Artificial Intelligence is becoming a game-changer for businesses across various sectors. Many companies, acutely aware of the competitive edge AI can provide, are choosing to keep their technological advancements close to the chest. This strategic silence extends beyond mere product development. It encompasses AI-driven strategies and innovations that could reshape industries.

While many companies keep their AI advancements secret, today, we’re revealing five well-known businesses that use AI to boost profits, work smarter, and create innovative products.

Whether you’re a business leader seeking inspiration or simply curious about how AI is shaping our world, these examples will provide a fascinating glimpse into the future of business – a future that, in many ways, is already here.

Almost all these companies are leveraging OpenAI‘s models. But remember, this is just the tip of the iceberg. There’s a whole world of AI solutions, from open-source projects to commercial offerings, each with unique strengths.

Moderna

Moderna, famous for its COVID-19 vaccine, pioneered AI use in the pharmaceutical industry. In 2023, they partnered with OpenAI to implement ChatGPT Enterprise across their entire company, aiming for 100% AI adoption by all employees in just six months.

Moderna is using AI for different departments:

Clinical research department

At the heart of Moderna’s research efforts is the Dose ID product, a custom-built AI assistant that transforms clinical data analysis.

It helps with the following processes:

• Data processing: Dose ID sifts through vast amounts of clinical trial data, uncovering insights that might otherwise remain hidden.
• Visualization: The AI tool generates clear, informative visual representations of complex data sets, enabling researchers to identify patterns and trends easily.
• Dosage optimization: Perhaps most critically, Dose ID aids in determining optimal vaccine dosages, a crucial factor in developing safe and effective treatments.

Legal department

Moderna’s legal team has embraced AI to optimize document handling and improve internal communications:

• Contract analysis: AI algorithms swiftly summarize lengthy contracts, distilling complex legal language into concise, actionable briefs.
• Policy assistance: An AI-powered system provides rapid responses to employee inquiries about internal policies, ensuring consistent interpretation of guidelines across the organization.

Brand department

The brand team at Moderna utilizes AI to enhance its messaging and expand its audience:

• Presentation preparation: AI assists in creating comprehensive, visually appealing slides for quarterly earnings calls, effectively communicating complex financial data.
• Language simplification: Advanced natural language processing helps translate intricate biotech terminology into more accessible language for diverse stakeholders.
• Audience targeting: AI tools aid in tailoring Moderna’s narrative for different audiences, from investors to the general public, ensuring effective communication across various channels.

The company has seen remarkable success in adopting custom GPT models. Employees across the organization have enthusiastically embraced this technology, creating an astounding 750 custom GPTs tailored to various business needs. The widespread adoption is evident, with 40% of weekly active users taking the initiative to develop their own GPTs. Furthermore, the engagement levels are noteworthy, as each user averages an impressive 120 AI-driven conversations per week, highlighting the significant integration of AI into daily workflows.

Moderna’s CEO claims that thanks to AI, they’re now doing the work of a 100,000-person company with just a few thousand people. That’s not just efficiency—it’s a complete paradigm shift in medicine development.

Moderna’s AI implementation opens up exciting opportunities for the entire pharmaceutical industry. By dramatically reducing the time and resources needed for drug development, AI could lead to faster discoveries of life-saving treatments. Other pharma companies could adopt similar AI-driven approaches to streamline their research processes, improve clinical trial designs, and enhance stakeholder communication. Beyond pharmaceuticals, any research-intensive industry could benefit from AI-powered data analysis and knowledge management systems similar to Moderna’s, potentially accelerating innovation across fields like materials science, renewable energy, and biotechnology.

Oscar Health

Oscar Health, an American health insurance company, uses AI to reduce costs and improve patient care.

They’re using AI in three main areas:

• Claims processing: In claims processing, they’ve developed an AI assistant that efficiently navigates claim traces, resulting in a 50% reduction in escalation resolution time.
• Medical tecord analysis: The company also utilizes AI for medical record analysis, enabling faster retrieval of relevant patient information for insurance claims, summarizing records to prepare providers for patient encounters, and identifying suitable patients for specific treatments by analyzing multiple records.
• Clinical documentation: Oscar Health сut the time spent documenting medical care conversations by nearly 40%.

Oscar isn’t just using AI—it’s building its company around it. It’s created a centralized AI Pod to guide other teams and is leading a coalition of 37 major healthcare players to develop ethical AI use principles.

Oscar Health’s AI initiatives demonstrate the potential for technology to make healthcare more efficient and accessible. By automating time-consuming tasks like claims processing and medical record analysis, AI frees up healthcare professionals to focus on patient care. Other insurance companies could adopt this approach to reduce costs and improve service quality. Moreover, AI-assisted medical record analysis could be valuable for hospitals, clinics, and research institutions, potentially leading to better patient outcomes through more informed decision-making. The healthcare industry could benefit from similar AI applications to tackle challenges like personalized medicine, early disease detection, and resource allocation.

Klarna

Klarna, a fintech company, uses AI to revolutionize shopping and customer service. They’ve developed an AI-powered shopping assistant to recommend products based on user preferences.

Their AI assistant has made significant impacts on various departments:

• Managed 2.3 million conversations in its first month.
• Equivalent to the work of 700 full-time agents.
• Matches human agents in customer satisfaction.
• More accurate in resolving issues, leading to 25% fewer repeat inquiries.
• Available in 23 markets, communicating in over 35 languages.

Klarna estimates a $40 million profit improvement in 2024 due to AI implementation. They’re encouraging all employees to explore and test AI applications, aiming for a new level of employee empowerment and enhanced customer experience.

The company’s success with AI in customer service and personalized shopping experiences opens up new possibilities for retail and financial services sectors. Companies can significantly improve customer satisfaction while reducing operational costs by providing instant, accurate customer support at scale. The concept of AI-powered shopping assistants could revolutionize e-commerce, offering personalized recommendations and seamless customer journeys. Other fintech companies, banks, and retailers could adopt similar AI strategies to enhance customer interactions, streamline operations, and gain valuable insights from customer data. This approach also paves the way for hyper-personalization in marketing and product development across various industries.

Verizon

Verizon, one of the world’s largest telecommunications companies, uses AI to handle an astounding 170 million customer calls annually.

Their AI strategy focuses on:

1. Speeding up internal processes.
2. Enhancing products with AI technology.
3. Providing robust network capabilities for customers running AI programs.

Here’s how AI is transforming Verizon’s customer service:

• Quick information retrieval: Pulling up customer history instantly.
• Predictive problem solving: Anticipating call reasons based on past interactions.
• Recommendations: Suggesting solutions to agents.
• Call summaries: Automatically summarizing conversations.
• Follow-up tracking: Ensuring necessary actions are taken.

The results are impressive: agents can now anticipate the reason for a customer’s call 80% of the time and recommend resolutions with about 90% accuracy.

Verizon’s AI implementation in customer service showcases how large-scale operations can be optimized using intelligent technologies. AI improves customer satisfaction and reduces operational costs by predicting customer needs and streamlining problem-solving. This approach could be valuable for any company with a large customer base, from utilities and airlines to e-commerce platforms. Using AI for hyper-personalization at scale opens up exciting possibilities for marketing, product development, and customer relationship management across industries.

Duolingo

Duolingo, the popular language learning app, uses AI to revolutionize how over 50 million monthly active users learn languages.

They’ve introduced features like:

• Role Play: It’s an AI conversation partner that can discuss a wide range of topics.
• Explain My Answer: It’s a tool that breaks down grammar mistakes using GPT-4.

These AI-powered features are deeply integrated into the app, leveraging Duolingo’s gamified approach, which users love.

Duolingo’s innovative use of AI in language learning demonstrates the potential for personalized, interactive education at scale. This approach could revolutionize not just language learning but education as a whole. Other edtech companies could adopt similar AI-powered conversational partners and personalized feedback systems for subjects ranging from mathematics to music. Beyond education, AI-driven personalized practice and feedback could be valuable in professional training, skill development, and even therapy applications.

Conclusion

AI isn’t just a future possibility – it’s here now and changing the game across industries. AI delivers tangible business value from medicine to finance, telecommunications to education.

The question isn’t whether AI will impact your industry – how soon and how dramatically. As these companies show, embracing AI can increase efficiency, provide better customer experiences, and create innovative products and services.

This is just the beginning. If companies are achieving this with AI now, imagine what’s next. The future looks exciting, and it’s clear that AI will play a crucial role in shaping it.

Featured image credit: Freepik

Did you see the new melting Duolingo app icon? In the world of language learning, few apps have managed to captivate our hearts and minds quite like Duolingo. It’s the trusty companion we turn to when we want to extend our streak, conquer new language challenges, and, let’s be honest, flex our linguistic muscles to climb the leaderboard. Yet, if you’re a devoted Duolingo user, you might have experienced quite a surprise on your smartphone one morning. Instead of the usual, friendly face of Duo the owl, you were met with a rather perplexing sight: a melting Duolingo app icon.

Yes, you saw that right – our beloved language-learning app’s iconic mascot seemed to be in the throes of a whimsical meltdown. It’s a sight that’s as bizarre as it is intriguing, and it has left countless users wondering, “Why is Duolingo melting?” Fear not; we’ve got the scoop on this peculiar transformation and how to change it.

Explained: The melting Duolingo app icon

The melting Duolingo app icon is, without a doubt, a departure from the app’s traditional and well-recognized design. Instead of the usual friendly and upright Duo the owl, the icon showcases a charmingly quirky and somewhat whimsical transformation.

• Drooping eyes and beak: The most noticeable feature of the melting Duolingo app icon is Duo’s eyes and beak, both of which appear to be “melting” or drooping. It’s as though Duo, typically wide-eyed and alert, has suddenly become a bit drowsy or, dare we say, melted. These drooping features lend the icon a sense of playfulness and charm, making it stand out on your smartphone screen.
• Playful and whimsical aesthetic: This transformation retains Duolingo’s colorful aesthetic but adds a playful and whimsical twist. The app’s usual bright and cheerful color palette remains intact, and the background is still a shade of friendly green. However, the melting Duo introduces an element of surprise and creativity, perfectly encapsulating Duolingo’s approach to language learning: it should be fun and engaging.
• Purposeful quirkiness: Contrary to what some users might initially think, the melting Duolingo app icon is not the result of a technical glitch or an error in the app’s design. It’s a deliberate and temporary change introduced by Duolingo to encourage user engagement. The quirky and eye-catching icon is a unique and playful way to prompt users to open the app and continue their language-learning journey.

“The melting Duo you see is a new app icon that learners will see for a limited time. If learners have the latest version of the Duolingo app downloaded, they should see Melting Duo as the app icon. The purpose of the new app icon is to encourage learners to open the app.”

-A Duolingo spokesperson to Distractify

• Temporary feature: Importantly, this melting Duolingo icon is not a permanent change. It’s a limited-time feature, which will eventually revert to the standard Duolingo icon. So, users can enjoy this lighthearted transformation for a while, knowing that it won’t last forever.

The melting Duolingo app icon is a testament to Duolingo’s commitment to making language learning fun and engaging. It adds a touch of whimsy to the daily routine of language learners and exemplifies the app’s innovative approach to keeping users motivated and entertained. So, the next time you see Duo appear a bit “melted” on your screen, remember that it’s all in good fun and designed to keep you returning for more language adventures.

Users love the melting Duolingo app icon-like changes: After all, it pushed you to research, right?

Changes like the melting Duolingo app icon can attract and engage users in several ways. Let’s delve into how these kinds of alterations can captivate and retain a user’s attention, using the melting Duolingo app icon as an example:

• Novelty and surprise: When users encounter a sudden and unexpected change, like the melting Duolingo app icon, it sparks curiosity. It’s human nature to be drawn to new and surprising elements. Users, even long-time ones, will be intrigued by the novel experience and want to explore it further. The unexpected transformation creates a buzz and generates user conversations, driving engagement.

• Playfulness and fun: The melting Duolingo app icon adds a touch of playfulness and whimsy to the learning process. It demonstrates that language learning doesn’t have to be serious or daunting; it can be enjoyable and entertaining. Users are more likely to engage with a platform that makes them smile and brings joy to their daily routine.
• Interactive experience: Changes like this encourage users to interact with the app. Users are given a sense of agency and personalization by offering options to customize the icon. They become active participants in shaping their learning experience, making them feel more connected to the platform.
• Community engagement: Transforming the Duolingo icon into a melting version creates a shared experience among users. They discuss it, share their preferences, and even engage in a friendly competition to see who can create the most creative or unique icon. This communal interaction strengthens the sense of belonging to a community of language learners.
• Retaining user interest: Duolingo ensures that users will stay engaged and keep returning to the app by making the change temporary. Users know that this unique feature won’t last forever, so they are motivated to enjoy it while it lasts and to continue using the app to see what other surprises or features might be in store.
• Encouraging exploration: The change prompts users to explore the app and discover its different features. When initially drawn in by the melting icon, they may delve deeper into the app’s content, explore lessons, engage in challenges, and take advantage of its full range of language-learning resources.

In the case of the melting Duolingo app icon, the change is fun and smart. It’s a simple yet effective strategy to keep users engaged and motivated in their language-learning journey. By offering a quirky and temporary alteration, Duolingo demonstrates that it understands its users and is committed to making the learning process as engaging and enjoyable as possible. In turn, this approach fosters user loyalty and contributes to the app’s overall success.

Not everyone has to like this: How to change the melting Duolingo app icon

Changing the melting Duolingo app icon to something you like is a straightforward process. However, before you proceed, make sure that you have the latest version of the Duolingo app downloaded on your smartphone. App updates often include new features and options, so having the most recent version to access the icon-changing feature is essential.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to change the melting Duolingo app icon:

• For Super Duolingo or Duoling Max subscribers:
  • Open the Duolingo app on your smartphone.
  • Navigate to the Duolingo app’s home screen.
  • Look for the Duo icon, typically at the screen’s top right. It may appear as a little owl head.
  • Tap on the Duo icon.
  • A menu with various options should appear. Scroll down to find “Super App Icon” or “Max App Icon,” depending on your subscription.
  • Tap “Turn On” next to your preferred option (Super or Max-themed icon).
  • The melting Duolingo app icon will replace the Super or Max-themed one you selected.
• For Streak Society members:
  • Open the Duolingo app on your smartphone.
  • Go to the Duolingo app’s home screen.
  • Locate the fire or streak icon, typically near your screen’s top. This icon represents your streak and engagement with the app.
  • Tap on the streak icon.
  • Scroll down to find the “Streak Society” section.
  • Choose “Change App Icon.”
  • Select your preferred app icon from the options available.
• Restoring the melting Duolingo app icon:
  • If you decide to bring back the melting Duolingo app icon after changing it, you can easily do so.
  • Repeat the steps above to access the app icon settings.
  • Select “Restore Original Icon” or a similar option, depending on the screen’s wording.
  • The melting Duolingo app icon will return to your home screen.

Remember that these changes are not permanent, and you can switch between different icons whenever you like, provided you have the appropriate subscription or engagement status (for Streak Society members). This feature adds a touch of personalization to your Duolingo experience, allowing you to showcase your language learning style with an icon that suits you best.

Do you want more stories about Duolingo? Check out the Duolingo data breach that affects 2.6 million users.

The latest Duolingo data breach exposed 2.6 million users, and all of their information is now up on the internet, waiting to be sold.

In a concerning turn of events, the widely-used language learning app, Duolingo, has become the latest data breach target, putting the personal information of 2.6 million users at risk. The breached data, which includes sensitive details like email addresses, usernames, names, and phone numbers, has found its way onto the underground cybercrime marketplace, BreachForums.

The incident has raised questions about data security and privacy practices, prompting the company to take action. Let’s delve into the details of this breach and its potential implications.

2.6 million were affected by the Duolingo data breach

Duolingo users were met with bad news when it was discovered that a significant amount of user data had been exposed online. Approximately 2.6 million individuals had their personal information scraped and put up for sale on BreachForums, an underground marketplace known for hosting such illegal trades.

The exposed information contains a range of data, from basic identifiers like usernames and names to more detailed insights such as social network profiles, language studies, experience levels, and even progress and achievements within the app.

The full dataset containing the details of over 2.6 million users has been up for grabs since January, with an initial price tag of $1,500. This data trove, which represents a potential goldmine for cybercriminals, is now available for 8 credits, equating to approximately $2.13 in the BreachForums’ in-house currency.

Inside the alarming PSNI data breach

This stark revelation has set off alarm bells within the cybersecurity community, leaving experts and users alike concerned about the extent of the breach’s fallout. “Today I have uploaded the Duolingo Scrape for you to download, thanks for reading and enjoy!” the hacker wrote on the forum.

Researchers broke down the Duolingo data breach

A group of researchers from Vx-underground found an alarming revelation surrounding the Duolingo data breach. It appears that a Threat Actor managed to exploit a bug in Duolingo’s API. By submitting a valid email to the API, the attacker could retrieve the user’s generic account details. This security lapse leaves users susceptible to doxxing, a cyber-attack that involves revealing private information and could lead to targeted phishing endeavors.

A Threat Actor identified a bug in the Duolingo API. Sending a valid email to the API returns generic account information on the user (name, email, languages studied).

They used an email list to assemble over 2.6m unique entries.

This will be used for doxxing.

— vx-underground (@vxunderground) August 21, 2023

Cybernews researchers delved further into the breach and found that the potential risks extend beyond the initial size. They uncovered that user data on Duolingo remains vulnerable to scraping, hinting at the possibility of accessing additional information, such as location data and public avatars. The vulnerability primarily originates from an exposed application programming interface (API), which hackers can manipulate to gather an individual’s public profile data.

Duolingo is working on it

Duolingo swiftly reacted to the situation, acknowledging the breach while emphasizing that no actual hacking or data breach had transpired within its systems. According to the company, the compromised data was gleaned from publicly available profile information through the platform’s Open API. A

spokesperson for Duolingo reassured users that their data privacy and security are of paramount importance. The company is actively investigating the matter and assessing whether additional measures are necessary to safeguard its users’ information.

760k users are in danger after the Discord.io data breach

As the investigation unfolds, the security lapse serves as a reminder of the critical importance of data protection and cybersecurity. The breach underscores the need for companies to monitor and fortify their systems against evolving threats continuously. While Duolingo takes steps to rectify the situation, users are encouraged to remain vigilant, employing strong security practices and watching their personal information.

Featured image credit: Duolingo