The Comunicano Sunday Edition for October 27th 2024

Sunday Means....Football

It’s fascinating to see the rapid advancements that are unfolding in technology. Let’s start with Google’s recent project: "Jarvis." Imagine an AI assistant that doesn’t just answer questions but actually interacts with the web, doing research, booking services, and even helping with online shopping, powered by the next-level Gemini 2.0. This isn’t just software; it’s a new way to approach the web—hands-free, intuitive, and smart. It’s a vision of technology that works for us, helping make complex tasks as easy as a click. Jarvis is expected to enter preview in December, with consumer accessibility anticipated shortly thereafter. A shift towards truly AI-enhanced browsing is on the horizon….But let’s not overlook the challenges AI still faces. OpenAI’s Whisper, an innovative transcription tool, is nearly flawless in its accuracy—yet even it has a flaw. Occasionally, it hallucinates, creating words or phrases that never existed in the original audio. This quirk, especially problematic in high-stakes areas like healthcare, serves as a reminder: as extraordinary as AI is, our responsibility to manage it wisely is just as significant.

On that note, let’s consider AI’s potential in business. Salesforce’s Marc Benioff recently highlighted how AI, with tools like Agentforce, is revolutionizing customer service, cutting costs, and enabling companies to operate at their best. And it's not just about profit; Benioff’s vision balances technology with values, integrating social responsibility with innovation—something Apple is seeking to achieve…..The impact of AI also extends to personal development. Pascal Bornet emphasizes being "AI-ready" with adaptive, human-centric skills, an approach resonating deeply as we prepare for a future where AI complements, not replaces, human potential.

And Apple, is continuing to prioritize health technology—their recent advancements in wearable health tech, like non-invasive blood sugar monitoring, reflect their commitment to personal well-being through innovation. Apple’s focus remains on creating technology that genuinely enhances the human experience.

Thank you for being here today and joining us in this journey of exploration, innovation, and responsibility, and now, on to all the news, here today, in the Sunday Edition of The Comunicano.

Andy Abramson

Agent Watch

Calling Jarvis—Google is reportedly developing "Jarvis," an AI agent integrated into Chrome that will automate tasks like web research, shopping, and booking. Powered by Gemini 2.0, Jarvis interprets screen content through frequent screenshots to navigate and interact with web elements. Though currently slow and cloud-dependent, it demonstrates advanced planning, reasoning, and memory capabilities. A preview is anticipated as early as December, targeting a consumer launch that aligns with Google’s AI-driven ambitions for intuitive, hands-free web interactions.

AI Watch

It’s Just Wrong—OpenAI's Whisper transcription tool, praised for accuracy, has a significant flaw: it occasionally produces "hallucinations," adding invented or incorrect text, including sensitive or inappropriate content. Experts report hallucinations appear frequently across various Whisper applications, from video subtitles to medical consultations. This issue raises concerns as Whisper expands into high-stakes fields, despite OpenAI’s guidance to avoid using it in critical areas like healthcare, where such errors could have serious consequences.

Marc Benioff Speaks—Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff, in an interview with Stratechery, discussed the transformative potential of AI in business, particularly through Salesforce's Agentforce initiative. Benioff emphasized AI’s capacity to reshape enterprise operations, improve customer relations, and streamline costs, positioning AI as central to Salesforce's growth. He also shared insights into his career, entrepreneurial drive, and passion for innovation that combines technology with social values, such as Salesforce’s 1-1-1 model, balancing business growth with philanthropy.

How To Stand Out—Pascal Bornet emphasizes the urgent need for "AI-Ready," "Human-Ready," and "Change-Ready" competencies to remain relevant as AI rapidly transforms work and society. His "Irreplaceable" framework promotes an AI mindset, ethical adaptation, genuine human skills, and adaptability. Bornet stresses that AI should complement human creativity, critical thinking, and empathy. Additionally, he advocates for educational reform to prepare students for this AI-driven world, where learning adaptability is crucial.

Workplace Watch

It’s Showtime—Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky champions annual product releases as a focus tool inspired by Steve Jobs’ iconic Apple keynotes. Post-IPO, Airbnb’s biannual updates transformed innovation and team alignment, yielding over 500 new features since 2021. This approach, Chesky argues, unites companies around innovation rather than quarterly earnings calls. Other brands like Taco Bell have adopted similar strategies, creating Apple-inspired events to unveil new products, which Chesky believes can benefit most consumer-oriented companies.

It’s All Relevant—To stay relevant amid AI's impact on the workplace, executives can enhance communication with AI tools. Key areas include: using AI to improve writing clarity and tone without losing a personal touch; leveraging meeting summary tools like Otter.ai to focus on real-time interactions while capturing notes; and employing video analytics software to refine presentation skills by analyzing tone, body language, and engagement. Embracing these technologies while retaining human authenticity ensures effective, future-ready communication.

Apple Watch

Watch This Space—A federal jury in Delaware awarded Apple $250 in a design patent dispute with Masimo Corp. over smartwatch designs. While Apple won damages, the jury’s verdict focused on discontinued Masimo designs, limiting Apple's chance of blocking current Masimo products. This mixed outcome stems from a long-standing rivalry, with Masimo’s pulse oximetry technology also contested by Apple. Apple aimed for an injunction, not financial gains, to protect its designs, while Masimo highlighted its focus on health technology over aesthetics.

How Sweet It Is—Apple is reportedly developing a blood sugar monitoring feature for its Health app, targeting users with prediabetes. This tool would offer non-invasive glucose level tracking and aims to empower users with preventative health insights. Integrated within Apple’s health ecosystem, the feature aligns with Apple’s broader goal of expanding wearable health tech capabilities. Apple has not set a public release date, but this tool could be a significant advance in digital health management.

To Your Health—Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 have finally activated their long-awaited hearing health features, allowing users to access tools for real-time hearing insights, sound exposure monitoring, and enhanced auditory personalization. This update underscores Apple’s commitment to integrating health-oriented functionality within everyday devices, making hearing health more accessible for users without needing dedicated hearing aids.

NVidia Watch

Not Alone Anymore—Nvidia faces potential challenges to its AI dominance by 2025, as companies invest in alternative hardware and custom chips to reduce reliance on Nvidia’s GPUs. As competition grows, Nvidia's competitive edge in AI hardware could diminish, pushing it to innovate further to retain its market position.

Amazon Watch

Rufus is Rising—Amazon's new Rufus AI aims to make online shopping smoother by offering users product recommendations, comparisons, and order updates directly within the Amazon app or website. It functions similarly to popular AI chatbots, providing answers based on Amazon’s vast product data and customer feedback. Rufus can suggest items based on browsing history, help clarify product features, and even advise on gift ideas or project essentials. Users can access it via a button in the Amazon app or on the website's toolbar for a more interactive and personalized shopping experience.

China Watch

Let The Chips Fall—China’s strategic control over critical minerals and semiconductor materials presents challenges for global tech supply chains, especially as U.S. companies aim to reduce dependency on China amid trade tensions. Recent restrictions on rare earth exports and semiconductors highlight Beijing’s leverage over essential components in electronics, renewables, and military applications. This dynamic complicates U.S. efforts to secure supply chain independence, pushing companies to navigate increasingly complex geopolitical and sourcing issues.

Hangin On The Telephone—Senator J.D. Vance's office faced a significant cybersecurity breach, with hackers allegedly accessing confidential information, intensifying concerns over election interference. The incident follows Vance's vocal support of Donald Trump and comes amid heightened cybersecurity vigilance for public officials. Details of the breach and its implications for upcoming political campaigns remain closely watched.

Hey, Recruit—Chinese tech companies are intensifying efforts to recruit top AI talent amid a limited supply and escalating competition. With a global shortage of AI experts, firms like Baidu, Alibaba, and Tencent are expanding incentives and partnerships to secure skilled professionals. This talent race underscores China’s strategic focus on advancing its AI capabilities, as companies aim to bolster their innovations despite talent scarcity.

Legal Watch

Delta Fires Back—Delta Air Lines has filed a lawsuit against cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike, alleging that a software update failure caused significant disruptions, grounding multiple flights and affecting thousands of passengers. Delta claims CrowdStrike’s malfunctioning Falcon software update led to critical IT issues, citing financial losses and operational impacts. The suit highlights the airline's reliance on cybersecurity solutions for seamless operations and underscores the risks when such technology fails in high-stakes industries.

WordPress Woes—A dispute between WordPress’s Automattic and WP Engine is affecting numerous businesses that rely on their services. WordPress accuses WP Engine of insufficient contributions to its open-source project, resulting in a partial ban on WP Engine’s use of WordPress trademarks. WP Engine disputes these claims, citing lost revenue and increased cancellations due to the fallout. Both companies have now taken legal action, with WordPress defending its trademark and WP Engine countering with allegations of extortion and libel.

Space Watch

Lost In Space—Boeing is reportedly exploring options to divest some of its NASA-related space programs, including the troubled Starliner project, as part of a restructuring effort. Speculation suggests that Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin could take over some Boeing responsibilities, potentially aligning with its goals for crew transportation and the Orbital Reef project. This possible shift comes amid Boeing’s financial challenges and broader strategic adjustments in its space sector. Meanwhile, Blue Origin has shown political outreach to Trump amid ongoing rivalry with Elon Musk's SpaceX.

Influencer Watch

Be An Influencer—Influencer Valeria Lipovetsky, known for her thoughtful, educational content, has developed a unique "creator method" that blends authenticity with structured strategy. Emphasizing genuine connection, she engages her audience by balancing personal insights with professional polish. This approach sets her apart in the crowded influencer landscape, showcasing her as a model for sustainable influence through relatability and carefully crafted storytelling.

Story, Legend and Backstory

Join Bill Ryan and Andy Abramson as we explain why every business needs a Story, Legend and Backstory, this Tuesday, at 10 AM PDT on the Weekly WITI Speed 2 Cool segment. Join us tomorrow for the Zoominar by just clicking this link.