Especially what I call the ‘training’ of Siri AI (Apple calls it ‘Indexing’), on mainstream’s user data in their Apple Mail, Messages, Notes, Photos and other first party apps.
This when done, results in startlingly new use for AI at the local level, with responses to personal queries that are far more useful for everyday tasks than the LLMs we’re used to for business, work and AI Coding tasks.
Of course, Google is also focused on this opportunity with its Gemini ‘AI Mode ‘Search, Ask and Do’ efforts across its vast data stores of mainstream users. Given its billion plus mainstream user bases globally across Gmail, Google Photos, Google Docs, YouTube, Maps and other applications.
This all sets the groundwork for the next wave of what I’ve called ‘machine 2 machine’ (aka m2m) AI searches and agents used by billions of folks for their own personal and work tasks.
Separately in many cases from the metered, more public use of LLM AI models in the cloud for their work tasks at businesses.
And other consumer facing big tech like Meta, and x/Twitter from SpaceX/ Elon Inc will also likely jump in here as well.
A more public version of this mainsteam AI training can be seen in Meta’s latest announcement.
“As Meta tries to catch up in the AI race and boost engagement with its AI bot, the company announced Monday that it’s rolling out new AI features on Facebook that aim to change how users find information, create content, and interact with the platform.”
“The headline update is “AI Mode,” a new way to search Facebook that uses Meta AI to surface answers pulled from public posts across the platform, including Groups and Reels. Instead of scrolling through search results, users can ask a question in plain language and get a synthesized answer based on what people are actually discussing.”
“This follows Meta’s quiet launch last month of Forum, a Reddit-style app that includes its own AI “Ask” tab, letting users pose questions and get answers pulled from discussions happening across Facebook Groups.”
“Both AI Mode and Forum’s Ask tab raise a familiar question: How reliable are answers generated from public posts and group chatter? Because the AI is summarizing content from everyday users rather than vetted sources, there’s a real risk of outdated or misleading information slipping through, a concern that’s already been raised about Google’s own AI Mode on Reddit.”
Recognizes these queries are training on public post data on Facebook and other properties, not the personal, private data that Apple is indexing/training on its Siri AI efforts. And presumably Google Gemini with its similar efforts shortly.
Meta is trying to figure out what versions of this ‘public’ personalization could stick with mainstream users and change their online interaction habits with Meta AI.
“Beyond search, Facebook also added editing tools that let users play around with collage cutouts and transition effects for their video montages. Another new feature is the AI-powered photo presets, allowing users to change up their look with different clothes, hairstyles, and accessories.”
“Sports fans, for instance, can virtually wear their favorite team jerseys just by tapping the “AI Edit” icon in Stories and choose “Wear It,” or go directly to their profile picture and select “Restyle profile picture with AI” and “Wardrobe.”
“These updates add to a growing list of AI features Meta has shipped on Facebook in recent months. In February, the company introduced animated profile pictures that bring still photos to life — adding a wave, or placing a virtual party hat on someone’s head. In March, Meta added an AI feature to Facebook Marketplace that automatically replies to buyer messages on sellers’ behalf.”
“Most recently, earlier this month, Facebook launched an AI assistant for creators that offers personalized suggestions — including the best times to post and summaries of what audiences are saying in the comments — based on a creator’s content and performance history.”
“Taken together, the flurry of releases points to a broader strategy: Meta wants Facebook’s AI tools to make the platform stickier and more useful, while also diversifying how it makes money. Alongside these feature rollouts, the company recently launched global subscription plans for Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp — starting at $3.99 a month — that unlock additional features, with more AI-related subscription tiers reportedly on the way.”
So a lot of concerted efforts by Meta on this front.
I’m highlighting this as one of several efforts by AI companies to train on different categories of pirvate and public data this AI Tech Wave.
It’s potentially a path to mainstream AI applications and services we have yet to see in force. With Meta, xAI, Apple, Google and others in the fray. Stay tuned.
(NOTE: The discussions here are for information purposes only, and not meant as investment advice at any time. Thanks for joining us here)
How time flies. Still remember OpenAI ChatGPT’s first year when I really got going writing daily about AI matters large and small here at AI: Reset to...
