AI fails

[Psamathe]

We've been "here" several times before, and, no doubt, will be "here" several times in the future

People in the computer industry have a habit overselling.

My career was software development and I used to get dragged to sales presentations with customers and our salesperson would regularly promise the customer quite impossible things. Except I'd then interrupt and "No we can't do that, would never work ... But we can ..." basically saying our salesperson was büllshĩtting. For us it nearly always turned out well as customer would immediately decide I was the only honest straight person amongst potential suppliers, competitors were mistrusted and I'd become the full focus of questions and discussion and we'd win the contract (as they now trusted us).

But to me big risk AI might be just over enthusiasm from techies selling to people who don't understand it. Add fear of missing out and perfect storm.

 

[BoldonLad]

It's all about context though.
A quick phone call is quite sufficient for "Fancy going to the pub?" and more personal.

That is true if the "fancy going to the pub" means, like, right now, but, if it is "fancy going to the pub (tomorrow)", then, I would prefer the request, and answer, to nee as a message, as I said, I can attend to a message at my convenience, rather than a phone call, which may interrupt some other activity (including driving/cycling).

As I said, I am well outside the Gen Z "net", but, then again, so are my circle of drinking partners (also well outside the Gen Z "net") , all of our meet ups are arranged via a WhatApp group.

 

[Psamathe]

It's all about context though.
A quick phone call is quite sufficient for "Fancy going to the pub?" and more personal.

In some business situations these days even that can be better dealt with through texts, Signal, etc. which suggests a level of urgency without interruption mid something critical.

Towards the end of my working time we did have texts but they were nothing like the system or acceptance of today.

 

[BoldonLad]

People in the computer industry have a habit overselling.

My career was software development and I used to get dragged to sales presentations with customers and our salesperson would regularly promise the customer quite impossible things. Except I'd then interrupt and "No we can't do that, would never work ... But we can ..." basically saying our salesperson was büllshĩtting. For us it nearly always turned out well as customer would immediately decide I was the only honest straight person amongst potential suppliers, competitors were mistrusted and I'd become the full focus of questions and discussion and we'd win the contract (as they now trusted us).

But to me big risk AI might be just over enthusiasm from techies selling to people who don't understand it. Add fear of missing out and perfect storm.

Snap. 😊

My remarks reference: "being here before" etc were on the basis that a bubble is forming (or maybe has formed) where AI is concerned. As we have seen in the recent past, investment decisions are often taken by people who do not understand the product, but, get the swept along on a tide of "cannot risk missing out", or, equally, if not more dangerous, "I am clever enough to ride the wave, and, get out just at the right time".

Both beliefs no doubt work for some (as pyramid selling does) but, generally, they are not good news.

 

[Rusty Nails]

That is true if the "fancy going to the pub" means, like, right now, but, if it is "fancy going to the pub (tomorrow)", then, I would prefer the request, and answer, to nee as a message, as I said, I can attend to a message at my convenience, rather than a phone call, which may interrupt some other activity (including driving/cycling).

As I said, I am well outside the Gen Z "net", but, then again, so are my circle of drinking partners (also well outside the Gen Z "net") , all of our meet ups are arranged via a WhatApp group.

Why not make your get togethers even more efficient by just sitting at home drinking less expensive beer while chatting via WhatsApp and at the same time watching TV and trimming your toe nails?

 

[Pblakeney]

That is true if the "fancy going to the pub" means, like, right now, but, if it is "fancy going to the pub (tomorrow)", then, I would prefer the request, and answer, to nee as a message, as I said, I can attend to a message at my convenience, rather than a phone call, which may interrupt some other activity (including driving/cycling).

As I said, I am well outside the Gen Z "net", but, then again, so are my circle of drinking partners (also well outside the Gen Z "net") , all of our meet ups are arranged via a WhatApp group.

I guess that make me officially old. So be it, but I still organise things in person or over the phone.

 

[Rusty Nails]

There are times when emails are more useful and times when face-to-face is more effective.

The problem is getting the balance right.

 

[BoldonLad]

Why not make your get togethers even more efficient by just sitting at home drinking less expensive beer while chatting via WhatsApp and at the same time watching TV and trimming your toe nails?

Then, I would be Gen Z 😊

 

[The Crofted Crest]

It's quite the polite practice here in Holland to app people in advance and ask if it's convenient to ring them.

 

[briantrumpet]

Best thing I did was to turn off voice messaging at home, and then later on mobile. I've had too many calls where people haven't actually thought what they want to say before leaving a message, and waffle endlessly. I'm generally more of a text-based person anyway, as it tends to make people think a bit more about what they want to get across. Speech is great in dynamic situations where the chemistry of live brains pinging off each other can draw out bright ideas in the heat of discussion.

Having resisted for ages because of the Meta thing, I'm a convert to WhatsApp, as it does the job it sets out to do well, and is good for both just matey stuff as well as organising groups and having discussions either by text or video. I've also got Signal, at the suggestion of @PurplePenguin, but because the uptake by most people is very patchy, it's not got the same utility. But it's useful for the few people who won't do Meta in any shape or form (which I understand).

One organisation I work with uses Zoom for meetings, and they've started using AI to do the donkey work of the minutes from transcribing the spoken comments automatically - maybe not as pithy and clearly formatted as I'd ideally like, but surprisingly accurate for the most part (but always need checking, obvs.)

 

[Psamathe]

It's quite the polite practice here in Holland to app people in advance and ask if it's convenient to ring them.

I do that with family all the time. Also often qualified with eg "not urgent" or "sort <xxx>".

 

[Psamathe]

Having resisted for ages because of the Meta thing, I'm a convert to WhatsApp, as it does the job it sets out to do well, and is good for both just matey stuff as well as organising groups and having discussions either by text or video. I've also got Signal, at the suggestion of @PurplePenguin, but because the uptake by most people is very patchy, it's not got the same utility. But it's useful for the few people who won't do Meta in any shape or form (which I understand).

I refuse to install WhatsApp and before giving my details to anybody check if they are WhatsApp users (and they won't get my details if they are as most WhatsApp users allow Meta to take their entire Contacts list ...).

I do have a burner number so if I need a WhatsApp user to phone me they will get the burner number as it will be changing soon and gives Meta limited use.

That said I have installed WhatsApp travelling South America and without allowing it access to my Contacts and using a local SIM for the country I happen to be in (which lasts a month before changing) - mainly as WhatsApp is very widely used there eg by hostels, etc. (to the point where mobile networks don't count mobile data traffic from WhatsApp against you data allowance!

 

[Rusty Nails]

Then, I would be Gen Z 😊

Instead of Gen Zzzzzzz ?