#63- Own Your AI Self

At the forefront of the AI and digital identity scene, a US-based company offers actors a solution to secure their unique face and perfomance data from AI misuse. Similar to saving money in a bank, this approach involves preserving every facet of an artist’s life and actions as a form of capital investment , which can be reclaimed at a later time.

While some may view this initiative as capitalizing on the uncertainties surrounding copyright and AI, it mirrors a broader trend. Just last year, Bruce Willis granted a limited license to create a 'digital twin' after being diagnosed with aphasia. Similarly, artist Grimes welcomes creative minds to use AI-generated versions of her voice in music projects , with shared royalties.

In a world where your device data can train AI that looks, sounds, and behaves just like you this is a counter-movement to reclaim the digital self . It's all about owning, controlling, and protecting your AI-generated identity, treating it as a valuable asset. It's good advice, especially when so many of us upload selfies for 'magic avatars' without realizing we're teaching AI with our data for free.

AI/NEWS

The G7 countries, have taken a big step towards a unified international rulebook for AI, though it remains nonbinding. The rules are expected to be presented to G7 leaders in November. Read more

ChatGPT needs a lot of water to keep its data centers cool during training and operation. Researchers estimate it uses 500ml of water for every five to 50 prompts. Learn more

AI/RESOURCES & TOOLS

Stability AI launched a novel text-to-audio generative AI platform called Stable Audio. According to the company, it trained Stable Audio with “over 800,000 audio files". Stability AI says it has permission to use copyrighted material. Users can use it to generate songs or background audio for any project.

• If you want to get started: here is a guide to audio-prompting for beginners.

A recent working paper delves into how leading news organizations regulate AI in journalism, revealing both similarities and blind spots in their AI guidelines.

Other AI updates:

• Google has granted early access to a select group of companies for its eagerly awaited conversational AI software, Gemini. Read more
• FT Strategies and Google launch a new AI tool for balanced and inclusive content. Discover FT Diversify
• Good piece on how consumers are using generative AI. Read more
• The best generative AI explainer I have seen so far. Learn more

NEWS

How should we measure the impact of investigative journalism? Dive into a new multi-dimensional framework that explores the various dimensions of impact , including professional, organizational, and societal change.

Discover how Dagbladet in Norway is effectively using TikTok to engage and attract a younger, news-consuming audience .

Other News updates:

• Live blogs continue to perform exceptionally well for publishers like The Guardian, BBC News, and Sky News. Read
• Learn how ITN, Future, Bauer, AP, and other news publishers are utilizing generative AI to enhance their editorial processes and monetize archives. Explore
• Twitter appears to throttle the New York Times. Read
• Artifact is creating a links app that transforms the personalized news experience into a discovery engine for the web. Details

VIDEO

Evan Shapiro offers an insightful pathology report for the media industry, drawing parallels between his cancer diagnosis and the industry's health.

The Rebooting's research report highlights a significant gap between the strategic importance publishers place on video and their current revenue from it.

Amazon Prime video is coming to vehicles that are equipped with Google built-in, including the all-electric Polestar 2 and eventually the Volvo EX90 — the latest example of streaming video services making its way into cars.

AUDIO

The Economist is launching a new subscription tier, Economist Podcasts+ , priced at $4.90 per month. It's a big deal because audio has become the fastest-growing platform for audience growth at The Economist.

RedTech's new publication examines AI's impact on radio , covering everything from content creation to the listener experience.

And Warner Music signs a record deal with an AI-generated popstar, Noonoouri. Hype or sign of the times?

SHORT

• Various US agencies are suing Google for search dominance.
• Chrome now directly tracks users, generating a "topic" list for advertisers.
• TikTok launches a shop tab in the U.S.
• WhatsApp is rolling out one-to-many broadcasting feature to over 150 countries.
• The latest list of emoji has been approved. Expect 118 new emojis on your digital devices soon.
• Apple unveiled its iPhone 15 line-up expanding its dominance.
• Roblox launches an AI assistant to generate virtual items and backgrounds with text prompts.
• Interview with Sundar Pichai on Google, AI, and Microsoft.

READ

Deloitte released its Digital Consumer Trends 2023 UK version delving into a wide range of topics, including sustainability, the metaverse, streaming, devices, cost-of-living, and even AI.

And if you are up for some serious reading: a new paper looks at the reasons why scrolling mindless through random information in feeds makes you more bored.

That's it for this week - as always feel free to share with friends and colleagues.

Quick heads-up: There won't be a Wayfinder next week because I'll be attending Newsgeist over the weekend.