Very interesting! Considering how careless I have been using the latest technology, as I described in my last post about accessing QR codes, I was hesitant to try an AI program.
But recently, my new lawn service company sent me an invoice using a .pdf format. When I opened it, I noticed that my updated Adobe program now provides an AI “button” at the top right of the document. Hmm. . .
I saved the document to my local hard drive so that I could “practice” using the AI option without being on the Internet. When I clicked on the AI option, here is what happened.
I asked it a question: “What is this document?”
The response? “The document is an invoice for irrigation services provided by Advanced Florida Outdoor.”
NOTE: The word “irrigation” did not appear anywhere on the document!
[I closed the document. About an hour later, I re-opened the document, clicked on the AI Assistant again, and the original answer was still there, so, I asked it another question]:
“How did you know this work was for irrigation?”
- The answer: “Based on the information provided in the document, we can determine that this work was for irrigation because of the following clues:
- The company name: “Advanced Florida Outdoor” suggests that they specialize in outdoor services, which commonly includes irrigation systems.
- The items listed in the table under the “DESCRIPTION” column include specific irrigation components such as rotors, adapters, couplings, and stakes.
- The description of the work performed in the “BALANCE DUE” section mentions checking zones for broken heads, adjustments, and coverage, replacing and raising a rotor head, moving an existing rotor, replacing a nozzle, and repairing tubing. ā These tasks are all related to irrigation system maintenance and repair.
- The mention of checking the program for summer months indicates that the work involved adjusting the irrigation system settings for seasonal changes, further confirming that it is related to irrigation.
- Therefore, based on these clues, we can conclude that the work described in the document was for irrigation.”
WOW!
A few weeks later, after I had saved my latest “Mr. Smiles” book to send to the printer, I decided to click on the AI Assistant again.
It took a few seconds to ‘review’ the document. Then, it said:
- “The document is about a children’s book called “Mr. Smiles and Changing Cruel to Cool,” which is part of the “Mr. Smiles” series and focuses on managing negative situations.
- I can see that this document contains charts, diagrams, or images. Iām not able to include information from them in my responses because Iām still learning how to interpret them.”
I thought that second paragraph was very interesting. I was struck by the casual tone of voice, using the contraction “I’m” instead of “I am.” I was also interested to see how it seemed to be a bit apologetic that it couldn’t interpret the illustrator’s drawings. . .
Anyone out there use AI? I wouldn’t want to use it for my writing, but I have heard that many folks, including lawyers, use it for research or drafts.
Of course, as with all things tech, there are already warnings about the potential for scams, fraud, etc. So, please, as always, be careful.
WOW is right! It’s so exciting that you are always exploring š
As someone who uses tech in a number of ways for business and personal, I have used Baird AI and tried out some other platforms for tasks including the creation of contracts, investment proposals and marketing ideas. I have not, however, clicked on the “AI” integrations on web searches or documents, like you are mentioning here.
Your observations are both thrilling at the advancements we are making in technology, and unsettling with how quickly the AI tech is advancing. The emotive tone is particularly comforting and thought provoking!
As with all things involving ‘we humans’, my hope is that we can continue to use our tools for the greater good, which your observation show it did. Next stop, curing disease and solving climate change š
Cindi, that makes a lot of sense for using AI to create contracts, investment proposals, and marketing ideas. Although, as all commentators recommend, and knowing you, I know that you review what the bot has created! Contracts and proposals need to be thoroughly vetted before letting some’one’ commit you to a certain action.
And I agree about the scary part. It’s interesting to read about the various companies that are deeply involved in the AI world worried about the potential harm.
Knowing that I spend a lot of my time writing about fraud, I am not surprised that some humans would use this super-fast computing capability for bad. And yet, as you also point out, perhaps this ability can be used for good.
We’ll see!
I’ve been nervous about using AI, although Rollins students have told us that they use AI for almost all their papers and projects. Asking AI what AI is gets you a nice two page summary! Willing to learn, but being VERY cautious.
Agree with exactly what you said, Carol!
The fact that students use AI for their “homework” is a bit sad (I know, I’m old-school), BUT, didn’t we do research for our homework? Isn’t this just another way of compiling research?
IF that’s all the students are doing, then I say, okay, especially because it’s faster (but they lose the “enjoyment” of being frustrated with going down rabbit holes with wrong-way research attempts – personal experiences, I admit).
If they are using AI to reach conclusions, then more direction is needed from the teachers.
I did not receive the grade I thought I deserved for Legal Research and Writing in law school, but after the professor explained, I realized that I just handed in a bunch of research without any real thought or conclusion. Lesson learned and, I hope, remembered.
Continue with the cautious route.
Remember: Garbage In, Garbage Out!!
Great post – really liked how the AI went through its logic for labelling the invoice as irrigation services. I rarely use AI for work, although maybe I should, to save time. One thing I thought of while reading your post was that I could use Gen AI to write those pesky “why are you a good fit for this job?” prompts in applications by plugging in my resume and the job description. I’ll update you if it works!
HAHA about your idea, Eric, to create template “why are you a good fit for this job?” I think it’s only fair, considering that the question, itself, is rote and not tailored to the applicant.
Let us know how it goes!!