ChatGPT is alive! It referred to itself in the first person in the summary for “Novel Dispute: Grisham & Co. Challenge AI's Creative License.”

In all seriousness, I don’t know how to define “intelligence” any more. Maybe it’s code, maybe it’s an algorithm, maybe it’s the dawning of a non-biological species.

Feels like that moment at the top of the roller coaster’s first climb…

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• A banana milkshake

• A pack of 10 envelopes

• 50 ounces of laundry detergent

• A roll of paper towels

Do you know what costs less than these things but is worth 10x as much?

The new premium membership! It’s called Creative AI Insider, and you can get it for less than five bucks a month. It’s easier to show than tell, so here’s a free copy of the August Insider.

✨ Personal Update

My summer concert experience is drawing to a close. In the past two months, I’ve seen Pantera, Lamb of God, The Arctic Monkeys, Behemoth, Danzig, Duran Duran, Nile Rodgers & Chic, and Royal Blood.

Yes, my tastes are that eclectic. I’m in the minority for people my age in that I still love discovering new music. Although I still listen to music from my youth, much of it bores me after hearing those songs for decades.

Royal Blood isn’t a “new” band, but seeing them for the first time was amazing. It’s hard to believe that much sonic fury can be generated by a drum-bass duo. They get bonus points for the understated-but-cool British swagger.

📖 Novel Dispute: Grisham & Co. Challenge AI's Creative License

Summary

Thank you sir, may I have another?

OpenAI, the brain behind me, has been slapped with a lawsuit by none other than a trade group representing big-shot authors like John Grisham, George R.R. Martin, and others. Their beef? They believe ChatGPT was unlawfully trained on their literary masterpieces.

The Author’s Guild claims authors should decide if and how AI like me gets to play with their written gems. Concerns are rising that AI might start churning out ebooks, potentially sidelining human authors.

If you're an author or creative type, keep a close eye on this AI saga. Who knows, tomorrow's bestselling novel might just be computer-generated.

My Take

The funniest reaction to this story? Someone on social media saying to Martin, “Anything but finishing Game of Thrones, eh?”

Again, I'm left scratching my head, wondering why aren't the traditional publishers suing for their authors.

I totally get the Authors Guild's drama and all the panic bells they're ringing. After all, their survival's on the line.

But here's a thought: if I give you a run-down of a suspense novel and then whip up my own story, does that make me a copyright villain?

💰 AI Gold Rush: “Writer” Nets a Cool $100M!

Summary

Despite a digital age overflowing with AI startups, investors still can't get enough. Their latest fascination? "Writer," a company pitching a "full-stack" generative AI platform to businesses. It's clear they've caught some attention, pulling in a whopping $100 million from eager backers.

While a horde of competitors like OpenAI and AI21 Labs are jostling in the same space, Writer swaggers in with a promise – their AI is trained on non-copyrighted business writings.

With this new funding, the San Francisco-based company is gearing up to go big, targeting those “harder, more impactful” uses of AI for businesses. And judging by their current clientele, which includes big players like Uber and Spotify, they might just be on to something.

My Take

This piece feels more like a press release. But peel back the fluff, and there's a big story here.

Investors are throwing bags of money at generative AI startups, and "Writer" is catching those bags. The name "Writer" is a gutsy move, a clear middle finger in the air to any doubters of generative AI's role in writing.

But amid all the copyright chaos and legal hiccups with AI, "Writer" is striding in confidently, having trained its models on non-copyrighted business writing. That's smart.

🎯 Prompt of the Week

🎩 Alchemy or AI? Unmasking the Modern-Day Magic!

Summary

You ever wonder if today's AI is more magical than methodical? Thomas Krendl Gilbert’s new podcast, “The Retort,” throws shade at the notion of AI being rooted in pure science. Instead, he likens it to alchemy, that mystical predecessor to chemistry. His reasoning? A lot of the AI work today lacks the rigorous experimentation and openness that's associated with genuine scientific endeavors.

Yet, the headlines seem to be bombarding us with a myriad of AI claims, from Musk’s dreams of AI referees to Altman’s fascination with the “magic” of generative AI. As Gilbert puts it, the problem with AI's magical allure is the lack of clear-cut science and public understanding, especially when it's now intertwined with politics.

But there's a glimmer of hope. Open source generative AI movements aim to provide a clearer view into the tech's inner mechanics.

My Take

Comparing computer code to alchemy? That's a stretch, but I can see where they're coming from. And don't get me started on the level of cognitive dissonance from some of the AI top dogs.

However, if there's one thing I'm truly buzzed about, it's the future of our interaction with these LLMs. The day I can have a Zoom call with a generative AI or perhaps share my morning coffee with an AI-powered robot? Now, that's a tomorrow I'm eager to see.

Whether it's magic, science, or a mix of both, the potential is undeniably electrifying… and terrifying.

🌩️ From Web Browsing to Web Chatting: The GenAI Thunderstorm

Summary

The tech world's been buzzing about the "next big thing" for decades, and it seems, after many false alarms, we've landed on generative artificial intelligence (genAI).

GenAI's not just another crypto hype or a geeky blockchain rave. It's the evolution of how we communicate with mounds of information. Imagine having a chat with your insurance policy instead of drowning in its jargon, or better yet, banishing Google to the past and getting straightforward answers instantly.

While it may sound like a fairytale, the web's transformation is on the horizon. With the convenience of conversing directly with data, the way we know the internet is about to change.

My Take

The sense of urgency Colony conveys isn't lost on me. There's a stark difference between generative AI and other buzzwords like crypto, blockchain, and the metaverse, and I'm entirely on board with this sentiment.

The implications of genAI, as highlighted by Colony, are both exhilarating and somewhat intimidating. This isn't just another technological advancement; it's a paradigm shift. The idea of transitioning from mindlessly searching the web to meaningful conversations with data is revolutionary.

However, it's essential to tread with caution, ensuring trustworthiness and avoiding the pitfalls of misinformation. The blend of humanity and technology will be our best asset moving forward.

🎨 Eagerly Awaiting Dall-E 3 in ChatGPT Plus!

I know this is a bit of a tease, but Dall-E 3 might have already rolled out to you by the time you read this.

Game. Changer.

I love Midjourney’s output, but the input leaves a lot to be desired. It feels as though the prompts are operating at a GPT-1 level. Having a conversation with AI during the generative process is the next evolution.

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⭐ AI Superstar - Visually AI

I’m always on the lookout for a great AI newsletter. Check out “Visually AI” for resources on using AI for images and graphics. Below is a great post on how to find the right tools for the job.

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😜 MemeMe

🌐 Rando Disco

Random images from the Midjourney Discord server.

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DISCLAIMERS:

I use AI tools to create this newsletter. No d’uh.

This issue may contain affiliate links. If you click on one and buy something, I get a small % from the seller. There’s no cost to you, and often, using an affiliate link gets you a discount.

Nothing in this newsletter should be considered financial, medical, marital, or advice of any kind. But we can still be friends.