Leading the Future of Print in NWFL

Generating the trends for the publishing industry

I had the pleasure of hearing from Hod Lipson, professor of engineering and data science at Columbia University, one of the keynote speakers at the annual Florida Power and Light Symposium earlier this year. He said, “Those that see it, lead, and those that don’t get dragged along.” He was speaking about the benefits of utilizing generative artificial intelligence.

Being in the publishing industry, we have been keeping our eyes on the resources available while ensuring we maintain our journalistic integrity through authentic, original work. We also know the benefit of leading with strategic foresight to enhance our efforts in this arena. I can assure you that every word written in our products is not generated by artificial intelligence. We can use these types of tools to enhance our research and efficiency in many functions, but they will never replace the art of the written word.

Lipson shared the remarkable journey behind many generative artificial intelligence programs and how they can assist in the human experience, not replace it. Those same values remind me of the mission behind The Institute of Human & Machine Cognition, based in Pensacola, and one that I, too, believe in.

Lipson educated and inspired the group by sharing two examples of implementations I had coincidentally experienced firsthand. A self-driving car at any given time uses over 150 different scenarios to make a decision, compared to a human driver who uses only one. This increases the probability of a safe ride 150 times compared to human driving. When Lipson showcased the data and visual model behind this sophisticated technology, the entire room, including myself, was disarmed of the notion that AI was only something to be wary of.

The overarching truth is that as time goes on, more data is collected to reduce error and increase accuracy. The examples we saw showed us how much more effective certain generative artificial intelligence systems can be compared to relying solely on humans. We simply can’t compete with that level of accuracy—even the most brilliant among us.

We are already witnessing this type of AI support in the medical sector. Pathology reports are now reviewed by generative artificial intelligence, not only increasing the accuracy of diagnoses and saving lives but also reducing the cost of these resources. I have personally seen this at my dermatologist’s office. Instead of sending a biopsy to a pathologist, they can digitally review the margins of inspection and provide immediate results to the patient, possibly avoiding excision altogether if the results come back clean.

Our region is taking an active approach to ensure our education systems incorporate this mindset and these resources into university and college curricula. You will be proud and inspired to read more details later in this issue showing how our students are being prepared to enter the job market fully equipped. The overarching theme echoes what I learned from Lipson: You either lead or get dragged along, and our region is taking the lead.

The data collected is the asset, and incorporating these programs into our business industries will enhance performance, not replace it.

Northwest Florida has much to be proud of when it comes to education. Not only are our institutions adapting and enhancing their programs, but they are also expanding access to our communities, continuing to be a driving force for growth.

The Seacoast Collegiate High School Expansion Project, in partnership with Northwest Florida State College, is one of many initiatives in this regard. The expansion will offer dual enrollment opportunities, allowing high school students to graduate with both a diploma and an Associate of Arts degree. We are also seeing increased resources for workforce training to local agencies and businesses. For the fastest-growing county in the state, this educational infrastructure is becoming a major factor.

With all digital enhancements and resources comes more responsibility and a reminder of digital ethics. The lines can be harder to see in cyberspace. I am inspired to see how our experience and impact can be propelled toward more efficient and productive outcomes. However, I encourage our leadership to ensure that education on ethics and integrity when using these systems is valued just as highly as the benefits of the systems themselves. We can enhance the human experience, but I urge that our discernment in how we use these tools be held in even higher regard.

Best,

McKenzie Burleigh

Photo by M. Little Productions