W47: Midweek
Unintentionally, our selections for the beginning of the week focus heavily on AI and its growing impacts on society and creative work. It's hard to see exactly where that particular road leads, but we're along for the journey. Here are a few things to think about.
Is an app that pays you to socialize the right solution to social isolation? Bonobos Founder Andy Dunn thinks so, and so do others, as the app Pie enters San Francisco flush with cash to reward people for hosting and engaging in social events. Somehow, this feels entirely backward; a payment-driven application-based system attempting to create organic relationships. We'll see how it goes. ⟾
Microsoft and HarperCollins are teaming up to integrate literary content into AI training. The partnership highlights the balancing act between innovation and intellectual property, setting new precedents in how AI models are developed. As publishers navigate the murky waters of AI’s impact on creative industries, this deal could pave the way for fairer frameworks—or spark fresh debates on what’s fair game for machines to learn. ⟾
Disney’s upcoming Moana 2 is a rallying cry for environmental conservation. Partnering with international organizations, Disney aims to turn the film into a platform for ocean preservation. Through its storytelling, the studio hopes to inspire younger generations to engage with climate action. It's great to see direct engagement from media in topical and relevant organizations that can help promote the causes the film celebrates. ⟾
Sweden’s Nuanxed is rewriting the rules of book translations with cutting-edge AI. The company’s promise? Faster and more accurate translations that maintain the nuance of the original text. While purists may worry about the human touch being lost, Nuanxed is betting on its ability to open up new global audiences for authors. Could AI become the key to a truly multilingual literary world? It seems almost guaranteed. ⟾
Imagine taking off vertically and then flying off in an aircraft powered entirely by hydrogen. AMSL Aero’s Vertiia has completed its first untethered flight doing just that. Designed for efficient vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL), this sleek, futuristic craft could revolutionize short-distance travel. With its zero-emission capabilities, Vertiia is not just a technological marvel but a glimpse into how innovation might reshape sustainable transportation. ⟾
"Profoundly disturbed" are not exactly words of praise. At 98, Sir David Attenborough remains a beloved voice for nature, but now that voice has been artificially replicated—and he’s not happy about it. The famed documentarian expressed deep concerns about the ethical implications of AI-generated voice cloning. His words serve as a reminder that even as technology evolves, the question remains: Where do we draw the line between innovation and respect for the voices that have shaped us?
Ellise Shafer
Legendary filmmaker Shekhar Kapur is reimagining education with an AI-powered film school in Mumbai. Designed to democratize storytelling, the program combines advanced AI tools with traditional film studies, offering students a chance to create on a level playing field. Could this be the future of filmmaking education? Kapur’s vision hints at a world where creativity and technology merge to redefine cinema. ⟾