This week was Meta’s Connect 202, where the owner of Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, WhatsApp, and Threads hosted a show-and-tell with the tech press. What makes Meta so important in the AI conversation is the company’s reach and its strategy. Meta’s reach of over 3 billion users worldwide across five of the world’s most-used communications platforms means […]
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At Jacobs Media, we're bullish on AI because we see its transformative power for the radio and broadcasting industry. We believe embracing AI technology will revolutionize broadcast operations by fostering creativity, strengthening relationships, and driving success.
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Push Button, Make Podcast
The leaps and bounds that AI platforms have made in the last year is breathtaking. Generative text and generative voice are crossing the “uncanny valley” and close to becoming indistinguishable from non-AI-assisted work. Take for instance a new tool from Google Labs, Notebook LM. This tool, tagged as a virtual research assistant, is designed to help students […]
Read MoreAn Audio Eternity
On Monday, James Earl Jones died. Among the many roles he played over a six-decade career, his voice became synonymous with Darth Vader from the Star Wars franchise. But Jones’ voice as Darth Vader will live on. Several years ago, the EGOT winner made an agreement with Skywalker Studios to recreate his baritone for future Star Wars […]
Read MoreThe New Fall Season
Welcome to the new season! We can look forward to great football, a new school-year, new TV shows, and — this year — big AI announcements. On the calendar, we’ll be paying attention to: * September 10 – Apple Event with iPhone 16 and Apple Intelligence updates * September 16 – Microsoft Next Phase of […]
Read MoreAI Candy
Let’s take a pause from our normal format. Below are ten really creative videos that posted recently across Reddit, X, and other platforms. All were created using one or more of the newest AI platforms. Hope you enjoy. Muppets Rap ala Beastie Boys Tools: ChatGPT, Suno, Midjourney, RunwayML Watch The Fast and the Furryous Tools: Midjourney, RunwayML, Luma, Leonardo, […]
Read MoreAn Acute Need for AI Training
Research is coming out fast and furious about workers in media-related industries actively integrating AI into their regular work routines. A University of Chicago study published recently surveyed 100,000 workers across multiple industries and job titles. Two of the three most likely to use AI at work? Journalists and marketers. [click for larger view] As Fred, Paul, and I […]
Read MoreThe Threat of an AI House of Mirrors
One of the many things Americans fear about AI is the threat it could have in politics. In this year’s Jacobs Media Techsurvey of 30,000+ radio listeners, 83% are somewhat or largely concerned about “AI and its potential to influence the 2024 elections.” It was one of the most universal opinions expressed in this year’s survey. […]
Read MoreWe’re Getting to Know AI
We’re witnessing a major shift in users’ knowledge and understanding of AI. Results from the Jacobs Media Techsurvey 2024 earlier this year showed that only 43% of radio listeners were unfamiliar with the technology. Seventy percent of listeners across the board—from Gen Z to Boomers—agreed that the rise of AI was cause for alarm. In the six months […]
Read MoreAI Uptake to Help Programming AND Sales
The stories of AI adoption come from companies of all regions and markets large and small. But just because there’s a mandate to use AI doesn’t mean it’s going to be successful. This month Goldman Sachs announced that AI is overhyped and too expensive and Chevron’s CIO proclaimed he didn’t think AI would save the […]
Read MoreHow Will Listeners React to AI in 2030?
Last week our general manager Paul Jacobs asked everyone in our office to envision what the ideal radio station looks like in 2030 — if it’s built from the ground up. It’s a tough challenge for most of us who spend our waking lives constantly juggling daily industry news, monthly ratings, and quarterly budgets. The challenge is […]
Read MoreAI Glasses: Futuristic Fashion or Party Trick?
When we were walking the halls of CES this January, we came upon a great display from Ray-Ban. They were showcasing a re-imagined pair of glasses that utilizes AI and had other features like audio integration and cameras. Seeing how new technology like smart speakers have changed radio consumption, I was curious in particular how […]
Read MoreCopyright Clashes, ID Drama, and Al Michaels’ AI Adventure!
This week has been packed with stories about innovative tools and creative outputs being developed with AI models. Intertwined with copyright controversies and fears of privacy and job loss, we are witnessing real advancements in how AI customizes content for users and enhances ad creativity for good causes. Dive in to discover how AI is […]
Read MoreDon’t Wait for Apple — Here Are 10 AI Tools You Can Use Today
This week the tech world’s attention has been focused on Cupertino, where Apple announced it’s AI initiative, Apple Intelligence. You can read all about the announcement, and its potential impact on broadcasters here. The most notable information about Apple Intelligence that’s been announced since the Apple keynote, has been what makes it unique and how […]
Read MoreWWDC: How ‘Apple Intelligence’ Will Impact Broadcasters
I “attended” Apple’s announcement yesterday because I was curious about their AI announcement. I wasn’t disappointed – here is my summary about what Apple’s AI release means for broadcasters in a special Tuesday edition of The AI Edge. Yesterday, at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), the trillion-dollar tech giant announced a slew of forthcoming technical […]
Read MoreAI in Public Media?
Apple Seeds AI Next Week The Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) is next week, and the anticipation could not be higher. Since last month’s major AI release from OpenAI (4o) and Google Gemini presentation, techies and portfolio managers have been speculating on what Apple will bring to the table for AI, with the company’s valuation approaching $3 […]
Read MoreBeats By AI
It’s easy to get caught up in the crazy daily headlines of AI and miss many of the positive things that generative AI is starting to enable. Sure, there’s Google’s crazy AI search results (see below), squabbles between OpenAI and ScarJo, and lots of deep-in-the-weeds AI security and economic worries. On the other hand, there are marketers who are using AI to write client copy in […]
Read MoreIP Intrigue and Deepfake Drama
Well, that was quick. The hype over last week’s new AI demos by OpenAI and Google has already metamorphosed into fears of deepfakes and IP ownership. The claims from Scarlett Johansson’s lawyers are big tabloid fare. They claim that, at best, OpenAI mimicked her voice for their new AI assistant, and, at worst, they trained their models using her voice. Although OpenAI removed […]
Read MoreAI Edge Interview – Dustin Dwyer
AI EDGE Interview: Dustin Dwyer, Michigan Public Dustin Dwyer is a busy guy. For twenty years, this Harvard Nieman Fellow has been cranking out content in the Mitten State for Michigan Public, a huge public media organization with roots in radio that covers nine Nielsen markets and the entire southern half of Michigan’s lower peninsula. […]
Read MoreAI Image Generation, Good and Bad
AI crossed-over into the tabloids again this week after images surfaced of Katy Perry showing off a massive floral dress at this year’s Met Gala in Manhattan. The only problem with the picture was, of course, it was completely fabricated. However, the picture was realistic enough to fool Perry’s mom, who texted the pop superstar, “What […]
Read MoreGenerating Content with AI
This week has been a rarity in the AI world, a week where there have been no major press releases, upgrades, mergers, affiliations, or PR disasters. Behind the scenes, there have been previews of upcoming things to look forward to, such as a recurring rumor about Apple both teaming with ChatGPT for upcoming iPhone releases and Microsoft releasing a […]
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