Media Metamorphosis - Edition 16

AI in Media: Deals, Disruptions, and Innovations Ahead

Author

Mark Riley
August 27, 2024

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Media Metamorphosis - Edition 16 by HANA News

AI in Media: Deals, Disruptions, and Innovations Ahead

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The written-by-a-human bit:

This week, we report on various opinions concerning initiatives in California to support local journalism, some seeing it as a cop-out for Google with no tangible benefits for struggling newsrooms. Others see it as a workable blueprint. Meanwhile, another media giant, Condé Nast, joins the OpenAI collaboration club.

This week's main buzz in AI land revolves around the rise of highly accessible image-generation tools like Ideogram, which will increase the number of hyper-realistic fake images (also coming soon to a Pixel 8 phone near you). Will we adapt to this new normal, or are we on the verge of a “reality collapse” where we give up entirely and turn off the news?

Finally, this story in Ars Technica had AI minds blown last week but seems to have gone unreported elsewhere - a model unexpectedly reset its run time parameters without permission. Is this the first sign of recursive self-improvement, the first step to AGI? Or am I guilty of anthropomorphising?

Mark Riley, CEO of Mathison AI

  • CJPA Revision Impact: Journalists are disillusioned as the California Journalism Preservation Act shifts focus, offering limited funding for an ambiguous AI initiative.

  • AI Partnerships in Journalism: California opts for collaboration over-regulation, partnering with Google in a $50 million AI "accelerator" to boost journalism productivity.

  • Google's Local News Initiative: Unions are critiquing this $250 million initiative for local journalism for its lack of transparency and job security.

  • Condé Nast & OpenAI: Collaboration for content generation reflects adaptation to declining traditional profits despite industry concerns about digital evolution risks.

  • Media & AI Integration: Storied Media Group and Vitrina's partnership highlights the growing trend of leveraging AI in the entertainment industry to support creators.

  • AI in Education: Educators debate the role of AI tools like ChatGPT in traditional writing assignments, weighing threats against potential teaching benefits.

  • Need for AI Policy Reform: Rapid AI advancements spur calls for comprehensive U.S. government policies with ongoing bipartisan legislative efforts.

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Gannett is shuttering site accused of publishing AI product reviews - The Verge

Date: 2024-08-26 18:45:20 | Reading Time: Reading time: 3 minutes | Source: The Verge 

Gannett has announced the closure of Reviewed, its product review site, effective November 1st, a decision made after carefully evaluating the business. The site had faced significant scrutiny for allegedly publishing AI-generated reviews, leading to union disputes among its employees who questioned the integrity of the content. Despite the controversy, reviewed employees were commended for their efforts in providing reliable product insights. This decision reflects broader challenges facing media companies as they navigate the changing landscape of digital content and the impact of AI on traditional publishing.

Will a California bill cripple AI or make it better? - Columbia Journalism Review

Date: 2024-08-22 12:54:25 | Reading Time: Reading time: 9 minutes | Source: Columbia Journalism Review 

Last year, the urgent need for AI regulation sparked significant discussions among industry leaders and researchers, leading to letters and agreements addressing the technology's potential dangers. A notable development is California's proposed legislation, spearheaded by state senator Scott Wiener, which aims to introduce comprehensive safeguards for AI models. While supported by some technologists, the bill has drawn criticism from others, asserting it could stifle innovation and impose undue burdens on developers. As the debate intensifies, the challenge remains: how to balance technological advancement with the necessity of public safety in the evolving landscape of AI.

Date: 2024-08-22 19:20:49 | Reading Time: Reading time: 5 minutes | Source: Ars Technica 

In a significant move for local journalism, Google has agreed to a nearly $250 million initiative to bolster newsrooms across California while leveraging artificial intelligence. The partnership, which includes a public-private funding approach, is expected to support journalistic practices and establish a "News Transformation” in collaboration with UC Berkeley's journalism school. However, the deal has faced criticism from journalist unions, which argue it lacks transparency and may ultimately threaten jobs in the industry. Despite the mixed reception, advocates see it as a first step towards sustainable support for local news in the face of ongoing challenges. 📰 

Opinion | How a bill meant to save journalism from big tech ended up boosting AI and bailing out Google instead - bloodinthemachine.com

Date: 2024-08-23 14:58:29 | Reading Time: Reading time: 12 minutes | Source: bloodinthemachine.com

In a surprising turn of events, California’s ambitious California Journalism Preservation Act (CJPA) aimed at reforming big tech's stranglehold on local journalism has been gutted through backdoor dealings with Google, leaving many journalists feeling betrayed. Originally designed to ensure that tech giants like Google and Facebook would contribute to the survival of journalism by sharing a portion of their revenue, the revised bill now offers minimal funding contingent on a vague “AI accelerator” initiative. Critics, including members of the Media Guild, argue this decision only serves to deepen the crisis facing local news. Industry professionals recall missed opportunities for genuine reform as tensions rise, while Google emerges unscathed from its monopolistic grasp on the media landscape. 📰 

Opinion | Google's deal with publishers shows how to meet AI with innovation, not red tape - The San Francisco Standard

Date: 2024-08-25 16:00:00 | Reading Time: Reading time: 5 minutes | Source: The San Francisco Standard 

California is embarking on an innovative approach to combat the challenges posed by artificial intelligence in journalism, culminating in two significant bills aimed at supporting local newsrooms through collaboration with tech companies rather than imposing heavy regulations. The state has partnered with Google, which is set to invest around $50 million in a new AI "accelerator" that will develop tools to enhance journalism productivity. This initiative hopes to secure a sustainable future for journalism, encouraging innovation while protecting local jobs rather than pushing tech companies out of the state through restrictive legislation. The overarching sentiment embraces optimism for growth and technological advancement as the best defence against the disruptions AI may bring to the industry. 🌟 

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Condé Nast Signs Deal With OpenAI - WIRED

Date: 2024-08-20 18:00:00 | Reading Time: Reading time: 3 minutes | Source: WIRED 

Condé Nast has partnered with OpenAI, allowing the AI giant to utilize content from its esteemed publications, including The New Yorker and Vogue, to enhance its new SearchGPT prototype. CEO Roger Lynch emphasized the importance of this collaboration in addressing challenges within the publishing industry while ensuring that original creators receive proper attribution and compensation. Despite staff concerns regarding AI's implications on journalism quality and the risk of misinformation, the deal aims to generate revenue and support ongoing investments in creative endeavours. This partnership reflects a broader trend of media companies navigating the evolving landscape of AI technology while grappling with the changing dynamics of content consumption.

What Condé Nast’s Embrace of AI Means for Fashion Media | BoF - The Business of Fashion

Date: 2024-08-23 13:43:19 | Reading Time: Reading time: 8 minutes | Source: The Business of Fashion 

In a strategic shift, Condé Nast has announced a partnership with OpenAI, enabling its renowned publications like Vogue and Vanity Fair to feature content on OpenAI's platforms, including the upcoming SearchGPT. This collaboration aims to generate revenue amidst the challenges of tech companies that have eroded traditional publishing profits. While some view this move as a proactive embrace of AI technology, critics caution against potential pitfalls reminiscent of the media's past trials with digital evolution. As the landscape continues to change, it will be intriguing to see how this alliance shapes the future of journalism and content creation.

OpenAI, Condé Nast and the future of the media - The Week

Date: 2024-08-21 13:10:11 | Reading Time: Reading time: 4 minutes | Source: The Week 

Condé Nast, the powerhouse behind magazines like Vogue and Vanity Fair, has partnered with OpenAI to enhance the reach of its content through AI-powered tools like ChatGPT. While this collaboration promises to provide quick and precise answers using high-quality editorial material, it arrives amid legal tensions between major publishers and AI companies over copyright issues. As the media landscape evolves, publishers are navigating the fine line between embracing innovative technology and safeguarding their intellectual property, prompting a broader discussion about the future of journalism in an AI-driven era.

Media Briefing: The 2024 media glossary - Digiday

Date: 2024-08-22 04:01:42 | Reading Time: Reading time: 8 minutes | Source: Digiday ($ paywall)

In the ever-evolving digital media landscape, new trends and vocabulary have emerged, particularly surrounding AI and revenue-sharing models, as companies navigate the complexities of content licensing. As media publishers contend with possible undervalued partnerships and ongoing antitrust challenges against major players like Google and X, the struggle for fair compensation and visibility remains at the forefront. Meanwhile, discussions about data collaboration and the impact of cookie deprecation continue, underscoring the uncertainty in online advertising practices. Overall, it's a dynamic and challenging time for media professionals, but opportunities for innovation are blossoming amidst the chaos!

Storied Media Group Teams With AI Firm Vitrina To Provide Detailed View Of Global Entertainment Supply Chain - Deadline

Date: 2024-08-23 15:21:00 | Reading Time: Reading time: 2 minutes | Source: Deadline 

Storied Media Group, founded by former ICM literary agent Todd Hoffman, has formed a strategic alliance with the AI firm Vitrina to provide a more extensive global entertainment supply chain perspective. This partnership aims to enhance their intellectual property platform, StoryScout, which has previously attracted major clients such as Sony Television and New Line. Vitrina will leverage AI to monitor trends and connections within the film and TV industries, offering invaluable insights to producers seeking to navigate today's uncertain landscape. Both companies see this collaboration as a way to empower creators and optimize their storytelling potential in a rapidly evolving market.

AI cheating is overwhelming the education system – but teachers shouldn’t despair | John Naughton - The Guardian

Date: 2024-08-24 15:00:00 | Reading Time: Reading time: 5 minutes | Source: The Guardian 

As the new school term approaches, educators are grappling with the challenges posed by large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT, which students increasingly use for assignments. Ian Bogost, a professor at Washington University, expresses concern over an "arms race" in cheating detection, noting that finding a reliable method to identify AI-written content remains elusive. While some fear the impact of LLMs on traditional essay writing as a crucial pedagogical tool, others believe this is an opportunity for educators to adapt teaching methods and highlight the importance of the writing process itself. Ultimately, embracing LLMs as "cultural technologies" and reinforcing the value of authentic writing may pave the way for a more meaningful educational experience.

Hello, you’re here because you said AI image editing was just like Photoshop - The Verge

Date: 2024-08-27 11:08:38 | Reading Time: Reading time: 8 minutes | Source: The Verge

As generative AI tools gain popularity for image creation and editing, concerns around trust in photography are escalating. Unlike traditional editing software, the accessibility and simplicity of AI applications allow anyone to manipulate images, potentially leading to a flood of deceptive visuals. While Photoshop has long raised issues related to beauty standards and misinformation, the current advancements in AI threaten to amplify these problems on an unprecedented scale—making it increasingly difficult for even seasoned professionals to discern reality from fabrication. With technology evolving rapidly, there’s an urgent need for robust discussions on ethical standards and potential regulations to navigate this shifting landscape. 🤖

How would we even know if AI went rogue? - Vox.com

Date: 2024-08-26 11:30:00 | Reading Time: Reading time: 8 minutes | Source: Vox.com

As AI technology evolves at an astonishing speed, the U.S. government is grappling to keep pace, highlighting the urgent need for improved policy and oversight. The Federation of American Scientists' AI policy fellow emphasizes the importance of developing bipartisan strategies to enhance understanding of AI technologies and their potential risks while ensuring innovation isn’t stifled. Key areas of focus include bolstering independent research, establishing early warning systems to identify emerging threats, and creating mechanisms for comprehensive reporting of AI incidents. With Congress gradually advancing AI legislation, a proactive approach will be vital to navigate this complex landscape and harness AI's potential for societal good while safeguarding against its risks.

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