Hey there! 👋 Welcome aboard the inaugural voyage of 'The Leading Edge' – your new weekly digest diving into the exciting worlds of AI, Product Development, Leadership, and Startups.
Some of you might recall my long-form articles from before. Well, I thought, why not bring all those insights and stories together in one place? And voilà, this newsletter was born! I'm thrilled to share my thoughts and discoveries with you every week.
Sit back, grab your favorite cup of coffee, and enjoy the read!
Deepfakes are Getting Trickier
Scammers are leveling up with Generative AI.
In a shocking incident in Hong Kong earlier last week, a finance expert was tricked via a deepfake video conference call.He received an email, seemingly from a UK CFO, requesting a transaction. Skeptical at first, his doubts vanished in a video call filled with familiar faces. But it was all a deepfake.The company lost $200 million Hong Kong dollars – about $25.6 million.Scammers are getting smarter, using available videos of executives to create convincing fakes.
This raises big questions:
🔺 Are your IT security measures ready for Generative AI threats?
🔺 Is your team aware of these sophisticated scams?
Don't wait to find out.🔥 The threat is real and growing.
https://edition.cnn.com/2024/02/04/asia/deepfake-cfo-scam-hong-kong-intl-hnk/index.html
When AI Meets Blockchain
Bitcoin's rebound to $40K has reignited blockchain enthusiasm.
But now that it got its mojo back, what's next? AI. Imagine a world where blockchain and AI converge. Think of it as a game. No, a game-changer 😉
Vitalik Buterin, the prodigy who cofounded Ethereum at just 19, explores this future. His insights reveal how AI is not just a participant but a game-changer in blockchain.
AIs Role in Blockchain- A Multifaceted Approach
AI as a Player: AI isn't just observing; it's actively engaging in blockchain processes.
AI as an Interface: AI is already reshaping crypto, like AIOmen's predictive market on blockchain.
AI as the Rules: The complexity unfolds here. Blockchain calls upon 'AI judges'. But, there's a catch. Closed AI compromises decentralization, while open AI faces security threats. And then there's the whole thing around zero-knowledge proofs implementations.
AI as the Objective: The ultimate goal? AI designing blockchains for the future. Needless to sayy, highly risky.
Buterin's article is a treasure trove of insights into this AI-blockchain synergy. A recommended read: https://vitalik.eth.limo/general/2024/01/30/cryptoai.html
Apple and the missing Generative AI Play
Apple has been a sleeping giant when it comes to Generative AI. In fact in most past product announcements they showcased AI features without mentioning the word AI.
But no longer.
With Samsung going all in AI with S24 Ultra, and Google likely to follow suit with new Pixel, it does not take a lot to figure out iOS 18 will have some strong Gen AI features.
Tim Cook has now stated that Generative AI features are coming “later this year”. But in classic Apple fashion he preferred to keep it a surprise.
The thing is - The Apple Silicon runs inference really fast. With enough RAM (64GB or more) you can actually run LLMs faster on the Apple silicon than on most windows desktops than with the best RTX card you can buy right now - the RTX 4090 (of course I am not talking about the commercial cards like H100, which is not the right comparison).
Since the phone share most of that Silicon, it’s safe to assume the iPhones will have an edge in inference.
What could it be? Apple has already given the first hint by dropping the MGIE, an open source image editor using Generative AI. You could make some really easy imaging edits by typing what you want in plain text.
What else are you expecting for the IOS18 / iPhone 16 announcement? I would argue that it's high time they gave us a smarter Siri!
I take it Personally...
Imagine a career where feedback fuels your fire, criticism rolls off your back, and every interaction empowers you. Sounds pretty liberating, right?The key to this apparent career nirvana lies in one powerful principle: taking nothing personally. ️
Now, I’m certainly guilty of having taken career setbacks and criticisms as attacks on my abilities and worth at times.
Here's three good reasons why I shouldn’t have:
Sharper Focus: When you're not busy defending yourself, you have more energy to channel into what matters: crushing your goals and exceeding expectations.
Stronger Relationships: When you take things lightly, you build bridges instead of walls. You connect with colleagues on a deeper level, fostering collaboration and creating a positive work environment.
Openness to Feedback: When you see feedback as information, not an attack, you become a eager learner. You embrace constructive criticism, seek out diverse perspectives, and constantly evolve.
So, take a chill pill. Remember that i’ts a journey, not a destination. Be patient with yourself and celebrate your progress.
I'd love to hear your thoughts and insights on this topic! What does "taking nothing personally" mean for your career journey? How has this mindset served you?
Let's Keep the Conversation Going!
🌟 Loving 'The Leading Edge'?
Don't forget to hit that subscribe button and follow me on LinkedIn for your regular dose of insights on AI, Product Development, Leadership, Angel Investing, and Startups.
Your thoughts and suggestions mean the world to me – they're the fuel that keeps this journey exciting! Got any ideas, feedback, or just want to share your thoughts? I'm all ears. Drop me a note, and let's make this newsletter even more awesome together.
Stay curious and keep leading on the edge!
Catch you in the next edition. 🚀