Dolly Parton once entered a Dolly Parton look-alike contest and lost! She exaggerated her iconic features with extra makeup and flamboyant clothes, but the judges didn't recognize her. She said she got the least applause and lost to a drag queen.

table of contents

June 14, 2024

• Animation Flops at Annecy

• AI Hits the Right Note and Legend Returns

• Script Deal Raises Eyebrows

• Your Content, Your Control

• Tools to Consider…

animation

AI Animation Flops at Annecy: Sparks Copyright Controversy

At the prestigious Annecy Animation Festival, known for its supportive audience of animation professionals and students, the AI-generated music video for Chien Méchant’s “Étoile filante” was booed. This unusual reaction highlights ongoing ethical concerns about AI in creative industries, particularly regarding copyright. Critics argue that "image-generating software has illegally been trained using copyrighted materials," equating it to celebrating theft. Annecy's artistic director, Marcel Jean, defends including AI films to engage with evolving technologies, stating, "It is important to be attentive to the evolution of things and to react with discernment, sensitivity, and artistic sense."

Takeaways

• Utilize AI training data from licensed or public domain sources to avoid copyright infringement and ensure ethical standards. Adopt transparent AI practices and be proactive in addressing ethical concerns to build trust within the creative community.

micro case: audio / music production

AI Hits the Right Notes: Country Music Legend Gets His Voice Back

Country music legend Randy Travis, who lost his voice after a stroke in 2013, has been given a chance to sing again thanks to AI. Researchers used deep learning algorithms to analyze old recordings of Travis's voice, creating a digital replica that can sing new material. This breakthrough allowed Travis to release a new song, blending his classic sound with modern technology. The AI-generated voice captures the unique nuances of his singing, bringing back the iconic voice that fans love. Travis was able to oversee the production, keeping it true to his artistic vision.

Watch the video for “Where That Came From”.

Survive and Thrive Framework Placement: Thrive

High Human-Touch

• Travis was involved in producing the song ensuring it is indeed, a “Randy Travis Song” and not an “AI” song.

• Music and lyrics were composed by songwriters.

• The music was performed by musicians.

• Instruments were recorded by engineers with extreme detail and care for every sound and tone.

High AI-Integration

• Travis’ voice was generated completely by AI using previous recordings as source material.

writing

Showrunner's AI Script Deal Raises Eyebrows

Showrunner Industries has acquired AI startup ScriptGen, which specializes in automating the script development process. ScriptGen's technology offers tools for automated drafting, creative assistance, and streamlining revisions, aiming to reduce the time and effort required in scriptwriting. Showrunner CEO, Alex Turner, stated, "This acquisition positions us at the forefront of innovation in storytelling." Critics worry about the impact on creative jobs, with writer Samantha Lee expressing concern: "AI should support, not replace, human creativity."

Takeaways

• For beginners, AI tools like ScriptGen can provide invaluable assistance by automating tedious tasks and enabling them to get up and running faster. The more you write, the better you get.

• For experienced writers, relying too heavily on AI could compromise the authenticity and depth of storytelling. Look for ways to use AI to complement human creativity rather than replace it, ensuring high-quality, emotionally resonant content.

all things

Adobe Clarifies AI Rules: Your Content, Your Control

Adobe recently updated its Terms of Use to clarify its policies on content access and moderation, especially in light of generative AI advancements. The update emphasizes that Adobe requires limited access to user content to operate and improve services, with increased human moderation to ensure responsible use. Adobe also reaffirmed that its AI models, including Firefly, are trained on licensed and public domain content, not customer work. Importantly, Adobe will never assume ownership of customer content.

For more details, read the full article on Adobe Blog.

links

Tools to Consider…

• Underlord: An editing assistant that can do “all the tedious stuff”

• ElevenLabs: A flexible speech software to generate engaging storytelling