News/Content Creation
Follow-through failures: Google’s AI overviews cut website clicks by 50%, Pew study finds
A new Pew Research Center study confirms what many website owners suspected: Google's AI Overviews are significantly reducing clicks to other websites, with searches featuring AI summaries generating nearly half the click-through rates of traditional search results. The findings challenge Google's repeated claims that AI Overviews don't harm web traffic, providing concrete evidence of how artificial intelligence is reshaping information consumption and potentially starving content creators of visitors. The numbers: The Pew Research Center, a nonpartisan research organization, analyzed data from 900 users and found stark differences in click behavior between traditional and AI-enhanced search results. Searches without AI Overviews...
read Jul 18, 2025ChatGPT may watermark AI images for free users only
OpenAI is testing watermarks on AI-generated images in ChatGPT, with evidence found in the Android beta version suggesting the feature may be limited to free users. The move could represent a significant shift in how AI companies monetize their image generation services, potentially forcing users to upgrade to paid plans to avoid watermarked content. What you should know: The watermark feature was discovered through code references and beta testing, though its final implementation remains unclear. Android Authority spotted a "save without watermark" option in the latest ChatGPT beta for Android, originally identified by X user Tibor Blaho who found "image-gen-watermark-for-free"...
read Jul 17, 2025Adobe launches AI filmmaking tools with voice-powered sound generation
Adobe has launched new generative AI filmmaking tools that allow users to create sound effects using voice recordings of silly noises and control video generation with reference footage. The tools, available in beta on the Firefly app, provide filmmakers with more intuitive ways to generate custom audio and video content compared to traditional text-only prompts. How the sound effects tool works: The Generate Sound Effects feature lets users record onomatopoeia-like sounds that are synchronized with video footage to create realistic audio effects. Users can play a video of a horse walking and simultaneously record "clip clop" noises in time with...
read Jul 16, 2025Survey: AI skills boost salaries 53% in India’s booming job market, though creative fears remain
A new report from Naukri.com, a career platform, reveals that 41% of advertising and marketing professionals in India fear AI may diminish creativity in their work, with similar concerns shared by 54% of Animation and VFX professionals and 43% in Film and Music industries. Despite these creative anxieties, the study of 60,000+ jobseekers shows that 86% of Indian professionals view AI as a friend rather than a threat, with AI-skilled workers earning 53% higher median salaries than their non-AI peers. The big picture: India's AI job market is experiencing explosive growth, with AI/ML job postings surging 38% year-over-year in Q1...
read Jul 15, 2025Meta cracks down on AI spam on Facebook with new monetization penalties for uninspired slop
Meta has announced new measures to combat AI-generated spam on Facebook, including removing monetization privileges and reducing content recommendations for accounts that repeatedly post unoriginal content. The policy targets the growing problem of AI programs creating thousands of variations of popular posts, which overwhelms platforms with synthetic material and hurts legitimate content creators. What you should know: Meta's updated policy requires content creators to add "meaningful enhancements" beyond simple watermarks or basic editing when sharing others' work to avoid penalties. Content creators can still share and comment on others' posts, but must contribute substantive value rather than simply reposting AI-generated...
read Jul 15, 2025Google’s $250/month Veo 3 forces users to pay extra over stubborn subtitle bug
Google's generative video model Veo 3 continues to add garbled, nonsensical subtitles to user-generated videos more than a month after launch, despite explicit user requests for no captions. The persistent issue is forcing users to spend additional money regenerating clips or use external tools to remove unwanted text, highlighting the challenges of correcting problems in major AI models once they're deployed. The big picture: Veo 3 represents Google's latest attempt to compete in the generative video space, allowing users to create videos with sound and dialogue for the first time. Academy Award-nominated director Darren Aronofsky used the tool to create...
read Jul 14, 2025Claude creates and edits Canva designs through chat prompts
Anthropic's Claude chatbot can now create, edit, and manage Canva designs through natural language prompts, marking the first AI assistant to support Canva design workflows via the Model Context Protocol (MCP). The integration enables users to handle design tasks like creating presentations, resizing images, and filling templates without leaving their Claude conversation, representing a significant step toward AI-first creative workflows. What you should know: The feature requires both paid subscriptions—Canva Pro starting at $15 monthly and Claude at $17 monthly—and uses Canva's MCP server launched last month. Users can create presentations, resize images, and automatically fill premade templates using text...
read Jul 14, 2025Wrap-id fire marketing witnessed as Popeyes uses AI to create McDonald’s diss track in 3 days
Popeyes launched an AI-generated diss track targeting McDonald's over the timing of their Snack Wrap return, which came just one day after Popeyes introduced its own Chicken Wraps. The satirical "Wrap Battle" video, created using Google's Veo 3 AI model, represents a new frontier in rapid-response marketing where brands can produce polished campaigns in days rather than weeks. What you should know: AI filmmaker PJ Accetturo partnered with Popeyes to create the campaign, using a combination of AI tools to produce both the music and video content. The track was produced using Suno, an AI music production platform, with human...
read Jul 10, 2025Human-friendly startup Kartel.ai raises $2M to blend AI workflows with embodied creativity
Kartel.ai, a Beverly Hills-based startup, has emerged from stealth with $2 million in early funding and a human-centric AI production platform that promises to streamline creative media production. The company's approach combines AI-enhanced workflow orchestration with vetted human talent, targeting the growing demand for faster, cost-effective content creation across brands, studios, and agencies. How it works: Kartel operates as a full-stack production platform that matches projects with curated artists through an AI-powered intake system. Clients can call a dedicated number (1-838-NEW-IDEA) to discuss projects, with AI generating creative briefs in real-time and matching jobs to appropriate artists. The platform manages...
read Jul 10, 2025Safecracking Cambridge researchers undermine artist anti-AI defenses with new tool
University of Cambridge researchers have developed LightShed, a proof-of-concept tool that can effectively strip away anti-AI protections from digital artwork, neutralizing defenses like Glaze and Nightshade that artists use to prevent their work from being scraped for AI training. The technology represents a significant escalation in the ongoing battle between artists seeking to protect their intellectual property and AI companies needing training data, potentially undermining the digital defenses that 7.5 million artists have downloaded to safeguard their work. The big picture: LightShed demonstrates that current artist protection tools may provide only temporary security, as AI researchers can develop countermeasures that...
read Jul 10, 2025Stoppin’ the sloppin’: YouTube cracks down on AI-generated spam with new monetization rules
YouTube is preparing to update its monetization policies to crack down on "inauthentic" content created by AI tools, with changes set to take effect on July 15, 2025. The policy shift aims to reduce financial incentives for creators producing low-quality, mass-produced content that floods the platform, potentially cleaning up user feeds from what's commonly called "AI slop." What you should know: YouTube is updating its Partner Program guidelines to better identify and restrict monetization of repetitive, mass-produced content. The company has always required "original" and "authentic" content for monetization, but the July 15, 2025 update will provide clearer definitions of...
read Jul 2, 2025False, flagged: Maine police caught using AI to fake drug bust photo on Facebook
The Westbrook Maine Police Department posted an AI-generated image of a supposed drug bust on Facebook, then doubled down and falsely claimed it was real when called out by residents. The incident highlights growing concerns about law enforcement's understanding of AI technology and the potential for digital evidence manipulation. What happened: Police shared an obviously fake photo over the weekend featuring telltale AI artifacts like gibberish text on drug packaging and scales. • When AI-savvy locals immediately identified the image as artificial, the department posted a defensive follow-up insisting "this is NOT an AI-generated photo." • Officers claimed the "weird"...
read Jul 1, 2025Future Sound Awards kicks off with $10K contest for AI-generated music
The Future Sound Awards launched Tuesday as a global competition for AI-generated music, offering $10,000 in prizes to recognize creators using artificial intelligence tools. The contest aims to become the "Grammys of the AI music space" while navigating copyright concerns by requiring all entries to use rights-cleared audio and disqualifying any music containing copyrighted material. What you should know: The awards represent a significant step toward legitimizing AI music creation in an industry grappling with ethical and legal challenges. Entries will be judged on inspiration, process, vocals, lyrics, and beat, along with performance on a dedicated chart powered by SoundCloud....
read Jul 1, 2025Russian disinformation campaign triples AI-generated content in 8 months
A pro-Russia disinformation campaign known as Operation Overload has dramatically scaled up its output using free consumer AI tools, producing nearly triple the content in the past eight months compared to the previous year. The campaign leverages readily available AI image generators, voice cloning technology, and text-to-image tools to create fake videos, manipulated images, and fabricated content targeting global elections, Ukraine, and immigration issues across multiple platforms. The content explosion: Between September 2024 and May 2025, Operation Overload produced 587 unique pieces of content—more than double the 230 pieces created in the entire previous year from July 2023 to June...
read Jul 1, 2025Contradiction as AI band hits 500K Spotify streams though listeners find it “soulless”
An AI-generated band called The Velvet Sundown has reached over 500,000 listens on Spotify despite not actually existing, with everything from their classic rock-inspired tracks to their Instagram photos appearing to be artificially created. This milestone highlights the growing sophistication of AI music generation and raises fundamental questions about authenticity in creative expression, as listeners grapple with whether machine-generated content can deliver the same emotional connection as human artistry. What you should know: The Velvet Sundown presents itself as a real band online but appears to be entirely AI-generated, from music to promotional materials. The band's sound is described as...
read Jul 1, 2025Facebook tests AI access to your camera roll for content suggestions
Facebook is testing a new feature that allows Meta AI to access users' camera rolls to generate content suggestions, even for photos that haven't been uploaded to the platform yet. The feature, currently being tested in the US and Canada, represents a significant expansion of how social media companies can access personal data, potentially raising new privacy concerns as Meta seeks to compete for younger users who have been abandoning the platform. What you should know: Users encountering Facebook's Story feature are being prompted to enable "cloud processing" through a pop-up that grants Meta AI access to their entire camera...
read Jun 27, 2025MrBeast backs off, removes $80 AI thumbnail tool after creator backlash
MrBeast has removed an AI-powered YouTube thumbnail generator from his platform after facing criticism from fellow creators who accused the tool of stealing their work. The world's most-subscribed YouTuber acknowledged he "missed the mark" with the $80-per-month tool and will replace it with links to human artists available for commission. What happened: The AI thumbnail generator allowed users to insert themselves into existing thumbnails and recreate other creators' work, sparking backlash from prominent YouTubers. PointCrow, a US streamer whose real name is Eric Morino, accused MrBeast of creating "something that can steal... hard work without a thought" and alleged the...
read Jun 23, 2025Lexicon 101: Six AI terms every content creator needs to know in 2025
The content creation landscape has fundamentally shifted. Artificial intelligence now powers everything from Instagram caption generation to podcast transcription, yet many creators still approach these tools like mysterious black boxes. Understanding AI terminology isn't about becoming a computer scientist—it's about unlocking strategic advantages that can transform how you create, scale, and monetize content. The creators thriving in this new environment share a common trait: they speak AI fluently enough to extract maximum value from these tools. They understand not just what buttons to press, but why certain approaches work better than others. This knowledge gap between AI-fluent creators and those...
read Jun 20, 2025TV executives embrace AI personalization while warning of content rabbit holes
Entertainment executives gathered at Cannes Lions to discuss how artificial intelligence, personalization, and short-form content are reshaping television viewing habits during what Google TV calls the "connected TV decade." The discussion highlighted how streaming platforms are balancing hyper-personalized recommendations with the need to expose viewers to diverse content while integrating new formats like YouTube Shorts and TikTok-style videos. What you should know: Major TV platforms are investing heavily in AI-driven personalization to help viewers navigate the overwhelming amount of available content. Google TV uses AI to aggregate content from all streaming apps and personalize recommendations based on individual viewing habits,...
read Jun 20, 2025Deezer battles AI music fraud as streaming scams reach 20K daily tracks
Music streaming service Deezer will begin flagging AI-generated songs on its platform as part of an escalating battle against streaming fraud. The Paris-based company reports that 18% of daily uploads—roughly 20,000 tracks—are now completely AI-generated, nearly doubling from 10% just three months earlier, with fraudsters using these songs to manipulate streams and collect royalties illegally. The big picture: AI-generated music is becoming a vehicle for large-scale streaming fraud, with Deezer estimating that seven in 10 listens of AI songs come from bots rather than humans. Fraudsters "create tons of songs" and use automated systems to inflate play counts, earning substantial...
read Jun 19, 2025Google Photos developing AI “Remix” feature to transform videos into artistic styles
Google Photos is developing a "Remix" feature that will use generative AI to transform both photos and videos into different artistic styles, according to code discovered in the latest app version. The feature, internally codenamed "Bluejay," represents Google's entry into the popular AI-powered content remixing trend that has gained traction on social media platforms. What you should know: The Remix feature will offer three distinct style options for video transformation through generative AI. "I'm Feeling Lucky" provides a random style transformation "Subtle Movements" offers more restrained visual changes "Go Wild" delivers dramatic stylistic alterations How it works: Code strings found...
read Jun 18, 2025Google’s Veo 3 AI will let creators generate videos inside YouTube Shorts
Google will integrate its Veo 3 AI video generator with YouTube Shorts this summer, allowing creators to produce AI-generated content directly within the platform's short-form video format. The move capitalizes on YouTube Shorts' explosive growth, with viewership increasing 186% over the past year to reach 200 billion daily views. Why this matters: This integration could dramatically expand AI-generated content creation, making sophisticated video generation accessible to millions of creators while potentially transforming how short-form content is produced and consumed. The numbers behind Shorts' success: YouTube Shorts has outpaced the platform's overall growth trajectory, establishing itself as a dominant force in...
read Jun 18, 2025Former Cloudflare exec launches archive of pre-AI human content in time capsule-style move
Former Cloudflare executive John Graham-Cumming has launched lowbackgroundsteel.ai, a catalog that preserves pre-2022 human-generated content from before widespread AI contamination began. The archive draws its name from scientists who once sought "low-background steel" from pre-nuclear shipwrecks to avoid radiation contamination, creating a parallel between nuclear fallout and AI-generated content polluting the internet. The big picture: The project treats pre-AI content as a precious commodity, recognizing that distinguishing between human and machine-generated material has become increasingly difficult since ChatGPT's November 2022 launch. Why this matters: AI contamination has already forced at least one major research project to shut down entirely—wordfreq, a...
read Jun 18, 2025Pokémon goes wellness: Google’s Veo 3 AI-generated ASMR videos rack up millions of views
AI-generated ASMR videos using Google's Veo 3 are gaining millions of views on platforms like TikTok, featuring surreal content like glass fruit being sliced and people eating molten rock. While these videos trigger some viewers' relaxation responses, they lack the human intimacy that traditional ASMR enthusiasts value, creating a divisive new category in the wellness content space. What you should know: Google's Veo 3 Fast has become the most popular AI video generator for creating ASMR content, producing 720p videos at double the speed of standard models. Gemini Pro users can create three videos per day, while Flow Pro users...
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