Zepp Health has launched the Amazfit T-Rex 3, a rugged smartwatch designed for outdoor enthusiasts and adventurers. With its military-grade durability, precise navigation, and exceptional battery life, the T-Rex 3 is the perfect companion for your outdoor adventures.
Source: Amazfit
The Amazfit T-Rex 3 is built to withstand the toughest conditions, featuring a rugged design and military-grade construction. Its large 1.5-inch AMOLED display offers a peak brightness of 2,000 nits, ensuring excellent visibility in any lighting conditions.
The T-Rex 3 boasts a powerful battery that can last up to 27 days on typical usage or 180 hours of continuous GPS tracking and navigation. This impressive battery life allows you to embark on extended adventures without worrying about running out of power.
Equipped with dual-band GPS, the T-Rex 3 provides accurate navigation and tracking, even in challenging environments. The smartwatch offers offline maps with turn-by-turn directions, ensuring you stay on course, even without cellular connectivity.
Source: Amazfit
Privacy is a top priority with the T-Rex 3. You have control over your GPS data, with options for permanent or temporary cloud storage, no cloud storage, or entirely disabling GPS permissions. Additionally, you can back up your data to your email, cloud, or mobile device.
The T-Rex 3 offers a wide range of health-tracking features, including heart rate variability, blood oxygen monitoring, sleep tracking, and stress monitoring. These features help you understand your overall health and fitness levels.
With over 170 workout modes, the T-Rex 3 caters to a variety of fitness activities. New additions include Hyrox Racing, Freediving, and upgraded Strength Training modes. The Zepp Coach feature provides personalized workout plans and guidance to help you reach your fitness goals.
Source: Amazfit
The T-Rex 3 runs on Zepp OS 4.0, which introduces fully integrated AI for a smarter and more intuitive experience. Enjoy seamless connectivity with third-party fitness devices and benefit from the AI assistant powered by OpenAI’s GPT-4.
Comparison to the Amazfit T-Rex 2
The Amazfit T-Rex 3 builds upon the success of its predecessor, the T-Rex 2. Here’s a comparison of key features:
Feature
Amazfit T-Rex 2
Amazfit T-Rex 3
Screen Size
1.39 inches
1.50 inches
Screen Material
Glass
Gorilla Glass
Brightness
1,000 nits
2,000 nits
Built-in Microphone
No
Yes
Sports Modes
158+
170+
Operating System
Zepp OS 2.0
Zepp OS 4.0
Pricing and Availability
The Amazfit T-Rex 3 is available for pre-order at a special price of RM1,099.00 during the Pre-Launch Sale from September 7th to 8th, 2024, at the DirectD Gadget Mega Store in Petaling Jaya. Customers will also receive a complimentary Amazfit String Bag, Amazfit Microfiber Towel, and DirectD Water Bottle while supplies last. Starting from September 9th, 2024, the T-Rex 3 will be available for RM1,099.00 on Shopee.
Grab’s humble roots as a Malaysian-born start-up are often ignored as the company has moved its headquarters over to Singapore, a country that was, at a time, more receptive to disruptors and unicorns. However, Malaysia’s talent still plays a vital role in the organisation as the company continues to host some of its core talent in Malaysia like its technical team – one which the company is currently expanding.
Source: Tech in Asia
That said, the company’s Chief Technology Officer, Suthen Thomas Paradatheth, continues to lead the expanding technical and programming teams. Suthen is a Malaysian, born and bred. He hails from Kuala Lumpur – Petaling Jaya more specifically – and has had most of his education locally in institutions like Sekolah Menengah Seaport (now known as Sekolah Menengah Sri Permata). Suthen earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Software Engineering with First Class Honours from Multimedia University in 2005. Programming seems to be innate with Suthen having worked as a freelancer since his high school days.
After university, a series of fortunate events and good networking found him working on Grab’s codebase. He’s been with the company since its early days in 2011; Back then, it was still MyTeksi. Since then, Suthen has earned his Masters in Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School and continues to be the man behind (most) of the code and features that make their way into the Grab app.
But – we’re not here to talk just about his achievements, we’re here to talk about the tech he’s worked on and some of the methods of his madness. It’s worth noting though, that even with his impressive resume and experience – particularly with Grab – Suthen remains extremely humble and approachable.
Passion Driven, Curiosity Fuelled
Heading Grab’s Technology and Programming is no small task. From its early days, the task of building the Grab Superapp has been monumental. It involved significant changes to the codebase, deciding which language to use and even creating new approaches. The task – which at one point was outsourced to programmers in India – is now handled by a team of about 2000 employees and headed by Suthen.
Source: Grab
“Software engineering is, like, the closest thing to magic in the real world. Like, you put a certain set of words on a screen in a certain way and something happens…it’s the closest thing to a spell in reality.”
Suthen’s take on building a capable team is a rather unique one. In fact, his approach to working as the CTO is unique in itself. His approach is a very altruistic one mired in the belief that Grab as a platform is impacting lives significantly. This belief paired with an insatiable curiosity and passion for coding has led to his growth over the years and his ability to manage a large, growing team. This same passion and drive is what he looks for in his team members.
The ethos even rings true when the team deploys new features and services into the app. Key tenets like “How will users benefit from it?” and “Will it make a significant difference?” are big drivers to why we continue to willingly accept the big changes we see in the Grab app.
Empowering Independence and Diversity at Every Level
The technical team at Grab isn’t a small one and – like the super app – it’s not monolithic either. The 2,000-strong team is siloed into “Tech Families” a concept built on the similar “Tribes” or “Squads” model. Each of these families is focused on one of the more technical aspects of the app’s many services and functions. But more importantly, the teams are made of diverse talents that complement their functions and reduce dependence on other teams. These teams aren’t just made up of software engineers, they could have people skilled in data and analytics, designers and even communicators if the team’s functions need it. They’re cross-functional and allow teams to work independently and innovate freely.
The biggest component to the success of Grab’s approach isn’t just the diversity of talent and skills in each team – it’s trust. Suthen has an approach where he trusts the teams and their team leads. He communicates with the leads and trusts them to solve and address the concerns of their own team members. In his own words, “…my job is actually to create coherence, connectivity between the layers.”
Using the Right Technology to Go Places
The same approach to creating coherence also trickles down to tech adoption as well. Grab isn’t behind the curve when it comes to new technologies. In fact, they’ve recently announced a partnership with Open AI to adopt some of the many Generative AI technologies that come with Open AI’s ChatGPT. However, Grab isn’t just about adopting the newest, hottest thing on the market. The decision to adopt new technologies is driven by how the new technology addresses the needs of the organization. In fact, if there isn’t a solution on the market, the teams at Grab will create their own.
Not many people know this, but Grab has actually developed its own mapping system and doesn’t use third-party map providers like Google Maps. This change was driven by the fact that a lot of third-party mapping, didn’t serve the needs of Grab’s ride partners and users. This was particularly true in markets where GrabBike is more prevalent. To address the needs of ride partners and users, Grab actually looked to their ride partners to map lesser-known roads and pathways. Using AI and a simple action camera, Grab has created its own mapping platform that allows it to be more accurate and serve ride partners better.
However, being a technology company, the teams at Grab are continually innovating. In fact, the teams are continually trying to stay ahead of the curve by identifying and addressing new needs or existing ones that new technologies can address. Leadership, like Suthen, continually push for this innovation and also hire for it. More importantly, leadership should invest in its own people to drive innovation.
Creating Efficiency & Reliability from the Ground Up
Innovation isn’t about throwing something to the wall and seeing what sticks. It’s about creating answers to problems that arise or creating better ones to existing problems. Similarly, at Grab, the approach that Suthen and the tech teams adopt is one that creates efficiency. This efficiency doesn’t just mean it’s efficient in code – whatever they do has to create efficiency when it comes to the day-to-day of Grab’s operations and this includes the efficiency of ride partners.
Source: Grab Holdings
“Running a good marketplace is also running an environmentally friendly sustainable marketplace.”
We’ve seen GrabShare come and go and return to the platform. This is due to Grab testing out more efficient and functional ways to implement it. Let’s be honest, having a single passenger in the ride can be a tad wasteful when it comes to resources, so with GrabShare, where available, the driver earns more while being more efficient with the petrol the cars utilise. With ESG goals playing an increasingly important role in companies, this approach literally builds these goals into the code.
Even when it comes to the adoption of AI and new technologies, Suthen and his team are looking at how it impacts day-to-day functions. One of the pain points they hope to resolve is the waiting time for riders when it comes to food deliveries. Minimising this would not only mean that delivery partners are more efficient with their time, it would also mean that they are able to earn more. This would also help drive more efficiency with the fuel that is being used.
Of course, when it comes to ride-hailing, Grab is looking into EVs and hybrids that allow them to be more environmentally friendly. In fact, they’ve already started offering GrabGreen in other markets.
Creating a Sustainable, Passionate Team Starts with the Top
The one thing that rang true in our sit down with Suthen is this: the culture and workspace environment start very much with the top. The right approach, empowering your teams, creating independence, and prioritising your innovations will drive your teams to increase productivity and even retain your customers.
Overall, key takeaways for disruptors and even CTOs looking to create a team that is innovation-driven is this:
Trust is key when you build your team.
Create teams that are self-sufficient and reduce dependencies to keep them agile.
Innovate efficiently and keep your company’s values as a driving force.
Apple’s annual update to iOS is finally revealed at WWDC 2024. This year, iOS 18 promises a significant leap forward in personalization, communication tools, and the seamless integration of on-device and cloud-based intelligence. Let’s delve deeper into some of the key features that will likely shape the way users interact with their iPhones.
Personalization takes Center Stage
iOS 18 ushers in a new era of customization for the iPhone experience. The once-static home screen is transforming into a dynamic and personalized hub. Imagine glancing at your phone and seeing not just app icons, but also a glimpse of your upcoming calendar events, the latest weather forecast, or even a summary of breaking news headlines – all displayed conveniently on your lock screen through customizable widgets. This eliminates the need to unlock your phone for these quick informational glances, saving precious time throughout the day.
Users can personalize their lock screens and home screens further by arranging apps and widgets in any open space. This allows for a level of customization that caters to individual preferences and workflows. Imagine placing your most-used social media apps at the bottom of the screen for easy access, while positioning frequently used productivity tools like your calendar and email app in a prominent spot closer to the top. Additionally, the ability to customize the buttons at the bottom of the lock screen provides quick access to the features users rely on most, such as the flashlight or camera app.
Taking Focus Modes to the Next Level
Focus Modes, introduced in iOS 15 to help users manage distractions and maintain productivity, receive a significant upgrade in iOS 18. Users can now create custom Focus Modes for various scenarios, such as “Work,” “Workout,” or “Relaxation.” Each Focus Mode can be tailored to automatically adjust notification settings and hide irrelevant app icons on the home screen. Imagine entering your “Work” Focus Mode and having your iPhone automatically silence notifications from social media apps while keeping your work email alerts active. This level of granular control empowers users to create an iPhone experience that seamlessly integrates with their daily routines and minimizes distractions.
The Long-Awaited Arrival of RCS Messaging
For iPhone users who have friends and family on Android devices, iOS 18 brings a long-awaited feature – support for Rich Communication Services (RCS). This integration eliminates a major pain point in communication between the two platforms. Gone are the days of blurry photos and videos sent via SMS. With RCS, iPhone users can now share high-resolution photos and videos, see typing indicators while composing messages, and enjoy other enhanced messaging features previously unavailable when communicating with Android users. This seamless integration fosters a more cohesive messaging experience regardless of the device used.
Siri Gets Smarter and More Conversational
Siri, Apple’s virtual assistant, is poised for a significant evolution with iOS 18. Apple Intelligence, unveiled alongside the new operating system, promises to enhance Siri’s capabilities by leveraging on-device and cloud-based intelligence. Imagine asking Siri complex questions and receiving not just basic answers, but also follow-up suggestions or clarifications to ensure it fully understands your intent. For instance, you could ask Siri, “Can you summarize this research paper for me and identify the key arguments?” or “Help me write a social media post about my recent vacation, capturing the fun and excitement.” Siri, powered by Apple Intelligence, could not only provide summaries and answer your questions, but also potentially generate different creative text formats like poems, code snippets, or scripts, further enhancing its utility and versatility.
A Smarter Safari Experience
Web browsing on iPhone is poised to become even more streamlined with iOS 18. Safari, Apple’s built-in web browser, receives an upgrade with the introduction of “Highlights.” This feature utilizes machine learning to identify relevant information on a webpage while you browse. Imagine reading an article about a new restaurant and seeing a “Highlights” card offering directions and contact information displayed conveniently alongside the text. This eliminates the need to switch between apps or manually search for additional details. Additionally, Reader gets a redesign, offering functionalities like summaries and tables of contents for longer articles, making it easier to consume information on the go.
Enhanced Organization in Mail
The Mail app in iOS 18 receives an update focused on improving organization and information extraction. Imagine receiving an email with a flight confirmation or hotel reservation. iOS 18’s Mail app, powered by Apple Intelligence, could automatically extract key details like flight times, hotel addresses, and confirmation numbers, making them easily accessible and actionable. Additionally, the ability to schedule emails allows you to draft a message and choose a specific time and date for it to be sent, ensuring your communication is delivered at the most opportune moment.
Memories Get a Makeover in Photos
The Photos app in iOS 18 leverages Apple Intelligence to create a more personalized and engaging experience when revisiting your memories. Imagine opening the Photos app and seeing a curated slideshow of photos and videos from your recent vacation, complete with music and captions automatically generated based on the location and content. Additionally, advanced search functionalities allow you to search your photo library based on specific criteria, such as location, date, or even the objects or people present in the photos. This makes it easier to find those specific memories you’re looking for, even years later.
Apple Notes Gets Smarter
The Notes app, often used for jotting down quick thoughts and ideas, receives a subtle but potentially useful upgrade in iOS 18. Imagine taking notes during a lecture or meeting and having the Notes app automatically identify key points, create bulleted lists, or even record audio alongside the written text. This can be particularly helpful when reviewing information later and trying to recall specific details from a conversation or presentation.
Beyond the Headline Features
While the aforementioned features take center stage in iOS 18, there are additional enhancements worth mentioning. T9 predictive dialing, a feature reminiscent of old-school flip phones, makes a comeback. Imagine wanting to call a friend named David. Simply tap the number 3 for “D,” the 2 for “A,” the 8 for “V,” and the 3 again for “I” on the iPhone’s keypad. The system will intelligently predict the contact you’re trying to reach, streamlining the dialing process.
Apple notes a continued commitment to user privacy with iOS 18. While details on specific privacy features are yet to be revealed, we can expect the update to include security patches and potentially offer more granular controls over app tracking permissions.
AI is the theme of the year when it comes to tech. Hot off the bevvy of announcements from COMPUTEX 2024, AI makes its Apple debut with ‘Apple Intelligence’. The WWDC 2024 keynote saw a swathe of new software across the board from iOS18 to MacOS Sequoia. However, Apple’s take on artificial intelligence integration was one thing in all the updates.
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
This new initiative focuses on leveraging on-device and cloud-based intelligence to enhance user experience in various aspects, from streamlined tasks to more personalized interactions. A key highlight is the integration of ChatGPT, OpenAI’s large language model, which promises to significantly improve Siri’s capabilities.
A New Siri Experience Powered by GPT-4o
Let’s talk about the OpenAI-sized elephant in the room. One of the most anticipated features within Apple Intelligence is the integration of ChatGPT. With GPT-4o having been recently announced, the technology is designed – now more than ever – to understand and respond to natural language in a more comprehensive and nuanced way.
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
Source: Apple
With ChatGPT on board, Siri is poised for a major evolution. Users can expect more natural and engaging conversations, with Siri able to follow complex requests, answer follow-up questions within context, and even generate different creative text formats like poems, code, scripts, musical pieces, and emails. It will also allow Siri more contextual actions within apps.
Users can expect a more natural and intuitive user experience, with Siri now capable of:
Understanding complex requests: Gone are the days of meticulously crafted phrases to elicit a response from Siri. ChatGPT empowers Siri to comprehend the nuances of natural language, allowing users to ask questions and make requests in a more conversational style.
Following up within context: Frustrations with disjointed conversations are a thing of the past. ChatGPT enables Siri to follow the flow of a conversation, referencing previous questions and requests to provide relevant and connected responses.
Generating creative text formats: Need a poem for a loved one or a script for a home video? Look no further than the AI-powered Siri. ChatGPT unlocks the potential for Siri to generate different creative text formats, catering to various needs and situations.
This integration is expected to be available in beta form with the upcoming iOS 18 release. However, some reports suggest these features may remain in beta even after the official iOS 18 launch, allowing Apple to gather user feedback and refine the technology before a full rollout.
It’s Not Just Siri. Apple Intelligence is Everywhere.
Source: Apple
Apple Intelligence isn’t only making its debut with Siri. It will be integrated into a bevvy of features that will be available across all of Apple’s products. Here’s a closer look at how ChatGPT is expected to influence different aspects of Apple products:
Effortless Photo and Video Management: The drudgery of editing photos and videos might soon become a relic of the past. Apple Intelligence, powered by ChatGPT, will analyze user photos and videos, automatically suggesting edits, filters, and effects. This intelligent assistant can recommend optimal edits based on factors like lighting, composition, and content, saving users valuable time and even sparking creative inspiration.
Personalized Health and Wellness Insights: The Apple Watch and Health app are poised to benefit significantly from AI integration with ChatGPT. Sleep tracking and activity monitoring functionalities are expected to become more accurate, with AI providing personalized insights that go beyond basic data collection. Imagine receiving actionable recommendations based on your sleep patterns or activity levels, empowering you to make informed decisions regarding your overall health and well-being.
Smarter Notifications, Streamlined Workflow: Imagine receiving notifications only when they are truly relevant and actionable. ChatGPT, integrated with Apple Intelligence, could analyze user habits and preferences, filtering out unimportant notifications and prioritizing the ones that require immediate attention. This intelligent system can even anticipate your needs, suggesting actions before you ask. For instance, imagine Siri suggesting you adjust your thermostat upon arriving home or reminding you of an upcoming meeting with relevant context.
Apple has emphasized its commitment to user privacy with Apple Intelligence. The company claims that all AI processing will prioritize on-device computation whenever possible. This minimizes the amount of data sent to the cloud, potentially reducing privacy concerns. Additionally, Apple assures users that their data will be anonymized and used only to improve their experience with Apple products and services.
While Apple Intelligence promises exciting possibilities, some experts caution about potential limitations. Since some features will rely on cloud-based processing, concerns regarding internet connectivity and potential latency issues remain. Additionally, the long-term impact of AI on user privacy requires ongoing scrutiny and transparency from Apple.
OpenAI has launched ChatGPT Edu. This program brings the power of AI to campuses worldwide, offering an affordable way to transform the learning experience. ChatGPT Edu is more than just a showcase of cutting-edge technology. It aims to empower educators with a unique tool to enhance student learning. Imagine personalized tutoring, smarter exam review sessions, and even AI-powered assistance with writing strong essays. These are just a few possibilities within reach.
Fueled by the advanced GPT-4o language model, ChatGPT Edu boasts a range of features designed to benefit both teachers and students:
Personalized Learning: This program adapts to individual needs, offering targeted support and explanations tailored to specific topics.
Enhanced Tutoring: Stuck on a challenging concept? ChatGPT Edu can act as a virtual learning companion, providing clear explanations and answering questions in an easy-to-understand manner.
Feedback and Review: Boost your performance on exams and assignments! ChatGPT Edu analyzes your writing and offers constructive feedback, helping you refine grammar, sentence structure, and overall clarity.
Research Assistant: Need help gathering information or brainstorming ideas for a project? ChatGPT Edu transforms into your AI research assistant, providing relevant sources and insights to propel your research forward.
According to OpenAI, ChatGPT Edu prioritizes safety, ensuring appropriate and educational interactions. The program also offers enterprise-level security and controls, giving universities peace of mind regarding student data privacy. In addition, it looks like ChatGPT Edu interactions won’t be used to train OpenAI’s LLM.
ChatGPT Edu’s introduction marks a significant step forward in integrating AI into education. It opens doors for personalized learning, improved student support, and innovative teaching methods. As educators and students experiment with this new tool, it will be fascinating to see how AI reshapes the future of learning and knowledge creation.
AI is in vogue right now. The latest company to jump on the AI bandwagon? Grab. Yep, that’s right. The same Grab that you use on a daily basis to order food, call a ride and more. Southeast Asia’s leading superapp has announced a groundbreaking collaboration with OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT. This partnership – a first-of-its-kind for OpenAI in Asia – will see Grab leverage generative AI to enhance the superapp experience across multiple facets from user experience to employee productivity.
The collaboration will focus on two key areas: developing AI-powered solutions for Grab’s user base and partners, and piloting the use of AI within Grab’s workforce.
Building a More Inclusive Experience
One of the most exciting aspects of the partnership is the potential to make Grab’s services more accessible. Grab will utilize OpenAI’s expertise in text and voice technologies to create features that cater to users with visual impairments or elderly individuals who might find navigating the app interface challenging. This could involve implementing voice commands or text-to-speech functionalities, making it easier for everyone to interact with the Grab platform.
Enhanced Customer Support and Faster Mapping Updates
The partnership extends to improving customer support. Grab will explore building AI-powered chatbots capable of better understanding user inquiries and resolving issues more efficiently. This would streamline the customer support process, leading to faster resolution times and a more satisfying user experience.
OpenAI’s vision capabilities will also play a role in enhancing GrabMaps. By leveraging AI to automate tasks and extract data more effectively from visual imagery, Grab can potentially update maps at a faster pace. This ensures users and driver-partners have access to the most up-to-date information, improving navigation and overall efficiency within the Grab ecosystem.
AI Pilot Program for Employees
Beyond user-facing solutions, Grab also plans to pilot the use of OpenAI’s ChatGPT Enterprise among select employees. This initiative complements Grab’s existing efforts to integrate AI tools across its workforce, aiming to boost productivity and explore new ways to utilize this technology for internal processes.
This collaboration between Grab and OpenAI has the potential to significantly transform the way users, partners, and employees interact with the Grab platform. By harnessing the power of AI, Grab can create a more inclusive and user-friendly experience, optimize internal operations, and ultimately solidify its position as a leader in Southeast Asia’s digital landscape.
In a potentially game-changing move, OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, is rumoured to be entering the web search arena. It looks like the company wants to challenge Google’s longstanding dominance. A report from The Information suggests that OpenAI has been quietly developing a web search product. The report claims that the information was shared by an anonymous insider.
While details about the project remain unclear, speculation is rife about whether the search tool will be seamlessly integrated into ChatGPT or introduced as a standalone product. OpenAI’s ambitious move into Google’s territory seems to bring a whole new experience to how we navigate the internet with search. If the rumours hold, we might witness a shift from the familiar phrase “Google it” to “OpenAI it”.
However, the authenticity of the claims is yet to be verified. OpenAI, itself, has not officially acknowledged the project. The company has been notoriously vigilant about leaks, even resorting to hiring investigators to address potential insider threats.
According to the insider, OpenAI’s search engine might leverage Microsoft’s Bing for certain functionalities. This makes sense with Microsoft’s substantial investments in OpenAI. Not to mention, Microsoft’s ongoing integration of GPT-based AI into various products like Bing Chat and Copilot.
Open AI search landing page generated with Microsoft Copilot
The move follows OpenAI’s pattern of expanding the capabilities of ChatGPT which was initially limited by a data cutoff or silo. In recent months, OpenAI introduced web browsing features, utilizing Bing’s search capabilities. This strategic partnership with Microsoft suggests a collaborative effort to bring about a more contextual and conversational approach to web search. This approach could potentially surpass traditional keyword-focused engines.
Despite the challenges inherent in competing with Google’s established search dominance, OpenAI’s innovative approach and support from Microsoft may pave the way for a new way of searching. The emergence of a search tool with generative and contextual AI features introduces exciting possibilities for the future of search on the internet. However, we will still need to wait and see as OpenAI is playing its cards very close to its chest.
“Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionising the way we work.” This phrase is undoubtedly something that we’ve become so familiar with over the past few years. However, we’ve yet to see the impact of AI outside manufacturing and data science – that is – until now. With generative AI taking centre stage thanks to services like OpenAI’s ChatGP, that phrase couldn’t be more relevant. AI is taking the leap from automation to contextual intelligence which will benefit more people across more industries.
In the time since the pandemic, we’ve seen a revolution in the digitization of work. A large portion of workers – like ourselves – are still finding themselves working remotely to be more productive and reduce time wasted in commutes. In fact, Microsoft’s 2021 and 2022 Work Trend Index drew sharp focus on the subject. This year, the conversation is turning towards Generative AI and its role in leapfrogging work to the next level.
A Digital Leap with A Heavy Digital Debt
Speaking of the digitization of work, the recent digital leap – while a long time coming – has resulted in workers accumulating digital debt. What exactly is this? It’s that backlog of emails, that information dump, the work chats and even those meetings and their minutes that continue to pile up even as we work through them. While the digital leap we just experienced has been amazing for work and interpersonal communication, we’re finding it harder to cope with the sheer volume of information and communication we generate.
In fact, Microsoft’s Work Trend Index found that 2 full work days are spent simply dealing with emails and inefficient meetings. This is exacerbated by the fact that we’re in 3 times more meetings at work since the pandemic. Leadership in organisations have also taken notice. They note that workers are spending too much time with their noses to the grindstone and not enough time innovating. This has created an increase in productivity but a lag in results. 77% of Malaysian respondents in Microsoft’s survey noted that they don’t have enough time and energy to get work done. This isn’t surprising given that we’re dealing with a continually growing digital debt.
“As work evolves with AI, leaders and employees alike are looking at how technology can help them be more productive in their workplace. With AI, there is now an opportunity for us to reimagine the way we work and collaborate in the workplace of the future.”
AI and, in particular, generative AI like ChatGPT and Microsoft’s Copilot are part of the solution in dealing with this digital debt. They will help workers and leaders discern signals from the immense volume of noise. Relevant information can be distilled from data both internally and on the open web in seconds saving hours of work. What’s more, AI like Copilot will be able to help create effective meetings and eventually create a leap in innovation thanks to the offloading of menial tasks to these AI. In tandem with this, leaders and employees may shift to a more asynchronous form of communication allowing for more effective communications and meetings overall.
AI Isn’t Here to Replace, It’s Here to Augment
With the increased adoption of AI in work, many of us are feeling the pinch of possibly being replaced by a soul-less tool. 62% of the respondents to Microsoft’s Work Trend Index in Malaysia share this concern. While this may be true in essence, what we will expect to see in the coming years is the integration of AI into our work to lessen repetitive work. Perhaps, this will mean that some of our job roles will change.
We’re already seeing a large portion of workers and leaders willing to offload and delegate work to AI to lessen workloads. A whopping 84% of respondents indicated such. These tasks can be administrative, analytical or even creative. Yes, while it is concerning that even creative tasks can be offloaded to AI, there’s an evolution of work that will be spurred by this which will, hopefully, spur an increase in innovative work and boost productivity. This is where most Malaysian managers find the most value in AI.
However, what will develop is an AI-employee alliance in which work is completed through a complementary pair of AI insight and employee ingenuity. This will necessitate employees and workers to have an aptitude for using AI. While it’s still early days when it comes to discerning skills that are AI-specific in the workforce, Microsoft has identified some key competencies that will be crucial for workers. 90% of leaders already anticipate this need.
A Need for AI Skills to Empower a Better Copilot
That said, employees will need to develop core competencies that will empower them to leverage AI as an integral tool for productivity. While digital skills still remain a pain point for employers, already 76% of Malaysians feel they are ill-equipped when it comes to AI skills.
The need to use and familiarise yourself with AI tools like ChatGPT cannot be overemphasized at this point. It’s no longer a question of “if” but one of “when” generative AI will make its way into your workflow. Getting to know how to prompt Generative AI tools to get the right outcome will be one of the key competencies of the AI revolution. However, it will also be crucial to understand that these AI tools are simply that – tools to get the work done. They are copilots, not autopilots when it comes to getting work done.
Source: Facebook
“There is a need for a skilled workforce to reap the benefits of AI-powered technology and solutions. Human-AI collaboration is going to be critical as we shift from AI on autopilot to AI as our copilot. The most pressing opportunity and responsibility for every leader is to understand how to leverage AI to remove the drudgery of work, unleash creativity, and build AI aptitude,”
Industry leaders like Microsoft are already incorporating AI such as GPT and DALL-E into their offerings. With the recent announcement of Windows getting Bing’s GPT-enabled assistant, it comes as no surprise that Microsoft is also integrating its aptly named ‘Copilot’ into more products. In fact, their integrations are already being tested by some 600 enterprise customers including the likes of Chevron and Goodyear. Products like Microsoft 365 and Microsoft Viva will be benefiting most from this integration.
Copilot is already incorporated in products like Outlook, OneNote, Viva Learning, Whiteboard and PowerPoint. In Whiteboard, Copilot will enable more creative and effective meetings and brainstorms on Microsoft Teams. You will be able to prompt Copilot to generate and organise ideas, create designs and even summarize Whiteboard content. In OneNote, Copilot will be able to use prompts to draft plans, generate ideas, create lists and even organize information for easier reference. In apps like Outlook and Viva Learning, natural language will be used to customise learning journeys and empower better writing through tips and suggestions as well as designing learning paths for desired outcomes. PowerPoint will be getting a DALL-E infusion which will allow images to be customised to complete presentations.
As is already evident, the AI revolution is picking up steam. AI is quickly going to spur an evolution of work which will put its role in automation to shame. It will find a space nestled in the day-to-day workings of many industries. Workers like us will need to adopt, adapt and integrate generative AI in a way and at a scale that has not been seen before to accomplish more with less hassle.
