Happy Sunday,

It’s time for “AI Weekly Insights #51”! This week, we're diving into the world of AI filmmaking with Meta and Blumhouse, chatting up characters in your favorite video games, and exploring legal tension between Perplexity AI and The New York Times. Oh, and if you’re into the future of clean energy, Google’s making bold moves with nuclear power! Buckle up for another exciting edition full of AI trends and innovations.

Ready? Let’s dive in!

The Insights

For the Week of 10/13/24 - 10/19/24 (P.S. Click the story’s title for more information 😊):

Meta and Blumhouse Partner to Pilot Movie Gen AI Tool

• What’s New: Meta has teamed up with Blumhouse, a production company known for its horror films, to test its AI-powered tool, Movie Gen, allowing filmmakers to generate and edit custom videos using simple text prompts.

• AI-Assisted Filmmaking: Meta’s Movie Gen AI tool enables the creation of 16-second-long, HD videos using simple text inputs, along with options to add audio and more. Blumhouse, alongside filmmakers like Aneesh Chaganty (Searching) and Casey Affleck, is piloting this tool to provide feedback before its public launch in 2025. The collaboration is part of Meta’s strategy to refine the tool based on real-world use cases, aiming to make it a valuable resource for creators.

• Why It Matters: Meta's collaboration with Blumhouse marks another collaboration in AI-assisted filmmaking, following a similar partnership between Runway and Lionsgate. The potential here is huge: AI can democratize the film industry by helping creators produce high-quality content without traditional barriers. However, as we explore this uncharted territory, it's essential to balance innovation with the human touch in storytelling. We need to ensure that it enhances the art of cinema rather than overshadows it. As AI tools become more integrated into the film process, they hold the promise of unlocking new avenues for artistic innovation while challenging us to thoughtfully navigate the future of cinematic storytelling.

Modders Use AI to Create Endless Conversations in Video Games

• What's New: Modders have introduced AI-driven mods for Skyrim and Stardew Valley that allow players to engage in endless, real-time conversations with NPCs using large language models (LLMs).

• AI Companions: In Stardew Valley, a new mod leverages OpenAI’s API to give characters more dynamic dialogue, moving beyond the game’s usual limited interactions. Players can have ongoing conversations with characters who exhibit more thoughtful, albeit similarly cheerful, responses. In Skyrim, the Herika mod pushes this further, offering NPC companions who respond to player commands based on their understanding of the game world. Herika, for example, can follow complex player instructions and even navigate tricky situations like deciding whether to attack another character based on in-game consequences.

• Why it Matters: AI-driven mods in games like these are pushing the boundaries of player interaction, offering a glimpse into a future where NPCs can engage in more personalized conversations. This has so much potential to make game worlds feel more alive and immersive than ever before. However, it also presents challenges, such as ensuring AI stays within the narrative framework and doesn't disrupt gameplay with off-script elements. The future will likely see a blend of AI innovation and thoughtful design. Who knows, maybe as these technologies evolve, we'll see new roles emerge for creatives who can specialize in shaping AI-driven narratives within games.

The New York Times Warns Perplexity AI Over Unauthorized Use of Content

• What's New: The New York Times has sent a cease-and-desist letter to Perplexity AI, demanding that the startup stop using its content without permission. The move follows similar accusations made against the AI company earlier this year by Forbes and Condé Nast.

• AI vs. News Publishers: Perplexity, an AI-powered search engine, is under scrutiny for allegedly using the Times’ journalism to generate responses without a proper license. The New York Times has flagged Perplexity’s crawler in its robots.txt file, a standard used by websites to manage how search engines and other automated agents interact with their content, prohibiting its content from being used in AI model training. Perplexity argues that it indexes web pages to provide factual content, not train models, and that "no one organization owns the copyright over facts." The company plans to respond by the Times' October 30th deadline.

• Why it Matters: This clash highlights a growing issue between AI companies and other entities over content ownership and usage. While Perplexity claims to only surface factual content, the boundaries between copyright, journalism, and AI usage are becoming blurred. The New York Times has already taken legal action against other AI giants like OpenAI. At the core of the dispute is how AI models use published material and whether facts, as Perplexity argues, can be copyrighted at all. A case could set a precedent for how AI search engines and content aggregators interact with news content, potentially reshaping both industries.

Google Taps Nuclear Power for AI Data Centers in Landmark Deal

• What's New: Google has signed a deal with Kairos Power to develop small modular reactors that will supply clean energy to its data centers by 2030.

• 24/7 Carbon-Free Energy: In this first-of-its-kind agreement for the company, Google is planning to build a series of nuclear reactors to supply up to 500 MW of clean energy. These reactors are expected to power Google’s AI-driven data centers, marking a significant shift toward sustainable energy solutions. The first reactor is projected to come online by 2030, with additional plants following by 2035. This is part of Google’s broader commitment to achieving carbon-free energy and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. These small modular reactors are designed for enhanced efficiency and safety, featuring a low-pressure design that reduces the chances of overheating or accidents, making them safer compared to traditional reactors.

• Why it Matters: Google’s move to embrace nuclear power signals a critical step forward in the company’s goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2030. As AI continues to demand massive amounts of electricity, tapping into nuclear energy is key to meeting their environmental targets and operational needs. This is also a part of a broader trend in tech, with companies like Microsoft also making similar strides to power data centers with nuclear energy. By committing to small modular reactors, Google not only supports advanced nuclear technology but also sends a powerful signal about the future of energy infrastructure for tech giants.

Thank you for being an essential part of this journey through AI's ever-evolving landscape. I’m always eager to hear your thoughts, questions, or ideas. Together, we can keep pushing the boundaries of what's possible and inspire each other along the way.

Until next Sunday, keep exploring and stay engaged!

Warm regards,

Kharee