speculations

D-ID unveils new chat API to enable face-to-face conversations with an AI digital human

https://techcrunch.com/2023/02/28/d-id-unveils-new-chat-api-to-enable-face-to-face-conversations-with-an-ai-digital-human It’s a bit disorientating. It’s not that I mind having her/him/it as a boss. Heh, frankly I’ve had far worse human ones! They answer messages and don’t have moods when their political machinations haven’t worked out. But I’m never sure who I’m going to talk to. “Who”? “Talk to”? I’m getting old. I had … [Read more…]

VR startup working on tech to “replay” memories

https://futurism.com/the-byte/vr-startup-replay-memories He’d walked these street so many times. He’d never wanted to drive. The “school run” always sounded so… rushed. He’d relished that time. Sauntering, talking about what they saw. It was meditative, quality, time. Now they were gone. Grown. They still met, still walked together occasionally, even round here, but it was different. They … [Read more…]

On the internet, nobody knows you’re a human

https://www.theverge.com/2023/2/24/23608961/tiktok-creator-bot-accusation-prove-theyre-human It’s competitive out there. Obviously no-one cares about ‘qualifications’ any more. You’d think that would save you money but do you know how much it costs to keep a profile going, let alone growing? And when you’re competing against creators with limitless energy, time and resources… well it’s a full-time job, without the pay. … [Read more…]

Big Tech’s latest assault on ‘copying radio’ now features AI DJs

https://the-media-leader.com/spotify-and-youtube-launch-radio-style-features In case you’re wondering who this funny old bloke is, I’m the one who comes on late at night and plays records made by sulky Belgian art students in basements dying of TB. Listening on mobile? don’t worry: somebody tried to tell me that CDs are better than vinyl because they don’t have any … [Read more…]

Spotify is testing exclusive playlists for NFT owners

https://www.engadget.com/spotify-nft-playlist-test-203825293.html I remember the day she gave it to me. We’d not been together long. You know that stage where you feel you really know someone and want to give them a gift that’s personal, that’s about the relationship. Music. It has to be music. The Old Ones used tapes. Mine isn’t analog, just a … [Read more…]

Hands-free tech adds realistic sense of touch in extended reality

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/02/230222141144.htm I’ve spent a long time working my way up this company. I served my time in the pool, the open plan fields of hot desks with their formula formica and generic plush chairs. How many times did I brush past those vertical carpet dividers, feeling the static? In many ways the meta-office was even … [Read more…]

Science fiction publishers are being flooded with AI-generated stories

https://techcrunch.com/2023/02/21/clarkesworld-ai-generated-submissions/ Curating took work. He knew he had to do it. If he was going to get the job he wanted, he needed to tend his profile. He knew the theory – the power of networking, the need to engage, comment, connect. He knew this all took work. He’d sat through the workshop. He knew … [Read more…]

What de-influencing tells us about the state of the creator economy

https://www.ft.com/content/38d04f54-a8b3-435e-b2bd-2f392e3b31f4 He’s worked so hard. You don’t get into the best training academy without putting the hours in. I remember the day the scout called and said he had a place. There was a tear in my eye. He learned from the best. We all saw a great future. It’s not wrong to want your … [Read more…]

Havas Media Group UK appoints CTO and COO

https://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/havas-media-group-uk-appoints-cto-coo/1813849 It had always sounded a little geeky but I quite liked it. As a job title, it sounded, well relevant I suppose. When I attended meetings people looked at me as though I was, I don’t know… important, a foundation, a basic building block of the business. Colleagues turned to me in meetings, just … [Read more…]