Luke Williams (Head of AI, Intergage Group): Keeping AI real - practical advice for utilising AI

Success on the South Coast is all about showcasing interesting people doing amazing things in the local community.

My guest for episode #13 is Luke Williams, the ‘Head of AI’ at Intergage Group.

Luke wanted to build robots when he was a kid and he’s maintained a passion for new technology ever since.

He has spent his whole career working in areas of digital innovation (from the early days of PPC/SEO, digital marketing, social media etc.) before making the natural transition into AI. 

The best thing about Luke is that he is focused on the practical use-cases and tools that businesses (and individuals) can use in order to make the most of AI today.

- - - KEY TOPICS OF THE CONVERSATION - - -

In this episode we discuss:

• Practical use-cases of AI: Image to Text, Text to Image, Text to Video, Digital Avatars… • The accelerating pace of change in AI technology • How people’s willingness to accept AI will be the biggest barrier to it’s adoption • AI statement’s and why all businesses need one • Campfire, the new community Luke and Intergage has created in partnership with the Dorset Chamber to help businesses get the most from AI • Luke’s bucket list and how he ended up in the Guiness Book of World Records! • Luke’s view on the meaning of true Happiness & Success • How Luke makes his own luck by keeping his eyes open for new opportunities!

- - - CHAPTERS - - -

00:00:00 - Intro ("A sunny new podcast...") 00:00:26 - Guest Intro 00:01:20 - Welcome…  00:02:27 - Luke's story so far: Application of new technology & training/coaching 00:03:49 - Digital Innovation & Iconic South Coast Brands: (RNLI, Farrow & Ball) 00:04:25 - Current applications of AI vs hyping what will appear in the future 00:06:10 - Luke's initial interest in AI: Chat GPT v3 launch in November 2022 00:07:47 - Joining Intergage as 'Group Head of AI' 00:08:47 - Setting the Scene: the pace of change is accelerating 00:10:42 - Image to Text: AI analysis of photographs 00:12:14 - Text to Image - the evolution over 18 months 00:12:58 - Text to Video - "almost everyone believes it's real" 00:15:07 - AI is already part of everyday life… 00:19:30 - What is Generative AI? 00:23:09 - Luke's interest in robotics & Tesla 'We Robot' event 00:25:08 - People's willingness to accept AI as a barrier to it’s adoption 00:29:57 - Current practical use-cases for AI 00:38:06 - Digital Luke: Creating a digital avatar with HeyGen 00:43:09 - What is an AI Statement? 00:47:10 - The importance of AI Statements, procurement & ethics 00:53:02 - Campfire: Intergage & Dorset Chamber's partnership to help businesses make the most of AI 00:57:24 - Importance of AI Statements for existing & prospective employees 00:57:59 - Campfire: Creating an online AI community & events 01:00:09 - Campfire: feedback from the first IGNITE workshop 01:01:54 - Luke's thoughts on the future of AI (in terms of the tech & the impact on jobs) 01:06:22 - What is happiness? 01:07:54 - Luke the Guiness World Record holder! 01:11:30 - What is success? 01:14:18 - Life by Misadventure - The Luck Factor 01:18:18 - Thank you, guest links & wrap-up

GUEST Links:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lukewilliams • Luke’s ‘AI: Actionable Insights’ Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/ai-actionable-insights-7167913144122617857/

• Intergage Group Website: https://www.intergage.co.uk • Example AI Statement -  Intergage Group: https://www.intergage.co.uk/ai-statement

• Campfire - If you are interested in finding out more about the AI community ‘Campfire’ (Intergage’s partnership with the Dorset Chamber) that helps businesses get the most from AI, then check out: https://www.campfire-ai.com

Finally, you can start making your own luck (like Luke does!) by grabbing a copy of Richard Wiseman’s book ‘The Luck Factor’: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Luck-Factor-Scientific-Study-Lucky/dp/009944