Web/Tech

  • South Park, ChatGPT-4, and More …

    This week, South Park released an episode written entirely by ChatGPT … about ChatGPT. 

    Here's a clip. 

    … And it's funny … Which is a testament to the power of ChatGPT.

    Then, even more news started to come out. 

    First, Google and Microsoft released announcements about integrating AI into their engines and services (like Google Sheets and Microsoft Office). 

    Then, the most important news came out. GPT-4 was released ahead of schedule. 

    In December 2022, I shared that GPT-3 was trained on 100x more parameters than any previous language model. Well, here's what GPT-4 looks like compared to GPT-3. 

    Screenshot-2023-03-10-113420And it is also much more robust. Which is mildly scary to think about … but also very exciting. 

    I was already very excited about what GPT-3 and the applications built on it were making possible, but this takes it to another level. 

    Though, I have to be the voice of caution and remind you – don't rely on it as your business. It is a tool to help you increase the speed or scope of a business opportunity. But it isn't mature enough to blindly rely on it to be right – or even factually accurate. GPT-4 was optimized to sound good, which means that it might hallucinate or mislead you, even when it has the correct answer in its dataset. But it will sound good, even when it isn't right.

    That being said, it outperforms GPT-3 in every single way. 

    Screenshot-2023-03-14-at-1-36-02-pm
    via ZDNet

    ChatGPT (powered by GPT-4) is now multi-modal, meaning it will take both picture and video inputs. 

    Exciting stuff … Or at least progress.  Onwards!

  • My Thoughts On ChatGPT and the AI Revolution

    Last week, I shared a post about the rise of ChatGPT. To summarize … new AI tools (like ChatGPT) are cool, but they can be a distraction if you're not focused on your actual business goals.  Likewise, those tools seem smart, but they are not smart enough to replace you. 

    Below is a video containing an edited version of my contributions about using AI in business at a recent Genius Network meeting.

     

    via GeniusNetwork.

    With something as powerful and game-changing as AI, smart people find a way to take advantage of it (rather than finding ways to avoid or ignore it).

    If you keep your head in the dirt, you'll get left behind like Blockbuster, Kodak, or RadioShack. 

    With that said, one of the key things I've noticed about new tech is that there's massive churn.  You've seen it with the blockchain and cryptocurrencies.  The companies, products, and modalities that pioneer the industry aren't always the ones who make it.  I think it's because they focus on technology instead of solving their customers' real problems.

    Pioneers often end up with arrows in their backs and blood on their shoes.  Too often, this causes them to give up before they achieve real and lasting success.

    You don't have to rush, even if it feels like you're falling behind.  To use a surfing metaphor, you shouldn't ignore the coming waves, but you can certainly take the time to wax your board, get in the ocean, and choose which wave you want to ride. 

    You can catch the little waves and take advantage of ChatGPT or Midjourney, but as a final reminder, if everyone is doing it, it's not a competitive advantage … it's the playing field. 

  • Tech Trends To Watch in 2023

    Technology is on the mind of most people I have talked to recently. Even with Big Tech letting go of droves of employees, the innovation happening in the world is impressive. 

    VisualCapitalist put out a list of 11 trends to look out for this year. Check it out. 

    Tech-Trends-2023

    via visualcapitalist

    As always, no list gets it entirely correct. Lists like this are made to spark interest and influence the direction of tech development. However, I've been impressed with what visualcapitalist has gotten right in the past. 

    A lot of the trends on the list make sense. India has been a massive investment space in tech over the last few years, and it's about time for more results to show. Healthcare is a massive investment space, and we're seeing a lot of innovation go to the medical space before migrating to other industries … on top of health monitoring, other specifics like menopausal care could see more investment, especially with an increase in women-led and women-focused companies. 

    As well, Fintech has been hit hard since 2020. Many of the bulwarks of the industry have been sliced down as a result of covid-19, market turmoil, the Russia/Ukraine conflict, and more. These years haven't been without learnings. New market conditions require new approaches, but the past 2+ years have been a great opportunity for adaptation and advancement. After winter comes spring. 

    What trends do you think are missing, and what trends do you think won't come to fruition?

  • The Rise of ChatGPT

    I originally talked about ChatGPT in mid-December.  Since then, it’s been all my entrepreneurial friends can talk about. 

     

    IMG_1329

    via TheRundownAI.

    The speed of adoption is unrivaled, and it’s a sign of bigger things to come. 

    Unfortunately, not all news around ChatGPT has been positive.  Microsoft released a version of Bing powered by ChatGPT, and it has been a mess. Bing’s chatbot has threatened its users, it claimed to be watching its developers through their cameras, and much more. 

    Despite that, ChatGPT and many other new tools are being used to great effect.  For example, this episode of a Conan talk show was generated entirely by AI – the words, the voices, the video – all using AI.  Click to watch how it turned out.

     

    via No Reruns

    I was part of a panel on ChatGPT and the state of AI last week.  As you might guess, a large part of the conversation focused on how businesses could use these new and innovative tools.  It’s no secret that the list of potential applications is extensive.  For example, I now use ChatGPT and Type.AI to help edit articles.

    While they provide both context and content for the articles, their text tends to be "fluffier" than I prefer. It can be reminiscent of someone trying to sound smarter than they actually are. Instead of taking something complex and making it simple, it takes one good idea and hides it in some circuitous logic and language. After I clean it up, I'm usually happier with the article as a result.  

    However, I think about valuing AI’s uses in a similar way that I value discounts.  When you come across a deal in a store that makes you think, “Wow, I need this”… It’s not really saving you money if you weren’t planning to purchase the item in the first place.  It’s an additional cost.

    If you’re tempted to start using new tools just because they’re exciting, realize that they are likely to be a distraction that could end up hurting your productivity.

    Tools like ChatGPT can be used to great effect if they assist you in doing things you need (or want) to be done.  In that case, they can help you create a bigger future with what becomes possible.

    When used correctly, automation and innovation can help improve efficiency, effectiveness, and the certainty that you achieve desired outcomes.  Meanwhile, they don’t charge you an hourly wage, they won’t get sassy when you tell them all the things they messed up, and they’re ready to work at all hours of the day. 

    Here are three concepts to consider. 

    1. AI can help you create a bigger future … but you have to know where you want to go (because activity isn’t progress if it isn’t taking you toward your destination).

    2. If you’re afraid of Artificial Intelligence, you’re not listening.  AI will inevitably become more powerful and widely used.  Look to how it can help you get what you want rather than focusing on how to avoid the peril or feeling bad that other people use it better or more than you do.

    3. If in doubt, begin.  The 25-year journey starts with a single step.

    Hope that helps.

  • Here Are Some Links For Your Weekly Reading – February 19th, 2023

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    Here are some of the posts that caught my eye recently. Hope you find something interesting.

     

    Lighter Links:

     

    Trading Links:

  • Why Less Is Often More

    The concept of “less is more” has gained popularity recently, transcending its roots in minimalism.  This idea can be observed in many areas, ranging from the resurgence of simplistic design aesthetics to the widespread popularity of decluttering guru Marie Kondo …or in the renewed interest in Stoicism.  Minimalism has become an essential aspect of modern life, where people seek to simplify their lifestyles and focus on what truly matters.

    The abundance of information and distractions vying for our attention has created a cluttered and overwhelming environment.  We can’t buy everything we see on TV, deep-dive into every interesting topic we learn about on the internet or track everything happening worldwide.  Our limited time and resources force us to choose and prioritize what truly captures our interest and deserves our attention.

    In addition to the overwhelm created by the competition for our attention, it is becoming increasingly difficult to discern what is real and trustworthy because of deepfakes, intentional misinformation, and even the seemingly benign advent of AI-generated content that blurs the lines of reality.

    The current state of information saturation and manipulation makes it imperative that we approach every piece of information with a healthy dose of skepticism and take the time to verify its authenticity.

    Given these limitations, it’s only natural to prioritize and focus on what is relevant and meaningful to us, using our limited time and resources wisely.  The competition for attention demands that we exercise caution, discernment, and purpose in our choices.

    There are two critical distinctions that impact your approach to information, as well as your sense of priority and choice of strategies and activities. 
     
    The first is whether you are a Specialist or a Generalist.  It isn’t hard to imagine that these two types have pretty different reading lists, habits, and sources of happiness or fulfillment.
     
    The second distinction is whether you are a Simplifier or a Multiplier (which is a concept that Dan Sullivan at Strategic Coach has written a book about).  To get to where you are, you’ve been successful at two things in your business career.  You’ve simplified things, which gave you an advantage.  And you multiplied things, which gave you an advantage.  Said a different way, as a simplifier, you took something complex for everybody else and made it simple.  And as a multiplier, you took something that was a new solution, and you had success multiplying it out in the world so that many people could get the advantage of your simplifications.

    The truth is, while we all do both, we default to being primarily a Simplifier or a Multiplier. 

    The best partnerships happen when you pair the two.  For example, amazing conversations happen when a simplifier says to a multiplier, “I’ve got this elegant solution … What would you do with it?” Each has something the other doesn’t, and the combination is often exponential.

    I am primarily a simplifier.  So, I tend to look for people or technologies to multiply what I produce.

    I shot a video on the topic.  Click here to watch.

     

    The internet and global digital economy enable you to find an audience for almost anything. 

    No matter how far you niche down to find your true calling, there are likely people who are just as excited about what you do as you are. 

    In an age where we’re inundated with attention-stealers and ways to spend our time, it’s helpful to remember that less can be more. 

  • Time’s Ticking On The Doomsday Clock

    The Doomsday Clock was created by a group of atomic scientists in 1947 to warn the public about the dangers of nuclear weapons.  The clock is a metaphor, with midnight representing the catastrophic destruction of the world.  The closer the clock is to midnight, the closer humanity is to a global catastrophe.

    Nuclear war is still a significant risk, but not the only one.  A list of the biggest existential risks to humanity includes:

    1. Nuclear War: The threat of nuclear weapons and the possibility of a global nuclear war continue to pose a significant risk to humanity.

    2. Climate Change: Climate change is a growing threat to humanity and the planet, causing rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and loss of biodiversity.

    3. Pandemics: The rapid spread of infectious diseases, such as COVID-19, highlights the vulnerability of the human species to pandemics.

    4. Artificial Intelligence: The development of advanced AI systems has the potential to pose existential risks if not properly regulated and controlled.

    5. Biotechnology: The rapid advancement in biotechnology, including genetic engineering and synthetic biology, has the potential to bring about new risks to humanity.

    6. Natural Disasters: Natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions can cause widespread destruction and loss of life.

    Some would argue that our exploration of space is another potential threat.  So, these are just a few examples, and the list is not exhaustive. Addressing these risks requires a global effort and cooperation between nations, organizations, and individuals.

    The Doomsday Clock was initially set at 7 minutes to midnight in 1947.  In the 76 years since it launched, the hands have been adjusted 25 times.  The most recent change, in 2023, moved the clock from 100 seconds to midnight to 90 seconds.  This was a small but significant shift.

    Flowing Data put together a chart to show the clock's movement since inception. 

    Doomsday-shiftsvia flowingdata

    The Doomsday Clock provides a long-term perspective on the dangers facing humanity.  Despite the seemingly small number of seconds remaining to midnight, it serves as a reminder of the urgency to act.  We can move towards a brighter future by acknowledging the potential consequences of our actions (or inactions).  Advancements in fields such as medicine, technology, and human potential offer hope and the potential to overcome even the most pressing challenges.  With collaboration from the brightest minds across the world and private industry, we have the ability to solve even the world's most significant problems.

    If I have to choose, I always bet on humanity. 

    Onwards!

  • The Heartbeat Of AI Is Still Human

    I'm proud of our team.  We have a shared sense of Mission, Values, and Purpose.

    Also, we understand that robots aren't coming for our jobs.  We're creating the robots, the AI, and the automation – and it's exciting!

    With that said, as tech becomes more capable, some will focus on the promise … while others will focus on the peril.

    We're seeing lots of hyperbolic promise and peril in the news cycle recently because of ChatGPT. Trends in technology news appear to come in cycles, with different names and topics but similar patterns. This is because, despite the constant evolution of technology and the world, human nature remains relatively unchanged.

    While browsing a library of our old content, I came across an old news story from a local news channel that discussed finding tech talent and featured Capitalogix.  Here's the article.  You can watch the video below. 

    via NBC DFW

    We are always hiring.

    It's not enough to invest in the right ideas or technologies.  You have to invest in the right people as well. 

    "Standing still is moving backward … so you don't only need new technology, you need a new level of data scientists – a new level of professional that can think about what's possible, rather than how to do what we want to do right now."

    Even though we've got an incredible edge now, I recognize that edges decay faster than ever.  The trick is to stay ahead.  

    The future is bright, and the best way to predict the future is to create it.

    Onwards!

  • Capitalogix’s 23rd Anniversary

    Last week I started getting “Happy Work Anniversary!” messages on LinkedIn … and I was a bit confused because people kept mentioning 23 years. 

    Twenty-three years … That can’t be right? Can it?

    For context, here’s what I looked like around that time.

      IMG_5265

    My eldest son (who’s now married with a baby) was in middle school. I was just out of the events I described in my TEDx talk. 

    However, depending on your definition, the 23rd anniversary can be true or false. Legally, the Capitalogix that exists today is distinct from the initial iteration. Additionally, the company has expanded, its direction has shifted, and what was once a one-person operation has grown into a team of over 20 individuals focused on advancing and commercializing the field of Artificial Intelligence.

    It reminds me of the Ship of Theseus (also known as Theseus’ Paradox), which is a philosophical thought experiment that poses the question of whether an object that has had all of its parts replaced is still considered to be the same object. It raises issues of identity, continuity, and change over time. The concept can be applied to physical objects, living organisms, and even organizations or businesses. It challenges our understanding of what it means for something to be fundamentally the same, and if an object can remain unchanged despite undergoing significant changes over time.

    The name “Capitalogix” did originate in the year 2000 … and a surprising amount of the original North Star “purpose” still exists. Honestly, I’m surprised by how much holds up despite 20+ years of passing … but almost all of it has needed some course correction to adjust to changing tides.  

    Regardless, it’s staggering to think about how long I’ve worked in A.I. (since 1991, when it was hard to spell A.I.) and how far we’ve come. 

    If I had known how difficult it was at the beginning, I probably never would have pursued it. However, knowing how difficult it is, and how challenging it is to make meaningful progress, I feel better that I did because I realize that it’s not just a competitive advantage, it’s a sustainable competitive advantage. It’s easy for people to focus on a capability, it’s another to make it industrial-grade, robust, reliable, and able to work in difficult conditions. They say that things that don’t kill you make you stronger, it’s true for people, but it’s also true for technologies.  

    As we celebrate Chinese New Year, it also feels like a new beginning for Capitalogix as we chase after new possibilities and probabilities. 

    We didn’t come this far — just to come this far! Onwards!

  • The World’s Biggest Hedge Funds

    Hedge Funds have seen a downtick since COVID-19. There are still 15,000 of them (amounting to $4.5 Trillion in assets under management).

    Seventy percent of Hedge Funds are North American. 

    Visualcapitalist put together a guide to the 20 biggest funds. It puts the consolidation of wealth into perspective. 

    HedgeFunds_MAINNov30via visualcapitalist

    Unsurprisingly, Bridgewater tops the list by a wide margin with nearly double the assets of their closest competitor. And, despite poor performance by many funds, the overall state of the market means that many funds still saw growth. 

    The expansion of hedge funds may not always align with general market trends – and is not necessarily a reflection of the overall economic situation. However, studying and evaluating their growth and results can still be beneficial.