News/Video
Cleaning up: AI-powered denoisers win Academy Sci-Tech Awards
The Academy Scientific and Technical Awards ceremony is spotlighting significant behind-the-scenes innovations transforming Hollywood's technical landscape. These awards recognize 37 recipients for 14 achievements spanning crucial film production technologies—from enhanced fire stunt safety systems to machine learning denoisers that streamline rendering processes. The recognition comes as the Academy also establishes new guidelines for human creative authorship in the era of Generative AI, highlighting the evolving relationship between technological innovation and traditional filmmaking craftsmanship. The big picture: The 2025 Scientific and Technical Awards will honor innovations across multiple film production disciplines that directly enhance creative possibilities and improve on-set safety protocols....
read Apr 29, 20254 tips on using Gemini AI to summarize YouTube videos
Google's Gemini AI now offers a YouTube video summarization feature that can save significant time for users who consume lengthy video content. The experimental Gemini 2.0 Flash Thinking model can extract key information from videos without requiring users to watch them in full, addressing a common productivity challenge in today's content-saturated environment. However, the technology shows clear strengths and limitations in its current implementation. How to Use Gemini to Summarize YouTube Videos 1. Access the experimental model On the web interface, start a new Gemini chat, click the model picker in the top left corner, and select "2.0 Flash Thinking...
read Apr 27, 2025Netflix AI upscaling of ‘A Different World’ sparks controversy
Netflix's addition of "A Different World" has spotlighted the darker side of AI upscaling technology, as viewers encounter distorted faces, illegible text, and bizarrely misshapen elements in what should be a nostalgic viewing experience. This case highlights the growing tension between streaming platforms' rush to modernize classic content and the technical limitations of current AI upscaling techniques, raising important questions about quality control and viewer experience in the streaming era. The big picture: Netflix's version of the 1980s sitcom "A Different World" is suffering from apparent AI upscaling issues that dramatically degrade the viewing experience. Viewers have reported nightmarish distortions...
read Apr 26, 2025MILS AI model sees and hears without training, GitHub code released
Facebook Research's new MILS (Multimodal In-context Learning for LLMs) system represents a significant breakthrough in enabling large language models to process visual and audio information without dedicated training. By repurposing existing language capabilities, this inference-only method allows LLMs to interpret and generate content across multiple modalities, opening new possibilities for AI applications in image, audio, and video processing. The big picture: Researchers from Meta have developed a technique that allows language models to "see" and "hear" without requiring additional training or fine-tuning. The system, called MILS, repurposes a language model's existing capabilities to process visual and audio information through a...
read Apr 25, 2025Microsoft’s AI-generated ad goes unnoticed by viewers
Microsoft's unannounced experiment with AI-generated advertisements reveals how synthetic media is quietly entering mainstream commercial production, with most viewers unable to distinguish AI elements from traditional video. The company's Surface device ad, which aired for three months before Microsoft disclosed its AI origins, demonstrates both the rapid advancement of generative video technology and its potential to dramatically reduce production costs and timelines for creative teams. The big picture: Microsoft revealed it created parts of a Surface device advertisement using AI tools, but only disclosed this fact three months after the ad began running on YouTube. The minute-long commercial, published January...
read Apr 24, 2025Most Replayed: YouTube tests AI-powered video highlights for faster viewing
YouTube is testing AI Overviews to help users quickly find the most relevant segments of videos based on search intent. This experimental feature, currently limited to a small number of YouTube Premium subscribers in the US, represents a strategic shift from keyword-based search to intent-based content discovery. By surfacing specific video clips that directly address user queries, YouTube aims to streamline the viewing experience in an increasingly content-saturated platform. The big picture: YouTube is experimenting with Google's AI Overviews technology to surface the most relevant video segments directly in search results, potentially transforming how users discover and consume video content....
read Apr 23, 2025AI-powered ‘Baby Invasion’ game features unsettling infant faces
Harmony Korine's latest project "Baby Invasion" pushes the boundaries between film and video games, marking a significant evolution in his experimental multimedia approach. The FPS game/film hybrid, created through his EDGLRD design collective, represents a growing trend of filmmakers using gaming engines and AI technology to challenge traditional cinematic formats. The project's deliberately provocative aesthetic and disregard for audience expectations reinforces Korine's position as one of contemporary art's most divisive and boundary-pushing creators. The big picture: "Baby Invasion" premiered at the 2024 Venice Film Festival as an ultra-realistic multiplayer FPS experience featuring mercenaries who use baby-faced avatars to conceal their...
read Apr 21, 2025Whisked Away: Google’s Whisk 2.0 animates images into 8-second clips
Google's Whisk animation tool is evolving beyond static images, representing the latest advancement in AI-powered image manipulation technology. The updated version transforms standard photos into short, dynamic video clips, expanding creative possibilities for both casual users and digital content creators while furthering Google's commitment to developing accessible AI-driven creative tools. The big picture: Google Labs has launched Whisk 2.0, featuring a new Whisk Animate function that transforms static images into vivid 8-second video clips using Veo 2 technology. Key details: The animation tool is available to Google One AI Premium subscribers across more than 60 countries. Whisk represents Google's continued...
read Apr 21, 2025Switch 2 runs Cyberpunk 2077 with DLSS in gaming first
Nintendo's upcoming Switch 2 will leverage Nvidia's DLSS technology to run demanding games like Cyberpunk 2077, representing a significant technical achievement for the portable console. CD Projekt Red has officially confirmed that its blockbuster RPG will be the first Switch 2 title to utilize this AI-powered upscaling technology, allowing the game to run at respectable frame rates without sacrificing visual quality. This implementation demonstrates how machine learning is becoming essential for pushing graphical boundaries on hardware with inherent power limitations. How DLSS works: Deep Learning Super Sampling uses AI to intelligently upscale games from lower resolutions to higher ones without...
read Apr 16, 2025OpenAI to integrate Sora video AI into ChatGPT globally
OpenAI is planning to integrate its Sora video generation tool directly into the ChatGPT interface, expanding access to this AI capability while maintaining it as a standalone product. This integration represents a significant evolution in OpenAI's product strategy, potentially making sophisticated video generation more accessible to users while creating new revenue opportunities through the company's subscription tiers. The integration plan: OpenAI intends to add Sora video generation capabilities to the ChatGPT app while also maintaining it as a separate experience. The ChatGPT version of Sora may offer fewer features than the standalone web tool to avoid cluttering the interface. While...
read Apr 14, 2025Moody Views: Netflix partners with OpenAI to develop vibe-based content search for iOS users
Netflix is partnering with OpenAI to develop an AI-powered search feature designed to better understand viewers' specific content preferences beyond basic genre or actor searches. This move represents a significant step in Netflix's AI integration strategy, potentially transforming how users discover content by enabling more nuanced, mood-based search capabilities. The limited rollout signals Netflix's cautious approach to AI implementation while still positioning itself at the forefront of streaming technology innovation. The big picture: Netflix is testing an OpenAI-powered search function that aims to understand viewers' exact viewing intentions, according to a Bloomberg report. The enhanced search capabilities would allow users...
read Apr 13, 2025Adobe’s new AI tool extends video clips by 10 seconds in Premiere Pro
Adobe's newly unveiled AI video extension feature for Premiere Pro marks a significant evolution in video editing capabilities, allowing content creators to extend footage beyond its original length through generative AI. Announced at NAB 2025, these updates represent Adobe's continued investment in AI-powered creative tools that reduce technical barriers while expanding creative possibilities. The integration of intelligent media search and translation features alongside video extension signals a comprehensive approach to modernizing video production workflows. The big picture: Adobe has introduced Generative Extend, an AI-powered feature in Premiere Pro that can intelligently add up to 10 seconds of new content to...
read Apr 13, 2025Runway’s Gen-4 AI model solves video character consistency problem for filmmakers
Runway's Gen-4 model represents a significant advancement in AI-generated video, addressing a fundamental challenge that has limited creative applications: maintaining consistency across multiple shots. This technological leap allows for more coherent visual storytelling in AI video generation, potentially transforming how filmmakers and content creators approach AI-assisted production by enabling continuity of characters and objects throughout scenes. The big picture: Runway's newly released Gen-4 video synthesis model can maintain visual consistency of characters and objects across multiple shots, addressing one of the most significant limitations in AI-generated video storytelling. Key details: The model enables users to generate consistent scenes and characters...
read Apr 12, 2025iSteady M7 brings AI tracking and touchscreen control to smartphone video stabilization
The iSteady M7 represents a significant advancement in smartphone video stabilization technology, combining AI tracking capabilities with a touchscreen remote controller to transform how users capture mobile video content. As smartphones continue to be used for professional-grade video production including documentaries and short films, this AI-powered gimbal addresses the critical need for stabilization while adding intelligent features that were previously unavailable in consumer-grade equipment. The big picture: Hohem's iSteady M7 offers professional-level video stabilization combined with on-device AI tracking in a consumer-friendly package priced under $300. The device fundamentally expands what's possible with smartphone videography through its combination of hardware...
read Apr 11, 2025Filmmaker Harmony Korine partners with Runway to develop AI-powered cinema projects
Harmony Korine's experimental film collective EDGLRD has formed a strategic partnership with AI company Runway, signaling another significant integration of artificial intelligence into traditional creative production. This collaboration between an avant-garde filmmaker known for pushing artistic boundaries and a well-funded AI development platform highlights the growing intersection of experimental cinema and generative technology, potentially establishing new creative workflows for visual storytelling. The big picture: Filmmaker Harmony Korine's EDGLRD has signed a first-look development deal with AI company Runway to create new projects using generative AI tools. Key details: The partnership builds on previous collaborations between EDGLRD and Runway, including work...
read Apr 11, 2025AI video generation wastes 90% of what you pay for
AI video generation platforms have a significant hidden cost that many users may not anticipate: the payment structure often forces customers to pay for unusable content. Jack Wallen's experience testing an unnamed AI video generation service reveals that approximately 90% of generated videos were unusable, despite consuming valuable credits. This pricing model creates a substantial efficiency problem that businesses should carefully consider before investing in AI-generated video content. The core issue: AI video generation services typically charge users based on the number of videos generated rather than the number of satisfactory videos downloaded. When testing one such service, Wallen found...
read Apr 10, 2025Google boosts healthcare tools as Mistral and xAI expand capabilities
Major tech developments are shaping the AI landscape as Google enhances its healthcare capabilities, xAI expands into video generation through acquisition, and Mistral releases a more accessible model for broader applications. These parallel developments highlight how AI continues to penetrate critical sectors like healthcare while companies simultaneously work to make sophisticated AI technology more widely available through strategic acquisitions and resource-efficient models. The big picture: Google's health-focused AI updates target both consumers and medical professionals, showcasing AI's growing role in healthcare accessibility and research. Google expanded its AI-powered health knowledge panels to support Spanish, Portuguese, and Japanese queries while adding...
read Apr 10, 2025Voia unveils AI-powered VFX platform to democratize professional filmmaking
AI startup Voia has emerged from stealth mode with a new visual effects platform that aims to democratize high-end filmmaking through AI-powered automation. Founded in 2022 by tech veterans and bolstered by Hollywood expertise, the company has developed a comprehensive VFX pipeline that makes professional-quality visual effects more accessible to creators at various budget levels while still serving high-end filmmakers with advanced creative tools. The big picture: Voia is building an AI-enhanced VFX platform designed to make professional-quality visual effects more accessible while giving high-end filmmakers greater creative freedom. "We have built this for artists, by artists," says CEO Avner...
read Apr 5, 2025Disney reveals first “Tron: Ares” trailer with Jared Leto crossing into reality
Disney's upcoming film "Tron: Ares" marks a significant expansion of the visually distinctive sci-fi franchise, building on the aesthetic foundation established in previous installments while introducing new elements. The newly released trailer showcases the franchise's signature neon-lit visual style while teasing a narrative that bridges the digital and physical worlds, featuring Jared Leto as a digital Program that crosses into reality. The big picture: Disney has released the first trailer for "Tron: Ares," revealing the dark, moody visuals of the long-awaited sequel to 2010's "Tron: Legacy," scheduled for theatrical release on October 10th. Key details: The trailer opens with Jared...
read Apr 4, 2025Steve.ai turns text into professional videos without editing skills
Steve.ai offers an accessible AI-powered video creation platform that transforms text prompts and existing content into animated videos without requiring technical expertise. Released by Animaker in January 2024, Steve.ai 2.0 introduces generative text-to-video capabilities and animated talking heads, positioning itself as a comprehensive solution for marketers and trainers seeking quick, high-quality content production. The platform's ability to convert scripts, PDFs, and audio recordings into dynamic videos represents the growing trend of AI tools democratizing content creation for business users who lack traditional video editing skills. How it works: Steve.ai uses generative AI to transform written prompts into complete video content...
read Apr 1, 2025Pika launches AI feature that lets you create videos with your younger self
Pika's new "Selfie With Your Younger Self" feature transforms a popular social media trend into an immersive visual experience, allowing users to create videos where they interact with their past selves. This AI-powered tool builds upon the viral "Met Myself for Coffee" movement that has captivated social media users through narratives of imaginary conversations with their younger selves, creating a technological bridge between nostalgia and modern video creation capabilities. How it works: Pika's feature enables users to generate videos where they interact with younger versions of themselves through a straightforward process. Users record a current video of themselves and upload...
read Apr 1, 2025Pika’s new AI tool lets you create videos with yourself. Your younger self.
They say you can never go home again. Well, Pika somewhat disagrees. Pika's new "Selfie With Your Younger Self" feature transforms the popular social media trend into an interactive visual experience, allowing users to create videos where they interact with their past selves. This AI-powered tool taps into the deeply human desire for self-reflection while showcasing how generative AI can create meaningful personal content beyond typical AI image and video applications. How it works: Pika's tool merges a current video of a user with a photo from their past (or generates one) to create a video featuring both versions interacting...
read Mar 31, 2025Pika.art turns text and images into 10-second videos with AI technology
Pika.art emerges as a standout generative AI tool that transforms text prompts and images into realistic video clips in seconds. Developed by Pika Labs in 2023, this platform brings video creation capabilities to content creators without requiring technical expertise. The technology competes with other AI video generators like Dream Machine and OpenAI's Sora, using sophisticated models trained on extensive motion data to produce smooth, high-quality animations that were previously impossible for non-professionals to create. The big picture: Pika.art positions itself as an "idea-to-video platform" designed to democratize video creation for anyone with a creative concept. The tool generates high-quality, cinematic...
read Mar 31, 2025AI transforms Hong Kong’s Golden Age cinema in artist’s massive facade installation
Singaporean artist Ho Tzu Nyen's latest commission for Hong Kong's M+ museum represents a fascinating convergence of cutting-edge AI technology with nostalgic cinema. His work "Night Charades" transforms the museum's massive 110-metre facade into a canvas for reimagined scenes from Hong Kong's cinematic Golden Age, using artificial intelligence to create multiple versions of iconic moments from films by directors like John Woo and Wong Kar-wai. This project exemplifies how AI tools can be harnessed to explore cultural heritage while simultaneously creating something distinctly contemporary. The big picture: Ho's installation continues his artistic approach of using the past to explore the...
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