ChAIos Media News - January 22 Edition

Hi there! Welcome to the ChAIos Media newsletter. As usual, a whole lot has happened this week. Let’s not waste any time and dig right in.

Awesome creations from the community

Nick St. Pierre posted an incredible tutorial on how to create 360 panoramas using Midjourney

Amazing “Dark City Effect” tutorial for RunwayML by Christopher Fryant

A mesmerizing Neural Frames music video by our own Ben

Microsoft launches $20 / month CoPilot Pro subscription

Microsoft has launched it’s paid AI subscription ‘CoPilot Pro’. It includes ChatGPT 4 which begs the question: should you be subscribed to CoPilot Pro, ChatGPT Plus or maybe both?

In the comparison between Microsoft's Copilot Pro and OpenAI's ChatGPT Plus, both priced at $20 per month, each platform caters to different user preferences and needs. Copilot Pro, with its integration in Microsoft 365 Office apps, is ideal for those deeply ingrained in the Microsoft ecosystem, offering enhanced productivity tools within familiar applications like Word and PowerPoint. Its user interface is vibrant and feature-rich, including a unique "conversation style" selector for customized interactions.

ChatGPT Plus, in contrast, offers a simpler, more streamlined AI experience. Its minimalist interface focuses on the core functionalities of an AI chatbot, making it a versatile choice for various tasks and queries. This simplicity suits users who value straightforward, no-frills interaction with their AI assistant. One unique feature only ChatGPT Plus offers however is access to the newly launched GPT store in which you can access thousands of custom built GPTs tailored to specific purposes.

The decision between the two ultimately depends on the specific needs and existing workflow of the user. If deep integration with Microsoft's suite of tools and enhancing productivity within that ecosystem is crucial, Copilot Pro is the preferred choice. Conversely, for those seeking a generic, flexible AI assistant without the need for specific application integrations or those who value the GPT store and the ability to create their own custom GPTs, ChatGPT Plus is more appropriate.

Both platforms offer compelling features at the same price point, but their value is heavily dependent on the user's context and requirements. Copilot Pro stands out for users seeking seamless integration with Microsoft's tools, while ChatGPT Plus appeals to those needing a more general-purpose AI assistant. The choice hinges on how these tools will be used in daily work or personal projects.

Mark Zuckerberg & Meta doubling down on Open Source AI / AGI

Mark Zuckerberg's latest push for open source AI, particularly in the development of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), is a groundbreaking initiative in the field of AI. Meta, under Zuckerberg's leadership, is deeply investing in this area, emphasizing the creation of AGI that is accessible to everyone. This is a significant move, considering that AGI represents the next level of AI, capable of understanding, learning, and applying intelligence across various domains, much like human intelligence.

Meta's strategy includes a massive investment in NVIDIA GPUs, aiming to acquire around 350,000 NVIDIA H100 GPUs by the end of 2024. This highlights Meta's commitment to building a robust infrastructure for developing and training advanced AI models. In 2023, Meta released several powerful models, including the highly acclaimed Llama, demonstrating its prowess in AI capabilities. The upcoming Llama 3 is a testament to Meta's ongoing innovation, reflecting its dedication to safe and responsible AI development, aligning with global concerns about ethical AI practices.

Zuckerberg's vision is to democratize AI technology, making it accessible globally. This open-source approach could potentially lead to a more inclusive and innovative AI future, shaping the way AI technologies are developed and utilized worldwide. The success of this initiative might usher in a new era of technology, where AI is not just a tool but a partner in our day-to-day activities, enhancing experiences in numerous ways, from personalized healthcare to more efficient, automated industries.

Nightshade: the generative AI ‘poison pill’

Nightshade is a newly released 'generative AI poison' tool designed to subtly modify digital artworks in a way that disrupts the training of AI models. It works by inserting imperceptible changes into images that are detectable by AI algorithms, thereby compromising the data quality used for training these models. This approach aims to safeguard artists' works from being used without their permission to train generative AI systems. However, the actual effectiveness and longevity of this strategy, as well as its relevance in an evolving AI landscape where synthetic data becomes more prevalent, are topics of debate. Here are some issues that were brought up during our latest X Space:

1. Effectiveness and Longevity: There's skepticism about the long-term effectiveness of Nightshade. While it might initially disrupt AI models, it's uncertain how long this impact will last.

2. Countermeasures: It's anticipated that new technologies will emerge to detect and counteract such data poisoning, potentially limiting Nightshade's impact.

3. Relevance in the Evolving AI Landscape: The increasing use of synthetic data for AI training might reduce the relevance of tools like Nightshade. As AI models rely less on newly scraped art and more on synthetic or pre-existing datasets, the need for such protective measures could diminish.

In essence, while Nightshade presents a novel approach to addressing artists' rights in the age of generative AI, its long-term impact and relevance remain subjects of debate.

You can read more about Nightshade in this MIT Technology article.

Recent movers and shakers

RunwayML releases their new Multi Motion Brush

The 'Multi Motion Brush' feature by RunwayML marks a significant advancement in AI-assisted filmmaking, offering creators unprecedented control over their visual narratives. This innovative tool enables users to manipulate motion in their shots with high precision, thanks to its five unique brushes on the Motion Canvas. Each brush operates independently, allowing for complex and nuanced motion effects. This level of control is a leap forward in AI filmmaking, empowering creators to produce high-quality, dynamic visual content with ease.

The intuitive interface of the Multi Motion Brush enhances the creative process, making sophisticated motion design more accessible to a wider range of artists and filmmakers. This feature is not just an enhancement; it's a transformative tool in the realm of digital art and AI-driven creativity.

For a comprehensive understanding, visit RunwayML's guide on 'Multi Motion Brush'.

Eleven Labs scores another round of funding

ElevenLabs, our favorite company in AI speech technology, has announced a significant milestone with an $80 million Series B funding round. This investment will bolster its position in voice AI research and product development. Alongside the funding, ElevenLabs is launching new products, including Dubbing Studio and Voice Library marketplace. These innovations, combined with improved language coverage and speed in their models, expand the capabilities in audio content creation. ElevenLabs is also emphasizing the safe deployment of AI technology, ensuring responsible development in the voice AI sector.

Visit the Eleven Labs Blog for more information.

Speed Up Video Editing with Adobe Premiere Pro's New AI-Powered Audio Features

Adobe has updated Premiere Pro with AI-powered features to enhance audio editing efficiency. The updates, available in the public beta, include interactive fade handles for easy audio transitions and clip effects badges for straightforward audio effects application. The Enhanced Speech feature, improving dialogue clarity, will be accessible to all users soon.

Notable additions are AI-powered audio category tagging for quick clip sorting and interactive badges that provide direct access to the Essential Sound panel. These features aim to minimize manual search and application of audio adjustments.

The beta also introduces automatic waveform resizing and updated clip colors for improved timeline management. Available to Creative Cloud subscribers, these updates facilitate a more intuitive editing workflow, allowing users to focus on creative projects beyond audio editing. The Enhanced Speech feature, previewed since September 2023, is slated for general release in February.

More at Adobe: https://www.adobe.com/ca/products/premiere/ai-video-editing.html

And that’s a wrap

That’s it for this week. Thank you for your support and see you again next week! Got a tip, want to be featured, interviewed, or have something you think should make it into next week's edition? Reach out to Marco or Ben on X, or drop us an email at [email protected]. Your input is always welcome!