Google's keyboard, Gboard, now has a touch of AI brilliance. Ever struggled to find the right words or tone for an email or tweet? Gboard's got suggestions to help you sound like the eloquent writer you wish you were.

6. AI Call Assistant: Forget manually screening every incoming call. Google’s taken its Duplex tech up a notch. Now, it intelligently screens your incoming calls, particularly from unknown numbers. Imagine having an AI assistant at the ready, filtering out those incessant car warranty robocalls and other annoyances, so you only pick up the calls that matter. And for those unwarranted telemarketers? Let's just say Duplex has a way to... handle them.

Now, the big question is - will these shiny toys force Apple to play catch-up in the AI game? I mean, a lot of these features have been floating around in different avatars, but Google packaging them neatly into the Pixel is a game changer. Especially the revamped Google Duplex screening calls. Can it please, PLEASE, tell those pesky car warranty scammers to take a hike?

So, which one of these features are you most excited about?

The New AI Playbook: It's More than Just Tech

We've seen the staggering potential of AI. From improving efficiencies to opening new avenues, the technology is reshaping the business landscape. But there's a catch: How do we ensure AI behaves responsibly?

Decoding "Responsible AI"

EqualAI, the non-profit that's been bridging the gap with tech giants like PepsiCo and Salesforce, has decided to give us a handbook on this. Their goal? Ensure AI not only works effectively but ethically. Here's what they advocate:

1. Designate an AI Leader: Every company should have a point person for all things AI, supported by a knowledgeable committee.

2. Diverse Voices Matter: AI impacts every facet of a business. So, whether it's marketing or finance, every department should have input into AI decisions.

3. External Feedback: Regular audits and feedback from external stakeholders can ensure a company's AI stays on track.

4. AI’s Principle: It needs to be safe, all-inclusive, and effective for everyone. Keep it transparent and accountable.

While there's a sea of AI principles and policy frameworks out there, this isn't "just another rulebook". It's a strategic guide for companies to navigate the AI waters without running aground.

Here's My Perspective

The evolution of AI isn’t slowing down. Businesses can either adapt or risk becoming obsolete. This isn't a mere prediction; it's a reality I've recognized, prompting the birth of Fraction AI Consulting. We're here to ensure businesses are not only informed but also prepared for the AI revolution.

Miriam Vogel from EqualAI put it bluntly: Wait a year or two, and "it's too late". In essence, in the rapidly changing world of AI, proactive adaptation is the key. As businesses, it's crucial to ensure AI isn't just a tool but a responsibly used asset.

Salespeople Reveal How AI Bots Are Changing Their Lives: The RFP Hacks You Won't Believe!

Salespeople Rejoice: AI's Got Your Back on the Mundane Stuff

Remember when Google waved its shiny new AI wand, Duplex, in 2018? My Spidey-senses tingled, predicting AI would steal the spotlight in customer service. Fast forward to now, and lo and behold, our RFP writing woes seem to be fading away.

Ah, the high life of sales: schmoozing over fancy dinners, creative deals, and those juicy bonuses. 🍸 But ever tried crafting a meticulous answer to a 500-question RFP (Request for Proposals)? If you’ve faced this hell, you know it’s akin to watching paint dry on a soggy day.

Enter Twilio's RFP Genie 🧞‍♂️. In April, Twilio, the communications software biggie, showcased its magical AI tool. It devours RFPs, scours their vast database, and poof! – pops out a well-crafted response using GPT-4, a tech from OpenAI. The human touch? Copy, paste, tweak a bit. Those excruciating two-week RFP drills? Now wrapped up in minutes! Twilio's motto: Let humans focus on human-y things. Twilio's CEO Jeff Lawson paints a shiny future where sales staff now attend to complex issues requiring a dollop of human wisdom.

Everyone's on the AI RFP Bandwagon!

Google, EssenceMediacom, DataRobot...all these tech giants are dancing to the same AI tune. Even IBM's CEO gave the nod to an RFP bot as the Watsonx challenge winner. The tech community's new pet term? RAG - Retrieval Augmented Generation. Think of it like someone handing you a set of cue cards and you weave a story around it. AI does the heavy lifting, but sticks to facts.

But let’s dish some real tea. AI’s not all sunshine and rainbows. Remember when Twilio let go of a chunk of its staff? Lawson sees generative AI as the Holy Grail of efficiency. He dabbled with it, playing with silly dinner recipes. The next logical step? Make AI handle the grunt work.

What's the Real Scoop?

Twilio's RFP Genie isn't just a fancy parlor trick. It’s working 24/7, worldwide, multiple languages – you name it. Humans now pick up more RFPs than before. And here's the kicker: the bot is evolving! Ask it a quirky question and it’ll come back with a professional, albeit robot-ish, response. Imagine asking it about its favorite ice-cream flavor and getting a spiel about Twilio's features. 😂

But, all jokes aside, with AI comes a potential problem. As we get used to machines writing answers, they'll likely start framing questions too. Heck, they might even start judging proposals! The game of sales could soon be bots playing poker, with humans peeking occasionally.

So, What's Next?

As AI blurs the lines between machine-generated and human-crafted responses, executives might have to gear up for a spike in workload. Small enterprises can now dream big, all thanks to AI. Peter Bonney, CEO of Vendorful, talks about his 700-question RFP nightmare (Ouch!). But he's now eagerly looking forward to a world where bots handle the mundane, leaving humans to tackle the juicy, challenging bits. And guess what? When he recently sniffed out a ChatGPT-generated questionnaire, he hit back with his own AI power.

To wrap it up: next time you sip on your mojito 🍹 after sealing a deal, remember there’s probably an AI bot somewhere doing the paperwork. Cheers to that! 😉🥂

Adobe's New AI-Powered 'Project Stardust' Might Just Make Photoshop Look Like Child's Play: Here's Why!

Remember when we used to be dazzled by the magic of Photoshop? Oh, how those layers and tools once seemed like wizardry to our young, innocent eyes. Fast forward to today, and that's just kiddie stuff. But hold on to your graphics tablets, because Adobe is coming in hot with a brand new toy.

Dust off your expectations, here comes Project Stardust!

At the Adobe Max event next week, our pals at Adobe are pulling back the curtain on a shiny new AI-powered photo editing tool. It's named "Project Stardust," and it's promising to make photo editing as easy as swiping on Tinder. This bad boy automatically identifies and separates objects in your regular photos, letting you shuffle them around as if you're rearranging furniture in your living room. Google tried to grab the limelight with their Magic Editor for Pixel phones, but let's be real, Adobe's version is probably going to be the Hulk Hogan of photo editing.

And let's chat about the demo. Objects like a yellow suitcase (and its oh-so-detailed shadow) were singled out like they owed Adobe money. The objects can be moved, deleted, or played around with like they're floating on their own little layer. The space left behind? Filled in as smoothly as pouring creamer into your coffee.

But wait, there's more! For all the Photoshop aficionados out there, Stardust brings in something reminiscent of the “Contextual Task Bar” that made its big debut earlier this year. This means when you're zeroing in on something, like a blurry crowd, Stardust gently taps you on the shoulder and goes, "Hey, want me to make these folks disappear?" with a handy “remove distractors” button. Presto!

AI-generated fashion? Sign me up!

On top of these nifty tricks, there's a sprinkle of Adobe's Firefly magic in there. In one part, you see the tool replace clothing on a model by swapping out a jacket or shoes with AI-generated alternatives. I'm still holding out for the day I can swap my Monday sweatpants for a tuxedo in my Zoom meetings!

We've seen the rise of automated tools in design platforms like Canva and, of course, Google's attempt with the Magic Editor. But something tells me, and it's not just my nostalgic loyalty, that Adobe's got some aces up its sleeve. Project manager Aya Philémon hints that what we've seen is just the tip of the iceberg. They claim this engine will "revolutionize how we interact with Adobe products." Bold words, Philémon!

So, circling back to my earlier sentiments – yes, Adobe might've had a slow start, and I was the first to raise an eyebrow at their potential stagnation. But, color me impressed; it seems they've upped the ante. Sure, other tools can do some of this, but having it all under the Adobe roof? It's like the all-you-can-eat buffet of photo editing. All eyes on Adobe Max next week! 🎉