OpenAI is dedicated to providing copyright holders with “greater control” over character generation following the recent release of the Sora 2 app, which has overwhelmed platforms with videos featuring copyrighted characters.
Sora 2, an AI-driven video creation tool, was launched last week by invitation only. This application enables users to produce short videos from text prompts. A review by the Guardian of the AI-generated content revealed instances of copyrighted characters from shows like SpongeBob SquarePants, South Park, Pokémon, and Rick and Morty.
According to the Wall Street Journal, prior to releasing Sora 2, OpenAI informed talent agencies and studios that they would need to opt out if they wished to prevent the unlicensed use of their material by video generators.
OpenAI stated that those who own Guardian content can utilize a “copyright dispute form” to report copyright violations, though individual artists and studios cannot opt out of blanket agreements. Varun Shetty, OpenAI’s Head of Media Partnerships, remarked:
OpenAI Sora 2 Generated Video 1
On Saturday, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman stated in a blog post that the company has received “feedback” from users, rights holders, and various groups, leading to modifications.
He mentioned that rights holders will gain more “detailed control” as well as enhanced options regarding how their likenesses can be used within the application.
“We’ve heard from numerous rights holders who are thrilled about this new form of ‘interactive fan fiction’ and are confident that this level of engagement will be beneficial for them; however, we want to ensure that they can specify the manner in which the characters are utilized.”
Altman noted that OpenAI will “work with rights holders to determine the way forward,” adding that certain “generation edge cases” will undergo scrutiny within the platform’s guidelines.
He emphasized that the company needs to find a sustainable revenue model from video generation and that user engagement is exceeding initial expectations. This could lead to compensating rights holders for the authorized use of their characters.
“Creating an accurate model requires some trial and error, but we plan to start soon,” Altman said. “Our aim is for this new type of engagement to be even more valuable than revenue sharing, and we hope it’s worth it for everyone involved.”
He remarked on the rapid evolution of the project, reminiscent of the early days of ChatGPT, acknowledging both successful decisions and mistakes made along the way.
Source: www.theguardian.com
Elon Musk Sparks Right-Wing Backlash Over Child Characters: ‘Cancel Netflix’
Elon Musk, a self-proclaimed “free speech absolutist,” has recently attracted attention for urging people to cancel their Netflix subscriptions, citing concerns over LGBTQ+ characters.
Musk, the richest man in the world with an estimated net worth of around $500 million, has encouraged his 227 million followers on X, the platform he oversees, to cancel their Netflix subscriptions. In just the past three days, he has posted or shared calls to cancel Netflix at least 26 times.
The backlash against Netflix began on Tuesday when Musk tweeted, “This isn’t okay.”
He referred to the Netflix show Dead End Paranormal Park as “pro-transgender for kids,” noting that it is rated TV-Y7, which signifies suitability for children aged 7 and over. The show aired 20 episodes in 2022 before being canceled by Netflix the following year, and it is currently not being promoted by the company.
Zack Barack, the voice of Barney and the first openly trans actor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, quickly rebutted Musk’s claims on X, stating, “You can be afraid of everything you want, but my kids and parents told me it saved their lives!!”
Since then, Musk has shared several tweets from users who claim to have canceled their subscriptions in protest of what they believe to be a children’s brainwashing agenda involving LGBTQ+ content.
“Cancel Netflix for your child’s health,” Musk tweeted on Wednesday, quoting a meme that depicted Netflix’s “Transgender Woke Agenda” as a Trojan horse sneaking into a castle labeled “Your Child.”
On Thursday, he shared another user’s tweet stating, “Transgender propaganda isn’t just quietly hiding in the Netflix background. They’re actively pushing it,” linking to an article titled “Celebrating Trans Visibility in These 16 Movies and Shows” on Netflix’s Tudum Media site.
Musk also highlighted themes of pro-trans content in shows like Babysitters Club and Cocomelon, while sharing debunked claims linking Netflix to an “anti-white” hiring policy and calling out political donations from Netflix employees exclusively to Democrats for the 2024 election.
Additionally, Musk commented “Netflix Cancel” on a TikTok post referencing Netflix’s 2023 report on Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives.
Musk’s daughter, Vivian Wilson, who is transgender, has publicly criticized his anti-trans rhetoric. In a 2022 petition to legally change her name and gender, Wilson expressed:
Musk has since stated that he “essentially lost my son,” claiming he was “deceived” regarding gender-affirming care for Wilson, whom he referred to as “dead and killed by a woke mind virus.” He elaborated on these sentiments further.
Netflix has often championed free speech when it faced backlash over its content, yet has remained silent in response to Musk’s provocations. This isn’t the first time the company faced criticism from the right; in 2020, the release of the film Cuties, which dealt with a minor actress performing a sexual dance routine, sparked outrage leading to a significant increase in subscription cancellations in the U.S.
In 2021, Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos defended comedian Dave Chappelle based on free speech principles, backing the company’s decision to commission specials from right-leaning comedian Tony Hinchcliffe, despite Hinchcliffe’s controversial remarks.
Musk’s calls for mass cancellations come amid Hollywood’s own free speech controversy triggered by the indefinite suspension of Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night talk show, which faced backlash during the Trump administration. Following similar reactions from celebrities and Disney+ subscribers, the company reinstated Kimmel.
Source: www.theguardian.com
Adorable Fluffy Characters and Egyptian Selfies: Meta Unveils New AI-Powered Feed Vibe
While cat videos, selfies, and dad jokes dominate social media, Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta has added an innovative twist: all content is generated by artificial intelligence.
The founder and CEO of Meta has unveiled Vibes, a fresh feed showcasing AI-produced videos from various Meta AI applications.
With the introduction of advanced video models, discussions surrounding internet phenomena like AI “slop” (referring to bizarre, mass-produced content) have intensified. A report in August from The Guardian indicated that 10% of the fastest-growing YouTube channels exclusively feature AI-generated content.
As the technology evolves, AI-generated content is becoming increasingly prominent in consumer feeds. Google’s VEO3 model, released in May, has enabled filmmakers to produce high-quality material.
Zuckerberg, in an Instagram post, described Vibes as “a feed of expressive AI-generated videos from artists and creators.” This feature will launch in the US and over 40 other countries, although it won’t be available in the UK.
In an explanatory clip featuring an AI maid titled “Dad trying to calculate tips for a $30 lunch,” Zuckerberg received a comment from an Instagram user, “The Brothers post AI Slops to their apps.”
Additional videos shared by Zuckerberg include an Egyptian princess snapping selfies, a kitten in a custom bakery outfit kneading dough, an adorable fluffy creature, and a dog dashing through a flooded area.
In a statement introducing the Vibes Feed, Meta mentioned that users can create their content and “remix” videos with fresh visuals and music. This was illustrated in videos featuring charming animals like honey monsters riding bicycles and moose bouncing on trampolines.
While Meta has its own range of AI models called llamas, Vibe leverages video generation technologies from AI Labs Midjourney and Black Forest. I’ll post it on the thread shared by Meta’s new Chief AI Officer, Alexandre Wan.
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Meta’s announcement coincides with a Harvard Business Review article addressing the rise of “Workslop,” a term for low-quality documents and presentations generated by workplace AI tools. HBR’s survey of over 1,100 full-time employees revealed that four out of ten respondents reported receiving Workslop within the past month.
Source: www.theguardian.com
Stay entertained while ranking the hottest video game characters | Games
IS Lara Croft Hot? This is the question that has been troubling us for nearly three decades. She made her debut on the cover of Face Magazine in 1997 alongside the tagline “larger than Pammy.” TV special aimed at uncovering the “real” tomb raider. But what does science have to say about it? In a world where American academics are hesitant to use the term “woman” without jeopardizing their research funding, it is reassuring to see that a betting site named Casino Days has taken on this important task and recently compiled a list of “the top 10 most attractive video game characters according to science.”
Using the so-called “golden ratio” – which assesses beauty based on facial proportions – the company discovered that Lara Croft ranks as the second most attractive video game character in the virtual realm. Ultimately, claiming the top spot is Geralt of Rivia from The Witcher series.
The rest of the rankings include Arthur Morgan from Red Dead Redemption in fifth place and Yennefer of Vengerberg from The Witcher in eighth place. What’s most surprising about these findings is not the ongoing fixation on the attractiveness of video game characters, but rather the enduring popularity of these familiar faces. When will we see Guybrush Threepwood on the list? Mario must be wondering when his turn is. Sporting a pointed, pixelated chest is one thing, but coordinating the hat with the shirt under those dungarees during a hard day of plumbing? That takes dedication. Consistency. Blessing.
Real scientists, this time, have discovered that “good behavior” can make one’s face appear even more attractive to others – with sincerity being deemed more attractive than deceit, but men losing points for appearing aggressive. So, judging video game characters based on the symmetrical perfection of their faces seems somewhat antiquated.
According to “science,” the most captivating video game characters include Bella Goth from The Sims, Harvey from Stardew Valley, King of Hyrule, the Red Ghost from Pac-Man, and Flo from Diner Dash. If we continue to assert rankings and ratings on each other, even hundreds of years later, why stop now – can’t we at least tone down our desires a bit? Can’t we acknowledge the allure of the perpetually fiery king in those mobile game advertisements?
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Unfortunately, a press release from Casino Days has crowned Princess Zelda as the most attractive video game character. Not only is this tragic due to its sexist undertones, but also because Zelda embodies a multitude of femininity. Does she have too many resemblances to Ganondorf, and like Princess Peach before her, can’t she catch a break without being objectified? The text itself highlights the dangers of being cute and blonde in a world dominated by malevolence, forcing Zelda to constantly assert her identity as cute rather than just blonde. Will she have to reveal more skin to prove her worth? (Most likely, yes. Those Bokoblins mean business.)
We are living in a time of significant transformations and upheavals. And by that, I don’t mean that World War III is looming on the horizon. I mean that the women in games are getting a facelift, with Ciri in Witcher 4 likely lost some of her allure because she matured. So, amidst all the chaos and evil in our world, some things remain constant – everyone can agree that from left to right (B, A, start) – Lara Croft and Geralt of Rivia are hot. Regardless of what comes next, it’s evident that we will continue to debate the attractiveness of lines of code for years to come.
Source: www.theguardian.com
Premiere of ‘A Quiet Place’: Do the characters truly have exceptional control over their bodily functions?
We have all experienced the discomfort of hydrogen and methane accumulating in the large intestine, causing pressure and the urgent need for release. This natural bodily function does not adhere to our schedule, sometimes occurring at the most inconvenient times, like during a job interview or meeting your partner’s aristocratic parents for the first time.
Farting may seem harmless, but in a world like A Quiet Place, a sci-fi horror film featuring creatures with heightened hearing sensitivity, even a small noise could be deadly. Amidst the chaos of survival, the question arises: how long can humans hold in a fart before facing consequences?
In the third installment of the series, A Quiet Place Day 1, the movie prompts us to ponder on the taboo topic of fart retention. While scientific literature on this subject is limited, experts like Julie Thomson from the digestive health charity, Guts UK, shed light on the implications of holding in gas for prolonged periods.
On average, a person releases gas about 15 times a day, a vital bodily function that cannot be suppressed indefinitely. The accumulation of gas can lead to discomfort and potential health issues if prolonged.
Professor Clare Collins, Director of Research at the School of Health, University of Newcastle, Australia, discusses the link between gas retention and conditions like diverticulitis, emphasizing the importance of not suppressing natural bodily functions for extended periods.
While the consequences of holding in a fart might not seem severe, in a scenario akin to A Quiet Place, where noise attracts deadly beings, it’s crucial to prioritize health over momentary embarrassment.
Remember, maintaining a healthy diet, avoiding gas-inducing foods, and allowing your body to function naturally are key to avoiding discomfort and potential health complications associated with suppressing flatulence.
So, whether you find yourself in a post-apocalyptic world or facing a challenging situation, prioritize your health over temporary discomfort.
This article was first published on May 28, 2021
About our experts
Julie Thomson: Information Manager at Guts UK, an organization dedicated to improving awareness of gastrointestinal diseases.
Claire Collins: Emeritus Professor at the School of Health Sciences, University of Newcastle, Australia, specializing in nutritional technologies and interventions.
Source: www.sciencefocus.com
Fuzzy Door’s Viewscreen: On-set Augmented Reality Brings Computer-Generated Characters and Locations to Your Viewfinder
Almost all TV shows and movies use computer graphics (CG) these days, but a show with fully digital characters takes it to another level. Seth MacFarlane’s “Ted” is one such show, and his production company Fuzzy Door has developed a new tool to enhance the filming process. This tool, called Viewscreen, turns the potentially messy process of working with CG characters and environments into an opportunity for collaboration and improvisation on set.
Viewscreen is an on-set augmented reality tool that allows for real-time interaction with CG assets through the camera. This has dramatically improved the creative process, making it easier to get the necessary shots faster, according to MacFarlane. Typically, the process of filming with CG assets occurs after the camera is turned off, and it involves using stand-ins like tennis balls and motion capture performers. The footage is then sent to a VFX person for adjustments, which can be a repetitive and traditional process, leaving little room for spontaneity.
Viewscreen Studio is a wireless system that can sync between multiple cameras and integrate various data streams simultaneously. This system creates a middle ground between pre and post-production, allowing for live compositing and positioning of CG assets in the viewfinder and on a monitor. It also allows for live adjustments, such as changing waypoints and lighting, and creating different shots and scenarios naturally.
This new tool enables directors and camera operators to see and interact with invisible CG elements in real time, allowing for more creative freedom and spontaneity. It has already been successfully used in the production of “Ted” to enhance over 3,000 shots in the film.
Fuzzy Door has made Viewscreen available today and is already working with several studios and productions. The company offers four specific modules, including a tracker, compositor, exporter, and motion, to assist in the filming process. This tool has the potential to revolutionize the way CG elements are integrated into live-action productions.
Source: techcrunch.com
