Runway 🤝 Lionsgate = AI video creation

Welcome back to a new edition of AI Odyssey!

TL;DR

• Runway partners with Lionsgate for AI video tech: Runway struck a deal with Lionsgate to use AI for video production, aiding pre-production and editing with custom AI models.

• Snap’s AI glasses are still a long way off: Snap’s new AI-powered Spectacles are limited and far from consumer-ready. CEO Evan Spiegel hopes they’ll be viable by 2030.

• Salesforce CEO criticizes Microsoft’s AI: Marc Benioff called Microsoft’s AI efforts too complex, promoting Salesforce’s simpler AI tools as more effective for businesses.

• UN proposes AI governance recommendations: The UN’s AI advisory body outlined seven recommendations to tackle global AI risks, focusing on transparency, collaboration, and regulation.

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1: Runway strikes deal with Lionsgate for AI-powered video

Runway, a startup that uses AI to turn text and images into video, has secured a deal with Lionsgate, the studio behind John Wick. Runway will license Lionsgate media and create a custom AI model for the studio, potentially aiding pre-production and editing.

Lionsgate sees AI as a tool to enhance operations, with future potential for generating movie scenes, though the tech isn’t yet ready for detailed filmmaker control, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Runway's latest video model is now available to developers, with broader API access coming soon.

2: Snap’s AI glasses are still far off, CEO hopes for 2030

Snap's newly launched Spectacles smart glasses, featuring OpenAI’s AI, are far from becoming a consumer hit. While the glasses allow users to interact with a voice assistant and generate augmented reality images, their usefulness remains limited.

Why it matters: AI wearables were expected to revolutionize how we interact with the world, but Snap’s offering is still a tech demo, with shortcomings like short battery life and challenges recognizing objects in real-time.

The big picture: Snap is following the path of Meta, pitching the device to developers in hopes that they’ll build apps to unlock its potential. But with a heavy price tag and no strong consumer appeal, it’s clear AI wearables still have a long way to go before becoming mainstream.

What they're saying: Snap CEO Evan Spiegel remains hopeful, saying the glasses could become a viable product by 2030. He believes Snap’s smaller scale won’t stop it from innovating, despite competitors’ deeper pockets.

For now, AI-powered glasses are a work in progress, and Snap will need significant improvements before they catch on with everyday users.

3: Benioff takes aim at Microsoft’s AI, calling it 'science projects'

Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff criticized Microsoft’s AI efforts, calling them “science projects” that are too complex for customers and deliver weak results.

Why it matters: Benioff’s remarks come as Salesforce introduces its own AI tools, like Agentforce, which automate tasks such as customer support and email outreach. His critique underscores the broader frustration with AI that doesn’t meet business expectations.

The big picture: While Microsoft has been a leader in AI through its partnership with OpenAI, Benioff claims Salesforce offers a simpler, more user-friendly approach. He argues that Salesforce’s integrated data system makes it easier for companies to use AI without complicated setups.

What he’s saying: “You’re hiring an AI engineer, using a frontier model like GPT-4, and still not getting accurate results,” Benioff said, highlighting the challenge many businesses face in making AI work effectively.

Bottom line: Salesforce is positioning itself as the simpler AI solution for companies, while Microsoft’s AI products, despite their advanced capabilities, face criticism for complexity. The competition between the two tech giants in the AI space is heating up.

4: UN AI advisory body proposes seven key recommendations for AI governance

The United Nations' AI advisory body has released a report with seven recommendations aimed at addressing AI-related risks and governance gaps.

Why it matters: As AI spreads rapidly, concerns over misinformation, copyright infringement, and global governance gaps are rising. The recommendations will be discussed during a UN summit in September.

Key recommendations:

1. Establish a global panel for impartial AI knowledge sharing.

2. Create a policy dialogue on AI governance.

3. Set up an AI standards exchange.

4. Develop a global AI capacity network for improved governance.

5. Launch a global AI fund to bridge capacity and collaboration gaps.

6. Form a global AI data framework for transparency and accountability.

7. Create a small AI office to coordinate and implement these initiatives.

The big picture: Few countries have established AI laws, with the EU leading the way. The UN aims to address the uneven distribution of AI development and ensure global participation in shaping AI's future.

That’s a wrap! See you again for a fresh dose of AI Odyssey soon. 😎