Denisa Lasku
Calvin Coolidge once said, “All growth depends upon activity. There is no development physically or intellectually without effort, and effort means work.” At ALSA, we believe in this philosophy of growth through action, and our recent 'AI Horizons' event at Microsoft is a perfect example of this. While our panel events are always in high demand, growth expects us to explore new formats that challenge and develop our volunteers. This summer, we embraced this.
A cloud software engineer at Microsoft trained five ALSA volunteers, including myself, on how to use Azure and apply AI within our respective industries. Over the summer, we engaged in our own research, trial and error, and one-on-one sessions with our mentor. Our task? To create a live demo and presentation, which we’d deliver at Microsoft! As someone who studied marketing, I focused on how AI is revolutionising the field. Covering how companies like Netflix uses AI in thier personalisation strategy, which recommends content based on user behavior, and Nike’s use of AI in analysing mass data to improve inventory management. In my own demo, I highlighted how visual generative AI can be used for creating product mock-ups, designing social media content, and personalising adverts. I started with a simple prompt for trainers, building on specific features until we reached a design that embodied the concept of ‘perfect trainers.’
Here are some key points I highlighted in my presentation:
AI isn’t yet at a stage where it will replace people in marketing, but it can significantly enhance and support their roles.
Technology is constantly evolving, and while change can be intimidating, it is essential for both businesses and individuals to adapt in order to grow.
Using AI effectively requires multiple iterations and prompts to ensure the final outcome aligns with the brand’s vision.
Being a volunteer at ALSA has provided me with invaluable opportunities to grow, learn, and challenge myself in ways I never imagined. The AI Horizons event was just one example of how ALSA is committed to the development of its volunteers, pushing us to embrace change and learn new skills. I’m excited to see what the future holds and how we can continue to adapt to meet the evolving needs of our volunteers and the communities we serve.
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