In 1951, Leo Burnett hosted a "pants day" at his agency, where everyone, including clients, wore casual pants instead of suits. This event aimed to foster creativity and break down formal barriers, becoming a beloved tradition at the agency.

July 08, 2024

• AI Meets K-Pop: HYBE Introduces SYNDI8

• Instant UGC Creation: HeyGen's AI at Work

• 3 Questions w/ AI Filmmaker, Abel Art

• The AI Wire

• They Said It: T.S. Eliot

• Tools to Explore

AI Meets K-Pop: HYBE Introduces SYNDI8

I have to be honest, I liked it better when Damon Albarn of Blur created his “artificial” group, Gorillaz. It took a little while but sad songs sung by animations became acceptable…in this one case 😉 

This next AI group may be a step too far for me.

HYBE, the entertainment company behind K-pop superstars like BTS and NewJeans, has launched SYNDI8, an AI-generated pop group. This innovative move highlights the growing influence of AI in the music industry but also raises questions about authenticity and intellectual property. SYNDI8's debut marks a significant step in the integration of AI with music production, pushing the boundaries of what technology can achieve in entertainment.

Key Points

• AI-Generated Pop Group: SYNDI8 is created using advanced AI technologies, designed to produce music and perform like a real pop group.

• Innovation in Music: HYBE leverages AI to create new music experiences, blending technology with traditional music production.

• Authenticity Concerns: The launch of an AI-generated group sparks debate about the authenticity and emotional connection of AI-created music.

Perspectives

• SYNDI8 co-producers Deja and Han: “SYNDI8 is a virtual artist group born from Supertone’s voice synthesis technologies, inspired by the company’s growth story. Embodying the fantasy universe, the group plans to engage with fans across various platforms.”

Instant UGC Creation: HeyGen's AI at Work

I genuinely enjoy HeyGen's language translator for existing videos, but I’m not as excited about their 100% AI-generated avatars. While HeyGen's AI video generator offers a quick and easy way to create user-generated content (UGC) by analyzing URLs from platforms like Amazon, Etsy, and Shopify, there's a looming question about the authenticity and genuine feel of these AI avatars. Users can quickly generate videos that look professional, but will they resonate on the same level as real human content?

Would you trust UGC avatars?

Key Points

• Instant UGC Creation: HeyGen enables users to generate UGC-style content by simply inputting a URL from popular e-commerce platforms.

• Customization: Users can modify titles, descriptions, media elements, scripts, and choose from a wide range of avatars.

• Quality and Efficiency: The platform ensures high-quality, consistent content.

• Authenticity Concerns: The use of AI-generated avatars raises questions about the genuine connection with the audience.

Perspectives

• HeyGen Team: "With HeyGen, creating engaging UGC has never been easier. In just a few seconds, users can generate perfect content for social media posts, emails, and more." ​ (Chatbene)​

• Ray S., Warehouse Supervisor: "It's like having a magic wand for video creation. It's not just a tool; it's more like a backstage crew always ready to put on a show." ​ (HeyGen)​

• Christopher S., Senior Software Engineer: "When they perfect this, watch out. The user interface makes it very simple to create short, engaging videos that have proven to be very helpful for our HR and training departments." ​ (HeyGen)​

See it in action

3 Questions w/ AI Filmmaker, Abel Art

Abel Art’s new AI-generated film "Le Voyageur" is an outstanding example of human creativity amplified by AI.

What inspired you to explore the use of AI in creating this film, and how did it influence the overall concept and execution?

I have been dedicated to AI for a year. The concept was already present but impossible to achieve with previous models. Using AI feels like exploring unknown territory. What interests me is guiding an idea through this mysterious path.

Can you describe the key challenges you faced while integrating AI into your filmmaking process, and how you overcame them?

It’s a totally different process. When you start using AI, you want to mimic traditional filmmaking but hit a wall. This leads to some frustration and the notion that AI isn’t good enough yet. The interesting part is trying to convey an idea with this new medium, so it requires practice.

In what ways do you think AI technology will continue to evolve and impact the future of filmmaking?

AI is already used by major studios; for some, it will be a tool to improve workflows, and for others, a new means of expression. I see only positive things in the future of AI. The justification is the pleasure derived from its use. I believe AI reduces the time between idea and realization. It’s an incredible experimentation tool.

You can view "Le Voyageur" on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fRkG7Fn8mg

The AI Wire

• Adobe's New AI-Powered Creative Suite Features: Adobe announced significant updates to its Creative Cloud suite, introducing AI-powered features across Photoshop, Illustrator, and Premiere Pro. These updates leverage Adobe's Sensei AI technology to enhance creativity and streamline workflows. Read more at Adobe Blog

• Spotify's AI-Generated Playlists: Spotify has launched a new feature that uses AI to generate personalized playlists based on user listening habits. This aims to improve user experience by offering more accurate and diverse music recommendations. Read more at TechCrunch

• AI-Enhanced Fashion Design by Zara: Fashion brand Zara is using AI to create new collections inspired by the latest trends and customer preferences. The AI analyzes fashion data to suggest designs, streamlining the design process and reducing time-to-market. Read more at Vogue Business

They Said It

"Anxiety is the handmaiden of creativity."

T.S. Eliot

Tools to Explore

• Glasp: Glasp is a PDF & Web highlighter that helps you collect and organize your favorite quotes and thoughts from the web.

• Rapport: Create, animate, and deploy emotionally intelligent characters to enrich dialogue with your audience