Hello, Creators!

Welcome to the latest edition of our newsletter, where we explore the exciting world of AI. In this issue, we'll delve into how AI is transforming the creative landscape, from Toys'R'Us' controversial AI-generated brand film to Figma's AI-powered design tools and Captions' innovative video editing app. We'll also examine the phenomenon of "AI washing" and its implications for businesses and consumers alike. Additionally, we'll showcase Firefox's unique approach to AI integration, which gives users the freedom to choose their preferred AI chatbot. Finally, we'll present the top 5 customer segmentation AI tools to help you optimize your marketing efforts.

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Today’s Agenda 

• Toys'R'Us Sparks Debate with AI-Generated Brand Film

• Figma's Generative Magic

• Newsletters you should subscribe to!

• Firefox allows users to customize their AI Chatbots

• Startups Faking their way to the Top with AI Washing 

• Create Stunning Videos with Captions

• Top 5 Customer Segmentation AI Tools 

AI-Generated Brand Film: Is this a Genius Move or Giraffe-Sized Mistake? 

Toys'R'Us made waves at the 2024 Cannes Lions Festival by premiering the "first-ever brand film" created using OpenAI's text-to-video tool, Sora. The one-minute film, titled "The Origin of Toys'R'Us," tells the story of founder Charles Lazarus and brings the company's beloved mascot, Geoffrey the Giraffe, to life using AI-generated visuals. The company collaborated with Emmy-nominated creative agency Native Foreign to produce the film, which showcases the potential of AI in innovative storytelling.

Reactions to the AI-Generated Film: While some praised Toys'R'Us for embracing an "AI-forward strategy," the brand film drew mixed reactions online. AI videomakers pointed out inconsistencies in character appearances and issues with depicting details like hands. 

Filmmaking industry professionals were particularly critical, with some expressing shame towards Toys'R'Us for "contributing to this madness" and making a "shitty-looking commercial." 

The Future of AI in Creative Industries: The Toys'R'Us brand film and the surrounding debate highlight the complex relationship between AI and creative industries. While some see AI as a threat to traditional methods and jobs, others view it as an opportunity to push the boundaries of storytelling and efficiency. 

As AI technology continues to advance, it is crucial for industries to find a balance between embracing innovation and preserving the value of human creativity. The future of filmmaking and other creative fields will likely involve a combination of AI-assisted tools and human expertise, requiring ongoing dialogue and adaptation from all stakeholders.

Figma's AI-Powered Facelift

Figma is rolling out a major UI redesign, dubbed "UI3," which aims to lay the foundation for the next decade of design. The new look features a refreshed toolbar, rounded corners, and 200 new icons, all designed to put the focus on your work rather than the interface. The redesign is currently available as a limited beta, with a waitlist for eager users to join.

Generative AI Tools: Figma is introducing new generative AI tools to help users quickly create designs and prototypes. These tools can generate app designs based on simple text prompts, such as creating a restaurant app with menu listings and delivery partner buttons. 

The AI can also generate images, like a chocolate chip cookie for a recipe page. These features aim to make Figma more accessible to new users while allowing experienced designers to iterate faster.

Productivity Features: In addition to generative AI, Figma is introducing AI-enhanced asset search and auto-generated text for designs, replacing the generic Lorem ipsum placeholder. These features are designed to speed up small tasks and improve overall productivity within the app.

Figma Slides: Figma is adding a built-in slideshow functionality called Figma Slides, similar to Google Slides. This feature allows users to create and share presentations directly within Figma, with the ability to tweak designs in real-time and present app prototypes seamlessly. Figma Slides also includes interactive features for audience engagement, such as polls and alignment scales.

Our top Newsletter picks from this year

Simple.ai

Imagine having a tech-savvy friend who always keeps you in the loop about AI. That's simple.ai's newsletter for its 40,000+ readers. It's not just about information; it's about growing in a world reshaped by AI. Whether you're an AI enthusiast, tech pro, or business leader, each edition feels like a personal guide through the exciting world of AI agents. With practical insights and relatable case studies, it's like having a mentor in your inbox, turning complex AI concepts into your tools for success.

Subscribe now for free!

Geekout Newsletter

Picture having a friend who's always ahead of the social media curve. That's Matt Navarra's Geekout Newsletter for its 30,000+ subscribers. More than just updates, it's a lively community sharing the heartbeat of the digital world. Matt's passion makes even technical changes feel like thrilling developments. Whether you're managing brand accounts or just love staying informed, Geekout feels tailor-made for you. It's like chatting with a witty, knowledgeable friend who leaves you feeling inspired and ready to conquer the social media landscape.

Subscribe now for free!

Your Firefox Browser, Your Choice of AI Chatbot

Mozilla is turning heads in the tech world with its latest Firefox Nightly experiment. In a bold move, they're offering users the power to choose from multiple AI assistants, including heavyweights like ChatGPT and Google Gemini. This opt-in feature aims to break the mold of one-size-fits-all AI integration, giving users unprecedented control over their browsing experience. As Firefox's SVP Ian Carmichael puts it, it's about finding "the one that's most helpful in solving the problem they have."

Enhance Your Browsing: With this new feature, Firefox users can harness AI power to revolutionize their web surfing. Whether you need a quick summary of a lengthy article, a simplified explanation of complex topics, or a knowledge check on what you've just read, your chosen AI assistant is just a click away. The best part? It's entirely optional, ensuring that those who prefer a more traditional browsing experience aren't left behind.

AI Customization: While tech giants like Google and Microsoft have already integrated AI into their browsers, Firefox is taking a unique approach. 

By offering a variety of AI services to choose from, Mozilla is positioning itself as a champion of user choice in the rapidly evolving AI landscape. This move paves the way for a more personalized and diverse future of web browsing. 

AI or A-Lie? The Tech World's New Smoke and Mirrors

In the race to appear cutting-edge, companies are increasingly claiming AI capabilities they don't possess. This phenomenon, dubbed "AI washing," has seen a dramatic surge, with over a quarter of tech startups mentioning AI in their pitches in 2023, up from just 10% in 2022. The pressure to secure funding and stand out in a crowded market has led some firms to exaggerate their AI prowess, potentially misleading investors and consumers alike.

Unmasking the Illusion: AI washing takes various forms, from companies using basic computing while claiming AI integration to overstating AI effectiveness or prematurely declaring AI solutions as fully operational. 

A striking example is the controversy surrounding Amazon's "Just Walk Out" technology, where reports suggested human intervention played a larger role than initially portrayed. This incident highlights the fine line between AI aspirations and reality in today's tech landscape.

Consequences? For businesses, it can lead to overpaying for technology and failing to meet operational objectives. Investors struggle to identify truly innovative companies amidst the noise, while consumers may lose trust in genuine AI advancements due to unmet expectations. 

This erosion of trust could potentially hinder progress in the field of AI, affecting both established companies and promising startups. In the UK, existing advertising regulations are being applied to AI-related marketing. However, as AI becomes more ubiquitous, experts predict that simply claiming "AI-powered" may lose its appeal as a differentiator. 

AI-Powered Video Editing Made Easy with Captions 🎥

Captions, a video editing app backed by top venture capital firms, has introduced a groundbreaking feature that takes unedited videos of a person talking and automatically enhances them with custom graphics, zooms, music, sound effects, transitions, and motion backgrounds. This AI-powered editing tool simplifies the video creation process, making it easier for users to create engaging content without extensive editing knowledge or experience.

AI Avatars: In addition to its AI-powered editing capabilities, Captions offers a unique feature that allows users to create videos using AI avatars. With just a short prompt, users can generate a video featuring one of 12 AI characters, which can then be fed through the AI edit feature to produce a fully edited video in minutes. 

This innovative approach to video creation eliminates the need for recording footage altogether, making it an attractive option for businesses and individuals looking to create compelling content quickly and easily. As Captions continues to expand its AI avatar portfolio and explore new features like AI-powered skits, the app is poised to revolutionize the way we create and consume video content.

Top 5 Customer Segmentation Tools

1. ActiveCampaign - All-in-one marketing automation platform fostering engagement with customers through email marketing, SMS, messaging, and CRM tools, along with personalized experiences.

2. Dropgenius - Creates highly personalized email campaigns by leveraging advanced segmentation techniques, predictive analytics, and automated optimization, ultimately driving better open rates, click-through rates, and conversions.

3. Moosend - Email marketing and automation platform helping businesses create targeted, personalized campaigns, optimize their email content, and improve deliverability, all while providing comprehensive reporting and analytics to track performance.

4. Lyzr.ai - AI-driven customer segmentation and targeting platform that enables businesses to analyze customer behavior, preferences, and purchasing patterns, allowing them to create highly targeted marketing campaigns and personalized experiences that drive engagement, loyalty, and revenue growth.

5. ABTesting.ai - Streamlines the A/B testing process for websites and applications, utilizing machine learning algorithms to automatically optimize designs, content, and user experiences based on real-time data, leading to improved conversion rates and customer satisfaction.

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