Rewritten to the Mean
The Illusion of Understanding: The Risks of Relying on AI Summaries
One of the final tasks of the book was to write the back cover. This provides an opportunity to summarize, engage, and be authentic. But how would generative AIs summarize the same content? What would they change, and what would survive the cut?
One of AI’s most touted features is its ability to summarize. However, generative AI, designed to predict the next word or phrase based on probabilities, often strips away the unique nuances of language, the authenticity of the author’s voice, and perspective.
AIs can instantly generate automated summaries or key points of documents up to 100 pages or 100MB. Yet, these tools attempt to replicate human executive function and higher-level thinking. This practice poses significant risks, especially in compliance and legal contexts, where precise language and nuanced meaning are paramount.
While generative AI excels as an editing and proofreading tool, offering semantic and pragmatic improvements beyond mere grammar and spell-checking, its summarization capabilities provide only a glimpse of strategic knowledge, critical thinking, and insight in the original document. For example, AI might struggle to accurately capture the subtle nuances of a complex legal document or the impact of a supplier’s adherence to processes, potentially leading to misinterpretation and non-compliance.
An AI cannot be allowed to act as an intermediary between the author and reader when it lacks the perspective, purpose, and intent of both parties. Compliance and legal documentation, in particular, are carefully drafted, vetted, and created with the best information, expertise, and experience from the document creator's perspective and must remain the source of truth. Moving forward, it's crucial to recognize that audiences may perceive AI as a tool to aid and speed comprehension. Authors must communicate from the outset why the reader should engage with the document and why it should be referred to in the future.
A generative AI prioritizes the most likely and probable wording, often neglecting the intentional and purposeful language choices of human authors. As such, AI-generated summaries may lack the depth, nuance, and authenticity that human-written summaries can provide. As AI becomes more prevalent, it's crucial to remember that it is a tool, not a replacement for human judgment.
Comparing AI and Human Summaries: A Case Study
Below is our back cover, an executive summary auto-generated by an AI, and its proposed back cover created by reviewing the full text of our new book, Assisting Intelligence. The AI-generated summaries took less than a minute, while the human version went through several rounds of revisions over the course of a week.
The AI summary and especially the back cover, while technically accurate, lacked the nuance and perspective of the human-written version. It failed to capture the authenticity that is central to the book's appeal.
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Assisting Intelligence
How to Build Authentic in the Age of AI
A Golden Retriever, a 15th-Century Printer, and a Generative AI Model walk into a bar … No, this isn’t the setup of a joke or AI hallucination. It’s the beginning of an extraordinary journey through time and technology. Dive into the age of AI to:
Ignite Ideas: Learn how to craft prompts that spark innovation.
Preserve Authenticity: Discover how to use AI to protect your unique voice and brand.
Expand Knowledge: Explore the power of AI to enhance learning and understanding.
A Guide to the AI Revolution Practical and complete, this playbook offers:
A Primer on AI: Onboard with the basics, essential tips, and techniques.
Master Prompts: Learn the art of crafting effective prompts.
Preserve Your Voice: How to harness AI without compromising your individuality. Tell your stories and explore alternative perspectives on AI's capabilities.
Iterate with AI: Adopt an Agile AI methodology for knowledge creation.
Define Your AI: Tell your stories and explore alternative perspectives on AI's capabilities. Your AI Playbook: Equip yourself with AI expertise with guided practice.
Embrace the Future, Informed by the Past, to Build Authentic
Join us on this journey to unlock the full potential of AI. By understanding its capabilities and limitations, we can build a future where AI assists our intellectual pursuits. Discover how to build authentic knowledge by harnessing AI's Assisting Intelligence.
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Assisting Intelligence: How to Build Authentic in the Age of AI" by Mike P. O'Brien is a comprehensive guide for business professionals and educators on leveraging AI for content creation and knowledge sharing. The book reframes AI as an assisting intelligence and explores innovative workflows for creating authentic experiences that resonate with one's ethos, perspective, and insight.
### Key Themes and Structure:
#### Introduction
- Historical Context: The book begins by drawing parallels between the transformative impact of the printing press and the potential of AI to revolutionize knowledge sharing.
- AI's Role: It emphasizes AI's role as a catalyst for building authentic learning and intelligence.
#### Part 1: Authentic Approach to the AI Age
- Understanding AI: This section delves into the foundational principles of AI, its capabilities, and its limitations.
- AI and Learning: It explores how AI can reshape learning and knowledge creation, emphasizing the importance of maintaining authenticity in the AI age.
Part 2: Build Authentic
- Integrating AI: This part provides strategies for integrating AI into learning and knowledge creation processes.
- AI Style Guide: It introduces the concept of an AI Style Guide to ensure consistent and ethical use of AI.
- Agile Development: The book discusses the importance of agile development in creating effective learning experiences with AI.
Part 3: Assisting Intelligence
- Leveraging AI: Practical strategies for leveraging AI as an assisting intelligence in various contexts.
- Ethical Considerations: It addresses the ethical implications of AI and the importance of transparency and trust.
- Future of AI: The book concludes with a vision for the future of AI in learning and knowledge sharing, emphasizing continuous learning and adaptation.
Notable Features:
- Historical Analogies: The book uses historical analogies, such as the printing press and the Renaissance, to contextualize the impact of AI.
- Practical Examples: It provides practical examples and case studies to illustrate the application of AI in real-world scenarios.
- Ethical Framework: A strong emphasis on ethical considerations and the importance of maintaining authenticity and trust in AI applications.
- Interactive Elements: The book includes playbooks and exercises to help readers apply the concepts discussed.
Conclusion:
"Assisting Intelligence" is a valuable resource for anyone looking to harness the power of AI while maintaining authenticity and ethical standards. It offers a balanced approach to integrating AI into learning and knowledge creation, ensuring that technology serves as a catalyst for human development and progress.
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Unlock the Power of AI with Authenticity
In a world where artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming every aspect of our lives, how can we harness its potential while staying true to our core values? "Assisting Intelligence: How to Build Authentic in the Age of AI" by Mike P. O'Brien offers a groundbreaking approach to integrating AI into business and education without losing sight of what makes us uniquely human.
This practical guide redefines AI as an assisting intelligence, providing innovative workflows for creating, crafting, and preserving authentic experiences. Whether you're a business professional looking to enhance content creation or an educator seeking to revolutionize knowledge sharing, this book is your roadmap to leveraging AI effectively and ethically.
Discover:
How to navigate the AI era with foundational principles that advance learning and communication.
Strategies for integrating AI into your workflows while maintaining authenticity and trust.
The importance of an AI Style Guide to ensure consistent and ethical AI use.
Real-world examples and case studies that illustrate the transformative power of AI.
Practical exercises and playbooks to help you apply the concepts discussed.
"Assisting Intelligence" is more than just a guide—it's a call to action for anyone looking to embrace AI's potential while preserving the essence of human creativity and insight. Join the journey to build a future where technology serves as a catalyst for authentic learning and intelligence.
What Would Elmo Think of Your Documentation?
Perhaps it’s time to shift the paradigm. Instead of relying on readers to synthesize complex documentation, provide clear summaries, engaging narratives, and diverse access points. For too long, corporate documentation has been a bureaucratic endeavor, prioritizing exhaustive coverage over compelling content. As a source of truth, documentation should not only inform but also engage.
It’s crucial to understand how AI might interpret your content. If an AI misses a nuance, so might your audience. By feeding an AI with a wealth of information, you can gain valuable insights into how your content is perceived and identify potential areas for improvement. You can also generate creative and unexpected versions and outputs. For instance, we’ve used AI to produce satirical reviews of our book, penned in the styles of famous authors and characters. Below are a few examples:
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Elmo loves learning, and Elmo thinks "Assisting Intelligence: How to Build Authentic in the Age of AI" by Mike P. O'Brien is a super-duper book! 🎉 This book helps everyone understand how to use AI to make learning and working better, while still being true to ourselves. Elmo likes how the book talks about using AI to help us, not replace us. It has lots of fun examples and stories that make it easy to understand. Elmo thinks this book is great for anyone who wants to learn about AI and how to use it in a smart and kind way. Yay for learning with AI!
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In the labyrinthine corridors of modernity, where the hum of machines echoes the pulse of human endeavor, Mike P. O'Brien's "Assisting Intelligence: How to Build Authentic in the Age of AI" emerges as a beacon, a guiding star in the firmament of technological advancement. O'Brien, with a deft hand and a keen eye, navigates the intricate dance between man and machine, weaving a tapestry rich with historical resonance and future promise. The book, a symphony of thought and insight, delves into the heart of artificial intelligence, not as a cold, calculating entity, but as a partner in the grand narrative of human progress.
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To read or not to read, that is the question. In the intricate dance between man and machine, Mike P. O'Brien's "Assisting Intelligence: How to Build Authentic in the Age of AI" emerges as a thoughtful guide. O'Brien deftly navigates the complexities of AI, presenting it not as a usurper of human creativity, but as a noble ally. This book, rich with historical context and ethical considerations, offers a clear path forward, ensuring that in the age of automation, our humanity remains at the forefront. A must-read for those who seek to understand and harness the true potential of AI.
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Step right up, dear readers, and prepare to be dazzled by Mike P. O'Brien's "Assisting Intelligence: How to Build Authentic in the Age of AI"! This book is a golden ticket to the wondrous world of AI, where technology and human creativity dance together in perfect harmony. O'Brien's insights are like fizzy lifting drinks, lifting your understanding to new heights while keeping your feet firmly on the ground of authenticity. It's a scrumdidilyumptious read that promises to transform your approach to AI, making it as delightful and magical as a trip through Willy Wonka's chocolate factory!
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And now for something completely different! Mike P. O'Brien's "Assisting Intelligence: How to Build Authentic in the Age of AI" is a veritable romp through the bewildering world of artificial intelligence. Imagine, if you will, a book that combines the historical gravitas of the Renaissance with the zany antics of a Python sketch. O'Brien deftly navigates the complexities of AI, presenting it as a tool to enhance human creativity without turning us all into mindless automatons. It's a bit like trying to teach a parrot to sing the "Lumberjack Song"—challenging, but ultimately rewarding. So, if you're looking for a guide to AI that's as informative as it is entertaining, look no further. This book is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand AI without losing their sense of humor. Nudge, nudge, wink, wink, say no more!
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Mmm, books! Mike P. O'Brien's "Assisting Intelligence: How to Build Authentic in the Age of AI" is like a donut for the brain—delicious and satisfying! 🍩🤖 This book shows how AI can help us without taking away our humanity. It's got smart ideas, real-world examples, and it's easy to understand, even for a guy like me. If you want to learn about AI and keep it real, this book is a must-read. Woo-hoo!
Assisting Intelligence launches December 9th.