👀 Proof: Zuck, Sam, Snoop Dog & Co. celebrate us

AI-HOI and good morning, AInauts!

Let’s pull back the curtain for a new episode of our newsletter - sit back and enjoy the show.

That's what we have in store for you today:

• 📣 Next level storytelling: Script in, video clip out!

• 🗺️ The MAD-Map: The AI jungle at a glance

• 📰 AI-News-Quickie: The HAI-lights

• 🤭 AI-Fun - The automated BAIby-stroller

Let's go!

📣 Next Level Storytelling: Script in, clip out!

Y Combinator, the talent factory of the tech scene, has struck again! This time, it has also invested in Infinity.ai. A real insider tip that is (still) flying under the radar.

The idea is simple: Hit the keys with a script and get a movie clip!

We tested it right away, and Claude ChatGPT created a script with a few celebrities who had something to say about this newsletter …

A few hints if you want to give it a try:

• You can use Discord or a simple web user interface (alpha version) at https://studio.infinity.ai - Discord walkthrough video here.

• There is a whole library of well-known personalities available (mostly American) - currently there are over 75.

• If you use names of people who are not on the list, a random placeholder avatar is used.

• You can enter the script in different languages or have it generated - we tested it in German, and it doesn't sound bad at all (just a little bit more emotion, please!).

• You also have the option to create your own avatar for free - simply upload a two-minute video!

• The maximum length of the input script is 1000 characters (use https://charactercountonline.com).

• The output can be horizontal or also vertical and with subtitles (currently only via Discord - web is only horizontal and without subtitles).

• But beware, for the subtitles it seems to use speech recognition and not the provided script - which can lead to errors in the subtitles …

This is what the web interface looks like.

Our take: An entertaining gimmick, we'll keep an eye on it

The founders are convinced that a mini-team - without actors, directors, or other crew members - will win an Oscar within the next 10 years - and want to develop the tools to do so.

Well, there's still a long way to go - but if we look back at what was feasible a year ago and what is possible today, then it seems… possible?!

In a world where influencers are the new stars and TikTok videos are the only source of news, this doesn't seem too far-fetched …

At the moment, we still consider the platform to be a proof of concept and a gimmick - but it's certainly entertaining, especially when you add your own avatar to the clips and parlay with celebrities!

P.S.: Anyone interested in AI in the music & film industry should save the date for the Digital Hollywood AI Summer Summit 2024 (free registration from June 1) - and until then, watch the videos from the last summit.

🗺️ The MAD-Map: The AI jungle at a glance

Tattaaa! The new map of Machine Learning, AI & Data providers (*=MAD) has been published (interactive map here, PDF here).

It's hard to believe, but what began over 10 years ago with 139 companies on the map has grown into a dazzling ecosystem with over 2,000 players!

It's easy to lose track. That's why we look at all 2011 providers in detail, from A to Z. No worries, we’re just kidding …

But from our perspective, there are a few important insights we do want to point out.

How can you make the most of this AI-tools map?

The interactive map is super helpful if you are looking for the right tool/solution for a specific area!

In the Map view, simply enter a tool or provider in the search field at the top right, and you can see the competitors in the same box. Alternatively, switch to the Card view and find specific keywords using the full text search (Ctrl + F).

How did this diversity come about - and where will it lead to?

The insanely dense landscape is primarily the result of the massive waves of start-ups and funding rounds - and, of course, technological advances.

2023 was a testing ground for generative AI in companies. Now, in 2024, the real practical test is awaiting. We need to go beyond the showcase projects, and have tangible use cases and a measurable ROI instead - for the customers and the providers as well!

The AI critic Gary Marcus already points out, that many of the large players seem very overvalued right now, at least in comparison to other SaaS companies.

Further reading material about this topic: Will A.I. Boost Productivity? Companies Sure Hope So. in the New York Times - and if you're a data nerd or C-AI-O, here's the author of this MAD Map, Matt Turck, in an interview.

Man and machine need to work in conjunctoon - AI itself is not (yet) a solution ...

The modern AI stack is growing out of the shadow of GPT & Co. But despite all the automation euphoria, the human factor remains indispensable and the road to AI utopia is rocky.

A shortage of skilled workers, compliance concerns and integration into established IT structures require more than a Python one-liner. To score points here, you need industry expertise, implementation know how and resilience.

Unlike in previous hype cycles, the usefulness of AI applications is much higher today. Those who deliver real added value need to have no fear. But if you just slap an "AI" on top of the marketing promise, you will be discovered quickly.

Successful do not want to choose between AI and human expertise, but rather intelligently utilize the best of both worlds. This is the only way to take advantage of AI’s potential without ignoring the risks.

Our take: "AI is overhyped, but underestimated!"

The momentum is breathtaking, the progress impressive. But despite all the euphoria, we should not forget: There is still a long way to go!

That's why we think it's so important to start now and gain experience. Or to use the words of Google Deepmind boss Demis Hassabis: "Overhyped, but underestimated!"

📰 AI-News-Quickie: The HAI-lights

Before we come to an end, here are a some easily digestible news tidbits. Yum!

• Google Chrome has a few new AI features - here’s how to use them.

• ChatGPT is now also usable without login - but unfortunately not yet in Europe ... but you know the drill, just use a VPN.

• The battle for the best AI talent is in full swing: Meta has just lost three heavyweights, Elon's xAI is poaching engineers from Tesla (and fighting back when others do the same), plus Google has won over Logan Kilpatrick from OpenAI - as Lead Product for AI Studio!

• For developers: Claude API now allows you to address tools, OpenAI improves fine-tuning via API and Cohere launches Command R+, a super-affordable RAG model.

• You can now manipulate DALL-E images directly in ChatGPT. And Microsoft's Copilot also gets a boost in image generation via Designer.

• The AI deepfake apocalypse is here! Researchers and start-ups have clever ideas on how to combat it - while some brands are banning AI from their advertising altogether.

• Unfortunately, fake news is trending more often on X. Not good, very bad...

• Even more critical are deepfakes in the financial sector, where images and voices are used for authentication ... but not for much longer!

• And even Meta has some news about this subject: Instead of removing deepfakes, they are now markes accordingly in order to create context and transparency and preserve freedom of expression.

• Nicki Minaj, Billie Eilish, Katy Perry and 200 other musicians have spoken out in a letter against the irresponsible use of AI. And now? Not much will happen as a result, this train has left the station long ago.

• OpenAI has apparently trained GPT-4 with over a million hours of YouTube videos... was Sora fed with YouTube videos as well? The YouTube CEO is already making waves, but this shot could backfire, since many of the tech giants are big data harvesters.

• On TikTok, on the other hand, deepfake educational videos are making the rounds - math with Taylor Swift, Kim Kardashian, Biden, Trump, etc.? Why not!

• For the record: The OpenAI Startup Fund is no longer controlled by Sam Altman. Will he finally find some more time for family?

• Our favorite AI Claude seems to be banning users left and right... c'mon, this is not cool ...!

• Anthropics researchers have also found a way to jailbreak the ethics of large language models. How? By asking lots of harmless questions first, then getting it to answer inappropriate questions later ...

• Stability AI is obviously in crisis: they seem to be out of cash, the bills are unpaid and Emad is out of the picture. A takeover may soon be on the table ...

• But they are still releasing new stuff: Stable Audio 2.0 doesn't come close to Suno V3 yet, but you can create high-quality tracks up to 3 minutes long (listen to Stable Audio Radio here). But the competition seems merciless.

• Can robots be used as scarecrows? An airport in Alaska wants to find out!

• What has already been proven: Drones have become an integral part of agriculture and will transform it.

• What has not yet been proven, however, is whether Ola Solo, the first self-driving electric scooter, really has a market ... 😬

• "You haven't used AI until you've had an existential crisis." That's why elite universities are all about AI.

• Canada has announced a $2.4 billion investment in AI! Not bad - on the other hand, it seems pale in comparison with Microsoft and OpenAI. They are planning a $100 billion data center project...

• This new PBS documentary about the future has touched us - even if it is not about AI in particular, we highly recommend it and are looking forward to the rest. *only available in the US, or use a VPN.

🤭 AI-Fun - The automated BAIby stroller plus ...

… 🫣 

You made it! We’ll be back soon, with new updates for you.

See you soon, Fabian & Reto

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