The Comunicano for Friday November 22nd 2024
The Friday Feast
Today, let’s journey into a whimsical realm where AI might just be our most charming frenemy. Or as the bots might say, “it’s all about initializing human engagement sequence.” So, let’s start with a question: how many of you recall life before the internet? When “surfing” was done on water and “web” was what Charlotte spun? Fast forward to today, and it seems every tech company wants to be your navigator, your butler, and maybe even your co-pilot in life. And now, OpenAI whispers, “Hey, what if your browser were a little…smarter?” A browser with ChatGPT under the hood—a browser that doesn’t just search but serenades you with solutions. Google, take note: the search bar may no longer be your kingdom; it might just be an AI’s playground.
But let’s not stop there. Apple, not one to be upstaged, is revamping Siri. Picture this: Siri, finally able to handle a conversation without making you feel like you’re the annoying one. With “LLM Siri,” you might not just set timers—you might discuss existentialism while deciding what’s for dinner. Now that’s progress!
And then there’s Jaguar. “Copy Nothing,” they say. Folks, that’s a bold slogan for a company reinventing itself with electric cars that have no rear window. Yes, you heard right—no rear window! Perhaps they’re telling us, “Stop looking back; the future’s ahead.” Or maybe it’s just a really artistic way to force us all to trust backup cameras.
Of course, this AI revolution isn’t without its hiccups. Businesses are grappling with chatbots that are too good at answering questions. Why visit a website when AI gives you the answer straight away? It’s like skipping the dinner party and going straight for dessert. Sweet? Sure. Sustainable? That’s another story.
And while we marvel at these innovations, let’s not forget ethics. A staggering 98% of designers now use AI—but only 65% think it’s ethical. So, as we ride this tech tidal wave, let’s remember that just because AI can do something doesn’t mean it should. A thoughtful pause, folks, is sometimes more powerful than a thousand breakthroughs.
So here’s to the robots, the rebels, and the rear-windowless cars. To a future that’s smarter, stranger, and just a bit more whimsical. After all, isn’t that what keeps us human? And, isn’t that why, you read, The Comunicano!!!
Andy Abramson
OpenAI Watch
Time To Browse—OpenAI is reportedly exploring the development of a web browser integrated with its ChatGPT technology, potentially challenging Google's dominance in the browser and search markets. The company has engaged in discussions with website and app developers, including Conde Nast, Redfin, Eventbrite, and Priceline, about this initiative. Additionally, OpenAI is considering partnerships to incorporate AI features into Samsung devices, a significant Google partner. While these developments could disrupt the current market landscape, the browser project remains in its early stages, with no imminent launch planned.
Time To Get Better- OpenAI has enhanced ChatGPT's creative writing capabilities, resulting in more natural and engaging responses. This update has propelled ChatGPT back to the top of the LLM arena, surpassing Google's Gemini-Exp-1114 model. The improvements also enhance ChatGPT's ability to process uploaded files, providing deeper insights into their contents. These advancements were tested anonymously in the lmarena.ai platform, where ChatGPT outperformed competitors, demonstrating significant progress in creative writing, coding, and mathematics.
Search Me—The rise of AI-driven search tools like ChatGPT poses significant challenges for online businesses that rely heavily on search engine traffic. These AI models can provide direct answers to user queries, potentially reducing the need for users to visit external websites, thereby diminishing web traffic and associated ad revenues. To adapt, businesses should focus on creating unique, high-quality content that AI cannot easily replicate. Additionally, diversifying traffic sources beyond search engines, such as leveraging social media and email marketing, can help mitigate the impact. Embracing AI technologies to enhance user experience and streamline operations is crucial for staying competitive in this evolving digital landscape.
Apple Watch
Another Bite From The Apple—Apple is reportedly developing "LLM Siri," an advanced version of its voice assistant, to compete with AI models like ChatGPT and Google's Gemini Live. This upgrade aims to enhance Siri's conversational abilities, enabling more natural interactions and improved task handling. Planned features include better integration with third-party apps via App Intents and capabilities like text summarization and composition. Apple plans to announce these enhancements as early as next year, with a complete overhaul of Siri's software expected by spring 2026. Craig Federighi, Apple's senior vice president of software, noted that AI-enhanced Siri will offer unique advantages over ChatGPT, such as performing practical tasks quickly and locally on the device.
EU Investigation Withdrawn—The European Commission has terminated its four-year investigation into Apple's e-book and audiobook app policies following the withdrawal of the initial complaint. The Commission clarified that this closure does not equate to a determination of Apple's compliance with EU competition laws. It emphasized its ongoing commitment to monitoring business practices in the European tech sector, including those of Apple, under the Digital Markets Act and existing competition regulations.
AI Watch
Time To Go Shopping—Perplexity’s AI-powered shopping assistant is redefining online commerce by enabling users to seamlessly research and purchase products. Its features include “Buy with Pro” for direct purchases and “Snap to Shop,” which identifies products via photos. Competing with tools like Google Lens and Amazon’s assistants, Perplexity’s ad-free approach enhances user experience. The platform, managing 100 million queries weekly, is scaling globally while facing copyright challenges. With backing from notable investors like Jeff Bezos, Perplexity positions itself as an innovator in AI-driven e-commerce, merging precision and user intent to revolutionize how people search and shop online.
AI Goes To College—Universities like the University of Minnesota and the University of St. Thomas are adapting to the AI-driven world by embedding AI literacy into their curricula. Programs range from AI-focused degrees to integrating AI tools into diverse fields like statistics, journalism, and software engineering. Faculty are emphasizing critical thinking about AI, ensuring students understand its benefits and pitfalls. Initiatives like AI Makerspaces and master’s programs aim to prepare students for AI’s impact on industries, while policies guide ethical AI use. As AI reshapes operations and jobs, educators stress balanced adoption—leveraging its potential while teaching responsibility and deeper engagement with learning.
Designer Ethics—A survey by Santa Cruz Software reveals that 98% of designers integrate AI into daily workflows, citing its benefits for efficiency and creativity. However, only 65% consider its use ethical, with concerns around copyright, originality, bias, and privacy. Designers mainly use AI for tasks like idea generation (74%), content creation (51%), and repetitive design work (43%). While AI is seen as a valuable assistant, human oversight remains crucial, especially for final decisions. The survey highlights the need for ethical standards as AI reshapes the design industry, with mixed sentiments about attribution and access disparities due to paywalls.
Mo Money—Anthropic has secured an additional $4 billion from Amazon, elevating Amazon’s total investment in the AI company to $8 billion. As part of the deal, Anthropic has designated Amazon Web Services (AWS) as its primary training platform, leveraging AWS’ Trainium accelerators and working closely with Annapurna Labs, AWS’ chip division, for future silicon development. The partnership aims to optimize AI model training efficiency while expanding Anthropic’s Claude models through AWS Bedrock to serve thousands of businesses. This funding comes amid Anthropic’s intense operational spending—$2.7 billion projected for 2024—and competitive pressures to maintain its $40 billion valuation. Amazon is also integrating Anthropic’s AI into its consumer products, potentially replacing Alexa’s in-house models. However, regulatory scrutiny, including inquiries from the FTC and U.K.’s CMA, highlights concerns over the competitive impact of big tech’s growing involvement in generative AI.
Government Watch
Jockeying For Position—The cryptocurrency industry is actively seeking representation on President-elect Donald Trump's proposed advisory council, aiming to influence forthcoming digital asset policies. Companies like Ripple, Kraken, Circle, and Coinbase are vying for inclusion on this council, which is expected to operate under the National Economic Council or a similar White House entity. The council's responsibilities may encompass advising on digital asset regulations, collaborating with Congress, and coordinating with agencies such as the SEC and CFTC. Additionally, there is consideration for appointing a "crypto tsar" to lead these efforts. Trump's pro-crypto stance has contributed to a surge in bitcoin prices, reaching record highs. Industry leaders emphasize the importance of including knowledgeable experts to inform policy decisions while also acknowledging ethical considerations regarding the industry's influence. The council could be established promptly after Trump's inauguration, marking a dedicated focus on the evolving cryptocurrency sector.
Marketing Watch
The New Demos—Horizon Media's latest "Subculture Field Guide" identifies seven key interest-based communities marketers should target instead of traditional demographics. These cross-generational subcultures emphasize passions over age, with highlights including:
Dirt Trackers: Community-driven motorsport fans in rural areas, valuing authenticity.
Biohackers: Health-obsessed individuals focused on optimization, drawn to elite brands.
FIRE Fighters: Financially independent individuals prioritizing value and frugality.
Extreme Paw-Rents: Pet owners heavily investing in luxury pet products.
Dark Tourists: Adventurers seeking eerie, offbeat destinations.
Professional Snackers: Trendy snack enthusiasts, mainly women.
Free-Wheelers: Nostalgic, diverse roller-skating fans inspired by music and fashion.
The guide reflects shifting priorities in marketing, favoring shared passions over traditional demographic markers.
Event Watch
Let The Music Play—Event tourism is reshaping destinations as mega-events in music, sports, and film inspire global travel trends. From Taylor Swift’s tour boosting U.S. consumer spending by $4.6 billion to film tourism driving a 50% visitor increase over five years, these cultural phenomena offer immense economic benefits. However, the gains come with challenges like overtourism, environmental risks, and fleeting economic boosts. Experts stress the need for sustainable planning to balance short-term gains with long-term impacts. Screen tourism highlights these complexities, as seen in Thailand’s Maya Bay, showcasing the duality of economic opportunity and ecological strain. Thoughtful strategies are crucial for maximizing benefits.
AutoTech Watch
Rear Window—Jaguar's Design Vision Concept, debuting on December 2 at Miami Art Week, marks the brand's bold pivot to an all-electric future. Shedding its iconic leaping Jaguar logo, the concept introduces a fresh design language characterized by innovation. Notably, it lacks a rear window, instead opting for a camera system akin to Polestar's approach. Teasers reveal a muscular silhouette with a wide track and distinctive rear slats. Expected as a four-door electric GT, it promises over 575 bhp, a 435-mile range, and a £100,000+ starting price. Jaguar's CEO describes this "complete reset" as a leap toward a spectacular future.
Jumping Ahead—Jaguar has also unveiled a bold rebranding as it transitions to an all-electric future, aiming to recapture its legacy of originality while appealing to a younger audience. Inspired by its founder’s ethos, the new identity features a minimalist logo, reimagined “leaper” emblem, and vibrant primary colors. A new slogan, "Copy Nothing," underscores its fresh, innovative approach. The brand aims to merge heritage with modernity, embracing artistic expression and unveiling three electric vehicles by 2026. With a focus on creativity and disruption, Jaguar's revamped look and strategy aim to redefine luxury for the next generation of consumers.
Things That Go Bump—A fender bender in Austria involving a McLaren Elva, Ferrari LaFerrari, Ferrari 812 Superfast, and Bentley Continental GTC totaled over $7.5 million in damages. The accident occurred on a mountain road near Pfunds, reportedly due to the Ferrari 812 Superfast hitting the LaFerrari, triggering a chain reaction. While most cars suffered minor damage, the LaFerrari, the most valuable at $5 million, bore the brunt. The incident highlights the importance of caution, even with high-performance exotics, as such minor errors can lead to multimillion-dollar consequences. Safe distances and driver vigilance remain crucial, especially in luxury convoys.
Robot Watch
Time To Build Something—Teleo, a construction robotics startup, aims to revolutionize robotics by creating a "ChatGPT moment" for the industry. Its semi-autonomous technology retrofits heavy equipment like excavators with self-driving software and sensors, enabling human operators to handle complex tasks remotely. Teleo’s ultimate goal is to gather vast datasets from its operations, paving the way for generalized robotic intelligence. Recently raising $16.2 million in extended Series A funding, the company plans to expand into industries like agriculture, logistics, and snow removal. With a long-term focus on data-driven innovation, Teleo seeks to establish foundational AI models for robotics, transforming how machines learn and operate.
Starlink Watch
The Italian Job—Italy's telecom industry is raising concerns as Starlink prepares for deployment. Asstel, a local telecom association, has called for regulatory reviews of low-earth orbit satellite broadband operators like SpaceX. It argues that current rules fail to address SpaceX's direct-to-consumer model, competitive impacts, and data storage practices. Starlink's planned testing in remote Italian areas has sparked debates about fair competition and frequency use. Asstel has urged the government to impose regulations ensuring local compliance and sensitive data storage. This pushback highlights the tension between traditional telcos and disruptive satellite technologies reshaping global connectivity.
Spotify Watch
It’s A Visual World—Spotify has introduced six new features to enhance the audiobook experience for users:
Author Pages: These profiles aggregate an author's works on Spotify, offering biographical insights and simplifying discovery.
Sleep Timer: Allows users to set a timer for audiobook playback, perfect for bedtime listening.
Video Clips: Short videos provide previews of audiobooks, including author interviews and behind-the-scenes content.
Countdown Pages: Users can save unreleased audiobooks and track their launch dates.
Follow-Along: A visual feature syncs graphics, illustrations, or photos with the audiobook for an immersive experience.
Audiobook Playlists: Lets users organize and track audiobooks, including curated editorial recommendations.
These features aim to make audiobook listening more engaging and user-friendly.
Alcohol Watch
A Sobering Moment—The "sober curious" movement is gaining traction as individuals reassess their drinking habits, often opting to reduce or eliminate alcohol consumption for health and wellness reasons. This shift has led to a surge in non-alcoholic beverage options and the rise of alcohol-free social events. The trend reflects a broader cultural change towards mindful consumption and a desire for healthier lifestyles.
