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This week: AI hiring

This week: AI hiring

plus book publishers, photos, earbuds

Brett Bouchard
October 26, 2024

Wise Tech - Technology news for non-tech humans!

I love Chipotle’s cheeky pun used in naming its AI recruiter — “Ava Cado”!

1. Chipotle’s New AI Recruiter ‘Ava Cado’ to Speed Up Hiring

What’s the tech?
Chipotle is introducing an AI assistant named Ava Cado to help with hiring. This AI (artificial intelligence) assistant will take care of the time-consuming administrative parts of recruitment.

How it’s used:
Ava Cado will collect job applications, answer common questions about working at Chipotle, and schedule interviews. She will also help with sending job offers to candidates after managers have made their decisions. Ava Cado speaks multiple languages, including English, Spanish, French, and German, making the hiring process more accessible.

Why it’s news now:
This new AI assistant is part of Chipotle’s move to speed up hiring by up to 75%. It will be rolled out in over 3,500 locations by the end of the month. With Ava handling much of the paperwork, Chipotle’s managers will be able to focus more on the day-to-day operations of their restaurants.

2. Penguin Random House Says ‘No’ to AI Training

What’s the tech?
Penguin Random House, a major book publisher, has taken a strong stand against using its books to train AI models.

How it’s used:
AI training involves using large collections of text, including books, to help AI systems learn language patterns. These AI systems are then used in things like chatbots and virtual assistants. However, Penguin Random House is saying no to using its copyrighted books in this way.

Why it’s news now:
This move is part of a larger debate about whether it’s fair or legal to use copyrighted material without permission to train AI. The publishing industry, authors, and AI developers are all weighing in, and this decision could have big implications for how AI learns from texts in the future.

3. Google Photos to Label AI-Edited Photos

What’s the tech?
Google Photos is introducing a new feature that will label photos edited using AI-based tools. This means any photo that has been altered by artificial intelligence will have a small label on it, so you can tell it apart from an unedited image.

How it’s used:
When you look at your Google Photos, images that have been enhanced or manipulated by AI will have a small icon or text showing that they’ve been edited. This applies to a range of edits, from simple tweaks like brightness adjustments to more advanced changes, such as removing objects from the image.

Why it’s news now:
In a world where photos can be easily edited, this feature aims to increase transparency and help people know when an image has been altered. As AI editing becomes more common, knowing what’s been changed will help prevent the spread of misleading information and photos.

Bonus Topic: How Your Earbuds Can Help in Noisy Restaurants

What is the tech?
Apple’s AirPods have a feature called "Conversation Boost" that helps people hear better in noisy environments. Originally designed to assist those with mild hearing loss, this feature is now being used by restaurant-goers to hear better in crowded places.

How it’s used:
The AirPods’ microphones focus on the voices of people sitting in front of you, while reducing the surrounding noise. This makes it easier to hear your dining companions, even in a loud restaurant.

Why it’s popular:
With noise levels rising in many modern eateries, more people are turning to this simple tech solution for better conversations. Some see it as a helpful tool, while others worry it might lead to more isolation as people plug into their personal tech. Either way, it’s a creative use of an existing feature.

Conversation starter:
“Did you know people are using their AirPods to cut through restaurant noise? Would you try it, or do you think it might make people less social?”