Redefining AI Priorities: Insights from IBM Think and Intel’s Bold Lunar Lake Initiative

Last week, I had the opportunity to tune into IBM Think. As I absorbed the insights shared by IBM CEO Arvind Krishna, who emphasized IBM’s commitment to tailoring hardware, software, and services for individual customers, a critical realization dawned on me: we are not sufficiently contemplating the strategic deployment of AI. We seem to be applying AI indiscriminately, without carefully identifying the areas that genuinely demand its capabilities.

A similar situation occurred during the early days of nuclear energy. We faced a choice between harnessing it for safe, affordable energy production or using it for destructive ends. Unfortunately, we initially leaned towards planetary destruction, followed by unsafe energy production incidents like Chernobyl and Three Mile Island.

A popular meme on social media humorously captures this dilemma: “I want AI to do my laundry and dishes so that I can do art and writing, not for AI to do my art and writing so that I can do my laundry and dishes.”

Let’s delve into this lack of thoughtful AI application in light of Intel’s recent announcement at Computex regarding its impressive Lunar Lake platform.

We’ll wrap up with a discussion of “Trustworthy,” our featured AI solution of the week that exemplifies a more beneficial direction for AI, helping us better prepare for future challenges that all families might encounter.

IBM Think

The historical “Think” slogan dates back to Thomas Watson, Sr. In 1915, as a sales manager for NCR, Watson coined the phrase out of frustration with his executive team’s lack of ideas. He argued, “The trouble with every one of us is that we don’t think enough. We don’t get paid for working with our feet — we get paid for working with our heads.”

This absence of deep thought is precisely what we fail to address concerning AI.

AI, like any strong tool, is neutral; how it is used determines its impact. Presently, much emphasis is placed on developing increasingly powerful AI weapons, some of which are alarmingly intimidating. Consider this drone-deployed weaponized Chinese robotic dog, reminiscent of scenes from “The Terminator,” and this is just one example among many.

IBM Watson’s Early Days

When IBM initiated the Watson project, it inadvertently began by showcasing its AI expertise through game show victories. However, the initial intent was to enhance medical advice delivery.

IBM had to pivot away from the medical field due to challenges in accessing reliable medical data and the high risks of misdiagnosis. Nevertheless, this highlighted IBM’s adherence to the “Think” ethos, as improving medical care should be of paramount importance, far outweighing the rush to develop AI weapon systems.

Healthcare costs in the U.S. are exorbitant, and the quality of care often disappoints, creating a dire need for solutions. AI has the potential to address both cost and quality issues in healthcare, yet this sector does not seem to be a current priority, overshadowed by more concerning AI applications.

Instead of indiscriminately deploying AI, it would be more prudent to compile a list of prioritized tasks for AI to tackle, placing a significantly improved digital assistant at the forefront.

Lunar Lake versus Snapdragon X Elite

Your digital assistant needs to be accessible while you work, as much of the initial AI integration will focus on boosting individual productivity. Yet, the quality of these efforts needs to increase, as evidenced by the latest evaluations where Microsoft Copilot was ranked last. Interestingly, the current ChatGPT version, which underpins Copilot, achieved a second-place ranking, while Perplexity secured the top spot. We require not just AI companions, but also accurate and useful information, something Copilot is currently lacking.

Copilot+, featuring Recall and Cocreator, was initially developed for Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite processors, excluding AMD and Intel. However, both AMD and Intel have since made significant progress, with Intel’s high-end Lunar Lake processors poised to lead the next major AI chip announcement.

Lunar Lake represents a colossal endeavor from Intel, offering capabilities previously expected by 2026, though at a higher cost, likely enabling Qualcomm to dominate the mainstream notebook market until AMD’s more budget-friendly alternative arrives.

Again, reflecting on priorities, one might expect workstations and desktop PCs to be prioritized due to their importance to professional creators, yet this is not the case with the initial Copilot+ initiatives. The nearest equivalent is the Qualcomm Snapdragon Dev Kit for Windows, which enthusiasts are purchasing to add AI functionality to desktop setups.

Given that desktop and workstation users do not require laptop battery constraints and primarily consist of developers (a key clientele for Microsoft), it would seem logical to prioritize these platforms. Nvidia successfully convinced Microsoft to embrace their platform, with AMD following suit, albeit with a focus on gaming.

Gaming is crucial because intelligent non-player characters (NPCs) can greatly enhance gameplay experiences, both as adversaries and allies. Imagine, for instance, having a bonded pet dragon that fights and protects with intelligence, or an in-game assistant to guide you through complex puzzles.

Wrapping Up: AI Priorities

Returning to AI priorities: The primary aim for AI should be to aid us in making better decisions, then focus on tasks detracting from our enjoyment of life, such as cleaning, laundry, navigating traffic, reviewing our work (but not replacing it), and fostering better personal relationships or improving existing ones.

Ultimately, AI can either enhance our world or make it considerably worse. Personally, I would prefer the former. While I do not need additional challenges, I could certainly use more assistance.

Trustworthy: The Family Operating System

On the subject of ideal AI applications, steering AI to assist in managing personal and family affairs seems most beneficial.

Trustworthy helps by organizing essential documents so that, in the event of an emergency, those left behind can swiftly and easily handle bills and estate matters. It tracks important records such as mortgages, birth certificates, credit cards, retirement accounts, insurance, and passwords. The Trustworthy Family Operating System efficiently manages these tedious tasks that often detract from personal happiness.

Trustworthy utilizes AI without retaining memory, meaning it does not learn from customer data. This caught my interest because I’ve been wrestling with similar organizational tasks recently and could genuinely benefit from what Trustworthy offers. Here’s a video overview.

Given my focus on positive AI applications, Trustworthy stands out as a prime example. It prepares us better for sudden events, aids in recovering from natural disasters or personal loss, assists in retirement or relocation preparations, and generally brings a sense of control and peace to our complex lives.

Trustworthy starts with a reasonably priced service for basic financial information protection at $120 annually. It hikes up to $240 per year for families with business interests, $590 for plans including three hours of service annually for setup and ongoing support, and $990 for extensive assistance, ideal for elderly relatives needing substantial help to organize decades of documentation.

Data security is paramount, featuring encryption, multi-factor authentication (biometrics), tokenization for sensitive information, and regular redaction of details like driver’s license numbers to prevent exposure.

In my opinion, Trustworthy illustrates the direction AI should take: simplifying our lives, reducing stress, and enhancing safety rather than eradicating jobs, incomes, or serving as a basis for lethal weaponry. Therefore, Trustworthy: The Family Operating System is my Product of the Week.