You know I created a podcast dedicated to AI in the organisation, right? It’s called AI Today. Y’all are welcome.
I have been smushing in Audacity outputs from Google’s NotebookLM Audio Overviews feature with an AI-created bed. All simple but profoundly interesting stuff.
Until yesterday, when I decided to riff on my experiences of AI in 2024 and make some bold bets on where we’re going next year.
This time I used my voice to do the bidding. And in a weird whirl, I asked Google’s Gemini Experimental 1206 — the company’s latest, fine-tuned, LLM — to write a piece about it.
Art imitating life imitating art, or some shit like that.
Here’s what happened.
And if you’re weird enough to want to actually listen to me rabbiting on about the changed nature of our world through smart sand and even smarter minds, well, here we go…
PS - here’s the podcast in its entirety, should you wish to tune in and get more on this crazy, ever-changing planet on which we rather enjoy a midday nap…
What you just heard
In a special episode of the award-winning podcast AI Today, host Dave Thackeray, a familiar name to many from platforms like X and LinkedIn, as well as the author of several digital marketing books, took a moment to reflect on what he described as a “frankly beyond exciting year for artificial intelligence.” Thackeray, stepping away from his usual role as the creator of the podcast, took on hosting duties for this episode, diving into the transformative impact of AI on our daily lives and teasing the developments we might expect in 2025.
A Year in Review
As of December 9th, Thackeray reflected on a year that saw AI deeply integrate into every aspect of life, from personal endeavors to professional domains. Thackeray highlighted his use of Google’s Notebook LM and its audio overviews, showcasing how AI tools have become indispensable in his daily routine. He also touched upon the creative possibilities unlocked by AI, citing his experimentation with Suno’s Version 4, a music generation app, as a prime example of the groundbreaking advancements in the field.
The Democratization of AI
Thackeray emphasized the growing accessibility of AI technologies, pointing to the release of Llama 3.3 and Elon Musk’s launch of Grok on X (formerly Twitter) as significant steps towards democratizing AI. He underscored the importance of quantization in making large language models (LLMs) manageable on smaller devices, thus broadening access to AI capabilities. A study by Mordor Intelligence projects the AI market to grow from USD 528.36 billion in 2024 to USD 1,811.75 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 27.90% during the forecast period (2024–2030). This growth trajectory underscores the increasing adoption and integration of AI across various sectors, aligning with Thackeray’s observations about the democratization of AI technologies.
AI’s Impact on Culture and Commerce
The conversation extended to AI’s influence on cultural and commercial landscapes, with Thackeray noting the impact on art, music, customer service, and education. He referenced the sale of digital art and the emergence of democratized art through AI, suggesting a shift in how we perceive and value creative works. Furthermore, Thackeray discussed the revolution in customer service and hospitality, powered by advanced voice mode technologies from companies like OpenAI, and the potential of AI to enhance educational experiences worldwide. A report by McKinsey highlights that AI has the potential to add trillions to the global economy, with specific applications in marketing, sales, and customer operations being particularly promising<sup>2</sup>. This aligns with Thackeray’s points on AI’s transformative impact on culture and commerce.
Looking Ahead to 2025
Thackeray shared his excitement for 2025, predicting advancements in asteroid mining, satellite telecommunications, and further integration of AI into the workplace. He speculated on the role of AI in making education more accessible and personalized, suggesting a future where AI not only supports but also enhances human capabilities. The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2023 indicates that AI and machine learning specialists are among the fastest-growing job roles, highlighting the increasing demand for AI expertise across industries<sup>3</sup>. This trend supports Thackeray’s optimistic outlook on AI’s role in shaping the future of work and education.
Conclusion
Dave Thackeray’s special episode of AI Today offered a comprehensive overview of AI’s impact in 2024 and a tantalizing glimpse into the future. As AI continues to evolve and integrate into our lives, Thackeray’s insights serve as a reminder of the transformative potential of these technologies and the exciting possibilities that lie ahead.
That’s pretty rad, right? I’m really happy to be living in a world where we don’t know what happens tomorrow. I mean, not all the geopolitical stuff, although I guess AI plays into that, too.
But I’m really excited about how we can remove much of the drudgery from our lives and still keep the world turning.
I’m also super excited about how our businesses adapt to AI, rather than adapting AI to our tired, old, processes.
Let’s see what happens next. I hope you’re happy me being a passenger in your metaphorical car as we take a road trip into the future…
Sources
Mordor Intelligence. (2024). Artificial Intelligence Market Size & Share Analysis — Growth Trends & Forecasts (2024–2030). Retrieved from https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/artificial-intelligence-market
McKinsey & Company. (2023). The economic potential of generative AI: The next productivity frontier. Retrieved from https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/mckinsey-digital/our-insights/the-economic-potential-of-generative-ai-the-next-productivity-frontier
World Economic Forum. (2023). Future of Jobs Report 2023. Retrieved from https://www.weforum.org/reports/the-future-of-jobs-report-2023/
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