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VISUAL CREATORS
For your artistic side.

🎥 Google Launches AI Video Tool Veo!

The Story: Google has launched Veo, its generative AI video model, on the Vertex AI platform, allowing businesses to create high-quality videos in a range of styles from text or image prompts. This rollout follows the model's initial announcement in May and provides a competitive edge over OpenAI’s Sora, which remains unreleased. Veo offers speedy prototyping capabilities and claims to enhance human creativity by streamlining the video production process.

The Details:

• Veo can generate videos in 1080p quality, using text or image prompts, making it flexible for various creative needs.

• Clips created with Veo maintain a realistic look, making it challenging to discern between AI-generated and human-created content.

• The Imagen 3 text-to-image generator is also integrated into Vertex AI, enabling businesses to infuse brand-specific elements into generated visuals.

• Veo and Imagen 3 feature digital watermarks aimed at reducing the risk of misinformation and copyright issues.

• Advertisers like Mondelez and Agoda are already tapping into Veo for creating quick, cost-effective promotional content.

Why It Matters: As the demand for quick, high-quality content surges, Google's Veo positions itself as a game-changer for brands looking to produce effective ad campaigns without breaking the bank. With the potential to disrupt traditional video creation processes, this tool could significantly increase productivity while flooding social media with AI-generated content, a trend that could challenge consumer expectations and perceptions of brand authenticity. For creative professionals, understanding and utilizing Veo may be crucial to staying relevant in a rapidly evolving landscape.

PRODUCTION MASTERY
The commercial aspects of creativity.

🎥 Ex-Microsoft Team Secures $4M for AI Video Revolution

The Story: Former Microsoft duo Priyaa Kalyanaraman and Purvanshi Mehta are shaking up the video production landscape with Lica, an AI-powered tool that transforms screen recordings and screenshots into professional-grade videos. Backed by a $4 million seed round from Accel, Lica aims to simplify content creation for businesses of all sizes by automating editing processes and providing user-driven customization features.

The Details:

• Lica allows users to convert screenshots and screen recordings into polished explainer videos, automatically adding transitions and music.

• Users can customize various aspects of their videos, from narration tone to aesthetic elements, using intuitive AI prompts.

• The platform currently offers a free tier with limitations and a premium plan for unlimited video creation at $49/month.

• Lica plans to expand into marketing videos, social media content, and investor pitches, broadening its utility for professionals in various sectors.

• Unlike competitors, Lica emphasizes user customization, giving individuals and teams more control over their video storytelling.

Why It Matters: In a world where effective communication is key, especially in the corporate sector, Lica's AI-driven tool empowers creators to streamline the tedious process of video production. Businesses can reduce costs and save time by leveraging Lica’s tech for creating visually engaging content. As the demand for video content continues to skyrocket, solutions like Lica can help professionals quickly produce high-quality materials that resonate with their audiences, making it a valuable tool in the evolving creative economy.

CREATOR ECONOMY
Navigating the digital creative world.

🖼️ Getty CEO: AI Scraping is ‘Pure Theft’

The Story: Getty Images CEO Craig Peters has criticized the unlicensed scraping of copyrighted content by AI companies, arguing that it represents "pure theft." In a column for Fortune, he outlines how current AI training practices violate fair use standards and highlights the ongoing legal battle against Stability AI for using Getty's images without permission, asserting the importance of respecting creators' rights.

The Details:

• Peters emphasizes copyright as the foundation of Getty's business, employing over 1,700 people and representing 600,000 creators globally who depend on fair compensation.

• He outlines key fair use criteria that AI practices are allegedly violating, particularly regarding commercial nature and impact on market value.

• Peters draws parallels between current unauthorized AI practices and early music-sharing platforms like Napster, advocating for a solution that respects creator rights.

• Over 30,000 artists have expressed significant concern over unlicensed AI training, highlighting its threat to their livelihoods.

• Despite ongoing litigation, Peters advocates for a more nuanced approach to AI that balances innovation and the rights of creators.

Why It Matters: This column from Peters sheds light on a contentious issue that directly impacts creative professionals. As AI technologies evolve, the responsibility rests on both creators and companies to establish ethical frameworks that allow innovation while protecting the rights that sustain livelihoods. Fair use is a critical legal principle that maintains the creative ecosystem, and neglecting these rights could lead to a future where artists cannot thrive, stifling creativity in the industry.

🔥 Press Worthy

📽️ VISUAL CREATORS

Thai artist Kawita Vatanajyankur confronts the sinister implications of AI in her striking video, “The Machine Ghost in the Human Shell”. Battling electric shocks to draw, she raises critical questions about the dehumanization stemming from advanced technology. The piece is part of the Asia Pacific Triennial at QAGOMA and reflects broader themes of labor exploitation and climate concerns.

DJI has unveiled its Power Expansion Battery 2000, designed to daisy-chain with the Power 1000 for hours of reliable power on set. With a compact design to easily stack batteries, creators can achieve up to 11264 Wh, ensuring uninterrupted productivity during shoots.

📈 PRODUCTION MASTERY

Google's recent site reputation abuse update has sharply impacted major publishers, including CNN Underscored and Forbes Advisor, by downgrading their affiliate links in search results. Many are blindsided, questioning the new rules just ahead of crucial shopping events like Black Friday. SEO experts worry about lost revenue and call for publishers to rethink their affiliate strategies, emphasizing genuine first-party content over third-party partnerships.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman warns that the upcoming wave of artificial general intelligence (AGI) could disrupt industries by 2025. While initial impacts may seem minimal, he anticipates a significant evolution, reminiscent of the transistor's effect on economies. Tensions with former co-founder Elon Musk linger as legal battles unfold amidst ethical discussions around AI and copyright.

🎭 CREATOR ECONOMY

A 27-year-old man has been arrested in the U.K. after filming women without consent during nights out, sharing the invasive videos on TikTok. Women reported feelings of fear and harassment, prompting a police investigation into this troubling trend of voyeurism and upskirting.

Apple aims to roll out its Intelligence suite in China by 2025, but clashes with partner Baidu over privacy and tech issues could threaten the launch. While Baidu's AI shows potential, Apple's commitment to user privacy may challenge keeping its iPhone competitive in this market.

📚 Learn & Grow

📽️ VISUAL CREATORS

• Why Reddit is a Treasure Trove for Creative Professionals

• New Horizons and Moving Back in Time

📈 PRODUCTION MASTERY

• Storytelling and emotional connection matter more than aesthetics

• The eight things illustration agencies are looking for in 2025

🎭 CREATOR ECONOMY

• 40 Creator Economy Statistics You Need To Know in 2024

• Jaguar's contentious rebrand finally gets its car moment, but questions remain