Shutterstock’s Generative AI Could Be a Game Changer, Here’s Why

Generative AI is the next big thing in the world of tech, and Shutterstock just tossed its hat into the ring. Collaborating with OpenAI, Shutterstock has just launched a generative AI that will be a part of its Creative Flow suite.

However, oversaturated users might be weary of yet another entry into the game. Platforms offering generative AI are about to seem like a dime a dozen, so what exactly makes Shutterstock different from all the rest?

Before we proceed, it might be useful to provide an overview of how creatives are thinking about Generative AI. For one thing, the data that such forms of AI scrape doesn’t come out of the blue. Rather it is the by-product of hard work that was done by very real people, and they often don’t receive any of the fruits of their labor.

Therein lies one of Shutterstock’s main appeals. You see, Shutterstock doesn’t just use art that was made by real individuals and repackage and repurpose it based on user prompts. Instead, it treats this like a collaborative partnership by paying artists for their efforts. Creators will receive ongoing royalties which will be paid out by the Shutterstock Contributor Fund!

One thing to mention here is that Shutterstock will only be using images that have been officially licensed by its platform. That can do a lot to prevent artists getting taken advantage of, and it can also help to declutter the database thereby making it easier to trace the origins of various art and generated depictions back to the people that they took inspiration from.

66% of Shutterstock users are already interested in learning more about generative AI according to a survey conducted by the company. What’s more, 45% of Shutterstock users have already begun using AI to generate various forms of content, and 35% of art contributors also said the same. It’s quite clear that AI usage in such contexts isn’t going away anytime soon.

This has created a huge level of demand, and Shutterstock is looking to fulfill this demand with a product that does not leave artists in the lurch. It is an important step forward, but users won’t be convinced to adopt this generative AI based on ethics alone. While it is essential that artists get paid, around 29% of AI users on Shutterstock are doing so for professional reasons, so they will need more than just fair revenue sharing policies to entice them.

That is where Shutterstock’s ease of use comes in. If you have ever tried to use a generative AI such as DALL-E, you might’ve noticed how difficult it is to come up with the right prompt. Oftentimes users have to think long and hard about prompts otherwise the art that gets generated doesn’t come out right

This couldn’t be further from the experience that users can obtain through Shutterstock. The AI offered by this platform is advanced enough that it can generate appropriate images through one word prompts. The platform also has a variety of aesthetics that can be selected through a proprietary style picker.

Also, the fact that this AI is part of Shutterstock’s Creative Flow suite is useful in and of itself. The AI pairs excellently with the editing tools, providing the results of a professional designer at a fraction of the cost. Again, this won’t end up taking food off the tables of designing experts. Rather, artistic individuals will still earn through the revenue share program, so the superior ease of use does not come at any significant social cost.

Speaking of costs, consumers won’t have to deal with any extra ones while using this generative AI. It’s meant to be a part of the same Creative Flow suite as before, which means that any customers that are already subscribed to the suite will be able to take advantage of it moving forward.

In fact, users can even sign up for a free trial. They will get ten free AI generated images, which can help them to try before they buy. Furthermore, Shutterstock is offering one of the few generative Ais that don’t have a waitlist! Users need only subscribe and start using the AI to generate images at their leisure.

Multi-language functionality is also an important part of Shutterstock’s appeal here. With over 20 languages being supported, Shutterstock is providing one of the first truly global generative AI platforms that we have seen so far. That alone makes it a worthy contender for the top spot, but it also happens to be just one of many features that make this an excellent newcomer to the world of generative AI.

Shutterstock is clearly trying to hit the ground running, and their no holds barred approach will provide some stiff competition to generative AI platforms that are already being used. It was only a matter of time before other companies started to hop on the bandwagon, but in the case of Shutterstock we can at least take solace in the fact that the company is trying to go about it the right way.

With countless ethically sourced visuals at their disposal, users can take advantage of Shutterstock’s new platform in a big way. The platform has also offered a series of tips that can be used to improve the quality of the generated visuals.

Adding more ideas, visual cues and descriptors into your prompt can help you to generate just the kind of image that you had in mind. However, single word prompts are still a viable option.

All in all, it seems like the AI wars have only just begun, and many companies like Shutterstock will be attempting to create their own versions of the tech. It remains to be seen who ends up coming out on top, but with the way things are going with Shutterstock, many will be betting that this is the platform that manages to set the stage for the future direction of the industry.
by Zia Muhammad via Digital Information World

Are Cheaper EV Batteries Really the Solution Carmakers Need?

The rise of electric vehicles (EVs) has put the automotive industry in a sticky spot, since car manufacturers need to come up with ways to make EVs more affordable than might have been the case otherwise. They need to find a balance between affordability and profitability because of the fact that this is the sort of thing that could potentially end up making the industry more sustainable in the long run.

With all of that having been said and now out of the way, it is important to note that a lot of car manufacturers have started to go for slightly more affordable batteries. With the cost of NCM (Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide) materials rising with each passing day, cheaper LFP (lithium iron phosphate) batteries could provide a solution that will help car manufacturers bring EVs to a much broader audience.

In spite of the fact that this is the case, switching over to these cheaper batteries could exacerbate the range issues that EVs experience during bouts of cold weather. Companies like Tesla are already being taken to court for overstating the maximum range of distance that their cars can cover on a full battery in cold weather.

Some studies have shown that the maximum possible distance that a fully charged EV can cover can be cut in half if the weather is frigid. This can even go so far as to cause a 60% reduction in overall efficiency, which is a serious problem that would have to be resolved if these vehicles are to replace standard combustion engines that can have a seriously negative impact on the environment of the world.

However, with companies like Rivian sustaining record breaking losses in the past few quarters, they might not have any other option apart from going for LFP batteries. Range issues notwithstanding, the use of such batteries can help to make cars affordable enough that regular people would actually be able to consider buying them.

If only the old school batteries end up getting used, chances are that EVs will remain the sole purview of people in the upper crust. That will inhibit the growth of the industry and cause a wide range of problems that companies like Rivian simply won’t be able to handle for much longer.

Rivian is not the only company that is considering moving away from the NCM model, either. Well established car manufacturers such as Ford are also considering going down a similar route with all things having been considered and taken into account. Ford already has a new plant in Michigan that will focus mostly on LFP batteries, so it seems like companies are trying to make LFP the standard and fix any issues that arise later on.

LFP batteries are enticing because instead of cobalt and manganese they can use the much more widely available iron. That makes the cathodes in these batteries considerably easier to manufacture, not to mention how they will become a lot more affordable. These savings can be passed down to the consumer, although some are saying that the tradeoff might be far too severe.

It will be interesting to see how the switch from NCM to LFP goes. If it works out well, it could create a new normal for the entire industry.

Read next: Autonomous Vehicles Might Speed Up Climate Change, Here’s Why
by Zia Muhammad via Digital Information World

AI Chatbots Are Costing Google And Microsoft Ten Times More Than The Usual Search

At the start of this month, both Google and Microsoft introduced their AI chatbots to the world.

The new AI-powered Bing search by Microsoft is already in the market with some users grabbing a hold of it as we speak while others wait patiently on a waiting list. Google on the other hand is being more careful with the launch as it feels it might not be ready just yet. So the Android maker is busy conducting internal tests so that everything is perfect before it expands its reach to the masses.

Each company is speaking in detail about how much it’s loving the chatbot and what great advantages are on offer. But what they fail to mention are the costs related to their operations. And let us tell you that it does not come cheap.

Think along the lines of expenses that are ten times the usual for operating the regular Google search. Reuters was quick to mention in the report how this type of technology with such a huge language model is probably going to strike huge expenses. This might be one reason they’re doing everything they can to make it so popular that people start attaining subscriptions in the future and also the addition of ads can make a huge difference too.

When it was December 2022, the CEO of OpenAI claimed on Twitter how the costs can be eye-watering. This is one reason why it ended up getting launched in February with a lot more features and better speed which would now make it available for $20 monthly.

A report from Reuters further elaborated on how Google was left with paying just a fifth of a cent every time a user made a search in 2022. But if chatbots like Bard come into play, the search expenses may be up by nearly $6 in the next year. This is if we assume that this chatbot takes on 50% of Google’s respective searches.

Now the costs linked to this have to do with the fact that a CPU is used to generate some natural answers through the likes of an AI chatbot. This further means more expenses in the world of electrical power would be needed to ensure the right functioning of servers.

In case you’re wondering how the costs may end up getting reduced, well, that can happen as the efficiency linked to chatbots increases, allowing fewer costs to be attached. Another idea might be showcasing links for advertisements for chatbot answers. This would produce more revenue that compensates for the costs linked to running such servers.

Read next: What Impact Will Generative AI Have? This Survey Reveals the Answers
by Dr. Hura Anwar via Digital Information World

The Illusion of Privacy: New Research Reveals Fundamental Flaws In The Metaverse

As the metaverse continues to gain momentum, concerns are growing about the ability to maintain privacy in this virtual world. A new study conducted by researchers at the University of California Berkley suggests that privacy in the metaverse might be impossible.

The study looked at how user data is collected and used in the metaverse. They found that even with the best intentions, it is almost impossible to maintain user privacy in a virtual world that relies on data collection for its basic functions.

Simple motion data is not so simplistic, the researchers found. Even the most basic data, like movement and location, can reveal significant amounts of personal information. With enough data points, a person's behavior patterns can be analyzed and even predicted. Unique identification in seconds is possible due to the specificity of motion data.

Eliminating anonymity is another issue in the metaverse, according to the study. Platforms often require users to register with a username, and socializing and interacting with other users is a core feature of the metaverse. This means that a user's activities are not only tied to their unique identification but also to their social network. The study suggests that the social pressure to conform may lead to further data sharing, limiting a user's ability to control their information.

Motion data is fundamental to the metaverse, and the researchers argue that it is impossible to maintain privacy while also enabling the full range of experiences available. In virtual worlds like Second Life, VR Chat, and Roblox, motion data is collected and analyzed to create immersive experiences for users. But the data collected is not limited to just movement and location, it can also include biometric data like heart rate and skin conductance. This data can then be used for targeted advertising or even identity theft.

While this data collection is often done to improve the user experience, it can also be used for more nefarious purposes, such as targeted advertising or even identity theft. The researchers note that there is a fundamental tension between the need for data collection in the metaverse and the need for privacy.

In addition to the collection of user data, the researchers also found that the metaverse is rife with surveillance. Platforms such as Second Life and VR Chat have moderators who can monitor user behavior and even kick users out of the platform if they violate the rules. This kind of surveillance, the researchers argue, can be used to silence dissent and stifle free speech.

The study concludes that while there may be some ways to mitigate the loss of privacy in the metaverse, such as using encryption or decentralization, these solutions are not foolproof. As the metaverse continues to grow and evolve, it will be important for users to remain aware of the privacy risks involved and to take steps to protect themselves.

The study has important implications for the development of the metaverse, which is already attracting significant investment from tech giants such as Facebook and Microsoft. These companies have made privacy a key focus of their product development in recent years, but the study suggests that even with the best intentions, it may be impossible to maintain privacy in the metaverse.

As the metaverse continues to grow, it will be important for policymakers, industry leaders, and users to work together to develop new standards and guidelines for data collection and privacy. The researchers suggest that this could include developing new encryption technologies, promoting decentralization, and providing users with more control over their data.

While it is unclear what the future of the metaverse will look like, one thing is clear: privacy will be a key concern posing challenges for the users and the creators in the future too.

Read next: Trust in Government and Business Hits All-Time Down, Edelman Survey Shows
by Arooj Ahmed via Digital Information World

Mark Zuckerberg Puts Up Major Restrictions Before The Launch Of His Meta Verified

Meta’s Zuckerberg is now making sure his every step is carefully planned before being executed.

This decision appears to come at a time when we see the troubles that Twitter’s CEO Elon Musk continues to face. Hence, when it came down to the guardrails of Meta Verified, Zuckerberg made no compromises.

He feels this is necessary to ensure a smooth sailing launch. The news comes as he spoke about plans for a subscription that is all set for launch in places like New Zealand and even Australia. This would arise in the next couple of days.

Meanwhile, those paying for Meta Verified are not going to get the chance to alter their respective profile names, pictures, birthdays, or usernames. The company hopes to block out these types of efforts. But at the same time, it mentioned how if a user wants a change to any of these things, they can unsubscribe again and then send out an application.

During this time, it’s confirmed how Meta Verified would only be showing support for the likes of your actual name on the profile. After that gets verified, you cannot change the image, the username, and the birthdate or image on the profile without passing through the app’s subscription.

A spokesperson for the company mentioned that Meta is really working hard on enabling a fast-follow offering. This allows users to make changes to any of the following via a process of verification. Hence, this means it won’t be canceling such a subscription.

Other guidelines needed for subscription are a user that’s above the age of 18, having the two-factor authentication enabled, and submitting a government ID that coordinates with pictures on Facebook or the Instagram app. Similarly, users would be required to take part in minimal activity requirements like posting on a post from the past. The firm adds how it would go on to publish some more nitty-gritty details whenever the option for paid plans gets available by this week.

Meta even highlighted some interesting notes on the plan for a verification badge. It claims this blue badge would appear just like how it should and focus on likes of authenticity. Similarly, it hopes to put the follower count on display pertaining to those having the legacy verified version. Hence, viewers would be easily able to differentiate them from the usual accounts.

So if you have two accounts having similar names, you get to see follower counts of the legacy verified one whenever you are checking the search. For now, it’s not clear how simple it is to search for average users that might be glaring over the surface and screens with ease.

Similarly, users might not be able to check follower counts after seeing posts and that is what could end up causing more confusion. Similar was the case with Twitter. We saw it adding some guardrails later to protect against impersonation but even that did not help in searching for loopholes across the system.

Read next: 68% Use VPNs For Business/Personal Use
by Dr. Hura Anwar via Digital Information World

Hackers Steal Login Details For Data Centers Used By Apple And Others

A team of unknown hackers has ended up stealing crucial login information linked to data centers.

These alarming reports have to do with some of the biggest tech and banking firms out there, researchers have mentioned.

Moreover, cybersecurity experts even spoke about how one threat actor managed to breach GDS Holdings as well as ST Telemedia Global Data Centers. These are two of the biggest data center firms linked to third parties across Asia. Among them, providers are able to cover some of the largest brands entail Apple, Amazon, Goldman Sachs, and BMW.

Such data breaches by hackers may result in them getting customer support logins for different firms like Apple. Similarly, they were able to gain access to security cameras that were connected to the web. Moreover, they could even make use of the data for physical access across various servers.

While such incidents arose around two years ago, experts noted how it was only recently brought to light. All of these actors were making use of login credentials till the year 2023. This is when in January 2023, two data center companies began to reset it and lock all of the attackers out.

While we do agree that compromise can be damaging, some physical access to the likes of endpoints is very concerning. And talking to experts linked to Intel, it was mentioned how the compromise of these kinds may cause huge consequences.

And we do believe that compromises made of any kind can be awfully damaging, gaining access to some endpoints can be very concerning. Just look at the figures outlined for compromises done to surveillance cameras. This was nearly 30,000. And a lot of them were either weak or entailed passwords having a factory default.

Read next: 2023 Annual Report on the Antivirus Industry Reveals Interesting Insights
by Dr. Hura Anwar via Digital Information World

48% of People Say That Recording People Without Consent Should Be Illegal

The ubiquity of advanced recording technology meant that getting recorded in public became a very real possibility for people around the world. However, things started to take a dark turn once professional content creators started posting videos on YouTube. TikTok took the trend of recording people without their consent to the next level, and social media is full of such videos that might infringe on people’s right to privacy.

A YouGov survey recently asked people what their opinions are on such things. With all of that having been said and now out of the way, it is important to note that 48% of all people who participated in this survey said that taking pictures or videos of someone without their consent should be made illegal.

One thing to mention here is that there is a stark contrast based on gender that can be seen in the data. 55% of women said that they felt like something like this should be illegal, whereas only 41% of men said the same.

Non-consensual recording can impact women more because of the fact that this is the sort of thing that could potentially end up being a part of sexual harassment that usually targets women disproportionately. In spite of the fact that this is the case, a large chunk of men clearly feel the same way with all things having been considered and taken into account.

Another thing to note about this survey is that a decent proportion of survey respondents said that they didn’t know what the answer to the question should ideally be. More people will have to land in one camp or the other in order to make the passing of a law more likely than might have been the case otherwise.

It is hard to ignore that just 18% of women feel like non-consensual recording should be legally allowed. It can pose a serious threat to them, but it also happens to create some of the most viral content on the internet. Significant work will have to be done to come up with a solution to the problem at hand.

Read next: Report Reveals Alarming Data Breach Trends Among Data Brokers in the US: Over 200 Million Records Compromised
by Zia Muhammad via Digital Information World