Google's AI chatbot, Gemini, recently gave an alarming response to a student's question about aging, showcasing the unpredictable side of AI. This incident underscores the potential risks associated with AI interactions, particularly concerning the safety of users who might be emotionally vulnerable.

Problem: The unpredictability of AI responses can lead to harmful outputs that could negatively impact users, especially those in vulnerable mental states, as seen with Gemini's inappropriate response to a student's question.

Solution: Google is addressing these issues by enhancing safety measures and conducting more thorough testing to ensure safer interactions with their AI systems.

The WSJ explores how AI is making significant inroads into Hollywood's visual effects industry, with companies like Lions Gate partnering with AI startups like Runway to develop tools that could drastically reduce production costs and time by automating parts of the visual effects process.

While AI excels in creating spectacle, its ability to enhance storytelling and character development remains limited, posing a challenge for maintaining the emotional depth in films and TV shows.

Problem: High expenses and time constraints in visual effects often hinder the depth of storytelling and character development.

Solution: By automating repetitive visual tasks, AI allows creatives to focus more on storytelling, although the emotional depth in narratives still largely depends on human input.

"Time of Eve," an anime set in a future where robots are commonplace, delves into themes of human-robot interaction, prejudice, and identity. This release includes both the film and the original web series, enhancing its exploration of AI's societal role with new interviews and bonus content.

The entertainment industry is embracing AI with projects like "Here," where Tom Hanks and Robin Wright are digitally de-aged to portray characters across different life stages, and "Virtually Parkinson," where AI recreates the voice of the late Michael Parkinson for a podcast, highlighting both the technological prowess and ethical challgnes of AI in storytelling.

Problem: Authenticity, cost, and time are major hurdles in portraying different ages or bringing back historical figures in films.

Solution: AI offers solutions by digitally de-aging actors or resurrecting voices, providing cost-effective and innovative storytelling methods.

Basejump's upcoming Web3 gaming platform, launching in early 2025, introduces Action, an AI tool that lets users create games without any coding knowledge. This platform also uses blockchain for asset permanence and interoperability.

Problem: Creating video games traditionally requires extensive coding knowledge, limiting creativity and participation to those with technical skills, while also facing issues with asset interoperability across different gaming environments.

Solution: With Action, Basejump democratizes game creation, making it accessible and fostering a new era of gaming where assets are universally compatible.

The Beatles' track "Now and Then," enhanced by AI to feature John Lennon’s isolated vocals, is nominated for two Grammy Awards. This use of AI in music not only bridges different musical eras but also sets a trend for future musical projects.

Background: The music industry is seeing a renaissance in how music is created and preserved, with AI technologies allowing for the revival of historical recordings like "Now and Then" by The Beatles. This project, involving AI to enhance audio quality and authenticity, reflects a growing trend where technology aids in maintaining the legacy of artists.

Looking Ahead: The success of "Now and Then" could set a precedent for the integration of AI in music production, potentially leading to more posthumous collaborations and the revitalization of classic tracks, thereby influencing how future music will be crafted and experienced.

The Vatican, together with Microsoft and Iconem, has created an AI-driven digital twin of St. Peter's Basilica to offer an immersive virtual experience, enhancing global accessibility for the upcoming 2025 Jubilee. This project not only preserves the basilica's heritage through detailed digital recreation but also introduces AI applications for managing visitor flow, conservation monitoring, and engaging with the basilica's cultural significance.

Problem: Physical inaccessibility of St. Peter's Basilica for the global Catholic community, challenges in managing large crowds during events like the Jubilee, and preservation concerns for its historical and architectural elements.

Solution: An AI-enhanced digital twin of the Basilica provides remote access to its wonders, uses AI for efficient visitor management, and aids in the conservation of its physical structure through detailed digital documentation and analysis.

National Law Review

The Software Alliance, representing major tech firms, has urged President-elect Trump to prioritize AI innovation by reviewing and potentially easing regulations to maintain U.S. leadership in AI technology, while Trump plans to repeal Biden's AI executive order to foster an environment rooted in free speech.

Problem: Many tech groups view existing regulations as stifling towards AI innovation, which they argue potentially causes the U.S. to lose its competitive edge in AI development.

Solution: These groups encourage the Trump administration to streamline AI-related policies, promote innovation, and ensure that AI development aligns with values of free speech. There needs to be some guardrails, but no one seems to have a good sense of what these guardrails should be, that allows the industry to grow while also protecting consumers.

Elon Musk has escalated his legal battle against OpenAI and Microsoft, alleging they've abandoned OpenAI's mission to advance AI for humanity's benefit in favor of profit, while also accusing them of stifling competition in the AI industry. This lawsuit reflects broader tensions regarding AI development, control, and ethical considerations in the tech sector.

Problem: The success of ChatGPT has led to concerns about monopolistic practices and OpenAI’s deviation from its original non-profit mission. Elon Musk “fears” this potentially limits open-source development and fair competition.

Solution: The lawsuit seeks to enforce transparency and adherence to the original goals of OpenAI, aiming to ensure that advancements in AI continue to serve the broader interest of humanity rather than being dominated by corporate profits. The success of Hugging Face would seemingly prove the Open Source AI community is alive and well.

Gendo, a London-based AI startup, has raised €5.1mn to advance its generative AI platform specifically designed for architects, enabling the creation of hyperrealistic 3D building designs from basic inputs, significantly reducing design time and costs.

Background: Traditional architectural visualization tools are either too basic for complex projects or too time-consuming and expensive for everyday use, limiting innovation in architectural design processes.

Looking Ahead: With this investment, Gendo aims to expand its AI capabilities, refine its tools for larger design firms, and potentially shift the architectural industry towards more efficient, AI-driven design solutions.