The impact of generative AI on our lives has been subtle, gradually integrating into various aspects, from the technology in our smartphones to the autonomous features in cars and the tools retailers use to engage consumers. Unlike clear milestones, such as AlphaGo’s victory in 2016, which quickly faded from public consciousness, recent generative AI applications like ChatGPT, GitHub Copilot, and Stable Diffusion have captured global imagination due to their broad utility and remarkable conversational abilities.
“Like with all technological revolutions, I expect there to be significant impact on jobs, but exactly what that impact looks like is very difficult to predict…I believe that there will be far greater jobs on the other side of this, and that the jobs of today will get better…I think it’s important to understand and think about GPT-4 as a tool, not a creature, which is easy to get confused, and it’s a tool that people have a great deal of control over and how they use it. And second, GPT-4 and other systems like it are good at doing tasks, not jobs.” ~Sam Altman
While earlier generative AI applications focused on routine tasks like data organization, the latest breakthroughs allow these technologies to write text, compose music, and create digital art. This shift has led consumers and households to explore these capabilities independently, prompting a wider range of stakeholders to grapple with the impact of generative AI on business and society, often without sufficient context.
The pace of generative AI’s development adds complexity to understanding its implications. ChatGPT’s release in November 2022 was swiftly followed by OpenAI’s introduction of GPT-4 with enhanced capabilities just four months later. Similarly, Anthropic’s generative AI, Claude, demonstrated significant improvement in processing text within a short period. Google, in May 2023, unveiled new features powered by generative AI, showcasing the rapid evolution of this technology.
To comprehend the future of generative AI, it’s essential to grasp the breakthroughs that paved the way for its rise. Built on foundation models with expansive neural networks inspired by the human brain, generative AI marks a step-change evolution within deep learning. These models can process extensive and diverse sets of unstructured data, performing multiple tasks—an advancement beyond previous deep learning models.
“Generative AI has the potential to change the world in ways that we can’t even imagine. It has the power to create new ideas, products, and services that will make our lives easier, more productive, and more creative. It also has the potential to solve some of the world’s biggest problems, such as climate change, poverty, and disease. The future of generative AI is bright, and I’m excited to see what it will bring.” ~Bill Gates
Foundation models have revolutionized capabilities across various modalities, from images and videos to audio and computer code. They empower AI to classify, edit, summarize, answer questions, and create content. As we embark on understanding generative AI’s power, reach, and capabilities, this research underscores its potential to transform roles and enhance performance across functions like sales, marketing, customer operations, and software development. The transformative impact of generative AI could unlock trillions of dollars in value across sectors, from banking to life sciences, marking the beginning of a new era in artificial intelligence.
