Issue #10 - When Technology Understands Our Emotions

In This Issue

• Emotional AI: A New Era of Human-Machine Interaction
• Cash Transactions Are Coming to An End?
• What we can learn from “FYRE” Festival
• 5 AI Tools I Use in My Projects
• Back to the Burning Man 2024
• Book "Driving Sustainable Innovation”
• 2024 LAST Masterclass AI-driven Project Management Revolution
• AI Venture Lab and AI Certification Program Update

Emotional AI: A New Era of Human-Machine Interaction

Gone are the days when interactions with technology were purely transactional and free of emotional context.

In the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence, integrating Emotional AI into corporate culture seems inevitable. As it gains traction across various industries, its implications for corporate environments are profound and far-reaching.

This groundbreaking technology leverages biological signals such as vocal tone, facial expressions, and data from wearable devices to detect, predict, and react to human emotions.

We are, indeed, entering an era where there is a big chance we may find it hard to understand if we are interacting with a machine or a human on the other side.

Emotional AI signifies a paradigm shift in how humans view and engage with machines

Recently, Andre Barcaui and I released an article at the London School of Economics Business Review called “Artificial emotional intelligence will have wide-ranging impacts on society”. I also had a chance to make a small introductory demo on how this kind of technology may look like during my monthly webinar with Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez.

My prediction is that within a few months, possibly even by the end of this year, we will see platforms like Zoom incorporating emotion-tracking functionalities.

I will not be surprised at all if this becomes available even before that.

Emotional AI is a double-edged sword: it is both exciting and scary

While it holds the promise of creating more empathetic and responsive corporate environments, it also demands careful consideration of ethical and practical challenges.

Imagine if you are in a virtual meeting and other participants can use this tool without your consent to scan your feelings and react to your emotions. It is a massive breach of your own privacy.

How will society handle this kind of scenario? How will we mitigate or avoid the use of AI to manipulate feelings and increase discrimination and bias?

It is complex. Deeply complex.

But we must act. Sadly, technology often does not wait for society to untangle cultural, social, and emotional aspects.

It just moves forward.

And this creates massive challenges when these tools become available, as in the recent article I read about workers being watched and misunderstood using AI.

The study reveals that some workers see benefits, such as increased well-being support and enhanced workplace safety.

However, there are significant concerns:

• 51% worry about privacy.
• 36% fear incorrect inferences by employers.
• 33% are concerned about unfair employment decisions.

Take a look at this 2-minute video of a Zoom call using this type of AI emotional monitoring. It is a breakthrough and, at the same time, extremely disturbing.

I recognize that by accurately reading and responding to employees' emotional states, organizations can create a more supportive and engaging work environment.

However, it’s crucial that this technology is used transparently and with explicit consent to avoid feelings of surveillance and mistrust among employees.

Companies must establish clear policies on using emotional AI, ensuring that employees are informed about how their emotional data is being collected, stored, and used.

And employees should have the ability to choose. The option to opt-in or opt-out of such monitoring can help maintain a sense of autonomy and trust.

As we embrace this cutting-edge technology, we must be vigilant when navigating these complexities, using utmost caution and foresight to ensure that the benefits outweigh the risks.

There are exciting opportunities but also tricky challenges in the world of emotional AI and humans

The ethical implications of emotional AI extend beyond privacy concerns.

Issues like bias, data handling, and the impact on human relationships with technology need to be carefully considered.

The future of emotional AI depends on the rules we establish, the discussions we engage in, and the choices we make.

In this area, I recently discovered the EmotionalAI Lab, an international research group that examines the ethical, societal, and cultural impact of artificial intelligence technologies in relation to data about human emotions, moods, and affective states.

They are at the frontline of understanding the massive implications of this technology in our lives and work.

One of the most interesting works EmotionalAI Lab is doing is developing the ethical standard of “Automated Empathy” in areas like therapy, education, life coaching, legal problems, fitness, and entertainment, among others.

In these areas, some specific questions must be raised, like manipulation, dependency, child appropriateness, and animism (attribution of a soul to objects, places, and even technology). You can see some of the results in the paper “Blurring the moral limits of data markets: biometrics, emotion and data dividends”

Balance is everything

As we embrace this kind of technology, we must find the balance between progress and responsibility.

Technological advancement and ethical responsibility must go hand in hand to create a sustainable and ethical future.

We must ensure that innovation does not come at the expense of privacy, fairness, and freedom.

The journey of emotional AI is as much about human values as it is about technological progress.

If we manage these types of projects with care and thoughtful development, we can create a future where Artificial Emotional Intelligence benefits everyone, fostering a more empathetic and connected world.

Let’s always keep this in mind!

What Has Been on My Radar Recently?

Cash Transactions Are Coming to An End?

This month, Visual Capitalist released an infographic talking about the end of cash transactions.

As credit cards and digital wallets see increasing adoption around the world, the share of cash being used in transactions is plummeting.

In some places, cash payments are already a rarity. This includes Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and most Nordic countries.

Will this be the end of cash transactions?

“FYRE”

I recently shared a social media post about a documentary I watched that deeply resonated with me.

During one of my trips last month, while returning home, I saw an ad on Netflix about the Fyre Festival documentary… such a mess and a real example of how to do everything wrong in terms of project management.

FYRE: The Greatest Party That Never Happened. Credits: Netflix

I remember recording a podcast about it. If you have a couple of minutes, you can listen to it here.

Some quick reflections on the FYRE festival:

• Projects are never a simple task.
• On paper, things seem much easier than they are in reality.
• As Warren Buffer said, there is no good deal with someone who is not good. There is no way you can collaborate with someone that does not have good intentions.
• Chaos and entropy are part of everything you do. If you do not manage a project well, everything will go wrong.

I really hope you find it insightful as much as I did.

5 AI Tools I Use in My Projects

In my daily work, AI tools have become indispensable. They streamline processes, enhance efficiency, and provide valuable insights.

So, I decided to share some tools I currently use and that you may benefit from.

Here's a list:

• Spinach — Capture decisions and integration with PM Tools
• Gamma — Presentations
• Magic ToDo List — Work Breakdown Structure creation
• Fireflies — Automate your meeting notes
• Motion — Automatic agenda and scheduling

In case you want to share, I also created a post on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

Remember one important point. This is not an ad for any of these AI platforms, I am not the owner, partner, or representative of any of them. I truly use them in my day-to-day and they benefit me immensely.

I hope you find it helpful and useful!

Quick Announcements

Back to the Burning Man 2024

One year ago, I shared a full newsletter about my experience attending Burning Man for the first time. It was the apex of leaving your comfort zone to learn and have new experiences that foster creativity and a new perception of life and work.

And this year, my wife and I are going back.

Next month, I will share what I learned at my second Burning Man and how this makes a huge difference in how to think differently about work and life. It is a 24x7 machine of fostering creativity and new ideas.

Book "Driving Sustainable Innovation”

I am very happy to announce that I, along with Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez, have collaborated on the book "Driving Sustainable Innovation" published by Brightline Initiative.

This is a Project Management Institute Initiative in partnership with Thinkers50. This book offers a thought-provoking yet highly applicable resource for you and your organization to make sense of the future.

It brings together a powerful collection of executives, thought leaders, practitioners, and researchers from around the world to map out what achieving truly sustainable innovation means for both individuals and organizations. One of the key challenges addressed in the book is not whether to use AI, but how best to use AI in a way that ensures we are better off than we were before — in all aspects, not just environmental terms.

Modern tools now offer comprehensive insight into the full range of project impacts. However, it is essential to adopt a broad perspective and resist the temptation to focus solely on one aspect. By considering a comprehensive approach to innovation, we can ensure that our efforts lead to sustainable success and positive outcomes across various dimensions. You can get your copy here.

2024 LAST AI-driven Project Management Revolution Masterclass

Despite having tight schedules, Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez and I decided to give the last masterclass of the year!

he next edition of the masterclass takes place on the 17th and 18th of December between 9:00 AM and 12:00 PM ET.

Through the masterclass, you'll acquire a robust understanding of AI-driven project management. Starting with the impact of AI on project management, you'll journey through the AI Project Life Cycle, learning about the practical applications of AI tools and techniques.

We know that not everyone can afford to participate, which is why we are offering an Early-Bird Discount of 20% OFF. You just need to use the coupon COHORT6, available until August 15th at 11:59 PM PT.

You can register here.

We look forward to seeing you there.

AI Venture Lab and AI Certification Program

Last month, Antonio and I were very excited to share two major announcements with you: the launch of our AI Venture Lab and the introduction of the AI Certification Program in partnership with APMG.

Our Venture Lab is designed to empower and elevate startups, embodying our commitment to revolutionizing project management through innovative AI solutions. You can learn more about the venture lab here.

Currently, we are evaluating six opportunities to integrate AI tools into the project management workflow.

Our AI-Driven Project Manager (AIPM) certification, developed in partnership with APMG International, is moving fast. We have started the first pilot already!

As I mentioned before, this certification, created by project managers for project managers, empowers professionals to optimize project outcomes, enhance decision-making processes, and drive efficiency using AI-driven strategies.

It marks a significant step forward in project management practices, embracing AI's transformative potential in today's industry landscape.

The certification will be released in the first week of September/2024.

Your Voice Matters!

You can also read the previous issues here.

If you have any suggestions, comments, or anything else to help me improve the e-newsletter, please message [email protected]. I would love to hear from you.

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Thanks for your support, and I hope it was helpful to you.

Cheers,

Ricardo