What are AI technologies?

AI technologies, or artificial intelligence technologies, are computer programs designed to perform tasks that normally require human thought, such as understanding language or recognizing patterns. The term “AI technologies” is an umbrella term that covers various applications. Some examples of this are ChatGPT, SwissGPT and Perplexity.

These programs or applications can be fed with large amounts of data in order to learn and improve. This means that the more information they receive, the better they become at answering questions, writing texts and solving problems. They function in a similar way to a very fast and efficient assistant that is specially trained to perform certain tasks. Each of these applications, such as ChatGPT, Perplexity or SwissGPT, has special capabilities or features that make them unique, but they all use the basic principles of artificial intelligence to function.

Why is careful and responsible use of AI technologies becoming increasingly important?

AI technologies are having an increasing impact on many aspects of our lives, from the world of work to personal decisions. Artificial intelligence can analyze large amounts of data and make decisions that have far-reaching consequences. It is therefore crucial that we ourselves and those around us use these technologies ethically in order to avoid discrimination, privacy violations and other negative effects on people and companies. In the following article, I will give you 5 simple tips on how you can help ensure that AI technologies are used mindfully and responsibly.

My AI assistant has also created a podcast episode for the following article. If you prefer listening to reading, you can listen to the podcast via the following link (ATTENTION: Podcast is created exclusively by AI, no guarantee for accuracy).

1. get to know the creator of AI technology

I like to say that dealing with artificial intelligence is comparable to interaction between people. If I know the history of my counterpart, understand his experiences and character traits, I can understand his actions and decisions much better than if I don’t have this information.

Similar principles apply to the use of AI technologies. Only when you understand how AI technologies and language models, especially large language models (LLMs), work can you reliably assess their results. You can read more about how ChatGPT works in my article “What is ChatGPT?”.

It is important to keep in mind that AI technologies, such as ChatGPT, basically perform probability calculations based on an enormous amount of data that we are often not even aware of. This insight helps to understand why ChatGPT does not always answer every question correctly and why many answers may appear similar.

Another important aspect concerns the companies behind the AI technologies. The global corporation Microsoft is increasingly involved in OpenAI. What once began as a non-profit initiative has now developed into a commercially oriented group in which issues such as data protection may not always be at the forefront. In contrast, I would argue that AI technologies from Switzerland or Germany, such as those from AlpineAI, may give higher priority to national data protection laws.

2. question every statement of Generative AI before you continue to use it

Regardless of how short or long your request to Generative AI is, it is essential to thoroughly review and critically scrutinize the result. Artificial intelligence never reaches the intelligence level of a human being and is not able to check itself independently. The fact that only a probability calculation takes place in the background underlines the system’s potential susceptibility to errors. In addition, the database on which these calculations are based is also not free of errors.

It seems essential to me that the result of an AI technology is not only checked for correctness of content, but also for logical consistency and, depending on the request, for compliance with one’s own expectations and specifications. For example, when I look for inspiration from the AI application SwissGPT when writing blog posts, I always adapt the generated answers so that they match my personal language style.

3. observe data protection and use secure solutions

Please note that all data that you enter in the input field of an AI technology, such as ChatGPT, can generally be viewed and possibly used by the provider behind the technology. ChatGPT and Google Gemini have already made several negative headlines in this regard. As long as you only make simple requests and do not transmit any sensitive data, data protection may still play a subordinate role. However, it is often difficult to estimate how quickly the classification of data categories can change. Without giving it much thought, we could inadvertently enter our customers’ names or addresses in the input field, which cannot be undone. So if you want to be on the safe side, you should use solutions that meet the data protection requirements of your own company or country right from the start. In Switzerland, for example, this could be SwissGPT from AlpineAI. Alternatively, it is possible to use open source models and even host or operate them independently.

4. separates tasks that are intended for artificial intelligence from those that are reserved for humans

At this point, I would like to quote the beginning of my last lecture: “I know that there are AI apps for plant recognition, but when I go hiking on Sundays with a good friend who is a plant expert, I don’t need AI.”

My point here is that it is becoming increasingly important that we learn to decide which tasks we do and do not perform with the help of AI technologies. The first step is to determine for which use cases AI technology may have superior capabilities or at least offer a more efficient approach. The Generative AI Use Case Finder is a useful tool for identifying AI applications.

In the next step, however, ethical and moral considerations must also be taken into account. For example, would we like AI technology to answer our private birthday greetings in the future, or is that a task we would rather do ourselves? Personally, I will certainly continue to write my postcards by hand. However, everyone has to make this decision for themselves.

5. share your experiences with your fellow human beings

And finally, I would like to encourage you to share your experiences with AI technologies and talk about them. Whether the experience was successful or not, it was certainly instructive. The field of AI applications is still very new and we will continue to learn and improve. It helps if we don’t go through every experience ourselves or alone, but exchange ideas and benefit from the experiences of others.

Share your own experiences and actively ask your network for testimonials. One of my favorite questions when I moderate a panel on artificial intelligence is the question about my favorite prompt. I always learn from the answers and at the same time get new inspiration for further use cases, types of use and more.

I have also set up a WhatsApp group where I regularly post news, events and updates about AI technologies, artificial intelligence and chatbots. Everyone is welcome to take part. Simply follow this link to the WhatsApp group follow.

Fancy more?

I have created a variety of offers, templates and useful links for the responsible and mindful use of AI technologies. Take a look at my page on AI with foresight.

Nothing there?

Then write me a message with your wishes and questions and we will find an offer for you. Just send me a message via WhatsApp or email.

Or come directly to my WhatsApp group – where I regularly post use cases, news, best practices, events and much more about chatbots, ChatGPT and co.

This article is also available as a podcast episode

Attention! The podcast was created entirely by my AI-Assistant based on my contribution – no guarantee for incorrect content.