In September 2023, I attended the Inbound Conference, where I had the privilege to listen to Dharmesh Shah, the co-founder of HubSpot, speak about the latest advancements in AI technology. As expected, the conference was abuzz with excitement about AI, and Dharmesh delivered a valuable keynote on how AI, specifically Generative AI, is revolutionising how we conduct business and our relationship with it.
As someone unfamiliar with these phrases, his talk opened my eyes to what's possible and, more importantly, how we as individuals should not be afraid of technology but embrace it. I'm sharing my most important takeaways and insights from Dharmesh's keynote in this blog.
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AI vs. Generative AI: Making Sense of the Terms
For many of us, including myself, AI still feels like a term from a sci-fi movie. In its simplest form, according to HCL Tech, "Artificial intelligence is the science of making machines that can think like humans. It can do things that are considered "smart." AI technology can process large amounts of data in ways unlike humans."
Now, Generative AI takes it a notch higher. While basic AI can make decisions based on pre-set rules, Generative AI can create new content or ideas. According to ZDnet: "Generative AI refers to models or algorithms that create brand-new output, such as text, photos, videos, code, data, or 3D renderings, from the vast amounts of data they are trained on. The models 'generate' new content by referring to the data they have been trained on. In other words, it's a machine being creative!
Now that I've covered that, let's get into Darmesh's keynote.
The Current State of AI
During his talk, Dharmesh pointed out some frustrations associated with AI. For instance, the hype sometimes overshadows the actual value of the technology, leading to disillusionment and fear. However, he passionately believes we're heading towards a more integrated future where AI will be seamlessly embedded in our business processes.
What does that mean for HubSpot and HubSpot Users?
For HubSpot users, this is thrilling news! Dharmesh hinted that AI enhancements within HubSpot would offer more personalised customer experiences, more innovative marketing strategies, and efficient service operations in the coming months and years. Looking back at his talk now, this resonates seamlessly with Yamini Rangan's opening talk at INBOUND23, where she spoke about AI being embedded all across the HubSpot eco-system.
Read: From Information to Intelligence: HubSpot's Vision for the Future
Will AI Take Your Job?
Dharmesh addressed a burning question on many minds: Will AI replace us? His take was both reassuring and thought-provoking. While AI might handle repetitive tasks, unique human traits like empathy, creativity, and strategic thinking aren't going anywhere. Instead, AI will be a tool that augments our abilities, helping us do our jobs better rather than replacing us.
The AI Journey Framework (AIAIO)
Dharmesh introduced an interesting concept - the AIAIO framework, which stands for Awareness, Interest, Adoption, Integration, and Optimisation.
They represent the different phases of a company's AI journey, which are;
- Awareness - Recognising the potential of AI.
- Interest - Exploring how AI can be beneficial.
- Adoption - Actively starting to use AI tools.
- Integration - Making AI an integral part of the business processes.
- Optimisation - Continuously improving and evolving with AI.
This framework is a business roadmap, highlighting the steps needed to leverage AI for growth and success.
"Be Curious, Not Judgmental" - Channeling Ted Lasso
Dharmesh wrapped up his keynote by borrowing the famous Ted Lasso phrase, "Be curious, not judgmental". This phrase is a beacon for companies, marketers, sales, and service professionals. In the world of rapid technological change, rather than being wary or dismissive of innovations like AI, we should approach them with curiosity. Embrace the possibilities, learn continuously, and adapt for growth.
To conclude, AI is not just a fleeting trend, especially Generative AI. It is reshaping the business landscape. While the journey might seem daunting, with a curious mindset and the right tools, we're poised to harness their potential for business and professional personal growth.
Watch The Full Keynote
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