📣 In the news

👉 ByteDance enters AI video market

ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, has unveiled a new AI tool called Jimeng AI in China. Jimeng allows users to generate short videos from text prompts, enabling Chinese users to create 5s videos. Jimeng AI enters a competitive landscape, with Kling, Runway, Luma and Sora being key rivals in the AI video generation space. As ByteDance continues to enhance its generative AI capabilities, there are expectations that similar features will soon be integrated into TikTok. This advancement could spark new creative trends and enhance user engagement on the platform.

👉 A new AI companion device launches

The wearable “Friend” is a new AI-powered necklace designed to provide constant companionship and combat loneliness. It listens to users throughout the day and sends them supportive text messages based on their experiences, aiming to create a natural conversational flow. Developed by Avi Schiffmann, this device emphasizes emotional connection over productivity, reflecting a shift in how AI can enhance personal well-being.

👉 Revolutionizing education: South Korea's AI textbook initiative

South Korea's push for AI-infused textbooks is attracting major tech companies like LG Electronics and Samsung Electronics, aiming to capitalize on the growing edtech market. LG has implemented "future classrooms" equipped with AI-powered robots and digital whiteboards in 18 schools since 2023, enhancing student engagement. This initiative not only modernizes education domestically but also positions these companies to explore opportunities in international markets.

👉 OpenAI Warns of Emotional Attachment to Voice Mode

OpenAI recently introduced a humanlike voice interface for ChatGPT, raising concerns about users potentially forming emotional attachments to the AI. This issue is outlined in a safety analysis released as part of their "system card" for GPT-4o. The report highlights risks associated with anthropomorphism, where users may attribute human-like qualities to the AI, leading to increased trust in its outputs—even when they might be incorrect.

The emotional connections formed could have varying impacts, such as helping lonely individuals but potentially harming real-life relationships. OpenAI plans to closely monitor these interactions to better understand the implications of its voice mode. Concerns also include the possibility of users becoming overly reliant on the AI for social interaction and the risks of the AI being manipulated in unintended ways.

👀 Creative picks

New Balance is enhancing fan engagement with AI

New Balance is partnering with media planning agency Mediahub and contextual AI platform Silverpush for its summer campaign, which runs until August 30. This initiative aims to enhance targeted awareness during major sporting events, including the UEFA Euros, French Open, Wimbledon, and the Olympics.

The campaign leverages Silverpush’s Mirrors AI technology, which analyzes YouTube videos to identify relevant athletes and actions. This allows New Balance to serve tailored ads, ensuring fans see promotions for products like football boots worn by athletes such as Bukayo Saka while watching highlights.

Silverpush Europe SVP Paul Briggs emphasizes that contextual advertising transforms brand-audience connections, maximizing engagement while minimizing ad wastage. Mediahub’s Suri Patel notes that this collaboration enables the delivery of contextually relevant ads at scale, reaching sports fans across Europe during a pivotal sporting year. This innovative approach positions New Balance as a leader in utilizing AI to connect meaningfully with its audience.

_{Credits: New Balance / Mediahub / Silverpush}

LullabAI: empowering speech-impaired mothers

The LullabAI initiative, created by Havas Life Mumbai and Alembic CSR, empowers speech-impaired mothers by enabling them to craft personalized lullabies for their babies. This campaign emphasizes the importance of bonding through music, allowing these mothers to share their unique voices and create lasting memories. By using AI to transform short voice samples into customized lullabies, the initiative aims to enhance maternal connections and promote inclusivity.

→ Try the experience here

_{Credits: Havas Mumbai / Alembic CSR}

Lenovo: AI Artists Showcase Creativity in New Campaign

Lenovo has launched the "Made with Lenovo Yoga" campaign, created by SuperHeroes Amsterdam, featuring seven original films produced by award-winning AI artists. This initiative celebrates the capabilities of the new Yoga Slim 7x laptop powered by the Snapdragon Elite X processor.

The campaign highlights diverse storytelling styles, with films such as Paul Trillo's magical ballet of clouds, and other artists like @LeMoon.Synthograph, @palpa_visuals, or @pancakepie360.

The films are showcased across the artists' social channels, supported by Lenovo and Qualcomm. Rogier Vijverberg, chief creative hero at SuperHeroes, emphasized the blend of AI and digital tools in storytelling, reinforcing the campaign's focus on creativity and innovation in the digital realm.

_{Credits: Lenovo / SuperHeroes Amsterdam / Paul trillo / LeMoon.Synthograph / Ethereal_Gwirl / Ulises.studio / Cinem.ai / Pancakepie360 / Palpa_visuals / Uemuetyildiz}

Alan Watts - the awakening: reviving timeless wisdom

Alan Watts - The Awakening, developed by Impero Creative Director Elliott Starr and Creative Beatriz Zambrano, revives the teachings of philosopher Alan Watts using AI to provide modern guidance amidst the overwhelming nature of digital media. By feeding thousands of Watts' words into a dedicated AI thread, they crafted responses to some of the most searched existential questions, synthesizing these insights using advanced voice technology. Starr emphasizes that their goal is to help individuals find clarity and direction, making this a not-for-profit passion project. The initiative reflects a commitment to harnessing AI positively, providing an alternative to superficial content online and ensuring that Watts' teachings continue to resonate in today's world.

→ You can find all the videos here

_{Credits: Impero}