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Byte-sized AI: AI act
I’m back for another Byte-sized AI issue, and as promised here are my three things: 😁
- Something techy from the news
- Something that made me laugh
- Something that you can do to improve how you work
📰 The one item of news:
The AI Act
The European Union is busy implementing the world’s first major law aimed at keeping artificial intelligence in check. This new set of rules, called the AI Act, officially went through in April last year and it’s set to shape how AI works not just in Europe, but everywhere.
So, what’s the big deal? The law looks at how risky an AI system is and sorts them into categories: from low-risk bots (think email spam filters) to high-stakes stuff like medical tech and law enforcement tools. The higher the risk, the tougher the rules. Some uses of AI, like “social scoring” or predictive policing based on sensitive data, are flat-out banned, for obvious historical reasons much of Europe is not keen on sorting people into groups or policing people’s thoughts.
Transparency is a key word here. If you’re chatting with a bot or watching content made by AI, you have to be told up front. Tech companies have to prove their high-impact AI is safe, reliable, and watched over by humans, with lots of testing and documentation to back it up.
Why does this matter? The EU’s law is likely to nudge other countries (including the UK and US) to come up with their own rules. The goal is to get all the good stuff AI can offer, while clamping down on bias, privacy issues, and other potential disasters.
And if companies ignore the new law? They could face eye-watering fines, up to €35 million or 7% of global turnover! No one wants to be first to break that rule.
There’s still some time before the law fully kicks in (enforcement starts in 2026), but companies are already scrambling to shape up.
Bottom line: the EU just set the pace for safe, smart, and ethical AI. Expect the rest of the world, and certainly the UK, to follow.
😂 The one thing that made me laugh:
AI is not great at humour
It is generally accepted that AI is not great at humour. I’m not here to change that view, in most cases it’s pretty much correct. But I did have cause to ask Perplexity for some lightbulb jokes. Judge for yourself:
How many IT Consultants does it take to change a lightbulb?
Just one-but first, they’ll analyse whether you actually need a lightbulb, suggest upgrading your whole lighting system, schedule a meeting to discuss options, and bill you for the initial consultation!
How many marketing managers does it take to change a lightbulb?
Just one-but they’ll spend weeks developing a rebranding strategy for the bulb, launch a teaser campaign called “The Future is Bright,” and outsource the actual changing to an intern!
How many LinkedIn Newsletter authors does it take to change a lightbulb?
Only one, but first they’ll write a 2,000-word post about the “7 Key Lessons the Dark Taught Me,” include three inspirational quotes about illumination, and invite you to comment with your own bright ideas.
💡 The one thing you can do next week:
Your teamwork superpower: Microsoft Loop
Wish project work felt less like herding cats and more like, well, actual teamwork? Say hello to Microsoft Loop-your new secret weapon for working together smarter, not harder.
So, what’s Loop?
Imagine a digital whiteboard, a to-do list, and a supercharged notebook all rolled into one. Loop lets you and your teammates jot down ideas, keep track of action points, and collaborate on projects in real time without tripping over endless email chains or “final_final_v2.docx” files.
What makes it awesome?
- Everything in one place: Notes, ideas, tasks-they’re all together, easy to find, and always up to date. No more missing attachments or mystery document versions.
- Live edits, everywhere: Add a Loop component (like a checklist or table) to a Teams chat or email-everyone can update it on the spot, and it changes for everyone, everywhere.
- Set up in a flash: Create mini workspaces for any project or team, then invite your mates. Tidy agenda? Brainstorm board? To-do tracker? Sorted.
How do I try it?
- Head to loop.microsoft.com and log in with your work details.
- Click to create a workspace for your latest project or idea.
- Add pages for anything you like-meeting notes, goals, wild brainstorms.
- Share your workspace (or just a single page) in Teams or Outlook. Everyone’s in the loop. Literally.
If you’re ready to ditch the chaos and keep your team in sync wherever you are, give Loop a spin today. It’s seriously easy, and just might become your new favourite way to work together!
Try it out, and let us know what you think!
If you are interested to find out how AI, automation and all things clever can help your organisation why not take a look at Future Workplace, our super special IT consultancy service that can supercharge productivity, business efficiency and so much more.
Subscribe to Byte-sized AI
Check out past Byte-sized AI issues:
- Byte-sized AI: Lost in an open plan area!Find out what Nick has been up to at the Kent and Medway Business Summit and have you tried triple promoting.
- Byte-sized AI: AI actFind out how AI is being kept in check, decide if AI is funny, and have you started going loopy!
- Byte-sized AI: AI opportunities£7 million, belly laughs and AI distilled! What more can you want? Byte-sized AI from the mind of Nick Ellis!
- Byte-sized AI: Are you thinking deeper?I’m back for another Byte-sized AI issue, and as promised here are my three things. 😁
- Byte-sized AI: Its a little bit of snow!This week we have seen the government get behind AI in a big way. This was inevitable whoever was in power, I think. There are a few obvious challenges here:
- Byte-sized AI: Say hello to ClaudeFor the more technical parts of my job, I use an AI called Claude, which was created by Anthropic.
- Byte-sized AI: Granny is here to make it all better!O2 have created an AI that sounds like your gran! The obvious question is “why?”. Firstly, it doesn’t sound like your gran specifically, that would be weird; it’s a generic gran called Daisy, complete with confusion about technology and a tendency to talk about her cat too much. Still doesn’t answer why though.
- Byte-sized AI: A llama with AI and an admission!Meta are doing something very interesting. They have a set of AI models collectively called “Llama” which anyone can download and use in their products for free.
- Byte-sized AI: Something special is happening in the UK!The UK is doing something a bit special. The global average for businesses adopting AI to some extent is around 13%.
- Byte-sized AI: Up, up and… back down! 😕Every so often in the world of tech something happens that is so astonishing, so utterly gob-smacking that we should all just stop and applaud.
- Byte-sized AI: An extra brain in the room!I’m back for another Byte-sized AI issue, and as promised here are my three things! 😁
- Byte-sized AI: The machines have taken over SainsburysWelcome to the very first issue of my new technology newsletter Byte-sized AI. Each issue I will give you three things: Something techy from the news Something that made me laugh Something that you can do to improve how you work
- Byte-sized AI: Be the first to hear from NickWant to get the latest news about technology and AI, then there is only one person you need to hear from and that’s me!!
Nick Ellis
AI and Innovation Lead