In this episode of Disambiguation, co-hosted with Tom Pringle, we dive into the November edition of AI Pulse, where we explore the latest developments in AI, generative AI, and business automation. We discuss the current state of AI news, noting a slight decrease in dramatic headlines compared to previous cycles, which may indicate a maturation of the industry.

Michael shares insights from his recent work on language models, highlighting the emergence of industry-specific models from Microsoft and Google's new developments in large language models that mimic smaller models' efficiency. We delve into the concept of Relaxed Recursive Transformers (RPTs) and their potential to optimize resource usage.

The conversation shifts to the importance of model specificity, particularly in business processes, where tailored models can enhance productivity. We also touch on the intriguing idea of large behavior models (LBMs) that focus on understanding human emotions, which could revolutionize customer service interactions.

As we navigate through the implications of AI in business, we consider the balance between structured and unstructured activities, emphasizing the need for human creativity in decision-making processes. We also discuss the ongoing interest from venture capitalists in AI startups, with significant funding rounds indicating a robust future for AI innovation.

Overall, this episode provides a comprehensive overview of the current AI landscape, the challenges and opportunities it presents, and the critical role of human insight in leveraging these technologies effectively. Join us as we unpack these topics and more in our ongoing exploration of AI's impact on business.

In this episode of Disambiguation I introduce a unique format where we dive into the AI Trends for 2025, based on our recently published research brief from Arion Research. Instead of presenting the findings myself, I feature an engaging interview with Avatar co-hosts Julia and Joshua, who explore twelve major trends shaping the future of AI.

We kick off with the rise of specialized language models, which are fine-tuned for specific industries like healthcare and law, enhancing efficiency and accuracy. The conversation then shifts to large action models, capable of not just analyzing data but also taking real-time actions, revolutionizing how AI interacts with complex processes.

Next, we discuss liquid foundation models, which are dynamic and continuously learning, contrasting with traditional static models. The episode also highlights the growing importance of decision intelligence and predictive analytics, showcasing AI's potential in various sectors, including healthcare and finance.

As we delve deeper, we explore autonomous agents, which can operate with minimal human intervention, raising questions about the future of the workforce. We also touch on multimodal and multitask models that can process various data types simultaneously, enhancing customer service experiences.

Ethical considerations are paramount as we discuss responsible and explainable AI, alongside the need for regulations to ensure AI development aligns with human values. The episode further examines AI-powered personalization in B2B environments and the innovative use of synthetic data to protect privacy.

We conclude with a look at edge AI, which brings processing power closer to the data source, and the importance of sustainable AI practices to minimize environmental impact. Throughout the discussion, we emphasize the need for workforce development to adapt to the evolving job landscape shaped by AI.

Read the Research Brief: https://www.arionresearch.com/research-briefs/ai-trends-for-2025

In this episode of Disambiguation, I had the pleasure of speaking with Ranjitha Kumar, Chief Research Scientist at UserTesting. We delved into the exciting intersection of AI and customer experience research, particularly focusing on how large language models (LLMs) are transforming the way we gather and analyze user feedback.

Ranjitha shared insights into her role at User Testing, where she leads the AI product strategy. We discussed the various stages of customer experience research where AI can play a pivotal role—from creating tests and identifying target users to analyzing results and contextualizing findings within a broader dataset. The conversation highlighted the challenges of integrating AI, especially when dealing with multimodal data streams that include both explicit feedback, like survey responses, and implicit feedback, such as clickstream data.

One of the key takeaways was the potential for AI to enhance qualitative research by providing deeper insights into user emotions and behaviors. Ranjitha emphasized the importance of human oversight in the AI process, ensuring that researchers can verify AI-generated insights against raw data to avoid misinformation.

We also explored the future of AI in this space, envisioning a seamless integration of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies. Ranjitha discussed the potential for AI to not only analyze data but also generate design alternatives, creating a holistic system for optimizing digital experiences.

As we wrapped up, Ranjitha recommended the People Plus AI research website from Google, which offers valuable guidelines for user-centered machine learning. This episode provided a fascinating look at how AI is reshaping customer experience research and the exciting possibilities that lie ahead.

Thank you for joining us, and I hope you found this discussion as enlightening as I did! Don't forget to subscribe and leave a rating if you enjoyed the show.

In this episode of Disambiguation, I had the pleasure of speaking with Rohan Sen, a data risk and privacy principal at PricewaterhouseCoopers US. Our discussion centered around the critical topic of responsible AI, a subject that is increasingly top of mind for business leaders as they navigate the complexities of AI adoption.

Rohan provided insights from a recent Responsible AI survey, which revealed that while a significant number of executives are adopting AI technologies, many are still grappling with the associated risks and governance challenges. Notably, only 58% of respondents had considered these risks, and a mere 14% felt they had made substantial progress in implementing responsible AI practices.

We explored the biggest challenges organizations face in establishing a responsible AI governance framework, including the lack of clarity around ownership and the need for effective stakeholder engagement. Rohan emphasized the importance of data quality and governance as foundational elements for successful AI initiatives.

Trust emerged as a recurring theme in our conversation. Rohan highlighted that building trust in AI requires transparency and a commitment to responsible practices. He also discussed how organizations can leverage responsible AI to gain a competitive advantage by demonstrating their commitment to ethical practices and stakeholder interests.

As we looked to the future, Rohan predicted that organizations would need to operationalize their responsible AI efforts and rethink their processes to fully harness the potential of AI technologies. He also recommended following thought leaders like Professor Ethan Malik for further insights into generative AI.

Overall, this episode provided valuable perspectives on the journey toward responsible AI, the importance of governance, and the need for organizations to adapt to the evolving landscape of AI technologies. Thank you for joining us, and I hope you found this discussion as enlightening as I did!

Welcome to the October edition of AI Pulse on the Disambiguation Podcast! Join your host, Michael Fauscette, and co-host Tom Pringle as they dive into the latest trends and developments in AI, generative AI, and business automation.

In this episode, we explore:
-The recent funding round for OpenAI and its implications for the AI landscape.
-The dominance of generative AI in venture capital funding, with 40% of all VC funding going to generative AI startups.
-The emergence of liquid foundation models and their potential to revolutionize AI training and efficiency.
-The impact of NVIDIA's Blackwell GPU and the challenges of supply in the tech industry.
-The fascinating concept of autonomous agents and their role in enhancing customer service and decision-making processes.
-A light-hearted discussion about a new AI technology that allows dogs to communicate with their owners.

Tune in for an engaging conversation filled with insights, predictions, and a touch of humor as we navigate the rapidly evolving world of AI. Don't forget to subscribe and leave us a five-star rating if you enjoy the show!

For more on AI and other software research reports, check out arionresearch.com. If you have expertise in AI, generative AI, or business automation, email us at [email protected] to be a guest on our show!

In this episode of Disambiguation, I had the pleasure of speaking with Brian Jackson, Principal Research Director at Info-Tech Research Group, about their TechTrends 2025 report. We discuss the evolving role of CIOs, particularly in the context of AI, and discussed the concept of "simulated futures," which emphasizes the need for IT leaders to transition from merely recording data to forecasting and strategizing for the future.

Brian highlighted the shift in generative AI from a consumer tool to a systemic component of enterprise applications, emphasizing the importance of integrating AI into various business processes. We explored the challenges organizations face in scaling AI effectively, including the need for AI sovereignty, which involves maintaining control over data, quality, and costs.We also touched on the emerging trend of AI avatars in customer service and internal use cases, showcasing how these digital humans can enhance user interactions. However, we acknowledged the risks associated with deepfakes and discussed potential strategies for organizations to combat misinformation.

Additionally, we examined the importance of specialized AI models tailored to specific industries, with examples from the legal and pharmaceutical sectors. Brian shared insights on how companies can manage their investments in AI to foster innovation while keeping costs in check.

Finally, we addressed the looming threat of quantum computing and the necessity for organizations to prepare for post-quantum cryptography to safeguard their data. Brian's recommendations for IT leaders included prioritizing information security and developing a proactive plan for transitioning to quantum-resistant encryption.

Brain recommends: Ralph Stacey

Overall, this episode provided valuable insights into the future of AI in business and the critical steps organizations must take to navigate this rapidly changing landscape. Thank you for joining us, and I encourage you to check out the full report for more in-depth analysis.

In this episode of Disambiguation, I had the pleasure of speaking with Ryan Nichols, the Chief Customer Officer at Salesforce Service Cloud. We dive into the exciting world of autonomous agents in customer service, a topic that has garnered significant attention and interest in recent times.

Ryan provided valuable insights into the evolution of AI in customer service, highlighting the transition from traditional chatbots to more advanced autonomous agents. We discussed how these agents leverage large language models to not only generate responses but also take action on behalf of customers, significantly enhancing the customer experience while reducing operational costs.

One of the key points we explored was the importance of grounding these AI models in reliable data, which is crucial for delivering personalized and accurate responses. Ryan emphasized the role of Salesforce's AgentForce platform in empowering customer service teams to define specific tasks for these agents, ensuring they operate within clear guidelines and can effectively assist customers.

We also touched on the hybrid model of customer service, where AI agents work alongside human agents. This collaboration allows human representatives to focus on more complex and emotionally charged issues, ultimately improving customer satisfaction and fostering deeper relationships.
Ryan shared a compelling case study about Saks, a luxury retailer that successfully implemented an autonomous agent to streamline their return process, demonstrating the tangible benefits of this technology. We discussed the challenges companies face in deploying these agents, particularly around data fragmentation, and how Salesforce is addressing these issues through its data cloud initiatives.

As we wrapped up, Ryan offered his thoughts on the future of AI in customer service, including the potential for multimodal interactions and the integration of voice capabilities. He also highlighted the need for leaders to maintain an imaginative perspective on how technology can shape the future of customer engagement.

Ryan recommends: Fall; or, Dodge in Hell by Neil Stephenson and Cal Newport in his work on "Deep Work" and "Slow Productivity"

Overall, this conversation provided a fascinating look at the transformative potential of autonomous agents in customer service and the ongoing journey toward more efficient and empathetic customer interactions. Thank you for joining us, and I hope you found this episode as enlightening as I did!

Welcome to the September edition of AI Pulse on the Disambiguation podcast! Join host Michael Fauscette and co-host Tom Pringle as they dive into the latest developments in AI, generative AI, and business automation.In this episode, we explore:
-The staggering new valuation of AI company Anthropic and the implications of massive funding in the industry.
-A comparison of the current AI landscape to the early days of cloud computing, discussing sustainability and market dominance.
-The evolving role of established tech giants like Salesforce, Microsoft, and Google in the AI space.
-The importance of integrating AI into enterprise applications and the potential of autonomous agents.
-Recent regulatory developments in California, including Governor Gavin Newsom's push for AI-related legislation.
-Insights from a recent U.S. Chamber of Commerce survey revealing that 98% of small firms are using AI technologies, with a significant rise in generative AI adoption.

Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion on the future of AI, its impact on businesses, and the ethical considerations that come with rapid technological advancement. Don't forget to subscribe for more insights on AI and business automation!

🎙️ Welcome to this episode of the Disambiguation Podcast, “Personality AI: Understanding Your Buyer #Buyerfirst”. 
🌟 Our special guest Neeraj Singh, Head of Revenue, Humantic AI.  
🔍 In this episode, we discuss:-The difference between the traditional sales intelligence and buyer intelligence, and why buyer intelligence is so important to a modern sales strategy.-How personality AI helps companies understand buyer behavior.-The DISC personality profile and how it can be used in a sales process.-The other ways companies can use DISC and personality AI-How a sales team should approach the need for a complete customer data profile-How companies can protect privacy and ensure data is secure.-The future of sales tech over the next 3-5 years
👍 Neeraj Recommends: The Sales innovation Paradox by Howard Dover and Antifragile: Things That Gain from Disorder by Nassim Nicholas Taleb.

🎙️ Welcome to this episode of the Disambiguation Podcast, “The Transformative Power of AI in the Workplace”. 
🌟 Our special guest Dr. Marie-Helene Pelletier (MH), author of The Resilience Plan: A Strategic Approach to Optimizing Your Work Performance and Mental Health.  
🔍 In this episode, we discuss:-How managers can balance productivity gains from AI with maintaining human engagement and psychological safety in the workplace.-What practical steps business leaders should take to adopt AI without increasing workforce stress while gaining the adoption they need to be successful. -How businesses can maintain the level of human engagement while integrating AI.-How managers / leaders can help employees deal with this perception and navigate job and career changes.-The best strategies for addressing the disconnect between executives and employees concerning AI adoption.-Strategies that managers can use to address AI as both an opportunity and a challenge.-Advice to employees who are anxious about the increasing presence of AI in their jobs.-How you build a resilience plan and the impact it can have on performance and mental health. 
👍MH Recommends: The AI Savvy Leader by David De Cremer.
📕Free resources from MH’s book, The Resilience Plan: A Strategic Approach to Optimizing Your Work Performance and Mental Health.