Becoming Familiar with AI

If you’ve been paying attention to any news sources over the past year, you will have certainly seen content about artificial intelligence and its potential impact on humanity. Those of us who teach have long worried about AI and how students will use it to “save time” in their studies. I’ve found many articles and watched plenty of YouTube videos about how teachers have used AI, and I have been experimenting with it for courses, the podcast, and in general.  In fact, Andy and I started using AI this year to help us with transcripts and show notes. While it’s been quite efficient, it’s not always accurate nor does it understand context at this time.  Therefore we do have to proofread and edit any text before we post.  

As an example, here are show notes we used for a recent episode. The first paragraph was written by me, and the other paragraphs were written by AI:

This week on the podcast is part two of our interview with fashion expert and serial entrepreneur, R. Scott French.  He has extensive experience in all areas of the fashion industry, from concept, design, marketing, wholesale and retail sales, and production.  In 2009, Scott co-founded a media company to organize the world’s fashion events into a single interactive port so fashion professionals can interact directly with event organizers.  In 2020, he co-founded VERY New York, a public relations and events company.  Scott is also a lecturer at the Parsons School of Design and serves on numerous advisory boards in the fashion industry. You'll want to hear this interview as we cover a variety of topics relevant to fashion and all arts fields.

In this episode:
Walking away from the traditional path, Scott and his co-founder, Mai Vu, decided to make social media strategies their core focus. But not just any strategies, they harnessed the power of events, providing a unique perspective on the creative process. They allow their audience to see the transformative nature of events in the fashion industry, and how these can lead to unexplored avenues of innovation. 

Teaming up with someone who shares the same business ethos as you can be a game changer. Scott and Vu, a dynamic duo, will tell you all about it. Their shared values and harmony have allowed them to navigate through the business landscape without disputes. They have learned how to manage client expectations, maintain a strong work ethic, and even turn down unrealistic demands. All while preserving their reputation and maintaining the quality of work. As we wrap up with Scott, we touch on the importance of mentorship and collaboration for the success of a venture. So, tune in and get ready to be inspired by some entrepreneurial wisdom.
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My guess is, no reader would assume the notes were written by AI, though some may pick up on the writing style change after the first paragraph. To be sure, AI will develop at a rapid pace, so rather than wring our hands at the thought of it taking over our lives, we should accept it and at least begin to utilize it in ways that help us to be more productive. 

Thanks for reading,
Nick