[Me & X] AI culture and the funeral parlour
X : AI is more about culture than technology!
Me : Eh?
X : You need a fast moving AI team to compete in business today!
Me : What? Hang on, hold your horses ... what are you talking about?
X : To compete in a modern world, you need to adopt AI, you need to build an AI culture.
Me : You are sounding like a marketing brochure. Have you just been to an AI conference?
X : You doubt it? Are you one of those dinosaurs?
Me : Ok. Can I suggest we sit down with a cup of tea, and maybe a nice biscuit ... ginger if you have them.
X : There's no time, we have to act!
Me : First, before doing anything, let us try and understand your context.
X : Context?
Me : Yes. I use maps for this but let's start with the basics. What's your purpose?
X : Our purpose is to provide professional services and a respectful environment for the care, preparation, and commemoration of the deceased. We offer support to grieving families by handling logistical arrangements while creating a dignified setting for mourners to gather, reflect, and honour the life of the departed.
Me : You're a funeral parlour?
X : Yes
Me : I don't think your mourners are going to be particularly comforted by a ChatGPT interface. You're talking about areas from grief and ritual to trust and presence. The human element will remain central. Ok, there maybe some possible uses in logistics, supply chain or document processing but that's relatively minor. There's also some possible uses in AI generated eulogies or tribute videos. Can I suggest not going to anymore AI conferences?
X : You're against AI?
Me : No, I'm FOR context.
Originally published on LinkedIn.