Date: 11 & 12 september
Location: Jaarbeurs Utrecht
Time: Thursday 15:00 - 16:30
Speakers: Ruben Nieuwenhuis, Siddique Sheikh, Martijn Dorhout Mees
Workshop: All About AI
My last task was to write an article about the workshop by Ruben Nieuwenhuis, Siddique Sheikh, and Martijn Dorhout Mees titled “In Conversation with My AI Buddy.” I quickly realized this was not just another lecture but an interactive, intimate session with plenty of room for questions and discussion.
Will AI Take My Job?
Ruben began by proudly letting his ‘AI buddy’ speak for him. Once seen as a distant future, AI creations are now almost indistinguishable from reality. AI can handle a lot of work, but how much? And will my job be safe?
“You need to embrace AI, because AI won’t take your job, but someone who can effectively use AI might,” Ruben said. “Language skills, understanding, courage, and questioning will become very important.” The right prompts will yield the best results. Giving clear instructions to AI is becoming a skill in its own right. The first job posting for a prompt engineer (at ASML) was already a fact this summer.
Getting Hands-On with AI & ChatGPT
I, too, was inspired by this workshop and have forced myself to embrace AI. Hence, my very first prompt: Write a 600-word article, engaging and entertaining for data and AI enthusiasts, about the workshop “In Conversation with My AI Buddy” based on my notes.
Enter.
This text is entirely written by ChatGPT:
At Data Expo, the workshop “In Conversation with My AI Buddy” was a focal point. Ruben Nieuwenhuis and his team took participants through the world of AI, focusing on possibilities, applications, and the ethical questions involved. The goal: to discover how to use AI effectively and understand both its opportunities and downsides.
1. What is AI and How Does It Work?
Ruben Nieuwenhuis opened the workshop with a clear explanation of the basics of AI. It all starts with a so-called transformer model, a system that is trained by analyzing millions of sentences and learning how words and sentences relate to each other. While humans learn a billion sentences over their lifetime, AI models process a much larger number. This makes AI a powerful tool for predicting language and performing complex tasks.
But Ruben warns: AI learns from data, and data is a projection of the world, not the complete truth. AI can assist us, but it remains important to stay critical of the sources from which it learns.
2. The Importance of Good Instructions: Prompt Engineering
The second step in using AI is learning how to guide it, which starts with good instructions, or 'prompts.' Ruben explains that prompt engineering is a crucial skill for making AI work effectively. The better the prompt, the better the response. AI can accomplish a lot, but only if it is guided correctly. He uses the example of planning a vacation: currently, AI can do this successfully about 25% of the time, but the possibilities are continuously expanding.
Prompt engineering is the future, according to Ruben, and it is a skill that everyone will need to learn. Just as we once had to learn to adapt to industrialization, we now need to learn how to guide AI effectively.
3. Demo ChatGPT: AI in Action
To showcase the power of AI, Ruben engaged directly with ChatGPT. He asked questions that were audible to everyone in the room, and the AI responded verbally. This gave a clear view of what AI is currently capable of. Ruben also demonstrated how quickly AI is evolving—from generating a simple image to creating complex visuals and tasks independently. The speed of this development is impressive but also raises questions about the human role in this process.
4.Getting Hands-On
After the demo, participants had the chance to get hands-on with AI. They received tasks where they had to formulate their own prompts and immediately saw the impact of their choices. This hands-on segment helped them understand how AI works in practice and how they can apply it to their own work or projects. The message was clear: experimenting is the key to success.
5. The Future of AI: Opportunities and Risks
Ruben spoke extensively about the future of AI and how it will transform our work and lives. AI fundamentally differs from previous technological breakthroughs like the steam engine or electricity because it can learn autonomously and create new things. This raises significant questions: What will remain for humans? What is our role in a world where AI can take over tasks and even come up with new solutions?
An example is Klarna, which uses AI to automate their customer service. The result? Higher customer satisfaction and lower costs. However, Ruben emphasizes that AI will not replace human interaction. The power of AI lies in collaboration: those who can effectively use AI will have an edge in the future.
Audience Questions: AI and Privacy
During the Q&A, an important question was raised about privacy: What does AI do with the information we provide? Ruben explained that it depends on the system you use. Some AIs work with synthetic data, meaning your personal information remains secure. However, it remains a crucial concern, especially in sectors like healthcare where privacy is essential.
Another question addressed AI's creative capabilities. Ruben confirmed that AI does not merely replicate but can also generate new ideas by combining vast amounts of data. This makes AI a powerful creative partner, although it does require oversight, especially when AI learns independently.
Conclusion: AI as a Tool, Not a Replacement
Ruben closed the workshop with an important message: AI will not take over your job, but someone who knows how to use AI effectively might. Therefore, it's crucial to embrace AI and learn how to harness its potential. However, the social aspect of work remains essential. While AI can accomplish a lot, human interaction and spontaneous encounters are invaluable.
In summary, the workshop provided an inspiring look at the future of AI. With the right skills and a critical perspective, we can leverage AI as a powerful partner while keeping the human element in focus.
