You are at:

Menu

This is an (AI-generated) summary of the Tech Tuesdays presentation given on 29th October, 2024. The presentation introduced several AI tools available for automating tasks, highlighting their potential benefits and drawbacks. A key theme was the importance of data privacy and security when utilizing these technologies.

NotebookLM was used to create a podcast based upon today’s transcript and slide handouts. The AI-generated hosts much of got super excited, because they created an extra-long episode.

NotebookLM

Stacks Image 326
NotebookLM is a Google service launched in 2023 that leverages AI to help users interact with uploaded documents, including PDFs, slide decks, and YouTube videos. The service can generate:

  • Audio Overviews: These engaging podcasts utilize synthesized human-like voices to summarize and discuss your content, offering a unique and potentially effective way to engage students with complex material.
  • Briefing Docs: These documents extract key action items from uploaded material, providing a quick way to get up to speed on a new topic or company.
  • Multiple Choice Quizzes: NotebookLM can generate quizzes based on your uploaded content, potentially saving instructors valuable time.

Sharing NotebookLM content requires Gmail addresses, and recipients gain access to all included sources, notes, and podcasts. While convenient, users should exercise caution when uploading sensitive information, as any data uploaded to the internet is never truly deleted and systems can be compromised.

Poe

Stacks Image 328
Poe, short for "Platform for Open Exploration," is a freemium service acting as an AI chatbot aggregator. It allows users to experiment with a variety of large language models (LLMs), including:

  • Claude: Developed by Anthropic, Claude focuses on ethical AI development and aims to provide helpful and harmless responses.
  • GPT-4: OpenAI's most powerful model, offering capabilities surpassing GPT-3.5, particularly in quantitative reasoning, creative writing, and complex tasks.
  • FLUX: A cutting-edge image generation model renowned for its adherence to prompts, visual quality, and output diversity.

Poe enables users to create their own AI bots, customizing their behavior, knowledge base, and personality. These bots can serve various purposes, including answering questions based on uploaded course material, generating images in a specific style, and even simulating role-play scenarios. Importantly, Poe allows users to share their custom bots publicly, potentially enabling wider access to tailored AI-powered experiences.

ChatGPT

Stacks Image 330
ChatGPT is a freemium service developed by OpenAI offering a range of AI-powered features. While a free tier exists, paid subscriptions unlock more advanced capabilities, including access to GPTs, customized versions of ChatGPT tailored for specific tasks. OpenAI offers a variety of pre-built GPTs, demonstrating the potential for specialized AI assistants.

For educators, a key advantage of ChatGPT lies in its ability to create personalized learning experiences. By uploading course materials and crafting appropriate prompts, instructors can create GPTs that act as virtual teaching assistants, answering student questions, providing explanations, and offering guidance based on course content.

One standout feature of ChatGPT is its Advanced Voice Mode, allowing natural, voice-based interactions with GPTs. This functionality creates exciting possibilities for accessibility and ease of use, particularly for those who may find typing difficult.

Anthropic Projects

Stacks Image 333
Anthropic Projects, a paid service from Anthropic, offers a secure platform for teams to collaborate on AI-powered projects. While less suitable for direct interaction with students due to its paid nature, Projects offers several benefits for internal teams, especially those focused on marketing and content creation.

Anthropic distinguishes itself by its commitment to building "Constitutional AI". This approach involves embedding ethical principles into the training process, aiming to mitigate the risks of AI producing harmful, biased, or discriminatory outputs.

A Note of Caution:

While the potential of these AI tools is undeniable, exercise caution when uploading sensitive information to these platforms.

These AI tools offer a glimpse into the future of education and work, highlighting the potential for increased efficiency, personalization, and accessibility. However, it's crucial to proceed with awareness of data privacy and security considerations when integrating these technologies into our workflows.

Video Recordings

Video recordings of the AI sessions are available to DePaul faculty and staff. Please get in touch if you want a link to the streamed video.

 You are at: