News/Entertainment
Character.AI transforms convos into immersive entertainment experiences starring Socrates and more
Character.AI represents a fascinating departure from the productivity-focused AI assistants that have dominated recent headlines. While ChatGPT, Google's Gemini, and Anthropic's Claude are designed to help users write emails and analyze documents, Character.AI takes artificial intelligence in an entirely different direction—creating immersive conversations with fictional characters, celebrities, and historical figures that prioritize entertainment over efficiency. This platform transforms AI interaction from a professional tool into something closer to interactive storytelling. Users can engage in surprisingly realistic conversations with characters ranging from Edward Cullen to Socrates, each programmed to maintain their distinct personality traits and respond authentically to user input. The...
read Jul 24, 2025AI ads to drive entertainment media industry to $3.5T by 2029
Artificial intelligence-powered advertising is expected to drive the global entertainment and media industry to $3.5 trillion in revenue by 2029, according to a new PwC report. This growth comes at a critical time when economic uncertainty and inflation are forcing consumers to cut back on entertainment spending, making advertising revenue increasingly vital for industry survival. The big picture: The entertainment and media industry is projected to achieve a 3.7% compound annual growth rate through 2029, with AI-driven advertising serving as the primary growth engine alongside non-digital categories like live events. Why this matters: Economic pressures from inflation and shifting trade...
read Jul 23, 2025Samsung’s 43-inch AI smart monitor drops to $400 with 4K and gaming hub
Samsung has launched its most affordable large-screen smart monitor yet, offering the 43-inch M7 Smart Monitor (M70F) at $399.99, marking its first significant discount since the June release. This $100 price reduction makes the AI-powered 4K display the largest and most budget-friendly option in Samsung's 2025 Smart Monitor lineup, potentially attracting consumers seeking premium features without the flagship price tag. What you should know: The M7 Smart Monitor combines traditional display functionality with smart TV capabilities and AI-powered enhancements. The 43-inch 4K model regularly retails for $500 but is now available for $399.99 at both Samsung and Amazon, representing the...
read Jul 22, 2025Apple brings back AI notification summaries with stronger error warnings
Apple has reintroduced AI-powered notification summaries for news and entertainment apps in the fourth iOS 18 developer beta, months after temporarily disabling the feature due to accuracy issues with BBC headlines. The return comes with enhanced warnings about potential errors, signaling Apple's cautious approach to deploying Apple Intelligence features that could misrepresent critical information. What you should know: Apple Intelligence notification summaries are back with stronger disclaimers about their limitations. Users installing the new beta see a splash screen where they can opt into summarized notifications for News & Entertainment apps. Apple displays a prominent red warning stating "Summarization may...
read Jul 21, 2025Netflix debuts AI-created building collapse scenes in “The Eternaut.” Here’s where you can spot it.
Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos revealed during the company's latest earnings call that the streaming giant used AI-generated content in its original series "The Eternaut," marking the first time Netflix has incorporated AI-created footage in an original production. The AI was used to generate scenes of a building collapsing in the post-apocalyptic drama, completing the visual effects sequence "10 times faster than it could have been completed with traditional VFX tools and workflow." What you should know: The AI-generated content appears in two brief shots showing portions of a building falling to the ground in episode 6 at the 59:50 mark....
read Jul 21, 2025Why people are utilizing the robo-slur “clankers” — and what it means
The term "clanker," originally a derogatory slur for robots from Star Wars, has emerged as real-world slang used by people frustrated with increasing automation and the presence of humanoid robots in daily life. What began as ironic usage has evolved into a more serious expression of concern about job displacement and the normalization of robots performing traditionally human roles. What you should know: "Clanker" specifically refers to humanoid robots performing jobs typically reserved for humans, such as serving food or cleaning. The term originated in Star Wars during the Clone Wars, where human protagonists used it to derogatorily refer to...
read Jul 18, 2025Sheryl Crow criticizes Trump era and AI, has a feeling she’s not the only one
Sheryl Crow has released "The New Normal," a new single critiquing the current political climate under President Trump while addressing concerns about artificial intelligence and societal shifts. The song, performed with her touring band the Real Lowdown, reflects the singer's fears that increasingly "bizarre" circumstances might become accepted as ordinary. What she's saying: Crow expressed her concerns about current events in social media posts accompanying the release.• "What's happening all around us is so unbelievably bizarre, that my fear is we will truly begin to feel like this is normal. And that's what terrifies me," she wrote on Instagram. Key...
read Jul 18, 2025Not at all shook up: London’s AI-enhanced Elvis show flops without the King’s charisma
Elvis Evolution, a new immersive show at London's Excel Waterfront complex, attempts to bring the rock icon back to life through AI-enhanced video footage and recreated sets. The experience fails to capture the energy and charisma that made Elvis legendary, delivering a lackluster spectacle that feels more like a theme park attraction than a meaningful tribute to the King of Rock and Roll. What you should know: Elvis Evolution represents a growing trend of immersive entertainment experiences that blend theater, amusement park attractions, and interactive spectacles. The show takes place at Immerse LDN and has been heavily advertised across London's...
read Jul 18, 2025Netflix has strong second-quarter while moving into live sports, AI experimentation
Netflix exceeded Wall Street's second-quarter expectations with strong performance driven by popular returning shows and live programming, while providing optimistic guidance for the rest of 2025. The streaming giant's strategic expansion into live sports, events, and AI-powered content creation signals its evolution beyond traditional on-demand viewing as it seeks new growth avenues after dominating the first phase of the streaming wars. What you should know: Netflix's financial performance surpassed analyst predictions, though shares dipped slightly in after-hours trading despite a remarkable 128% stock surge over the past year to around $1,253 per share. The company maintained its content spending guidance...
read Jul 18, 2025Netflix deploys AI for first time in original production to create visual effects for “The Eternauts”
Netflix has used generative artificial intelligence to create visual effects on screen for the first time in one of its original productions, according to co-CEO Ted Sarandos. The streaming giant deployed AI technology to generate a building collapse scene in the Argentine science fiction series "The Eternauts," marking a significant milestone in the entertainment industry's adoption of AI-generated content. What you should know: Netflix's use of generative AI represents the first time the company has incorporated AI-created visual effects into final footage for an original series or film. The AI technology was used specifically to create a scene showing a...
read Jul 17, 2025AI divides Hollywood writers between creative tool and existential threat as WGA earnings drop
Hollywood screenwriters are grappling with an unprecedented challenge as AI technology rapidly advances into their creative domain, with some embracing it as a collaborative tool while others view it as an existential threat to human storytelling. The debate has intensified since the 2023 Writers Guild strike, which secured protections against mandatory AI use, but many writers remain concerned that the technology's exponential growth could fundamentally reshape—or eliminate—their profession. The big picture: AI's integration into Hollywood extends far beyond writing, permeating nearly every stage of production from script development and previsualization to casting and marketing, but screenwriting remains the most controversial...
read Jul 16, 2025Disney’s AI-powered droids now roam theme parks and cruise ships worldwide
Disney Imagineering has deployed BDX droids powered by reinforcement learning AI at its theme parks worldwide, marking a significant leap forward in bringing animated characters to life in the real world. The technology enables these bipedal robots to develop personality and emotional responses autonomously, while dramatically accelerating Disney's character development process from years to weeks. What you should know: Disney's BDX droids represent the entertainment giant's first major deployment of AI-powered robotics, building on decades of audio-animatronics innovation. The droids have been charming guests at Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge since fall 2023 and now operate across Disney parks in Florida,...
read Jul 16, 2025Trump promotes fossil fuels for AI future at $92B Pittsburgh summit
President Donald Trump joined energy executives and tech leaders at a Pittsburgh summit to promote fossil fuels as the primary power source for AI expansion, with companies announcing $92 billion in energy and AI investments. The event strategically positioned natural gas as essential for meeting AI's projected energy demands, potentially revitalizing a struggling industry facing supply gluts and market headwinds. What you should know: The Energy and Innovation Summit brought together an unlikely coalition of Trump administration officials, Big Tech executives, and fossil fuel leaders to advance a pro-natural gas agenda for AI infrastructure. Trump acknowledged that AI is "not...
read Jul 14, 2025Why AI can’t crack Hollywood’s biggest marketing challenge: human-centeredness
IndieWire entertainment journalist Dana Harris-Bridson argues that artificial intelligence faces a fundamental barrier in Hollywood: it cannot create the human backstories that drive audience engagement and marketing campaigns. While AI can reduce production costs and increase output, the entertainment industry's reliance on behind-the-scenes narratives—from director interviews to production drama—represents a creative wall that current AI technology cannot overcome. The big picture: Hollywood's marketing machine depends heavily on human stories behind the content, with studios spending billions on campaigns that center around creators' personal journeys and production experiences. Marketing costs often match production budgets, sometimes reaching hundreds of millions of dollars,...
read Jul 14, 2025Moonvalley brings Disney, TikTok alum as it raises $84M for ethical AI video generation
Moonvalley, an AI research company focused on "ethical" video generation, has secured $84 million in additional funding led by General Catalyst, with strategic investments from CAA and Comcast Ventures. The startup claims to differentiate itself by training its AI models exclusively on licensed content, positioning itself as a responsible alternative to competitors who use unlicensed material for training data. What you should know: Moonvalley recently launched Marey, which it describes as the industry's "first production-grade AI generative videography platform built for professional filmmakers and visionary brands." The company works through its filmmaking arm, Asteria, led by Bryn Mooser, to develop...
read Jul 14, 2025Battle of the Clone: Voice actors win court battle against AI voice cloning startup
A federal judge in New York has allowed a lawsuit from voice-over artists Paul Skye Lehrman and Linnea Sage to proceed against AI voice startup Lovo Inc., which allegedly used their voices without permission to create AI voice clones. The decision marks a significant development in the growing wave of litigation against AI companies over unauthorized use of creative work, potentially setting precedent for how courts handle voice rights in the age of artificial intelligence. What you should know: The judge dismissed federal copyright claims for the voices themselves but allowed breach of contract and deceptive business practices claims to...
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 8, 2025Ventriloquizing the red carpet past? Film critic calls AI resurrection of dead actors “virtual hell”
San Francisco Chronicle film critic Mick LaSalle explores the ethical implications of using AI to create new performances from deceased actors like Marilyn Monroe and James Dean. In a reader Q&A column, LaSalle argues that while the technology could produce compelling content, forcing digital recreations of dead performers to act in ways they never would represents a form of virtual hell. What they're saying: LaSalle acknowledges the creative temptations but draws a moral line at posthumous digital exploitation. "I'd like to see Marilyn Monroe in a good movie where, for once, she doesn't play an idiot. I'd like to see...
read Jul 3, 2025Crunchyroll accidentally exposes AI subtitle use with “ChatGPT said:” error
Crunchyroll accidentally left "ChatGPT said:" in the German subtitles of a new anime series, exposing the streaming service's use of AI-generated translations. The embarrassing error appeared in the premiere episode of "Necronomico and the Cosmic Horror Show" and highlights ongoing quality concerns with the platform's subtitle accuracy. What you should know: The AI slipup occurred around the 19:12 mark in the German subtitles, where "ChatGPT said:" was left embedded in the dialogue. The error was still visible as of the morning after fans first spotted it on social media. This isn't Crunchyroll's first subtitle controversy — in late 2023, the...
read Jul 2, 2025Stanford AI system turns text prompts into coordinated drone shows
Stanford and University of Zaragoza researchers have developed Gen-Swarms, an AI system that automates the complex planning process for drone light shows using simple text prompts. The breakthrough could democratize drone displays by eliminating the need for specialized engineering teams to manually plot each drone's movement frame by frame, potentially expanding applications beyond entertainment into search and rescue, construction, and space exploration. Why this matters: Current drone shows require painstaking manual programming where engineers chart the path of every single drone individually, limiting these displays to large companies with specialized expertise and significant resources. How it works: The AI system...
read Jun 27, 2025Disney’s “Ironheart” reimagines AI through Afrofuturist lens
Disney+'s new Marvel series "Ironheart" features N.A.T.A.L.I.E., an AI assistant created from the consciousness of a Black girl from Chicago, offering a fresh perspective on artificial intelligence representation in popular media. The fictional AI, developed by protagonist Riri Williams, challenges traditional virtual assistant dynamics by incorporating cultural identity and personal relationships into AI design, potentially influencing how audiences think about the future of AI development. What you should know: The series centers on Riri Williams, a young Black engineer who creates an advanced AI for her iron suit after being expelled from MIT. N.A.T.A.L.I.E. (Neuro Autonomous Technical Assistant and Laboratory...
read Jun 25, 2025Google APAC chief calls AI a “magic wand” for Asia’s $60B media sector
Google's Sanjay Gupta positioned artificial intelligence as the transformative force that will propel Asia-Pacific to the forefront of global storytelling, calling AI a "magic wand" for the region's media creators during his keynote at the APOS conference in Indonesia. The Google APAC president's vision comes as Asia contributes only 15% to global media revenues despite having 50% of the world's population, suggesting massive untapped potential for AI-driven growth in the region's $60 billion media and entertainment sector. The big picture: Gupta showcased AI's creative potential through Google's collaboration with Warner Bros. Discovery to bring "The Wizard of Oz" to the...
read Jun 23, 2025Shanghai festival showcases world’s first fully AI-produced animated feature
The Shanghai International Film Festival has evolved from a regional showcase into a global laboratory where traditional filmmaking collides with cutting-edge technology. The 27th edition, which concluded recently, delivered clear signals that China's entertainment industry is accelerating its international expansion through strategic technological adoption and market consolidation. This transformation matters because Shanghai is positioning itself as the bridge between Eastern and Western entertainment markets while simultaneously pioneering AI applications that could fundamentally reshape how content gets produced worldwide. The festival's bold moves—from merging traditional film and TV markets to showcasing fully AI-produced features—offer insights into where the global entertainment industry...
read Jun 23, 2025AI platforms quietly court advertisers at Cannes Lions 2025
AI platforms made their first quiet moves into advertising at Cannes Lions 2025, with companies like Perplexity and Anthropic sending ad executives to the festival for early-stage conversations with agencies and brands. The stealth approach signals AI platforms' inevitable shift toward advertising revenue as their high infrastructure costs demand sustainable monetization strategies. What you should know: Major AI platforms are laying the groundwork for advertising businesses despite maintaining low public profiles at the industry's biggest marketing event. Perplexity sent Taz Patel, its head of advertising and shopping, to meet with agency and brand leads about the company's current ad capabilities...
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