Welcome to Daily Zaps, your regularly-scheduled dose of AI news ⚡️ 

Here’s what we got for ya today:

• 🌇 Google’s Vertex AI

• 🎤 YouTube AI music deal

• 📺 AI-generated commercials are here

• 💻 ChatGPT for Mac

Let’s get right into it!

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BIG TECH

Google’s Vertex AI

Google Cloud's Vertex AI platform, which helps companies build machine learning and large language models, is adding new features to improve the accuracy of AI-generated information. These features include "Grounding with Google Search," allowing models to retrieve live internet information, and the upcoming integration of third-party datasets from providers like Moody’s and Thomson Reuters, available in Q3.

Additionally, a "high-fidelity mode" enables organizations to use their own datasets for AI outputs, now in preview, and expanded Vector Search capabilities for more accurate searches. These enhancements aim to reduce misinformation and make AI tools more reliable and enterprise-ready.

ENTERTAINMENT

YouTube AI music deal

YouTube is negotiating with major record labels like Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, and Warner Records to clone more musicians using AI. They are offering lump sum payments for licensing songs to legally train their AI music tools. YouTube aims to license music from dozens of artists for new AI tools set to launch later this year, not to expand its current Dream Track feature.

However, convincing artists and labels might be challenging due to previous warnings against unauthorized AI use and recent copyright infringement lawsuits filed by the Recording Industry Association of America against top generative AI music companies.

BUSINESS

AI-generated commercials are here

Toys "R" Us has partnered with the ad agency Native Foreign to create a brand film using OpenAI's new AI text-to-video tool, Sora, which has yet to be made publicly available. The film, "The Origin of Toys 'R' Us," uses AI-generated video clips to tell the story of the company's founder, Charles Lazarus. While Sora handled key visual elements, significant human post-production work was required to complete the project.

This AI integration reflects a broader trend in advertising, despite criticisms regarding AI-generated imagery and its potential impact on human jobs. The project underscores the future potential of AI in creative industries, even as it currently necessitates human involvement for refining outputs.

STARTUPS

ChatGPT for Mac

OpenAI’s ChatGPT is now available to all macOS users, making it easier to access the AI chatbot on Mac computers. Users can quickly call up ChatGPT using the keyboard shortcut Option + Space, similar to the Command + Space shortcut for Spotlight Search. This integration was announced ahead of Apple's WWDC 2024 and includes other Apple devices like iPhones and iPads.

The macOS app allows users to interact with ChatGPT via a chat interface, upload files, and search past conversations. Initially available to Plus subscribers, the app is now accessible to everyone. The broader integration with Apple devices, powered by OpenAI’s advanced GPT-4o model, will roll out later this year.