Nick Schroeter
AI, Gen AI, Application
September 3, 2024
As Generative AI rapidly evolves, businesses and consumers alike are striving to understand and leverage its potential.
For engineers, the technical aspects—from vectorizing data to training large language models (LLMs)—are at the forefront of this technological revolution. For the rest of us, it represents an uncharted landscape of immense value and potential. In essence, we are all learning how to harness its power effectively.
In my quest to derive value from Generative AI, I’ve come to think of AI like a coloring book. We (humans) are the artists who draw the outlines of a picture, and AI is the tool that colors it in. The lines of the drawing represent the ‘context’ or ‘guidance’ that AI needs to effectively color within the lines. The color represents the detail and full articulation of the essential idea. Currently, AI adds value in this exact way. Humans create the guide and provide descriptive parameters, and AI can fill in the details, executing tasks with precision and efficiency. With clear instructions, AI can perform tasks accurately without veering off course.
To see this in action, consider using a tool like Chat GPT. If you ask Chat GPT to write an email about a topic without any specifics, the response will be generic and possibly off the mark:
“Write an email about a meeting.”
"Hi,
I wanted to reach out about the meeting. Let me know your thoughts.
Best regards,
[Your Name]"
Now, compare this with what happens when you provide more detailed instructions:
“Write a formal email to a client, informing them about the details of an upcoming project meeting scheduled for next Tuesday at 10 AM. Mention that we will discuss the project timeline, deliverables, and any concerns they might have. End the email by asking them to confirm their availability.”
"Dear [Client’s Name],
I hope this message finds you well. I wanted to remind you of our upcoming project meeting scheduled for next Tuesday, September 24, at 10:00 AM. During this meeting, we will discuss the project timeline, key deliverables, and address any questions or concerns you may have.
Please let me know if this time works for you or if you have any specific topics you’d like us to cover. I look forward to your confirmation and to our continued collaboration.
Best regards,
[Your Name]"
This comparison clearly shows how providing more context and detail enables AI to generate a response that is far more aligned with your needs.
When contemplating how to create value using AI, think of where you can draw the outlines and where AI can color in the details for you. By providing clear and precise guidance, you can harness AI to enhance your work and achieve your objectives more effectively.
At Causeway Solutions, we use AI on a daily basis to organize and analyze complex datasets. AI augments our predictive and prescriptive modeling capabilities and frees up time to focus on our clients’ business goals. The tool allows us to enhance our clients’ marketing and advertising strategies. Learn more by reaching out at [email protected].