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Generative AI music app Suno comes out of stealth

Also: Generation GPT: What Gen Z really thinks about ‘world-changing’ AI

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AI KATANA
December 20, 2023

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In recent AI news, Suno unveils an innovative music app integrated with Microsoft's Copilot, offering unique song creation capabilities, while Apple's HUGS project advances avatar technology by transforming video clips into animated avatars. Generation Z's engagement with AI is reshaping career aspirations and ethical views, as highlighted in diverse personal narratives. OpenAI's new policy empowers its board to prioritize safety in AI releases. South Korean firms adopt a localized approach to AI, focusing on regional languages and cultures. Despite high expectations, the surge in AI specialist roles in marketing remains gradual. Microsoft Designer introduces AI-driven customization for creating Funko Pop! avatars, and Hong Kong's VMS Group secures significant funding for its AI-focused 3Capital AGI Fund, highlighting AI's growing influence across various sectors.

Sliced:

  • 🎵 Generative AI music app Suno comes out of stealth

  • ⚙️ Apple creates new HUGS AI tool that can convert a video into a dancing avatar in minutes

  • 👦 Generation GPT: What Gen Z really thinks about ‘world-changing’ AI

  • ⚠️ OpenAI says board can overrule CEO on safety of new AI releases

  • 🤖 Seeking a Big Edge in A.I., South Korean Firms Think Smaller

  • 🌊 An Anticipated Wave of AI Specialist Jobs Has Yet to Arrive

Suno, a newly unveiled AI music app, aims to democratize song creation, making it as simple as taking a photo on a phone. Unlike other AI music tools that clone or mimic existing artists, Suno focuses on generating original tunes and vocals. Its user-friendly web app requires just a song description to create unique tracks, with options to write custom lyrics and choose specific styles. Suno, which integrates into Microsoft's AI software platform Copilot, emphasizes legal and ethical music production, rejecting inputs that mimic specific artists. The app offers a free version with a daily limit and subscription-based unlimited access, positioning itself as a groundbreaking tool in the evolving landscape of AI-generated music.

Apple's latest AI project, HUGS (Human Gaussian Splats), represents a significant advancement in digital avatar creation. This tool transforms a short video clip into a full-body avatar in minutes, significantly outpacing existing methods. The technology behind HUGS allows the generation of high-definition, animated avatars from as little as 50 frames of video, ready for use in various virtual environments. Although currently in the research stage with no immediate application, HUGS is expected to be a key component of Apple's Vision mixed-reality ecosystem, offering future potential for creating personalized game characters and enhancing virtual interactions.

The article delves into the nuanced impact of AI on the future goals and career choices of young people. It highlights varied individual stories, reflecting the complex relationship between AI and Generation Z. These include a student who chose an AI career over finance, expressing a shift in job market values; an art student skeptical about the emotional depth of AI-generated art, indicating a debate about AI's role in creativity; a law student considering how AI might revolutionize legal professions; and a high school student innovating in AI for environmental solutions. These narratives collectively paint a picture of AI as a multifaceted, transformative force, influencing young people's aspirations, ethical considerations, and career paths, and signaling a generational shift in the perception and utilization of technology.

OpenAI's new policy allows its board to supersede the CEO's decisions on the safety of new AI releases. This change is part of a broader initiative for responsible AI development and includes the formation of a "preparedness" team. This team evaluates AI systems for various risks, including cybersecurity and potential global threats. Their assessments are pivotal in decision-making processes for AI releases, but the board retains the ultimate decision-making power. This policy reflects OpenAI's commitment to prioritizing safety and ethical considerations in the rapidly evolving field of AI.

South Korean firms are adopting a localized strategy in AI development, focusing on creating models specific to languages, cultures, and industries. This approach contrasts with the general-purpose models popular in the U.S., targeting Korean language and culture initially and expanding to include Thai, Vietnamese, and Malaysian contexts. This strategy is supported by South Korea's tech-savvy population, strong government backing, and corporate investment in AI research, aiming to foster a diverse and culturally sensitive AI environment.

The expectation of a surge in AI specialist jobs in marketing has not materialized as anticipated. Despite AI's significant impact and growing interest, major brands have been slow to create AI-specific roles. Companies like Coca-Cola are exceptions, having established positions like Global Head of Generative AI and Global Head of Marketing AI. However, many firms are still navigating the best ways to integrate AI responsibly, focusing on establishing guidelines to ensure AI tools align with brand values and do not compromise user data.

🛠️ AI tools updates

Microsoft Designer offers a unique opportunity for individuals to create custom Funko Pop! avatars using AI technology. This free tool allows for extensive customization, enabling users to input specific features and style preferences, thus generating avatars that resemble their own likeness. The application provides a platform for creativity and personalization, allowing changes in clothing, accessories, and various other details. Despite facing some constraints due to Microsoft's responsible AI guidelines, this tool represents a novel approach to avatar creation, inspired by the immensely popular Funko Pop! brand, catering to those seeking to design distinctive, personalized figurines.

💵 Venture Capital updates

Hong Kong-based VMS Group has completed the first close of its dedicated AI fund, the 3Capital AGI Fund (3Cap Fund), achieving over half of its target amount. The fund, a joint venture with AI industry expert Esther Wong, marks VMS Group's continued investment in AI, having invested over $100 million in early-stage AI companies since 2018. The 3Cap Fund's focus includes various AI sub-segments and aligns with VMS Group's history of managing substantial assets across private equity, real estate, and structured finance. With previous funds closed at significant amounts, VMS Group's investment strategy primarily targets healthcare, technology, and consumer businesses, with a diverse portfolio spanning various countries.

🫡 Meme of the day

⭐️ Generative AI image of the day