Time to Roll Up Your Sleeves: The Real Work for Generative AI Begins
Generative AI is transitioning past the “Peak of Inflated Expectations” on Gartner’s Hype Cycle and is now entering what is often referred to as the “Trough of Disillusionment.” Frankly, I’m not particularly fond of these terms. While every technology undergoes these cycles, labeling this phase as the “Trough of Disillusionment” seems somewhat misplaced and unnecessarily depressing. A more fitting description might be the “Roll Up Your Sleeves” phase.
This stage is precisely where we should be with Generative AI (GenAI). Companies have been actively experimenting with GenAI, buoyed by its potential. However, the realization has dawned that GenAI is not a magical fix—it demands effort and thoughtful integration into our work, tasks, and existing systems. We are moving beyond the phase of unbridled enthusiasm into an era of practical implementation. And that is when the work gets done.
We are at the juncture where the focus shifts from speculative excitement to deliberate integration. The excitement surrounding GenAI is far from over; it has matured. The tech companies continue to release innovative GenAI products daily, and this momentum shows no signs of abating. However, the critical task ahead is to determine how to thoughtfully incorporate these technologies into our work environments and figure out how to get the jobs done.
The media has begun to spotlight the challenges and limitations of GenAI, often highlighting its perceived shortcomings. While it is true that no technology is without its flaws, the key question we should be asking is: How can we harness these technologies, with all their strengths and weaknesses, effectively? The goal should not be to blindly attempt sweeping transformations or decide that the technology is pure hype but to figure out how to the solve problems in front of us by using it strategically.
This is an exciting time. We are entering a phase where practical application takes precedence and the real work of making GenAI functional begins. It is in this stage—through diligent effort and thoughtful integration—that the true potential of this breathtaking technology will be realized.
Kristian Hammond
Bill and Cathy Osborn Professor of Computer Science
Director of the Center for Advancing Safety of Machine Intelligence (CASMI)
Director of the Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence (MSAI) Program