56. Sora public beta is out, Google's Veo 2 is too. Let's do this.
And ChatGPT "Projects." Is this your new productivity app?
Headlines
1. OpenAI makes ChatGPT available for phone calls and texts.
I’m ready to publish as we speak but the above happened two hours ago. Check out the CNBC write-up.
OpenAI on Wednesday rolled out a new way to talk to its viral chatbot: 1-800-CHATGPT.
U.S. users can dial the number for 15 minutes of free access per month.
Any user globally can message the number via WhatsApp.
2. Sora is out.
And if you’re in the U.S. you had the opportunity to discover that Sora has its own interpretation of bowling (among other things). I used up $20 in a couple of hours. Another $20 and I could probably solve it. Their $200/month deal is ideal for production companies. You spend more than that on coffee or toilet paper. sora.com.
3. Veo 2 is out, and it might be better.
If you’re not already in, you can hop onto the waiting list.
This is one way to compare the main players in the AI steak prep category.
Source: https://x.com/i/status/1868850653759783033
4. ChatGPT Projects are fancy folders for your AI chats
OpenAI is making it easier to keep track of things you’re working on in ChatGPT.
The Verge Dec 13, 2024, 4:50 PM CST
Projects was announced as Day 7 of OpenAI’s 12 days of “ship-mas.” Previous announcements included the release of the Sora video generator, ChatGPT’s Canvas view, and the $200-per-month ChatGPT Pro subscription.
Users can now utilize Projects to upload files, associate them with conversations, and provide specific instructions for ChatGPT.
For instance, a project manager could create a project for a website development task, upload necessary files, and direct ChatGPT to focus on using its Canvas tool for coding.
By introducing tools that streamline workflows and enhance organization, OpenAI is positioning ChatGPT as a versatile productivity platform with advanced, integrated features.
Feature
Source: The Ad Stack, DALL-E
Oh, the Humanity! AI is Coming for Your Cat Videos (and Everything Else)
Hold onto your floppy disks, folks, because the AI apocalypse is upon us! But fear not, it's not the Terminator-style robot uprising you might expect. This time, the machines are coming for something far more precious: your ability to create mediocre cat videos and share them with the world.
Let's unpack the impending doom, shall we?
1. "Ethical" AI: As Pure as a Silicon Valley Unicorn
AI studio Asteria is partnering with generative AI research startup Moonvalley to build an “ethically trained” video model for Hollywood
Source: Variety
Move over, organic kale and fair-trade coffee, there's a new ethical champion in town: "ethically sourced"AI. It's the buzzword du jour, and everyone's jumping on the bandwagon, including the folks behind this fancy new Marey video model.
AI studio Asteria claims to be all about respecting creators and using data responsibly, unlike those data-hoarding behemoths like OpenAI and Meta. But let's be real, folks, it's all a clever marketing ploy to make you feel warm and fuzzy inside.
They're still using your precious data, just with a slightly more elaborate permission slip. It's like asking a vampire for a little nibble of your neck instead of letting them drain you dry.
“Conceptual LLM” source: The Ad Stack, DALL-E
And let's not forget about those "multi-year licensing agreements" and "purchased datasets." It's the commodification of creativity, disguised as ethical progress.
So, the next time you see the words "ethically sourced AI," just remember: it's probably just another Silicon Valley unicorn, shimmering with promises but ultimately as elusive as a decent Wi-Fi connection.
The truth is that no AI can be truly ethical in a system that prioritizes profit over artistic integrity. This obsession with "clean" AI models is a distraction, a futile attempt to sanitize a fundamentally flawed system. The lines between ethical and unethical will continue to blur as AI's reach expands, leaving creators vulnerable to exploitation and their work susceptible to manipulation.
2. Blockchain: The Digital Savior That Nobody Understands
“Conceptual Blockchain” source: The Ad Stack, DALL-E
Enter blockchain, the enigmatic knight in shining armor, here to rescue us from the AI overlords. Or so they say.
Writer Chris Dixon, a blockchain evangelist of epic proportions, paints a glorious picture of a decentralized utopia where users reign supreme and the internet flows freely like a craft beer tap at a tech conference.
But here's the catch: blockchain is about as easy to understand as quantum physics explained by a mime. It's a complex web of technical jargon and abstract concepts that would make even the most seasoned techie's head spin.
And even if, by some miracle, we all manage to grasp the intricacies of blockchain, will it actually make a difference? Will it stop AI from churning out endless streams of auto-generated content that's as bland as the next one? Or the one after that …
3. AI-Powered Tools: Your Creativity on Autopilot
Get ready to bid farewell to those long nights hunched over your computer, painstakingly crafting every pixel of your masterpiece. AI-powered animation tools are here to do the heavy lifting for you, whether you want them to or not.
Tools like Viggle's V3 model promise to make animation as easy as ordering takeout. Just input your prompts, sit back, and watch as the algorithms work their magic.
Sure, it sounds convenient, but at what cost? Are we sacrificing our creative souls at the altar of efficiency? Will the world be overrun by cookie-cutter animations, all bearing the same sterile, algorithmic aesthetic?
Soon, the only thing left for human creators to do will be to come up with clever prompts for the AI. So, start practicing your prompt-writing skills, folks, because the future of creativity is about to get very, very automated.
The Big Finish
“Conceptual Sentient Robot Drama” source: The Ad Stack, DALL-E
In conclusion, dear readers, yes - the AI revolution is upon us. But instead of a dramatic showdown with sentient robots, we're facing a far more insidious threat: the slow, creeping takeover of our creative lives. So, cherish those cat videos while you still can, because the machines are coming, and they're armed with algorithms, blockchains, and ethically sourced data.
If you find this edition of value please feel free to leave a note in the comments. And if you’re so inclined, you can now even buy me a cup of coffee.☕️☕️☕️☕️☕️
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Thanks for the read!
-pb
""Ethical" AI: As Pure as a Silicon Valley Unicorn". Had a really good laugh at that, but a better one at this, "as easy to understand as quantum physics explained by a mime"
Keep up the great work!