Google's Genie just got even crazier

Flamingos are born grey. The pink comes entirely from the shrimp and algae they eat, which are so loaded with pigment that it literally dyes their feathers from the inside out. Stop the diet and they turn white.

The food that makes them pink would kill most other animals. Flamingos evolved a specialised metabolism just to process toxic shrimp and come out the other side looking like a sunset. Conclusion, there’s no such thing as too many shrimp cocktails.

What’s in store:

Google’s Genie 4 lets you create your own AI worlds.
Meta has 99 problems and Norway is now one.
Mindstream Picks: Apple is bringing AI assistants to its productivity and creative apps.
The best GTM Research prompts right here!

Read Time: 5 minutes

GOOGLE

The Big Bang, now available on subscription

Google has announced Genie 4, a new AI model that lets users create and explore virtual worlds using simple text prompts.

The model can create more realistic worlds that last up to two minutes, twice as long as its previous version, Genie 3.

Users can also change these worlds as they explore them by typing instructions, while the AI can generate sounds to match what’s happening.

When can you try it?

Genie 4 uses Google's Gemini 3.8 Flash to help create more realistic and interactive worlds.
The model is currently being tested by a small group of selected users.
Google plans to offer Genie 4 to AI Ultra subscribers and has opened a waitlist for anyone interested in trying it.

The Sims, but the Sims have lawyers

Google says Genie 4 could help filmmakers plan scenes, game developers test new ideas and researchers train robots in virtual settings.

However, the technology still has some problems. Objects and details can change or disappear during longer experiences.

Google spent billions teaching AI to build entire worlds, and I guarantee the first thing someone creates will be a Wetherspoons on Mars. -MG

Google lets you create your own universe. What's the first thing you're introducing?

Dogs immune to chocolate

Working before 11AM is a criminal offence

Price rises banned for streaming services

Other - tell us!

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Riddle Me This

What can you find in a cupboard that can never be put in a saucepan?

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How I AI

I use AI to create assignments in my A&P class and to help me with legal advice.

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AI SCIENCE

The fine print was worth reading after all

Norwegian news publishers are taking Meta to court over new terms that could give the company broad access to their content for AI and other products, including articles, images and videos published outside Facebook and Instagram.

The changes have sparked backlash from media organisations worldwide, with publishers arguing that Meta should need permission to use their work and pay for it.

Meta has delayed the new rules from 30 October to 20 November following complaints, but publishers remain concerned about how their content could be used.

Here’s what’s happening:

Norway’s media association has asked a court to block the changes until their legality can be reviewed. Publishers say even paywalled content could be collected without permission.
Media groups in Sweden and Denmark have raised complaints with competition authorities, while publishers in Canada and the US are also calling for action.
The UK’s competition watchdog is reviewing the terms, while US senator Adam Schiff has asked Meta to explain how it will protect copyrighted content.

ABBA won't be writing a song about this

Meta has removed an explicit reference to AI training from its terms and says it will respect website blocks on AI scraping.

However, publishers argue that the revised wording could still allow their content to be used for AI products.

Zuck is like: “another day, another court date” -MV

Mindstream Picks

Space: Ukrainian startup Himera and Denmark’s GomSpace are testing a new satellite in orbit as part of plans to build an independent communications network for Ukraine, reducing reliance on SpaceX’s Starlink services.

Business: Poundland faces a growing risk of collapse and thousands of job losses as three newly appointed directors reportedly prepare to resign following a dispute over a rejected rescue offer.

Music: Tom Jones has postponed two US concerts after contracting flu, rescheduling his Los Angeles and San Diego shows for November 4 and 3 respectively, following doctors’ advice.

Don’t Miss: Apple is adding AI assistants to Keynote, Pages, and Numbers, allowing users to create presentations, edit documents, and analyse spreadsheets using natural language prompts. The update also brings AI-powered editing to Pixelmator Pro and new creative tools to Logic Pro and Final Cut Pro, with features rolling out to Creator Studio subscribers in November.