Chaos & Amazement #2450 TikTok’s Legal Showdown, Marketing’s Next Chapter, and a Cozy Christmas Nexus
This week’s Chaos & Amazement brings tech shifts, AI quirks, and some charming creative sparks, wrapped up with a cozy holiday vibe. 🎄✨
Starting today until January 21, 2025, I’m offering 1-hour free video call sessions to help Flemish businesses with their digital strategy. Need support with marketing planning, content strategy, or picking the right channels? Let’s talk!
📅 Book your call here: https://calendly.com/clo-willaerts
🔗 More about the initiative: https://www.vlaamsehogescholenraad.be/nl/blikopener
Tech News
The US Supreme Court will hear arguments on January 10 about whether a potential nationwide TikTok ban is legal. The case comes just days before new restrictions could take effect. TikTok, with 170M US users, argues the ban violates free speech rights. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/supreme-court-tiktok-ban-law/
The US Supreme Court's decision could have serious implications for European users and advertisers. If it gets banned in the US, it may lead to changes in its global operations, potentially affecting user experience and advertising opportunities worldwide. More about this ripple effect here: https://news.northeastern.edu/2024/12/06/tiktok-ban-united-states/
According to the report "Generative AI and Labor," the impact of AI on work goes beyond job loss or enhancement. It reshapes industry operations, influences worker dynamics, and raises crucial questions about the value of different types of labor. https://datasociety.net/library/generative-ai-and-labor/
Earlier this week I did a Facebook Live (in Dutch) for my http://kdg.be/digitalbusiness postgraduate students about the impact of Generative AI on Marketing, specifically. Watch it here: https://fb.watch/wBegHMJAiV/
Fresh AI
Google’s Notebook LM just launched a new feature of their Audio Overview: you can now join the two AI Podcast hosts discussion the text you added to the Notebook. I tested it and it worked 90% of the time. Sometimes their timing was a bit off, but they did react to what I said (« Oh, and Happy Holidays to you too! ») and then went back to the topic they were discussing. I couldn’t download the version with me in it, but here’s the talk they had before I joined in:
They See Your Photos: A website that demonstrates how AI can analyze images in surprising depth, revealing insights beyond what the human eye might perceive. Computer vision technology continues to evolve. https://theyseeyourphotos.com
AI Santa uses Tavus tech for free video chats, promising 'shockingly real' conversations that might replace mall Santas – but current tech seems glitchy.
Were you able to make a video call with Santa? (I wasn’t)
North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) has been tracking Santa since 1955. And this year, they have a chatbot on the website. And it’s run by a rather hapless elf called Radar https://www.noradsanta.org/
From my blog
In 2025, marketing will focus on more human, more creativity, more play. AI grows, but people crave authentic stories, bold creativity, and real connections. The end of cookie-cutter content is here—brands that dare to stand out will win.
Full report: http://mediaforta.com/visie-2025
AI Movies are here, and now creativity is just another optimization problem https://bnox.be/2024/12/ai-movies-are-here-and-now-creativity.html
Kei Kanamori’s Origami, an award-winning short film https://bnox.be/2024/12/kei-kanamoris-origami.html
Weird and Wonderful
The Moon: Earth's reliable cosmic companion, dancing between light and shadow, always nearby in the endless expanse of space. Check out this amazing interactive guide! https://ciechanow.ski/moon/
Rudy Ayoub - EXTINCTION (Music Video): Habibi’s first full music video. Arab dad will be proud (I hope).
Mylène Farmer - Que l'aube est belle (Live Visual)
This Christmas, I will literally be in my happy place, or Nexus as Star Trek fans call it. With this in the background: Star Trek Christmas Ambience in the Nexus with Peaceful Music and Fire...
