A surge in AI-generated literature is raising concerns among some who believe this trend could undermine the authenticity and value of the reading experience. The debate is intensifying amid increasing worries about the rise of generative AI and its potential impact on jobs, especially those involving creative professionals. There is growing apprehension that AI-created content might eventually replace human-produced materials.
Marketplace
AI-made music can now be easily uploaded to SoundCloud, thanks to a trio of new deals
SoundCloud has struck partnerships with three music technology companies to allow artists to directly upload songs created with AI tools to its platform. Those three companies are Fadr, Soundful, and Voice–Swap. SoundCloud said in its announcement on Thursday (January 25) that the move “marks the latest milestone in SoundCloud’s efforts to empower artists on the platform”.
Source: AI-made music can now be easily uploaded to SoundCloud, thanks to a trio of new deals
The News About the News Business Is Getting Grimmer
Even by the standards of a news business whose fortunes have plummeted in the digital age, the last few weeks have been especially grim for American journalism. Prominent newspapers like The Washington Post are shedding reporters and editors, and on Tuesday, The Los Angeles Times laid off more than 20 percent of its newsroom. Cable news ratings have fallen amid an uncompetitive presidential primary contest.
Facebook made a change after years of PR disasters, and news sites are paying the price
Meta has been de-emphasizing news across Facebook’s feed, upending many publishers that had come to rely on referral traffic. In September, Meta said it would “deprecate” its Facebook news tab in European countries including the U.K., France and Germany as “part of an ongoing effort to better align our investments to our products and services people value the most.”
Source: Facebook made a major change after years of PR disasters, and news sites are paying the price
Artificial intelligence could be ‘devastating’ to these musicians
The American Federation of Musicians, the union that represents music performers and artists, could be the latest entertainment industry union to go on strike over artificial intelligence. The AFM is starting negotiations with Hollywood producers. Shelly Palmer, of Syracuse University, said artificial intelligence will hit the musicians who produce TV theme songs and instrumental music for stores and theme parks the hardest.
Source: Artificial intelligence could be ‘devastating’ to these musicians
Music streaming platforms must pay artists more, says EU
The EU has proposed sweeping changes within the music streaming industry to promote smaller artists and make sure underpaid performers are being fairly compensated. A resolution to address concerns regarding inadequate streaming royalties for artists and biased recommendation algorithms was adopted by members of the European Parliament (MEPs) on Wednesday, highlighting that no existing EU rules currently apply to music streaming services.
Source: Music streaming platforms must pay artists more, says EU
Disney Exec Warns More Shows May See Fewer Seasons Due to New Actors Deal
The new collective bargaining agreement struck between the major Hollywood studios and the Screen Actors Guild may have an impact on the longevity of future shows, according to one Walt Disney executive. The increasingly complex terms gives actors more flexibility to move on to projects and makes it more costly to retain them for future seasons, which could lead to shows ending prematurely, warned Grant Michaelson, vice president of business affairs for Disney’s branded television unit.
158 million tracks had 1,000 plays or fewer on music streaming services last year
According to Luminate’s 2023 Year-End Music Report, fully 158.6 million tracks each received 1,000 or fewer plays on audio streaming services in 2023. That number amounts to a whopping86.2% of the 184 million music tracks that Luminate measured on audio streaming services at the close of last year via ISRCs. Even more tellingly, a total of 45.6 million tracks received zero plays in 2023.
Gaming voice actors blindsided by ‘garbage’ union AI deal
Prominent voice actors say they weren’t told about a landmark deal setting out how voices generated by artificial intelligence (AI) can be used in games. It has been struck by US actors’ union Sag-Aftra and AI firm Replica Studios. The union says it guarantees “fully informed consent and fair compensation” for its members. But many voice artists, who have long been concerned AI will replace them, have reacted with fury with one calling the deal “garbage.”
Source: Gaming voice actors blindsided by ‘garbage’ union AI deal
Getty Images launches a new GenAI service for iStock customers
Getty Images, the stock media company, announced a new service this week at CES 2024 that leverages AI models trained on Getty’s iStock stock photography and video libraries to generate new licensable images and artwork. Called Generative AI by iStock, the service, powered in part by tech from Nvidia, has been designed to guard against generations of known products, people, places or other copyrighted elements, Getty claims.
Source: Getty Images launches a new GenAI service for iStock customers | TechCrunch