GenAI News 15th Jan 2025

Meta’s Generative AI Push Could Bring Big ‘Windfall’ For WhatsApp, Analyst Says
Meta Platforms is testing generative AI-powered chatbots within WhatsApp, aiming to enhance customer service and drive e-commerce sales. Analysts project this could generate incremental revenue of $16.6 billion by 2025 and up to $45 billion by 2030. Businesses are charged 2.5 cents per conversation every 24 hours, with potential for price increases. Meta’s stock has responded positively, reflecting investor confidence in this AI initiative.
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Date of Link: 15 January 2025

Microsoft Relaunches Copilot for Business with Free AI Chat and Pay-as-You-Go Agents
Microsoft has reintroduced its free Copilot for businesses as Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat, an AI-driven chat service designed to prepare users for the full Microsoft 365 Copilot subscription priced at $30 per month. Powered by GPT, it includes AI agents capable of automating tasks and managing inboxes. Users can create and utilize agents via Copilot Studio, with pricing managed through pay-as-you-go or consumption packs. This move aims to enhance productivity and encourage adoption of AI tools among businesses.
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Date of Link: 15 January 2025

Adobe CEO Sees AI Tailwind and Calls Stock an ‘Incredible Value’
Adobe’s CEO, Shantanu Narayen, discusses the impact of AI on Adobe and the broader tech industry. He highlights the role of AI in enhancing Adobe’s offerings, such as using AI in creative workflows to expedite creative processes and improving document management with AI-driven insights through Adobe Acrobat. Narayen emphasizes Adobe’s unique AI strategy, mentioning their generative AI platform Firefly and the popular AI feature in Photoshop, generative fill. Adobe plans to monetize AI by leveraging the breadth of their product portfolio and employing a freemium model for products like Acrobat with AI Assistant.
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Date of Link: 15 January 2025

Google Signs Deal with AP to Deliver Up-to-Date News through its Gemini AI Chatbot
Google has signed a deal with The Associated Press (AP) to enhance its AI chatbot, Gemini, by providing real-time news updates from AP. This initiative marks Google’s first agreement with a news publisher. AP’s Chief Revenue Officer Kristin Heitmann expressed satisfaction with the collaboration, emphasizing the mutual benefit of accurate and timely news distribution. Financial details of the partnership remain undisclosed, and it’s uncertain how Google will present the news content. The deal comes amid concerns in the journalism industry about AI companies using news content without permission and competing for ad revenue.
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Date of Link: 15 January 2025

Why ‘Beating China’ In AI Brings Its Own Risks
The Biden administration has introduced new export controls to limit advanced AI technology from reaching China. These measures follow earlier restrictions aimed at hindering China’s AI advancements. Experts discuss the implications of these controls, noting that while such measures might slow China, they also drive China’s determination to become self-reliant, posing risks to global cooperation and innovation. They argue for a collaborative approach to AI governance, warning against the dangers of competitive isolation and advocating for joint development of AI safety standards.
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Date of Link: 15 January 2025

How to Become a ‘Superworker’
This article focuses on achieving “superworker” status through the integration of AI in the workplace. A superworker is an employee who leverages AI to significantly enhance their productivity and quality of work. As AI continues to be embraced, the nature of many jobs will evolve, leading to a reimagined workforce equipped with new skills and roles. The transition may result in higher-level responsibilities and job reallocation rather than layoffs.
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Date of Link: 15 January 2025

British Start-up Synthesia Hits $2.1bn Valuation on AI Video Boom
London-based AI start-up Synthesia, specializing in creating realistic video avatars for corporate communications, has achieved a valuation of $2.1 billion after raising $180 million in a funding round led by NEA, with participation from Google Ventures and Accel Partners. The company plans to use the funds to enhance the lifelike quality of its avatars and expand into markets like Japan, Australia, Europe, and North America. Synthesia’s client base includes major corporations such as Zoom, Xerox, and Microsoft.
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Date of Link: 14 January 2025

Wendy’s Serves Up Generative AI To Boost Its Customer Experience
Wendy’s is showcasing how generative AI is transforming the customer experience in the quick-service restaurant (QSR) industry and improving workplace productivity. The implementation of AI technologies aims to enhance service efficiency and personalization, contributing to a more streamlined and satisfying customer experience.
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Date of Link: 15 January 2025

Luma AI Releases Ray2 Generative Video Model with ‘Fast, Natural’ Motion and Better Physics
Luma AI has released Ray2, a generative video model that produces lifelike and fluid motions with improved physics. Examples shared by Luma and early testers showcase the model’s versatility, including scenarios like a man running through an Antarctic snowstorm surrounded by explosions, and a ballerina performing on an ice floe in the Arctic. The generated motions appear much faster and more natural compared to videos from rival AI generators, which often produce content in slow motion.
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Date of Link: 15 January 2025