Welcome to February and Super Bowl weekend. Will we see any commercials that use GenAI video? I’ll be watching with an Eagle(s) eye ;)

Today’s edition is a little more AI than GenAI, but some important stuff below.

Let’s start with a joke. Knock. Knock. Who’s there? Deepseek.

DeepSeek who?

DeepSeek, a Chinese artificial intelligence company, has burst onto the scene as a significant player in the AI landscape and has seemed to catch a lot of folks in the biz off guard. Founded in 2023 by Liang Wenfeng, the company has developed a series of advanced AI models, notably the DeepSeek-R1 and DeepSeek-V3, which have garnered attention for their efficiency, performance, and price (free).

Key Developments:

• Technological Advancements: DeepSeek's models, such as the DeepSeek-V3, have achieved significant breakthroughs in inference speed and performance, rivaling established models like OpenAI's GPT-4o.

• Cost Efficiency: The company has reportedly managed to develop these models at a fraction of the cost incurred by its Western counterparts, challenging the traditional economics of AI development. Industry experts are skeptical.

• Open-Source Approach: DeepSeek has adopted an open-source strategy, allowing global researchers and developers to access and build upon its models, fostering innovation and collaboration.

Controversies and Concerns:

• Security and Privacy Issues: Experts have raised concerns about potential security vulnerabilities in DeepSeek's applications, including the use of hard-coded encryption keys and the transmission of unencrypted user data to Chinese entities.

• Geopolitical Tensions: The rapid adoption of DeepSeek's technology has led to geopolitical concerns, with some governments (including the USA) considering or implementing bans on the use of its applications on official devices due to data security risks.

DeepSeek is VERY impressive (yes, I tested it out). As foreign-developed tools continue to appear, it is essential for users and policymakers to weigh the benefits of advanced AI capabilities against the potential security and ethical considerations associated with their use. We need to be careful out there. (I deleted my account).

Picking your general-purpose AI

As you're aware of by now, we're big fans of Ethan Mollick's One Useful Thing newsletter over here at AI Elixir and we really love this recent post covering how to go about choosing the right AI model for your needs. Ethan breaks down the differences between the models and when one might be better suited for your style and output. Great read. Check it out.

These models have different strengths, superpowers and dare I say it, personalities. It can be very helpful to be aware of this as you pick a tool for your specific needs. Check out the chart in the post for more info.

How AI is transforming strategy development

AI isn’t replacing human judgment in strategy development—but it’s making it faster, sharper, and more data-driven. According to this paper from McKinsey, AI is already playing five key roles in corporate strategy:

• Researcher: AI gathers and enriches data, surfacing trends and opportunities.

• Interpreter: It analyzes complex information to uncover actionable insights.

• Thought partner: AI helps strategists explore new ideas and challenge assumptions.

• Simulator: It models different scenarios, predicting potential outcomes.

• Communicator: AI translates strategy into clear, data-backed narratives for stakeholders.

AI won’t (totally) replace human logic and interpretation in strategy, but it can enhance decision-making with faster, more objective insights. By acting as a researcher, thought partner, and simulator, AI is reshaping how strategists work. It streamlines strategy development while leaving room for creativity and bold moves—giving companies the competitive edge to stay ahead.

“Human Authored” certification for books

In a move to preserve the authenticity of literature, the Authors Guild has introduced the "Human Authored" certification, allowing writers to affirm that their works are products of human creativity, not artificial intelligence.

• Transparency matters: As AI-generated content becomes more prevalent, this certification provides readers with clarity, ensuring they can distinguish between human and machine-created works.

• Balancing tech and tradition: While tools like spell-check and research aids are permissible, the core narrative and expression must originate from human intellect to qualify for the certification.

It seems like just a few month ago we were talking about a visual system to tag and identify a creative work as made with GenAI. Now we are exploring the opposite! With AI's growing influence in content creation, initiatives like "Human Authored" aim to celebrate and protect the unique nuances of human storytelling, ensuring that readers can continue to connect with genuine human experiences in literature.

An event to check out!

Thanks! See you next week.

A graphic designer by training, Dan’s career includes pivotal roles leading teams through every major advertising and marketing technology sea change of the last 30 years from the origins of interactive media and the world wide web to ecommerce, mobile, spatial computing and now artificial intelligence, Dan thrives on bringing new and never-been-done-before solutions to his clients.

Dan’s impressive client portfolio includes collaborations with industry giants and pioneers such as Apple, Barnes & Noble, Burton Snowboards, Ford Motor Company, Home Depot, Nike, P&G, Sherwin Williams, and Walmart.

Parallel Path is the proven guide for leading health and wellness brands who are ready to explore inventive and high-performing marketing strategies. We’re dedicated to working with brands who pursue wellbeing and defy conventions.