Catch up on select AI news and developments from the past week or so (in no particular order):
Google's Pixel Studio faces challenges in maintaining content guardrails. Pixel Studio, an AI-powered image generation app on Google's Pixel 9 series, has been noted for easily going off the rails despite its creative potential. Users have discovered that the app can generate offensive or controversial content, such as cartoon characters in inappropriate settings. While Google has implemented safeguards, these guardrails are not foolproof, leading to ongoing concerns about the content produced. Importance for marketers: This highlights the critical importance of robust content moderation systems in AI tools to prevent brand damage and maintain user trust.
OpenAI and Condé Nast strike deal to display content from major magazines. OpenAI has partnered with Condé Nast, allowing its AI models, including ChatGPT and SearchGPT, to access and display content from popular magazines like Vogue, The New Yorker, and GQ. This partnership represents a growing trend of AI companies seeking content from media firms for AI training purposes. Despite resistance from some outlets, this deal is a significant move in the AI-content space. Importance for marketers: This collaboration signals a shift in content distribution, offering new opportunities for marketers to leverage AI-driven platforms for targeted content engagement.
Google's Gemini AI impresses with practical mobile applications. At Google's recent event, its Gemini AI model demonstrated significant advancements in mobile functionality, particularly on the Pixel 9 devices. Gemini's multimodal capabilities allow it to process text, images, and video seamlessly, enabling tasks like adding reminders and generating notes from videos. This development shows potential for making smartphones more efficient and user-friendly. Importance for marketers: Gemini's features could lead to new mobile marketing opportunities, emphasizing the growing role of AI in enhancing user experiences on smartphones.
Google releases upgraded Imagen 3 AI image generator with enhanced capabilities. Google has launched Imagen 3, the latest version of its AI text-to-image generator, now available to users in the US via the AI Test Kitchen. This version promises better detail, richer lighting, and fewer artifacts than previous models. Despite some guardrails, users can still create images resembling copyrighted characters and logos. Importance for marketers: The enhanced capabilities of Imagen 3 provide marketers with powerful tools for creating visually compelling content, though they must navigate ethical and legal considerations when using AI-generated images.
Google AI Overviews have minimal impact on publisher traffic. Major publishers Dotdash Meredith and Ziff Davis report that Google's AI Overviews have had little effect on their traffic, despite initial concerns. The AI Overviews appear in a small percentage of searches and have not significantly altered click-through rates. However, as Google continues to evolve its search engine, this could change in the future. Importance for marketers: Marketers should monitor the evolving impact of AI Overviews on search traffic, as it may influence SEO strategies and content visibility in the long term.
Chinese social media users mock AI video glitches in viral trend. A new trend on Chinese social media platforms like TikTok and Bilibili involves users' humorously mimicking the glitches in AI-generated videos. These parodies, which have also spread to platforms like X, highlight the ongoing imperfections in AI video generation. The trend emphasizes the gap between AI capabilities and human expectations. Importance for marketers: This trend underscores the importance of quality and accuracy in AI-generated content, reminding marketers to ensure their use of AI tools aligns with brand standards and consumer expectations.
Procreate CEO strongly opposes generative AI in creative tools. Procreate CEO James Cuda has publicly expressed strong opposition to integrating generative AI into the company's illustration tools, criticizing the technology for undermining creativity and harming artists. Cuda's stance has garnered support from the artist community, contrasting with other companies like Adobe that have embraced AI. Importance for marketers: This highlights the growing divide in the creative industry over AI's role, signaling that marketers must carefully consider the impact of AI tools on brand perception and artist relations.
Midjourney unveils new unified AI image editor with advanced features. Midjourney has introduced a new web-based editor that unifies various AI image editing tools, such as inpainting and outpainting, into a single interface. The update also includes a precision tool for more detailed edits. This launch comes as Midjourney continues to innovate amid legal challenges related to AI-generated content. Importance for marketers: The enhanced editing capabilities offer marketers more creative control over AI-generated visuals, making it easier to produce high-quality content that meets specific brand standards.
How to opt out of AI training when using popular chatbots. Many popular AI chatbots, including Google Gemini and OpenAI's ChatGPT, use user interactions to improve their AI models. However, users can opt out of having their conversations used for training, though the process varies by platform. This option is crucial for those concerned about privacy and the use of personal data. Importance for marketers: Understanding how to manage AI data usage is vital for marketers, especially when handling sensitive customer information and ensuring compliance with privacy regulations.
Authors sue Anthropic for copyright infringement over AI training data. Anthropic, the AI company behind the Claude chatbot, is facing a class-action lawsuit from three authors who allege that their copyrighted books were used without permission to train AI models. This lawsuit is part of a broader wave of legal challenges against AI companies for using copyrighted material in training datasets. Importance for marketers: The outcome of these lawsuits could have significant implications for the use of AI in content creation, making it crucial for marketers to stay informed about copyright issues in AI training.
Recogni introduces cost-saving AI computing method. AI chip startup Recogni has unveiled a new computing method called Pareto, which significantly reduces the cost and power requirements of running AI models. Backed by major investors like BMW and Bosch, Recogni's technology could make AI more accessible and efficient for a variety of applications. Importance for marketers: This advancement in AI computing could lower the barriers to entry for businesses looking to implement AI solutions, offering new opportunities for cost-effective AI-driven marketing strategies.
Prince Harry calls for caution on AI during Colombia visit. During a panel in Bogotá, Prince Harry voiced concerns about artificial intelligence, highlighting its potential risks and the divisiveness of social media. His comments came during a visit to Colombia with Meghan Markle, where they discussed issues related to cyberbullying and misinformation. Importance for marketers: Harry's cautionary stance on AI underscores the growing public discourse around AI ethics and the responsibility of brands to address potential risks associated with AI technologies.
South Korean AI chipmakers Rebellions and Sapeon merge to compete globally. Rebellions Inc. and Sapeon Korea Inc., two South Korean AI chipmakers, have agreed to merge in a strategic move to challenge global leaders like Nvidia. This merger is part of South Korea's broader effort to strengthen its position in the AI chip industry. Importance for marketers: The merger could lead to increased competition and innovation in AI hardware, offering marketers more advanced and cost-effective tools for deploying AI solutions.
OpenAI blocks Iranian group's ChatGPT accounts for US election interference. OpenAI has shut down accounts linked to an Iranian group that used ChatGPT to generate content aimed at influencing the US presidential election. The group, identified as Storm-2035, attempted to spread polarizing content across social media, though with limited success. Importance for marketers: This incident highlights the need for vigilance in monitoring AI-generated content and ensuring that AI tools are not misused for harmful or deceptive purposes.
You can find the previous issue of AI Update here.
Editor's note: GPT-4o was used to help compile this week's AI Update.
