Fear AI will eat your business? Do this instead!

This is part of a series about GenAI real business cases. We also recommmend 🎵 Singing Our Way to Success: Dolead's Heroic Song for Data Triumph 🎵.

‍

AI is not just a buzzword; it's the future, especially in paid digital marketing and lead generation. At Dolead, we're not content with just following AI wave—we want to be on top of it and ride it 🙂.

Here's how we see AI shaping the future of our industry:

Predictive Analytics:

• AI can analyze vast amounts of data to predict trends and customer behaviors, allowing us to fine-tune our marketing strategies and get ahead of the competition.

Personalization at Scale:

• With AI, we can create highly personalized marketing campaigns that target the right audience with the right message at the right time. This kind of precision was unimaginable just a few years ago.

Automated Content Creation:

• AI tools like GPT can generate content, from ad copy to Landing Pages, saving time and ensuring consistency in our messaging.

‍

Strategic vs. Tactical Use of AI: Our Approach

While AI holds tremendous potential, the rapid pace of change in the field makes it challenging to allocate significant resources to long-term strategic initiatives. Instead, we focus on tactical applications of AI that deliver immediate benefits and can be adapted as the technology evolves. Here’s how we do it:

Incremental Integration:

• We integrate AI tools into our existing workflows, allowing us to test their effectiveness without a massive overhaul of our systems.

Proof of Concept (PoC) First:

• We pilot new AI initiatives through our hackathons, where we can quickly develop PoCs and assess their potential impact.

Continuous Learning:

• Our team stays updated with the latest advancements in AI through regular training sessions and workshops. This ensures we can quickly adapt to new paradigms and incorporate them into our projects.

‍

Meet the Dolead Hackathons

Let’s dive in one of our favorite topics: our internal hackathons. These events are where our best ideas come to life, fueled by creativity, collaboration, and a lot of caffeine. If you've ever wondered how a MarTech company like ours stays ahead in the game, you're in for a treat. Let's peel back the curtain and show you how we make magic happen.

‍

‍

The (Tech) Dream Team

First off, let's introduce the stars of the show. Our technical team is a powerhouse of 20 rockstars, including senior engineers, product managers, and data scientists with PhDs. These folks have between 5 to 20 years of experience and a shared passion for innovation that's practically contagious.

Together, we’re on a mission to build the world's best all-in-one lead generation platform.

‍

The Dolead Hackathon Recipe: A Step-by-Step Guide

‍

A. Propose Subjects & Choose Teams

Respecting the Theme:

• AI, LLM, GPT Oh My!: Every project needs a sprinkle of artificial intelligence, large language models, or GPT.
• Scope It Out: Projects must be scoped so a proof of concept (PoC) can be whipped up in a day.

Business-Oriented:

• Mission-Driven: Each project must solve a real user problem and align with our business goals. We're not just playing with tech for the fun of it (though it is pretty fun).
• Core Values: We live by "Data wins Arguments" and "PoC then Scale."

Everyone Can Propose Ideas:

• Whether you're in tech, ops, finance, or the snack procurement team, your idea is welcome.
• Got a cool project name and a fun pitch? Great, because we love those. Examples:
  • Sherlock Ops: Using a chatbot to proactively find issues on our landing pages.
  • The Comma-Doof Crea Warrior: Extracting insights from our creative platform to help the Ops team.

‍

‍

Mandatory for Tech, Optional (but recommended) for Others: The Hackathon Policy

At Dolead, hackathons are a mandatory event for our tech team. It’s a chance for them to push the boundaries of their skills and collaborate on cutting-edge projects. For other departments, participation is optional but highly encouraged. Here’s why:

‍

Broadening Perspectives:

• Including team members from operations, sales, HR, and finance brings fresh perspectives to our projects. These diverse viewpoints can spark innovative solutions we might not have considered.

‍

Skill Development:

• Non-tech participants get a chance to learn new tools and techniques, enhancing their skill set and making them more effective in their roles.

‍

Building Teams:

• We vote on our favorite projects and form balanced teams with a mix of dev, data, and business skills.
• We mix people who don't usually work together because magic happens outside comfort zones.
• Each team gets a leader—the captain of the ship.

‍

B. Pre-Hackathon Warm-Up

Training & Workshops:

• We run sessions to get everyone up to speed with the latest tools and paradigms.
• We also train non-tech participants to use UI tools like ChatGPT. Inclusivity, baby!

‍Strategy Sessions:

• Teams get 2-4 hours to meet, brainstorm, and strategize before the big day. It's like plotting a heist but for innovation.

‍

C. The Big Day: Hackathon Madness

Collaborative Vibes:

• We're all about cooperation. Multiple projects, multiple successes.
• Tech Bootstrap: We provide a pre-configured Python project with access to all the good stuff—APIs, databases, you name it. No time wasted on setup, all time spent on innovation.

Free Money:

• Need to test an API or service? Go for it. We've got a budget for that.
• Our support team is on standby to help with anything you need.

Venue & Food:

• We choose cool venues away from the office. Last time, we were on a gorgeous Peniche on the Seine with a rooftop view of La Defense.
• Great food is a must. We cater to all dietary needs and make sure the coffee flows like a river.

‍

‍

D. The Grand Reveal

Internal Presentation:

• Teams present their projects to the participants. Questions, feedback, and applause all around.
• It’s a learning experience for everyone involved.

Company-Wide Summary:

• Our CTO gives a rundown of the hackathon highlights to the entire company. It's a proud moment for all.

‍

‍

E. What Happens Next?

• 40-60% of our hackathon projects or their components make it into production.
• Some get launched right away in A/B tests, while others are refined in upcoming sprints.

‍

We also send an internal poll (the equivalent of a "retro", if you want) - so we can improve the next version.

‍

Why We Do This: The Big Picture

We host these hackathons every quarter, and here’s why:

Driving Innovation:

• Staying up-to-date with AI, LLM, and GPT advancements.
• Testing and de-risking new ideas for our tech roadmap.

Building the Team:

• These events are fantastic team-building exercises. We bond over shared challenges and successes.
• Working with colleagues outside your usual circle can spark unexpected brilliance.

‍

Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Our Hackathons?

We’re constantly looking for ways to improve our hackathons and make them even more impactful. Here are a few ideas we’re considering for future events:

Competitive Edge:

• Introducing a competitive element with a significant prize could motivate participants to push their limits even further.

Mandatory Participation:

• Making hackathons mandatory for the entire Dolead team could ensure that everyone is involved and contributing to our innovation efforts.

Better Involvement of the Boston Team:

• We’re exploring ways to better integrate our Boston team into the hackathons, perhaps through virtual participation or coordinating events across locations.

‍

Conclusion: (One of the) secrets to Our Success

At Dolead, our internal hackathons are more than just coding marathons—they're a catalyst for innovation, collaboration, and fun. By bringing together diverse minds and skills, we create an environment where great ideas can flourish. So, the next time you see a cutting-edge feature in our lead generation platform, chances are it started at one of our hackathons. And we couldn't be prouder. Cheers to many more days of hacking, learning, and growing together!

‍

‍

‍

FAQ (for SEO purposes ;) )

What is AI and how does it impact society?

AI, or artificial intelligence, refers to the simulation of human intelligence in machines. It impacts society by automating tasks, enhancing productivity, and driving innovation across various sectors. However, it also raises concerns about job displacement and ethical considerations.

How does AI technology affect jobs?

AI technology can lead to job displacement as automation takes over repetitive tasks. However, it also creates new opportunities by generating demand for skills in AI development, machine learning, and data analysis. The key is to adapt and upskill to stay relevant in the evolving job market.

Why do people experience AI fear?

AI fear stems from anxiety about the unknown and potential negative consequences of AI advancements. Concerns include job loss, ethical dilemmas, and the possibility of a dystopian future where superintelligent machines surpass human control.

What is generative AI and its significance?

Generative AI refers to algorithms that can create new content, such as text, images, and music. It holds significant potential for creativity and innovation, but also raises questions about originality, intellectual property, and the role of human creativity.

How can humanity address the ethical concerns of AI?

Addressing the ethical concerns of AI involves establishing clear guidelines and regulations, promoting transparency, and ensuring that AI development aligns with societal values. Collaboration between governments, industries, and academia is crucial to navigate the ethical landscape of AI.

Will AI achieve sentience or superintelligence?

While current AI systems are far from achieving sentience or superintelligence, ongoing research in machine learning and AI development continues to push boundaries. It is essential to monitor these advancements and consider their implications for humanity and society.

How can individuals overcome AI fear and anxiety?

Individuals can overcome AI fear and anxiety by staying informed about AI developments, engaging in continuous learning, and focusing on acquiring skills that complement AI technology. Embracing a proactive approach can transform fear into opportunity.

What role does machine learning play in AI?

Machine learning is a subset of AI that enables systems to learn from data and improve over time without explicit programming. It is fundamental to the development of intelligent applications and drives advancements in various fields, from healthcare to finance.

How does AI influence the future of work?

AI influences the future of work by automating routine tasks, enhancing decision-making processes, and creating new job roles that require advanced technical skills. The future workforce will need to adapt to these changes and embrace lifelong learning to thrive in an AI-driven world.