Latest Business and Technology Updates: 1-800-CHATGPT-Inspired
This Week's Business Tech News Roundup
Latest Business and Technology Updates: 1-800-CHATGPT-Inspired
Here are five significant happenings in the realm of business technology this week, and their potential impacts on your enterprise. Did you overlook any of them?
Business Tech News #1 - OpenAI Introduces Dial-In Feature for ChatGPT, Enabling Calls from Any Phone
OpenAI's latest innovation enables users to engage in live, interactive chats with ChatGPT through phone calls. The feature, available for users in the U.S., allows them to dial 1-800-CHATGPT (1-800-242-8478) for a free 15-minute conversation with ChatGPT. The purpose is to make AI chatbots like ChatGPT more accessible to individuals who might not possess smartphones or computers. International users can also utilize WhatsApp to send free texts to the same number. According to OpenAI's announcement, conversations may be stored and subjected to review for safety reasons. (Source: PYMNTS)
Why this is significant for your business:
Users who claim they shy away from utilizing AI chatbots like ChatGPT will likely be those without employment. These chatbots are employed for a multitude of tasks, but their primary use seems to be to provide prompt advice and information, thereby aiding individuals in improving their lives and performing their jobs more efficiently. While AI chatbots can be accessed via mobile apps and directly through phones, some might find phone calls more convenient. Various methods of disseminating information—newspapers, radio, internet, TV—exist, allowing people to choose their preferred method based on comfort level.
Business Tech News #2 - Sam Altman Foresees Superintelligence Spurring 10x Increase in AI Breakthroughs Annually
OpenAI's Sam Altman shared his predictions about AI's future. Altman distinguishes between AGI, or Artificial General Intelligence, and superintelligence, stating that the latter will surpass AGI's capabilities. He anticipates this development would cause a surge, enhancing scientific progress and technological breakthroughs at a rate "10 times faster" than currently assumed. Altman suggests that superintelligence may be just "a few thousand days away," potentially arriving sooner than projected. Altman believes that superintelligence will revolutionize society without altering fundamental human values. (Source: Windows Central)
Why this is significant for your business:
Hailing "superintelligence" as potential boon or bane, it ultimately approaches with inevitable arrival. For businesses operating in scientific fields, the utilization of superintelligent AI can accelerate research and development, leading to the creation of superior products. Commercial applications of this technology are still a few years away, but the timeframe is diminishing.
Business Tech News #3 - Thryv Introduces Reporting Center for Small Businesses, Providing Easy Access to Critical Insights
Sales and marketing platform Thryv has presented its new Reporting Center, which aims to provide small businesses with easy access to essential insights. (Source: Stock Titan)
Why this is significant for your business:
Thryv will offer five standard reports covering sales, customer insights, team activity, appointments, and marketing campaign performance. The Data-Driven Insights feature will help small businesses grow and optimally manage their operations. The Visual Reports tool provides crucial business metrics in a visually appealing format, making it simpler for business owners to comprehend and act upon data. Users can also construct custom reports or choose from a template library, focusing on specific metrics and ready-to-use charts.
Business Tech News #4: Embrace the Era of Zero Trust – Implications for VPNs and Your Data
Sam Singleton of PCWorld delved into the impending outlook for Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). Singleton discussed the "Zero Trust Concept." Zero Trust is a cybersecurity strategy that presumes no user or device is inherently trustworthy, irrespective of whether they are within or outside the network. Instead of relying on a single perimeter defense, Zero Trust calls for continuous verification of all users and devices, thereby bolstering security. Modern VPNs will continue to be relevant but will need to evolve to fit into the Zero Trust model, incorporating more precise and ongoing security checks. (Source: PC World)
Why this is significant for your business:
I endorse this prediction and encourage you to closely examine Singleton's theory with your IT team. As the Zero Trust security applications, tools, and technologies proliferate in the upcoming years, staying informed and ahead is crucial. My concern revolves around latency and speed, especially if every device must be verified for security purposes. However, I am confident that this challenge can be effectively resolved as hardware becomes faster and AI is harnessed for quicker analysis.
Business Tech News #5 – Software Development to Headline Small Business Trends in 2025
Software will be a prominent theme for small businesses in 2025. Small business service platform Hello Alice has speculated what 2025 will look like for small businesses. Co-Founder, Elizabeth Gore shared her observations, stating, "There's going to be around five times the amount of small businesses launching in 2025 than at any point in history." Small business owners are prioritizing software tools that will facilitate more efficient operation and product or service sales. Companies like Square, Shopify, and Nerdwallet are prime examples of firms offering software tools to support small business efficiency. "AI will be significant for small businesses," Gore also opined. (Source: Yahoo Finance)
Why this is significant for your business:
Small businesses view software as a critical element, given the projected surge in the number of new small businesses by 2025. Small business owners are on the lookout for software that enhances operational efficiency and aids in selling products or services. Companies such as Square, Shopify, and Nerdwallet epitomize this trend, offering tools designed to facilitate small businesses. AI is set to play a significant role in this evolution, as well.
The surge of startups is unprecedented. Countless new applications are bound to emerge. At present, there are entities that remain obscure to us, yet they're on the brink of becoming commonplace household names, boosted by the rise of AI. I'm skeptical that these transformations will drastically affect tiny enterprises before 2025. Nonetheless, they're on the horizon, and I'm committed to keeping you in the loop.
Every seven days, I analyze and comment on five relevant business technology news stories, discussing how these developments affect your operations.
In light of OpenAI's introduction of a dial-in feature for ChatGPT, allowing phone calls with the AI chatbot, businesses may consider expanding their customer support options to include phone interactions alongside traditional digital channels. This could make AI chatbots more accessible to a wider audience, including those without smartphones or computers.
Following Sam Altman's predictions about superintelligence sparking a 10x increase in AI breakthroughs annually, businesses in scientific fields should prepare for potential advancements in research and development using this technology, as it could lead to the creation of superior products.