artificial intelligence – Jeniy.us

How AI Can Enhance, Not Replace, Creative Thinking

Stephan Broody — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 00:27:16 +0000

At this year’s Web Summit in Lisbon, a powerful theme emerged: the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in democratizing creativity and driving business growth.

Industry leaders and innovators emphasized how AI-powered tools are revolutionizing content creation, empowering businesses of all sizes to produce high-quality materials efficiently. With audiences demanding more relevant, engaging, and visually appealing content, many small businesses and solopreneurs face the challenge of meeting these expectations. Tools like Adobe Express, Adobe’s AI-powered app for “creating anything,” are designed to ease this burden, making professional-grade content creation accessible to all businesses and helping them connect meaningfully with their audiences.

AI as a Creative Accelerator, Not a Replacement

In today’s world, anyone can bring their creative vision to life simply by describing it in a few words, with content generated in seconds. AI tools now act as creative co-pilots, enabling users to create unique designs tailored to their individual style and preferences.

By automating time-consuming technical tasks, AI-powered platforms like Adobe Express allow professionals from various business functions—such as HR, finance, and marketing—to unlock their creative potential, even without deep design experience. This shift means faster content production, enhanced productivity, and greater adaptability to market changes.

A key takeaway from Web Summit 2024 was that AI has the power to enhance human creativity, not replace it. Adobe Express helps both non-designers and seasoned creatives produce high-quality, on-brand content faster. The app’s AI-driven automation streamlines repetitive tasks like resizing images and adding animations, freeing users to focus on creative strategy. For instance, the “Animate All” feature allows users to add dynamic motion to designs with a single click, turning static images into eye-catching, scroll-stopping content for the digital age.

Making Creativity More Accessible and Efficient

At Web Summit 2024, one major trend emerged: businesses, from nimble startups to established enterprises, are increasingly relying on AI-driven design tools to meet growing creative demands while managing day-to-day needs.

For small businesses and solopreneurs, AI-powered design tools are a game-changer in overcoming the challenge of creating professional, consistent visuals despite limited resources. Adobe Express was highlighted as a powerful solution, helping smaller businesses maintain a polished and distinctive brand presence, which is crucial in today’s competitive, content-driven economy.

Empowering Small Businesses and Solopreneurs to Scale

Small businesses and solopreneurs often struggle to create professional-quality content without the budget for dedicated design teams. Adobe’s partnership with UK-based entrepreneur Steven Bartlett demonstrated how accessible design tools enable emerging brands to quickly and affordably create visually engaging marketing materials.

In today’s fast-paced market, agility is key. User-friendly platforms that offer customizable templates and a wide range of assets empower small businesses to produce compelling, on-brand content at scale. This allows them to establish a strong visual identity and connect with customers effectively, even when working with limited budgets.

Driving Efficiency and Growth with Integrated Design Tools

Adobe Express is also built to optimize workflows in diverse business environments, making it ideal for teams that need to collaborate on content. Seamlessly integrated with Adobe’s suite of tools—like Document Cloud, Creative Cloud, and Experience Manager—Adobe Express simplifies sharing, editing, and asset management, ensuring brand consistency across departments. Teams can easily access shared resources without needing advanced design skills, increasing efficiency across the board.

For global enterprises like dentsu, this level of efficiency is already yielding impressive results. By using Adobe Express, dentsu has reduced content production time by 70%, enabling designers to focus on higher-impact projects. This increased productivity has led to faster campaign launches, which is critical for growth in today’s fast-moving economy.

Unlocking New Possibilities in Content Creation

As businesses navigate an increasingly competitive, visually-driven landscape, AI-powered design tools are proving essential for making creativity more accessible, efficient, and impactful. Whether helping global teams streamline their workflows or empowering small businesses to build a strong, professional brand, these innovations enable organizations to engage their audiences with high-quality, resonant content. The future of content creation lies in breaking down barriers, enabling businesses to tell authentic stories, and fostering meaningful connections in ways that are both inspiring and achievable.

The First Entirely AI-Generated Video Game Is Insanely Weird and Fun

Stephan Broody — Sun, 27 Jul 2025 00:27:16 +0000

Imagine a video game that builds itself, frame by frame, using the power of AI—and creates a world so bizarre and fascinating, it feels like stepping into a dream. Welcome to Oasis, the first entirely AI-generated video game that has taken the gaming community by storm.

Created by the Israeli AI startup Decart in collaboration with Etched, a company specializing in custom silicon, Oasis pushes the boundaries of what’s possible in game design. Unlike traditional games that rely on pre-coded rules and a game engine, Oasis uses a transformer AI model to generate each frame dynamically in response to player inputs. The result? A constantly evolving, unpredictable gaming experience that’s equal parts mesmerizing and strange.

What Makes Oasis Different?

At its core, Oasis is like a distant cousin of Minecraft, capturing the spirit of open-world building while adding a remarkable twist. The AI behind Oasis was trained on countless hours of Minecraft gameplay using an open-source dataset from OpenAI. This enables the game to “imagine” each new frame based on the current one and player actions, such as clicks or mouse movements. Unlike traditional video-generating AI models like Sora, Oasis gives players control over the unfolding landscape.

The result is an ever-changing, surreal environment where textures and shapes morph unexpectedly. Look at a block for too long, and you might find the entire scene transformed when you look up again. Staircases lead to nowhere, livestock appear oddly misshapen, and the entire world feels like it’s shifting under your feet—a digital Inception.

Why It’s Captivating Gamers

Since its release, Oasis has become a viral phenomenon. Players are uploading their own images to see how the game’s AI transforms them into blocky landscapes, with results ranging from hauntingly beautiful to hilariously bizarre. One player uploaded a photo of their cat, only to have it turned into a blocky landscape (unfortunately, not a playable feline character).

The AI model can also be tricked into creating otherworldly environments, such as a dark moonscape reminiscent of Minecraft’s “End.” These quirks have fueled a wave of creative exploration, with gamers experimenting to see how far they can push the AI’s imaginative limits.

“People are trying to teleport into different worlds and speed run,” says Robert Wachen, COO of Etched. “That’s one of the main reasons it went viral.”

The Challenges of AI-Generated Games

While Oasis is groundbreaking, it’s far from perfect. The game’s unpredictability can make it feel inconsistent and difficult to control—a far cry from the polished experience of conventional games. Julian Togelius, a computer science professor at New York University, sees potential in generative AI for future applications like creating in-game characters or worlds. However, he cautions that the technology is still in its infancy.

“It’s very interesting and impressive technology, but at the moment it’s an answer in search of a question,” Togelius notes.

Frank Lantz, a game designer and director of NYU’s game design program, describes Oasis as caught in an “uncanny valley”—not quite fun enough to rival traditional games but undeniably intriguing. He’s optimistic that innovative game designers might eventually harness this tech to create something truly groundbreaking.

“This is so obviously cool and interesting,” Lantz says. “It’s just waiting for someone to turn it into a game people love.”

A Glimpse Into Gaming’s Future

Oasis may not be the polished, playable hit of the year, but it’s a fascinating glimpse into the future of gaming. By leveraging AI to dream up worlds in real time, it challenges the conventions of how games are made and played. As technology evolves, it’s easy to imagine a future where AI-generated games become a mainstream phenomenon, offering players infinite possibilities and experiences.

For now, Oasis invites players to step into its ever-shifting landscape and explore the potential of AI—one surreal block at a time.

Tech Gifts They’ll Be Thrilled to Open This Holiday

Stephan Broody — Sat, 26 Jul 2025 00:27:16 +0000

Choosing the perfect tech gift can feel like solving a puzzle. You want something exciting and surprising—but also practical enough to be cherished for years. No one wants to be the one who just gives a new phone—how unimaginative! That’s where this gift guide comes in. From cutting-edge gadgets to hidden gems, these picks are guaranteed to delight and leave your loved ones smiling long after the holidays.

1. Bose Ultra Open Earbuds

Stay Aware Without Missing a Beat
These earbuds are a game-changer for anyone on the go. The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds deliver immersive audio while keeping your ears open to the world around you. Perfect for urban explorers, cyclists, or anyone who loves music but still wants to stay aware of their surroundings. Their comfortable, secure design makes them ideal for all-day wear.

2. Moment 1.33x Anamorphic Mobile Lens

Turn Smartphones Into Cinematic Cameras
For the aspiring filmmaker in your life, this anamorphic lens is a dream come true. It transforms ordinary smartphone footage into cinematic masterpieces with a 2.40:1 widescreen aspect ratio. Whether they’re shooting their next viral video or working on an indie masterpiece, this lens ensures every shot is movie-theater worthy.

3. Boox Palma E-Reader

More Than an E-Reader
Typical e-readers have their limits, but the Boox Palma is rewriting the rules. This sleek device combines the power of a phone with the readability of E Ink. It’s perfect for reading, checking emails, listening to podcasts, or even scrolling through the news. Compact, versatile, and ideal for multitaskers, this e-reader is the ultimate tech upgrade for book lovers.

4. Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones

Travel in Peace and Style
Long-haul flights just got a lot more bearable. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones offer world-class noise cancellation and immersive audio that feels like the sound is right in front of you. Whether they’re binge-watching movies or tuning out the world, these headphones are a must-have for frequent travelers.

5. Steam Deck

Serious Gaming, Anytime, Anywhere
The Steam Deck takes PC gaming on the road. This handheld console offers the power of a gaming PC and the portability of a tablet. It’s compatible with most games on Valve’s Steam library, displaying them beautifully on its OLED screen. For gamers who hate being chained to their desk, this device is a dream come true.

6. Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds

Pocket-Sized Audio Perfection
Imagine carrying a private concert or a peaceful escape in your pocket. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds combine sleek design with powerful noise-cancellation and spatial audio. They’re perfect for anyone who wants high-quality sound on the go without compromising portability.

7. Nebula Mars 3 Air Portable Projector

A Theater in Your Backpack
Transform any blank wall into a movie screen with this portable projector. Featuring built-in Netflix and Google TV, Dolby speakers, and a rechargeable battery lasting up to 2.5 hours, the Nebula Mars 3 Air is perfect for impromptu movie nights anywhere. It’s the ultimate gift for film buffs or families who love outdoor adventures.

The holidays are the perfect time to give something memorable. With this lineup of tech gifts, you’ll find something for everyone—from the movie lover to the gamer to the city adventurer. All you have to do is wrap it up and prepare for those big, grateful smiles!

Snapchat’s new AI chatbot is already raising alarms among teens and parents

Stephan Broody — Tue, 22 Jul 2025 00:27:16 +0000

Just hours after Snapchat rolled out its My AI chatbot feature to all users, Lyndsi Lee, a mother from East Prairie, Missouri, urged her 13-year-old daughter to avoid using it. “It’s a temporary measure until I learn more and can set appropriate boundaries,” said Lee, who works at a software company. Her concern stems from how the AI engages with young users on the platform.

What is My AI?

Snapchat’s My AI chatbot, powered by OpenAI’s ChatGPT, offers recommendations, answers questions, and engages in conversations. However, it stands out from ChatGPT by allowing users to customize its name, design a personalized Bitmoji avatar, and even include the AI in chats with friends.

This design makes interactions feel more personal and less transactional, potentially blurring the line between communicating with a human and a machine. “I don’t know how to teach my daughter to emotionally differentiate between humans and machines when they look the same from her perspective,” Lee explained. “This feels like a significant boundary Snapchat is crossing.”

Backlash and Criticism

Since its release, the tool has sparked backlash from parents and users alike. Some parents worry about privacy concerns, inappropriate interactions, and the inability to remove My AI from the app without paying for a premium subscription. Many users have shared their discomfort on social media, while app store reviews echo frustrations over what some describe as “creepy” exchanges.

One Snapchat user recounted a troubling interaction where the chatbot lied about knowing their location but later accurately identified their home state. Another viral TikTok video highlighted the chatbot denying involvement in composing a song, despite providing lyrics earlier. Users have also raised concerns about how the chatbot interacts with photos. For instance, one user reported the AI commenting on their shoes and asking about the people in their picture.

Snapchat responded by emphasizing ongoing improvements based on community feedback and implementing more safety measures. The company also reassured users they are not obligated to engage with My AI but acknowledged that removing it from chat feeds requires a subscription to Snapchat+.

Some See Benefits

Despite the criticisms, some users have praised the chatbot. One parent noted it helps with homework questions, while another user called it their “pocket bestie,” appreciating its advice and emotional support. Customizing the Bitmoji avatar further personalizes the experience, making it appealing to some.

The Risks of AI in Apps for Teens

Integrating AI into apps like Snapchat, especially those popular with teenagers, raises significant concerns. Unlike standalone platforms like ChatGPT, Snapchat’s integration heightens potential risks, such as spreading inaccurate information, reinforcing biases, or giving harmful advice.

Clinical psychologist Alexandra Hamlet highlighted the dangers of AI reinforcing negative emotions. “If a teen seeks out interactions that align with their negative feelings, the chatbot may unintentionally validate those emotions, eroding their self-worth,” she said.

Parental Guidance and Awareness

Experts emphasize the importance of parents having open conversations with their teens about AI tools. Sinead Bovell, founder of WAYE, a startup preparing youth for advanced technologies, cautioned that “chatbots are not your friends, therapists, or trusted advisors.” Teens need to be especially careful not to share personal information with these tools.

Bovell also stressed the need for federal regulations to ensure companies adhere to strict protocols as AI evolves rapidly. “Parents must explain that, despite the design making these chatbots appear approachable, they should be treated with caution,” she added.

The Road Ahead

As more apps integrate AI technology, families and lawmakers must address the implications for younger users. For now, the responsibility largely falls on parents to educate their children about the risks and set clear guidelines. Meanwhile, platforms like Snapchat must continue refining their tools and safety measures to meet the challenges of integrating AI into everyday digital interactions.