Adobe just killed your camera
And China rescues Jackie Chan movies with $14M of AI
In today’s edition:
Adobe just made every professional photographer's worst nightmare come true with a free iPhone app that shoots like a $5,000 DSLR. Meanwhile, science confirms what we all suspected: AI only makes smart people more creative (sorry everyone else).
A new social app promises to pay creators from day one without needing a single follower, China is spending millions to rescue Jackie Chan movies from looking like garbage, and Pinterest finally figured out how to make money after 15 years of confusion.
Catch up in 5 minutes
It’s the Creators delivers quick and insightful updates on creators, their businesses, and the platforms they use.
Throw your Nikon out
Adobe released Project Indigo, a free AI-powered camera app that transforms iPhones into DSLR-quality cameras. The app uses generative AI to enhance dynamic range, sharpness, and lighting in real-time, enabling content creators to achieve professional results without expensive equipment.
Your IQ = How Much AI Helps You
A study from Tulane University shows that generative AI tools like ChatGPT can enhance employee creativity, but only for those with strong metacognitive skills. Researchers at a technology consulting firm observed that employees who actively analyzed their tasks and adjusted their approaches benefited most from AI assistance. This finding urges companies to consider if their employees can actually benefit from AI investments.
Get Rich Without Going Viral
The new decentralized social media app, Own, launched its beta version last week. The platform features a swipeable feed for short videos, text posts, and images, and stands out by utilizing the blockchain and a token economy. Content creators on Own can earn revenue without minimum follower requirements, receiving rewards based on video engagement through the tradeable $OWN token.
$14M to Rescue Jackie Chan from Bad CGI
China launched a $13.9M initiative to use AI to restore and modernize 100 classic kung fu films, enhancing their visuals, audio, and production quality while preserving the original storytelling and aesthetic. The project also includes the creation of "A Better Tomorrow: Cyber Border," which they bill as the world’s first fully AI-produced animated feature film. Chinese studios expect AI technology to significantly reduce production time and costs, marking a major shift in film restoration and animation methods. This government-backed effort positions AI as a crucial tool for cultural preservation and innovation in China’s media industry.
Pinterest Finally Learns How to Make Money
Pinterest named Emma Chamberlain's coffee company as its first-ever co-branded product partner. This collaboration marks Pinterest's entry into product partnerships with content creators and highlights the platform's strategy to leverage creator influence for commercial opportunities.
Midjourney Says 'Hold My Beer'
Midjourney launched its first AI video generation model V1 just one week after Disney and Universal filed a massive lawsuit against them for copyright infringement. The timing is either incredibly bold or spectacularly tone-deaf.
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