Business Tech Roundup: Apple Intelligence Is Now Available
Here are five things in tech that happened this week and how they affect your business. Did you miss them?
(This column originally appeared in Forbes)
1 — Apple Intelligence Is Now Available
Apple has introduced the initial Apple Intelligence features for iPhone, iPad, and Mac users through a free software update, now available with iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1. According to the company, Apple Intelligence is a personal intelligence system that leverages the capabilities of Apple silicon to understand and generate language and images, perform tasks across apps, and utilize personal context to streamline daily activities, all while setting new standards for privacy in AI. This release marks the debut of the first set of features, with additional updates to come in the following months. (Source: Apple)
Why this is important for your business:
Great news for Apple users but don’t get overly excited. Some experts believe that Apple’s AI is as much as two years behind its competitors. Regardless, I’m sure loyal fans and business users will benefit significantly from the productivity gains that Apple’s AI features will offer. And, unlike some of the stuff released by other tech companies I’m betting theirs will actually work!
2 — Novo unveils comprehensive suite of credit, financing, and bookkeeping solutions for solopreneurs and small business owners.
Banking platform Novo has launched a suite of financial tools tailored for solopreneurs and small business owners. This includes the Novo Business Credit Card for cash flow management, Novo Bookkeeping for expense tracking, and Novo Invoice Flex to accelerate invoice payments. (Source: Novo)
Why this is important for your business:
According to the company these products aim to simplify financial tasks, provide flexibility, and support growing businesses. These new services complement Novo’s existing small business banking options, like checking accounts and debit cards. If you’re a solopreneur or small business owner you should be banking with companies that provide tools that ease your cash flow and bookkeeping requirements like this.
3 — Anthropic unveils AI assistant that can navigate computer screens.
Anthropic’s latest AI assistant — known as the “computer use” — allows for direct interaction with computer screens, performing tasks like clicking, typing, and browsing. It enables real-time operations beyond traditional application integrations. Released in beta last week to developers, this tool is purposed for “direct screen interpretations.” Despite its capabilities, limitations exist with security safeguards to restrict certain actions. Similarly, Google is developing an AI agent called Project Jarvis, designed to automate everyday web tasks using the Chrome browser. Jarvis can perform tasks like browsing websites, filling out forms, and making purchases based on user instructions. (Sources: PYMNTS; The Verge)
Why this is important for your business:
Like all AI releases this is still very early days and won’t have much of an impact on your business for the short term. But longer term imagine this: your customers can ask their device to retrieve quote information from your site and the device does all the clicking for them. Or you tell your computer to book a business trip to Chicago on Expedia and the device goes through the clicking for you. That’s the ultimate end game for this type of tech and it will have a huge affect on your workers’ productivity.
4 — Cisco debuts AI agents to supplement human customer service reps.
Cisco recently introduced its Webex AI Agent, designed to enhance customer service by handling inquiries autonomously through natural language. Set for release in early 2025, the agent aims to improve efficiency in customer interactions, reducing wait times and bypassing traditional automated menus. (Source: PYMNTS)
Why this is important for your business:
According to Cisco, the agent is built with flexibility and allows companies to customize workflows and adapt to evolving AI technology. Cisco envisions that most initial customer calls will eventually be managed by AI agents that provide personable, dynamic interactions. Right now large companies are already using agents like this to increase the productivity of their customer service teams and to get more work done with existing staff. Ultimately this tech will trickle down to smaller organizations with companies like Cisco offering more affordable and easier to configure agents that companies will use to automate many of their internal workflows.
5 — Google’s NotebookLM is one of the most powerful use cases for AI.
Google’s NotebookLM is a powerful AI tool that helps users gain insights from their notes, documents, and recordings. Features include custom audio summaries, expanded file support, team collaborations, and improved questioning with access to Gemini’s best model. NotebookLM is a free service that analyzes content and as an example — can help users refine citations for accuracy. The company has also created NotebookLM Business offered to companies, universities and other organizations. (Source: Fast Company)
Why this is important for your business:
Almost a year ago I wrote that NotebookLM wasn’t ready for business…yet. At the time it’s features were underwhelming. But like all AI applications their first release represents just a shadow of their long term power. And now NotebookLM is growing into its potential. I admit I haven’t revisited this application since then. But — given what I’m reading — I’m going to do that soon, and promise to report back!
