Welcome to the Daily AI News podcast.
Ready for another deep dive?
Always.
Awesome.
Today, we're focusing on AI agents
and how they're impacting everything.
We've got news from Google and Meta,
some updates on how the US government is handling AI,
and even a look at how AI is changing retail.
Sounds like we've got a lot to cover.
We do.
So to kick things off, Google is making some big moves
with Project Jarvis.
Yeah, this one's interesting.
It's an AI that can take control of your web browser.
It can do stuff like research and shopping online for you.
What's the big deal here?
Well, the idea is to create an AI that's
kind of like a super advanced assistant, right?
It integrates with your computer seamlessly.
So it's not just finding information,
but actually helping you use it.
Exactly.
OK, so how's that different from what Microsoft and OpenAI
are doing with their research agents?
They're also browsing the web and gathering info.
Right, but it's a subtle difference.
Microsoft and OpenAI are mainly focused on information
gathering, but Google and companies like Anthropic
want to go further, change how we interact with technology.
So you're saying it's not just about finding a recipe online,
but having the AI actually open the recipe app
and walk you through it.
Yeah.
Think of it as a deeper level of integration,
making tech more intuitive and user friendly.
That's pretty wild.
And speaking of AI and content creation,
Meta's come out with notebook llama.
It's their open source version of Google's podcast generator.
This is a big deal for making this technology
accessible to more people.
Right.
So how does this thing work?
Can it turn any text into a podcast?
Pretty much.
You feed a text and it creates a script
and then uses text to speech to make it sound like a podcast
dialogue.
I've heard the voices can be a bit robotic.
Yeah, and sometimes they talk over each other.
It's still early stages, but the potential is huge.
Imagine AI agents debating and making a whole podcast
outline.
I know, right?
OK, let's shift gears to something a bit more serious.
AI and national security.
What's the latest there?
Well, President Biden is putting out new guidelines
for the Pentagon and intelligence agencies about AI.
What are these guidelines all about?
Think of it as encouraging responsible AI use, right?
Like avoiding stuff that could violate human rights
or mess with sensitive stuff like nuclear weapons.
So basically setting boundaries.
But are these rules legally binding?
Good question.
They aren't right now, which means a future administration
could change them.
So there's some uncertainty.
OK.
And what about the global landscape?
The US is also trying to stay ahead in AI development,
especially with competition from China.
Right.
It's a global race.
And on that note, let's talk about how AI is shaking up
the business world, specifically retail.
You mean tiny AI?
Yeah, these smaller AI models.
They sound kind of cute, but are they really powerful?
Oh, absolutely.
They're smaller, yeah.
But they can be just as effective for certain tasks
and much cheaper.
So like a small superhero with laser focus,
that's a good analogy, right?
Huh.
I like it.
Yeah, so these smaller models are great for things
like document processing, things that
don't need massive computing power.
So smaller retailers can actually use them.
Exactly.
It's leveling the playing field.
Like H20.AI has these small AI models
that are great for text recognition and stuff
and way cheaper to run.
This is amazing for smaller businesses
that can't invest in a huge AI system.
Right.
Imagine a small business optimizing its inventory with AI.
That was unheard of before.
This is great.
But are there any downsides?
Are these tiny AI models a cure all?
Not really.
You still need careful planning, training, good data,
and domain expertise.
You can't just plug in a model and expect magic.
So it's about using AI strategically, makes sense.
Now, what about AI and customer service?
Seems like AI agents are going to be everywhere soon.
Definitely.
Cisco, for example, wants AI to handle most first-time customer
calls in a few years.
Whoa.
Are we talking about replacing humans entirely?
That's a big question.
There are pros and cons.
AI agents can work 2047, no hold times,
and can potentially be more efficient.
Sounds good for the customer.
But what happens to the human customer service reps?
Yeah, that's a real concern.
Some people think AI will just help humans
focus on the harder stuff.
Others are worried about job losses.
It's a bit of a crossroads, isn't it?
OK, so what about the practical challenges?
Can you just flip a switch and let the AI take over?
Not quite.
It takes planning, training, and constant refinement.
We've seen those chatbots that go off the rails
and cause PR disasters.
So should companies build their own AI agents?
Or are there ready-made solutions?
That's the big question, right?
Building your own gives you more control,
but it takes a lot of resources.
Managed solutions are easier, but might not be as customizable.
So it depends on the company's needs.
And finally, let's talk about cryptocurrency and AI.
Coinbase has a new platform called BaseAgent.
That's kind of blowing my mind.
It's a cool concept.
BaseAgent lets developers quickly create AI agents that
can do complex crypto stuff.
So like giving AI the reins in the crypto world,
what can these agents actually do?
Imagine AI that can buy and sell crypto based on market changes
or manage those DeFi protocols, even
execute smart contracts.
The possibilities are pretty huge.
And Coinbase is making this accessible.
Like how easy is it to use?
They say you can build a custom agent in under three minutes.
Wow, it's fast.
Yeah.
And it really shows how quickly we can develop and use
AI solutions these days.
So Coinbase is really pushing the limits in crypto.
Definitely.
And it fits with their idea of an agentic web,
where AI is driving the economy.
It's like the future is happening right now.
It really is.
It's a pretty bold vision, this agentic web.
AI agents making their own moves in the digital world.
Yeah, it's kind of hard to grasp AI buying and selling
and running the show with our digital assets.
It's like a sci-fi movie.
It does feel futuristic, right?
But there are challenges.
Like how do we know these AI agents will be secure and reliable?
What if some rogue AI goes haywire and messes
with everyone's crypto?
Oh, man, don't even go there.
But seriously, what does this mean for us?
Are we just going to sit back and watch AI run the economy?
That's a big question.
A lot of people are worried about what AI will do to jobs.
Some experts say it'll just free us up
to do more creative stuff.
Others are, well, worried about people losing their jobs.
So it's like a fork in the road.
AI is changing things, but we got to make sure it's
like a good change for everyone.
Exactly.
We need to talk about the agentic web, the good and the bad.
OK, let's go back to AI customer service for a sec.
We talked about the pluses, like 24-7 service.
But are there other perks?
One thing is personalized service.
AI can look at data and predict what a customer needs,
even reach out before there's a problem.
So it's not just reacting to complaints,
but making the whole experience smoother.
Exactly.
Imagine an AI that remembers you, your preferences,
and can guess what you'll need next.
That would change everything.
Sounds amazing.
But let's be honest.
AI isn't exactly known for empathy.
Can they really pull this off?
That's a good point.
Teaching AI to understand and respond to emotions,
that's a big challenge.
We don't want robots.
We want AI that can connect with us.
It's got to be a mix, right?
Efficiency and that human touch.
Yeah, finding that balance.
AI should help us, not replace us completely.
Speaking of AI helping, we talked about tiny AI
and how it can help small businesses.
What makes them so special?
They're efficient and affordable.
Those big AI models need tons of power and money.
Tiny AI models are smaller,
but they can do amazing things for specific tasks.
Like having a tiny but super efficient machine,
no wasted energy.
Exactly.
Perfect for inventory, predictions,
personalized recommendations,
things that help small businesses
run smoothly and compete.
That's fantastic.
But are there limits?
What can't they do?
Well, they might not be as smart or adaptable
as the big models.
They could struggle with complex things,
and they definitely need good training.
So use the right tool for the job.
Tiny AI is great, but not a solution for everything.
Exactly.
Know your AI and use it strategically.
Okay, let's talk about AI and national security.
We touched on it earlier,
but how's the US government handling this?
They're being cautious, but proactive.
They see the potential, but also the risks.
The guidelines they're putting out
are all about responsible AI use.
So not just building powerful AI,
but making sure it's used ethically.
Right, the focus is on avoiding bias,
discrimination, and protecting privacy.
And they're worried about AI being used for bad things.
It's a tough balance, isn't it?
Pushing innovation, but also preventing harm.
For sure.
The US is investing in research,
working with companies,
and talking to other countries
to figure out the best way forward.
So it takes tech smarts, ethics, and global cooperation.
Exactly.
AI and national security is a global issue.
We all need to work together to make sure AI
is a force for good.
It really is a global conversation.
And a reminder that we can't just focus on the cool stuff
in AI and forget about the bigger picture.
Totally.
As AI gets more advanced,
we have to think about how it's gonna change
our relationship with technology.
What are some of the big questions
we should be asking ourselves?
Well, one thing is figuring out who does what.
Like what tasks should AI handle?
And what needs a human touch?
You know, things like judgment, creativity, and empathy.
How can we use AI to make us better, not just replace us?
It's about finding that balance, working together.
Yeah.
But how do we make sure everyone benefits?
That's a great point.
We've gotta watch out for bias in these AI systems, you know?
Make sure they're fair and inclusive.
And think about how AI is going to impact the economy.
It shouldn't just help a few people,
it should benefit everyone.
So we need to put people first
when we're building and using AI.
Absolutely.
AI should be working for us, not the other way around.
And that means talking about it,
thinking about the ethics,
and being ready to adapt as AI keeps getting better.
So what can we do to make sure our relationship with AI
is a good one?
I think education is key.
We need to learn about AI, what it can do,
what it can't do, how it works.
The more we understand,
the better we can shape its future.
So knowledge is power when it comes to AI.
Exactly.
And we need to make sure the people creating AI
come from diverse backgrounds.
Different perspectives will make AI more equitable
for everyone.
That makes a lot of sense.
And finally, we need everyone at the table.
The tech people, the ethicists, the policy makers,
and regular people like us, we all have a stake in this.
We need to work together to make sure AI is used for good.
This has been such an eye-opening deep dive.
We've covered so much.
I feel like I have a way better grasp on AI now,
and I'm cautiously optimistic
about what the future holds.
Me too.
AI is a powerful tool.
And if we use it wisely,
it can change the world in amazing ways.
It's up to us to make that happen.
Thanks for listening to the Daily AI News Podcast,
and stay tuned for more.