Before getting to specific mistakes, it’s important to understand the root cause of most issues we encounter. Technology has become so complex that to understand and teach it, educational institutions have created information silos.  Unfortunately, they are a handy mechanism within a company to be able to manage technology. However, information silos conflict with your goal of optimal performance; balancing out performance, durability, and cost.

We’ve seen and witnessed the result of information silos; poor performance, department finger pointing, spiraling costs and/or unhappy clients. This usually has a major impact on a company’s and your application’s reputation.

Here are 7 specific mistakes we encounter all too often:

1. Suboptimal Resource Allocation: Without a clear understanding of the application’s requirements, the deployment team might either allocate excessive resources (leading to higher costs) or insufficient resources (leading to performance issues). Both scenarios are inefficient and can adversely affect user satisfaction.
2. Deployment Failures: A lack of coordination can lead to situations where the application might not deploy correctly or even fail to deploy at all. For instance, developers might assume a certain environment setup that the deployment team isn’t aware of.
3. Lack of Scalability: Developers might design applications assuming certain scalability features. If the deployment team isn’t in sync, they might not provision resources in a manner that supports this scalability, potentially causing system crashes or slowdowns during high-usage periods.
4. Ineffective Scalability Planning: (different then a lack of) Without collaborative discussions, developers might not design applications with scalability in mind, or they might make assumptions that don’t align with the deployment team’s capacity planning. For instance, a developer might assume that scaling up resources in response to increased demand is straightforward, while the deployment team knows that there are budgetary or logistical constraints. This can lead to situations where an application cannot effectively scale to meet user demand, leading to performance bottlenecks and user dissatisfaction.
   
5. Security Vulnerabilities: If developers aren’t in sync with the deployment team, certain security measures might be overlooked. For example, developers might be unaware of security policies enforced on the infrastructure, which can inadvertently introduce vulnerabilities.
6. Increased Troubleshooting Time: In the event of post-deployment issues, disjointed information and lack of prior coordination can make pinpointing problems challenging. This can lead to extended downtimes, affecting both performance and user satisfaction.
7. Inefficient Cost Management: Without coordination, there could be unexpected costs. For instance, developers might design applications expecting them to run continuously, while the deployment team, aiming to save costs, might have scheduled resources to be available only at certain times. Such mismatches can result in application downtimes or unexpected cost overruns.

How to avoid the mistakes

The solution is both harder and simpler than you think.  The solution is not a device, technology, or a piece of software, it is properly calibrating the human resources available.

Programmers, Developers and Infrastructure groups have different focuses but mutually compatible goals.  The programming and developer groups always wants the applications to perform well, and the Infrastructure group always wants data to safely and easily process and work through the system.  Without trust between the groups when a problem occurs the natural reaction is to plan the other group. Click here for a solution on how to deal with this issue.

For modern, agile, and efficient IT operations, synchronization between developers and infrastructure managers is not just a good practice; it’s a necessity.

At Protected Harbor, we have been working with company’s teams to create environments that are not only stable but scalable, faster and at a reduced cost.  Contact us today!

Removing The Information Silos in your IT Department

Information silos can be destructive Without collaboration, when performance problems occur (and they often do) everyone blames each other, resulting in a lack of focus, delays in problem resolutions and reputation damage. Facilitating collaboration between groups that don’t typically work together (developers, programmers, and infrastructure managers) will lead to better productivity, better code and in the long run a better company and application reputation.

To accomplish this will require exercises that emphasize mutual understanding, trust-building, and open communication. Here’s a recommended exercise that will help you:

Cross-Training Workshop

These work well to foster mutual understanding, appreciation, and collaboration between two different groups by having them teach each other about their roles, challenges, and responsibilities.

A 5 Step Process:

1. Introduction:

• Begin with an icebreaker activity that gets everyone relaxed and talking. This could be something as simple as “Two Truths and a Lie” or “Speed Networking.”
• Introduce the objective of the workshop: “Today, we’re here to understand each other’s roles, challenges, and perspectives better.”

2. Role Reversal Presentations:

• Divide members from each group into pairs or small teams, mixing the two groups.
• Assign each team a topic or task that’s typically handled by one group. The twist: Teams must prepare a brief presentation or demonstration on that topic, but they can’t include members from the group that typically handles that task.
• Give teams time to research, discuss, and prepare. Members of the group that typically handles the task can act as “consultants” or “experts” but should not dominate the preparation.
• After preparation, each team presents or demonstrates their topic to the larger group.

3. Discussion & Reflection:

• After all presentations, open the floor for discussion. What did participants learn? Were there any surprises or misconceptions?
• Discuss the challenges each group faces and brainstorm ways the other group could potentially support or collaborate with them in the future.”

4. Collaborative Problem Solving:

• Present a hypothetical (or real) challenge that requires input and expertise from both groups to solve.
• Have mixed teams work together to come up with a solution, emphasizing the importance of each group’s contribution.
• Have each group share their solution, and then discuss the merits of each approach, highlighting collaborative moments.

5. Feedback & Future Collaboration:

• Conclude by asking participants to share feedback on the exercise and discuss any insights or takeaways.
• Encourage both groups to discuss potential collaboration points in the future, using the insights gained from this workshop.

What this accomplishes

The more programmers or developers can understand Infrastructure and vice versa the better the application environment will be, resulting in;

1. Efficient Resource Utilization: Infrastructure managers have a deep understanding of available resources, such as computing power, storage, and network capabilities. By communicating with developers, they can ensure that applications are optimized for the available resources, preventing over or under-utilization, which can either lead to wasted resources or underperforming applications.
2. Scalability and Performance: Developers design applications with certain performance expectations. By being in sync with infrastructure managers, they can ensure that the infrastructure can support the application’s scalability and performance requirements, especially during peak usage times.
3. Security Considerations: Infrastructure managers are typically aware of the security constraints and policies of the environment. Developers need this information to ensure that their applications are compliant with security protocols. Together, they can ensure a robust security posture, minimizing vulnerabilities.
4. Cost Optimization: Without coordination, there’s a risk of over-provisioning or misallocating resources, leading to unnecessary costs. Proper communication can ensure cost-effective resource allocation, balancing performance and financial considerations.
5. Faster Problem Resolution: When issues arise, having a good relationship and open communication channels between developers and infrastructure managers can lead to quicker problem diagnosis and resolution. This is especially crucial in production environments where downtimes can have significant business impacts.
6. Improved Deployment Cycles: Continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD) practices require tight coordination between development and infrastructure. When both teams are in sync, it results in smoother, faster, and more frequent deployments, which benefits the business by delivering features and fixes more rapidly.
7. Infrastructure Evolution: As technology evolves, infrastructure needs to be updated or replaced. Developers need to be in the loop about these changes to ensure that applications remain compatible and can leverage new features or improved performance.
8. Risk Mitigation: Unexpected changes or lack of coordination can lead to failures. For example, an infrastructure manager might implement a change unaware that it breaks a critical application. Proper communication helps in assessing and mitigating such risks.
9. Knowledge Sharing: Both developers and infrastructure managers bring unique perspectives and knowledge to the table. Regular interactions can lead to cross-pollination of ideas, leading to innovative solutions and better overall system design.
10. Alignment with Business Goals: Ultimately, both teams work towards achieving the organization’s objectives. By communicating and collaborating, they ensure that technical efforts align closely with business goals, creating value and ensuring that both application development and infrastructure provisioning work in harmony to meet organizational targets.

For modern, agile, and efficient IT operations, synchronization between developers and infrastructure managers is not just a good practice; it’s a necessity. Protected Harbor practices this every day and is part of our culture. If you would like to discuss this or chat about how we do it, give me a call. Rich Luna

Digital Transformation for Nonprofits

Digital transformation offers numerous benefits for nonprofits but also comes with its share of challenges. By adopting best practices, nonprofits can navigate the digital transformation journey effectively. Here’s a comprehensive overview:

Benefits of Digital Transformation for Nonprofits

1. Enhanced Donor Engagement: Digital tools enable personalized interactions, fostering stronger connections with donors and supporters, leading to increased engagement and long-term commitment.
2. Improved Fundraising Efforts: Online donation platforms and targeted fundraising campaigns help nonprofits reach a broader donor base and drive more efficient fundraising efforts.
3. Streamlined Operations: Automation and digital tools simplify administrative tasks, freeing up resources to focus on core mission activities and improving overall efficiency.
4. Increased Outreach and Advocacy: Social media and digital marketing channels empower nonprofits to amplify their messages, reach new audiences, and drive advocacy efforts effectively.
5. Data-Driven Decision Making: Access to real-time data and analytics enables nonprofits to make informed decisions, optimize strategies, and accurately measure their programs’ impact.
6. Global Collaboration: Digital platforms facilitate collaboration with partners, experts, and donors worldwide, creating opportunities for knowledge sharing and collective action.

Challenges of Digital Transformation for Nonprofits

1. Resource Limitations: Limited budgets and technical expertise may hinder nonprofits from implementing robust digital solutions.
2. Data Security and Privacy Concerns: Handling sensitive data requires strict adherence to cybersecurity measures and compliance with data privacy regulations.
3. Organizational Change: Overcoming resistance to change and fostering a digital-first culture may pose challenges.
4. Digital Inclusion Barriers: Bridging the digital divide in underserved communities is essential to ensure inclusivity in digital initiatives.

Best Practices for Digital Transformation for Nonprofits

1. Strategic Planning: Develop a clear and well-defined digital transformation strategy aligned with the nonprofit’s mission and objectives.
2. Engage Stakeholders: Involve staff, volunteers, donors, and beneficiaries throughout the digital transformation process to ensure collective buy-in and support.
3. Digital Literacy Training: Provide training and upskilling opportunities for staff to enhance digital literacy and effectively utilize new tools.
4. Focus on User Experience: Prioritize user-friendly interfaces and experiences to encourage seamless adoption of digital solutions.
5. Data Security Measures: Implement robust data security measures, such as encryption and access controls, to protect sensitive information.
6. Measure Impact: Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the impact of digital initiatives and make data-driven improvements.
7. Collaborate with Tech Partners: Partner with technology experts or other nonprofits to share knowledge, resources, and best practices.

Final Words

Digital transformation is an indispensable path for nonprofit organizations seeking to thrive in the digital era. By doing so, nonprofits can effectively leverage technology to measure impact, collaborate globally, and bridge digital inclusion barriers for underserved communities.

Protected Harbor is one of the top-rated digital solutions and IT services partners for nonprofits in the US. Their expertise and commitment to social impact make them an ideal ally for nonprofits embracing digital transformation. By collaborating with trusted partners like Protected Harbor, you can confidently navigate the complexities of digital transformation, empowering your organization to create lasting change and drive positive social impact.

Designing Apps for the Multi-Platform Era

The world of mobile app development is constantly evolving, driven by advancements in technology and changing user preferences. As smartphones and tablets have become integral to our daily lives, businesses and developers continually strive to create apps that offer seamless experiences across various platforms. The multi-platform era’s emergence has brought new challenges and opportunities for designers and developers.

The Rise of the Multi-Platform Era

The multi-platform era has surged in mobile app development, driven by user demand for seamless experiences. Cross-platform tools like Flutter and React Native enable native app development on multiple platforms from one codebase.

Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) offer fast, responsive experiences with offline capabilities. IoT integration empowers users to control smart devices remotely.

AR and VR technologies immerse users in interactive digital environments. Adapting to this era is essential for delivering exceptional user experiences and staying competitive in the mobile app landscape.

The Top 4 Mobile App Development Trends

1. Cross-Platform Development Tools:

• Flutter: Google’s open-source SDK for natively compiled apps on multiple platforms with real-time changes.
• React Native: Facebook’s framework for building iOS and Android apps using JavaScript and React.

2. Progressive Web Apps (PWAs):

• Web and mobile app combo provides fast, responsive, and offline capabilities without app store installation.

3. Internet of Things (IoT) Integration:

• Connect mobile apps with smart devices and wearables, enabling remote control and automation.

4. Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) Experiences:

• Immersive app experiences with digital elements (AR) or virtual environments (VR).

These trends drive innovation, improve user experiences, and shape the future of mobile app development in the multi-platform era.

The 4 User-Centric Design Principles

User-centric design principles have become paramount. These principles focus on creating apps prioritizing users’ needs, preferences, and expectations. By putting users at the center of the design process, developers can ensure that their apps are intuitive, engaging, and enjoyable.

1. Importance of User Experience (UX) Design:

• UX design involves understanding user behaviors, pain points, and goals to effectively create an app that addresses their needs.
• It emphasizes the usability and accessibility of the app, ensuring that users can navigate and interact with it effortlessly.

2. Responsive Design for Different Devices:

• With users accessing various devices, responsive design ensures that the app adapts seamlessly to different screen sizes and orientations.
• It provides a consistent experience across smartphones, tablets, and desktops, enhancing user satisfaction and becomes a positive brand touchpoint.

3. Consistent User Interface (UI) Elements:

• A consistent UI design with recognizable icons, buttons, and navigation patterns helps users navigate the app easily.
• Consistency fosters familiarity, reducing the learning curve and enhancing user satisfaction.

4. Accessibility and Inclusive Design:

• The app must be accessible to all users, including those with disabilities.
• Inclusive design principles accommodate diverse users, providing equal access to app features and content.

Incorporating these user-centric design principles can lead to apps that resonate with users, encourage positive interactions, build lasting relationships, delight users, and stand out in the competitive app market.

Future Trends in Multi-Platform Design

As the multi-platform era continues to evolve, several exciting trends are shaping the future of mobile app development. These trends are driven by technological advancements and changing user behaviors, presenting new opportunities and challenges for developers and businesses.

1. 5G Technology and its Impact on App Development:

• The widespread adoption of 5G technology is set to revolutionize mobile app experiences.
• With faster data speeds and reduced latency, 5G will enable real-time interactions and seamless streaming of high-quality content within apps.
• Developers can create more immersive and data-intensive experiences, leveraging the power of 5G networks.

2. Integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML):

• AI and ML are increasingly fueling applications in mobile app development, enhancing personalization and user engagement.
• Intelligent chatbots, voice assistants, and predictive algorithms will become common features in multi-platform apps.
• AI-driven app recommendations and content curation will cater to individual user preferences, fostering loyalty and retention.

3. Voice User Interfaces (VUI) and Natural Language Processing (NLP):

• Voice-based interactions are improving, and VUI is becoming integral to multi-platform app design.
• NLP technology allows apps to understand and respond to natural language, making voice commands more intuitive and user-friendly.
• Integrating VUI and NLP will enable users to interact with apps hands-free, enhancing accessibility and user convenience.

4. Enhanced Augmented Reality (AR) Experiences:

• AR technology will continue to advance, offering more sophisticated and immersive experiences within apps.
• Retail, gaming, and education industries will leverage AR to provide users with interactive and visually appealing content.
• Multi-platform apps will integrate AR features seamlessly, enhancing engagement and creating unique user experiences.

As these future trends take center stage, developers must stay abreast of technological advancements and evolving user preferences. Embracing these trends will be vital to building innovative, user-centric, and competitive multi-platform apps that cater to the ever-changing needs of modern users. By embracing these trends, developers can ensure that their apps remain relevant, engaging, and impactful in the dynamic landscape of multi-platform design.

Protected Harbor

As the future unfolds, emerging trends such as 5G technology, AI integration, VUI, and enhanced AR experiences promise to revolutionize how users interact with apps.

Businesses can thrive by partnering with expert app development teams like Protected Harbor. Our team of skilled developers creates tailor-made apps, leveraging the latest technologies and design practices to deliver exceptional user experiences. Whether it’s building cross-platform apps, incorporating AI-driven features, or enhancing AR interactions, we are committed to staying at the forefront of innovation.

Let Protected Harbor be your trusted partner in realizing your app ideas. Reach out to us today and embark on a journey toward creating successful and future-proof multi-platform apps that captivate your users and drive your business forward.

What are the next steps in AI? What about an application that you take a picture of your refrigerator and ask the application, which is using AI to give you a spicy interesting recipe based on what you have? What about if you use this service over time and the service starts to order from the store automatically your groceries. What about if the application using AI makes recommendation for new foods to try. After all, if the large training model has imported all recipes and many people who eat Salmon also like mustard, the maybe the app tells the store AI to add mustard seed your next shopping list.

What about a new Google service AutoWrite, that reviews your email. The feature looks at who you have responded too in the past and how quickly, that tells the service how important that person is to you. The service learns your style from your previously sent emails to that person. When that person sends another email then the service creates a response email, you score the response – 1-100. Over time when the system learns your style all based on the scoring. As a user, your start to build confidence in the system and you allow any email with a potential score of 90 to be sent out.

What about a friendship app that connects you to a “dedicated connection”. The AI behind the connection has been given access to your email, text message and social networks. It wakes you up in the morning and asks what you were dreaming about because the fitness app on your wrist reported that you had trouble sleeping. The Friendship App, “Forever yours” ask was the sleeping trouble connected to your girlfriend who sent several nasty text messages last night and posted on your social networking site that you don’t hear her. The app councils you on how you feel, using therapy techniques documented on web sites that the App has learned. “Forever yours” over times feels like a real friend.

All of these services, applications or features are underway now, and more beyond that.

Ai is to the 2020’s as Social Networks were to 2005+. Social Network have caused world wide problems with information silos where people self-isolate themselves. It is great to be able to easily keep up on a social network with my friends, but do I really need or want 500 Happy Birthday messages? Are those messages genuine or was it the system. What about messages that are paid for that appear to be from real people that I think I know? What about if those messages are pushing me to get mad at some cause or people?

We have not figured out yet how to manage Social Networks, Ai will have a similar impact.

AI will be integrated into peoples’ lives, and there will certainly be benefits, but at what cost?

I choose to believe that humans can adapt, but I have concerns we might not enough time to understand what is occurring.

AI can stand for both Automated Intelligence and Artificial Intelligence, and it’s important to understand the distinction between the two.

There seems to be a lot of confusion among professionals and laypeople regarding the difference and functionality of these two concepts.

Automated Intelligence has been in existence for quite some time. At its core, it involves predicting actions based on patterns. A typical example of Automated Intelligence is a spam filter. As a user, when you mark five emails as spam, the spam filter utilizes those marked emails as a reference to determine which other emails are likely to be spam. Future emails are then compared against the reference template and variations of the templated emails, allowing the system to learn and improve. If the system makes a mistake, the user can mark an incorrectly classified email as “good,” and the algorithm will adjust accordingly.

Automated Intelligence is task-oriented and driven, providing significant assistance in many cases. Grammar checkers are another example of Automated Intelligence. They analyze the context of words and learn the user’s patterns. While some grammar rules are universal, such as the distinction between “their” and “there,” other rules are more subjective, and a reliable grammar checker learns the user’s preferred style through their writing.

This form of Automated Intelligence is focused on specific tasks and requires human management, ultimately serving to support humans in their activities.

On the other hand, Artificial Intelligence is an entirely different concept, and it is neither truly artificial nor intelligent.

As humans increasingly document our conversations digitally, we have amassed an enormous database of raw information. Platforms like CHAT GPT were partially trained on Reddit. Consider the content on Facebook, emails, websites, and all the digital content created by humans over the past three decades. This vast pool of information represents a wealth of human interactions and reactions. Some of it is marketing-focused, legal-focused, or politically-focused, while other content is intended to evoke laughter or anger. It encompasses the entire spectrum of human emotions. Think of this extensive collection of data as a massive database.

The challenge with such a database is that not all entries carry the same weight or significance in our minds. For example, articles about constructing a bomb are treated with the same importance as articles about Mother Teresa. However, as humans, we inherently value the articles about Mother Teresa’s charitable work more than instructions on building a bomb. In a large database, our subjective prioritization cannot be easily measured, as all data points are treated equally.

Artificial Intelligence goes beyond the capabilities of Automated Intelligence, but the key differentiating factor lies in the process of “training.”

Training AI developers often highlight the complexity and elegance of the training process. At its core, training involves inputting data to allow the system to perceive and comprehend patterns. Referring back to the previous example of marking spam, this process trains the system to identify spam. In modern systems, training involves reviewing vast portions of the human-created content database.

Modern CPUs contain billions of transistors and possess tremendous processing power. AI training utilizes this processing capability, especially through parallel processing, to categorize, process, and learn the patterns of human communication. Once the system has absorbed and comprehended the patterns, it can respond with the most probable answer based on what it has learned and calculated from the review data (the human database). This extensive review process is commonly referred to as a “large model.” The “training” involves categorizing and processing each question and response.

I hope this clarifies the distinction between Automated Intelligence and Artificial Intelligence, as well as sheds light on the training process in AI systems.

Please let us know if you have any further questions or if there’s anything else we can assist you with.

Can AI be helpful in my job? The short answer is yes, there are some tasks that AI can be really helpful with. One example, for this white-paper I asked ChatGPT “Can you make a slide deck on the helpful points of AI?” and it output the following.

Slide 1: Title

Catchy title introducing the topic of the presentation.

Slide 2: Introduction

Briefly introduce yourself and provide an overview of the presentation’s purpose.

State the benefits of AI in the workplace.

Slide 3: Automation and Efficiency

Highlight how AI automates repetitive tasks, saving time and increasing productivity.

Mention specific examples like data entry, document processing, and email filtering.

Slide 4: Intelligent Virtual Assistants

Explain how AI-powered virtual assistants can handle routine queries, providing 24/7 support and freeing up human resources.

Describe how they can improve customer service and reduce workload on employees.

Slide 5: Data Analysis and Insights

Discuss how AI can analyze large volumes of data quickly, extracting meaningful insights and patterns.

Emphasize the benefits of data-driven decision-making and improved operational efficiency.

Slide 6: Natural Language Processing (NLP)

Explain the concept of NLP and its applications.

Highlight how NLP can enhance communication, enable language translation, and aid in document summarization.

Slide 7: Enhanced Security

Discuss how AI can contribute to office security by detecting and preventing potential threats.

Mention applications like network traffic analysis and cybersecurity breach detection.

Slide 8: Intelligent Document Management

Explain how AI can assist in organizing and managing documents efficiently.

Highlight features like automatic categorization, tagging, and information extraction.

Slide 9: Workflow Optimization

Discuss how AI can analyze workflow patterns, identify bottlenecks, and provide recommendations for process improvements.

Mention how it can optimize resource allocation and enhance overall productivity.

Slide 10: Predictive Analytics

Explain how AI can utilize historical data and machine learning algorithms to make accurate predictions.

Highlight applications like sales forecasting, demand planning, and customer behavior analysis.

Slide 11: Ethical Considerations

Emphasize the importance of ethical AI implementation, including transparency, accountability, and privacy.

Slide 12: Conclusion

Summarize the key points discussed throughout the presentation.

Reinforce the benefits of AI in the office environment.

Slide 13: Q&A

Allocate a slide for audience questions and provide answers or initiate a discussion.

Not a bad starting point but the presentation is missing a number of points, for example, providing Legal or Medical research summery assistance, or improve communications. My point is as a research assistant this gives me a good starting point. You might try using this approach for your next class assignment or presentation. Using AI as a research assistant on topics you know, allows you to focus on how the content should be organized and communicated and not the basic framework.

Remember the training model – Reddit and other web sources. Those sources will have valid and incorrect information, and AI can’t tell which one is valid and which isn’t. AI is not judging the data it is learning from, it is looking how often like-minded data exists. If all web data on a topic is false, then AI will give completely incorrect information.

I urge you to tread lightly when using AI on topics you do not know, do not trust that what ChatGPT or other AI sites produce is correct, it is not a super smart brain – it is summarizing data it has absorbed and it could have easily reached the wrong conclusion.

AI training is at the point of a precocious 5-year-old who has heard a cure word. The 5-year-old who hears a curse word can’t help but to repeat it and based on adult’s feedback senses something is different about the word, so they use it a lot, until confronted and schooled by an adult.

One attorney appeared who knew the material appeared to get lazy and assumed ChatGPT was a super-brain and included the output without review and without editing is now being called in front of hte court to explain why none of the references used in his submission where valid – https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/08/nyregion/lawyer-chatgpt-sanctions.html.

So the best way to use AI is to use it as a sounding board, consultant, research assistant, not as an expert. Even human experts can be wrong, and AI can be very wrong. Properly used it can be a significant time saver.

Here is another example, what if I am having a dinner party for 4 and some of the guests are on the Mediterranean Diet, I have some basic items in my refrigerator, but I need some ideas. In the past I would have used a search engine search, which might then I would need to calculate an ingredients list, or I can ask ChatGPT; “I have eggs, milk, spices, and vegetables please give me a spicy recipe for 4 for dinner following the Mediterranean diet”. The result is;

Here’s a spicy Mediterranean-inspired recipe for dinner using eggs, milk, spices, and vegetables:

Spicy Shakshuka with Roasted Vegetables

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 onion, finely chopped

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 red bell pepper, diced

1 yellow bell pepper, diced

1 zucchini, diced

1 eggplant, diced

1 teaspoon cumin

1 teaspoon paprika

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)

1 can (400g) diced tomatoes

Salt and pepper to taste

4-6 large eggs

Fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the diced zucchini and eggplant on a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Roast in the oven for 20-25 minutes until the vegetables are tender and lightly browned.

While the vegetables are roasting, heat olive oil in a large skillet or frying pan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until it becomes translucent, about 5 minutes.

Add minced garlic, diced red and yellow bell peppers to the skillet, and cook for an additional 5 minutes until the peppers soften.

Stir in the cumin, paprika, and cayenne pepper, and cook for a minute to toast the spices.

Add the diced tomatoes to the skillet, season with salt and pepper, and simmer the mixture for about 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

Using a spoon, create small wells in the tomato mixture and crack the eggs into the wells. Cover the skillet and cook for 5-8 minutes until the eggs are cooked to your desired doneness.

Remove the roasted vegetables from the oven and add them to the skillet, gently mixing them with the tomato and egg mixture.

Sprinkle the chopped parsley or cilantro over the top for garnish.

Serve the spicy shakshuka with roasted vegetables hot, accompanied by crusty bread or pita for dipping.

This recipe incorporates the bold flavors of Mediterranean spices, roasted vegetables, and eggs cooked in a rich tomato sauce.

There is no information if this is a good tasting recipe but since the AI training data included real recipes then most likely it will. Again, this is a reference, if I have experienced that garlic bothers my guest then I can substitute another spice or I can AI for a revised recipe but my point is I am using AI as a reference tool and then working from there.

These are two examples of how ChatGPT can be used as a tool or an assistant to help people process, but only when used correctly.

There is a dark side to AI. The dark side of AI stems from its training – us. Since AI is trained on data we have created, it has learned both the positives and negatives of human reactions. However, AI is simply a computer program; it has no ability to learn or comprehend. A computer program lacks a soul and cannot develop compassion. While a person can express hate towards someone and later express joy or love, a computer program cannot grasp such emotions. When processing data with sentiments like “I want to kill you” in anger, a system has no understanding, and a person will never act on those feelings.

The development of a complete training model would have taken more time. There is no easily processed data set on morality, as seen in the Bible, for instance. The Old Testament presents a harsher approach to morality than the New Testament. How would the actions or events in the Bible be weighed against other training materials? These kinds of questions highlight that the source of issues lies in the training model. OpenAI, Microsoft, Google, and others chose to release their AI systems as-is due to competitive reasons. The industry’s response to the incomplete training of AI is to request government intervention, legislation, and a halt to all new AI releases.

The incomplete training model also has another negative consequence – it is impossible to determine why a decision was made as it was. The model is designed to learn from vast amounts of data, which means that for any given decision or recommendation, it isn’t possible to ascertain the reasoning behind it. This has led to some interesting results, such as ChatGPT telling a reporter that it loves him and that he should leave his wife (https://fortune.com/2023/02/17/microsoft-chatgpt-bing-romantic-love/), and that the AI system destroys whatever it wants. Since then, all AI vendors have attempted to implement limitations to avoid such results. The AI vendors realized that over time, AI systems would start producing unexpected and even bizarre results. Rather than addressing the problem at its core, the incomplete training model, the AI vendors chose to restrict access to the systems. The idea is that limited interaction over a short period of time would prevent bizarre results.

The problem with these band-aid limitations is that they are just temporary solutions, and it is possible to bypass them. Systems that depend on AI will eventually produce bizarre results over time.

Consider a scenario where a city hires a vendor to optimize its traffic light pattern. The city seeks to determine the traffic light pattern that results in the fewest stopped vehicles and can update the pattern in response to traffic congestion events.

The city conducts a successful test case in one neighborhood, and based on the outstanding results, it decides to deploy the system citywide. Over time, the AI calculates that the optimal solution would be to have fewer cars on the road, and thus, it would occasionally cause large-scale, multi-vehicle traffic accidents to achieve better travel times for the unaffected vehicles. Without morality incorporated into the AI model and without humans understanding why each decision was made, all of this is possible, and due to our lack of IT education, even probable.

But that’s not the worst of what is possible with AI. Currently, AI has been taught by processing human-created information. The next step will be for AI to learn from its own internal interactions.

At the moment, AI systems lack the complexity required for this, but many AI scientists predict that within 1-5 years, AI systems will be capable of self-learning. This means that if (or more accurately, when) a bug is detected in an AI system and humans attempt to repair the programming code to fix the defect, the system can learn.

The answer is yes, and faster than anyone thinks it will. Right now, high school and older students are using AI to write papers. Marketing companies are using AI to write internet content, and lawyers are using AI to write legal briefs, among other examples.

The impact of AI on your job depends on the job itself. In general, the more uniquely creative a job is, the less impact AI will have. Conversely, the more formulaic a job is, the more AI will affect it.

IBM has announced that the HR department will not hire any additional staff. As staff members retire, those jobs will be replaced by AI. Jobs involving form processing, approving, sending, and editing will be eliminated by AI. Copy editors, copywriters, research assistants, basic programming, and website creation will all be replaced by AI.

Not all the news is bad, though. These formulaic jobs will also lead to new positions such as AI editors, content editors, and other editing roles. Since AI can generate false facts and lies, humans will be needed to double-check those facts, creating the need for editing positions.

Basic web design and programming will also soon be replaced. With AI, it is possible to describe a site and have the entire site created. However, someone still needs to confirm the programming code since, again, AI can provide inaccurate information and potentially cause more problems.

AI will lead to a series of changes in many industries. Take education, for example. Many students are now using AI to write papers. What can a teacher do? A teacher can encourage the use of AI, instead of pretending it is not happening, and then ask comprehensive questions that force students to demonstrate their understanding. For instance, if a student turns in an AI-generated paper on Edgar Allan Poe, the teacher can ask the student what they found most impactful about Poe, why, and what connections they saw with his work.

AI will have a greater impact in the classroom. It can interact with students and help them stay focused on repetitive activities. In areas where there is a shortage of teachers, AI can partially replace teaching by assisting students in learning various topics.

What about other industries? Why do people use a service? Because they see a connection, value, and/or trust. Companies that rely too heavily on AI will lose that customer connection, and customers will leave. For example, when an automated caller says, “I hope you have a great day,” do you believe them? Most likely not. The more personal the connection with the customer, the deeper the connection, and the higher the likelihood that customers will stay or new customers will join.

So, in short, make your job, company, or business more customer-oriented. The stronger the customer feels the connection, and the more genuine the connection is, the more likely customers will stay, even if the same service is available elsewhere for less.

Best Practices for Implementing Technology Solutions in Law Firms

Integrating new technology into a law firm’s infrastructure takes time and effort. It requires careful planning, effective execution, and consideration of various factors to ensure a smooth transition and maximize the benefits.

Whether you’re a partner, attorney, or staff member involved in the decision-making process or an IT professional tasked with implementation, this guide will provide valuable insights and practical tips to navigate this transformative journey.

1. Assess Your Needs

Before you start adopting any technology solution, looking at your firm’s needs and objectives is crucial. Identify the areas that could be improved with technology. This could include case management, document management, billing, and communication. By understanding your pain points, you can choose the right technology that aligns with your firm’s goals. Experienced IT companies will be able to assist you, providing valuable direction and solutions.

2. Involve Key Stakeholders

Getting everyone involved in the decision-making process is essential. This means including partners, attorneys, staff, and IT professionals. You can understand their requirements, concerns, and expectations by working together. People who feel like their opinions matter are more likely to support and use the technology. So involving key stakeholders early on will increase adoption rates and ensure that the technology meets everyone’s needs.

3. Do Thorough Research

Before you make any final decisions, do your homework. Take the time to research different vendors that specialize in legal technology. Look into their track record, customer reviews, and support services. Ask for product demos and trials to see if the technology is easy to use and compatible with your existing systems. By comparing multiple options, you can make an informed decision and choose the best fit for your firm.

4. Develop a Detailed Implementation Plan

Creating a detailed implementation plan is crucial for a successful rollout. Set clear objectives, establish timelines, and define milestones. Assign responsibilities to specific team members and establish regular communication channels. Anticipate potential challenges and develop backup plans. By having a well-structured plan, you can streamline the implementation process and minimize disruptions.

5. Provide Training and Support

Introducing new technology means that your staff will need training and ongoing support. Provide comprehensive training sessions to ensure that all users understand the features and benefits of the latest technology. Allow your team to ask questions, address concerns, and provide feedback. Consider appointing technology champions within your firm who can assist with user support and troubleshooting.

6. Ensure Data Security and Compliance

Law firms deal with sensitive client information, so data security and compliance are critical. When implementing technology solutions, prioritize data protection measures such as encryption, access controls, and regular backups. Verify that the chosen technology complies with industry regulations and data privacy laws. Conduct regular security audits to identify and address any vulnerabilities.

7. Monitor and Evaluate

Once the technology solution is up and running, monitoring and evaluating its performance is important. Gather user feedback and assess the impact on productivity, efficiency, and client satisfaction. Identify areas for improvement and explore additional features or integrations that could enhance the technology’s effectiveness even further. Regular evaluation will help you optimize the technology and ensure that it continues to meet your firm’s needs.

Implementing technology solutions in law firms is no longer an option but a necessity. It is crucial to partner with an experienced technology solutions provider that understands the specific requirements of law firms.

Protected Harbor, a trusted leader in legal technology, offers comprehensive solutions tailored to the needs of law firms. Their expertise allows you to streamline your technology implementation process, optimize operations, secure data, and deliver exceptional client service.

Partner with Protected Harbor today and take the first step towards a more efficient and productive future. Contact us now for a free consultation and IT Audit, and let us guide you toward technological excellence.