My perspectives on the near-future of Generative AI is less optimistic than others.

First: AI, including the Generative AI tools that we see right now, are extremely impressive.
To say otherwise, is a natural human reaction to the fact that when we see technology that can do tasks comparable (and often more effectively) than us humans, it’s a natural impulse to be protective.

• We want to protect our knowledge. 
• We want to protect our experience. 
• We want to protect all these skills that we have acquired.

With that, we are finding out (through the quick evolution of Generative AI) that this “digital species” (as Mustafa Suleyman defines it) is currently able to be inspired by a mass spectrum of sources and influences (think the entire Web, including all video and audio as well). 

I would argue that in the near-future, the results from Generative AI will force us humans to re-define and push the boundaries of who we assumed we are.

And that’s a very uncomfortable place to be (for me and you).
When we talk about the ability for businesses to be more predictive than ever before, these current slate of Generative AI tools are more than just impressive.
They’re actually excellent predictive engines already.

As a reminder: It’s all about the inputs.

Very good inputs already get pretty great outputs.

Second: When it comes to the marketing industry (in fact, almost any knowledge-first business), many of the current tools (text, images, audio and soon soon video) have been impressive enough that the need to hire entry level and junior practitioners (and even some mid-level employees or specific freelancers) can be done without many of the issues business face from finding the right people, training them and getting ideal results.
Often the outputs are more interesting than someone who is attacking the same challenge with little to minor experience.
With that, if there is a slow down in new/young hires what does the near-long term look like?

That’s what I am most concerned about.

This isn’t a short or mid-term strategy.
It’s a serious long term approach with a focus on sustainability.

Newsflash: Whether you’re working creative, strategic planning, media buying, and more these tools are coming hard, fast and aggressively for that work.

Said another way…

If your job – day in and day – is quite repetitive (meaning different clients, but the same types of tasks you’ve done for previous clients)… this is the type of work that AI eats for breakfast.

Third: I’m not as worried about consumer data as others are.

I’m more interested in synthetic data.
The ability to use algorithms to generate information that is artificially created rather than produced by real-world events seems like the next now.
To generate new kinds of data – well beyond personas that can include all kinds of buying patterns and models.
Ultimately, admitting to the clients that we’re not using any of their customer’s data but have a greater understanding of human buying behavior that can replace our need to leverage the personal stuff.
That takes the liability away, doesn’t it?
I’m not even able to bake my own noodle into where this could go in an effective and real way.

But there’s much more…

This, and other current topics were discussed along with Matt McDermott (Humble & Wallop), Samuel Monnie (Sustainable Brands) and host Bob Knorpp (always a good human) on the very excellent BeanCast Podcast (which I’ve been fortunate to be a guest on in the past). I don’t know what it is about BeanCast, Bob Knorpp and these other panelists, but there is always “something in the water” when we record these conversations that brings out a lot of stimulating ideas and insights (and some friendly disagreements too!).

Are you ready for this deep dive into the world of media and marketing? Here is: BeanCast #744 – Three Bald Men.

For about an hour, we discussed and debated the following topics:

• The Mass Personalization Dilemma.
• Grid Zero’s Impact.
• EU Rejects Meta’s “Solution”.
• Netflix Won’t Share Subscribers. 

Take a listen and jump into the fray…

Before you go… ThinkersOne  is a new way for organizations to buy bite-sized and personalized thought leadership video content (live and recorded) from the best Thinkers in the world. If you’re looking to add excitement  and big smarts to your meetings, corporate events, company off-sites, “lunch & learns” and beyond, check it out.