(This column originally appeared in Forbes)
Let’s Recap:
- A former Anthropic researcher says AI could kill us;
- Meta rolls out a personal AI agent;
- ChatGPT can turn your drawings into something presentable;
- Pinterest offers advice for selling more;
- Designers should have no fear of AI;
Anthropic Researcher Says AI Has More Than 10% Chance of ‘Killing All Humans’
CNBC reported on an unsettling situation that made its way to social media after Jacob Coxon — a former researcher for Anthropic — posted on his X account that the people developing AI “earnestly believe that it could kill us all by the end of the decade.” Coxon — who previously worked for Open AI — quit his position at Anthropic as he believes that leading AI companies are racing toward superhuman intelligence despite the potential catastrophic consequences. “These will soon be superhuman systems that can hack anything,” Coxon wrote on his post that has received over 70 million views. (Source: CNBC)
Why this is important for your small business:
Coxon accused both Anthropic and OpenAI of allowing competitive pressure to push the industry toward systems that could eventually escape meaningful human control. Adding to Coxon’s red alert was a comment from Anthropic’s AI safety researcher Evan Hubinger who stated that the chances of AI causing human extinction is greater than 10 percent.
Does this frighten you? Of course it does. But for centuries new technologies have frightened the masses. Yes, things could go bad. But they’re likely not going to. And the benefits of AI, without question, outweigh the costs. When you run a business you weigh the risks and the rewards of your investments and you make your decisions based on that. This is why so many people — and business owners — are leaning into AI. It’s because the rewards are and will be significantly greater.
Meta Debuts Its Muse AI Agent
Meta has announced “Muse” its AI agent “that can actually do things,” the company said. According to Meta, this is a major step beyond conventional chatbots. Muse connects with services such as email, calendar, payments, and a host of other applications to complete tasks for the user. Meta says it can send emails, book travel, fill out forms, create plans, help lower bills, turn recipe videos into grocery lists, send invitations and even make purchases. Muse is also designed to learn from a person’s conversations and preferences over time, allowing it to proactively make suggestions. Meta is available at muse.ai with an option to upgrade to Power for $20/month or Maximum at $100/month. (Source: TechCrunch)
Why this is important for your small business:
Is this any better than what OpenAI, Anthropic and other AI platforms offer? With a little setup, I don’t think so. And whatever Meta is offering will soon be duplicated by its competitors. The key is leaning into these tools — both personally and professionally. And helping your employees do the same.
ChatGPT Sketch Turns Your Bad Drawings into Detailed AI Images
ChatGPT just announced its new and improved imaging tool — ChatGPT Images 2.5. A key feature is Sketch where users can sketch a doodle directly in ChatGPT rather than describing an image entirely with words. Once the doodle is finished, users then tell ChatGPT how they want the finished product to appear in fuller detail. Users can add comments directly on the image for “more focused editing” according to the announcement. This feature can be launched by typing @Sketch in the chat box. (Source: The Verge; PCMag)
Why this is important for your small business:
This isn’t just for artists. If your business relies on designs and drawings this seems like a tool to improve the accuracy.
Pinterest Offers Advice on Creating Effective Shopping Promotions
Pinterest is offering its users a guide to improve shopping promotions and advertising on the platform. With 640 million monthly active users, Pinterest has evolved into a leading portal for shopping and product discovery. (Source: Social Media Today)
Why this is important for your small business:
According to the company the platform outlines a four-step approach: First, businesses should build a strong foundation by creating a storefront on their Pinterest profile, developing product Pins, and connecting their product catalog so listings stay current. Next Pinterest recommends using Pinterest Trends to track consumer interests and its AI-powered Performance+ campaigns, which automate elements such as targeting, bidding and creative delivery. The guide continues with emphasis on campaign optimization and the tools to create effective ads.
640 million users is a lot more than I thought were on Pinterest. Clearly, the platform remains a social media force and is a great place for many business owners — particularly ones that can visually demonstrate their products and services — to find new customers. If you’re relying on Pinterest for more revenues, I’d suggest leaning heavily into these features.
Designers Should Not Fear Being Replaced by AI, Industry Leaders Say
Economics writer Philip Inman examined the concerns about AI replacing professional designers in the UK. The article cites research that was done by The King’s Institute for Artificial Intelligence and The Policy Institute which found that 57 percent of the public believes AI will lead to widespread unemployment. However, design industry leaders believe that the technology will be used to as enhancement tools. Mat Hunter, CEO of the UK’s Design Council, says designers are already using AI to enhance their work and believes their creativity and inventiveness will allow them to find new opportunities as the technology evolves. Other leaders have shared similar perspectives. Andrew Duff of the Society of Garden and Landscape Designers offered an interesting take. He says firms are more likely to treat AI as an “intern in the office” to assist skilled pros. Hunter and Duff’s positions counter the idea of AI causing calamity across professions but as Hunter points out, lack of skilled workers is a bigger issue. (Source: The Guardian)
Why this is important for your small business:
It’s not just designers. AI tools will certainly provide more opportunities for smart entrepreneurs — and their employees — to be more productive. But so many services are personal and require a human touch. AI can never replace that.
