AI This Week

YouTube Shorts is launching several generative AI features for creators. Among the highlights is an image-to-video tool that transforms static photos into dynamic six-second videos. Users can animate landscape photos, group shots, or even everyday images using AI-powered suggestions. For example, the tool can breathe life into objects like pedestrian signals, creating engaging visuals. Additionally, creators can explore new AI effects to turn doodles into art or selfies into imaginative scenarios, such as swimming underwater. Powered by Google’s Veo 2 video generation model, these tools come with clear labels and SynthID watermarks to mark AI-generated content. The features are currently rolling out to select regions.

Google DeepMind has unveiled Aeneas, an advanced AI model designed to help historians interpret and preserve ancient texts. Announced in Nature, this innovation examines and restores fragmented Latin inscriptions, offering profound insights into the past. Aeneas can identify textual parallels, process both text and image inputs, and fill gaps in damaged writings, setting a new benchmark in the field. While initially focused on Latin, the model’s capabilities can extend to other ancient languages, scripts, and artifacts, such as papyri and coins. Researchers, students, and educators can access an interactive version of Aeneas at predictingthepast.com, with its code and dataset made open source.

Artificial intelligence startup Anthropic, a competitor to OpenAI, is reportedly exploring a new investment round that could raise its valuation beyond an eye-popping $100 billion. While the company is not officially pursuing fundraising, insiders claim that venture capitalists are proactively offering substantial backing, reflecting the growing frenzy surrounding the AI sector. This buzz coincides with a surge in revenue from Anthropic’s chatbot product, Claude, which has captured significant market attention. Preemptive funding in Silicon Valley, especially for leading AI firms, is becoming a common trend, with Anthropic emerging as one of the industry’s prime targets for high-stakes investment.

OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, has signed an agreement with the UK government to use artificial intelligence in public services. The aims to boost productivity in areas such as education, defense, security, and the justice system. The deal may give OpenAI access to government data and involve developing safeguards to protect the public. Technology Secretary Peter Kyle emphasized AI’s role in driving economic growth. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman stated the plan would “deliver prosperity for all.” The agreement also includes potential investment in AI infrastructure and expansion of OpenAI’s London office.

Lovable, a Stockholm-based AI startup, has hit unicorn status just eight months after launching. The company, which simplifies website and app creation through natural language inputs, raised $200 million in a Series A funding round. This latest funding, led by Accel, values Lovable at $1.8 billion. The platform has attracted over 2.3 million active users, with 180,000 paying subscribers and $75 million in annual recurring revenue. Its rapid success comes with a lean team of just 45 employees and backing from notable investors, including the CEOs of Klarna, Remote, and Slack. With enterprise clients like Klarna and HubSpot already aboard, Lovable is expanding its vision to support full-scale business applications.