"Augmented editor" back from Annecy Web 2023
Annecy Web took place on June 1 in the city of the same name. Drawn by the scenery and eager to learn a little more about the region’s tech ecosystem, I made the trip for this event, which featured a well-balanced program. The talks covered a wide range of topics, and the speakers, I must say, were quite well chosen. But that’s an understatement.
For my part, I was particularly drawn to Baptiste Guiraud’s presentation titled “AI: Will Humans Lose Their Edge?”. The title might have been a bit sensationalist… but it worked! I sat not far from the stage so I wouldn’t miss a thing. Although I have to admit that the times I was taking notes forced me to let my attention wander a bit.
"AI: Will Humans Lose Their Edge?"
Baptiste Guiraud during his presentation at Annecy Web on June 1, 2023.
The program promises to demystify artificial intelligence and offer methods for optimizing productivity without jeopardizing one’s own creativity. That’s a very appealing pitch. Because saving time—yes—but sacrificing quality… no! Once again, it all depends on what we mean by “quality.” For us editorial writers, it’s often a matter of trying not to write complete nonsense while still crafting content that’s engaging enough to keep the reader hooked until the end. I’ll admit that it’s never an easy task.
Baptiste Guiraud begins by explaining what AI is in our context: a tool that understands what we tell it in order to solve problems and is equipped with the ability to learn. OpenAI’s integration with plug-ins is, in fact, an avenue I’d very much like to explore. Baptiste Guiraud emphasizes that we must hold AI to the same high standards as we do a writer. On the one hand, it’s out of the question to be lenient with it because of a few errors or inaccuracies that we would have immediately rejected if a human had delivered that content. On the other hand, AI is a tool that we must take control of:
Never ask him questions, but give him instructions,
Don't let him take the initiative.
Guide the AI as closely as possible toward the desired outcome.
Never settle for an average answer.
I would even go so far as to say: have zero tolerance for mediocrity.
Annecy Web—it's a good idea to go back
I can say without hesitation that I would be happy to return to Annecy Web, as the organizers went out of their way to make participants as comfortable as possible. There was never a moment of stress regarding logistics, meals, etc. Of course, nothing is perfect, and every project has room for improvement. However, I must admit that anything I might list in my mind is just nitpicking.
