New Year, new division! We wanted to take the opportunity to formally introduce you to our new AI software consultancy and software development division: Aiplusus.
The Rise of the Smart Machine
For the last few years, two letters have been the talk of the town: A and I. Like marmite, AI has divided opinions: some love it, some loathe it!
Pro AI
For those who are pro AI, when ChatGPT burst onto the scene, it was like Christmas had come early! They couldn’t wait to get their hands on the new, shiny toy. Some asked ChatGPT to author their cover letters for job applications or to help out with research. Others asked it to assist with more quirky lines of inquiry such as “write a biblical verse in the style of the King James bible explaining how to remove a peanut butter sandwich from a VCR.”
Just like kids at Christmas, some were so eager to play with the new, shiny toy, that they didn’t read the instructions or small print first. Consequently, they ran the risk of damage. For instance, many have freely entered their personal details without first understanding the privacy and data implications. Others have depended on it for serious or professional tasks without questioning its accuracy. We all have anecdotes of OpenAI fails!
AI is such a hot topic and has become somewhat of a buzzword. Businesses will have certainly felt the pressure to “get with the AI trend.” And chancers know it! There will be many individuals and companies professing to be AI experts when — quite frankly — they are not. It can be so easy for businesses to fall victim to investing in ‘AI software’ which ultimately doesn’t benefit their business at all!
For example, we know of one case where a company ‘invested’ in AI to intelligently automate their marketing emails. The thing is, it didn’t carry out the ‘intelligent’ part! It couldn’t distinguish and compose specific messaging for different clients. The new software was essentially delivering traditional automation, all for an AI price tag!
Anti AI
On the other hand, there exists a vast contingent who remain in firm opposition to AI technologies. SAG-AFTRA — the actor’s union in America — went on strike. They campaigned for production companies to provide their members with “consent, compensation and transparency with regard to digital replicas and generative A.I. systems used to create synthetic performances.”
Many performers felt helpless and deeply concerned that they were out of a job. Hollywood came to a standstill, which in turn had a knock-on effect on the industry further afield, including here in the UK.
Less than a year ago, news got out that the tech giant Meta was going to let AI lose on the content of their users’ social media accounts. Striking fear into the hearts of many, Instagram stories suddenly became like the chain letters of old — an echo chamber of doom, gloom and fear!
The war is won but the battle continues
“There is nothing permanent except change.” — Heraclitus
Whichever camp you find yourself in, the reality is: AI is here to stay. Despite all the mishaps detailed above, AI can — and is already — being used as a powerful tool for good. At Appdrawn, we strongly believe that AI needs to be on our side — not work against us! Thus, the vision for Aiplusus was born.
Aiplusus: where no man has gone before
Aiplusus — it’s in the name. The mission of our new division is to deliver human-inspired AI software platforms. Smart platforms that drive positive economic and social transformation. Expert systems that work with us — not against us!
In order for that to happen, we believe that AI systems need human input and guidance. By combining the best of the human mind, along with the unprecedented capability of machine power (power = quantity of work/ time to do it), businesses can go on to reach new horizons and go where no man has gone before. The sky truly is the limit!
Why a separate division?
Some of you may be thinking: why are you creating a separate division rather than keeping AI software development as one of Appdrawn’s services? Good question! AI has become a colossal topic and offering in and of itself. We felt it was important and appropriate for it to have its own forum.
Although it will be a separate division, Aiplusus is very much a part of the Appdrawn group. We wanted to reflect that within the visual branding. Same font, same dot, just a slightly different colour palette.
To caveat what’s been said, this move doesn’t mean that we have forgotten about ‘pure’ or ‘traditional’ software consultancy and software development, or that it is yesterday's news — it is very much a player! We are a very long way away from a future that is fully AI-generated. But it is always wise to get ahead of the curve and keep a step ahead!
If you are looking to get with the AI software programme and this blog has struck a chord, you can find out more about Aiplusus here. If you would like to discuss any AI-related visions or project ideas further, one of our AI and machine learning developers would love to chat with you!