Episode Three of Localogy’s “This Week in Local” podcast explores how some widely discussed artificial intelligence (AI) trends might impact the Localogy ecosystem. First, co-host Mike Boland explains generative AI and how it might influence local search. Then our other co-host Charles Laughlin examines the abundant online chatter surrounding ChatGPT, including whether it might eventually supplant Google.
TWIL is Localogy’s weekly podcast featuring brief (sub 30 minute) but “lively conversations on the local digital ecosystem.” We hope you have enjoyed the podcast so far. And please subscribe to TWIL on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Everybody’s Talking About Generative AI
Generative AI is the first topic that we tackle in this AI-focused episode. Many people are talking about generative AI. And not just in tech circles. Many young people have become engaged with the topic via consumer apps like Lensa AI.
It’s also a hot topic in tech, of course. And Mike took this one on the podcast. Mike has written about it on Insider after all. It’s also been a topic of discussion at past Localogy events, courtesy of Yext executive Christian Ward. Ward is responsible for introducing many in the Localogy ecosystem to the subject of generative AI through his engaging conference keynotes.
Mike’s local angle was how the experience of generative AI — essentially original artwork created by AI based on minimal user prompts — might reset expectations for the local search experience.
“The concept behind generative AI is interesting and you can apply it to a lot of things,” Mike said on the episode.”One that is close to our world [local] is evolving search into a more answers-based medium.”
Everybody’s Also Talking About ChatGPT
Charlie then riffed a little on ChatGPT, that smart, articulate, and personable large-language chatbot from OpenAI that everyone is talking about and seems to think will eventually take their job. And apparently, a lot of folks (on Twitter, etc.) seem to think the chatbot is gunning for Google’s job.
“One framing I saw was, ‘Will ChatGPT do to Google what Google did to the Yellow Pages?’,” Charlie said on the episode.
As analysts who have written more than most about Yellow Pages over the years, this framing did give Mike and Charlie plenty to talk about.
The analysts pondered whether ChatGPT, which answers complex user queries in a natural-language fashion, is a legitimate Google disruptor. The short answer is, maybe but not so fast.
“We often hear about ‘Google killers’, and often I’m skeptical,” Mike said on the episode.
“One of the strengths of Google that is often forgotten is not the product itself but the extensiveness of its index. And that is where I would look at ChatGPT. Will it have all the world’s information?”
The two analysts briefly ponder other angles involving ChatGPT as a disruptor. One passing thought (inspired by a Tweet Charlie saw) was to embed ChatGPT in Twitter and turn the flailing microblogging platform into a true rival to Google. Twitter owner Elon Musk (who was rumored to be stepping down as Twitter CEO today) is a founder and original investor in OpenAI, though he is no longer directly involved in the organization.
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The first three episodes of TWIL have featured our two senior analysts (Mike and Charlie) batting around topics they cover on Localogy Insider. We plan to continue with this format. But we will also soon add some variety to TWIL, notably via interviews with industry newsmakers. Reach out if you’d like to come on the pod with us.
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You can also find this trends-in-AI episode of This Week in Local (and all other episodes) on Localogy’s YouTube channel.
