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Featured Technology And Entertainment Stories


"AI-Generated Love Story 'Next Stop Paris' Marks TCL's Debut Original Movie"
TCL, a major TV hardware company, is set to release its first original movie, "Next Stop Paris," this summer on its streaming platform TCLtv+, using generative AI to create the content. The trailer for the AI-powered love story has received criticism for its absurd-looking characters and lack of emotional depth. Despite this, TCL aims to use original content to attract viewers and build its brand identity, with plans to incorporate AI-generated characters as brand ambassadors and influencers for advertisers. Additionally, the company is also working on traditional, non-AI-generated content for future releases.

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"Disney Star Bridgit Mendler Launches Space Data Startup"
Originally Published 1 year ago — by KTLA Los Angeles

Former Disney star Bridgit Mendler has announced her role as CEO of Northwood Space, a space startup focused on building ground stations connecting to satellites in space. The company, formed in 2023, aims to expand access to space through shared ground infrastructure. Mendler's husband serves as the company's chief technology officer, and the startup has raised $6.3 million from investors. In addition to her space venture, Mendler revealed that she's a mom to a 4-year-old boy, whom she fostered and then adopted in 2022.
"Nielsen Reports YouTube and Peacock Dominate US TV Streaming"
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Hollywood Reporter

The first streaming-exclusive NFL playoff game on Peacock contributed to the biggest day on streaming platforms ever measured by Nielsen, with January also featuring nine of the 10 highest volume days on streaming. The NFL game drove Peacock to its largest share of viewing for a month, while YouTube and Netflix remained the top individual streaming platforms. Additionally, sports, particularly the end of the NFL regular season and early playoff rounds, accounted for 28 percent of all broadcast viewing in January, with Netflix's "Fool Me Once" being the top streaming title for the month.
"Apple's Paid Subscriptions Surpass 1 Billion as Quarterly Revenue Increases"
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Deadline

Apple Services, including Apple TV+ and other offerings, has surpassed well over 1 billion paid subscriptions, with record revenue of $23 billion last quarter. CEO Tim Cook highlighted the success of Apple Original Films and acclaimed productions like Martin Scorsese's "Killers of the Flower Moon," which has garnered numerous accolades and boosted Apple's Oscar nominations. The company's revenue of $119.6 billion, up 2%, exceeded expectations, marking a turnaround after four quarters of declining sales, with net profits and iPhone sales also on the rise.
"YouTube Celebrates 100 Million Premium and Music Subscribers Milestone"
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Variety

YouTube Music and YouTube Premium have collectively surpassed 100 million subscribers globally, generating over $15 billion in revenue in 2023. The announcement follows a recent price increase for the U.S. market and highlights the platform's commitment to enhancing the user experience, including new features and content. The milestone has been praised by industry leaders for its impact on the music ecosystem, while also coinciding with a dispute between Universal Music Group and TikTok over licensing agreements.
"Social Media Platform X Takes Action Against Viral Taylor Swift Deepfakes"
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Fox News

X has blocked searches for Taylor Swift on its platform after sexually explicit AI-generated images of the singer circulated on the social media network. The decision came after a surge of fake pornographic images, prompting X to suspend at least one account associated with the images. The White House and SAG-AFTRA actors union have both expressed concern and called for legislative action to prevent the dissemination of non-consensual, intimate imagery of real people.
"Legal Experts React to Taylor Swift Deepfake Controversy"
Originally Published 1 year ago — by NBC News

SAG-AFTRA condemns the use of deepfake technology to create explicit images of Taylor Swift and a new comedy special featuring the late George Carlin, calling for legislation to make such actions illegal. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella also expressed concern, while Carlin's estate has filed a lawsuit over the AI-generated special. SAG-AFTRA emphasizes the need for stronger legal protections against AI and supports legislation to prevent the exploitation of deepfake technology.
"Outcry Grows for Legal Action Against Taylor Swift AI Fakes"
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Variety

SAG-AFTRA condemns the circulation of pornographic AI images of Taylor Swift and advocates for legislation to outlaw the creation and distribution of such fake images without consent. The actors' union has expressed support for existing and proposed laws aimed at banning deepfake pornographic images and broader legislation prohibiting the use of artificial intelligence to replicate real people without consent. The issue has gained attention in Washington, with the White House press secretary acknowledging the need for legislation to address the problem. SAG-AFTRA's stance reflects its commitment to protecting individuals from digital exploitation and supporting measures to safeguard privacy and autonomy.
"Taylor Swift Fans Rally Against Spread of Deepfake Pornography"
Originally Published 1 year ago — by The Associated Press

Pornographic deepfake images of Taylor Swift have been circulating on social media, prompting her fans to launch a counteroffensive with a #ProtectTaylorSwift hashtag. The deepfake-detecting group Reality Defender tracked a deluge of nonconsensual pornographic material depicting Swift, particularly on the social media platform X. Tech platforms like X and Meta-owned Facebook have been working to remove the explicit content, while lawmakers are pushing for better protections against deepfake porn. Swift's fans are mobilizing in support of the pop star, and the incident has sparked discussions about the need for stronger regulations and safeguards against deepfake technology.
"Steamboat Willie's Mickey Mouse Enters Public Domain, Inspires AI-Driven Horror Film"
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Ars Technica

Early Mickey Mouse cartoons from 1928 have entered the public domain, prompting AI enthusiasts to create a new image generator model that can produce images based on these cartoons. The model, available on Hugging Face, was trained on stills from "Steamboat Willie," "Plane Crazy," and "The Gallopin' Gaucho." While the AI-generated images are not perfect and the legality of using copyrighted training data remains unresolved, the move has sparked a wave of creative and potentially controversial uses of the iconic character's image. This development also raises questions about the legal nuances of AI-generated content and the implications of trademark laws on the use of the Mickey Mouse name.
2023: A Year in Entertainment and Fashion, from Books to Lawsuits
Originally Published 2 years ago — by The Verge

As 2023 comes to an end, The Verge reflects on the year that was, highlighting the highs and lows in gadgets, social media, and entertainment. The year saw the decline of Twitter and the struggles of Matter's launch, while gadgets became more advanced and generative AI became ubiquitous. The article also previews what to expect in 2024, with a focus on the increasing presence of AI. Additionally, it discusses favorite movies, TV shows, and games across various platforms.