News/Entertainment
ESPN is Now Using AI to Recap Women’s Soccer
AI-generated sports recaps debut on ESPN: ESPN has begun publishing AI-generated recaps of women's soccer games, with plans to expand to other sports, raising concerns about the future of sports journalism and the quality of coverage. The AI-generated recaps are produced using Microsoft AI technology, with human involvement limited to reviewing for quality and accuracy. ESPN claims these AI-generated stories will "augment" rather than replace its existing content, positioning them as a way to cover more underserved sports. Each AI-generated article is clearly labeled as produced by "ESPN Generative AI Services" and includes a note explaining that it's based on...
read Sep 10, 2024Amazon’s ‘Thursday Night Football’ A.I. Features Help Viewers Predict Game Play
AI-powered features enhance Amazon's 'Thursday Night Football' viewing experience: Amazon Prime Video is expanding its use of artificial intelligence to provide viewers with predictive insights during NFL broadcasts, aiming to give fans a deeper understanding of the game. Amazon is introducing new on-screen guide features powered by AI for the upcoming season of "Thursday Night Football" (TNF). These features are designed to help viewers anticipate and better comprehend game play before it happens. The additions build upon existing AI-driven elements like "defensive alerts" that track defensive player movements and identify potential quarterback rushers. New AI features unveiled: Amazon's latest AI-powered...
read Sep 10, 2024How Will AI Impact Game Development? Current Trends Offer a Glimpse
AI's potential to transform game development: Artificial intelligence is poised to revolutionize the video game industry, potentially addressing long-standing issues like the notorious "crunch" culture while also raising concerns about job displacement and creative integrity. The "crunch" in game development, once seen as a rite of passage, is now recognized as a form of exploitation that can lead to mental health issues and burnout among developers. With increasing game development costs, companies are incentivized to maximize short-term profits, often at the expense of their employees' well-being. Current AI applications in game development: Many studios are already leveraging AI tools to...
read Sep 10, 2024New Film ‘Mothernet’ Explores How AI Influences Emotional Healing
AI-driven family drama explores human-technology relationships: "Mothernet," a new film directed by acclaimed filmmaker Ho Wi Ding, delves into the complex interplay between artificial intelligence and human emotions in a near-future Indonesia. Plot and setting: The story centers around 16-year-old Rama as he navigates life after his mother falls into a coma following a tragic accident. An AI program becomes instrumental in helping Rama and his father reconnect and heal from their loss. The film is set in Indonesia's near future, blending real-world locations with virtual production techniques. Star-studded cast and production: "Mothernet" brings together established talent and rising stars...
read Sep 10, 2024New Survey Shows Actors with Unique Voices at Greatest Risk of AI Voice Cloning
AI voice cloning presents significant risks for celebrities: The rapid advancement of AI voice cloning technology has raised concerns about potential misuse, particularly for celebrities with distinctive voices. Survey findings reveal most vulnerable celebrities: Arnold Schwarzenegger tops the list, with 61% of respondents agreeing his voice is the easiest to replicate due to his distinctive accent Donald Trump's voice is considered easy to copy by 39% of respondents, attributed to its familiarity from frequent media appearances Kim Kardashian's consistent tone and pitch make her voice easy to replicate according to 23% of those surveyed Methodology and survey details: The survey,...
read Sep 9, 2024James Earl Jones’ Passing Marks Milestone for Debate about AI-Generated Voices
Iconic voice preserved through AI: James Earl Jones, who passed away at 93 on Monday, had given Lucasfilm permission to recreate his legendary Darth Vader voice using artificial intelligence. Jones, known for voicing Darth Vader in numerous Star Wars properties, expressed interest in concluding his role as the Sith Lord after providing lines for "The Rise of Skywalker." Lucasfilm partnered with Ukrainian company Respeecher to create an AI-generated version of Jones' Vader voice, based on his past performances. The AI-generated voice was used in the "Obi-Wan Kenobi" series, with Jones' approval to use his archive for training the speech model....
read Sep 9, 2024Oscar-Nominated XTR Acquires AI Animation Studio
AI-powered animation studio acquisition: XTR, an Oscar-nominated film and television studio, has acquired Late Night Labs, an AI film and animation studio, marking a significant development in the integration of artificial intelligence in the entertainment industry. XTR is launching a new holding company, Asteria Film Co., which will focus on producing animation, fiction, and non-fiction content for film and television. Asteria Film Co. will also house XTR's streaming platform and Fast channel Documentary+. The new company is named after the Greek goddess of constellations and was co-founded by filmmaker and entrepreneur Bryn Mooser. Technological innovation in filmmaking: Late Night Labs...
read Sep 9, 2024Tom Hanks Warns Fans of AI-Generated Health Scams Using His Image
Tom Hanks issues urgent warning about AI-generated scams: The renowned actor has taken to social media to alert fans about fraudulent online advertisements using his likeness and voice without permission. The nature of the scam: Hanks reveals that multiple internet ads are falsely using his name, image, and voice to promote "miracle cures and wonder drugs" through AI-generated content. These advertisements have been created without Hanks' consent, using artificial intelligence to mimic his appearance and speech. The actor emphatically states that he has no involvement with these posts, treatments, or spokespeople promoting these supposed cures. Hanks' personal health disclosure: The...
read Sep 8, 2024Husslup Launches Greenlight Studio, an AI That Assists Entertainment Freelancers
AI-powered talent discovery app expands its offerings: Husslup, a media talent discovery app, has launched Greenlight Studio, a new initiative that utilizes ethical AI to assist freelancers in creating and selling content. The first tool in Greenlight Studio, "Full Script Assessment," has been released this week, offering comprehensive script analysis and improvement suggestions. Husslup is also developing an AI-driven smart content marketplace to streamline project discovery for industry professionals. The platform aims to democratize the creative process in the entertainment industry, drawing parallels to the formation of United Artists in 1919. Community ownership and investment opportunities: Husslup is offering its...
read Sep 6, 2024Union Agreements over AI Allow 80 Video Games to Resume Production
Video game actors' strike update: SAG-AFTRA has announced that 80 video games have agreed to the union's proposed AI terms, allowing actors to work on these titles during the ongoing strike. The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) made the announcement on Thursday, September 5, 2024. These games are now temporarily exempt from the walkout, provided they adhere to the union's artificial intelligence rules. Companies that have entered AI agreements with SAG-AFTRA include Little Bat Games ("Vampire Therapist"), Studio Wildcard ("Ark: Survival Evolved"), and Lightspeed L.A. ("Last Sentinel"). Key terms of the agreements: The AI agreements...
read Sep 5, 2024SAG-AFTRA and Tencent Studio Agree on AI Protections for Games
Landmark AI agreement in gaming industry: Lightspeed L.A., a new game development studio under Tencent's Lightspeed & Quantum Studio group, has reached an agreement with SAG-AFTRA on AI protections for their upcoming games, marking a significant development in the ongoing debate about AI's role in creative industries. Key details of the agreement: The deal allows Lightspeed L.A. to hire and utilize union actors for performances in their in-development and future games. This agreement permits Lightspeed L.A. to continue working with union actors even if SAG-AFTRA is on strike. While specific details are not public, the agreement implements protections that the...
read Sep 4, 2024BBC Sounds Tests AI-Generated Subtitles to Boost Accessibility
BBC Sounds introduces AI-generated subtitles: The BBC is trialing artificial intelligence-powered subtitles and transcripts for select shows on its popular audio platform, BBC Sounds, marking a significant step towards improving accessibility. The three-month trial currently includes five shows: In Touch, Access All, Profile, Sporting Witness, and Economics with Subtitles. Users can access the AI-generated subtitles via a new button in the playbar on the BBC Sounds website. The trial is also expanding to the BBC Sounds app, starting with Android devices and later iOS. How it works: The BBC is utilizing Whisper AI, a speech-to-text artificial intelligence system, to generate...
read Sep 4, 2024YouTube’s AI Comment Organizer Goes Global
YouTube expands AI-powered comment organization: YouTube's experimental feature that uses artificial intelligence to organize comment sections into topics is now available for all languages supported by the platform. The feature aims to help users easily understand and participate in discussions by categorizing comments into relevant topics. Initially tested on English-language videos and Shorts, the tool has now been expanded to include all officially supported languages for YouTube comments. The experiment is currently available to a select group of creators and YouTube Premium subscribers through the mobile app. How it works: Users enrolled in the experiment can now sort comments by...
read Sep 4, 2024California Mandates Consent for AI Deepfakes of Deceased Stars
California's AI deepfake legislation: The California state Senate has passed AB 1836, a bill requiring explicit consent from the estates of deceased performers for the creation of AI replicas in various media projects. The bill covers all forms of digital recreation using AI, including still images, voice clones, and full character portrayals in films. Producers must obtain agreement from the estate or legal representative of the deceased performer before using their AI replica. This legislation follows the recent passage of AB 2602, which focuses on consent requirements for AI replicas of living performers. Industry support and implications: SAG-AFTRA, the union...
read Sep 3, 2024Hollywood Professionals Embrace AI to Future-Proof Careers
AI's growing impact on Hollywood: The entertainment industry is witnessing a significant shift as workers across various roles embrace artificial intelligence technology, driven by both creative curiosity and job security concerns. Cinematographers, editors, costume designers, and voice actors are among the professionals exploring AI tools to enhance their work and safeguard their positions in an evolving industry. Online courses offered by companies like Curious Refuge are seeing increased enrollment from Hollywood professionals eager to acquire AI skills. The motivations behind this AI adoption range from enthusiasm about its creative potential to a defensive strategy against potential job displacement. Practical applications...
read Sep 3, 2024More Oprah AI TV Show News
AI's mainstream spotlight: Oprah Winfrey's upcoming television special on artificial intelligence has ignited a debate among tech critics and industry insiders about the representation and framing of AI in mainstream media. The special's premise and guests: The one-hour ABC program, set to air on September 12, aims to explore AI's impact on daily life through interviews with prominent tech figures and industry leaders. Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates is slated to discuss the "AI revolution" in science, health, and education, as well as its potential impact on the job market. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman will explain AI fundamentals and address the...
read Sep 3, 2024AI Video Creation Advances but Faces Hurdles in Olympic Demo
Futuristic Olympics video showcases AI's potential and limitations: A recent AI-generated video depicting the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics demonstrates both the capabilities and shortcomings of current generative video technology. Filmmaker Josh Kahn used Runway, an AI video generation tool, to create a one-minute video imagining the Olympics in Los Angeles in the year 3028. The video features futuristic cityscapes, including a football stadium atop a skyscraper and a beach volleyball dome in the harbor, showcasing the creative possibilities of AI-generated content. https://youtu.be/nTaTC6AgKeI?si=dY8InFgrWeHm-RdS The state of generative AI video: While the technology shows promise for quick and cost-effective content creation, it...
read Sep 2, 2024Oprah’s Special Stirs Controversy
The big picture: Oprah Winfrey's upcoming television special on artificial intelligence and society is expected to present a narrow, commercially-driven perspective on AI, potentially overlooking critical aspects of the technology's development, impact, and ethical considerations. Limited scope of AI representation: The special is likely to focus primarily on recent, large-scale generative AI systems built around large language models (LLMs). The show may neglect to mention decades of prior learning systems and research in AI. Public models of ownership or control of AI technologies are not expected to be discussed. State-led AI efforts might only be framed in the context of...
read Aug 29, 2024AI Powers Reliance’s $8.5B Disney Merger and Entertainment Push
A landmark partnership in Indian entertainment: Mukesh Ambani, chair of Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), announced a transformative merger with Disney and unveiled ambitious AI plans at the company's annual general meeting. The $8.5 billion merger between RIL and Disney's key entertainment assets in India received approval from the Competition Commission, subject to voluntary modifications. Ambani welcomed Disney to the "Reliance family," describing the deal as the beginning of a new era in India's entertainment industry. The strategy focuses on combining content creation with digital streaming to deliver affordable content across various consumer preferences. Media and entertainment division performance: RIL's media...
read Aug 28, 2024California Lawmakers Advance Bill to Protect Performers from AI Replicas
California legislature takes stand on AI replicas: The California Senate has approved AB 2602, a bill aimed at protecting performers' rights in the face of advancing AI technology. The bill requires explicit consent from performers in various entertainment sectors, including TV, film, videogames, audiobooks, and commercials, before creating digital replicas of their likeness or voice. This legislation is seen as a significant move to prevent potential abuse of licensing agreements and unauthorized use of performers' digital likenesses. SAG-AFTRA, the union representing actors and other media professionals, has expressed strong support for the bill. Key provisions of AB 2602: The bill...
read Aug 27, 2024YouTube Is Expanding Access To Its New AI-Generated Conversational Radio
AI-powered conversational radio expands on YouTube Music: YouTube Music is broadening the availability of its AI-generated conversational radio feature, offering users a more interactive and personalized music discovery experience. The feature, initially announced in July, is now being rolled out to a wider group of US YouTube Premium subscribers. Users are greeted with an animated "Experiment" card prompting them to "Ask for music any way you like," launching a fullscreen chat interface. The chat UI encourages users to express their music preferences through text or voice input, with the option to choose from 14 pre-set suggestions. How it works: The...
read Aug 27, 2024Toronto International Film Festival To Showcase AI-Powered Film Tools
AI filmmaking takes center stage at TIFF: The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) is set to host a groundbreaking event focused on the intersection of artificial intelligence and filmmaking, offering industry professionals a glimpse into the future of visual media. AI on the Lot, an organization dedicated to exploring AI's potential in the film industry, has partnered with TIFF to present a pop-up event on September 8, 2023, at Glenn Gould Studio. The session, open to credentialed festival attendees, will begin at 3:30 p.m. ET, followed by a networking happy hour at 5 p.m. This event is part of the...
read Aug 26, 2024The Creative Potential and Ethical Dilemmas of AI in Filmmaking
AI's impact on Hollywood: The integration of artificial intelligence in the film industry is reshaping production processes, creative approaches, and industry dynamics, sparking both excitement and concern among professionals and viewers alike. AI applications in filmmaking range from voice translation and content generation to streamlined production techniques, offering potential benefits in efficiency and creative expansion. However, the use of AI in film production has sparked controversy, with some viewers and industry professionals expressing skepticism and concern about its implications for authenticity and job security. Viewer reactions and industry secrecy: The adoption of AI technologies in film production has been met...
read Aug 25, 2024How AI Tool LoreKeeper Enhances Tabletop Gaming
LoreKeeper, an innovative AI tool, is revolutionizing the way Dungeon Masters (DMs) create and manage tabletop role-playing game (TTRPG) campaigns, offering a blend of creativity and efficiency to enhance the gaming experience. The big picture: LoreKeeper serves as a digital assistant for DMs, streamlining the process of campaign creation and management while preserving the essential human element of storytelling. The AI tool allows users to upload their own rules, characters, and world elements, creating a personalized AI tailored to their specific game. By helping DMs craft adventures, develop characters, and respond to player inquiries, LoreKeeper aims to reduce stress and...
read