AI: Use and Learn to Use (6 Viewers)

[massraider]

OpenAI software ignores explicit instruction to switch off​

Stuff

www.stuff.co.nz

I’m sure this is just fine, no big deal guys. At least you saved 5 minutes writing an email

First, let me say that I, for one, welcome our new AI overlords.

That said until they take over the world (seriously... how many books and movies are there that spell out how we are playing with fire) there are a lot of great ways to use them.

As I start to use them, I was thinking there are likely many of you already using them and I wanted to learn. I figure a thread to learn from one another of what AI's to use, for what and how as well as tips, tricks and hacks to get the most out of it would be helpful to all.

So what you got?

 

[Terminalxylem]

I want out. I don’t see a good ending to my life right now. Politics, religion, technology, and society all seem like we are heading for a disaster out of the worst Luddite’s nightmares.

While it’s probably unrealistic to opt-out entirely, you can definitely improve quality of life by embracing your inner Luddite. Unplug and do more stuff outside. It works wonders.

 

[Terminalxylem]

For the OP, it does a decent job generating differential diagnoses in medicine.

Apparently it does a better job with pattern recognition than radiologists.

Like @STEADYMOBBIN 22, I use it to generate silly pictures, or useful ones for lectures in Power Point presentations.

 

[zoobird]

I use AI multiple times per day. General buckets of use:

• Practical questions - basically, ask it questions about stuff that my immediate family members don't know: Can my stepmother use her budget phone for senior citizens when she goes to France? When I have someone come fix the gutters on my house, do gutter fixers also clean gutters? How do I make sure that my Peacock subscription is available from all devices? Are there any types of bread with less carbs?
• Save time on repetitive writing tasks - "Can you create a job description for a senior marketing analyst at a fantasy sports company? We'd like to place an emphasis on analytic thinking over specific experience. It's a remote role that will include work on both digital and offline media analysis" (then I just tweak it as needed...but probably saves me 30-45 minutes compared to cut-and-pasting from an old job description as a starting point)
• Enable me to do work I couldn't otherwise - have been consulting for a few months and using AI has definitely enabled me to do hands on programming tasks that I couldn't practically have done otherwise. My SQL programming is very mediocre (sweet spot of my experience at this point is managing a large team of analysts, not coding myself) but with ChatGPT, my programming speed is probably doubled or tripled vs. what I could do unaided. I know sql well enough to troubleshoot and add to what AI is giving me
• Enable me to do other stuff I couldn't otherwise - for example, I wanted to program a game...kind of a multi-player version of the old 'Hammurabi' game that is often used when people are learning to program. I have no idea at all how to architect a multi-player app or website. Was able to get something up and running in about 45 minutes with the help of ChatGPT

I was talking with my wife and daughters about this a few days ago. I keep reading how AI is making kids stupider. That's contrasted with the feeling that it's making me smarter...I learn things faster (that I probably wouldn't have bothered with before), do things that I couldn't do before, etc. One of my daughters suggested that the difference may be that I already learned to do things myself, so I'm using AI to extend my abilities, while a lot of kids are using it to substitute for their abilities.

 

[pecorino]

I’m a high school teacher and academic dean (private school). Largely AI is a nightmare for our kids who have a tough time distinguishing between a tool and a cheating device. The temptation is too much for many of them. Some teachers use it to good effect but it’s definitely been a net negative since 11/22. It also eats up tons of meeting time as we hash through our stance on AI. At least it takes good minutes of those meetings.

 

[MTskibum]

One problem with AI is it is going to kill websites and content creation.

Lets say you google a programming issue, it would take you to stack overflow where you can read through various comments. Stack overflow gets ad revenue and if there is a slight error in the solution you may add a comment to that stack overflow thread for your specific issue and how you overcame it.

Lets now take that same task but run it through AI.

The AI engine gets the ad revenue, stack overflow where the information was generated gets nothing. That specific error unique to your solution does not get fed back to the stack overflow instead it sits only in local knowledge.

This means that AI will reduce knowledge sharing and concentrate the ad power into fewer companies.

This is before we talk about energy consumption.

 

[Max Power]

I’m a high school teacher and academic dean (private school). Largely AI is a nightmare for our kids who have a tough time distinguishing between a tool and a cheating device. The temptation is too much for many of them. Some teachers use it to good effect but it’s definitely been a net negative since 11/22. It also eats up tons of meeting time as we hash through our stance on AI. At least it takes good minutes of those meetings.

I work with assessment and selection for military candidates to join our unit. We've had the exact same conversations about AI that remain unresolved. Some evaluators like to see a candidate can harness the tool that is IA. Others see it as a lazy and cheating. I don't think we're going to get the team on the same page, but we'll still waste time trying.

 

[KarmaPolice]

IMO AI is just putting an accelerant on a fire that has started with the tech in our pockets and at home. I am sure we could spend all day talking about how much easier tasks are with the computers and tech we have now vs. decades ago. I am sure there are people that have greatly benefited from it and don't see much downside.

That said, I am already of the opinion that it has been a big net negative on society as I see our kids struggling with it, people addicted to their phones and tech, and so many of us in here talking about our attention spans being shot, among other things. I read too many articles and books pointing to the dates where we got this and a big spike in anxiety, depression, suicide. etc. We have not yet come to terms with any of that, but yet here we are ramping up all those concerns with AI that will make it much worse.

 

[Ilov80s]

. I read too many articles and books pointing to the dates where we got this and a big spike in anxiety, depression, suicide. etc. We have not yet come to terms with any of that, but yet here we are ramping up all those concerns with AI that will make it much worse.

They are designed to be addictive and to increase depression and anxiety. The TikTok internal documentation leaked shows they are designing their algorithms and with it AI to be addictive and depressing because it shows depressed people and especially depressed children use their app more. The goal was stated to make people as depressed as possible just short of killing themselves. Obviously this addictive approach will be the focus of AI development as well.

 

[mr. furley]

the team i'm on at work was recently told that it would be a good idea if we learned how to use Copilot to take meeting minutes. the amount of time i'll save not having to type my meeting minutes will number in to the hundreds of seconds a year.

My diatribe above notwithstanding, I’ve been wanting to do this but haven’t figured out how to yet and haven’t really invested a lot of time into. Any tips on how to are appreciated #lazy #boomer #getoffmylawn

soon as i figure it out, i'll share

unless @snogger can throw together a quick tutorial

so it seems pretty straightforward in my minimal tinkering

after starting a Teams meeting, you simply record/transcribe the meeting. once the call ends, your file transcript shows up in Teams chat.

save that transcript to your desktop/downloads folder, whatever. then open Copilot, type "summarize a meeting" in to the free-form text input box. in that same free-firm text box drop your transcript file, click the go/arrow and Copilot spools off a high-level bullet pointed readout that you can export to .pdf or .ppt.

the audio recording option didn't work for me. the audio output was in .mp3 format which isn't supported by Copilot so all i could do was dump the Teams chat transcription of my voice for summary. essentially the same thing.

only tested it solo, not during a call with anyone else so i don't know how it will handle identifying the speaker, or if that matters. i'll test again when i have an internal call today/tomorrow.

 

[beer 30]

the team i'm on at work was recently told that it would be a good idea if we learned how to use Copilot to take meeting minutes. the amount of time i'll save not having to type my meeting minutes will number in to the hundreds of seconds a year.

My diatribe above notwithstanding, I’ve been wanting to do this but haven’t figured out how to yet and haven’t really invested a lot of time into. Any tips on how to are appreciated #lazy #boomer #getoffmylawn

soon as i figure it out, i'll share

unless @snogger can throw together a quick tutorial

so it seems pretty straightforward in my minimal tinkering

after starting a Teams meeting, you simply record/transcribe the meeting. once the call ends, your file transcript shows up in Teams chat.

save that transcript to your desktop/downloads folder, whatever. then open Copilot, type "summarize a meeting" in to the free-form text input box. in that same free-firm text box drop your transcript file, click the go/arrow and Copilot spools off a high-level bullet pointed readout that you can export to .pdf or .ppt.

the audio recording option didn't work for me. the audio output was in .mp3 format which isn't supported by Copilot so all i could do was dump the Teams chat transcription of my voice for summary. essentially the same thing.

only tested it solo, not during a call with anyone else so i don't know how it will handle identifying the speaker, or if that matters. i'll test again when i have an internal call today/tomorrow.

I have a throw away call on Friday, I'll give it a try then and see how it works. Thanks!

 

[Mister CIA]

Ugh! I received my first AI generated meeting summary today. The word atrocious leapt immediately to find, and then it morphed into fullblown cringe.

I'll be in the pumpkin patch, waiting for it to get better.

 

[Mister CIA]

the team i'm on at work was recently told that it would be a good idea if we learned how to use Copilot to take meeting minutes. the amount of time i'll save not having to type my meeting minutes will number in to the hundreds of seconds a year.

My diatribe above notwithstanding, I’ve been wanting to do this but haven’t figured out how to yet and haven’t really invested a lot of time into. Any tips on how to are appreciated #lazy #boomer #getoffmylawn

soon as i figure it out, i'll share

unless @snogger can throw together a quick tutorial

so it seems pretty straightforward in my minimal tinkering

after starting a Teams meeting, you simply record/transcribe the meeting. once the call ends, your file transcript shows up in Teams chat.

save that transcript to your desktop/downloads folder, whatever. then open Copilot, type "summarize a meeting" in to the free-form text input box. in that same free-firm text box drop your transcript file, click the go/arrow and Copilot spools off a high-level bullet pointed readout that you can export to .pdf or .ppt.

the audio recording option didn't work for me. the audio output was in .mp3 format which isn't supported by Copilot so all i could do was dump the Teams chat transcription of my voice for summary. essentially the same thing.

only tested it solo, not during a call with anyone else so i don't know how it will handle identifying the speaker, or if that matters. i'll test again when i have an internal call today/tomorrow.

Would be glorious to see "muted" coversations show up in the transcripts for all.

 

[Mister CIA]

Not a pro tip, because I don't really know anything, but depending on your checkbook balance, you might want to put some extra enunciation on million and billon. I mean, what could go wrong.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

the team i'm on at work was recently told that it would be a good idea if we learned how to use Copilot to take meeting minutes. the amount of time i'll save not having to type my meeting minutes will number in to the hundreds of seconds a year.

My diatribe above notwithstanding, I’ve been wanting to do this but haven’t figured out how to yet and haven’t really invested a lot of time into. Any tips on how to are appreciated #lazy #boomer #getoffmylawn

soon as i figure it out, i'll share

unless @snogger can throw together a quick tutorial

so it seems pretty straightforward in my minimal tinkering

after starting a Teams meeting, you simply record/transcribe the meeting. once the call ends, your file transcript shows up in Teams chat.

save that transcript to your desktop/downloads folder, whatever. then open Copilot, type "summarize a meeting" in to the free-form text input box. in that same free-firm text box drop your transcript file, click the go/arrow and Copilot spools off a high-level bullet pointed readout that you can export to .pdf or .ppt.

the audio recording option didn't work for me. the audio output was in .mp3 format which isn't supported by Copilot so all i could do was dump the Teams chat transcription of my voice for summary. essentially the same thing.

only tested it solo, not during a call with anyone else so i don't know how it will handle identifying the speaker, or if that matters. i'll test again when i have an internal call today/tomorrow.

I have a throw away call on Friday, I'll give it a try then and see how it works. Thanks!

There is an ethics consideration in this. In most situations, I think you should advise everyone on the meeting that it is being recorded and summarized by AI. At my firm, we use the Teams AI to summarize our meetings as a matter of practice, but I never use it for meetings involving anyone outside our firm.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

I want out. I don’t see a good ending to my life right now. Politics, religion, technology, and society all seem like we are heading for a disaster out of the worst Luddite’s nightmares.

While it’s probably unrealistic to opt-out entirely, you can definitely improve quality of life by embracing your inner Luddite. Unplug and do more stuff outside. It works wonders.

I've been doing my best on this recently and I feel I'm making some progress. I went to a wedding, three graduation parties and hosted a small party over the long weekend - mostly all outdoors - and left my phone inside my house or in the car for all of these events. The only device in the bedroom is my kindle so I can read without a light on. I tried to get my 20 year old son to join me in this for a party at our neighbor's 2 doors down from our house. He just laughed at me - rightfully so I guess.

 

[snogger]

the team i'm on at work was recently told that it would be a good idea if we learned how to use Copilot to take meeting minutes. the amount of time i'll save not having to type my meeting minutes will number in to the hundreds of seconds a year.

My diatribe above notwithstanding, I’ve been wanting to do this but haven’t figured out how to yet and haven’t really invested a lot of time into. Any tips on how to are appreciated #lazy #boomer #getoffmylawn

soon as i figure it out, i'll share

unless @snogger can throw together a quick tutorial

The first thing you have to do is when the meeting starts record transcription.
Now the "fun" part.
Whenever you need a recap you can go to copilot and ask
Can you give me a recap of the meeting I had with Mr. Furley last week, include any tasks assigned to me.

You will get a summarized recap and any tasks the AI felt you were responsible to complete.

I also use it in the morning asking
Can you give me a summarized report on Meetings I have today.
Much easier than opening each meeting to get details.

 

[Mister CIA]

Just burned my broccoli in the air fryer. Thanks ChatGPT

Edit: yet oddly tough and undercooked. Thanks, air fryer. ... I accept no responsibility.

 

[KarmaPolice]

. I read too many articles and books pointing to the dates where we got this and a big spike in anxiety, depression, suicide. etc. We have not yet come to terms with any of that, but yet here we are ramping up all those concerns with AI that will make it much worse.

They are designed to be addictive and to increase depression and anxiety. The TikTok internal documentation leaked shows they are designing their algorithms and with it AI to be addictive and depressing because it shows depressed people and especially depressed children use their app more. The goal was stated to make people as depressed as possible just short of killing themselves. Obviously this addictive approach will be the focus of AI development as well.

Between the above and articles/examples I am already reading of programs not responding to commands. How about THIS where systems resort to blackmail? I have 0 clue how more people aren't bothered by this.

 

[Joe Bryant]

the team i'm on at work was recently told that it would be a good idea if we learned how to use Copilot to take meeting minutes. the amount of time i'll save not having to type my meeting minutes will number in to the hundreds of seconds a year.

My diatribe above notwithstanding, I’ve been wanting to do this but haven’t figured out how to yet and haven’t really invested a lot of time into. Any tips on how to are appreciated #lazy #boomer #getoffmylawn

soon as i figure it out, i'll share

unless @snogger can throw together a quick tutorial

so it seems pretty straightforward in my minimal tinkering

after starting a Teams meeting, you simply record/transcribe the meeting. once the call ends, your file transcript shows up in Teams chat.

save that transcript to your desktop/downloads folder, whatever. then open Copilot, type "summarize a meeting" in to the free-form text input box. in that same free-firm text box drop your transcript file, click the go/arrow and Copilot spools off a high-level bullet pointed readout that you can export to .pdf or .ppt.

the audio recording option didn't work for me. the audio output was in .mp3 format which isn't supported by Copilot so all i could do was dump the Teams chat transcription of my voice for summary. essentially the same thing.

only tested it solo, not during a call with anyone else so i don't know how it will handle identifying the speaker, or if that matters. i'll test again when i have an internal call today/tomorrow.

I have a throw away call on Friday, I'll give it a try then and see how it works. Thanks!

There is an ethics consideration in this. In most situations, I think you should advise everyone on the meeting that it is being recorded and summarized by AI. At my firm, we use the Teams AI to summarize our meetings as a matter of practice, but I never use it for meetings involving anyone outside our firm.

At least on zoom calls I'm on, you have to consent to the call being recorded before you can join.

 

[urbanhack]

Heavy daily user. I constantly us AI tools for my day to day job and we build AI tools for our customers in our platform.

Claude (pro plan) is my daily helper. I hold webinars for our customers on best practices writing prompts for our AI copilot and crafting semantic searches for our insights engine powered by RAG.

Other tools I use from time to time:
-Manus
-Deep Seek
-Napkin.ai
-Gamma.app
-Notebook.lm

 

[zoobird]

Heavy daily user. I constantly us AI tools for my day to day job and we build AI tools for our customers in our platform.

Claude (pro plan) is my daily helper. I hold webinars for our customers on best practices writing prompts for our AI copilot and crafting semantic searches for our insights engine powered by RAG.

Other tools I use from time to time:
-Manus
-Deep Seek
-Napkin.ai
-Gamma.app
-Notebook.lm

Notebook.lm is a fun one. I can't say I've actually done anything useful with it, but a fun exercise to see what it's capable of is to drop your resume into it and let it create a podcast discussion of the resume

A more practical application (which I've planned to do, but just haven't yet) - ask chatgpt to create material on a subject that you're interested in learning more about, and then drop the text that chatgpt provided into notebook.lm to get the lesson in podcast form

 

[urbanhack]

Heavy daily user. I constantly us AI tools for my day to day job and we build AI tools for our customers in our platform.

Claude (pro plan) is my daily helper. I hold webinars for our customers on best practices writing prompts for our AI copilot and crafting semantic searches for our insights engine powered by RAG.

Other tools I use from time to time:
-Manus
-Deep Seek
-Napkin.ai
-Gamma.app
-Notebook.lm

Notebook.lm is a fun one. I can't say I've actually done anything useful with it, but a fun exercise to see what it's capable of is to drop your resume into it and let it create a podcast discussion of the resume

A more practical application (which I've planned to do, but just haven't yet) - ask chatgpt to create material on a subject that you're interested in learning more about, and then drop the text that chatgpt provided into notebook.lm to get the lesson in podcast form

Manus is the one that's really fun to give a complex project. I typically find that if I need to distill down several documents, transcripts, etc. and then produce a final FAQ, or internal artifact these things really work well.

I've recently used it to create a full help library after loading in the transcripts of three or four internal UAT sessions and then boom....here's the product feature spec sheet, selling points, FAQ, etc.