Latest news with #Midjourney
Indian Express
3 hours ago
- Business
- Indian Express
Google used YouTube's video library to train its most powerful AI tool yet: Report
Google used thousands of YouTube videos to train its latest Gemini and Veo 3 models, even as most creators remain unaware of their content being used for AI training purposes. Veo 3 is the tech giant's most advanced AI video generation model that was unveiled at this year's I/O developer conference. It is capable of generating realistic, cinematic-level videos with complete sound and even dialogue. And Google leveraged a subset of the 20-billion catalogue of YouTube videos to train these cutting-edge AI tools, according to a report by CNBC. While it is unclear which of the 20 billion videos on YouTube were used for AI training, Google said that it honours agreements with creators and media companies. 'We've always used YouTube content to make our products better, and this hasn't changed with the advent of AI. We also recognize the need for guardrails, which is why we've invested in robust protections that allow creators to protect their image and likeness in the AI era — something we're committed to continuing.' a company spokesperson was quoted as saying. Creators have the option to block companies like Amazon, Nvidia, and Apple from using their content for AI training. But they do not have the choice to opt out when it comes to Google. While YouTube has previously shared all of this information, many creators and media organisations are yet to fully understand that Google is allowed to train its AI models on YouTube's video library. YouTube's Terms of Service state that 'by providing Content to the Service, you grant to YouTube a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, sublicensable and transferable license to use that Content.' YouTube content could be used to 'improve the product experience … including through machine learning and AI applications,' the company further said in a blog post published in September 2024. Independent creators have raised concerns that their content is being used to train AI models that could eventually compete with or replace them. AI-generated content also leads to the rise of other models that could compete with human creators who have said that they are neither credited nor compensated for their contributions. Last week, The Walt Disney Company and Comcast's Universal said that they have filed a copyright lawsuit against Midjourney, accusing the AI image generator of unlawfully copying and distributing their most iconic characters. Describing the tool as a 'bottomless pit of plagiarism,' the studios alleged that Midjourney recreated and monetised copyrighted figures without permission. Days later, the AI research lab rolled out its first-ever text-to-video generation model called V1. According to Midjourney, V1 can be used to convert images into five-second AI-generated video clips. Users can also upload images or use an AI-generated image by Midjourney to animate the image.
Globe and Mail
19 hours ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
'A Pandora's Box': Comcast Stock (NASDAQ:CMCSA) Gains as Lawsuit Contains Serious Potential Pitfalls
The notion of artificial intelligence (AI) in the arts is as present as it is potentially calamitous. So when communications giant Comcast (CMCSA) decided to take on a comparative startup in the market it seemed like a clear response to conditions in the field. But Comcast may be letting itself in for more harm than good, a Bloomberg report noted. Despite this, shareholders are encouraged, and Comcast shares posted modest gains in Friday afternoon's trading. Confident Investing Starts Here: Easily unpack a company's performance with TipRanks' new KPI Data for smart investment decisions Receive undervalued, market resilient stocks right to your inbox with TipRanks' Smart Value Newsletter Comcast, along with Disney (DIS), joined in a lawsuit targeting Midjourney, an AI company that has an image generator. And of course, a lot of AI generators turn to copyrighted materials to learn how to work. On a certain level, this is expected; let the human writer among us who was not influenced by copyrighted material—the works of another writer—throw the first stone on this one. But Comcast and Disney are going full-bore ahead with the lawsuits. And that, Bloomberg noted, is where the potential calamity lies. Disney and Comcast are presumably looking to turn to AI as well for their own projects. So while Disney and Comcast call Midjourney a 'bottomless pit of plagiarism,' they are finding themselves increasingly interested in dipping a toe in said pit, taking advantage of the staggering potential for productivity and cost savings therein. Indeed, as the Bloomberg report put it, '…when studios attempt to rein in the same technology that they're eagerly using elsewhere, the more urgent question isn't about retreat.' Independent Chair? No Way, Say Shareholders In a more mundane development, Comcast took a proposal to shareholders for an 'independent chair' of the Comcast board of directors. Such a chair, Comcast asserted, would be something of a check and balance to the power of Brian Roberts, current CEO of Comcast, who also serves as the current chair. But shareholders were happy enough with things as-is, and thus voted down the proposal. A second proposal called for consideration of 'CEO pay ratio,' or how much the CEO gets paid compared to the average employee, when considering executive pay. Shareholders apparently did not care about that either, as that proposal was likewise rejected. Is Comcast Stock a Good Buy Right Now? Turning to Wall Street, analysts have a Moderate Buy consensus rating on CMCSA stock based on nine Buys, 10 Holds and two Sells assigned in the past three months, as indicated by the graphic below. After a 10.97% loss in its share price over the past year, the average CMCSA price target of $41.44 per share implies 19.44% upside potential. See more CMCSA analyst ratings Disclosure Disclaimer & Disclosure Report an Issue
Time of India
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Midjourney rolls out first-ever AI video model V1: Availability and how to use
Representative Image Midjourney's first-ever AI video generation model, V1, is now official. This new model from the AI startup will allow users to transform photos into five-second video clips. Users can either upload their photos or use images created by other Midjourney models to generate a set of four distinct five-second videos based on the picture provided to the image-to-video model . This model places Midjourney alongside other companies developing AI video generation models, including OpenAI's Sora and Google's Veo 3. While several companies are working on controllable AI video tools for commercial use, Midjourney has taken a different approach by focusing on AI image models aimed at creative users. In a blog post, David Holz, the company's CEO writes: 'As you know, our focus for the past few years has been images. What you might not know, is that we believe the inevitable destination of this technology are models capable of real-time open-world simulations.' Midjourney V1 video-generation AI model: Availability and how to use Similar to Midjourney's image generation tools, V1 is accessible exclusively through Discord and is currently only available on the web. To access V1, users have to purchase Midjourney's Basic plan, priced at $10 per month. Meanwhile, users who subscribe to the $60-per-month Pro plan and the $120-per-month Mega plan can generate unlimited videos using the platform's slower 'Relax' mode. Midjourney has stated that it will review its pricing for video models over the coming month. V1 includes several custom settings that give users control over the video model's output. Users can choose an automatic animation mode, which applies random movement to an image, or a manual mode, where they can describe a specific animation through text input. The settings also allow users to adjust the level of camera and subject movement by selecting either 'low motion' or 'high motion.' Videos generated with V1 are initially five seconds long, but users have the option to extend them by four seconds at a time, up to four times, allowing for a maximum duration of 21 seconds. 5 Must-Have Gadgets for Your Next Beach Holiday to Stay Safe, Cool & Connected AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
Are college degrees less relevant in AI era? LinkedIn founder Reid Hoffman has an advice for students
In a world where ChatGPT writes code, Midjourney creates art, and AI resumes land interviews, it's no surprise that today's students are asking: Does my college degree still matter? The rise of AI has sparked a wave of uncertainty among young graduates, and Silicon Valley veteran Reid Hoffman—LinkedIn co-founder and venture capitalist—has stepped in with a timely reality check and some solid advice for the Class of 2025 and beyond. In a video shared on his YouTube channel this week, Hoffman addressed the growing concern around whether traditional degrees are becoming obsolete in an AI-powered job market. His answer was simple: Don't focus on the degree—focus on how you learn. 'Given that things are so disruptive, it's natural to feel anxious,' he said in response to a student's question. It's natural to question whether all the knowledge gained in college still holds value in a rapidly changing world. But the real benefit of a college education isn't tied to specific subjects or courses—it lies in developing the ability to learn, unlearn, and adapt as new tools and challenges emerge. According to Hoffman, the most powerful currency in the age of AI is not your diploma—it's your mindset. He urged students to stay curious, embrace lifelong learning , and keep experimenting with new tools and challenges. In a fast-changing world, adaptability is far more valuable than memorising a syllabus. He also emphasised that college is about more than just academics. It's a foundational period for building lasting relationships and a sense of community. The friends made and experiences shared during those years form a valuable network—one that can offer support, collaboration, and growth throughout both personal and professional journeys. In essence, Hoffman's advice is less about fearing obsolescence and more about future-proofing your mindset. In the AI era, your greatest asset isn't your degree—it's your ability to keep learning, stay connected, and adapt to whatever comes next.
Economic Times
a day ago
- Business
- Economic Times
Are college degrees less relevant in AI era? LinkedIn founder Reid Hoffman has an advice for students
In a world where ChatGPT writes code, Midjourney creates art, and AI resumes land interviews, it's no surprise that today's students are asking: Does my college degree still matter? The rise of AI has sparked a wave of uncertainty among young graduates, and Silicon Valley veteran Reid Hoffman—LinkedIn co-founder and venture capitalist—has stepped in with a timely reality check and some solid advice for the Class of 2025 and a video shared on his YouTube channel this week, Hoffman addressed the growing concern around whether traditional degrees are becoming obsolete in an AI-powered job market. His answer was simple: Don't focus on the degree—focus on how you learn.'Given that things are so disruptive, it's natural to feel anxious,' he said in response to a student's question. It's natural to question whether all the knowledge gained in college still holds value in a rapidly changing world. But the real benefit of a college education isn't tied to specific subjects or courses—it lies in developing the ability to learn, unlearn, and adapt as new tools and challenges to Hoffman, the most powerful currency in the age of AI is not your diploma—it's your mindset. He urged students to stay curious, embrace lifelong learning , and keep experimenting with new tools and challenges. In a fast-changing world, adaptability is far more valuable than memorising a also emphasised that college is about more than just academics. It's a foundational period for building lasting relationships and a sense of community. The friends made and experiences shared during those years form a valuable network—one that can offer support, collaboration, and growth throughout both personal and professional journeys. In essence, Hoffman's advice is less about fearing obsolescence and more about future-proofing your mindset. In the AI era, your greatest asset isn't your degree—it's your ability to keep learning, stay connected, and adapt to whatever comes next.
