043 | Banana Art

Brainyacts #43

This is not Crypto, Meta, Blockchain, or Web3.0

I hear things like GenAI is just like these other things and will soon fade. Wrong!

As we dig into down below, the strategies being developed by big players dwarf what has been done with these other tech developments.

Also, here is a great graph that puts things into perspective it shows how exponential the general public’s (worldwide) interest in ChatGPT is compared to the others.

ChatGPT is more than double what crypto has ever reached.

And so we dig in . . .

A special Hello 👋 to my NEW SUBSCRIBERS! 
To read previous posts, go here.

Ok, today we will:

  1. delve quickly into banana art

  2. show you how GenAi can (and should) be used in legal operations of law firms

  3. do a snapshot of Microsoft’s GenAI strategy and how they will make it impossible to avoid using GenAi

  4. walk through a cool AI model comparison tool

  5. encourage you to spend 27 minutes

  6. give a short FTC update

  7. get way awkward with dating AI glasses

  8. punish ChatGPT

Will AI Ever Be Able to Do This?

What are you looking at? Why it’s banana bruising art. Yup! An artist makes one banana artwork per day by bruising the peel.

Now sure, perhaps one day a robot will be able to do this but why would it? The point is, as AI changes our roles and jobs we all might have more time to explore new creative outlets.

What other fruit-based art is yet to be discovered?
Remember 100% Human Crafted will be a mark of distinction in our new AI world.

Ok, this is a bit of a palette cleanse for you, dear reader. I hope you like it. For more on this artist, check out her page.

And because you are a connoisseur of fine newsletters (eh hem . . . 🤗 ) I thought I would point you to a wonderful more legal-focused one based out of the UK. It’s called LittleLaw and it comes out weekly.

We newsletter jockeys support each other so check it out if you can. And a hat tip to LittleLaw’s creator, Idin Sabahipour, for the banana art, as he shared this in his newsletter today.

Lonely Legal Operations

Thomson Reuters just released its first ChatGPT and Generative AI in Law Firms Report (free download) and I cannot tell if I am stunned or not by its findings.

Let’s start with the not-so-shocking. The graph below shows what most of us probably would have guessed. There is a positive attitude in terms of whether ChatGPT can be used in legal works and a lukewarm attitude as to whether or not it should.

Okay, fair enough. Let’s move along.

I then put my eyes on this glorious graph of jaw-dropping data . . .

Wait! What?

Either people are confused with what firm operations are or they are confused with what ChatGPT does. Or they are just confused, with all due respect.

Okay, I am as biased as a coffee snob at a tea party. To be fair, life's too short to sip on hot brown water (cue Ted Lasso - and no offense to my tea-drinking readers). I have been on the business side of the law since my first law job working in-house after law school.

The business of law - legal operations - is where ChatGPT and GenerativeAI can sing right now. I mean belt out an operatic or trashing metal vocal. This is where every law practice should be using GenAI. Right. Damn. Now!

Want to start? Here is a down-n-dirty guide for you.

Business and Client Insight 

  1. Competitive analysis. Use ChatGPT to gather and analyze information on competitors' services, pricing, client base, and more.

  2. Develop strategic plans based on ChatGPT's insights to gain a competitive advantage.

  3. Client sentiment analysis to analyze client feedback, reviews, and social media interactions to gauge client satisfaction and identify areas for improvement. This information can help law firms tailor their services, address specific concerns, and ultimately, enhance client relationships.

  4. Trend analysis and forecasting by processing vast amounts of data from various sources, ChatGPT can identify emerging trends and potential opportunities in the legal industry. Law firms can use these insights to adapt their strategies, expand into new practice areas, or explore innovative approaches to legal services.

  5. Tailored client pitches in crafting personalized and data-driven pitches for prospective clients. By analyzing a potential client's industry, legal needs, and preferences, AI can generate custom pitch materials that highlight the firm's strengths and expertise in addressing the client's specific requirements.

  6. Mergers and acquisitions support by analyzing potential M&A deals, including target company profiles, news reporting, financial data, and legal risks. AI can then generate comprehensive reports to support decision-making and deal negotiations, helping law firms better advise their clients during the M&A process.

Credibility and Authority Building 

  1. Create educational content for clients and client prospecting such as email courses, asynchronous CLE-type courses, or newsletters.

  2. Syllabi and course outline for teaching as an adjunct.

  3. Create a content strategy and a month’s worth of content with specific topics, outlines, and even draft pieces.

  4. Whitepapers and legal guides can be used to draft whitepapers and legal guides on complex legal topics, showcasing the firm's expertise and knowledge in specific practice areas. These publications can be shared with clients, prospects, and the wider legal community to position the firm as a thought leader.

  5. Case study creation that highlights the firm's successful outcomes and innovative legal strategies. These case studies can demonstrate the firm's ability to handle complex legal matters and attract potential clients.

  6. Social media engagement to generate informative, insightful, and engaging content for the firm's social media channels, such as LinkedIn or Twitter. By sharing valuable content and participating in discussions, attorneys can raise their profile and demonstrate their expertise within the legal community.

  7. Conference and seminar presentations for conferences, panel discussions, and seminars by generating relevant talking points, key statistics, and insightful analysis. These presentations can enhance the firm's reputation and create opportunities for networking and business development.

  8. Podcast and webinar content generation to develop engaging content for podcasts and webinars that showcase attorneys' expertise. Generate talking points, questions, and topics for discussion to create interactive and informative content.

General Communications

  1. Client onboarding and communication to streamline the client onboarding process with ChatGPT by generating personalized welcome messages, engagement letters, and other relevant documents.

  2. Facilitate ongoing client communication through status updates, appointment reminders, and addressing frequently asked questions.

  3. Knowledge management and internal collaboration to create a centralized knowledge base for the firm, synthesizing information from various sources and making it easily accessible to team members. This can promote better internal communication, encourage collaboration, and facilitate the sharing of best practices among attorneys.

  4. Training and onboarding materials to develop comprehensive training and onboarding materials for new hires, including detailed procedure guides, firm policies, and best practice documentation. This can help ensure consistency in training, improve employee engagement, and facilitate a smooth onboarding process.

  5. Better meeting agenda and post-meeting notes.

  6. Create better case updates and case team communications.

  7. Draft and send clear and more concise emails to each other.

I have just scratched the surface. There are many more in prior editions of Brainyacts.

The upside of using ChatGPT or related tools on the business side of the firm is that it is less ethically charged. YES! You still must be vigilant and careful but there are many ways to manage this.

I hope that next year’s Thomson Reuters reports show a huge uptick in the use of chat-driven GenAI in legal operations. I mean I know all of you will be advocates right? . . . . . Right?! 🫡

The Current GenAI Leader is Microsoft

Microsoft's Generative AI is Unavoidably Redefining Daily Life

There's no denying that Microsoft's bold strides in generative AI have propelled them to the forefront of this cutting-edge field. Today, we'll take a closer look at how the tech giant has been strategically positioning itself in the world of AI:

  • ChatGPT, invented by OpenAI (co-founded by Elon Musk and Sam Altman in 2015), forms the foundation of Microsoft's AI endeavors.

  • Microsoft secured a 49% stake in OpenAI at a $29B valuation in 2019, following an investment of $10B.

  • Microsoft 365 Copilot, a productivity tool integrating ChatGPT, enables users to unlock creativity and productivity across Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, and more.

  • Generative AI applications span various domains, including marketing, advertising, drug development, legal contracts, video gaming, customer support, and digital art.

Now, with the development of its AI chip, code-named Athena, Microsoft seeks to further advance its AI capabilities. This chip, expected to be ready for mass production in 2024, could reduce operating costs by a third compared to Nvidia's chips (the leading GenAI-capable chip maker). Moreover, a collaboration with Nvidia on a next-generation supercomputer project highlights Microsoft's commitment to generative AI innovation.

But why should this matter to you? 

Simply put, avoiding generative AI will soon be impossible. 

Microsoft's Copilot is just one example of how AI is becoming deeply integrated into everyday tools, such as the Microsoft Office suite. These core tools are indispensable for knowledge workers, and with Google Workspace implementing its own AI strategy, it's evident that generative AI is here to stay.

As AI permeates the fabric of everyday tools, it's becoming increasingly challenging to sidestep its influence. Companies like Microsoft and Google are not only driving the future of AI technology but also shaping how we interact with and adapt to these advancements.

For the moment, Microsoft appears to be the defining force in the next generation of generative AI. Whether this brings you comfort or unease, one thing is certain: the era of generative AI is upon us, and there's no turning back.

New AI Tool Video Walk-thru

What is it: AI Playground by Vercel

What does it do: Allows you to see how various AI models respond to your prompts. Here are all the models you can choose from:

My take: This a great tool to play with as it shows you how your prompt might be interpreted, misconstrued, or improved across various models.

News you can Use: 

27 Minutes of 60 Minutes

If you have 27 mins, it might be worth watching this segment from this past Sunday’s 60 Minutes program. It goes deep into Google’s AI and DeepMind efforts.

Some highlights:

  • One of Google’s AI programs taught itself the language of Bengali (this was a surprise and not something folks expected it to do).

  • Mini-robots are teaching themselves how to play football/soccer.

  • Google is dripping out its AI tech - it has more sophisticated models and tech than we know about.

FTC Gets More Serious

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced its intention to pursue companies that misuse artificial intelligence (AI) to violate discrimination laws or engage in deceptive practices.

During a congressional hearing, FTC Chair Lina Khan and Commissioners Rebecca Slaughter and Alvaro Bedoya emphasized that companies using AI are not exempt from civil rights laws or rules against unfair and deceptive acts. The FTC will adapt to changing technologies, as it has throughout its history, to address AI-powered tools like ChatGPT.

News you can Lose: 

Awkward gets 10x Awkward. Remember 🤓 Google Glasses? Yes, these are even lamer. But perhaps it is better than a microchip implanted in our heads (see Elon’s NeuraLink). Just sayin’. 🤕

In the Meme Time: 

That's a wrap for today. Stay thirsty & see ya next time! If you want more, be sure to follow me on Twitter and LinkedIn.

DISCLAIMER: None of this is legal advice. This newsletter is strictly educational and is not legal advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any assets or to make any legal decisions. Please /be careful and do your own research