Mark Curtis

AR AI Impacts 07  : Recap on recent posts – too positive or just naïve on timescales  ?   Some friends and colleagues have contacted me and think I am being far too optimistic on time scales or just naïve in believing all the hype that is around at present about AI . I would like to take this post to dispel such views and will then get back to my periodic updates to keep my network informed of recent AI developments and likely impacts they will have on different sectors . The 1st thing to note is that I am , if anything , underestimating the speed of AI activity and impact. Everything is happening faster than most people realise and we are now experiencing Ray Kurzweil’s Law of Accelerating Returns where each new technology can build on the earlier technology reducing the cycle of production / innovation so technological innovations get faster and faster. Perhaps just one example can illustrate this. The internal combustion engine ( ICE )was invented in 1886 but it took another 30 years before Karl Benz put it into the first car ( basically a sort of tricycle with an engine that everyone laughed at and said no one would buy because it could only travel a few miles slowly before it needed to be refuelled ( does this view of a newer technology sound familiar?  ) It took another 22 years until 1908 for serious production to start when Henry Ford invented the assembly line and started making cars in volume  It took further 40 years to get to 1 million ICE cars . By comparison Tesla was set up in 2003 and has already produced 20+million electric vehicles. Others have produced another 24+ million and there will be another 14 + million produced in 2024 alone . The pace of technological advance and public acceptance is accelerating. It took about 5 years for Twitter  and Facebook to reach 100 million users but only 9 months for Tik Tok to reach that figure and only 2 months for ChatGPT to reach 100 million users and just 1 year later there were 100 million users per week !  When Chat GPT was launched it had an IQ of 64  ( compared to human average IQ of 100 ) but this year AI has already reached an IQ of 120  which is higher than 90% of humans on the planet and is higher than that of a graduate ( average  IQ 115) and getting close to the level of  a PhD (average  IQ  125 ) This is allowing new discoveries in numerous areas ,  many of which will themselves transform whole sectors of human activity . In materials science, it has allowed discovery of 2.2 million new materials and 650,000 new crystallines and numerous more durable, sustainable or biodegradable materials  Similar advances are now occurring in biochemistry, medicine , food production and many other areas. We are going to have rapid advances in every field and we are only at step 2 out of a 5 step process to reach the levels of AI that is expected to be possible in the near future.. It will happen far quicker than you think  so ,buckle up as this is just the beginning Alan

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This BBC/Ipsos report on what audiences think of generative AI is valuable for corporate publishers. https://lnkd.in/e9AExapw Public service media organisations like the BBC are a good benchmark for people who produce commercial editorial because the brand trust requirements are similar. The report lays out in detail what formats and use cases the public will and won't accept. And the "semiotic analysis" that rounds up every AI depiction in film and TV for the last 75 years is an unexpected bonus for sci-fi fans. I realised very quickly that some of my favourite characters are AIs - Hal in 2001, Bishop in Aliens and Ava in Ex Machina. But I digress... Thanks to the Benedict Evans newsletter, where I first saw a link to the report. What will the public accept and what are they sceptical about when it comes to editorial? Acceptable uses: AI in audio production, personalisation (recommendations), editing, reformatting content (from text to audio, for example); reporting on hard facts - weather, markets, sports scores. Acceptable with human oversight: translation, boilerplate content, headline generation, image generation for "filler" imagery (never used to depict real events). Sceptical list: AI in video; AI replacing humans for advice or decisions; personalising social media content; AI newsreaders; AI writing opinion-based articles; researching and drafting reports without human checking; modifying images that are part of news reports about real events. What comes across too are the values that underpin beliefs about generative AI - fairness, transparency and consent. And just how sceptical people are that these values are being applied by tech companies. This is an open goal for organisations to use AI in a way that promotes trust rather than undermining it.

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Download and read this now - if you care about which marketing $ is driving profit back into the business .. then start to focus on what ad is being looked at! "Simples"

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🚆 Revolutionising Accessibility in Rail Transport 🚆 I’m thrilled to see the innovation in the rail sector, particularly when it comes to accessibility. This new app, designed to support blind and partially sighted passengers, is a game changer! By providing real-time information and seamless navigation, it empowers everyone to travel with confidence and independence. As someone passionate about improving physical asset management and infrastructure across industries, it's inspiring to see technology making a tangible difference in people’s lives. 🔗 Read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/ejijS43f 💡 What are your thoughts on the future of accessibility in transport? What other areas do you think technology can help us improve for a more inclusive world? #Innovation #Accessibility #RailTransport #Technology #Inclusion #AssetManagement

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🎉 Excited (and slightly terrified) to share that I've been featured in Rolling Stone! We dive deep into how AI is reshaping the creative landscape—not just for the big players, but for all of us makers, builders, and entrepreneurs. Spoiler: I'm bullish on the future, even if my engineering skills might say otherwise! 😅 Check out the full article and let me know what you think! Could AI be your next creative partner? https://lnkd.in/enzENjAN #ArtificialIntelligence #Creativity #TechForGood #RollingStone

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Nice 😎 Our 2024 CEO Index is now live! Breaking down the demographics of FTSE 100 CEOs in beautiful data-led design, we've even got a tool where you can see how you stack up. How like a FTSE 100 CEO are you? https://lnkd.in/e926D9Sw #ftse100 #ceo #ceopay #executives

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The Creative Chemistry® Card Deck is here... Clearheads Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer Alex has taken what he's learnt over the past 20 years, the building blocks of storytelling and turned those lessons into a powerful set of tools that can help you find and tell your story. Storytelling is about forging connections, sparking connections and leaving a lasting impression on your audience. So whether you want to enhance your brand, engage your audience more effectively, or elevate your organisation's message, Creative Chemistry® can bring your story to life and make a lasting impression. #videoproduction #video #videography #filmmaking #filmmaker #cinematography #videographer #film #cinematographer #photography #filmproduction #behindthescenes #director #filmmakers #videomaker #production #tvcampaign #videomarketing #setlife #videoshoot #marketing #videoediting #videoedits #filming #music #camera #videos #cinema #cinematic #directorofphotography

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Discover how The Telegraph is reshaping news visualisation with inclusivity at its core! Learn how they're breaking down barriers and making complex information accessible to all audiences. A must-read for journalists, designers, and anyone passionate about inclusive communication. #NewsVisualisation #InclusiveDesign #JournalismInnovation #Accessibility #TheTelegraph 📰🌟

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Is in shock 😱…no not really… NHS England to mandate the use of Palantir Technologies #FDP after a £360m+ investment this is no surprise! To truly leverage the benefits (🤞) and multiple use cases at scale this had to happen. The proof however is going to be in the rapid and successful rollout (and it’s a good thing mass IT NHS rollouts are always successful 😉). Moreover, the demonstration of benefits to drive #productivity will be key 🗝️. The ‘App store’ approach and development of ‘products’ is where the FDP, I predict, is going to be won and lost: App A vs App B etc etc. Mass mandated adoption: was always going to happen. I remain hopeful for the #FDP but the path ahead is going to be ⬆️ and ⬇️ Right back to the beach 🏖️☀️ #NoChatGPTContentHere Tech Canal Mprove Palantir Technologies #nhs #FederatedData #FDP

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If you are an in house agency leader and feel your team would benefit from a practical guide to what AI can offer today, check out this brilliant course from the In-House Agency Leaders Club and Congregation Partners

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There is still a lot this government can do to address the gap between policy creation and the digital delivery needed to implement it. Read this latest piece by our CEO Aingaran Pillai and don't miss out on our new report, which delves into this issue: https://lnkd.in/dNYxaTp9 #digitaltransformation #digitalgovernment #digital

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CALLING OUT THE NATIONAL GRID Here is a complaint from Off-Grid.net to the Advertising Standards Authority, against M&C Saatchi's ad for the Great Grid Upgrade. We keep watch on the UK energy oligopoly, and support meaningful change in the nation's energy system. To: Advertising Standards Authority, London, UK 19/9/2024 We are writing to object to the National Grid's current ad titled "Great Grid Upgrade," which launched on September 2, 2024. We believe it contravenes the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) Code of Advertising Practice, specifically Sections 3 (Misleading Advertising) and 7 (Truthfulness). The ad is here: https://lnkd.in/gKRjiS9q The 40-second advertisement features a lorry at dawn with the song "Call Out the Instigator" playing in the background. It presents a series of shots depicting electricity users engaged in their daily lives: a chef in a kitchen (at 5 seconds), a man putting laundry into a launderette (13 seconds in), a woman using a hairdryer (20 seconds), and a sheep in a field with a large pylon in the background (25 seconds). The voiceover states, "We're connecting the nation's electricity grid to cleaner, more affordable sources of energy" (29 seconds), concluding with the word "Now" sung emphatically in the musical track (35 seconds). While the visuals aim to depict ordinary individuals benefiting from these changes "now", the claims made in the voiceover lack substantiation and create a misleading impression regarding the benefits of the cleaner energy sources. 1. Misleading Affordability Claims: The assertion that these new sources of energy are "more affordable" raises immediate questions. Affordable compared to what? Current data shows that new wind farms have an associated cost of approximately £170 per MWh, higher than both gas and Waste-to-energy, which are estimated at £120/MwH. Without providing a clear comparison or context, this claim is ambiguous and misleading. 2. Temporal Misrepresentation: The use of the word "Now," emphasised in the accompanying musical track, implies an immediate connection of these new energy sources to the grid. However there is typically a 5-10 year delay before significant energy sources, such as large solar farms, can be integrated with the existing grid. This creates a false expectation among consumers regarding the immediacy of these developments. Given these points, we request that ASA investigate potential breaches of the Code. We believe that it is imperative for advertisements, especially those related to public utilities and energy sources, to present information that is not only truthful but also clear and substantiated. We have attached a screenshot from the advertisement for your reference, which illustrates the misleading context of the claims being made. Thank you for your attention to this matter. We look forward to your prompt response regarding the actions that will be taken. Yours sincerely, Nick Rosen - CEO Off-Grid.net - 

The curiosity around AI is increasing; so is the fear. When it comes to AI, there is hype and there is reality. Organisations that can rightly gauge this difference and build an adoption strategy around it, will succeed." Last week, I spoke at #classignite2024 conference and discussed imminent considerations for a secure AI adoption journey with a highly intellectual group of SMSF professionals. “AI Hallucinations” as a concept received incredible interest. But it is only one part of the problem. What is your biggest challenge with AI adoption? My insights are in this article from @Professional Planner: https://lnkd.in/gwUw6vUa. #ai, #cybersecurity, #AIrisks #smsf #classignite2024 #financialadvisers #financialplanning #financialservices #aihallucinations Class Pty Limited

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Mind. Blown. Last week was my first time at the Immersive Experience Network Summit and it was like a dose of creative rocket fuel for the mind and soul. With the UK’s experience sector contributing an estimated £134 billion to the economy, the examples below are only a taster of the incredible innovation happening in this exciting space: 🌎 World-building 🌎 Sara Thacher from Disney talked about being an imagineer; buildable playable worlds and making them intuitive with familiar codes – think 80% Earth, 20% Star Wars. Set expectations and subvert them. Experience Design is first and foremost about designing for emotion; giving people tools to pretend and reasons to believe. 📖 Supercharged Storytelling 📖 Les Seddon-Brown from Rematch - The Sporting Time Machine meanwhile is reimagining the biggest sporting events of the past; part festival, part theatre, essentially a secret cinema for sport. The insight for me was if you are recreating an iconic cultural moment, find the bigger story to tell, retell it from new perspectives, find untold angles. 🐲 Mixed reality theatre🐲 The potential for converged creativity, was expertly brought to life by Sami Hamid from Glitch Studios AS session. He showcased an inspiring example of blending physical theatrical on-stage storytelling with AR-powered dramatic elements, a glorious fearsome dragon in this instance. It wasn’t high-tech and it was only for specific scenes but it looked truly magical and was a captivating way of blending physical and virtual storytelling. 🥽 Immersion squared 🥽 Darren Emerson at East City Films is not only creating unforgettable VR experiences with "In Pursuit of Repetitive Beats", but is wrapping that in physical immersive and multisensory moments at museums and cinemas, so whilst you remain solo inside the VR experience, you collectively assemble afterwards. Is this a type of Punchdrunk for VR?! Essentially he’s building a new model for touring VR and I feel this might merit a much fuller post on its own! 💡 One of the takeout's from Sara's talk was that: ‘Sometimes doing impossible things means an improbable amount of work’. So it is testament to the commitment and vision of the many incredible experience designers, imagineers and entrepreneurs who are doing this work on their own initiative. Huge congratulations to the Immersive Experience Network for putting this inspiring event together 👏 👏👏 If you were there, I would love to hear your thoughts, particularly since my FOMO kicked in, as I wasn't able to clone myself and get to every talk! Image credit: IEN

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As a Brit, I love humourous advertising, but why has it dropped in the last 9 years despite being proven to be effective? In this article, we showcase award-winning campaigns that highlight the different ways humour can be delivered and the significant impact it can have. Find out more here 👉 https://lnkd.in/gmNPmR-8 #CreativeEffectiveness #Advertising #Marketing

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Lucy Davison and I are going head-to head debating 'is generational research useful'! I'm hoping we have a podium, spotlights, and we stick to the facts (no mentioning of Gen Alpha eating dogs, please). It should be fun, and a little bit nerve-wracking. Thanks Tom Kerr for fitting this into your schedule, we'll try not to disappoint by agreeing too much. #generations #generationalresearch AURA Insight

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The formula is straightforward and profound:   people change + brand role = category impact + societal impact By defining the challenge in a category, you can more accurately determine the behavior change required, and the role your brand can play to help solve it. This will help you move from a business model dependent on ‘selling’ to one that enable growth by ‘solving’. And honestly, I’ve never been motivated to work for a selling organization. You can download a very practical guide on how to do this, along with a Tony’s Chocolonely case study that brings this to life. #triplebottomline #goodgrowth #bcorp #marketingstrategy 

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