AI in Law, Insurance, more; Zoom goes 1M for Webinar, OpenAI Moves, AMD vs NVIDIA

[00:00:02] [SPEAKER_00]: Wednesday, August 21, 2024, and I'm Dave Sobel.

[00:00:06] [SPEAKER_00]: Four things to know today.

[00:00:08] [SPEAKER_00]: AI in Action, from law firms to insurance and beyond.

[00:00:12] [SPEAKER_00]: OpenAI partners with Conde Nast to boost content discovery amid those AI bubble concerns.

[00:00:19] [SPEAKER_00]: Zoom unveils a webinar capability for 1 million participants among rising political demand.

[00:00:25] [SPEAKER_00]: And AMD vs NVIDIA, how the ZT Systems acquisition could alter the AI infrastructure landscape.

[00:00:35] [SPEAKER_00]: This is the Business of Tech.

[00:00:39] [SPEAKER_00]: Let's talk some industry and AI.

[00:00:42] [SPEAKER_00]: The American Bar Association issued Formal Opinion 512, which outlines ethical considerations

[00:00:48] [SPEAKER_00]: for lawyers using generative AI tools, emphasizing the need for competence, confidentiality,

[00:00:55] [SPEAKER_00]: client communication, and supervisory responsibilities.

[00:00:58] [SPEAKER_00]: Lawyers must understand the technology's limitations, ensure client data privacy,

[00:01:04] [SPEAKER_00]: obtain informed consent before using AI tools, and independently verify AI outputs.

[00:01:11] [SPEAKER_00]: The opinion also states that lawyers cannot charge clients for learning to use AI tools

[00:01:16] [SPEAKER_00]: and must ensure any efficiencies gained benefit the client.

[00:01:21] [SPEAKER_00]: AI is increasingly being adopted in risk management, with 77% of insurance companies

[00:01:26] [SPEAKER_00]: indicating some level of AI integration.

[00:01:29] [SPEAKER_00]: Challenges to adoption include organizational resistance, technical complexity, and lack

[00:01:35] [SPEAKER_00]: of understanding among staff.

[00:01:37] [SPEAKER_00]: AI offers significant benefits such as improved claims processing, fraud detection, better

[00:01:42] [SPEAKER_00]: reserving, enhanced underwriting, and knowledge transfer.

[00:01:46] [SPEAKER_00]: And Morgan Stanley interns overwhelmingly prefer human customer service, with 93% favoring

[00:01:53] [SPEAKER_00]: human interaction over AI and 75% reporting that AI chatbots fail to resolve issues

[00:01:59] [SPEAKER_00]: at least half the time.

[00:02:01] [SPEAKER_00]: Despite claims of AI improving efficiencies in call centers, the reality shows that

[00:02:06] [SPEAKER_00]: many consumers still seek empathetic support from humans for their problems.

[00:02:12] [SPEAKER_00]: Verizon is leveraging AI technology to proactively prevent accidental cuts to its fiber internet

[00:02:18] [SPEAKER_00]: lines, which often occur during construction.

[00:02:22] [SPEAKER_00]: By integrating the 811 Call Before You Dig program with its AI system, Verizon aims

[00:02:27] [SPEAKER_00]: to identify high-risk digging requests and reduce the number of incidents.

[00:02:32] [SPEAKER_00]: The approach utilizes historical data and current excavation activities to predict

[00:02:38] [SPEAKER_00]: potential line damage, ultimately minimizing internet outages and their impact on businesses

[00:02:43] [SPEAKER_00]: and individuals.

[00:02:45] [SPEAKER_00]: Researchers at the University of Exeter developed VespAI, an AI system to combat

[00:02:51] [SPEAKER_00]: invasive yellow-legged hornets that threaten British honeybees.

[00:02:55] [SPEAKER_00]: The system accurately identifies hornets through photographs and minimizes environmental

[00:03:01] [SPEAKER_00]: by not harming non-target insects, aiding in tracking and destroying hornet nests effectively.

[00:03:09] [SPEAKER_00]: Forbes covered how AI is increasingly being integrated into manufacturing, distribution

[00:03:14] [SPEAKER_00]: and warehousing, enhancing productivity and profitability.

[00:03:18] [SPEAKER_00]: Key areas of deployment include robotics, where companies like Walmart and Amazon are

[00:03:23] [SPEAKER_00]: utilizing AI-powered robots, the Internet of Things for smart equipment, 3D manufacturing

[00:03:28] [SPEAKER_00]: for rapid prototyping, and consolidating data into large language models for improved

[00:03:33] [SPEAKER_00]: decision-making.

[00:03:35] [SPEAKER_00]: And the New York Times looked at new businesses where generative artificial intelligence is

[00:03:40] [SPEAKER_00]: significantly aiding entrepreneurs in launching new companies by enhancing efficiency in

[00:03:45] [SPEAKER_00]: tasks such as marketing, coding and customer recruitment.

[00:03:49] [SPEAKER_00]: Professors like Sean Amarati at Carnegie Mellon University have observed accelerated

[00:03:54] [SPEAKER_00]: progress in student startups when using AI tools.

[00:03:59] [SPEAKER_00]: Entrepreneurs report that AI helps them navigate challenges, reduce costs and expedite

[00:04:04] [SPEAKER_00]: the path to profitability.

[00:04:06] [SPEAKER_00]: Research indicates that younger firms are increasingly adopting AI, suggesting a potential

[00:04:12] [SPEAKER_00]: transformation in the startup landscape.

[00:04:15] [SPEAKER_00]: Why do we care?

[00:04:17] [SPEAKER_00]: Use cases help clarify opportunities.

[00:04:19] [SPEAKER_00]: Let's highlight the importance of developing an AI governance program, particularly within

[00:04:25] [SPEAKER_00]: law firms.

[00:04:26] [SPEAKER_00]: This will apply broadly, of course.

[00:04:28] [SPEAKER_00]: What's common here is the data required to make these systems valuable, and that's

[00:04:32] [SPEAKER_00]: a precursor opportunity to explore your clients.

[00:04:35] [SPEAKER_00]: Consider the reporting problem.

[00:04:38] [SPEAKER_00]: Either the tools you use have a pre-canned set of reports, which feels limiting,

[00:04:43] [SPEAKER_00]: or you're given a complex report builder to learn.

[00:04:46] [SPEAKER_00]: With AI, one can use natural language to interact with data and get insights.

[00:04:52] [SPEAKER_00]: That's the key insight here.

[00:04:56] [SPEAKER_00]: With as many breaches and security concerns as I report in this show, it should be

[00:05:00] [SPEAKER_00]: obvious that cybersecurity is not just about technology, but also the human expertise

[00:05:06] [SPEAKER_00]: needed to interpret and respond to complex threats.

[00:05:10] [SPEAKER_00]: Huntress is focused on elevating SMBs and MSPs around the world.

[00:05:15] [SPEAKER_00]: Huntress has a suite of fully managed cybersecurity solutions powered by a 24x7 human-led SOC,

[00:05:22] [SPEAKER_00]: dedicated to continuous monitoring, expert investigation and rapid response.

[00:05:27] [SPEAKER_00]: And the proof is the execution.

[00:05:30] [SPEAKER_00]: Huntress is the number one rated EDR for SMBs on G2.

[00:05:36] [SPEAKER_00]: Want to know more about the platform?

[00:05:38] [SPEAKER_00]: Visit huntress.com slash MSPradio to learn more.

[00:05:44] [SPEAKER_00]: OpenAI has formed a media partnership with Conde Nast to enhance content discovery through

[00:05:49] [SPEAKER_00]: its Search GPT prototype amid those concerns of a potential AI bubble burst.

[00:05:55] [SPEAKER_00]: The deal aims to support journalism and address revenue challenges faced by publishers,

[00:06:00] [SPEAKER_00]: though there are worries about transparency and the impact of AI on journalism jobs.

[00:06:05] [SPEAKER_00]: While some investors express caution about the sustainability of AI ventures,

[00:06:09] [SPEAKER_00]: others are optimistic about the long-term potential of AI in the media landscape.

[00:06:15] [SPEAKER_00]: And OpenAI has introduced fine tuning capabilities for its GPT-4O model,

[00:06:20] [SPEAKER_00]: allowing developers to customize it for specific applications with up to 1 million free tokens

[00:06:25] [SPEAKER_00]: per day until September 23rd, 2024.

[00:06:30] [SPEAKER_00]: This feature enhances model performance across various tasks,

[00:06:34] [SPEAKER_00]: and OpenAI emphasizes safety and data privacy in its implementation.

[00:06:38] [SPEAKER_00]: Successful case studies highlight the effectiveness of fine tuning,

[00:06:42] [SPEAKER_00]: with notable results in AI engineering and SQL tasks.

[00:06:47] [SPEAKER_00]: Why do we care?

[00:06:49] [SPEAKER_00]: I wanted to highlight the ongoing content deals in the AI space,

[00:06:53] [SPEAKER_00]: which will likely influence how these chatbot tools trend over time.

[00:06:57] [SPEAKER_00]: And I mentioned data in the previous story.

[00:06:59] [SPEAKER_00]: Here is one way to couple a customer's data with a large language model specifically.

[00:07:06] [SPEAKER_00]: And some product updates for you.

[00:07:09] [SPEAKER_00]: Zoom has announced that its webinar calls can now accommodate up to 1

[00:07:13] [SPEAKER_00]: million simultaneous participants, following demand from political groups.

[00:07:18] [SPEAKER_00]: The platform offers various tiers for webinar capabilities,

[00:07:21] [SPEAKER_00]: with a one-time booking for a million attendees costing $100,000.

[00:07:27] [SPEAKER_00]: Tsunomi has launched the first global VCISO directory, covering the US, Canada and the UK,

[00:07:35] [SPEAKER_00]: aimed at connecting organizations with virtual CISO services providers

[00:07:38] [SPEAKER_00]: and offering exclusive resources.

[00:07:42] [SPEAKER_00]: Microsoft has launched a unified Teams app for Windows and Mac that allows users to easily

[00:07:47] [SPEAKER_00]: switch between personal, work and education accounts without needing multiple installations.

[00:07:53] [SPEAKER_00]: The app enables account switching without signing out

[00:07:56] [SPEAKER_00]: and allows joining meetings as a guest.

[00:07:58] [SPEAKER_00]: The update is available for all users and improves notifications to clarify account details.

[00:08:04] [SPEAKER_00]: The unified app simplifies the naming scheme by consolidating previous versions

[00:08:09] [SPEAKER_00]: into a single Microsoft Teams application.

[00:08:13] [SPEAKER_00]: And Arrow Electronics has been appointed by Broadcom as a cloud commerce manager for

[00:08:18] [SPEAKER_00]: VMware across 19 European countries, enhancing support for VMware cloud service provider partners.

[00:08:24] [SPEAKER_00]: Its partnership aims to empower managed services providers with streamlined pricing

[00:08:29] [SPEAKER_00]: and benefits under the new Advantage Partner Program.

[00:08:34] [SPEAKER_00]: Why do we care?

[00:08:36] [SPEAKER_00]: If you ever need a million people on a call, you can do that now.

[00:08:39] [SPEAKER_00]: There's certainly no harm in a directory like Tsunomi's, but unless awareness of

[00:08:43] [SPEAKER_00]: the resources driven via marketing, it won't drive substantial leads to providers.

[00:08:48] [SPEAKER_00]: And if the product is free, always wonder if you're the product.

[00:08:53] [SPEAKER_00]: For my European listeners, is Arrow a solution to your VMware woes?

[00:08:58] [SPEAKER_00]: I'd really like to hear from you.

[00:09:02] [SPEAKER_00]: AMD is acquiring ZT Systems for $4.9 billion to enhance its AI capabilities and compete with

[00:09:09] [SPEAKER_00]: NVIDIA, which currently leads an AI tech infrastructure.

[00:09:13] [SPEAKER_00]: The acquisition aims to leverage ZT's design engineers to provide customized hardware and

[00:09:18] [SPEAKER_00]: solutions for data centers, addressing AMD's previous weaknesses in this area.

[00:09:24] [SPEAKER_00]: This move is part of AMD's broader strategy to narrow NVIDIA's lead through mergers and

[00:09:29] [SPEAKER_00]: acquisitions following recent purchases including Silo AI, XLinux, and Pensando Systems.

[00:09:37] [SPEAKER_00]: Why do we care?

[00:09:38] [SPEAKER_00]: This is a notable story as AMD bulks up to fight NVIDIA.

[00:09:42] [SPEAKER_00]: They're selling off the production portion and focusing on the engineers.

[00:09:46] [SPEAKER_00]: We'll be watching for developments, with NVIDIA being of such value and the only player

[00:09:51] [SPEAKER_00]: that will be competitors making their move.

[00:09:54] [SPEAKER_00]: Chips are interesting again.

[00:09:59] [SPEAKER_00]: Looking to reach an audience of thousands of MSPs and IT service providers?

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[00:10:39] [SPEAKER_00]: I'm looking forward to that discussion.

[00:10:42] [SPEAKER_00]: Thanks for listening.

[00:10:44] [SPEAKER_00]: Today is National Senior Citizens Day.

[00:10:46] [SPEAKER_00]: It's also Internet Self-Care Day.

[00:10:49] [SPEAKER_00]: I'll be talking about AI and more on that live show that drops on the weekend if you

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