TikTok Leverages Generative AI to Enhance Advertising Platform
TikTok is rolling out a suite of AI-powered advertising tools called “TikTok Symphony” to attract more brands to its platform. The new features include an AI video generator, an AI assistant for campaign optimization, and automated video enhancement capabilities. The “Symphony Creative Studio” allows advertisers to generate TikTok-style videos with minimal input, while the “Symphony Assistant” provides scriptwriting assistance, trend insights, and campaign recommendations. Additionally, the “Symphony Ads Manager Integration” helps optimize existing videos for better performance. TikTok also revealed that 61% of its users have made purchases based on TikTok content, highlighting the platform’s growing influence on consumer behavior. However, the app’s future in the U.S. remains uncertain due to a recent bill that could lead to its ban.
OpenAI Inks Deal with News Corp. for Access to News Content
OpenAI has partnered with News Corp., granting the AI company access to a vast collection of news content from publications like The Wall Street Journal, Barron’s, and The New York Post. The deal, reportedly valued at $250 million over five years, excludes content from HarperCollins and other News Corp. businesses. This partnership will allow OpenAI to train its AI models, including GPT-4o and Sora, on a wealth of reliable news data, enhancing the accuracy and depth of information provided by ChatGPT. News Corp. will also contribute its journalistic expertise to ensure the quality and integrity of OpenAI’s content offerings. This agreement marks OpenAI’s latest collaboration with a major media outlet, following deals with Meredith Dotdash, The Financial Times, and Axel Springer, among others. Both companies emphasize their commitment to upholding journalistic standards and combating misinformation in the digital age.
Truecaller Teams Up with Microsoft to Offer AI Call Answering in User’s Voice
Truecaller is introducing a new feature that allows its AI-powered Assistant to answer calls using a synthetic version of the user’s own voice. This is made possible through a partnership with Microsoft, leveraging its Personal Voice technology from Azure AI Speech. Users can create a digital copy of their voice by recording a short script. Truecaller’s Assistant can then use this voice to greet callers and respond to inquiries, in addition to offering pre-set voice options. The feature will roll out gradually, starting with a public beta in select countries including the U.S., Canada, and India. While this technology offers a personalized touch to call answering, Truecaller emphasizes transparency by using a distinct greeting message for AI-generated voices and limiting customization options to ensure ethical use.
Granola Launches AI-Powered Notepad for Effortless Meeting Notes
Startup Granola has debuted a new app that aims to eliminate the tedious task of meeting note-taking. The AI-powered notepad combines user input with AI-generated transcripts to create comprehensive and organized meeting summaries. Unlike other AI transcription tools, Granola allows for a collaborative approach. Users can jot down key points during the meeting, and the AI will fill in the gaps using the transcript, ensuring accuracy and detail. Founded by Chris Pedregal, former founder of Socratic, and Sam Stephenson, previously of Ideaflow, Granola leverages OpenAI’s GPT-4o to provide a seamless note-taking experience. The app integrates with popular video conferencing platforms and offers features like speaker identification, role recognition, and automatic note cleanup. Granola is available for macOS and offers a free trial for the first 25 meetings, followed by a $10 monthly subscription. The company plans to introduce team and enterprise plans in the future.
Unify Secures $8 Million to Simplify LLM Selection for Developers
UK-based startup Unify has raised $8 million in funding for its AI-powered router that helps developers choose the best large language model (LLM) for their specific needs. The platform considers factors like cost, speed, and accuracy to recommend optimal models from various providers. Unify’s router utilizes a trained neural network that constantly evaluates new LLMs through benchmarking and GPT Pro analysis. This allows the system to quickly assess and integrate new models as they emerge. The company differentiates itself from competitors by offering a neutral platform that prioritizes quality, cost, and speed in its recommendations. Unify currently has around 3,000 users and generates revenue by charging for custom benchmark creation. The recent funding round was led by SignalFire, M12, and J12, among others, and will support Unify’s product development and expansion efforts.
