Pavan Davuluri, corporate vice president of Windows and Devices at Microsoft, talks about Recall in … [+] Microsoft's May 20 briefing event at Microsoft in Redmond, Washington, May 20, 2024. Microsoft on Monday unveiled a new category of PCs with generative artificial intelligence tools built directly into Windows, the company's world-class operating system. The tech giant estimates that more than 50 million “AI PCs” will be sold in the next 12 months, given the demand for devices equipped with ChatGPT-style technology. (Photo by Jason Redmond/AFP) (Photo by Jason Redmond/AFP via Getty Images)
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1 – A Windows AI feature that screenshots anything that is labeled as a security “disaster.”
Microsoft's Recall for Copilot has raised privacy concerns among cybersecurity experts. The Windows AI feature automatically takes screenshots of tasks performed on your PC. If important data is lost, Recall can recover it in seconds. The feature poses potential security risks, as discovered and shared by cybersecurity expert Kevin Beaumont when he tested it. He warned that hackers could gain access to sensitive information that Recall stores in its database. Microsoft has said the feature has built-in privacy controls. (Source: The Verge)
Why this matters to your business:
Like any AI feature, this one will take time to be fully tested. I would tell your IT team to deselect Windows Recall on Windows 11 devices and reassess in 6 months or so. Windows Recall has a lot of potential, but it seems too early to implement it in your business, and the security concerns are justified.
2 – LinkedIn expands video ads and AI tools to help B2B marketers.
LinkedIn is expanding its Wire program, designed to help business-to-business (B2B) marketers build their brands. The initiative provides access to resources, mentorship and networking opportunities to help companies scale and reach potential customers. The expansion includes additional benefits such as access to LinkedIn's Sales Navigator, expanded marketing opportunities and increased support for companies at various stages of development. (Source: Search Engine Land)
Why this matters to your business:
LinkedIn has become a very important marketing tool for many businesses, especially those selling B2B. I use LinkedIn at my own company and will be testing it out in the coming months. If you use LinkedIn, I encourage you to do the same.
3 – Zoom CEO envisions AI deepfakes joining meetings on your behalf.
Zoom CEO Eric Yuan spoke about the prospect of “digital twins” participating in meetings on behalf of employers and employees. “Let's say the team is waiting for the CEO's decision… my digital twin can truly represent me,” he gave as an example. The idea has met with resistance due to the significant risks, such as AI deepfakes participating in meetings on behalf of users. The “hallucinatory” element, where chatbots are recorded responding to certain questions, is also problematic. “… we are confident that these issues will be truly fixed,” Yuan said, but did not provide specific details on when and how such features will be implemented on Zoom's platform. (Source: Ars Technica)
Why this matters to your business:
It will take some time for people to get used to a “digital assistant” that can pose as a real employee to attend meetings. The added risk of deepfakes further complicates adoption. As with Windows Recall above, this is a very early example of AI technology that may not yet have seen the level of use and testing necessary to determine it is not only effective but also safe. Use this feature sparingly and reassess its potential in six months.
4 – AI-powered robots roam Seattle construction sites, speeding up the building process and improving safety.
At a Seattle construction project, an AI-powered robot is revolutionizing the building process. Deployed by construction company Skanska, the robot takes high-resolution 360-degree photos of the site. According to Stewart Germain, Skanska's director of innovation, the robot can move around the site unsupervised and even climb stairs. The photos are then uploaded to the company's AI-powered system, which helps manage a range of issues, including quality control and safety. The innovation reflects the increasing adoption of AI and robotics in the construction industry, which is expected to increase efficiency and improve working conditions for construction workers. (Source: GeekWire)
Why this matters to your business:
It's exciting and it's only going to get better with time. Skanska is a large company with about 35,000 employees. And this is exactly what I've been writing about AI in 2024, which is that AI will be adopted by large companies after they make significant investments. Eventually, you'll see this technology trickle down to small and medium-sized businesses, so stay tuned.
Between 5 and 70 percent of restaurant small businesses using instant payments instead of checks say convenience is their biggest benefit.
According to data collected in a Pymnts report, 70% of small and mid-sized restaurants use instant payments, citing convenience as its primary benefit. Instant payments allow restaurants to streamline transactions, improve cash flow, and increase operational efficiency. Additionally, this trend reflects a broader shift toward faster payment methods across industries, driven by the demand for faster, more convenient financial transactions. (Source: Pymnts)
Why this matters to your business:
Is this a surprise? It was a surprise to me. I thought restaurants would prolong payments to smooth out cash flow, but apparently that's not the case. It makes sense. Not only would digital payments ensure more real-time cash flow analysis (more timely reconciliation of payments and receipts), but they would also lead to happier vendors and suppliers.
