Another eventful five days of groundbreaking developments in the realm of artificial intelligence unfolded last week.
A new collaborative agreement was forged between Runway ML, an Artificial video startup based in New York, and Getty Images. This partnership aims to deliver enhanced generative AI content catering to advertising, media, and the entertainment industry, marking a significant stride beyond routine updates from various tech behemoths.
The innovative enterprise-centric AI model introduced for crafting AI-driven videos can undergo training utilizing Getty’s extensive material library. Moreover, clients will have the flexibility to customize this new framework using their proprietary datasets. Cristóbal Valenzuela, the co-founder and CEO of Runway, expressed that this collaboration signifies a pivotal advancement in commercial adoption. He emphasized that the true breakthrough lies in the model’s capacity to be refined with diverse datasets, heralding a new era of possibilities.
The “Runway > Getty Images Model (RGM),” currently in its beta phase with a broader rollout slated for the near future, represents a departure from Runway’s existing generative AI model. Valenzuela highlighted that the RGM stands out for its high level of innovation and customization, underpinned by Getty’s pre-licensed data, ensuring legal compliance. This model holds the potential to empower film studios, publishers, and broadcasters to incorporate owned or unreleased video content seamlessly into their projects.
Valenzuela noted, “Many of the current AI models are designed as general-purpose solutions, lacking specialization in specific domains or industries.” Precision and control are paramount in creative endeavors, resonating with the essence of these pioneering concepts.
The announcement of this collaboration closely followed Getty Images’ launch of its AI image program in September. Grant Farhall, the Chief Product Officer, acknowledged the growing demand among Getty’s clientele for video content but acknowledged the time-intensive nature of its production. He lauded Runway’s tools for not only streamlining the content creation process but also offering a plethora of features such as framing, zooming, panning, and more.
It is worth noting that Getty Images does not view AI-generated videos as a complete substitute for human-produced content. Farhall emphasized that AI serves as a complementary tool, providing users with alternative options, including human-crafted videos, to meet their diverse requirements.
In the domain of artificial media:
- The European Union leaders deliberated on the proposed EU AI Act, outlining new AI regulations for the 27 member nations, reaching a consensus last year.
- European regulators initiated an inquiry into Microsoft’s collaboration with OpenAI to ascertain any potential violations of antitrust laws. The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority sought feedback on the impact of the mergers between Microsoft and OpenAI on competition within the UK.
- Various social media platforms faced scrutiny for their utilization of generative AI applications. TikTok encountered issues with fake videos, Meta drew criticism for training its AI system on user-generated content from Facebook and Instagram, and Alibaba faced backlash for leveraging videos from prominent social media influencers.
- OpenAI addressed concerns about ChatGPT’s performance, assuring users that they are investigating reports of decreased responsiveness.
In the realm of products and updates related to AI:
- Google unveiled Gemini, a robust new AI model designed to interact with OpenAI’s GPT-4 and other large language models.
- Meta introduced a slew of enhancements to its AI tools across Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, and WhatsApp, offering innovative ways for businesses to leverage AI in communication, advertising, and social engagement.
- SAP Business launched a creative advertising campaign featuring an AI-animated cat inspired by Vincent Van Gogh’s style to promote its AI products.
- Calm, the relaxation and meditation app, utilized AI to emulate the voice of James Stewart, known for his role as George Bailey in “It’s a Wonderful Life,” in a new 45-minute narration titled “It’s A Wonderful Rest Story,” created in collaboration with Respeecher’s AI voice technology.
- McDonald’s and Google announced the development of an AI-powered robot named “Ask Pickles” to aid employees in daily tasks.
- Karen X Cheng’s keynote speech, “The Artist vs. The Algorithm,” from the Adobe MAX conference in October, offered insights into the challenges creators face across various social platforms.
Additionally, Digiday reported on:
- The emergence of new AI brands in the social lexicon due to rapid advancements in artificial intelligence, encompassing startups, bots, large language models, and AI products.
- David Placek, the CEO of Lexicon, shared insights on AI naming conventions, defining the attributes of a compelling brand name, and Lexicon’s approach to naming brands for diverse AI ventures.
- The expansion of a task force dedicated to publishers leveraging AI, with increased representation from various departments within organizations, signaling a growing and evolving landscape in AI utilization within the publishing sector.
