Weeknotes 4
AI (obviously!), typography, colours and Star Trek Picard 3
AI everywhere
One would have to live under the rock not to see AI virtually everywhere.
I’m really proud of Intercom, the company I work for, for being so innovative in application of ‘AI’, specifically GPT. Our Machine Learning team did great job in finding the right opportunity where AI can solve actual customer problems, and deliver tangible value for our customers and their clients.
BTW - neither me, nor my team directly contributed to these features as of yet.
While the launch of GPT-4 received a lot of publicity, and I almost missed Google’s own announcement of Google Workspace AI.
Now this sets me on fire! I can see myself using these features every day. Automated meeting notes? Bring it on! Only one thing here disappoints me - towards the end, the video shows automatically generated ‘thank you’ note for a team.
How would you feel if you knew your manager got AI to write the ‘thank you’ note for you? This little moment illustrates where we need to be careful with AI application. There are moments where human connection is incredibly important. If we take the humanity out of the equation, the moment completely loses its meaning. A ‘thank you’ note written by an individual shows a high level of genuine care. This boosts motivation and increases feeling of being valued. AI-generated note? Not so much.
Erik Spiekermann on Typography
FF Meta is one of my favourite typefaces from Erik Speiekrmann's type foundry. If you never heard of him, Spiekermann is a celebrated German typographer, and I'm pretty sure you'd recognise one of his typefaces: Nokia Sans designed for, of course, Nokia.
Nevertheless, only today I discovered, because of this tweet, that there's this lovely digital download of Spiekermann's Stop Stealing Sheep & find out how type works available on Google Fonts web.
The books gives straightforward explanation of the key typographic concepts, provides some 'how too' of putting this new knowledge to work, and also gives account of type history. It's a real gem, beautifully designed and laid out.
Snatch this beautiful book by Erik Spiekermann explaining essentials of typography from the Google Fonts web here - you just need to scroll down a bit. Enjoy :)
Blue is the new… brown?!
It’s fascinating to see the rise of black and white - but I’d expect that. What I wouldn’t expect is the rise of blues. Who would think that?
One more thing - red alert!
Get ready to set your phasers to stun because Jean-Luc Picard’s latest interstellar adventure is pretty awesome.
I was *really* excited when Picard Season 1 brought back one of my most treasured characters! While the storyline had its ups and downs, I still found myself thoroughly enjoying it. Picard Season 2... let's just say the storytelling left me feeling a little underwhelmed.
But now Season 3 came out and I knew I couldn't miss out on Jean-Luc's last adventure. And let me tell you, it's been one hell of a ride so far! The show has been an absolute thrill ride so far, with solid story arcs, intriguing new characters, and some old favourites who still know how to kick ass. (I'm looking at you, Worf and Riker!)
To be completely frank, it’s really hard to believe Season 2 and Season 1 were filmed alongside each other. They feel so differently. While Season 2 was very moody, often depressing and self-absorbed, Season 3 feels optimistic, Star Trek-y (…) and energises me. It’s easily one of the best Trek’s since the naughties, with Strange New Worlds perhaps just tiny bit ahead.
I'm loving the suspense and anticipation of waiting for each new episode every week, which gives me plenty of time to speculate about who's a Changeling and analyze the characters' actions. Plus, I get to indulge in scouring YouTube for all the easter eggs that are hidden in plain sight - it's become a weekly tradition for me!
…and this GIF, well if you know you know :-)
Thanks for reading! Qapla’!
-Jiri