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Another Crazy Day in AI: An Almost Daily Newsletter

Hello, AI Enthusiasts.


Hope your week’s off to a decent start. But while inboxes filled up, some in AI were tackling the harder stuff.


A veteran tech journalist says CIOs are finally realizing that to get good AI, you need better data—and that means rethinking how it’s stored, governed, and used across the org.


On the creative front, AI video tools are now quietly powering major film work. One studio exec put it bluntly: “It’s like Ozempic. Everyone’s using it. No one’s saying it.”


And Adobe’s latest tool helps brands understand how they show up in AI-generated content—because increasingly, customers start their journey in a chatbot.


Here's another crazy day in AI:

  • Why data architecture matters more than ever

  • Runway’s film festival shows where AI video is headed

  • Adobe’s new tool helps brands get seen by AI

  • Some AI tools to try out


TODAY'S FEATURED ITEM: Data Foundations That Actually Work


A robotic scientist in a classic white coat with 'AI Scientist' on its back stands beside a human scientist with 'Human Scientist' on their coat, looking towards the AI Scientist.

Image Credit: Wowza (created with Ideogram)


Is your organization's data foundation strong enough to support the transformative power of artificial intelligence, or are you building on quicksand?


Seasoned tech journalist Stan Gibson explores how leading organizations across industries are addressing the challenges of building AI systems that deliver meaningful results—not by chasing the latest AI model, but by focusing on the quality, structure, and governance of the data behind it. His piece offers firsthand perspectives from leaders in semiconductors, wine production, pharmaceuticals, and energy, all working to strengthen their data foundations for smarter, more reliable AI.


Credit: IDC
Credit: IDC

Lessons from the field:

  • Data maturity creates measurable business impact - Organizations with advanced data quality and governance practices see substantially higher success rates with AI projects, including documented improvements in customer retention and operational efficiency

  • Layered data architecture provides stability - Companies organize their information into progressively refined tiers, creating structured foundations that can support multiple AI applications without compromising quality or performance

  • Private implementations protect competitive advantage - Leading firms develop internal versions of AI tools and maintain control over their language models to safeguard proprietary information while accessing AI capabilities

  • Practical governance enables innovation - Successful data strategies balance oversight with accessibility, ensuring teams can leverage systems effectively without getting bogged down in bureaucratic processes

  • Cross-functional collaboration drives real adoption - Technical excellence requires business partnership, with ongoing dialogue needed to establish meaningful metrics and encourage actual usage across departments

  • Talent challenges affect everyone - Even well-resourced organizations face difficulties finding professionals who understand both technical data requirements and business implications of modern governance frameworks


Credit: IDC
Credit: IDC

Gibson's reporting reveals how these companies navigate the practical realities of implementing robust data strategies. At Gallo, their approach to using AI for data cleanup demonstrates how these technologies can become self-improving systems—automatically identifying when wine descriptions use "spicy" instead of the preferred "peppery," then making corrections based on context. This kind of application shows AI working as a data quality tool rather than just an analytical engine. Meanwhile, Servier Pharmaceuticals built their own ChatGPT implementation on Azure not just for security reasons, but to create a controlled environment where teams could experiment with AI while maintaining the strict regulatory compliance required in pharmaceutical development.


The experiences shared in this piece also underscore the less glamorous but equally important aspects of data strategy. AES's work creating consistency across their clean energy sites involves the unglamorous task of standardizing how operational data gets collected and defined—work that becomes essential when trying to predict market demand and optimize energy pricing. Skyworks Solutions processes terabytes of manufacturing data daily, requiring systems capable of handling both volume and variety while maintaining the quality standards necessary for reliable AI outputs. These examples illustrate how successful AI implementation often depends more on solving fundamental data management challenges than on deploying cutting-edge algorithms.




Read the full article here.

OTHER INTERESTING AI HIGHLIGHTS:


Runway’s Film Festival Shows Where AI Video Is Headed

/Angela Yang, Culture & Trends Reporter, on NBC News


AI video tools may still be controversial, but they’re becoming surprisingly common in film production—even if no one talks about it. Lionsgate’s Michael Burns compares them to Ozempic: discreet, but everywhere. At Runway’s AI Film Festival, execs and creatives gathered to explore generative tools already being used in major studio deals. With tools like Runway and OpenAI’s Sora making their way into everything from short films to marketing assets, the line between traditional and AI-enhanced filmmaking continues to blur—even as labor concerns and ethical questions remain front and center.



Read more here.


Adobe’s New Tool Helps Brands Get Seen by AI

/Adobe Newsroom


Adobe’s new LLM Optimizer is designed to help brands stand out in an AI-first world, especially as generative tools like AI-powered search and chatbots transform how consumers interact with content. Traffic from AI sources has surged—up to 3,500% in retail—indicating a shift in digital behavior. The tool offers insights into where and how a brand shows up in AI-generated answers and recommends content improvements to enhance visibility and engagement. Adobe positions it as a way for businesses to stay discoverable and competitive as customer journeys increasingly begin in a chatbot or AI assistant.



Read more here.

Image Credit: Adobe
Image Credit: Adobe

SOME AI TOOLS TO TRY OUT:


  • Scribe – Records workflow and turns it into step-by-step guides with screenshots.

  • Instance – Instantly turn ideas into working apps, games, or websites.

  • Pylon – All-in-one tool for tickets, chat, knowledge base, AI support, and more.


That’s a wrap on today’s Almost Daily craziness.


Catch us almost every day—almost! 😉

EXCITING NEWS:

The Another Crazy Day in AI newsletter is on LinkedIn!!!



Wowza, Inc.

Leveraging AI for Enhanced Content: As part of our commitment to exploring new technologies, we used AI to help curate and refine our newsletters. This enriches our content and keeps us at the forefront of digital innovation, ensuring you stay informed with the latest trends and developments.





Another Crazy Day in AI: An Almost Daily Newsletter

Hello, AI Enthusiasts.


This week’s been buzzing, but before the weekend takes over, here’s a thought: AI is in our pockets, kitchens, even toothbrushes—collecting data we don’t always notice. A new piece unpacks just how much we’re trading for convenience.


And in case you thought AI drama was slowing down: Meta’s in a high-stakes talent hunt, dangling millions to woo top researchers. But talent? It might take more than a paycheck.


Meanwhile, a fresh study maps where humans welcome AI—and where they’d rather keep it out. It’s a reminder that tech adoption isn’t just about what AI can do, but what we’re actually okay with it doing.


Now that’s something to think about as the weekend rolls in.


Here's another crazy day in AI:

  • The digital trail we leave

  • The $10M job offer from Meta

  • Where AI fits—and where it doesn’t

  • Some AI tools to try out


TODAY'S FEATURED ITEM: The Hidden Cost of Convenience


A robotic scientist in a classic white coat with 'AI Scientist' on its back stands beside a human scientist with 'Human Scientist' on their coat, looking towards the AI Scientist.

Image Credit: Wowza (created with Ideogram)


Are you unknowingly trading your privacy for convenience every time you interact with smart devices?


A comprehensive analysis by Christopher Ramezan, Assistant Professor of Cybersecurity at West Virginia University, explores how modern devices—from electric razors to fitness trackers—are quietly collecting vast amounts of personal data through embedded algorithms. Published in The Conversation, this piece reveals the hidden data collection practices behind everyday tools and offers practical guidance for protecting your digital privacy.


ChatGPT stores and analyzes everything you type into a prompt screen. Screenshot by Christopher Ramezan, CC BY-ND
ChatGPT stores and analyzes everything you type into a prompt screen. Screenshot by Christopher Ramezan, CC BY-ND

Here's What You Should Know:

  • Smart devices collect data constantly - Your home speakers, fitness trackers, and even electric toothbrushes monitor your habits and conversations around the clock, creating detailed behavioral profiles whether you realize it or not

  • AI platforms store everything you tell them - ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and similar tools keep permanent records of your conversations, using this information to improve their systems and potentially sharing it with other parties

  • Social media tracking follows you everywhere - Platforms use cookies and tracking pixels to monitor your activity across different websites, which is why you see targeted ads based on your recent browsing history

  • Your health data can be sold - Fitness trackers and smartwatches aren't bound by medical privacy laws, so companies can legally sell information about your heart rate, sleep patterns, and exercise habits

  • Privacy settings have limitations - Even when you opt out of certain features, companies typically continue collecting your data and may simply use it differently rather than stopping collection entirely

  • Government partnerships expand monitoring - New collaborations between tech companies and government agencies create opportunities for tracking citizens through their everyday device usage and purchases

  • Companies are reducing user control - Many firms are making data collection automatic by default and removing options that previously let users limit what information gets shared

  • Data breaches affect everyone - Personal information collected by trusted companies can end up stolen by hackers or accessed by foreign governments through cyberattacks

  • Legal protections remain incomplete - Current privacy laws struggle to keep up with rapidly evolving data collection methods and technologies

  • Simple steps can help protect you - Avoiding personal details in AI conversations, turning off devices during private discussions, and reading terms of service can reduce your exposure


Here’s how websites you browse can track you using cookies or tracking pixels.



This extensive data collection creates ripple effects that extend far beyond individual privacy concerns. When companies gather information from millions of users, they develop powerful capabilities to predict and influence human behavior on a societal level. This data becomes valuable not just for selling products, but for understanding population trends, assessing individual risks, and even influencing political processes. The information you share with one device or platform often gets combined with data from other sources to create comprehensive profiles that reveal more about you than you might expect.


The research doesn't suggest that people should avoid these technologies completely. Many smart devices and AI tools provide genuine benefits that improve daily life, from health monitoring to productivity assistance. However, understanding how these systems work allows people to make more informed decisions about which conveniences are worth the privacy trade-offs. Companies profit significantly from user data, but individuals can still take practical steps to limit unnecessary exposure while continuing to benefit from useful features. The key lies in approaching these tools with awareness rather than blind trust, recognizing that convenience often comes with hidden costs that deserve consideration.




Read the full article here.

OTHER INTERESTING AI HIGHLIGHTS:


The $10M Job Offer from Meta

/Thomas Claburn, Senior Reporter, on The Register


Meta is going all-in on AI, reportedly offering up to $10 million per year to elite researchers in an aggressive hiring push. CEO Mark Zuckerberg is personally reaching out, underscoring the urgency to compete with OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic. But even with eye-watering offers, Meta is still struggling to secure top-tier talent—many prefer the impact or culture of startups. This behind-the-scenes look reveals a talent war where AI expertise is the new gold.



Read more here.


Where AI Fits—and Where It Doesn’t

/Ethan Mollick, on LinkedIn


A new study maps where AI automation and human preferences align—and where they clash. By combining surveys of workers and AI experts, it divides workplace tasks into four “zones” of automation potential, revealing that some jobs are ripe for AI help while others trigger resistance. The study also warns of a shift in which workplace skills will be most valued, from data handling to people skills. It's a call to steer AI adoption toward both capability and consent.



Read more here.

Read the paper here.

Ethan Mollick's LinkedIn post
Ethan Mollick's LinkedIn post

SOME AI TOOLS TO TRY OUT:


  • ClarityUX – Improve design reviews with AI heat maps and feedback to boost sales.

  • WeatherLab – DeepMind’s hurricane model forecasts 15 days out with 50 storm scenarios.

  • Manus Chat Mode Free, unlimited AI chat with instant answers.


That’s a wrap on today’s Almost Daily craziness.


Catch us almost every day—almost! 😉

EXCITING NEWS:

The Another Crazy Day in AI newsletter is on LinkedIn!!!



Wowza, Inc.

Leveraging AI for Enhanced Content: As part of our commitment to exploring new technologies, we used AI to help curate and refine our newsletters. This enriches our content and keeps us at the forefront of digital innovation, ensuring you stay informed with the latest trends and developments.





Another Crazy Day in AI: An Almost Daily Newsletter

Hello, AI Enthusiasts.


Weekend mode: almost on. But first... some AI heat.


Veteran coder Thomas Ptacek has had enough of AI skepticism—his viral essay says it plainly: ignore AI in software development at your own risk. The AI Daily Brief host breaks it down for you.


Meanwhile, Sam Altman’s latest blog post reads like a dispatch from the near future. He says the AI takeoff isn’t coming—it’s already here.


And if your weekend plans include turning a cat video into a noir thriller, Meta’s new generative video tool is now live.


Here's another crazy day in AI:

  • The stubborn programmer dilemma

  • Altman on AI, 2030s and beyond

  • AI video edits go mainstream with Meta

  • Some AI tools to try out


TODAY'S FEATURED ITEM: Why Coding Skeptics Are Missing Out


A robotic scientist in a classic white coat with 'AI Scientist' on its back stands beside a human scientist with 'Human Scientist' on their coat, looking towards the AI Scientist.

Image Credit: Wowza (created with Ideogram)


Are you falling behind simply because you’re coding the ‘old’ way?


In a recent episode of The AI Daily Brief, host Nathaniel Whittemore dives into a viral essay that’s sparking debate across the developer world: “My AI Skeptic Friends Are All Nuts” by longtime software engineer Thomas Ptacek. With humor, urgency, and sharp insight, Ptacek calls out the growing gap between those who still rely on traditional coding workflows and those already embracing AI agents as collaborators—not just tools.


This isn’t about hypothetical futures or AGI. Ptacek stays grounded in what’s happening now: AI coding agents are here, and they’re already doing real work—navigating codebases, testing, debugging, and delivering pull requests—while many developers still argue about whether these tools are “ready.” The reality? Serious developers are moving faster, solving more, and doing less of the boring stuff.



The reality check:

  • Modern AI agents operate like junior developers - They explore repositories, create files, run builds and tests, then iterate on failures until code compiles and passes all checks

  • Repetitive work disappears - Tasks like writing boilerplate, managing dependencies, looking up documentation, and refactoring tests now happen automatically while developers tackle bigger challenges

  • Error correction is built-in - When agents write broken code, they catch their own compilation errors and test failures, then fix the problems without human intervention

  • Human judgment remains critical - Developers still review all generated code, make architectural decisions, and bear final responsibility for everything that goes into production

  • Language compatibility matters - Some programming languages like Go work seamlessly with AI tools, while others like Rust present ongoing challenges that affect user experience

  • Adoption creates competitive gaps - Teams using these tools report substantial productivity improvements, especially among newer developers who lack preconceptions about "proper" coding methods

  • Work becomes more strategic - Many developers now delegate routine tasks to agents, focus on higher-level problems, then review and refine the automated work



Ptacek's perspective carries weight because he's been writing production code for nearly three decades and has witnessed multiple technology transitions. He doesn't claim AI will solve every programming problem or replace human creativity, but he questions why intelligent people would reject tools that clearly improve day-to-day productivity. The essay addresses familiar objections about code quality, intellectual property concerns, and the fear that automated assistance somehow diminishes the craft of programming.


The discussion reveals something fascinating about professional adaptation. While heated debates continue about AI's role in software development, a growing number of developers have quietly integrated these tools into their workflows and are experiencing real benefits. Ptacek observes that younger programmers, in particular, approach AI assistance without the baggage of older debates and are gaining measurable advantages over their more cautious colleagues.


Perhaps most importantly, this conversation highlights the difference between theoretical concerns and practical experience. Ptacek suggests that many current objections to AI-assisted coding stem from limited exposure to modern tools rather than informed evaluation of their capabilities. He encourages developers to experiment with available options before forming definitive opinions, arguing that firsthand experience provides a much better foundation for decision-making than assumptions based on outdated information or secondhand reports.




Watch the podcast on YouTube here.

Listen on Apple Podcasts here. Listen on Spotify here.

OTHER INTERESTING AI HIGHLIGHTS:


Altman on AI, 2030s and Beyond

/Sam Altman, on his personal blog


In a sweeping blog post, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman reflects on humanity’s accelerating path into the age of superintelligence. He argues that we’ve already passed the event horizon of AI development, with systems like ChatGPT transforming how people work, create, and solve problems. Looking ahead, Altman envisions the 2030s as a time when intelligence and energy become “wildly abundant,” with AI accelerating scientific discovery, reshaping labor, and fueling entirely new industries. While emphasizing the need to solve alignment and distribution challenges, he expresses confidence that society will adapt—one wonder at a time.



Read more here.


AI Video Edits Go Mainstream With Meta

/Meta Newsroom


Meta just released a generative AI video editing feature across its Meta AI app, website, and Edits app, allowing users to transform short videos with preset prompts. From changing your outfit to adding visual effects like comic book styles or dreamy sparkles, users can now create stylized, shareable content without traditional editing skills. The tool supports 10-second video transformations and integrates directly with Facebook and Instagram for easy sharing. It’s part of Meta’s bigger push into AI-powered creativity, building on its past breakthroughs with Movie Gen and Llama models.



Read more here.

Source: Meta
Source: Meta

SOME AI TOOLS TO TRY OUT:


  • Huntr – Quickly generate personalized resumes and cover letters with AI.

  • Atlas – Instantly add billing and pricing pages to your AI app.

  • Scouts – AI agents that constantly scan the web for updates and deals.


That’s a wrap on today’s Almost Daily craziness.


Catch us almost every day—almost! 😉

EXCITING NEWS:

The Another Crazy Day in AI newsletter is on LinkedIn!!!



Wowza, Inc.

Leveraging AI for Enhanced Content: As part of our commitment to exploring new technologies, we used AI to help curate and refine our newsletters. This enriches our content and keeps us at the forefront of digital innovation, ensuring you stay informed with the latest trends and developments.





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