Understanding the use of Generative AI for products has changed people's relationship with technology, raising awareness of the potential of Artificial Intelligence in the market beyond text generation, as provided by GPT Chat. What lies before our eyes is innovation in the way we use AI and the understanding of how this will impact all areas of our lives: be it interpersonal relationships, professional life, or our behavior.
In the first half of 2024, some of the biggest headlines around the world involved the use of AI, the launch of new features, or increased acceptance of the technology. In this period alone, 721% of companies worldwide adopted Artificial Intelligence, representing a significant increase compared to the 551% in 2023, according to the survey. “The state of AI in early 2024: Gen AI adoption spikes and starts to generate value”, carried out by McKinsey.
GenAI's advancements in image and video models—such as Sora and Gemini AI—demonstrate Artificial Intelligence's ability to generate content with extremely high visual quality. So high that it's often difficult to distinguish between real and digital. This was the case with Kate Middleton's video statement about her health, which went viral on social media and divided opinions on whether or not it was created by Generative AI—as the Princess confessed to manipulating a photo she posted on Mother's Day last year.
The controversies with deepfakes raised concerns in the market about the effectiveness and safety of using language models for creation within companies. Furthermore, they also brought to the fore the need for regulation to maintain ethical standards in the creation and use of AI-generated content.
On the one hand, it's important to establish standards for the use of these tools, but on the other hand, tightening these rules, besides limiting the creativity of users who use the technology ethically, doesn't prevent those who want to use it unethically. It's the same logic as card cloning, for example. No matter how well banks implement security and awareness-raising measures, there will always be those who misuse technology.
The regulatory paradox, however, doesn't dictate whether Generative AI can lose credibility in the market. Credibility should always be tied to the quality of the result. If a video, image, or text created by AI is well-made, it will gain a good reputation; if it's poorly made, it will be discredited.
So far, we've seen this technology be very well-received by companies and yield excellent results in applications. This has brought a range of new business opportunities and product creations to the market. One example of this is the creation of Apple's new glasses, Apple Vision, which blend augmented reality with the real world and put hyperconnectivity into practice: work, personal life, leisure, and behavior. Another example is Meta's new AI, designed to assist in the customization and effectiveness of advertising campaigns on platforms like Facebook and Instagram. In other words, campaigns will offer products based on what users see on their screens, bringing greater assertiveness to marketing.
Today, whatever companies do, they'll consider how to use AI to improve the process and provide a better user experience. This ranges from sales strategies to product integration, such as new apps and features for smartphones—where technology is used to convince users to buy the product, to create the product, and to develop all the features the device can offer so that users stay connected to the network, so this cycle can repeat itself.
It's clear that AI is shaping the future. It remains to be seen which companies will capitalize on this wave of innovation opportunities. Those who don't adapt will certainly fall behind in this technological race.