The Futures - No. 19

From Quantumrun

Aug 22, 2023

Source: Los Angeles Times / Arist: Kagan McLeod

In this issue

The Quantumrun team shares actionable trend insights about auto-generated content redefining the entertainment industry, the increasing interest in small modular nuclear reactors, driverless taxis clogging up the streets of San Francisco, and the commercialization of space stations.

Future signals to watch

Spotify’s AI-DJ that provides personalized playlists (and, apparently, banter) is rolling out globally six months after its North American debut.
And speaking of audio, Meta announced its generative AI for music composition called AudioCraft.
France is increasing flight taxes to re-invest the money into railway construction.
The US Department of Energy is giving $1.2 billion to create regional centers to capture and store at least 1 million metric tons of carbon dioxide yearly to fight climate change.
Scientists at the University of California San Diego suggest stem cell transplants may be a promising treatment for Alzheimer's disease.
Startup Voyager Space and Airbus are teaming up to build a private version of the International Space Station (ISS), paving the way for accelerated space commercialization.
Robo taxi operators Waymo and Cruise got approvals to start running their operations in San Francisco at all hours. (A day after, 10 Cruise driverless taxis experienced a standstill and blocked two narrow streets)
Scientists are on the brink of discovering another force/particle. (We currently have four natural forces: gravity, electromagnetism, strong and weak nuclear forces). The Quantumrun team is not holding our breath on this one.
Startups keep pushing the boundaries on industrial robot designs (goodbye to clunky, noisy contraptions).

Auto-generated content is poised to dominate the entertainment industry

Source: Slate / Photos by Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times

The Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and over 11,000 film and television writers have recently gone on strike, voicing concerns over the use of generative AI in content creation and demanding higher pay. This situation mirrors the demands of the 1960s, where creators sought a share in revenue from the rise of TV. Today, AI-mediated user-generated content (UGC) could significantly reduce content creation costs, limiting the bargaining power of creatives. Platforms like Runway-2 can convert still images into video, while Fable Studio's SHOW-1 enables users to create derivative video content using large language and image diffusion models (in other words, this AI can write entire seasons of shows, plot lines, and scripts).

SHOW-1’s episode generator prompt (Is the writing quality on par with Game of Thrones season 1 or season 8? That is the question!)

Generative AI is also changing content consumption. Some tools can now automatically adjust video resolution and orientation, depending on the device used. Meanwhile, OpenAI recently proved that GenAI can effectively moderate extreme content and comments, potentially offering a long-sought-after solution to Facebook and Twitter/X’s ongoing moderation headaches.

Finally, YouTube is also experimenting with AI to auto-generate video summaries, providing quick overviews of videos. Once this tech is fully released into the market, it will allow search engines to finally understand what's inside videos, not just rely on titles and metadata. This advancement means that soon, AI could find/search for specific video content based on its actual content, not just labels. This initiative joins other AI efforts by YouTube, such as quizzes for educational videos and AI-powered dubbing tools, and reflects the ongoing progress of new possibilities in video indexing, search, and content consumption.

Actionable trend insights as auto-generated content disrupts the entertainment industry

For entrepreneurs: They can explore creating a wide assortment of subscription-based platforms where users pay to access democratizing AI tools that can automate various niche and expensive steps in content creation. Meanwhile, content creators can also utilize emerging tools to affordably repurpose their content to fit new mediums and platforms, as well as translate their content to reach new international audiences.
For corporate innovators: Entertainment companies can integrate AI into their content production pipelines to save on costs. For example, a film studio could use AI to generate a large and diverse volume of preliminary scripts or storyboards, speeding up the pre-production process. Such tools allow for rapid prototyping and iteration, aligning with the fast-paced demands of the industry. Corporations can use AI to enhance user engagement by offering personalized content experiences, including more interactive formats where viewers can directly influence the outcomes of a story. However, film studios need to balance these innovations with labor rights.
For public sector innovators: The public sector can leverage auto-generated content in public broadcasting and education. For example, a public education channel could use AI to create customized learning materials for different age groups or subjects, allowing for targeted and efficient educational content delivery and catering to diverse learning needs within the community. Governments can also use AI to enhance accessibility in public media. By employing auto-generated content, they can provide real-time translations, transcriptions, or summaries of public broadcasts.

Trending research reports from the world wide web

Integrating big insurance and banking services at the point of sale could lead to new partnerships with companies outside the financial industry.
JLL’s August 2023 report on Global Real Estate confirms the industry’s challenging future.
This survey discovered that 75 percent of global businesses have banned or are considering banning ChatGPT and other generative AI tools in the workplace.
Google revealed that YouTube Shorts is attracting over 2 billion logged-in users monthly, placing it ahead of competitors like TikTok and Instagram Reels.

Are small modular reactors key to nuclear energy revival?

Small modular reactors (SMRs) are emerging as promising solutions for advancing global nuclear energy production. Unlike traditional nuclear plants, SMRs are smaller and their parts can be manufactured in factories, allowing them to be positioned closer to residential areas. This design shortens construction timelines and could lead to significant cost reductions.

In the US, the Department of Energy's Advanced Reactor Development Program has provided around USD $2.6 billion in funding to expedite SMR development, selecting specific designs for deployment in the coming years. The agency has spent over USD $1.2 billion on these reactors, with potential additional awards of USD $5.5 billion. Companies like NuScale, Westinghouse, and Oklo are also heavily investing in SMRs.

Internationally, the development of SMRs is varied but public funding for this project is increasing. Argentina's CAREM-25 project has faced delays, while Canada continues to support SMR promotion through grants. China has begun constructing two designs, though one faced a five-year delay. France has contributed funds to the Nuward SMR design.

Source: World Nuclear Industry Status Report 2022

Meanwhile, India's Advanced Heavy Water Reactor design has been delayed, while Russia operates two SMRs with mediocre performance. South Korea's SMART has been under development since 1997 without orders, and the UK's Rolls Royce has received funding for its 470 MW reactor. Despite inconsistencies, the global interest in SMRs reflects the need to revitalize the nuclear industry and increase the chances of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

Actionable trend insights as construction of SMRs increases

For corporate innovators: Companies can partner with universities, technical schools, and research institutions to develop specialized curricula, internships, or research programs focused on SMRs. They can explore opportunities to develop specialized tools, software, or technologies tailored to SMR design, construction, or operation. This could include creating software for simulating SMR performance, tools for efficient module assembly, or innovative safety equipment. Firms can also invest in developing or enhancing the supply chain (manufacturers, suppliers, and logistics providers) specific to SMR construction.
For public sector innovators: Governments and public sector agencies can work to create clear and supportive regulatory frameworks specifically tailored to SMRs. This includes developing guidelines, safety standards, and approval processes that consider the unique characteristics of these reactors. For instance, a national nuclear regulatory body could establish a dedicated SMR division to expedite approvals and provide guidance to developers. The public sector can also partner with private companies to promote and deploy SMRs, especially in regions with high energy needs and limited resources. Governments can provide funding, land, or other incentives, while private companies bring expertise and technology.
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Outside curiosities

Trust Japan to automate falling in line (aka queuing).
It’s scientifically proven: Selfish people gravitate toward each other.
Wildlife biologists finally captured a brown bear who did 21 home break-ins in California and whom the Internet affectionately named Hank the Tank. (Plot twist: The bear is a female and has been officially renamed Henrietta the Tank.)
And speaking of wily bears, one escaped from its crate in an Iraqi Airways plane. Apparently, it was on its way to becoming a household pet in Baghdad.
This is why we can’t have nice futuristic things.