In today’s fast-paced technological landscape, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is garnering mixed reactions. Some people view AI tools as groundbreaking, while others fear they herald our doom. However, for those striving to do good work and help others, AI can be a powerful ally. This is the focus of the podcast “AI for Helpers and Changemakers,” hosted by Sharon Tewksbury Bloom, who brings over 20 years of experience in guiding helpers and changemakers. Sharon, along with her guest Dr. Julie Alig, better known as The Data Diva, discusses the implications of generative AI and data analysis for impactful work.
Introduction to AI and Generative AI
Sharon begins by acknowledging the mixed feelings people have about the rapid emergence of AI. She introduces the audience to Dr. Julie Alig, whose journey with AI began during her doctoral studies where she immersed herself in quantitative tools and machine learning—components that are integral to modern AI. Dr. Alig highlights the unique aspect of generative AI, which sets it apart from traditional machine learning. This new wave of AI technology, featuring tools such as ChatGPT and Claude, offers unprecedented opportunities to automate repetitive tasks, albeit with some limitations like hallucinations and incorrect output. However, its potential for efficiency and productivity gains is enormous, especially when used alongside low-code or no-code solutions.
Multimodal AI: Combining Technologies
Sharon shares her excitement about the capabilities of multimodal AI, particularly in educational contexts such as a robot math tutor that can interact with handwritten inputs from students and provide corrective feedback. Dr. Alig echoes this sentiment, highlighting how multimodal AI is an area still burgeoning with possibilities. She believes that leveraging these technologies can yield significant benefits once they become mainstream.
Utilizing AI for Data Analysis
A substantial portion of the discussion focuses on the transformative power of AI in data analysis. Dr. Alig emphasizes that AI tools, despite their current limitations, can significantly aid in crafting proposals, automating tasks, and managing complex data sets. However, she warns against over-reliance on AI for data interpretation, stressing the need for human oversight to ensure accuracy. Sharon shares a relatable example of how AI can be utilized for basic data tasks, like converting a dataset into a table. While these capabilities are currently limited, Sharon and Dr. Alig remain optimistic about the future possibilities.
Practical Applications of Data in Business
Dr. Alig offers insights into how businesses can harness the power of data for decision-making. She points out that many small business owners underestimate the value of their data, which often contains invaluable insights into customer behavior, operational efficiency, and profit maximization. Sharon complements this by sharing an example from her work with AmeriCorps programs, where digging deeper into data revealed crucial insights for improving recruitment and member retention. Dr. Alig suggests that visualizing data through bar charts, scatter plots, and line graphs can make complex datasets more accessible, enabling businesses to identify trends and anomalies quickly.
Overcoming Barriers to Data Utilization
One of the significant barriers to effective data utilization is the widespread math anxiety and skepticism about the benefits of data tracking. Dr. Alig acknowledges these challenges and advocates for a more visual approach to data analysis, which can make the process less daunting and more intuitive. Dr. Alig also stresses the importance of tracking relevant data aligned with specific business goals. Whether it’s reducing energy usage for sustainability or improving operational efficiency, having a clear objective makes data collection and analysis more purposeful.
Conclusion: The Value of Data and AI
Dr. Julie Alig’s key message is clear: embracing data and AI, despite their current limitations, offers immense potential for making informed decisions, improving efficiency, and achieving long-term business sustainability. As businesses and individuals become more adept at utilizing these tools, the scope for innovation and impact will only grow. For those interested in exploring the world of data analysis and AI further, Dr. Julie Alig offers resources and consultation services through her website, JLAAnalytics.com. She also hosts live streams on LinkedIn, providing valuable insights into using data and AI in business.
Learn More and Stay Connected
To delve deeper into data and AI, visit:
- Dr. Julie Alig’s Website
- Connect with Dr. Julie Alig on LinkedIn
- Join the data discussions on Friday afternoons (3 PM Eastern Time) on LinkedIn or catch the recordings on her YouTube channel.
For insights into utilizing AI for positive change, follow Sharon Tewksbury Bloom’s work at Bloom Facilitation. If you have suggestions for future podcast interviews, contact Sharon. Stay curious, stay informed, and explore the myriad ways AI and data can transform our work and lives.