Unbelievably it was around 15 years ago that the iPhone came out with incredibly intelligent software that included predictive text typing and – better yet – autocorrect.
Beyond fixing typos and cleaning up our spelling errors in text messages, sometimes autocorrect got a bit – ahem – “creative” in what it presumed we had intended to communicate.
As a matter of fact, it spawned the idea for someone to create a website, damnyouautocorrect.com, where people could submit screenshots of the most hilarious (and frequently mortifying) “epic fail” text message threads thanks to erroneous autocorrect substitutions.
Reading some of them had tears of laughter streaming down my face, and I’d share a few with you here except, in transparency, most were a bit too racy for a newsletter, so you’ll have to just search google on your own on your next coffee break when you need a good laugh.
Every new advancement in technology comes with promises of previously unfathomable benefits on the one hand, and triggers fears of the “what if” variety on the other.
Most recently, it seems like all anyone can talk about is “generative AI,” a.k.a. ChatGPT, and its many cyber-cousins. While it promises to make our lives infinitely easier on multiple levels, many people fear the darker consequences of its proliferation, such as rendering people’s jobs obsolete, which is no laughing matter.
Fortunately, this week on the Speaking to Influence podcast , Glenn Hoffman, former Chief Analytics Officer of New York Life, shares wisdom on how to address exactly that: effectively communicating the benefits of such technological progress while quelling concerns over potential side effects. He also dispels certain misconceptions regarding AI by highlighting its use as a tool for jobs rather than a threat to them.
Some of the most challenging conversations for him also converge around issues of ethical model governance and the practical application of AI. Talk about sensitive topics that have to be handled with caution!
One of the most important aspects of leadership, according to Glenn, is about developing people, providing them chances for career growth, and creating an environment that values ongoing learning and flexibility—particularly in the quickly developing disciplines of data science and artificial intelligence.
(After all, nobody wants AI to return to early auto-correct quality control standards!)
He also shares his take on whether or not it’s important to be more engaging and entertaining to capture and retain audience attention, especially when presenting in different settings.
Listen more to the full conversation here or watch the video on YouTube here.
On a different note, it’s February now, and one way you can make a positive difference to someone with NO chance of failure is by joining me for “Hearts In Motion,” the Adoption Center’s Virtual 5K. It’s in support of older children at greatest risk of simply aging out of the foster care system and being left on the streets, and instead, helping these children find “forever families” who will love them as their own.
The virtual 5K can be walked or jogged at your own time, place, convenience and pace, any time in the month of February, and any donation you want to make is gratefully accepted.
Consider registering as a team with coworkers and doing a 5k walk after work or on your lunch break together. It’s a chance for fresh air, bonding with colleagues, and knowing you’re doing something that makes the most important difference imaginable in the life of a child.
Learn more here.
Now THAT’S epic!
