Disney announced a $1 billion equity investment in OpenAI, signaling a significant move into the realm of generative AI. This collaboration will allow Sora users to create videos featuring over 200 Disney, Marvel, Pixar, and Star Wars characters, starting next year, under a new three-year licensing agreement. As part of the agreement, Disney will receive warrants to purchase additional equity and become a major OpenAI customer, using ChatGPT for its employees and developing new tools. This move comes as Disney seeks to navigate the evolving landscape of AI and protect its intellectual property, which includes both a cease and desist to Google and lawsuits against AI image creators like Midjourney.
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Nintendo has reportedly begun lobbying the Japanese government to address concerns surrounding generative AI and its impact on creators’ rights, as revealed by a member of Japan’s House of Representatives. This action aligns with the company’s history of rigorously protecting its intellectual property, especially in light of growing legal battles involving AI’s unauthorized use of copyrighted content. Furthermore, the Japanese government has started considering measures, with companies like Nintendo opting to avoid generative AI to safeguard their assets. The outcome of Nintendo’s lobbying efforts will hinge on how the government balances AI innovation with the protection of rights holders.
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The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has clarified its stance on AI’s role in filmmaking, stating that AI usage will neither disqualify nor guarantee Oscar nominations. This follows the use of generative AI in several award-winning films. However, the Academy emphasizes that human creative contribution will remain a key consideration in the judging process. Therefore, films employing AI tools will be judged on their overall artistic merit, not solely on their technical applications.
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Due to significant malicious attacks, DeepSeek temporarily suspended new user registrations. This action follows the company’s recent surge in popularity, surpassing ChatGPT as the top downloaded free app in the U.S. App Store. DeepSeek’s rapid growth, fueled by its newly released R1 AI model, has garnered significant attention from investors and analysts amidst the competitive generative AI market. The incident, however, caused a notable decline in global tech stock values. The company’s future trajectory remains closely watched within the rapidly evolving AI landscape.
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John Q. Hosedrinker