In the latest HCI Webinar, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Artem Koren about pioneering the way forward in artificial intelligence at work. Below is a summary of the main points from their conversation! Check out the full episode and let us know what you think!
Watch the episode here:
Quick Recap
Jonathan and Artem discussed the rapid development and adoption of artificial intelligence in the workplace, focusing on Assembly, an AI technology company co-founded by Artem that specializes in AI teammate technology. They explored the potential impact of AI on various industries, highlighting its ability to automate repetitive tasks and free up time for higher-order thinking, while also addressing concerns about data security and privacy. The conversation concluded with a discussion about their collaboration and upcoming podcast episode, emphasizing the exciting possibilities AI presents for the future of work.
AI Adoption and Future of Work
Jonathan and Artem discussed the rapid development and mass adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and large language models in the workplace, particularly since the launch of Chat GPT. They noted that while AI and machine learning have been around for a while, the current mass adoption is new and exciting, but also overwhelming. They also highlighted the importance of using AI to create positive change and enrich humanity. Artem shared his background in technology and management consulting, and his experience in helping large organizations manage their workforce effectively. The conversation was set to explore how to pioneer and move forward in a healthy and productive way in the context of AI and the future of work.
Assembly's AI Teammate Technology Origins
Artem discussed the origins of Assembly, an AI technology company he co-founded with Gil Mcclellaugh in 2019. The idea for Assembly was born out of the need for AI to understand and analyze conversations in meetings, which are a significant part of most knowledge workers' daily activities. The company has survived various challenges, including the pandemic and the technology revolution brought about by large language models. Today, Assembly is a leader in AI teammate technology, offering products that can attend meetings, understand the participants, and automate manual activities such as document creation and meeting notes. Jonathan agreed with Artem's points, noting the proliferation of meetings during the pandemic and the usefulness of tools like Assembly in tracking and summarizing these meetings.
Integrating AI Models for Efficiency
Artem discussed the advancements in artificial intelligence, particularly in the field of language models. He highlighted the strengths of OpenAI's GPT, Anthropic's Claude, Google's Gemini, and Nvidia's Meta Llama. However, he pointed out the limitations of these models, which lack contextual understanding and specific information about the user or their work. Artem emphasized the need for a system that can integrate these powerful AI models into daily work, enabling them to create specialized artifacts and responses tailored to the user's situation. He suggested that such a system could potentially produce more complete and accurate results than the user themselves.
Data Security and AI Trends
Jonathan and Artem discussed the importance of data security and confidentiality in their work, particularly in relation to AI and generative AI. Artem highlighted that their organization has implemented numerous security measures, including SOC 2 certification, to ensure strong confidentiality and security. They also addressed the issue of consent and privacy, acknowledging that these are individual dimensions that need to be addressed. Jonathan expressed his understanding of the concerns around data security and the potential of AI in the workplace, and asked Artem about the future trends in AI. Artem responded by describing the rapid progress of AI technology over the past two years, and hinted at the potential for even more significant developments in the next few years.
AI's Impact on Industries and Workers
Artem discussed the potential impact of AI on different industries and workers. He used the example of an eye surgeon, suggesting that AI would likely have a significant impact on the service economy, particularly in information-driven sectors. He likened the process of working on a project to an airplane flight, with different stages requiring varying levels of human intervention. He suggested that as AI technology advances, more tasks will become automated, freeing up human resources for more complex tasks.
AI Automation in Workplace Benefits
Artem discussed the benefits of automation in the workplace, particularly in relation to AI. He explained how AI can free up time for higher-order thinking and strategic planning, as it can handle repetitive tasks such as meeting notes and document creation. He also mentioned that AI can predict needs and correspond with other team members, potentially making meetings more social and less focused on execution. Jonathan agreed with Artem's points, expressing excitement about the potential for AI to automate repetitive tasks and allow for more strategic work. The conversation ended with Artem providing information on how to connect with his team and learn more about their work.
Listen to the webinar here:
