Monday, 4 May⋅10:00am – 12:00pm

You can also watch a video recording of the meeting on Zoom - click here.

Meeting Summary

Quick recap

The meeting focused on discussing AI voice assistants and their applications, particularly through presentations by Peter Law and Peter Cooper. Peter Law shared insights about Muka, an AI voice assistant designed for tradespeople to handle administrative tasks like invoicing and scheduling, while Peter Cooper demonstrated how to use AI systems like Claude to generate custom programming solutions without traditional coding knowledge. The group discussed various AI applications, including voice assistants becoming more intuitive, the potential for AI in medical settings, and the creation of AI-powered systems for specific purposes. The conversation ended with plans for the next session on June 1st, where participants will explore AI and art, including bringing examples of AI-generated pictures for discussion and critique.

Next Steps

Anthony

• Email Peter (chair@u3aivo,uk) information about the bus services project for potential group briefings and collaboration.

Collaboration

• All members: Bring or prepare examples related to AI and art (e.g., AI-generated images, critiques, or creations) for the next meeting on June 1st.

Summary

Laptop Updates and Technical Discussions

The meeting began with technical discussions about laptop updates, particularly regarding Windows 11 compatibility and support requirements, with participants noting that current laptops need to be replaced by October when support ends. Penny mentioned having a plumbing crisis involving a leak below the internal stopcock, which was being addressed by a plumber. The meeting started with several apologies for absence, including from Jane, Alan, John, and Terry who was reported to be unwell. The conversation ended with Sophie confirming the recording functionality and receiving consent from participants to record the session.

Voice Assistant Integration Technologies

Peter presented on voice assistants and their integration into daily life, sharing examples of how they are used in homes and cars. He discussed Amazon's development of more intuitive voice assistants that can anticipate needs and process non-verbal cues. Peter also explained the technical process of how voice assistants work, including the conversion of speech to text, natural language understanding, and response generation.

AI Tools for Tradespeople

Peterlaw discussed his experience with one-man band tradespeople and shared information about Mucker, an AI voice assistant developed in 2024 by a company called Pipedrive. The tool helps tradespeople with scheduling, sending invoices, and managing appointments. Peterlaw explored the potential for adapting such tools to other professions, particularly medical professionals in hospitals, highlighting the challenges of convincing less technologically literate workers to trust and use AI tools.

AI Applications in Healthcare and Trades

The group discussed the use of AI and voice assistants in various contexts, including healthcare and trade work. Peter Law shared concerns about robotic arms in medical settings, while others, like Anthony John Stanton and Peter, shared their experiences with dictation and voice assistants. Sophie noted differences between medical and trade scenarios, and Mike explored potential applications of AI tools for tradespeople, such as automating quotes and supplier comparisons. The conversation also touched on the potential for AI to learn user preferences and the challenges of identifying when inference techniques are being used.

AI Risks and Ethical Concerns

The group discussed the risks and limitations of AI systems, particularly regarding data processing and decision-making. Peter warned about potential dangers, citing examples like AI systems publishing passwords online or blackmailing gatekeepers. The conversation also touched on the ethical concerns of creating AI versions of deceased individuals, with Penny expressing concern about how this could interfere with natural grieving processes. Mike suggested implementing safeguards in voice queries to prevent unauthorized actions, but Peter emphasized that AI systems are complex and may not always follow intended instructions.

AI Activities and Implementation Updates

Peter provided an update on AI activities within the U3A, including a new monthly hands-on AI group and upcoming workshops scheduled for May 15th and June 19th. He also mentioned plans to discuss AI at the Community Day in St Ives on May 16th. Anthony introduced himself as a novice in AI, expressing concern about its potential impact on his work and career. He shared an example of how AI could have simplified a project he worked on with the Town Council regarding bus services. The conversation ended with Peter preparing to discuss the use of AI in coding.

AI in Professional Programming Demonstration

Peter discussed the role of AI in professional programming and system development, sharing examples of AI-generated systems he had developed, including a membership system and a data analysis tool. He demonstrated how AI tools like Claude can assist in coding and system creation, emphasizing their efficiency and potential for personal and professional use. Peter then began a live demonstration to show how users can generate their own simple systems using AI, starting with an example of creating a birthday card generator.

Claude Birthday Card System Demo

Peter demonstrated how to use Claude to generate a web-based birthday card system without writing any code, showing the process of defining inputs, selecting options like tone and colors, and troubleshooting issues like missing photos. The group discussed questions about data security, with Peter clarifying that the current simple system doesn't store data in databases but would need proper security considerations for a production system. After the demonstration, the group took a break with plans to try generating another system after the break.

Bus Collaboration for Isolated Groups

Anthony discussed a bus collaboration project with St. Ives Town Council aimed at helping isolated elderly people and NEETs (young people not in education, employment, or training). He proposed briefing groups on bus services and showing them how to use the apps to find stops and routes. Peter agreed to the proposal and requested that Anthony email him the details at chair@u3aivo.uk. The meeting was briefly interrupted when Sophie returned and resumed recording.

AI-Old English Translation System Development

The group discussed developing an AI system to translate modern English words and phrases into Anglo-Saxon/Old English, with Mike explaining his interest in etymology and British place names. Peter demonstrated how to use Claude to generate the system, including decisions about the interface design, dictionary approach, and output format. The team agreed to make AI and art the topic for their next meeting on June 1st at 10am, where they plan to bring AI-generated pictures to critique or discuss AI and art-related topics.

Next meetings:

Monday 1st June 10 am - Be your own AI Art critic.
Everyone has to bring a sample of AI Art, “slop”, an activity or something to talk to.
Members should send ideas to Penny and Sophie (glai@u3aivo.uk) by the Thursday before the meeting ie May 28th.
The Zoom link will follow.