YouTube launches Music AI

Today we are covering…

🎶 YouTube ventures into Music AI

🤔 What ban? Crypto, NFT games still launching on Steam

🫶🏻 Blackpink launches metaverse experience on Roblox

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YouTube ventures into Music AI [Link]

YouTube is launching an incubator to work with musicians and artists in exploring the use of AI in music, signing Universal Music as its 1st partner for the endeavor.

How the Google-owned platform intends to create sweet music with AI:

• In its Universal Music partnership, YouTube will work with artists such as Anitta, ABBA's Björn Ulvaeus, and Max Ricther - it will help “inform YouTube's approach” as it works with the innovative industry people, the company notes in a blog post.

• The project will “help gather insights” on experimented gen AI research and initiatives, with plans to bring in more partners.

• YouTube has publicly expressed its intent to tap into Ai further, including in its copyright management tool, Content ID, to protect viewers and creators.

What ban? Crypto, NFT games still launching on Steam [Link]

Blockchain-based games retaining crypto or NFT elements are banned on Valve’s Steam PC gaming marketplace, yet their devs have deployed ways to get around the restrictions in order to still launch on the platform.

A quick history and context:

• Steam initially introduced the prohibition on games “built on blockchain technology that issue or allow the exchange of cryptocurrencies or NFTs.”

• Some game devs either remove the crypto and NFT part of their Steam offering, while others redirect players to 3rd-party websites to buy NFTs or require players to connect crypto wallets.

Incorporating crypto and NFTs in video games is controversial and divisive among game studios and players. AI is also a hot-button topic; Steam, the leading PC gaming marketplace, keeps its distance from games developed using gen AI, with rumors that it plans to issue a ban on games using AI-generated art due to copyright concerns.

Cyberattacks worse, AI to the rescue: Cybersecurity CEO [Link]

Palo Alto Networks CEO Nikesh Arora has warned of the increasing speed of cyberattacks, emphasizing the need for companies to strengthen their cybersecurity and suggesting using AI to swiftly detect and defend against attacks.

In response to increasing cyber threats, Arora's comments align with ongoing efforts to strengthen cybersecurity measures across various industries, along with regulatory moves to introduce new rules, such as from the SEC. OpenAI has also launched a $1M cybersecurity grant program to drive AI-driven security tech.

This year has witnessed a sharp rise in crypto-related hacks, with $300M lost in Q2 2023 due to security breaches and smart contract code and flash loan exploits.

Blackpink launches metaverse experience on Roblox [Link]

South Korean pop sensation Blackpink is launching Blackpink: The Palace, a virtual fan hub on Roblox, becoming the 1st K-pop group to foster an interactive environment on the platform.

Developed by British studio Karta, the experience will be launched on Aug 25 and will offer fans the opportunity to celebrate the band's music, learn choreography, take photos with avatars, and purchase custom outfits and emotes. Players will be rewarded with Roblox's in-game currency.

Blackpink's foray in Roblox follows other K-pop acts like NCT 127, Stray Kids, and Sunmi, who have previously participated in Roblox events and concerts.

The South Korean government has also shown support for and keen interest in metaverse developments, investing significantly in the area.

Quick Hits

🎮 Gaming

• Blockchain investments in gaming were down to $127M in Q2 2023 vs $143M in Q1, reflecting caution within the sector. (Link)

• Renowned esports influencers Ricky “FaZe Banks” Bengston, Nordan “FaZe Rain” Shat, and 100 Thieves CEO Matthew “Nadeshot” Haag are among the top passive earners on new crypto platform Friend.tech. (Link)

• While arguably the best part of it, Medal of Honor: Above and Beyond - one of Meta’s most well-funded VR games - is discontinuing its online multiplayer starting on Dec 1. (Link)

• Among the issues faced by blockchain gaming is scalability, the ability of a network to handle a large number of transactions and users without compromising performance or security. (Link)

• In its bid to expand globally, South Korean game developer Wemade signs onboarding contracts with 3 global game developers across Singapore, UAE, and South Korea for its gaming platform WEMIX PLAY. (Link)

• How the metaverse can completely transform the fortunes of online gaming. (Link)

🕶 Fashion

• Web3-savvy Gucci digitally partners with Chinese e-commerce retailer JD.com to boost its presence in the region. (Link)

• An Israeli startup using AI to guide online shoppers to finding their perfect clothing size is helping a Spanish fashion brand sell and profit more. (Link)

• The online course Fundamentals of Artificial Intelligence in Fashion is a comprehensive one seamlessly merging AI and fashion design. (Link)

• AI company True Fit collaborates with Shopify to tackle and eliminate fit-related concerns for a consumer loyalty boost. (Link)

• Startups are greening wardrobes worldwide, from clothing circularity to AI-powered textile defect detection and turning grain waste into leather. (Link)

🏀 Sports

• Hardly surprising that AI and other emerging tech showed up this summer Down Under during the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. (Link)

• VR encourages South Australians with an intellectual disability to undertake regular physical exercise through gaming. (Link)

• Super Bowl Champion and Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes adds another flex to his playbook as part of a new collab with Azuki. (Link)

• AI digital coach Humango partners with triathlete, coach, and 6-time Ironman champion Matt Hanson. (Link)

• From Sorare to NFL Rivals, here are the top 5 blockchain sports projects to watch in 2023. (Link)

🎥 Media & Entertainment

• Apple Podcasts gain new creator tools, including Subscription Analytics and Linkfire integration. (Link)

• 68 years after his death, James Dean gets digitally recreated using AI to appear in the new Back to Eden movie. (Link)

• Pinterest rolls out new safety features to better protect teens using its service. (Link)

• Explore Abu Dhabi in the metaverse via Yas Island’s new online platform to explore the Emirates virtually. (Link)

• Meanwhile, here’s how the internet changed pop culture. (Link)

• OKX announces singer and actor Ali Zafar as global web3 brand ambassador. (Link)

🖼 Art

• Can NFT markets return to 2021 highs? (Link)

• Recur sends shockwaves through the digital world as it declares the gradual closure of its web3 platform. (Link)

• Here’s AI modification of a Japanese woman's art highlights battle amid evolving tech. (Link)

• Yuga Labs opposes OpenSea's discontinuation of mandatory creator royalties for NFT collections. (Link)

• “People in my world thought it a little crazy”: Artist Yue Minjun on launching his million-dollar NFT collection in a flagging crypto market. (Link)

🤖 AI

• Samsung Electronics scouts AI and computer engineering students through the Samsung AI and CE Challenge to bolster research. (Link)

• Dev create apps like Songburst and CassetteAI to enable users to generate music clips by simple prompts. (Link)

• ChainGPT launches an incubator providing AI-as-a-Service, Blockchain-as-a-Service, high-performance computing, and an AI marketplace. (Link)

• OpenAI mimics Google DeepMind’s AGI strategy. (Link)

• Eye scans powered by AI could detect Parkinson’s disease in people before they have symptoms. (Link)

💸 Funding & Partnerships

• Blockchain companies and metaverse developers receive $158M in funding from various venture capital funds. (Link)

• Beamer, a no-code platform that helps build product engagement tools, receives a $20M investment. (Link)

• Adlook and Anzu partner to allow global advertisers to engage with passionate gamers and enhance gaming experiences. (Link)

• Deepdub and OOONA forge partnership to expand AI-based dubbing solutions to global entertainment and media clients. (Link)

• Mobile game developer Made on Earth Games raises $3.25M in seed funding to launch the 4X strategy game Everbright. (Link)

• BingX has invested in AI and web3 startup Moonbox to launch generative AI-powered NFTs and apps. (Link)

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All content on this newsletter is for informational purposes only and does not aim to serve as or replace expert investment advice.

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