Technology * Innovation * Publishing Newsletter #320
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While I focus on Technology, Innovation, and Publishing, because I have a platform, I also flag items that I think are important. I also try to include some resources & opportunities. It’s been a few weeks, so this issue has a lot of links. Please let me know what you think.
Important Items
If You’re Pregnant, Here’s What You Should Know About the Medical Procedures That Could Save Your Life
Women experiencing pregnancy loss in states with abortion bans told us they wished they had known what to expect and how to advocate for themselves. We created this guide for anyone who finds themselves in the same position.
Technology
Every AI Copyright Lawsuit in the US, Visualized
WIRED is following every copyright battle involving the AI industry — and we’ve created some handy visualizations that will be updated as the cases progress.
https://www.wired.com/story/ai-copyright-case-tracker/
Authors Guild Reinforces Its Position on AI Licensing
As the debates and discussions over all matters of rights pertaining to AI move forward, the Authors Guild has issued a lengthy statement that reiterated the organization’s position that it is authors who control the rights to their work.
YouTube is letting creators opt in to allowing third-party AI training
YouTube introducing an opt-in allowing creators to permit 3rd-party companies to use their videos for training AI models, with the default setting being off to protect creators’ content
https://www.theverge.com/2024/12/16/24322732/youtube-creators-opt-in-third-party-ai-training-videos
Google experiments with a new image generator that remixes three images into one creation
One for the subject, one for the scene, and one for the style, For example, a personal photo as the subject, w a futuristic landscape, and apply an anime style.
Google debuts new AI video generator Veo 2 claiming better audience scores than Sora
Designed to create more realistic videos w a better understanding of real-world physics and human movement. Specify genres, lenses, and cinematic effects at 4K resolution
You can now call 1–800-CHATGPT
OpenAI introduced a feature allowing users to call ChatGPT for free for up to 15 minutes via the number 1–800-CHATGPT in the U.S. and through WhatsApp globally.
https://www.theverge.com/2024/12/18/24324376/openai-shipmas-1-800-chatgpt-whatsapp
How Hallucinatory AI Helps Science Dream Up Big Breakthroughs
ICYMI Scientists teach AI models a subject and let them rework it, with results ranging from subtle and wrongheaded to surreal, and at times, leading to major discoveries.
The AI revolution is running out of data. What can researchers do?
Epoch AI projected that, by around 2028, the typical size of data set used to train an AI model will reach the same size as the total estimated stock of public online text.
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-03990-2
Why AI language models choke on too much text
Transformers have a scaling problem — here are some of the options folks are working on to help AI’s “memory.”
https://arstechnica.com/ai/2024/12/why-ai-language-models-choke-on-too-much-text/
What are AI ‘world models,’ & why do they matter?
Inspired by mental models that humans develop naturally-Our brains take abstract representations from our senses & form them into understanding,help us make predictions & influence how we perceive the world
https://techcrunch.com/2024/12/14/what-are-ai-world-models-and-why-do-they-matter/
AI Models Are Getting Smarter. New Tests Are Racing to Catch Up
https://time.com/7203729/ai-evaluations-safety/
Midjourney adds Pinterest-like ‘moodboards’ and support for multiple custom AI image models
This allows users to curate image collections for inspiration and tailor the AI model to their unique aesthetics.
Meta deletes AI character profiles after backlash, racism accusations
The accounts of all 28 AI characters Meta announced in 2023 are gone.
https://mashable.com/article/meta-deletes-ai-character-profiles-after-backlash
Meta rolls out live AI, translations, and Shazam to its smart glasses
https://www.theverge.com/2024/12/16/24322628/ray-ban-meta-smart-glasses-live-ai-translation-shazam
Snapchat is overhauling how influencers earn money on the platform
Snapchat is rolling out an expanded creator monetization program, where creators can earn revenue across both Stories and Spotlight.
You Can Buy a Car on Amazon Now
ICYMI Amazon launches Amazon Autos, letting US users buy a Hyundai with plans to add dealerships and manufacturers in 2025
https://www.wired.com/story/buy-a-car-on-amazon-hyundai/
Publishing & Media
Entertainment and Media Suffers Another Major Blow in 2024 With 15,000 Job Cuts
In 2024, nearly 15,000 jobs were eliminated across broadcast, television, film, news and streaming, per Challenger, Gray & Christmas.
https://www.thewrap.com/entertainment-media-layoffs-2024-analysis/
McClatchy Forms Newspaper-Magazine Giant
McClatchy is completing its merger with Accelerate360, boasting assets including the Miami Herald, Us Weekly and In Touch. In forming the new company, the magazine and distribution business — previously known as accelerate360 — shed its name and sold its tabloid titles that previously had burdened it with a series of scandals. Company executives would not say who purchased the tabloids, which included the National Enquirer and the Globe.
https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/national/article297018779.html
Forbes is cutting ties with freelance writers, citing Google spam policies
Site reputation abuse — also called parasite SEO — refers to a website publishing a deluge of off-brand or irrelevant content in order to take advantage of the main site’s ranking power and reputation in Google Search.
https://www.theverge.com/2024/12/17/24322485/forbes-vetted-freelance-google-search-parasite-seo
The Hottest Trend in Publishing: Books You Can Judge by Their Cover
Elaborately designed books with patterned edges and other effects started as a trend in romance and fantasy, and have now spread throughout the publishing industry.
Listen up! Why 2024 was the year of the audiobook
HT @publishingtrend With download figures at a high, all-star Hollywood voice casts and Spotify’s entry into the audiobook streaming business, the format is enjoying a surge in popularity
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2024/dec/27/year-of-the-audiobook-spotify-audible-ai
SLJ Reviews the Diverse BookFinder Database
Diverse BookFinder (DBF) is an online resource designed for librarians, educators, parents, book creators, and publishers committed to finding and promoting children’s books featuring characters who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). Recently revamped with new branding and a more accessible, professional design, DBF includes features aimed at making it easier to discover inclusive literature. The platform serves as a useful tool for curating collections, creating new content, and ensuring that the stories in classrooms and libraries are diverse, authentic, and reflective of different cultures and experiences.
https://www.slj.com/story/slj-reviews-the-diverse-bookfinder-database
How to read 100 books in 2025
https://www.axios.com/2024/12/27/reading-resolution-goodreads-storygraph
Barack Obama’s Favorite Books of 2024
https://barackobama.medium.com/here-are-my-favorite-books-movies-and-music-of-2024-30f3bed1e823
Marvel Comics as Penguin Classics? Elda Rotor Heard a ‘Hell Yeah’
“I get real geek joy out of learning something new,” says the imprint’s vice president and publisher. She’s proud to have broadened the definition of a classic during her tenure. #teamPRH
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/26/books/review/elda-rotor-penguin-classics.html
Creative Writing MFA at a Historically Black college
ICYMI MT @poetswritersinc @reginalbrooks, the new president of the Association of American Literary Agents, will convene educators in March to “create a road map for launching” the first creative writing MFA at a historically Black college.
https://www.pw.org/content/regina_brooks_leads_the_aala
Nieman Lab’s Predictions for Journalism, 2025.
Each year, we ask some of the smartest people in journalism and media what they think is coming in the next 12 months. At the end of a trying 2024, here’s what they had to say.
https://www.niemanlab.org/collection/predictions-2025/
13 anonymous media executives make predictions for the new year
https://www.cnbc.com/2024/12/23/2025-anonymous-media-predictions.html
20 Media Executives Offer Their Predictions for 2025
https://www.adweek.com/media/2025-media-predictions/
Universal and Amazon Music Strike Deal to Collaborate on Streaming 2.0, Audiobooks and AI Protection
Dolce & Gabbana, Elle magazine launch luxury condos in Miami
The 25-floor Elle Residences Miami will channel the pages of sister publication Elle Decor with “elegant and airy” designs
New Jersey Governor Signs Freedom to Read Bill into Law
https://www.slj.com/story/New-Jersey-Governor-signs-Freedom-Read-bill-into-Law-Censorship-News
Judge Strikes Down Portions of Arkansas Law That Threatened Librarians
Republicans passed the law in 2023, joining other conservative states and counties that have sought to restrict the availability of certain books.
Resources & Opportunities
Is writing a non-fiction book one of your 2025 goals? Sign up for this virtual event featuring an agent and editor who have years of experience and have seen it all. Virtual 1/15/25 12–1pm ET. FREE for @WMG_NYC Members, $15 Non-Members.
https://www.womensmediagroup.org/event-5987937
Women in AI Summit: Cracking the Code: How Women Leaders are Solving the AI Equation
https://nywici.wildapricot.org/event-5970409
As Seen On Booktok
A new free newsletter from @samatlounge, which focuses on BookTok books.
https://asseenonbooktok.meetthebooktokers.com
2025 CMA Fellowship Program Application
The Children’s Media Association Fellowship is a one-year program designed to empower rising professionals in the kids’ and family media industry. The deadline to apply is end of day 1/10/25.
https://form.jotform.com/243428731894062
WNDB’s 2025 Native Writing Intensive
MT @diversebooks The Native Writing Intensive offers an opportunity for community, discussion, & manuscript/career development. Open to Native/First Nation/Indigenous creators! ⌛ Applications close Feb. 14th, 2025
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdkECxg5Ag8mrRbN_gjdWvD26HlUdVZPOVPISm6eg0XPldthA/viewform
Podcasting 101: Creating Your Own Podcast
Free online class from NYPL. Saturday, January 25, 2025, 2–3:30 PM. https://www.nypl.org/events/programs/2025/01/25/online-podcasting-101-creating-your-own-podcast
Intro to UI & UX Design with Figma
Free in-person class Saturday, January 11, 2025, 11:30 AM — 1:30 PM at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library in NYC.
https://www.nypl.org/events/programs/2025/01/11/person-intro-ui-ux-design-figma
Discover NYC with Culture Pass
Explore local museums & attractions with Culture Pass! If you have a library card from the Brooklyn Public Library, Queens Public Library, or New York Public Library (serving the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island), you can reserve free passes to 100+ cultural institutions across NYC.
Immigrant Services at NYPL
RT @nypl NYPL helps asylum seekers, refugees, migrants, and immigrants navigate and find their way in the city. Explore conversation groups, sign up for English classes and citizenship study groups, and get connected with free city services.
https://www.nypl.org/community/services/immigrant-services
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