The Comunicano for Thursday September 19th 2024
Read and Learn What You Need To Know
Ah, kids these days. Turns out 70% of them are cozying up to AI like ChatGPT to get through their homework. Yep, AI’s the new classmate, and shockingly, half of parents are still living in the dark ages, blissfully unaware. Maybe it’s time for a new subject in schools—AI Ethics 101, starring Mom and Dad….Meanwhile, T-Mobile and OpenAI are teaming up to create IntentCX, an AI platform that'll know you’re mad about your bill before you even call. By 2025, it’ll be reading your mind and fixing your problems before you have them. Customer service nirvana or Orwellian nightmare? Stay tuned!
And just when you thought social media couldn’t get any weirder, along comes SocialAI—an app where your social circle is made entirely of AI bots. Yep, forget friends, now you can chat with 32 different digital personalities in a virtual vacuum. Because who needs real humans, right?…Let’s not forget the corporate world, where AI’s biggest challenge is juggling data pipelines like circus clowns. Companies need faster data, stronger computing power, and all while managing those hefty cloud bills. So much for AI making things easier!
Ah, Amazon. If there’s a task that can be done by AI, rest assured Bezos’ crew is on it. Enter Project Amelia, the latest AI assistant aiming to save sellers from the joys of inventory management and customer complaints. Need to optimize your listings? Amelia’s got it. Too busy to respond to that buyer asking if a chair is “dog-friendly”? Amelia will handle it. It’s Amazon’s grand plan to sprinkle AI magic all over the marketplace, streamlining tasks while making sellers wonder if they even need to show up anymore.
And speaking of AI magic, Amazon’s also launching a shiny new video generator—except this one’s got its sights set on ads. Yep, now sellers and advertisers can whip up video content faster than you can say “next-day delivery.” While it’s limited to ads for now, you can bet Amazon’s trying to ensure their platform is the hottest ticket for video marketing. It’s all part of their master plan: more automation, more engagement, and—surprise—more revenue. Because who needs humans when AI can do all the heavy lifting?
Speaking of big numbers, Germany just dropped €12 billion to boost its startup scene by 2030. IPOs, tax breaks, and innovation galore—it’s like Oktoberfest for entrepreneurs, minus the beer. With the likes of BlackRock backing this, Germany’s making sure it’s not left behind in the startup race.
On the gadget front, Huawei’s Mate XT tri-fold phone is here to remind us that we can never have enough screens or folding devices. Over 6.3 million reservations, folks! And with scalpers inflating the $2,800 price tag, it’s folding innovation at a premium. Who needs kidneys when you’ve got a tri-fold?….Ah, travel—where airports are the new amusement parks, except without the fun and with way more lines. According to the latest J.D. Power study people still love to fly, but with rising costs, it’s starting to feel more like highway robbery with a view. And if you’re headed to Newark, Philadelphia, or Cleveland… well, best of luck. You’ll need it.
Now, let’s talk work—specifically, getting back to it. Apparently, Australian CEOs have had enough of Zoom backgrounds and pajama pants. In a KPMG survey, 82% of these fine folks predict that in three years, we’ll all be back in the office full-time, whether we like it or not. The real buzz? CEOs are throwing dollars at AI like confetti, hoping it'll save the day and the bottom line.
Lastly, Spiral is here to save your brain from repetitive writing tasks. Social media posts, proposals—poof! Spiral learns your voice and pumps out drafts faster than you can say "writer's block." It's like having a digital clone who doesn’t complain about deadlines. Bonus: there’s a free trial, so you can test it out before giving up all hope of manual labor.
Ultimately, AI’s taking over everything—our homework, phones, and even our social lives. What a time to be alive. Or... online. And with that, on with the news!!!
Andy Abramson
AI Watch
Those Darn Kids—The report from Common Sense Media titled *"The Dawn of the AI Era: Teens, Parents, and the Adoption of Generative AI at Home and School"* explores the growing use of AI tools by teenagers in educational settings. The study reveals that around 70% of teens have used generative AI tools like ChatGPT or Microsoft Copilot, with more than half using AI for homework. However, there’s a gap in communication—about 37% of teens aren’t aware of school rules on AI use, and many parents are unaware their kids are using these tools. The report emphasizes the need for more engagement between parents, schools, and students to ensure responsible AI use.
If You Can’t Beat ‘Em—T-Mobile and OpenAI have announced a multi-year partnership to develop IntentCX, an AI-powered customer service platform set to launch in 2025. This platform aims to transform customer interactions by using AI to analyze real-time data from millions of customer interactions, enabling personalized service and proactive issue resolution. IntentCX is designed to go beyond traditional chatbots by integrating T-Mobile's data to help customers faster, offering seamless support and insights into customer behavior. This initiative reflects a broader trend in using AI to enhance customer service efficiency across industries.
Time To Get SocIAl—SocialAI is a new iOS app that mimics a social network but is populated entirely by AI bots. Users can create a network of up to 32 different AI personalities, interacting with them in a microblogging style, similar to Twitter. The app raises questions about the future of social media, as it offers a solitary experience where chatbots replace human interaction. This novel approach taps into the growing role of AI in digital life but has garnered mixed reactions regarding its potential impact on authentic social engagement.
Amazon Adds More AI—Amazon's Project Amelia is a new AI assistant designed to help sellers on its platform by providing advice and acting on their behalf. This AI-powered tool aims to streamline tasks for sellers, such as managing inventory, optimizing listings, and handling customer inquiries, potentially reducing manual work. Project Amelia represents Amazon's broader push to integrate AI into its e-commerce operations, enhancing the overall seller experience while improving efficiency.
Ai for Ads from Amazon.—Amazon has launched a new video generator tool, but it is currently limited to creating ads. The AI-powered tool is designed to help businesses produce video ads more efficiently, making it easier for sellers and advertisers to generate engaging content for Amazon’s platform. This move is part of Amazon's broader strategy to enhance its advertising ecosystem by incorporating more automation and AI-driven solutions, allowing advertisers to scale their efforts quickly.
It’s All About the Data—AI infrastructure faces two major challenges: building data pipelines and hosting inference. Enterprises need continuous, high-quality data pipelines to manage proprietary data for training and fine-tuning models, similar to the rise of DevOps. The second challenge is managing inference, which requires powerful computing resources and secure, scalable hosting. Enterprises typically choose between third-party APIs, edge computing, or cloud solutions. As AI scales, costs, security, and operational efficiency become crucial factors. Companies are looking for optimal solutions tailored to their needs.
Apple Watch
You’ve Been Warned—The European Union has warned Apple to open iOS to third-party developers and rival companies, pushing for compliance with the Digital Markets Act (DMA). The EU's latest proceedings focus on ensuring iOS's interoperability with connected devices and improving transparency for developers. The warning stems from Apple's restrictive policies on features like Siri and contactless payments. If Apple doesn't comply within six months, it could face fines of up to 10% of its annual revenue. Despite recent steps by Apple to loosen restrictions, the EU deems them insufficient.
Startup Watch
12 Billion Euros—Germany has unveiled a €12 billion initiative aimed at strengthening its startup ecosystem by 2030. This plan, announced at the Startup Germany summit, seeks to mobilize public and private funding to support innovation, boost job creation, and enhance access to international talent. Notably, the government plans to streamline IPO processes, offer tax incentives for employee stock options, and improve the commercialization of intellectual property from universities. With major backing from corporations like BlackRock and Deutsche Börse, this initiative is expected to further elevate Germany as a key startup hub in Europe.
Video Watch
From Text to Video—Substack has introduced a live video feature, allowing creators to stream directly to their subscribers. This addition enhances real-time engagement, enabling creators to host live discussions, cover events as they happen, and run interactive sessions like AMAs. Live videos can be restricted to paid subscribers or made available to all. Subscribers are notified when a stream starts and completed recordings can be saved and reused in future posts. While initially available to Substack's top users, the platform plans to roll out the feature more broadly soon.
Streaming Watch
It’s In The Numbers—Netflix is calling on its streaming competitors, like Disney+ and Max, to release transparent viewership data. Netflix's co-CEO Greg Peters argues that providing standardized numbers would benefit the industry, particularly for creators and advertisers. This comes as the streaming landscape gets increasingly competitive, with Netflix already sharing extensive metrics such as watch time and completion rates. The push for transparency aligns with Netflix’s goal of setting a benchmark across platforms, suggesting that openness could foster better business decisions for both consumers and content producers.
Mobile Watch
Just Fold ‘Em—Huawei's new Mate XT tri-fold smartphone has generated a huge wave of interest, leading to over 6.3 million reservations on its Vmall platform. Scalpers are capitalizing on this demand, raising prices beyond the initial $2,800 retail. This surge mirrors Huawei's ability to innovate despite challenges in the global tech landscape, placing the Mate XT as the first commercial tri-fold device. However, supply limitations and scalpers exploiting the frenzy highlight the delicate balance between technological innovation and market dynamics in China's smartphone scene. Expect this model to push foldable tech forward, but at a premium cost.
Why Should You Upgrade—It's smartphone season again, with tech giants rolling out their latest gadgets to tempt users to upgrade. Google, Apple, Samsung, and Huawei have all introduced new models, with Huawei's Mate XT grabbing attention as a tri-fold device. AI features are the latest selling point, like Google's Magic Editor and Apple's Siri upgrade, yet consumers prioritize camera quality over these advancements. Amidst economic challenges and environmental concerns, phone sales are down, and some are moving away from smartphones entirely. Efforts to simplify phones, like Nokia’s basic models, are gaining ground, especially among parents and schools.
Telecom Watch
Mexican Standoff—The transformation of Mexico's telecom industry through a cloud-native approach, emphasizes an increased connectivity and efficiency. This shift is enabling operators to deploy services faster, reduce operational costs, and improve network flexibility. The focus on cloud-native architectures helps overcome challenges like legacy systems and accelerates the adoption of 5G. This strategy positions Mexico to enhance its digital infrastructure, benefiting both consumers and businesses.
If You Can’t Beat Em—Zoom and Mitel have announced a strategic partnership to deliver a hybrid cloud communication solution that combines Zoom's collaboration tools, like Zoom AI Companion and Zoom Meetings, with Mitel’s telephony platforms. This integration aims to provide enterprises with flexibility, security, and control over their communications infrastructure, addressing the increasing demand for hybrid work environments. Zoom will become Mitel’s exclusive UCaaS partner, allowing Mitel’s 70 million users to leverage Zoom’s advanced features while maintaining their existing Mitel investments. This solution is expected to launch globally by mid-2025.
Workplace Watch
Get Back To Work—Australian CEOs are increasingly signaling an end to remote work, with 82% of respondents in a KPMG survey expecting full-time office returns within three years, up from 66% last year. Companies like Tabcorp have mandated in-office work, viewing it as crucial for team culture and success. However, KPMG Australia’s CEO, Andrew Yates, remains a strong advocate for flexible work, predicting that fully office-based workforces are a thing of the past. Alongside this shift, CEOs are prioritizing investment in generative AI and remain optimistic about long-term economic growth despite short-term challenges.
Marketing Watch
Oh, It’s A Breeze—HubSpot has launched Breeze, its all-in-one AI platform for businesses. Breeze introduces new tools like Copilot, an AI companion with personas for marketing, sales, and service. It also includes four specialized bots and 80+ features. Key offerings like Breeze Intelligence improve buyer insights, and Content Remix turns a single video into multi-format campaigns. The platform simplifies customer interactions, addressing the growing challenge of reaching fragmented audiences. Its updates to Marketing Hub and Content Hub streamline content creation across diverse channels.
Up To Their Old Tricks—Marketers are returning to tried-and-true advertising methods, reviving nostalgic campaigns to engage modern consumers. Brands like Maybelline, Kellogg’s, and McDonald’s are reintroducing iconic slogans, packaging, and mascots, repurposed for the digital era through platforms like TikTok. These efforts tap into consumer nostalgia, leveraging recognizable elements to boost brand recall in a saturated market. While newer trends like healthier options have struggled, classic symbols like Colonel Sanders or Tony the Tiger offer a comforting and familiar appeal, driving consumer interest across generations.
Sports Watch
Go West, Young Lady—Portland is set to welcome a WNBA team in 2026 as part of the league's ongoing expansion, marking its return to the city after the Portland Fire folded in 2002. The franchise will be the WNBA's 15th team and is owned by Raj Sports, led by Lisa Bhathal Merage and Alex Bhathal, who also own the Portland Thorns. This $125 million deal aligns with Portland's growing reputation as a hub for women’s sports, reflected in strong support for teams like the Thorns. The new team will play at the Moda Center, with community involvement expected in selecting its name.
Travel Watch
Come Fly Away With Me—The 2024 J.D. Power North America Airport Satisfaction Study ranks Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) as the top "mega" airport, followed by Detroit and Phoenix. John Wayne Airport leads among large airports, while Indianapolis International ranks highest for medium airports. Despite record passenger volumes, most travelers still enjoy their airport experience, though rising costs may be starting to affect satisfaction. Newark Liberty, Philadelphia International, and Cleveland Hopkins were the lowest scorers in their respective categories.
Passport Renewal Really Goes Online—The U.S. State Department has fully launched its online passport renewal system, allowing Americans to renew their passports digitally. This replaces the traditional, slower mail-in process, reducing paperwork and delays. The service is expected to streamline the application process, speeding up passport renewals, which previously took 6-8 weeks. By submitting documents and payments through a secure online portal, applicants can complete renewals more efficiently from home. This move is part of the government's broader effort to modernize its services and improve accessibility.
Expansion Is On The Horizon—Airbnb is positioning itself far beyond short-term rentals and travel. CEO Brian Chesky envisions the platform evolving into a broader marketplace, offering everything from mid-term housing to co-hosting partnerships. With initiatives like the Airbnb-friendly apartment marketplace, users can now find long-term rental options that allow subletting through Airbnb. They’re also experimenting with AI-driven services and unique experiences, like celebrity-hosted activities. As younger generations increasingly opt for remote work and flexible living, Airbnb aims to capture this trend with services that blend travel, housing, and lifestyle options.
Trailer of the Day
Music Video of The Day
App of The Day
Spiral: A Revolution in Automated Writing and Thought Processing
Spiral, found at spiral.computer, is an impressive new app designed to automate the tedious aspects of writing and repetitive thought tasks. It sets itself apart by learning your unique voice and style, helping you create customized outputs ranging from social media posts to full proposals. Think of Spiral as a digital assistant that reduces the time spent on crafting repeated communication while maintaining a high level of creativity.
Key Features
One of Spiral’s standout features is its ability to learn from the content examples you provide. This allows it to mimic your personal tone and voice when creating new written material. Whether you are writing for social media, constructing proposals, or summarizing documents, Spiral helps automate up to 80% of the repetitive work. This feature is particularly useful for content creators, marketing professionals, and business teams who need to keep their messaging consistent across different formats.
Spiral operates by creating what the platform calls "Spirals," or customized workflows that you can set up for different types of projects. These templates automate the writing process, allowing you to focus on higher-level tasks while Spiral generates first drafts or content that you can quickly tweak and send out. What's even more appealing is that these "Spirals" can be shared across teams, making it a highly collaborative tool for companies.
Use Cases and Benefits
- For Content Creators: Spiral automates repetitive tasks like drafting social media posts, giving creators more time to focus on larger projects or creative strategy.
- For Businesses: It ensures that communications, from emails to presentations, maintain consistency and professionalism across the board.
- For Teams: Shared templates allow for streamlined collaboration, ensuring that all team members stay on brand and in sync.
The app is especially handy for teams or individuals who regularly deal with repetitive content creation. Marketing agencies, PR firms, and even solo entrepreneurs can significantly cut down the time spent on writing tasks without sacrificing quality. Spiral is customizable, letting you build workflows that suit your specific needs, whether that’s for personal branding, team communication, or customer outreach.
Pricing and Accessibility
Spiral operates on a subscription basis, but it does offer a free trial that allows up to 10 uses of the platform before requiring a paid plan. This is a great way for potential users to test out the app’s features before committing to a subscription. The app is web-based, making it accessible across all platforms—whether you're working on a Mac, PC, or even mobile devices, you’ll be able to access your templates and automated processes anywhere you go.
Comparison to Similar Apps
While there are other content automation tools like Jasper and Copy.ai, Spiral sets itself apart by focusing more on maintaining the user’s unique voice across a range of content formats. The ability to automate such a wide range of tasks, from social media posts to more complex documents like proposals and essays, gives it a competitive edge.
Final Thoughts
Spiral is a game-changer for anyone looking to streamline their writing process. Its ability to maintain a user’s unique voice, automate repetitive tasks, and offer highly customizable templates makes it a must-have tool for creative professionals and businesses alike. Whether you're a solo entrepreneur managing multiple platforms or part of a large team that needs consistent, high-quality communication, Spiral is worth a try.
Check it out at spiral.computer to explore its free trial and start automating your writing tasks today!
