AI Revolutionizes Entertainment, Workforce, and Gaming Industries

Recent advancements in artificial intelligence have been making waves across various industries, from entertainment to gaming and workforce development. Google has partnered with Sphere Entertainment to bring The Wizard of Oz to life using generative AI, enhancing the classic film's resolution and extending its backgrounds. Meanwhile, companies like BetterUp and Authentrics.ai are leveraging AI to provide personalized coaching and resilience infrastructure. The Stanford AI Index Report highlights a surge in AI adoption, but also notes the need for increased trust and regulation. As AI continues to transform industries, states are considering legislation to establish oversight, and experts are weighing the potential benefits and limitations of this technology.

Google Enhances Wizard of Oz with AI

Google used AI to enhance The Wizard of Oz for the Las Vegas Sphere's giant screen. The company used several AI models to increase resolution, extend backgrounds, and digitally recreate characters in scenes. The AI-enhanced film will be available starting August 28, 2025. Google's team used fine-tuned Gemini models, Veo 2, and Imagen 3 to intelligently enhance the film's resolution and extend backgrounds. The team also used additional materials like shooting scripts, photographs, and set plans to train the AI models.

Google Partners with Sphere on AI Technology

Google and Sphere Entertainment announced a new AI technology partnership to bring The Wizard of Oz to life using generative AI. The project involves first-of-its-kind engineering work and thousands of creators, coders, and VFX artists. Google Cloud and Google DeepMind are working together to deploy fine-tuned Gemini models, Veo 2, and Imagen 3 to enhance the film's resolution and extend backgrounds. The partnership aims to deliver a never-before-seen experience that is only possible at Sphere.

Wizard of Oz at Sphere Uses AI and Computing

The Wizard of Oz at Sphere will use AI and advanced computing to reimagine the 1939 classic. The team behind the Sphere, in partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery, Google Cloud, and Magnopus, is using generative AI and an advanced computing architecture to create an immersive experience. Google Cloud's AI will be used to upscale and reimagine the classic, while Google Cloud infrastructure will support the massive data processing and rendering requirements.

AI Career Coach for Employees

BetterUp's AI program is a blend of machine learning, behavioral science, and human coaching. The company launched BetterUp Grow to provide real-time coaching support for employees. The AI coach can offer personalized advice and recommendations, and the system continuously learns from employee interactions. Eleven companies have used BetterUp's AI coaching product, with another 50 businesses planning to use it soon.

Stanford AI Index Reports Surge in Adoption

Stanford University's Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence released its eighth annual AI Index Report, measuring AI's diverse impacts over the past year. The report highlights a surge in adoption, investment, and global impact of AI, but also notes that trust and regulation are lagging behind. AI has made significant progress in areas like natural language processing, computer vision, and robotics, but there are still challenges to be addressed, including the need for more diverse and representative data.

Perplexity AI CEO on Deep Tech Remark

Perplexity AI CEO Aravind Srinivas backed Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal's remark on the disappointing numbers of deep tech startups in India. Srinivas called Goyal's statement 'positively provocative' and said that success in deep tech can only be achieved if venture capitalists become risk-takers. Perplexity AI, founded in 2022, recently achieved $100 million in Annual Recurring Revenue and is going to be valued at $18 billion in the next funding round.

IPG Appoints AI Chief

Interpublic Group (IPG) appointed tech entrepreneur Yaniv Sarig as its global head of AI commerce. Sarig's ambition is to create an AI 'backbone' throughout IPG's agency portfolio, with a focus on agentic applications of the tech. IPG is the latest agency group to create a top AI position, following Stagwell's appointment of John Kahan as its chief AI officer.

Authentrics.ai Launches AI Resilience Infrastructure

Authentrics.ai launched its Machine-Learning Resilience Infrastructure (MRI) software for the Google Cloud Platform. The release marks a major milestone in governance for artificial intelligence, machine learning, and large language models. Authentrics.ai MRI provides organizations with unmatched visibility, control, correction, and explainability over their AI models, directly addressing the challenges of model trust, compliance, and operational resilience.

OpenText and Salesforce Integrate AI

OpenText and Salesforce have been innovating together since 2016, integrating their leading solutions to empower Sales and Customer Service teams. Now, they're elevating their solutions with GenAI to deliver smarter, more efficient workflows. OpenText Content Cloud solutions provide the foundation for trustworthy AI, further strengthening their integrated solutions with Salesforce.

States Weigh AI Oversight Legislation

States are considering legislation to establish or preserve AI oversight. Bills in Illinois and West Virginia would affirm the roles of existing task forces on artificial intelligence, while a proposed law in Alaska would create a joint legislative AI task force. The task forces would examine AI's impact on jobs, cybersecurity, and public services, and develop long-term policy recommendations.

AI to Change Gaming Industry

Artificial intelligence will change the gaming industry, but the extent of its impact is uncertain. AI has already influenced gaming, and its effects will be huge when it comes to deploying personnel. However, AI still has limitations, and caution is needed when relying on its answers. The gaming industry is expected to be transformed by AI, with potential applications in data management, public service delivery, and decision-making processes.

Key Takeaways

Google has partnered with Sphere Entertainment to enhance The Wizard of Oz using generative AI, increasing resolution and extending backgrounds.
The AI-enhanced film will be available starting August 28, 2025, and is made possible through the use of fine-tuned Gemini models, Veo 2, and Imagen 3.
BetterUp's AI program provides personalized coaching support for employees, offering real-time advice and recommendations.
The Stanford AI Index Report highlights a surge in AI adoption, investment, and global impact, but notes that trust and regulation are lagging behind.
Authentrics.ai has launched its Machine-Learning Resilience Infrastructure software, providing organizations with visibility, control, and explainability over their AI models.
OpenText and Salesforce are integrating AI to deliver smarter, more efficient workflows, empowering Sales and Customer Service teams.
States are considering legislation to establish or preserve AI oversight, with bills proposed in Illinois, West Virginia, and Alaska.
The gaming industry is expected to be transformed by AI, with potential applications in data management, public service delivery, and decision-making processes.
Perplexity AI CEO Aravind Srinivas has backed the need for venture capitalists to become risk-takers in order to achieve success in deep tech.
Interpublic Group (IPG) has appointed tech entrepreneur Yaniv Sarig as its global head of AI commerce, aiming to create an AI 'backbone' throughout its agency portfolio.