My PC is My Boss?

Yes, I mark out for the Matrix. I also like the Terminator movies and I, Robot as well. All 3 share one thing in common: intelligent machines that take over in some way. What I enjoy about these movies is that they are fiction, but its not out of the question.

Far-Fetched? I don’t think so given the advances in quantum computing, but apparently, someone at 20/20 shares my insight and taste in movies...

But, someone has twisted the script on us and started making it somewhat of reality with artificial artificial intelligence - AAI. So now Companies like Amazon have enabled folks like you or me to quickly hire others over computers for small fees.

YES! Now, you can pay someone a penny to do your websearching for you!

Sounds like a terrible infomercial, but this is either an instance of brilliant economic efficiency where you can pay someone a low wage while you do more important tasks or the epitome of laziness. In either case, the opportunity cost is set by you since the payoff is determined by what you do during the time you outsource the task and after with the information. The value of the information and time is what is important in determining whether this makes sense.

In fact, this is simply the virtualization of a CEO giving a 1000 page copying task to an intern so the CEO can review an end of quarter report. And, It only makes sense as long as the task is simple enough for the average worker to accomplish correctly.

I happen to think this artificial artificial intelligence is ok for now as long as its leveraged to get simple things done. Besides, AAI is not too far from hiring employees on site and delegating research tasks to to them. But as we all know, sometimes just doing the job yourself is the best way to get it done since you know exactly what you want.

But eventually AI will be a reality and we will use machines for more. Forbes just ran this article on the matter if you are interested. Maybe an AI computer will be our boss one day if the AAI construct evolves to a point where it will just be the computer outsourcing menial tasks to us to free up resources for its more important tasks.

In the meantime, I’ll enjoy the fact AAI is run by people and and take some comfort in the fact that a machine would struggle finding its purpose or meaning in life just like us. And the answer is not 42.

And, while you think about AAI being a virtual intern, here is something that you can answer:

Which would you trust the most in the workplace, an on-site coworker, AI, AAI or yourself ?

Booting Off.

Virtual Cliques or Something Better?

Have High School cliques resurfaced in the realm of online social networks? To an extent, I think so, especially, if online social networking’s future will be a bunch of mini-networks that match all offline networks. When I came across this concept, I imagined a separate network for the rugby team, swim team, lacrosse team, chess club, skaters, etc. If you can’t tell, I went to an all guy high school. Yep, I’m a Purple Eagle and they do exist!

Now, the High School metaphor is not perfect, but in my mind, it simply means and shows that people like to be with people that share something in common. Teams. Tribes. Villages. Countries. Hobbies. Likes. Friends. Human nature: people identify and relate to others through some sort of bond. The bond gives them Something to talk about, Something to build a longer last relationship on through conversation. When people relate, I think they let they guard down and are a bit more relaxed and can build up a friendship from there. So how do we go break through the Virtual Clique to something better? By extracting social and business value.

For social value, we can certainly mirror our real world friendship circle online like Facebook allows you too. Then you can learn tidbits of stuff about other people online and find these social icebreakers to start a conversation and with a click of a button, the clique structure is fractured. The conversation can start if effort is put in. Do you think a weak link would work for business? I think it works better for building friendship and breaking cliques. If a clique breaks, social value is gained.

For business, I think the network has to foster a conversation that leads to teams or sales buzz and builds a long lasting a mini-Nation. The common bond must already exist or be compelling enough to draw someone in for the long haul; otherwise the business social network will just have a short run success or no success at all and become a list of “added friends.” The business network must provide an extra value beyond the product or the workplace; it has to make people’s lives better. If it can do that, the business online social network is something better.

Don't forget to vote in my blog poll.

Booting off

Boot Up: Initializing Blog

Salutations,

This is the inaugural post for this blog. I have created this blog to meet the course requirements for American University's MBA course ITEC 656.

Naturally, since this is a blog for a B school, I will abide by the following pledge: “On my honor, all posts on this blog are my own.”

Even though the blog is for academic purposes, my aim is to entertain as well.

- Butto