I’m positive that nobody is stunned that synthetic intelligence (AI) is the buzzword at Infocomm 2024, however is it safe? And does it work? Let’s dig in.
The primary session I attended Wednesday at Infocomm 2024 was known as “Chat GPT for AV.” The presenter confirmed how the platform might be used to reply a typical request for proposals (RFP) by importing the RFP doc instantly into ChatGPT. I used to be impressed on the fast response, nevertheless it additionally appeared moderately generic; aren’t gross sales proposals supposed to assist differentiate one firm from one other? If all of the bidders used ChatGPT to generate a response to the RFP, received’t the proposals all sound the identical? Additionally, how would the challenge proprietor or marketing consultant really feel about importing the challenge paperwork into Chat GPT? Aren’t these proprietary paperwork?
There was no hesitation about proprietary data on the a part of the presenter, I assume they felt that after an RFP was out, anybody can do something with it. Even when there’s a disclaimer on the paperwork, nothing is stopping somebody from importing the paperwork to ChatGPT. Taking this a step additional, nothing is stopping a hacker from pretending to be a professional AV integrator. If the RFP response is solely generated from the RFP, it’s going to reply the entire RFP questions in essentially the most optimistic gentle, that means it might not mirror the precise expertise or {qualifications} or expertise of the bidder. If the RFP says the corporate must be in enterprise for at the least 5 years, then ChatGPT will say it has been in enterprise for over 5 years. This can seemingly result in false {qualifications}. These have been an issue earlier than however now with AI, it’s a lot simpler to lie about who you might be, or what you might be certified to do.
The presenter additionally demonstrated that ChatGPT is just not excellent at telling jokes, as a result of as I at all times say, robots will not be humorous. He went on to point out how ChatGPT may write one thing within the type of Dr. Suess. However did Dr. Suess give them permission to write down about random topics? Isn’t this the identical as Scarlett Johassan’s voice getting used with out permission? And extra importantly, is the Chat GPT generated poem anyplace close to pretty much as good as one among Dr. Suess’ well-known books, reminiscent of “Oh The Locations You’ll Go” or “And to Assume That I Noticed It on Mulberry Road?” After all not! It’s only a waste of time and pc sources, in my view. I needed to dip out of the session early, however there are different AI periods I plan to hit up earlier than the present is over.
I discussed Xten-AV in my earlier column. Like many different cubicles, Xten-AV was speaking up its AI capabilities. The corporate defined how AI is automating a variety of paperwork, and serving to to refine its product library. Xten-AV’s AI mannequin understands what you might be doing and might recommend merchandise that may slot in your challenge. instance might be an adapter cable that’s sometimes ordered with a bit of substances. XTEN-AV additionally makes use of AI to generate preliminary AV gear rack layouts.
The corporate’s use of AI is just not truly one thing new, although; XTEN-AV has been using this kind of AI for about 5 years. It’s simply being marketed as AI now as a result of AI is so fashionable. I actually favored how XTEN-AV had strong examples of how AI can assist AV people do their jobs sooner, not simply write up generic paperwork. There have been no Dr. Suess imitations or hallucinations. Additionally, Xten-AV’s merchandise are absolutely carried out, examined and able to go, in contrast to a number of the AIvaporware I’m seeing on the present ground.
One of many newer AI-enabled applied sciences that I realized extra about this week is from Merlyn Thoughts, which is being showcased within the Newline and Samsung cubicles. Merlyn Thoughts is mainly AI-enabled distant management for schooling; it may well work with academics’ laptops and different expertise within the lecture rooms. It really works quite a bit just like the Xfinity cable TV distant: you push a button on a handheld distant and ask a query, then launch the button. What units Merlyn Thoughts aside from different options is its security measures, permitting academics to look on-line content material with out concern of hitting any grownup web sites or different not-safe-for-school pages. Merlyn can learn a presentation that’s on the display screen and recommend related content material, and its giant language mannequin is pulling from trusted academic content material, not the whole Web.
Based on the Merlyn Thoughts webpage, it doesn’t promote private data, retain voice audio after processing or use voice audio to establish people. This voice recognition function is one thing different AV options are flaunting with out realizing the privateness, safety and fairness considerations that voice identification can elevate. This kind of emphasis on safety and privateness makes me completely satisfied.
So, how effectively does Merlyn Thoughts work? Let’s simply say a commerce present ground is just not the identical as a typical classroom.
Once I tried the Merlyn Thoughts distant management within the Newline sales space, it had hassle separating my voice from the opposite voices and noise on the ground, even after I tried slowly shouting. It is a widespread drawback with any new voice management. The microphones within the handheld distant are sometimes chosen to be small and low value, not high-fidelity, and the system depends on AI and digital sign processing algorithms to separate the voice from the background noise, and translate the voice into textual content. Add in a relentless barrage of background noise from a tradeshow like Infocomm, and the demo gear that may have labored flawlessly within the check lab doesn’t carry out very effectively. Background noise apart, the Newline Merlyn Thoughts demo did work and, total, I used to be impressed.
The Samsung sales space expertise was a bit of completely different, and the demonstrators admitted the brand new interactive whiteboard product was a prototype. Samsung says, “New AI-powered options embody computerized transcriptions from spoken classes and the flexibility to generate detailed class summaries that spotlight key factors and important subjects. By analyzing the instructor’s voice transcription, the written materials on the show and offered academic supplies, it may well additionally generate quizzes for college students. It additionally makes use of machine studying to enhance content material accuracy and block inappropriate content material. Moreover, by means of a collaboration with academic expertise firm Merlyn Thoughts, the show will function voice recognition expertise optimized for academic environments. This can simplify management of the Interactive Show and assist tailor its functionalities to align with school-specific curricula.”
Key phrase: will.
Very similar to the Merlyn Thoughts distant had hassle determining what was being stated within the Newline sales space, the distant within the Samsung struggled to know my voice even when talking slowly and loudly. Furthermore, the Samsung demo system may solely search what was on the display screen, it was not in a position to seek for any new subjects. It had been arrange just for cautious demonstrations utilizing content material about amphibians. Whereas this can be a widespread follow at Infocomm and different commerce reveals, it took away the wow issue. It was kind of like looking for a TV, and the salesperson telling you that just one channel was out there.
Keep tuned, as I shall be writing yet another article about Infocomm earlier than the weekend is over.
