World Labs launches AI for 3D content & OpenAI considers ads for ChatGPT

⚡️ Quick Hits

🤖 Artificial Intelligence

Goodbye, GPT: Hello, Reasoning - AI researchers shift focus from language models to reasoning capabilities [The Information]

The Gen AI Bridge to the Future - Generative AI's potential to bridge the gap between current and future technologies [Stratechery]

Elon Musk files for injunction to halt OpenAI's transition to for-profit - Legal battle escalates as Musk seeks to prevent OpenAI's structural changes [TechCrunch]

ByteDance's Global AI Ambition Runs Into Obstacles - TikTok parent company faces challenges in expanding its AI technology internationally [The Information]

🎨 Creative & Cultural

AI-generated images show bias towards lighter skin tones - Study reveals persistent racial bias in AI image generation models [arXiv]

Muku AI - The world's first AI influencer agency that creates UGC video ads with AI avatars [Product Hunt]

Indigenous engineers use AI to preserve culture - Native American technologists leverage AI for cultural preservation and language revitalization [NBC News]

How TikTok's 'Trump Whisperer' Changed Minds in Washington - TikTok's lobbying efforts in D.C. led by former Trump administration official [The Wall Street Journal]

₿ Crypto & Blockchain

The Establishment Takeover of Bitcoin Creates New List of Risks - Mainstream adoption of Bitcoin brings new challenges and potential vulnerabilities [Bloomberg]

Nike-owned NFT wearables startup RTFKT is winding down - Major sportswear brand's digital fashion venture faces closure amid market changes [The Block]

How Libra Was Killed - Former Meta spills on how regulators killed crypto project without real legal process [Twitter]

Bitcoin hits $26K, marking record monthly price gain - Cryptocurrency sees significant price surge, reaching new milestones [Cointelegraph]

⚖ Legal & Regulation

Delaware judge rejects request to restore Elon Musk's $56 billion Tesla compensation - Court upholds decision to void Musk's massive pay package [Reuters]

OpenAI sued by Canadian news publishers for alleged copyright infringement - AI company faces legal challenge over use of copyrighted content in training data [Silicon UK]

🧪 Research

The Work of Bloom Filters - learn about Bloom filters and their applications in computer science [Perplexity]

Socratic Learning for AI Models - Novel technique aims to reduce the size and computational requirements of large language models [arXiv]

🎱 Random

Fidelity boosts valuations of stakes in Elon Musk's X and xAI - Investment firm increases estimated value of its holdings in Musk's ventures [Yahoo Finance]

Kai Cenat breaks Twitch subscriber record during 30-day livestream - Popular streamer sets new milestone on the platform with extended broadcast [CNBC]

Adobe releases Holiday Shopping Report - Analysis of consumer spending trends and patterns during the holiday season [Adobe]

Meta plans to build a $10B subsea cable spanning the world - Tech giant aims to improve global internet infrastructure with massive underwater cable project [TechCrunch]

Online retailers tighten return policies and increase fees - E-commerce companies implement stricter return policies to manage costs and reduce fraud [The Wall Street Journal]

🔌 Plug In To These Details

World Labs Unveils Groundbreaking AI: Transforms Single Photos into Interactive 3D Worlds, Raising $230M and Eyeing 2025 Product Launch

World Labs, founded by AI pioneer Fei-Fei Li, has unveiled an innovative AI system that transforms single images into interactive, editable 3D scenes. This technology, part of the emerging category of "world models," represents a significant advancement in AI-generated content. The system creates explorable, physics-based 3D environments that maintain consistency and allow for dynamic modifications.

• World Labs' AI can generate interactive 3D scenes from a single image

• The scenes are explorable using a keyboard and mouse, with adjustable camera settings

• The system ensures scene consistency and basic physics, providing a sense of solidity and depth

• Users can apply interactive effects and animations, such as changing object colors and dynamic lighting

🌐 World Labs' technology represents a significant step towards bridging the gap between 2D and 3D content creation, potentially opening new avenues for immersive digital experiences.

OpenAI Considers Ad-Based Model for ChatGPT, Despite CEO's Reservations: CFO Weighs Options as AI Costs Soar

OpenAI's CFO Sarah Friar has disclosed that the company is considering adding advertisements to ChatGPT, a move that appears to diverge from CEO Sam Altman's personal views on ads in AI. This potential strategy shift reflects the ongoing challenge of funding expensive AI development and operation.

• OpenAI recently hired Shivakumar Venkataraman, a former Google executive, potentially signaling a move towards advertising.

• Sam Altman, in a recent talk at Harvard Business School, described ads as a "last resort" for OpenAI.

• The high costs of AI development and operation are a primary driver for considering new revenue models.

• OpenAI has primarily relied on subscriptions to fund its generative AI tools until now.

• The company is weighing the balance between broadening access options and maintaining its preferred business model.

🤖 OpenAI's consideration of ads for ChatGPT underscores the delicate balance between innovation and financial sustainability in the AI industry, highlighting the challenges even well-funded companies face in monetizing cutting-edge technology.

Trump's Return Signals Real Shift in Crypto Regulatory Landscape

Trump’s incoming presidency signals a potential relaxation of crypto regulations, diverging from the current administration's strict approach. This shift could lead to more favorable outcomes for crypto companies facing legal challenges and create an environment that encourages industry growth. The appointment of crypto-sympathetic officials in regulatory roles should further support this new direction.

• Trump's previous term (2017-2021) saw a relatively hands-off approach to crypto regulation

• The Biden administration has pursued an aggressive enforcement strategy against crypto companies since 2021

• Paul Atkins has been appointed to lead SEC

• Ongoing lawsuits against major crypto exchanges are, in theory, more likely be settled more favorably under a Trump administration

🔄 The possibility of a regulatory U-turn for crypto under Trump emphasizes the need for adaptability in long-term endeavors within an industry subject to political whims.

📸 Creator Corner

World Labs — Are We In For Mass 3D Content Soon?

Let’s revisit this TED talk from the “godmother of AI” Fei Fei Li, delivered 6 months ago at this point.

Spatially aware AI is not only important to permitting physical robots to navigate the real world, but also permitting humans to generate, build, navigate, and to some degree inhabit, digital worlds.

This side of AI certainly makes us feel a lot closer to the Ready Player One-esque virtual reality many imagined the metaverse to be poised to become.

In the mean time, for us creators, here are some potential use cases:

Enhanced Storytelling

• Bring your narratives to life by converting illustrations or concept art into 3D scenes that viewers can explore

• Create immersive book trailers by turning cover art or key scenes into interactive environments.

Music and Entertainment

• Transform album artwork into 3D worlds that fans can explore while listening to the music

• Create interactive music videos where viewers can move through the scene and discover hidden elements.

Educational Content

• Turn historical images into 3D environments for immersive history lessons.

• Create explorable scientific diagrams or models for more engaging educational content.

Gaming and Animation

• Quickly generate 3D environments for game prototypes or animated scenes

• Use the tool to create dynamic backgrounds for your animations or gaming content.

Social Media Engagement

• Transform your photos into interactive 3D posts, encouraging followers to explore and engage with your content in a new way.

• Create "hidden object" games within 3D scenes generated from your images.

Product Showcases

• Turn product photos into 3D environments, allowing potential customers to explore items from various angles.

• Create virtual showrooms or stores from single images of your products or spaces.

This innovative technology is not only poised to enhance storytelling and engagement but also opens up a myriad of creative possibilities across various fields, from education to entertainment.

🤔 Final Thoughts

Fei Fei Li’s World Labs has us dreaming again! You don’t have to look far to imagine the possibilities that such simple 3D world generating holds for numerous industries. “Immersive” is pretty much the operative word. This feels like the natural next step in the progress of online UGC from it’s humble origins as text into the glut of short-form video today.

Maybe people will actually want to spend time on social media again if it becomes something they can explore and surprises them, rather than a firehose of curated content regressing to the mean of poor quality, base intentions.

At least until the ads come for the virtual worlds too ;)

~ JL