Here we pick up from where we left off, the predictions for how AI & LLMs will shape 2024.
Amanda Kelly, Co-Founder of the open-source app framework Streamlit, which was acquired by Snowflake in 2022, highlights the historical challenge where despite data becoming more accessible for businesses, it has been confined within databases, with data scientists and technical experts serving as gatekeepers. According to Kelly, generative AI is now unlocking direct access to insights for decision-makers. She draws a parallel to the way robotic machinery, capable of lifting tons, aids in physical work, emphasizing that we are just beginning to witness how AI can support cognitive work.
Notably, our 2024 predictions in data and technology heavily emphasize the impact of an AI revolution centered around the capabilities of Large Language Models (LLMs) and the transformative potential of natural language interfaces. This evolution enables computers to comprehend information extensively, allowing users to communicate with data in a more human-like manner. As we explore these advancements, it becomes evident that they carry implications for technology-related jobs, data strategy, cybersecurity, and various other domains.
In the immediate future, the influence of generative AI supported by LLMs will manifest as heightened productivity and enriched insights. These potent tools are envisioned to act as aids to workers rather than replacing them. While current productivity tools for coding or text generation necessitate substantial human oversight, there is an acknowledgment that this may evolve rapidly. Eventually, these productivity-enhancing tools could have a more pronounced impact on staffing requirements.
At present, it is crucial to consider these developments as enhancements rather than replacements. Prasanna Krishnan, Senior Director of Product Management for Collaboration and Snowflake Marketplace, underscores the complexity of the data → insight → action process, emphasizing that despite appearing as three steps, the process is inherently challenging.
Prasanna Krishnan, Senior Director of Product Management for Collaboration and Snowflake Marketplace, underscores the intricacies of the data-to-action process, stating, "It may really be 10 steps to get from data to insight, and 20 to get from insight to action. Generative AI will play a pivotal role in streamlining these steps for end-users, enhancing efficiency and velocity. The 30 steps between data and action might potentially be reduced to five or even two."
Sridhar Ramaswamy, Snowflake's Senior Vice President and the innovator behind Google AdWords, as well as the creator of Neeva—an AI-based search engine acquired by Snowflake in 2023—concurs with the anticipation of heightened efficiency and convenience. Ramaswamy envisions that the ability to interact with applications in a conversational manner, akin to human interaction, will usher in numerous incremental improvements. Reflecting on a recent experience, he notes, "The other day, while filling out an online form requiring a time entry, it struggled to comprehend '4pm' or '1600'—forcing me to decipher it actually wanted '0400:00.' Eliminating such friction in our daily interactions with various online entities holds immense positive potential. Whether it's receiving better-suggested sentences, an email template, or assistance in understanding complex text, these advancements are inherently positive.
