Could AI Predict Our Next Move? New Tech Promises Insights

We often hear about AI that generates text or images, but a new focus is emerging: AI that aims to predict our future actions. Companies like Yobi are working on what they call a "foundation model of behaviour," moving beyond simply predicting the next word in a sentence to understanding and forecasting what people might do next.

This technology is different from the large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT, which are great at conversation. Instead, these new AI systems are designed to look at patterns in how humans interact, shop, and use services. They're trying to figure out the "why" behind our decisions, not just the "what."

For Australian small businesses, this could open up new ways to understand their customers. Imagine an AI that could reliably suggest which products a customer might be interested in, or when they might be ready to make a purchase. It's not about mind-reading, but about using vast amounts of data to spot trends and anticipate needs, potentially making marketing efforts much more effective and less wasteful.

However, it's early days, and like all new AI, there are questions around privacy and how this data is collected and used responsibly. As these tools develop, it will be important for businesses to ensure they're using them ethically and transparently, always keeping customer trust at the forefront. The goal is to enhance customer experience, not to manipulate.