Media & Entertainment

This essay was originally published on November 16, 2019. It was updated and republished on November 11, 2022. Adobe announced Firefly, its generative AI assistant, on March 21, 2023. If you want a clear example of the exponential pace of technological change, most of the capabilities I hypothesized (and many I did not think of) are features of Firefly. Continue Reading →

The next generation of the World Wide Web (web3) is being built on blockchains using tools and technologies similar to the ones that empower cryptocurrency, NFTs, smart contracts, and the world of DeFi. While there is no agreed-upon technical definition for web3, my favorite philosophical definition is: "A decentralized platform that empowers both users and creators to share in the value they create." It's a nice idea, but how would it actually work? Continue Reading →

After dinner last night, three generations of my family were sitting in the living room discussing the possibility of finding a movie we could all watch together. While this passionate debate about which movies won an Oscar and which were just fan favorites was heating up and heading nowhere, I asked ChatGPT to, "list some great movies that would be appropriate for kids 12-14, parents 32-46, and grandparents." In just under 30 seconds, it helped us find our movie. Amazing! Except… we didn't visit any websites to accomplish our search. As someone who writes and publishes 5,000-7,500 original words each week, the ramifications of this new workflow are profound. Continue Reading →

Yes. This is another article about ChatGPT. But it is also career advice for those of you who love ChatGPT, hate it, fear it, think it's a fad, and wish everyone would stop writing about it and those who are simply not paying attention. No matter where you fall on this spectrum, I want you to think about the following. Continue Reading →

Is artificial intelligence here to help me... or take my job? Shelly Palmer speaks with Vanessa Yurkevich on CNN about whether you should be worried, where artificial intelligence is already being used in the workforce, and lessons we can learn from I, Robot. Continue Reading →

Synthetic media, sometimes referred to as "deepfake" technology, is the use of AI and machine learning to generate realistic, digital media such as images, videos, and audio. This technology is already revolutionizing the creative process as both artists and artisans conscript AI-coworkers for production assistance. But in the coming months, we are likely to see this technology evolve into Generative Synthetic Media (GSM) which we will define (for this essay) as data-driven synthetic media (created in near real time and surfaced in place of traditional media). When fully achieved, GSM will revolutionize human communication. This is a bold claim, so it requires bold evidence. Let's review. Continue Reading →

Can you really use ChatGPT to write better blogs? Unsurprisingly, the work done in partnership with my AI-coworker outperformed work I did alone. Here's the process. Continue Reading →

I haven't written much about all the new video monitors that were on display at CES^® 2023. This is mostly because they were all so incredibly good (thinner, brighter, bigger, cheaper) and more amazing than ever. That said, advances in manufacturing over the past few years have closed both the price and feature gap between the most popular technologies. So, for your viewing pleasure, here's a quick primer on current video monitor jargon along with some guidance to help you pick the best set for your needs. Continue Reading →

It was great to be back in Las Vegas for CES^® 2023. The most obvious trend this year was the focus on partnerships. Companies big and small, from every sector, were touting the benefits of working together. There were dozens of companies showing off amazing technology. In most cases, tech was "new and improved," as opposed to "brand new." But there were a few standout products and services, and I've chosen five of my favorites to share with you. Continue Reading →

I have two slides at the end of most of my presentations. One is my investible theses for the upcoming year and the other is stuff that has my attention. As we head into 2023, I thought it might be fun to look at a deck from 2018 and see if I got any of it right five years ago. I'll let you be the judge. Continue Reading →