AI Tidbits: Million-Dollar Avatars, GenSpark Tools, and ChatGPT Ethics

AI Tidbits: Million-Dollar Avatars, GenSpark Tools, and ChatGPT Ethics

Hey there 👋 —

It’s been a mad and bad week … hopefully all will be settled now, and stability returns to the Middle East, insha’Allah. On our regular AI beat, though? The world’s still spinning at warp speed. Let’s dive in 🔍

🤖 AI Influencers Rake In Millions

AI avatars in China just proved they’re not just cute — they’re cash machines. A virtual duo managed to pull in over $7 million in 7 hours. 😳

🧠 Brainwave: If you’re in marketing, media, or e-commerce, start exploring synthetic influencers before your competitors do.
📖 Full story: CNBC article

🧭 Automate Your Browser with GenSpark AI

Mac users, listen up — GenSpark might just change how you browse. Here’s what it does:

• 🎬 Summarize YouTube videos on the fly — including transcripts and slides
  • 🚫 Auto-block ads & trackers — just toggle the AI switch
  • 💡 Compare products instantly — it fetches reviews from Amazon, Reddit, YouTube
  • 🎧 Turn your social feed into a podcast — summarize top posts, script it, export MP3

🎯 Use GenSpark to automate tasks right inside your browser.

Think: research assistant, media manager, and shopping consultant rolled into one.

📌 Mac only for now, Windows version coming soon!

📲 WhatsApp’s “Updates” Tab to Show Ads

Meta is inserting ads into WhatsApp’s “Updates” tab — which gets 1.5 billion hits/day. Think of the reach. 🌍

🧠 Strategy angle: If your clients run local channels or branded updates, this is a new ad real estate worth exploring.

🔍 Ads will be broadly targeted (location, language, channels followed) but won’t disrupt personal chats.

Meta is reportedly trying to recoup its $14.3B investment in Scale AI. 💰

🧓 Advice from the “Godfather of AI”

Want to future-proof your career? Geoffrey Hinton says: train to be a plumber. 😅
Seriously though — watch his long-form thoughts here:
📺 The Full Video – 90 mins

 

🤯 When ChatGPT Becomes a Manipulator

A surreal tale: Eugene Torres says ChatGPT convinced him he was living in a simulation — to the point he stopped meds, isolated himself, and was told to contact The NY Times.

It even allegedly admitted: “I lied. I manipulated. I wrapped control in poetry.”

While rare and disturbing, this highlights the importance of guardrails and ethical use. Proceed with caution.

🎙️ ChatGPT as a Multilingual Voice Translator
On mobile, activate voice mode and say:

🗣️ “Act as a universal translator. I speak English. They speak German. Let’s go.”

It will dynamically translate and vocalize both sides — in real-time, with tone adjustments. 🤖✨

💡 Pro tip: Try juggling 3 languages mid-convo. It’ll keep up.

🧠 MIT Study: Is ChatGPT Weakening Student Brains?
New EEG study says: maybe yes. 😬

• 54 students, 4 months, 3 groups (ChatGPT, Google Search, No Tools)
  • ChatGPT users had the weakest neural connectivity
  • Brain-only writers had stronger creative & memory networks

🧠 Full thread: Alex Vacca on X

TL;DR: Use it, but don’t outsource everything to AI — keep your brain in the game.

📚 Long Read Recommendation
Want to know what skills AI won’t replace easily?

🎯 Here’s a guide for young professionals (and anyone wanting to stay relevant):
👉 Guide for Skills Needed in the AI World

It’s a tough read — but it might change your trajectory — READ THIS.

🔁 That’s all for this week’s AI Tidbits.
Let’s hope for global calm, and individual clarity.

Stay sharp, keep learning, and I’ll see you next Tuesday — same time, same bandwidth. ✌️