AI Trends, Tools, Lessons for Success, and Predictions for the Near Future (Q4/2024)
AI Voice, Agents, and Training
2024 has been full of AI surprises and advancements and it’s not slowing down. As I’ve travelled and spoken from the West to East Coast, I’ve seen similar patterns and perspective with professionals still unsure about AI. Today I want to breakdown the current state of AI and share some lessons and trends as we get ready for 2025.
AI Voice & Agents
Two of the biggest trends I see are voice and agents.
Voice relates to a whole slew of tools including:
OpenAI’s advanced voice mode
Apple Intelligence
Speechify
VAgents
Wisper Flow
Inbox AI
Google NotebookLLM
Google Illuminate
The ability to communicate with AI, or and or your computer, devices, or data is really just beginning. I think this skill or capability has unknown productivity benefits and I’m diving in!
Likewise, but separately, the ability to have AI transcribe and create audio content, to you and for you and with your voice is also just starting. The benefits and gains are also not clear yet. But with tools like Speechify and GoogleNotebookLLM or Podcraftr, I am excited to see what all is possible.
These voice capability are different than text. Different than typing with a chatbot. Different that creating images or video.
To see a list of some of these tools, check out my AI resource page on my website: ArvellCraig.com/ai
Now let’s talk about Agents
AI Agents
AI agents has been talked about for a while. However the experiences have been disappointing to say the least. A few month ago I wrote about the top 13 AI agent platforms. What you’ll notice from that list is that they are all independent start ups or niche app. None were larger established platforms, and maybe that’s what was missing.
But things are changing.
In the past 30 days or so most of the major platforms have started introducing their version of AI agents. These AI integrations allow easier engagement with your data and their platforms. If you are already a user of these systems I would highly encourage you to start learning and testing and mastering them.
Salesforce Agentforce
Hubspot’s Breeze AI
Microsoft Copilot
I personally tend to spend more time on more niche AI agent platforms. Platforms made for specific sales and marketing campaigns. Since my work involves business development and prospecting I have always been quick to use tools that help me in this role. If you are interested in using AI agents for business development here are some of the ones I am aware of:
AI Agents for Business Development
AI SDR
AnyBiz
OneShot
AgentFrank
Boundo
Respell
Lindy
If you want my personal recommendation and experience, just ask.
My Biggest Lessons/Changes
Most people are either overestimating or underestimating AI’s abilities.
For me, I used to overestimate what AI could do without me. So I delegated too much to AI with too little oversight and optimization. As I changed this behavior I started to see much better results.
I relied on the prompt engineering built into the AI apps to used. But my experience and guidance needed to be enforced into the tool.
When I am training AI agents like VAgents for voice calls or an AI SDR for cold outreach, they begin to produce drastically better results. *The AI is not the key, it’s just a tool. But if you take the time to train it, change yourself, the two of you will be much better. And this leads me to my predictions for 2025.
Predictions for 2025
I believe we will start seeing a large gap in AI adoption and results. The difference is not in AI’s ability. The difference will be the people and companies that dedicate time, energy, and money into training and education vs those who don’t.
Nearly everyone is ‘trying’ AI, but most are not dedicated to pursue excellence. With all the new AI’s popping up every day it’s hard to know what to focus on. Should you use Claude, Gemini, or ChatGPT? Should you use Microsoft, Salesforce or Hubspot?
Invest in Training
The differences between the AI models, platforms, tools, RAGs, copilots, and agents are minor. The key will be your dedication to pick one or two, and work with it diligently until you master it for your goals.
Regardless of what you choose, I’d like to suggest tow things:
Invest AI education and training at least once per quarter
Encourage collaboration and accountability to reinforce lessons
Both of these I will be offering in 2025.
AI Workshops.
AI Community/Accountability.
If you are interested in working me, hit me up.
Of course, if you haven’t purchased my book, The AI Strategy Playbook, that’s a good first step. » BUY THE BOOK.
Create a Great Day!
P.S.
If you upgrade and become a paid subscriber you’ll have access to my AI book, community and courses. The first course will be launching in November. :)