News/Entertainment
“Baywatch” stars, in 2025? OhChat charges $30 monthly for AI celebrity chats
OhChat, an eight-month-old AI startup, has launched a platform where users can interact with AI-powered "digital twins" of celebrities and creators, including former British glamor model Katie Price and "Baywatch" actress Carmen Electra. The platform, which has attracted 200,000 users primarily in the United States, allows subscribers to engage in intimate conversations and receive personalized content from these AI avatars that operate autonomously 24/7. How it works: OhChat creates lifelike digital replicas using just 30 images and a 30-minute voice recording from creators. The platform uses Meta's large language model (the AI system that powers Facebook) to generate avatars "within...
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 19, 2025Midjourney launches 5-second video tool amid Disney lawsuit
Midjourney, a leading AI image generation company, has launched its first video creation tool, allowing users to transform still images into 5-second video clips with the press of an "Animate" button. The release comes just one week after Disney and NBCUniversal filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against the company, alleging it has profited from their intellectual property by generating images of characters from Marvel, Star Wars, The Simpsons, and other major franchises. What you should know: Midjourney's new video model charges approximately eight times more than image generation but claims to be "over 25 times cheaper" than existing market alternatives....
read Jun 18, 2025Tribeca Studios partners with OpenAI for 2026 AI filmmaker program
Tribeca Studios, the film production arm of the renowned Tribeca Festival, has partnered with OpenAI to launch an AI-integrated short film program for the 2026 Tribeca Festival, selecting two filmmakers to create live-action shorts using OpenAI's artificial intelligence tools. The collaboration builds on last year's successful Sora Shorts initiative and positions Tribeca at the forefront of AI-enhanced filmmaking, offering selected participants funding, training, and mentorship alongside access to cutting-edge AI technology. What you should know: The year-long program will culminate with premieres at the 2026 festival, accompanied by discussions about AI's role in filmmaking. Selected filmmakers will receive comprehensive support...
read Jun 17, 2025Max rolls out AI-powered video previews to improve content discovery
Max is rolling out AI-powered autoplaying video previews that will automatically select "standout" scenes from its library of shows and movies. The feature represents a significant shift in how streaming platforms curate content discovery, with Warner Bros. Discovery betting that AI can dramatically reduce the manual effort required to create engaging previews while improving user experience. What you should know: The video previews are launching to US users now, with the AI-assisted clip selection coming in the "coming weeks." Users will see previews when hovering over content, similar to Netflix's interface. Max will include options to turn off audio or...
read Jun 17, 2025Hollywood execs train for jobs that don’t exist as AI upends film industry in new “talkies” moment
Hollywood executives and industry professionals are training for jobs that don't yet exist as artificial intelligence reshapes the entertainment landscape, according to discussions at recent industry conferences. The uncertainty reflects broader challenges facing an industry still recovering from COVID-19, strikes, and the ongoing transformation of traditional film and television models. What industry leaders are saying: Executives acknowledge the unpredictable nature of AI's impact while drawing parallels to past technological disruptions. "We are now training for jobs that do not yet exist," said Bruce Markoe, IMAX's head of post and image capture, speaking at Runway's AI Film Festival on June 12....
read Jun 13, 2025No Suno for you! Sound editors ban AI from Golden Reel Awards over ethical concerns
The Motion Picture Sound Editors (MPSE) has banned generative AI-created sound work from eligibility for its Golden Reel Awards, citing unresolved legal and ethical standards around AI use. The decision positions the prestigious sound editing awards as a key battleground in the entertainment industry's ongoing struggle to define boundaries for artificial intelligence in creative work. What you should know: The MPSE board made the decision based on concerns about the current lack of established standards for AI use in creative fields. "Standards for the legal and ethical use of Generative AI have yet to be established and are far from...
read Jun 11, 2025Disney and NBCUniversal sue Midjourney for AI copyright infringement
Disney and NBCUniversal have filed the first major Hollywood lawsuit against AI image generator Midjourney, accusing the company of copyright infringement for allowing users to create images of characters like Darth Vader and Shrek. The lawsuit, filed in US District Court in Los Angeles, marks a significant escalation in the entertainment industry's battle against generative AI companies over intellectual property rights. What you should know: The studios describe Midjourney as a "bottomless pit of plagiarism" that enables users to generate what they call "AI slop"—personalized images of copyrighted characters. Disney Enterprises, Marvel, Lucasfilm, 20th Century, Universal City Studios Productions, and...
read Jun 11, 2025“Which movie had the talking peanuts?” AI streaming app Ecco raises $7M to solve content discovery chaos
Ecco, an AI-powered streaming content discovery startup, has raised $7 million in seed funding from high-profile investors including Ben Silverman, Shaquille O'Neal, and former Match Group CEO Bernard Kim. The company promises to solve the fragmented search problem across streaming platforms by using advanced AI to understand complex, descriptive queries that go far beyond basic title or actor searches. What you should know: Ecco has built a proprietary AI platform that indexes over 21 million pieces of content across major streaming services including Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, Max, Paramount+, Peacock, and Tubi. Users can enter highly...
read Jun 5, 2025Idris Elba announces “African Odeon” cinema chain at SXSW London
Idris Elba is pioneering a transformative vision for Africa's entertainment infrastructure, moving beyond his acting career to address critical gaps in the continent's cinema ecosystem. At SXSW London, he unveiled plans to establish an "African Odeon" cinema chain, noting that fewer than 3,000 theaters currently serve the entire continent. This ambitious initiative represents part of his broader strategy to empower African creators through improved infrastructure, innovative financial solutions, and technology that addresses industry-specific challenges. The big picture: Elba aims to build a comprehensive entertainment ecosystem supporting African creators from production through distribution, addressing the continent's severe theatrical exhibition shortage. The...
read May 23, 2025European publishers rally against AI’s use of copyrighted content
European creative industries are intensifying their campaign for AI transparency and fair compensation as the EU AI Act moves toward implementation. The "Stay True to the Act, Stay True to Culture" initiative is gaining momentum across multiple countries, with publishers, musicians, and media executives demanding protection for copyright holders whose works are being used to train AI systems. This coordinated effort reflects growing concern that without proper regulation, European creative sectors could face existential threats while non-European tech companies reap the benefits of using their content without permission or payment. The big picture: Representatives from Europe's creative industries met with...
read May 22, 2025AI brings Orson Welles back as virtual tour guide
Orson Welles returns as an AI-generated voice nearly four decades after his death, bringing his iconic vocal presence to location-based storytelling app Storyrabbit. This partnership between podcast company Treefort Media and the Orson Welles Estate represents a growing trend of reviving cultural icons through AI voice technology, blending nostalgia with cutting-edge tech to create new forms of interactive entertainment experiences. How it works: Storyrabbit generates personalized 60-90 second audio stories about specific locations, delivered by the host of your choice, including the newly added Welles voice option. The app uses your current location or a selected point of interest to...
read May 22, 2025Google bets on movies to change public opinion on AI
Google is launching a counteroffensive against Hollywood's traditionally dystopian AI narratives by funding short films that explore more nuanced relationships between humans and artificial intelligence. The initiative, called "AI on Screen," emerges as Google competes in the increasingly crowded AI development space with rivals like OpenAI, Anthropic, Apple, and Meta, while simultaneously trying to shift public perception of the technology. The big picture: Google has partnered with talent management company Range Media Partners to fund short films depicting AI in more balanced scenarios than the killer robots and dystopian futures popularized in films like "The Terminator" and "Ex Machina." Two...
read May 21, 2025SAG-AFTRA files labor complaint over AI-recreated Darth Vader voice in Fortnite
SAG-AFTRA's dispute with Epic Games over the AI recreation of James Earl Jones' Darth Vader voice in Fortnite highlights the emerging tensions between AI technology and performers' rights in entertainment. The conflict centers on the use of voice recreation technology without union negotiation, despite family permission, revealing the complex intersection of legacy rights management, AI development, and labor protections in the evolving digital entertainment landscape. The dispute: SAG-AFTRA has filed an unfair labor practice complaint against Epic Games' Llama Productions for using AI to recreate James Earl Jones' Darth Vader voice in Fortnite without union negotiation. The actors union claims...
read May 20, 2025How GenAI could reshape Hollywood by slashing costs and redefining quality
Generative AI stands poised to fundamentally restructure Hollywood's economics and production models, potentially reducing film budgets by up to 90% while reshaping how audiences define "quality" entertainment. This technological shift threatens traditional studios already struggling with streaming economics, while simultaneously opening doors for small creative teams to produce sophisticated content at a fraction of current costs. The resulting transformation could fragment the entertainment landscape into personalized "microcultures" where human creativity remains essential but is dramatically amplified by AI production tools. The big picture: Generative AI technologies are set to deliver unprecedented cost efficiency to film and TV production, potentially disrupting...
read May 20, 2025Actors’ union bypassed by Epic Games in use of AI-voiced Darth Vader
SAG-AFTRA's complaint against Epic Games over AI-generated Darth Vader voice marks a significant escalation in the ongoing tensions between entertainment unions and game developers. This case highlights the evolving battle over AI voice rights in creative industries, where technological capabilities are outpacing established contractual frameworks. The dispute illustrates how AI voice cloning is creating new legal and ethical challenges around performer rights and proper compensation. The big picture: SAG-AFTRA has filed an Unfair Labor Practice complaint against Epic Games for using an AI-generated version of James Earl Jones' Darth Vader voice in Fortnite without union negotiation. Epic Games acquired rights...
read May 19, 2025Fairground launches AI-generated TV series, starting with Dracula
Xumo founder Colin Petrie-Norris is pioneering a new frontier in entertainment with Fairground Entertainment, a studio and streaming service dedicated exclusively to AI-generated television series. Having raised $4 million in seed funding, the startup plans to release its first wave of programming in Q3 2025, focusing initially on reimagined public domain properties like Dracula and Robin Hood. This venture represents a significant evolution in content creation, as AI technology continues to transform how entertainment is produced and consumed. The big picture: Fairground Entertainment aims to blend original storytelling with generative AI technology, focusing on producing high-quality entertainment that happens to...
read May 19, 2025NBC adopts AI-generated voice for NBA broadcasts
NBC's decision to resurrect the voice of deceased sportscaster Jim Fagan using AI for its upcoming NBA coverage marks a significant advancement in synthetic media use in mainstream broadcasting. By digitally recreating the voice of a beloved narrator who died in 2017, NBC is blending nostalgia with cutting-edge technology to enhance its basketball programming. This development highlights the growing trend of posthumous digital recreations in entertainment and raises important questions about the future relationship between AI-generated content and traditional media production. The big picture: NBC will use an AI-generated version of Jim Fagan's voice across selected NBA content beginning October...
read May 19, 2025This new sci-fi movie shows how AI could change how foreign films are dubbed
Hollywood is about to witness a significant advancement in film localization as "Watch the Skies" debuts in U.S. theaters with AI-driven visual dubbing technology. The sci-fi adventure, originally filmed in Swedish, will appear to American audiences as if actors are speaking English thanks to TrueSync, an AI tool from startup Flawless that synchronizes English dialogue with actors' lip movements. This technology represents a potential transformation in how international films are adapted for English-speaking markets, potentially enhancing audience connection compared to traditional dubbing methods. The big picture: XYZ Films is pioneering AI visual dubbing in theatrical releases, with "Watch the Skies"...
read May 19, 2025YouTube’s “Peak Points” ads target viewers when they’re most engaged
YouTube's newest ad format is poised to deliberately interrupt viewers at the most engaging moments of their viewing experience. The streaming giant revealed "Peak Points" at its recent Brandcast presentation, which uses Google Gemini to analyze videos and identify moments of highest user engagement—then strategically inserts ads immediately after these peak moments. This controversial monetization strategy comes as YouTube continues to expand its advertising presence, potentially risking viewer satisfaction in favor of advertiser interests. The big picture: YouTube is introducing two new ad formats with "Peak Points" being the most disruptive by targeting moments of highest engagement in videos. Peak...
read May 17, 2025AI-powered Darth Vader shocks fans with unexpected profanity
Artificial intelligence voice technology faces a new embarrassing mishap as Darth Vader's character in Fortnite temporarily spewed profanity and inappropriate language. The incident highlights ongoing challenges with AI voice implementations in mainstream entertainment, exposing the risks of deploying synthetic voice technology based on iconic performers in interactive environments where user input can trigger unexpected responses. The incident: Epic Games' Fortnite featured an AI-powered Darth Vader that briefly responded to players with profanity and inappropriate language. A viral exchange occurred when Twitch streamer Loserfruit triggered the character to repeat expletives, with Vader responding, "Such vulgarity does not become you, Padme." According...
read May 16, 2025Annual AI on the Lot event expands to 3-day program in Culver City for 2025
The annual AI on the Lot event expands to a three-day format in Culver City for 2025, bringing together entertainment industry leaders to explore artificial intelligence applications in Hollywood. Moving from its previous Downtown L.A. location, this year's program showcases how AI technologies are transforming media production through tech demos, workshops, filmmaker showcases, and screenings - all in a location historically significant to the film industry since the early 20th century. The big picture: The entertainment industry gathering will run from May 28-30 with a significantly expanded format featuring keynote speakers, demonstrations, and practical workshops focused on AI integration in...
read May 16, 2025YouTube’s Gemini AI targets ads to viewers’ favorite video moments
YouTube is leveraging Gemini AI to strategically place video advertisements by identifying the moments when viewers are most engaged. This new ad insertion strategy, called "Peak Points," aims to maximize advertising effectiveness by targeting emotional high points in videos, such as the moments just after a proposal. By placing ads after—rather than during—these pivotal moments, YouTube seeks to balance advertiser needs with viewer experience while potentially reducing the frustration of ads interrupting critical content. The big picture: YouTube has unveiled "Peak Points," a Gemini-powered advertising system that identifies optimal ad placement based on viewer engagement patterns. The system analyzes videos...
read May 16, 2025AI startup Cartwheel secures $10M for character animation tools
Cartwheel AI has released its first public tools for 3D character animation after securing $10 million in new funding led by Craft Ventures. The startup, founded in 2023 by OpenAI alum Andrew Carr and Google Creative Lab veteran Jonathan Jarvis, aims to revolutionize animation production by dramatically accelerating workflows while maintaining creative control. The technology's emergence from a year-long beta test with 8,000 professional animators signals a potentially significant shift in how animation is created across entertainment and digital media. The big picture: Animation startup Cartwheel has launched AI-driven 3D character animation tools to the public after raising $10 million...
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