Introducing BetaGen: The Practical AI Beta Test

Closing the gap between Gen AI perception and reality

Lately, everyone is talking about the power of generative AI. We've all seen a version of these headline in countless articles and Linkedin posts: "10 Amazing Examples of How Companies are Using ChatGPT," or "Will ChartGPT replace [insert role]?"

As businesses start to prototype with Gen AI and see the benefits, they're also recognising the risks. These can range from how reliable are the models, how secure is the data, and who owns the data? With inaccuracy being the most recognised and experienced risk of Gen AI use (McKinsey)

At a macro level, there's a palpable fear of the unknown - How will this impact my job? How will AI perform in the real-world? What exactly can, and can't, AI do?

Beta Testing the strenghts and limitations of Gen AI

What can we do to combat this fear? The answer is not more theories or speculation to fuel the hype. We need to understand the strengths and limitations not only of Gen AI, but also of all existing software and processes. To make informed decisions driven by potential, and not fear of the unknown.

Make informed decisions driven by potential, and not fear of the unknown

That's where BetaGen comes in. BetaGen is a weekly series focused on the practicalities of where AI is today. Each week I will focus on a different tool, product, or workflow, record myself completing a task, and then replicate it with Gen AI platforms.

Some of the episodes will focus on B2B software and others on relatable day-to-day work, with a bit of personal life thrown in the mix - can GPT plan my next holiday?!

The name BetaGen is an homage to AlphaGo, the legendary Google DeepMind experiment that pitted the worlds best Go champions against a computer program in 2015. Today, AlphaGo is hailed by many as the birth of modern AI.

Making AI accessible (and less scary)

In the spirit of a true Beta Test, my assessment will be broken down into the following categories: usability, functionality, reliability, and security.

The aim of BetaGen is threefold:

1. To make AI more accessible (and less scary)

2. Spark interesting debates and ideas

3. Speed up the adoption of AI in enterprise

The constraints are it should take less than 5 minutes to do each experiment, with no coding required, and be easy for anyone to replicate.

BetaGen is not a deep dive, a full feature comparison, or informed buying decision. It is a gut check and rapid prototype. So don't take my word for it - literally do it yourself ("DIY AI").

"Eating the AI elephant", one step at a time

In the words of Desmond Tutu, “there is only one way to eat an elephant: a bite at a time.” Don't worry, the elephants are safe! What he meant by this is that everything in life that seems daunting, overwhelming, and even impossible can be accomplished gradually by taking on just a little at a time.

If AI is the elephant, and each practical application of AI is a bite, then BetaGen is the fork.

The foundations and tools you need, before even getting started.