Your AI Coffee Break #7
A weekly roundup of AI news, updates, reviews and random facts brought to you by the founders of Contented AI, Hannah and Lucy.
Welcome to the seventh edition of the Contented AI newsletter- as always our goal is for you to be kept in the loop with the latest developments in AI, without feeling overwhelmed or left behind.
That's why we've crafted a snappy, action-packed weekly read that's perfect to enjoy with your favourite beverage—coffee, tea, juice, or even a spiced chai latte. 🍵
Sit back, relax, and let us do the AI heavy lifting for you.
This week we cover
🤲The impact of Contented and Hannah’s two babies
⚖️ The legislation with a lot of vowels (The new EU AI Act)
👍 AI to help with climate change
🙃 Black Mirror: The Sci-Fi series- too close to home?
👎 The bias of AI imagery- worse than humans
🖼️ Leonardo Da Vinci and how he could have leveraged AI
👥 Contented AI updates: Our recent adventures and collaborations
🛠️ Product of the week: Ovrcome (for phobias)
💡 Prompt/tip of the week- create FAQ’s in a flash
Update from Hannah 👋
As many of you will know I have another start up baby (well more like a tantruming toddler sometimes!) called The Kite Program. Kite was born from my own struggles as a new mum when I was diagnosed with postpartum bipolar disorder.
Instead of going back to my corporate HR career I decided to launch a mental health tech start up so I could make an impact on mums (at first) and then the wider population. Since then we have helped vets, lawyers, people with eating disorders, at risk youth, businesses of all sizes and the health industry. Its been a joy working in this space for the past 4 years and I have always been driven by impact.
What I have found with our work with Contented AI is that the impact we are having on people is 100 times more than I have ever been able to have with Kite. (When I say 100 times I haven’t measured this but you get my point!). This is the result of two things:
We can actually see the impact on each person in our Contented work. With an app you very rarely are able to see the users and see the impact. Its also rare to get feedback on the app unless you seek it or ask the businesses for direct feedback.
Kite supports people with their mental health is a very calm and passive way. Its a small part of their day (although wonderful) and gives them tools to reduce stress and burnout. With Contented we are actively involved in reducing burnout and can help clients with almost all part of their lives both professional and personal. We can see the changes in real time- its anything but passive.
I say this as if I am choosing one child over the other. Kite will always be a passion and important part of my life. I am just so enjoying having impact on a completely different level with Contented. Having an amazing co-founder in Lucy definitely helps too!
If you know anyone that would benefit from a chat with either Lucy or myself then please send them our way- hello@contentedai.com
Have a great week!
Hannah
1/2 of Contented AI
Connect with me on Linkedin 👋
The EU AI Act (Its a tongue twister!)
On June 14 the European Union made some serious moves to regulate artificial intelligence (AI) - the first in the world to do so. The new rules will apply to everyone who makes and uses AI in the EU, even if they're based elsewhere. The stricter the rules, the riskier the AI. So, things like real-time facial recognition in public and predictive policing are a big no-no. Even big social media platforms and AI chatbots have some rules to follow - they’ve got to be upfront about using AI and put in place safety measures against dodgy content.
If you break these rules, the fines can be pretty hefty. We're talking up to €40 million ($70 million NZD) or up to 7% of a company's worldwide annual turnover, whichever is more. That's a lot steeper than the fines under Europe’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
It's also worth noting that the AI Act will apply to any company that develops or deploys AI systems in the EU, even if they are located outside the area. So, small businesses outside of the EU that offer their AI-based products or services in the EU will also need to comply with the Act.
Although agreed upon in its draft form, has to go through a process of negotiation and approval by different EU bodies before it becomes law. Even if the act is adopted quickly, it's expected to come into effect at the earliest in 2025.
Webinar: AI-Powered Stock Image Generation using MidJourney! Secure your place 📸
Thanks to everyone who has signed up for our upcoming webinar on MidJourney. We are looking at hosting the webinar in the first week of July.
Whether you're a marketing expert, a graphic designer or a small business owner striving to elevate your brand's visual identity, this webinar will provide invaluable insights.
An overview of the AI-powered image generator and its unique features.
Step-by-step guide on setting up your account and navigating the platform.
Techniques and best practices to generate compelling images that align with your brand.
Real-life examples of businesses successfully utilising MidJourney for their brand enhancement.
👉 Complete this form to secure your place
News stories: Good, bad and the wacky 📰
👍 Good - Analysing Climate data
Boston Consulting Group has said that AI can help tackle climate change issues worldwide. It can predict long-term problems like rising sea levels and immediate threats like hurricanes. For instance, a company called Pano AI uses AI to scan videos from mountain cameras to spot wildfires early, helping homeowners and fire crews respond quickly.
👎 Bad - Generative AI even more biased that humans
A recent Bloomberg study investigating Stable Diffusion, a generative AI image program, revealed significant racial and gender disparities in its image output. The analysis of over 5,000 images uncovered an over-representation of white males in leadership roles and an underrepresentation of women in professional positions. The program also disproportionately depicted men with dark skin in criminal roles and women with dark skin in low-wage jobs.
🪞Wacky- New season of Black Mirror on Netflix
Hit Netflix series Black Mirror has launched its sixth season after a four-year hiatus, bringing its signature dystopian predictions for technology and society. Episode one, Joan is Awful, tells the story of an average woman, Joan, who discovers her life is being monitored through phone surveillance and made into a TV show in almost real-time, with her character played by an artificial intelligence deep fake of Salma Hayek, who sold her likeness to the streaming company. Its worth a watch!
This Week’s AI-ified Character- Leonardo Da Vinci
ChatGPT, how would Leonardo Da Vinci have used AI if it were available?
If Leonardo da Vinci had access to AI, he would likely have utilised it as a creative tool in his artwork, employing algorithms to generate ideas and assist in the creation of intricate details. In the realm of science, he would have used AI to analyse and interpret data from his experiments, accelerating his discoveries and deepening his understanding of subjects like anatomy, physics, and engineering. Additionally, AI simulations and modelling would have allowed him to refine his inventive designs, virtually test prototypes, and predict outcomes before physically constructing them. Da Vinci's fascination with natural phenomena could have been further explored using AI algorithms to simulate and study water flow, air currents, and bird flight.
Contented updates 👥
Our recent adventures and collaborations
We have been booking more seminars and training sessions- AI education is the hot topic everywhere so we are enjoying sharing our insights and knowledge
We are loving the diversity of our clients- especially small businesses who don’t have the budget for a lot of marketing or reach outs. Such a great impact our AI tools can have!
We are helping a new startup with 70’s inspired AI imagery for her marketing and product launch- such fun. 🕺
Product of the week 🛠️
oVRcome- Exposure therapy VR for phobias
What can it do?
oVRcome brings clinically proven Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy direct to your smartphone. You can overcome phobias and social anxiety in the privacy of your own home.
Why do we love it?
Hannah has just started to use it for her moth phobia- its such an easily accessible option than going to a therapist! It makes this sort of treatment so much more achievable to the everyday person.
How to get started?
Head to https://www.ovrcome.io/- once ordered your VR headset with be delivered to your home and it works alongside the oVRcome app.
Prompt/tip of the week 💡
Struggling to write FAQs for your product or services? Cover all of your bases with this FAQ prompt.
You: I want you to act as a potential consumer of a mental health app <replace with a description of your product or services> that might have some concerns about the product. What are some FAQs you might ask?ChatGPT: Certainly! Here are some questions I have for you:
What is your mental health app?
How can your app help with mental health?
Is the app suitable for everyone?
How do I sign up for a trial of your app?
Is the trial free? If not, what is the cost?
How long does the trial period last?
What features are included in the trial version?
Will I have access to customer support during the trial?
Can I cancel the trial at any time?
What happens after the trial ends?
How can I upgrade to a paid subscription if I find the app helpful?
Is the app available on both iOS and Android devices?
Is my personal information and data secure while using the app?
Does the app require an internet connection to function?
Can I use the app offline?
Are there any specific system requirements for using the app?
Can I use the app alongside other mental health treatments or therapies?
Are there any age restrictions for using the app?
How often are app updates released?
How can I provide feedback or report issues during the trial?
Feel free to modify these questions to better suit your specific app and target audience.You: Thanks - can you provide me with some effective answers?Thanks for reading
If you have any questions or comments, please reach out to us at hello@contentedai.com, or hit subscribe below if you’d like this newsletter weekly.