Latest news with #DreamMachine
Indian Express
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Writer's Corner: Graphic novelist Appupen on how Bengaluru enabled him as an artist and allowed to develop his ideas
Being an artist is not an easy trade anywhere in the world, and this holds doubly true for comic authors in India. But for nearly two decades, the comic author and artist who prefers to be known as Appupen has stayed the course, his body of work placing him among the country's more prolific cartoonists. Among his more recent works is a graphic novel of C S Chellappa's classic Tamil novel Vaadivaasal, with the adaptation co-authored alongside Tamil writer Perumal Murugan released in English, Tamil, Marathi, and Bangla in January this year. This project was preceded by Dream Machine, a collaboration with French author Laurent Daudet that tackles the theme of the newfound prevalence of Artificial Intelligence or AI. Other works include Legends of Halahala, a comic universe created by Appupen that includes figures such as the politically satirical Rashtraman. While Appupen is based in Bengaluru, he finds the city more of an enabler than an inspiration. Speaking to The Indian Express, he says, 'Bangalore has allowed me the space to sit by myself and make my ideas, which Bombay did not. In Bombay, I was running to pay the rent or something, but when I came to Bangalore, I got the time to pull back and form stories, draw and write them.' Appupen's career in the field of art began when he was a student in Mumbai, making posters and murals for establishments including discos, with some early influence here being album art from the 1970s and 1980s. Early on, while he was a reader of comics, he never thought he would have the patience to create them. He recalls that later on, 'I was making storyboards for animation, and larger ideas which would be animated in my head. I worked in Bollywood also for some time as an assistant director and art director for a couple of movies.' As he puts it, he realised that his ideas would never be made into a movie with a budget, lacking elements such as song-and-dance numbers or action sequences. The storyboards could only come to life in the form of comics. On the topic of influence, he says, 'There are comic artists you like all the time, but influences can come from anywhere – it could be music or a book you read. I am more interested in the story or the theme rather than getting carried away with the style of art. That is just the icing on top… What is it that we have to say? Unless we have something solid to say, don't get into this business. Say something that has not been said like that before. What we are seeing is new ways of telling stories.' With AI being in the forefront of conversations in many fields today, Appupen notes that he had thought of it as a marketable topic for Dream Machine, adding, 'Nobody knew what it was at the time – and we still don't. People are scared or enamoured by it, but they do not really know – it is just this marketing that has been put out by the AI companies. Laurent Daudet had some very interesting perspectives on it.' He added, 'The space of AI is about monopoly – who is getting control. By playing with AI you think it is coming for free, but it has come to the point that it is being given for free because otherwise its learning is capped.' But even amid all this, comics are still not among the foremost media of consumption. Appupen says, 'I don't think I will ever stop telling people that it is not just for kids. Even educated people are thinking that it is just for children, they are not exposed to it.' Appupen also has some practical advice for those looking to start out in the field of comics. He says, 'Be realistic. Have a job or something on the side because it is not going to pay you if you do what you like. You might have to stay there a long time before you prove yourself.'
Glasgow Times
25-05-2025
- Business
- Glasgow Times
New development for Glasgow's Calton given the go-ahead
Land to the east of Havannah Street can be redeveloped after Glasgow's planning committee gave the green light to the scheme on Thursday. The project, which includes an arts hub, is being delivered by Glasgow Enlightenment Ltd, a joint venture company set up by Dawn Developments and Drum Property Group. Councillors backed the firm's planning bid despite 25 objections from residents, including Calton Community Council which said the proposals left 'much to be desired'. There were 15 letters of support. The site, which is bounded by Hunter Street to the east and the railway to the south, is set to be used for an 11-storey student accommodation block with 591 beds and 147 build-to-rents flats in a 10-storey building. There will be no car parking, but 484 spaces for bikes. A two and a half acres publicly accessible community park is planned, while a 'community lounge and arts hub', known as Dream Park, will be managed by Dream Machine Productions, a community arts organisation. Council planners had recommended the scheme was approved, reporting it would 'reuse an area of brownfield land located within close proximity to Glasgow city centre' and repair 'the urban fabric'. READ MORE: 'Disappointed': Change to nursery funding could cost parents 'thousands' Cllr Cecilia O'Lone, who represents Calton, said the site has been 'one of the biggest pains in my whole time'. 'For me, it is good to see this coming forward.' She welcomed plans for a park as 'at the moment it's scrubland, it's an eyesore for the people who are living there already'. Cllr Jill Pidgeon, Labour, said the project would be a 'significant improvement'. Both councillors had concerns over the length of time it may take to develop the arts hub, as the charity is 'currently homeless'. A council official said Dream Machine was 'eagerly awaiting' a decision on the application, and had 'asked for some reassurances about timescales'. He added: 'They are certainly looking to get their funding in place to deliver it in the near future because they are currently homeless.' A legal agreement will need to be signed over the ongoing management of both the student block and build-to-rent flats. Councillors asked for that to also cover the maintenance of the park. Dream Park is expected to include a pavilion where 'residents can meet, socialise and relax' while the wider park would be open to the public throughout the day and night. READ MORE: Major roads in Glasgow to close for 17 hours for Tour of Britain cycling final It is also expected that Dream Machine would run an events programme, with art installations, performances, community gatherings and children's parties. Objectors raised concerns about the height of the buildings and the impact of the development on existing parking and traffic issues. They also suggested affordable housing was needed rather than student flats. Calton Community Council said the proposed buildings are 'bulky and ugly'. It added that while there 'might be plans for very low or zero car ownership… Glasgow is not yet ready for people to use alternative means of transport'. They did welcome the development of a public park on land which has been used for 'fly-tipping, prostitution and drug-taking' if ongoing maintenance is included. Council officials reported a factor fee sourced from residents of the new development would cover park maintenance. They added the development would contribute to a 'vibrant accessible neighbourhood' and an 'increase in population numbers could be successfully absorbed into the city centre community'.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
HUMAIN and Luma Join Forces to Power the Next Generation of Gaming and INTERACTIVE Entertainment
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, May 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- HUMAIN the new full-stack AI company, owned by PIF, and built to redefine what's possible, has announced a landmark partnership with Luma, a global leader in multimodal generative AI innovation, known for its breakthrough video models, real-time 3D neural rendering, and cinematic AI. Together, the two companies aim to reshape the future of entertainment, across gaming, cinema, advertising, and immersive storytelling, ushering in a future where content isn't just made, it's felt, lived, and personalized at scale. From video games that feel alive and expansive, films that adapt in real time, and advertising that speaks your language and reflects your culture, HUMAIN and Luma are reimagining how stories will be made, played, and lived. At the core of the collaboration is a powerful fusion of technologies: Luma's cutting-edge multimodal model Ray 2, and its consumer platform Dream Machine, running on HUMAIN's advanced AI infrastructure. This integration will deliver lightning-fast inference and hyperreal content generation at global scale. Beyond infrastructure, the companies will co-develop next-generation models and fine-tuning capabilities, making high-fidelity, personalized content creation accessible to both businesses and consumers. Empowering creators from Hollywood studios and AAA game developers to indie filmmakers and advertisers, to build emotionally rich, culturally relevant, and industry-specific experiences. From photorealistic textures and dynamic lighting to intelligent characters and evolving environments, the future of AI-generated entertainment is poised to be cinematic, immersive, and deeply contextual. Whether it's a filmmaker in Riyadh, a game studio in Tokyo, an ad agency in São Paulo, or a teenager creating from their bedroom, anyone will soon be able to produce stunning visual content that also resonates with their culture, industry, or even team identity, with unprecedented quality and speed. The partnership marks a significant milestone for HUMAIN as it advances its mission to build and operate the full AI value chain, and for Luma, as it accelerates its goal to democratize Hollywood-grade generative AI tools for creators everywhere. "We welcome this strategic partnership with Luma as another milestone in scaling frontier AI technologies from Saudi Arabia to the world. By combining HUMAIN's infrastructure with Luma's advanced generative models, this partnership positions the Kingdom at the forefront of visual intelligence, unlocking new opportunities for innovation, enterprise, and digital engagement across the region and the world," said His Excellency Eng. Abdullah Alswaha, Minister of Communications and Information Technology. Tareq Amin, CEO at HUMAIN, commented: "We're excited to partner with Luma to bring the power of cutting-edge, AI-enabled video generation to more creators, developers, and businesses around the world. By providing the critical infrastructure for Luma's breakthrough technology to scale, with the speeds users need, we're helping shape a future where immersive, intelligent experiences are not just possible but are seamlessly integrated into how we live and work." Amit Jain. CEO and Co-Founder of Luma, commented: "This partnership marks an important step forward in our mission to build multimodal general intelligence that can meaningfully effect change in the physical world. For consumers, it means richer, more relevant, more immersive gaming and entertainment experiences. For enterprises, this will unlock new ways to engage customers, design products, and streamline workflows with unprecedented speed and realism. By combining our frontier generative models with HUMAIN's reach and infrastructure, we're accelerating the future of multimodal AI at scale, and with impact." About HUMAINHUMAIN, a PIF company, is a global artificial intelligence company delivering full-stack AI capabilities across four core areas - next-generation data centers, hyper-performance infrastructure & cloud platforms, advanced AI Models, including one of the world's most advanced Arabic multimodal LLMs, and transformative AI Solutions that combine deep sector insight with real-world execution. HUMAIN's end-to-end model serves both public and private sector organisations, unlocking exponential value across all industries, driving transformation and strengthening capabilities through human-AI synergies. With a growing portfolio of sector-specific AI products and a core mission to drive IP leadership and talent supremacy world-wide, HUMAIN is engineered for global competitiveness and national distinction. About LumaLuma is building multimodal general intelligence that understands and operates in the physical world. Its flagship platform, Dream Machine, enables anyone to generate photorealistic video and images from simple prompts, and now powers content creation for over 30 million users. In 2025, Luma released Ray2, a frontier video generative model capable of creating realistic visuals with stunning detail and natural motion. Luma's models are used by leading platforms including Adobe, AWS, leading studios, and are available via subscription or API. The company has raised over $150 million from top investors including Andreessen Horowitz, AWS, Amplify Partners, and Matrix Partners. View original content: SOURCE HUMAIN
Cision Canada
15-05-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
HUMAIN and Luma Join Forces to Power the Next Generation of Gaming and INTERACTIVE Entertainment
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, May 15, 2025 /CNW/ -- HUMAIN the new full-stack AI company, owned by PIF, and built to redefine what's possible, has announced a landmark partnership with Luma, a global leader in multimodal generative AI innovation, known for its breakthrough video models, real-time 3D neural rendering, and cinematic AI. Together, the two companies aim to reshape the future of entertainment, across gaming, cinema, advertising, and immersive storytelling, ushering in a future where content isn't just made, it's felt, lived, and personalized at scale. From video games that feel alive and expansive, films that adapt in real time, and advertising that speaks your language and reflects your culture, HUMAIN and Luma are reimagining how stories will be made, played, and lived. At the core of the collaboration is a powerful fusion of technologies: Luma's cutting-edge multimodal model Ray 2, and its consumer platform Dream Machine, running on HUMAIN's advanced AI infrastructure. This integration will deliver lightning-fast inference and hyperreal content generation at global scale. Beyond infrastructure, the companies will co-develop next-generation models and fine-tuning capabilities, making high-fidelity, personalized content creation accessible to both businesses and consumers. Empowering creators from Hollywood studios and AAA game developers to indie filmmakers and advertisers, to build emotionally rich, culturally relevant, and industry-specific experiences. From photorealistic textures and dynamic lighting to intelligent characters and evolving environments, the future of AI-generated entertainment is poised to be cinematic, immersive, and deeply contextual. Whether it's a filmmaker in Riyadh, a game studio in Tokyo, an ad agency in São Paulo, or a teenager creating from their bedroom, anyone will soon be able to produce stunning visual content that also resonates with their culture, industry, or even team identity, with unprecedented quality and speed. The partnership marks a significant milestone for HUMAIN as it advances its mission to build and operate the full AI value chain, and for Luma, as it accelerates its goal to democratize Hollywood-grade generative AI tools for creators everywhere. "We welcome this strategic partnership with Luma as another milestone in scaling frontier AI technologies from Saudi Arabia to the world. By combining HUMAIN's infrastructure with Luma's advanced generative models, this partnership positions the Kingdom at the forefront of visual intelligence, unlocking new opportunities for innovation, enterprise, and digital engagement across the region and the world," said His Excellency Eng. Abdullah Alswaha, Minister of Communications and Information Technology. Tareq Amin, CEO at HUMAIN, commented: "We're excited to partner with Luma to bring the power of cutting-edge, AI-enabled video generation to more creators, developers, and businesses around the world. By providing the critical infrastructure for Luma's breakthrough technology to scale, with the speeds users need, we're helping shape a future where immersive, intelligent experiences are not just possible but are seamlessly integrated into how we live and work." Amit Jain. CEO and Co-Founder of Luma, commented: "This partnership marks an important step forward in our mission to build multimodal general intelligence that can meaningfully effect change in the physical world. For consumers, it means richer, more relevant, more immersive gaming and entertainment experiences. For enterprises, this will unlock new ways to engage customers, design products, and streamline workflows with unprecedented speed and realism. By combining our frontier generative models with HUMAIN's reach and infrastructure, we're accelerating the future of multimodal AI at scale, and with impact." About HUMAIN HUMAIN, a PIF company, is a global artificial intelligence company delivering full-stack AI capabilities across four core areas - next-generation data centers, hyper-performance infrastructure & cloud platforms, advanced AI Models, including one of the world's most advanced Arabic multimodal LLMs, and transformative AI Solutions that combine deep sector insight with real-world execution. HUMAIN's end-to-end model serves both public and private sector organisations, unlocking exponential value across all industries, driving transformation and strengthening capabilities through human-AI synergies. With a growing portfolio of sector-specific AI products and a core mission to drive IP leadership and talent supremacy world-wide, HUMAIN is engineered for global competitiveness and national distinction. About Luma Luma is building multimodal general intelligence that understands and operates in the physical world. Its flagship platform, Dream Machine, enables anyone to generate photorealistic video and images from simple prompts, and now powers content creation for over 30 million users. In 2025, Luma released Ray2, a frontier video generative model capable of creating realistic visuals with stunning detail and natural motion. Luma's models are used by leading platforms including Adobe, AWS, leading studios, and are available via subscription or API. The company has raised over $150 million from top investors including Andreessen Horowitz, AWS, Amplify Partners, and Matrix Partners.
Geeky Gadgets
05-05-2025
- Geeky Gadgets
The Only AI Video Apps You Need in 2025
What if creating stunning, professional-quality videos no longer required a massive budget, a full production team, or weeks of effort? In 2025, that's not just a possibility—it's the new normal. Thanks to the rapid evolution of AI video tools, anyone from seasoned filmmakers to casual creators can now produce visually striking content with unprecedented ease. These tools don't just simplify workflows; they redefine what's possible, allowing creators to generate lifelike human renderings, cinematic effects, and even entirely new artistic styles. But with so many options flooding the market, how do you know which tools are truly worth your time? This report cuts through the noise to spotlight the only AI video apps you'll need in 2025, making sure you stay ahead in this fantastic era of video production. In the sections ahead, you'll discover a curated selection of AI video tools by AI Advantage, designed to meet a variety of needs, from high-end cinematic productions to experimental creative projects. Whether you're seeking versatility for professional campaigns or accessible solutions for quick edits, this guide offers insights into the strengths and trade-offs of each platform. You'll also gain a glimpse into the emerging trends shaping the future of AI video generation, from open source innovation to the challenges of public perception. By the end, you'll not only know which tools to trust but also how to harness their potential to elevate your creative vision. The question isn't whether AI will transform video production—it's how you'll use it to transform your own. Top AI Video Tools 2025 Top-Tier Tools: S Tier Models S Tier models represent the highest standard in AI video generation, combining innovation, precision, and versatility. These tools are designed for professionals managing complex and demanding projects, offering unmatched quality and functionality. Google V2: Known for its exceptional adaptability, Google V2 excels in creating animations, realistic human renderings, and adhering to user prompts. Its versatility makes it a reliable choice for a wide range of video creation needs, from marketing campaigns to educational content. Known for its exceptional adaptability, Google V2 excels in creating animations, realistic human renderings, and adhering to user prompts. Its versatility makes it a reliable choice for a wide range of video creation needs, from marketing campaigns to educational content. Dream Machine by Luma Labs: This tool specializes in animation and motion graphics, delivering smooth and visually stunning results. It is particularly favored for storytelling, presentations, and projects requiring high-quality visual effects. This tool specializes in animation and motion graphics, delivering smooth and visually stunning results. It is particularly favored for storytelling, presentations, and projects requiring high-quality visual effects. Cling 2.0: Renowned for its precision, Cling 2.0 is ideal for projects that demand strict adherence to prompts. While its high cost and limited flexibility may not suit all users, it remains a top choice for professionals seeking accuracy and detail. Renowned for its precision, Cling 2.0 is ideal for projects that demand strict adherence to prompts. While its high cost and limited flexibility may not suit all users, it remains a top choice for professionals seeking accuracy and detail. Hicksfield AI: A preferred platform for filmmakers and advertisers, Hicksfield AI focuses on lifelike human rendering and precise camera control. Its ability to produce cinematic-quality visuals makes it a standout option for high-end productions. Strong Contenders: A Tier Models A Tier tools provide robust features and serve as excellent alternatives for users with specific needs. While they may not match the comprehensive capabilities of S Tier models, they still deliver impressive results for various applications. Runway: A versatile platform offering features such as inpainting and lip-syncing. Although its video quality is slightly below that of top-tier tools, it remains a strong choice for creative professionals seeking a balance between functionality and accessibility. A versatile platform offering features such as inpainting and lip-syncing. Although its video quality is slightly below that of top-tier tools, it remains a strong choice for creative professionals seeking a balance between functionality and accessibility. Alibaba 12.1 & Hanuan Video: These open source platforms provide offline capabilities and customizable workflows, making them appealing to developers and users who prioritize privacy and control over their projects. Watch this video on YouTube. Here are additional guides from our expansive article library that you may find useful on AI video generation tools. Accessible Options: B Tier Models B Tier tools are designed for beginners or niche use cases. While they may lack the sophistication of higher-tier models, they offer valuable features tailored to specific audiences and creative goals. Sora: A beginner-friendly tool included with OpenAI subscriptions. Its ease of use and decent video quality make it an excellent choice for casual creators exploring AI video generation. A beginner-friendly tool included with OpenAI subscriptions. Its ease of use and decent video quality make it an excellent choice for casual creators exploring AI video generation. Pika: Specializing in unique effects like 'cakeifying' objects, Pika is ideal for experimental and fun projects, offering a creative outlet for users looking to push artistic boundaries. Specializing in unique effects like 'cakeifying' objects, Pika is ideal for experimental and fun projects, offering a creative outlet for users looking to push artistic boundaries. Adobe Firefly: Focused on generating copyright-safe content, Adobe Firefly is a reliable option for commercial projects, making sure compliance with intellectual property regulations. Focused on generating copyright-safe content, Adobe Firefly is a reliable option for commercial projects, making sure compliance with intellectual property regulations. Pix: A straightforward tool for basic video creation. While it lacks standout features, its reliability makes it a dependable choice for simple projects. Key Applications of AI Video Tools AI video tools are transforming the video production landscape by offering tailored solutions for a variety of applications. These tools enable creators to streamline workflows, enhance visual quality, and explore new creative possibilities. Presentations: Enhance your slides with animations or looping video backgrounds to create more engaging and visually appealing presentations. Enhance your slides with animations or looping video backgrounds to create more engaging and visually appealing presentations. B-roll Creation: Generate custom B-roll footage to add depth and professionalism to your videos, saving time and resources in the production process. Generate custom B-roll footage to add depth and professionalism to your videos, saving time and resources in the production process. AI-Driven Advertisements: Develop dynamic and engaging advertisements. However, public skepticism about fully AI-generated content remains a challenge for marketers. Develop dynamic and engaging advertisements. However, public skepticism about fully AI-generated content remains a challenge for marketers. Creative Projects: Experiment with short films, memes, or artistic effects to explore innovative storytelling techniques and creative expressions. Emerging Trends in AI Video Generation The AI video generation landscape in 2025 is shaped by several emerging trends, reflecting its growing influence across industries and creative domains. Open source Platforms: Tools like Alibaba 12.1 and Hanuan Video offer offline and customizable solutions, catering to developers and users who value privacy and flexibility. Tools like Alibaba 12.1 and Hanuan Video offer offline and customizable solutions, catering to developers and users who value privacy and flexibility. Commercial Expansion: AI-generated videos are increasingly being used in advertising and marketing campaigns. However, public acceptance of fully AI-driven content remains a hurdle to widespread adoption. AI-generated videos are increasingly being used in advertising and marketing campaigns. However, public acceptance of fully AI-driven content remains a hurdle to widespread adoption. Workflow Integration: AI tools are becoming integral to creative workflows, streamlining processes and allowing innovative forms of visual storytelling and content creation. Challenges in Adopting AI Video Tools Despite their potential, AI video tools face several challenges that could impact their adoption and effectiveness. Addressing these issues is crucial for maximizing their utility and acceptance. Cost and Accessibility: High-quality tools like Cling 2.0 are expensive, limiting access for smaller creators and independent users who may not have the budget for premium solutions. High-quality tools like Cling 2.0 are expensive, limiting access for smaller creators and independent users who may not have the budget for premium solutions. Rendering Limitations: Some tools struggle with complex tasks such as human anatomy and animation consistency, which can affect their reliability for professional-grade projects. Some tools struggle with complex tasks such as human anatomy and animation consistency, which can affect their reliability for professional-grade projects. Public Perception: Skepticism about fully AI-generated content, particularly in advertising and media, continues to hinder its widespread acceptance and trust among audiences. Maximizing the Potential of AI Video Tools AI video generation tools have reached a level of sophistication that allows creators to push the boundaries of video production. By understanding the strengths and limitations of each platform, you can select the tool that best aligns with your specific goals and creative vision. Whether you are a filmmaker, marketer, or casual creator, these tools provide opportunities to streamline workflows, enhance visual storytelling, and explore innovative content creation methods. With the right approach, AI video tools can become an invaluable asset in shaping the future of video production in 2025 and beyond. Media Credit: The AI Advantage Filed Under: AI, Guides Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
