Automated podcast production with GenAI
State of Play: Major news outlets such as The Economist and The New York Times have embraced podcast production for its multitasking appeal. Other (especially smaller) publishers had previously hesitated due to high costs involved, but generative AI is rapidly changing that. German trade outlet Lebensmittelzeitung now uses AI-generated voices for daily news podcasts while Axel Springer employs AI to translate podcasts from German to English. Tools like ChatGPT already assist in content transformation, turning news articles into blogs or newsletters, and AI-assisted podcast production represents the next major step.
Why it Matters: Generative AI has changed many industries, and media and communications proves to be no exception. With the implementation of AI-generated podcasts, media publishers are increasingly able to both reduce costs and release content in greater volumes and format types more rapidly. With video production the next major milestone to bridge, after text and audio, the media industry remains one to watch for generative AI implementation.
The evolution of LinkedIn
State of Play: While LinkedIn is no longer simply a place to publish your CV and apply for jobs, commentators have in recent years noticed an increase in incredulous work stories and unbelievable personal anecdotes increasingly populating feeds. The pandemic certainly blurred the lines between professional and personal lives, encouraging users to share more personal stories, and some users certainly found that they could go more viral by framing their mundane reality as an inspiring business lesson.
Why it Matters: LinkedIn is emerging as a strong rival to X, with significant growth in web traffic and mobile app usage since Elon Musk acquired Twitter in 2022. This shift from professional networking to oversharing personal content reflects broader changes in professional communication. While it allows for more authentic interactions and stronger connections, it also requires careful navigation to maintain a professional image. As LinkedIn becomes more personal, potential employees may seek workplaces that align with their values. Understanding this trend can help companies manage crises effectively and engage more meaningfully with their audience.
European Commission accuses Meta of breaking DMA rules
State of Play: In November, Meta began offering European users the option to pay for ad-free versions of Instagram and Facebook platforms in an effort to comply with Europe's data privacy regulations. Now, EU regulators have accused Meta of violating the new Digital Markets Act (DMA) by requiring users to choose between seeing ads or paying to avoid them and has launched an investigation.
Why it Matters: At heart, the issue is whether this introduction of an ad-free tier creates a binary whereby users must choose between their data being collected or paying to avoid this (the EU commission argues that there is no option of receiving ads but having less user data collected). If the regulator concludes that Meta is indeed breaching regulations and Meta, in turn, fails to comply with the new DMA regulations, the company could face fines amounting to 10% of its annual global revenues. Depending on Meta's compliance strategy, the company’s profitable revenue model may well be further eroded and remains a space to watch for future regulatory interventions against tech giants.
Mistral AI raises €600M, now valued at €5.8B
State of Play: Widely regarded as OpenAI’s European competitor, France's Mistral AI has raised 600 million euros ($643.7 million) in a Series-B funding round led by General Catalyst, valuing the company at 5.8 billion euros. Other investors include Lightspeed, Andreessen Horowitz, Cisco Systems, and Nvidia. The French company announced that the funds will be used to enhance computing capacity, expand the workforce, and grow internationally, particularly in the U.S. Mistral AI, focusing on large language models (LLMs), is seen as Europe's competitor to OpenAI.
Why it Matters: The rapid growth and substantial funding of Mistral AI underscore the continued interest of investors in AI companies, particularly those developing their own large language models (LLMs). Crucially, Mistral stands out as one of the few European contenders, as most firms in the space are U.S.-based, enhancing its significance amid the broader (geo)political and economic landscape, and reinforcing its in Europe as a tech leader.
AI in football
State of Play: With the European Championship just over (sorry England fans), artificial intelligence continues to transform football, influencing everything from player recruitment to tactical optimization. AI tools are currently employed to evaluate player performance and to suggest team additions based on data analysis. During training, sensors and high-resolution cameras gather data to assess the player's condition and scrutinize tactics. A notable example is "TacticAI," a collaboration between Google's DeepMind and FC Liverpool, which uses data from 7,200 corner kicks to optimize player positioning. Its recommendations are frequently favored over those of human coaches.
Why it Matters: The collaboration between football stakeholders and AI specialists will accelerate the adoption of technology in football and sports in general. Technology companies bring their expertise, while leagues provide practical testing environments. These partnerships will enhance data infrastructure and analytics capabilities. Over time, more clubs might ramp up their investments and develop internal teams to achieve competitive advantages, with implications for athletes, governing bodies, and thus communications around football and other types of sport.
