Meta recently released its AI Chatbot, Meta AI with Llama 3, to half the world’s population, totaling 3.98 billion people. This free AI assistant integrates with various Meta platforms such as Instagram, WhatsApp, Messenger, and Facebook Newsfeed, as well as being accessible on Meta.ai. Based on the open-source Llama 3 Large Language Model, the AI is multimodal and provides accurate answers with summaries from Bing and Google. Users can even turn images into .gifs with Meta AI, which poses a potential challenge for competitors like Google, OpenAI, and X with their paid services.
In the tech industry, Adobe has enhanced its popular editing software Premiere with the addition of Sora and Firefly AI. These new features include in-painting for object removal or addition, generative extend to add more video to clips, and generative B-Roll. Upgrades for Premiere will begin rolling out gradually next month, providing users with advanced AI capabilities for video editing.
However, not all tech developments have been successful, as the Glue VR Collaboration Platform recently shut down. Despite raising $3.4 million and gaining traction with enterprise customers such as KLM Dutch Royal Airlines, Glue’s VR collaboration platform faced competition in a crowded marketplace that included both free and paid options. The closure of Glue further highlights the challenges faced by companies operating in collaborative enterprise VR environments.
The virtual reality industry has faced setbacks, with Sony discontinuing production of its Playstation 2 VR headset indicative of a broader industry downturn. Additionally, children’s waning interest in VR goggles poses challenges for companies like Apple and Meta. Developer Tony Vitillo offers advice for those affected by the decline in VR popularity, highlighting strategies for navigating the changing landscape of virtual reality technology.
On a more positive note, Gabe Newell’s Brain-Computer Interface Company, Starfish Neuroscience, has come out of stealth after years of development. The Valve co-founder’s work in developing a minimally invasive brain-computer interface (BCI) showcases the potential for innovative technologies in the future. Additionally, Animoca Brands, the fund behind popular digital assets like The Sandbox and MetaMask, reported significant financial holdings in digital assets and cash, excluding the value of minority investments in Web3 companies.
In the creative realm, AI tools are transforming the filmmaking process, with screenwriter Gregory Mandarano using AI music generator Udio to compose an ode to Owen Lars from Star Wars. Mandarano emphasizes the changing landscape of filmmaking and the power of AI tools in enabling individuals to create content traditionally reserved for larger production teams. Similarly, Abandoned Films has produced a series of video memes inspired by “1950s Super Panavision 70,” showcasing the creative possibilities of AI-driven filmmaking. The integration of AI tools like Midjourney, RunwayML, and Adobe Premiere demonstrates the evolving nature of storytelling in the digital age.
