November 27, 2024
Majority of ‘digital content creators’ don’t check facts but use likes on social media to gauge reliability of information
by Neil Franklin • AI, News
At a time when digital content creators have become a major source of information for people, a new UNESCO survey suggests that 62 percent do not carry out any sort of rigorous fact-checking of information prior to sharing it. As well as demonstrating that fact-checking is rare, the survey finds that content creators have difficulty with determining the best criteria for assessing the credibility of information they find online. According to the poll, 42 percent of respondents said they used “the number of ‘likes’ and ‘shares’ a post had received” on social media as the main indicator of reliability. More →
November 21, 2024
Third of people hide their use of workplace AI from employers
by Neil Franklin • AI
A new poll from Access Group claims that 35 percent of workers admit to using workplace AI covertly to do tasks they were supposed to do themselves and didn’t tell their boss about, posing questions about the security of AI in the workplace. This figure jumps to 55 percent among 18-29 year-olds, with over a quarter (26 percent) confessing they’ve done this ‘many times’. In contrast, only 14 percent of over-60s admit to having used AI to gain an advantage. More →
November 6, 2024
Most PRs and journalists now use generative AI to create content, but keep quiet about it
by Neil Franklin • AI, News
A new report claims that while the majority of content writers in the UK’s PR and communications industry are using generative AI tools, most are doing so without their managers’ knowledge. The study, titled CheatGPT? Generative text AI use in the UK’s PR and communications profession, claims to be the first to explore the integration of generative AI (Gen AI) in the sector, uncovering both its benefits and the ethical dilemmas it presents. More →
October 10, 2024
Striking the delicate balance of AI regulation and innovation
by James Fisher • AI, Comment, Technology
As AI continues to advance, navigating the balance between regulation and innovation will have a huge impact on how successful the technology can be. The EU AI Act came into force this summer, which is a move in the right direction towards classifying AI risk. At the same time, the Labour government has set out its intention to focus on the role of technology and innovation as key drivers for the UK economy. For example, planning to create a Regulatory Innovation Office that will support regulators to update existing regulation more quickly, as technology advances. More →
October 10, 2024
Two students just proved that Meta’s new smart glasses are not rose-tinted
by Stephanie Fitzgerald • AI, Comment, SF, Technology
Be honest, did you smirk a little when everyone was posting their ‘legal’ message to Instagram? You probably saw it doing the rounds, after all it was one of the most viral trends ever posted on the app. Stories were flooded with a message reading “Goodbye Meta Al. Please note an attorney has advised us to put this on, failure to do so may result in legal consequences. As Meta is now a public entity all members must post a similar statement. If you do not post at least once it will be assumed you are okay with them using your information and photos. I do not give Meta or anyone else permission to use any of my personal data, profile information or photos”. More →
October 2, 2024
People think AI will help automate mundane tasks but worry about unintended consequences
by Neil Franklin • AI, News
A new poll from Ricoh Europe claims that people in both the UK and Ireland say they are are keen to use AI to automate workflows to improve productivity and job fulfilment, but the implementation of these systems is being hampered by their concerns about disrupting what are described as mission-critical operations. More →
September 26, 2024
Small businesses are aware of benefits of using AI, but don’t know where to start
by Neil Franklin • AI, Business, News
According to a new poll from hiring platform Indeed, around a third of small businesses are scared to implement AI, despite acknowledging the many apparent benefits of doing so. According to Indeed’s survey of 1,000 business leaders at British small businesses, 41 percent of small firms want to integrate the technology into their business, but don’t know where to start. This paralysis means that small businesses – which make up over 99 percent of the nation’s total businesses – are missing out on improvements to costs, efficiency and overall work satisfaction that they themselves say it can bring about, the report argues. More →
September 23, 2024
GenAI will change the nature of work and encourage people to spend more time working together
by Neil Franklin • AI, Flexible working, News
UK chief executives see implementing Generative AI (GenAI) as an opportunity to change the nature of work and create highly skilled workforces without reducing the number of jobs in the market, according to KPMG’s 10th annual CEO Outlook survey. KPMG surveyed more than 1,300 CEOs around the world – 150 in the UK – in July and August, revealing that two thirds of UK CEOs (65 percent and 76 percent globally) see GenAI as a positive disruptor with 68 percent (65 percent globally) agreeing that GenAI remains a top investment priority. More →
September 19, 2024
Majority of IT managers think AI is coming for people’s jobs
by Neil Franklin • AI, News
Two thirds of UK organisations say they are prioritising AI in their IT and customer service thinking, according to a new poll from 8×8. As a result they are starting to assess the roles and working hours of employees. The Future of Work: 2030 Vision Report [registration], surveyed the opinions of over 400 IT and Customer Experience (CX) managers. It looks into the projected makeup of the global workforce in 2030, organisations’ technological priorities between now and then, and the current and future challenges they may face. More →
September 18, 2024
Third of people would like workplace AI ban, half feel jobs are insecure
by Neil Franklin • AI, News
A new poll from CYPHER Learning claims that one in three workers would like to see AI banned from the workplace, while nearly half express concern that AI poses a threat to their future job security. The study, suggests that women, workers over the age of 55, and those in clerical or manual labour roles feel most at risk. The survey of 4,543 workers across the US, UK, and Mexico found that AI is reshaping job roles, with 63 percent of respondents reporting that AI technologies has already changed the skills required for their jobs. More than half of those surveyed (52 percent) believe that AI will either completely transform or have a major impact on their roles within the next two years. As a result, 38 percent of workers anticipate the need for retraining due to job obsolescence, and almost half (45 percent) are worried about their future job security. More →
September 11, 2024
Digital transformation efforts yet to translate into greater productivity at many firms
by Neil Franklin • AI, News, Technology
British and Irish firms are increasing their investment in digital transformation, according to Docusign’s Digital Maturity Report 2024, but this hasn’t yet translated into improved productivity or digital maturity. The poll of 600 decision makers in the UK and Ireland, now in its second year, reveals what it claims is a ‘stark productivity and efficiency paradox’ for employers, as well as a Catch-22 for workers. More →
November 28, 2024
These are very early days in our relationship with Generative AI
by Jo Sutherland • AI, Comment
The launch of ChatGPT in late 2022 marked a milestone moment for artificial intelligence, bringing what was once a niche technology firmly into the mainstream. Suddenly, AI and especially Generative AI, wasn’t just the prerogative of data scientists and tech developers. It was a feature in everyday conversations, a presence in business strategies, and a catalyst for innovation across industries. In the months since, platforms like Gemini and Perplexity have emerged, pushing the boundaries of what AI can achieve while expanding its role in the workplace. More →