#98 - Next Gen Playlists

Over 15 years ago, YouTube introduced a seemingly simple feature that would become a catalyst for its explosive growth: the playlist. The concept was simple enough. Users could compile lists and organize videos for continous viewing. But this unassuming tool quickly became an instant hit, opening up new ways for users to curate, collect, and share content they loved.

Fast forward to today, and we're witnessing a renaissance of the playlist concept. The playlists of 2024 are sophisticated hybrids, blending algorithmic smarts with traditional programming and user choice.

• Spotify new "Daylist" adapts to your daily rhythm, serving up AI-curated music that evolves with your habits.
• Disney+ is bringing curated streams to its on-demand platform, merging the experience of linear TV viewing with personalized content discovery.
• And TikTok, the poster child of algorithmic feeds, now allows users to fine-tune their content mix, adding a layer of control to its recommendation engine.

As we're bombarded with more content and our attention spans shrink, these new hybrid models are trying to keep us hooked while helping us avoid the dreaded "what should I watch/listen/read?" paralysis.

The humble playlist has grown up, and is once again changing how we interact with digital media.

AI

LLMs are predicted to revolutionize search with new abilities that make them intuitive, integrable, and interactive. However, the future of search may not be as ad-free as some had hoped. A review of Gen AI search engine Perplexity's 33-page pitch deck reveals plans to launch an ad platform in Q4, suggesting that AI-powered search could be as ad-heavy as its predecessors.

YouTube announced a new set of AI detection tools for music and faces, along with creator controls for AI training, aiming to protect artists and creators from unauthorized use of their likeness.

Short:

• Volkswagen is rolling out its ChatGPT assistant to the US. Link
• ABC, the Australian public broadcaster, explains how they built an AI strategy bot. Link
• FT Strategies published a new report on getting started with AI and whether to 'Build or Buy' AI technology. Link
• Startup Altera has built multiple simulations of fully autonomous "agent civilizations" in Minecraft. Link

NEWS

Google's relationship with the news industry continues to be a study in contradictions. This week, the tech giant announced two major initiatives: the JournalismAI Innovation Challenge, supporting 35 news organizations to experiment with AI, and a renewed partnership with the Financial Times to deliver consulting programs for journalists and news publishers globally.

However, Google's efforts to support journalism seems to clash with its roll out of AI Overviews. New analysis published by PressGazette indicates that the technology is already harming publisher visibility on search.

Short:

• ESPN announced it will use AI to write game recap stories for underserved sports leagues. Link
• Henk van Ess explains how to analyze Facebook posts using AI. Link
• Ex-Googler Steve Grove on the product approach needed to revive a newspaper. Link

AUDIO

Amazon is turning to Anthropic's AI, Claude, for an Alexa revamp, potentially transforming the voice assistant experience.

Concerns are growing about the future of Sonos and its ecosystem, with some advocating for open-source audio as a solution to ensure longevity and compatibility.

VIDEO

YouTube emerged as the clear winner of this year's Summer Games, with 40 billion minutes of Olympic watch time (!). Increasingly viewers are turning to YouTube?to catch highlights and other memorable moments from the Olympics.

Eurovision Sport and CAMB.AI created Europe's first AI-powered real-time translated commentary, potentially revolutionizing international sports broadcasting.

And Doug Shapiro offers an interesting deep dive into Invisible Universe (IU), a new kind of internet-first animation studio. IU is leveraging AI to slash production costs and time, reducing video development from weeks to hours. Their approach is building community first and then creating content.

SHORT

• AI company Midjourney is working on hardware.
• Meta and Snap are about to show off their new AR glasses.
• The Economist offers Espresso, its short-form, daily news app, free for students worldwide.
• A new humanoid robot called NEO is trending right now.

REPORTS

The Poynter Institute has released a new kind of trend report. Called OnPoynt it aims to offer a forward-minded look at the state of journalism and the news industry.

McCrindle's generational worker profiles provide better insight into what different generations value and what motivates them at work.

And a new report on Trust in Public Service Media reveals that people trust PSM news the most in over 90% of European markets.

READ

Matt Stoller believes we are moving to a post-Google world: On Monday another Google antitrust trial starts. If Google loses, it'll be three strikes.

Intriguing article from the Atlantic. A growing body of research shows how AI can subtly mislead users—and even implant false memories.

If you want to earn attention, nothing matters more than beginnings. The Art of the Hook brings together everything you should know about attention hooks, cold opens, and curious beginnings.

And Omri Marcus wrote a pratical guide about writing comedy with AI.

That's all for this week - as always Wayfinder is made to travel so feel free to share it with friends and colleagues!