Welcome to the 9th Edition of the AI Trailblazers Newsletter. Don’t miss our exclusive AI Trailblazers Summit, taking place on June 6th, 2024, at NeueHouse in Madison Square, New York, during Tech Week. We have an outstanding lineup of keynote speakers and panelists (see details below), so don’t miss this opportunity to learn and engage with the leaders in the industry. Space is going fast, so request your invite now!

Google Unveils AI Game-Changers for Ads

In a groundbreaking move poised to reshape the landscape of digital advertising, Ad Age reports on Google’s unveiling of a series of cutting-edge AI developments designed to empower brands and revolutionize user experiences across its platforms. With an emphasis on enhancing both advertiser reach and user engagement, Google's latest innovations signal a significant leap forward in the intersection of artificial intelligence and marketing strategies.

• Google's Latest AI Developments: Google introduced new AI updates aimed at advertisers during its Marketing Live conference. These updates include features like customizing ads in Performance Max and integrating ads into AI-guided Search.

• AI Overview in Search: Google's AI Overview feature, launched to enhance information retrieval for users, will now also feature ads relevant to both the user's query and the Overview's content. These ads will be clearly marked as "sponsored" and placed within the Overview section.

• Dynamic Ad Experience in Search: Google is testing a dynamic ad experience in Search where an AI assistant engages users, requesting additional information to personalize product recommendations. This feature aims to guide users through their purchase journey more effectively.

• Enhancements in Performance Max: In Performance Max, advertisers can now share brand materials for more curated ad assets, and new image editing capabilities allow for better adaptation of ads for diverse formats. Additionally, Google introduced new ad formats for retailers, including the option to connect short videos to Search ads for enhanced shopping experiences.

AI Trailblazer Takeaways: Building on our articles from last week, the introduction of AI into search will power consumer engagement but will pose a threat to advertising. Both a blessing and a curse for Google. However, they have been quick to adopt new standards and ad opportunities to maintain their cash cow. You knew it was coming and they wasted no time.

Scarlett Johansson's AI Doppelgänger Sparks Outcry

NPR reports on the contentious clash at the intersection of technology and celebrity rights, Scarlett Johansson finds herself embroiled in a legal dispute with OpenAI over the uncanny resemblance of an AI voice to her own. Johansson's demand for transparency from OpenAI regarding the development of the voice, dubbed "Sky," has thrust the issue of AI ethics and likeness appropriation into the spotlight.

• Legal Battle Over AI Voice: Scarlett Johansson's legal team has demanded OpenAI to reveal the process behind creating an AI voice that closely resembles the actress's own. Johansson feels betrayed after OpenAI showcased the voice, named "Sky," despite her declining to license her voice for the project.

• Controversy and Denials: Despite OpenAI CEO Sam Altman's denial of any connection between Scarlett Johansson and the AI voice, the company decided to halt the use of the voice following public outcry. Altman stated that the voice actor behind "Sky" was cast before any outreach to Johansson, and he expressed regret over the lack of communication.

• Implications for AI Technology and Society: The incident with Scarlett Johansson's likeness in AI voice technology highlights broader concerns about privacy, consent, and legal safeguards in the development of AI tools. Experts note that advanced AI voice assistants could lead to deeper emotional connections between users and machines, raising questions about societal impacts and ethical considerations.

AI Trailblazer Takeaways: As debates rage on about the boundaries of AI innovation and the protection of individual identities, Johansson's stand serves as a stark reminder of the complex legal and ethical dilemmas emerging in the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence.

Managing AI's Impact on Management

In the era of rapid technological advancement, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into workplace practices has become pervasive, posing both opportunities and challenges for organizations worldwide. Ethan Mollick in The Financial Times highlights a recent survey on the widespread use of AI among white-collar workers, questions arise regarding its impact on traditional management approaches and work culture.

• Widespread AI Usage Among White-Collar Workers: A survey by LinkedIn and Microsoft reveals that three-quarters of white-collar workers have utilized AI in their jobs, often without employer approval. This widespread adoption underscores the need for companies to proactively shape the role of AI in their operations.

• Challenges to Traditional Management Practices: The prevalence of AI tools capable of generating content indistinguishable from human work poses significant challenges to traditional management practices. Managers must grapple with assessing the true contributions of employees and maintaining the quality of work output amidst the rise of AI-generated content.

• Potential Impacts on Work Culture and Productivity: While AI can streamline tasks and empower employees to focus on more meaningful work, it also presents risks such as the erosion of work quality and employees feeling constantly monitored. Organizations must strike a balance in leveraging AI to support employee development while respecting autonomy and privacy.

AI Trailblazer Takeaways: The complexities of managing AI in the workplace are just starting to be understood. It is imperative that companies explore the need for strategic responses to ensure a harmonious balance between efficiency, employee autonomy, and work quality.

AI Trailblazers Summit Details

Join us for our AI Trailblazers Summit on June 6th at the stunning Neuehouse in Madison Square, New York. This meticulously curated forum will delve into the critical questions shaping marketing, product development, innovation, legal frameworks, and venture capital in the AI era.

Speakers include:
Allison Goldberg, SVP & Managing Partner, Comcast Ventures
Bob Lord, former SVP of Cognitive Applications at IBM
Cheryl Guerin, EVP Global Brand Strategy & Innovation, Mastercard
Dave Lampert, CIO, Cadwalader LLP
George Matthew, MD, Insight Partners
Jonathan Halvorson, SVP Consumer Engagement, Mondelez
JJ Juergensen, MD, Head of Cyber Risk, Barclays
Karen Levy, CIO, Debevoise & Plimpton
Manish Goyal, Operating Partner, Berkshire Partners
Marisa Thalberg, CMO, United Parks
Matt Turck, MD, FirstMark Capital
Nihal Mehta, Founding Partner, Eniac Venture
Patrick Garcia, SVP, IT Engineering & Innovation at SRS Distribution Inc.
Peter Lesser, CIO, Skadden Arps
Robert Huntsman, Chief Data Scientist, Prudential Financial
Sara Fischer, Journalist, Axios
Sophie Kelly, SVP of Tequila Brands at Diageo
Suzanne Vranica, Journalist, The Wall Street Journal

View the agenda and request an invite before we reach capacity.

What is AI Trailblazers?

AI Trailblazers is a vibrant platform dedicated to uniting marketers, technologists, entrepreneurs, and venture capitalists at the forefront of artificial intelligence (AI). Join us for our AI Trailblazers Summit in New York on June 6th. We launched at CES in partnership with The New York Times and hosted our members for an evening of AI programming at SXSW.

This platform is designed to fuel growth, innovation, and career development among its members, who all want to be at the forefront of incorporating artificial intelligence into their businesses and their lives for strategic advantage. More information here.

Magnificent 7 Links

Sainsbury’s and Microsoft announce five-year AI collaboration (TechInformed)

Introducing Copilot+ PCs - The Official Microsoft Blog (Microsoft Blog)

OpenAI vs. Google—how the AI battle will affect brands (Ad Age)

Amazon plans to give Alexa an AI overhaul — and a monthly subscription price (CNBC)

How Google’s AI will help brands in ads and search (Ad Age)

Apple Reportedly Joining Forces With OpenAI for iOS 18 (Gizmodo)

Other Links of the Week

Scarlett Johansson says she is 'shocked, angered' over new ChatGPT voice (NPR)

AI is already changing management — companies must decide how (Financial Times)

A.I.’s Black Boxes Just Got a Little Less Mysterious (NY Times)

The promise and the reality of gen AI agents in the enterprise (McKinsey)

Exclusive: White House unveils principles for AI in the workplace (Axios)

Fei-Fei Li: With spatial intelligence, AI will understand the real world (TED Talk)

OpenAI, WSJ Owner News Corp Strike Content Deal Valued at Over $250 Million (WSJ)