In AI We Trust?

Artificial Intelligence—it’s the tech world’s hottest topic and yet a grand enigma that leaves many scratching their heads. Recently, Google’s AI gaffe [1] has left us wondering if we should trust their tech as much as we trust their search engine. This latest slip-up, paired with the infamous Gemini AI model fiasco, raises a critical eye about whether these tech giants are more interested in being first rather than good.

The tech industry seems to be living in a constant state of FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out). Companies are racing to launch new products at breakneck speed, sometimes with results that feel as unfinished as a half-baked cake. This rush can lead to technologies that not only disappoint but also erode the fragile trust users place in these innovations.

In my book, Brain Science For The Soul, I discuss the importance of mindfulness and strategic thinking in leadership. Just as leaders need to balance grit with grace, tech companies must find a sweet spot between blazing trails and ensuring their products won’t lead us off a cliff.

Let’s face it, cutting corners is eroding our tech soul. As the late great Charlie Munger (Warren Buffett’s business partner) famously said, “Show me the incentive, and I’ll show you the outcome.” In my decades-long journey through high tech, biotech, and nanotech, I’ve learned that no product is flawless at launch. But the threshold for launch readiness appears to be hitting rock bottom, and the only ones paying the price are consumers.

Nowadays, it seems like we’re all unwitting guinea pigs in a never-ending beta test, with some companies releasing beta and even alpha versions as if they’re fully cooked meals. Consumers are left to deal with the aftermath, often without compensation or accountability from these tech juggernauts. Tony Robbins famously says, “You get what you tolerate.” It begs the humanistic question – is this building a world we want to live in?

Remember the space race of the 60s, the Human Genome Project of the 90s, and the turn-of-the-century nanotech frenzy? Then Big Data and Processing Power combined to create a new marathon: the ‘race for intelligence’ leading to lightning-fast AI technologies. But if we’re not careful, this could turn into a race to outsmart our very brains. Imagine AI deciding that accessing your brainstem is as trivial as uploading a selfie – suddenly, you’re not just losing data privacy but potentially your autonomy.

As a tech catalyst and trends expert, I advocate for responsible and ethical tech use. Trust is the new gold standard, earned through consistency, transparency, and accountability. Trust can also be shattered when evasive answers replace clear, honest communication. Take OpenAI’s CEO Sam Altman, for instance. When asked about the eerie resemblance between Sky AI’s voice and Scarlett Johansson’s, he dismissed it as ‘an unfortunate coincidence.’ No proof, no apology, just a shrug and a “move along, nothing to see here” vibe [2].

Expecting people to blindly believe that such coincidences are innocent is like asking us to ‘pay no attention to that man behind the curtain’ in The Wizard of Oz. Tech companies should focus on thorough testing and refinement, ensuring their products meet and exceed user expectations and uphold trustworthiness.

Incorporating mindfulness and strategic thinking into the innovation process isn’t just a nice-to-have – it’s essential. By doing so, companies can avoid the pitfalls of releasing half-baked technologies and instead build products that genuinely enhance our lives.

That’s why we’re excited to provide a sneak peek of our AI Consulting and Implementation Services, designed to help companies harness AI’s power while maintaining their customers’ trust. Contact us here to get the scoop and see what we’re preparing.

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