Think: Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to deliver a keynote to a group of public relations and communications professionals on the topic of how AI will transform their industry. To prepare for my keynote, I spent a great deal of time using ChatGPT to help me research the topic. I also, however, found these two articles helpful: What Role Will AI Play in the Future of Public Relations and Three Ways AI Will Change the Game for Communications Professionals.
Think in Questions: Are “flying tractors” really a “window into the future of farming” as this headline from the Washington Post states? The answer is no. The reality, however, is still just as impressive. The “flying tractors” aren’t really tractors, they are drones, and soon a fleet of drones may be able to apply fertilizer, fungicides and insecticides more efficiently and without compacting the land (as some tractors do). As an added benefit, the drones will cost one-third the price of traditional equipment and may even be able to be rented on an as-needed-basis.
Think Again: Think automobiles will be the only thing to be electrified in the future? It’s time to think again because it appears that advances in battery density may soon allow airplanes to become all-electric. (Here’s just one quote from the article: “The launch of condensed batteries will usher in an era of universal electrification of sea, land and air transportation.”)
Think Harder: It is not uncommon to see t-shirts sporting the slogan “The future is female.” As the number of women graduating from universities continues to exceed their male counterparts, an increasing number of women will rightly ascend to more leadership positions within business, government and the nonprofit world. Interestingly, women may also take the lead in space–Study Finds Female Astronauts are More Efficient, Suggesting Future Space Missions with All Female Crews.
Heart-Centered Thinking: I am not a fan of media “political” personalities on either the left or the right. Nevertheless, sometimes they do cause me to look within myself for my own preconceived biases. This is an article I wrote for my hometown newspaper, the Minneapolis Star Tribune, this week: How Tucker Carlson Inspired a Change of Heart.
Afterthought: “AI is a tool, not a replacement for human intelligence, creativity, and empathy. It can enhance our capabilities and help us make more informed decisions, but it’s up to us to use it wisely and responsibly.” – Fei-Fei Li, Co-Director of the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence.
