YouTube Expands Its AI Likeness Detection Technology to Celebrities
YouTube announced that its AI‑driven likeness detection system, originally tested with a limited creator group, is now available to the entertainment sector. The tool works like Content ID, scanning uploaded videos for AI‑generated faces that match enrolled celebrities, talent agencies and managers. Rights holders can request removal, file a copyright claim, or leave the content untouched, with parody and satire exempt. YouTube also hinted that audio‑deepfake detection will be added later.
GRAI Believes AI Can Make Music More Social, Not Replace Artists
AI music startup GRAI announced a $9 million seed round led by Khosla Ventures to launch consumer‑focused remix apps. The iOS and Android tools let fans remix existing tracks, change styles, and share creations while preserving artists' rights. GRAI’s platform builds...
Runway CEO Says AI Could Help Hollywood Make 50 Films Instead of One $100M Blockbuster
Runway, the AI video‑generation startup now valued at over $5 billion, CEO Cristóbal Valenzuela told Semafor World Economy that a $100 million budget could fund 50 AI‑generated movies instead of a single blockbuster. He argues that scaling quantity with the same visual...
EFF Is the Latest Organization to Leave X
The Electronic Frontier Foundation announced it is leaving X after nearly two decades, citing a dramatic drop in post impressions. In 2018, EFF’s tweets generated 50‑100 million monthly impressions, but by 2024 the same volume of posts yields only about 2 million....
Spotify Now Lets Everyone Turn Off Videos in Its App
Spotify announced a new setting that lets any user turn off video content, including Canvas loops and video podcasts, across mobile, desktop, web, and TV. The control is now available to all plan types—Free, Premium, Duo, Family, and Student—while Family...
As YouTube Grows on TV, It Eyes More Interactive Video Across Formats
YouTube is intensifying its focus on the living‑room by hiring product, design, and engineering talent to build interactive experiences for TV, including live streaming, Shorts, and subscription features. Connected‑TV watch time in the U.S. rose to over 44% in 2026,...
Apple Music Partners with Ticketmaster to Power Its Concert Discovery Feature
Apple Music announced a partnership with Ticketmaster to power its concert discovery feature, embedding ticket links directly within the streaming app. The integration adds a dedicated Concerts tab, homepage carousel, artist‑page badges, and push notifications that surface nearby shows based...
Channel Surfer Lets You Watch YouTube Like It’s Old-School Cable TV
London developer Steven Irby launched Channel Surfer, a web app that turns YouTube into a retro‑style TV guide. Users can flip through 40 pre‑made channels covering news, tech, music and more, joining live streams as if watching cable. The static...
TikTok Now Lets Apple Music Subscribers Play Full Songs without Leaving the App
TikTok announced a partnership with Apple Music that lets Apple Music subscribers play full tracks directly within the TikTok app via a new “Play Full Song” button. The integration uses Apple’s MusicKit, so playback occurs in Apple Music and streams are counted as...
Xprize Founder Peter Diamandis Launches New Contest to Manifest a New ‘Star Trek’
Peter Diamandis, founder of XPRIZE, announced a $3.5 million Future Vision XPRIZE aimed at encouraging optimistic science‑fiction storytelling. The contest, backed by Rod Roddenberry, Marc Benioff, Cathie Wood, Google and other high‑profile donors, will award a $2.5 million production fund to the grand‑prize winner. Submissions consist...
Why Did Netflix Back Down From Its Deal to Acquire Warner Bros.?
Netflix withdrew its bid to raise the offer for Warner Bros. Discovery, clearing the path for Paramount Skydance to acquire the studio. The move followed a 30% drop in Netflix’s share price after the initial announcement and a 14% rally...
Spotify Is Rolling Out Audiobook Charts
Spotify announced the launch of weekly Audiobook Charts in the United States and United Kingdom, mirroring its Music and Podcast rankings. The charts, which rank titles by listening behavior and engagement, are visible to both free and premium users within...
Instagram’s TV App Is Launching on Google TV Devices
Instagram’s Instagram for TV app expands to Google TV devices in the United States, following its December launch on Amazon Fire TV. The TV version lets users watch Reels and browse their Instagram feed on a large screen, with auto‑playing...