Meta on Friday provided a look at a generative artificial intelligence model it is working on that lets people create short videos, complete with audio, from text prompts and photos.

The tech titan touted “Meta Movie Gen” as a “breakthrough” when it comes to using an AI engine to crank out video and audio.

Meta said it will get feedback from filmmakers and creators as it eases toward making the video-generating AI engine publicly available.

No release plans for Movie Gen were disclosed.

“While there are many exciting use cases for these foundation models, it’s important to note that generative AI isn’t a replacement for the work of artists and animators,” Meta said in a post.

The model lets people use text prompts to create custom videos, including clips based on people’s photos, of up to 16 seconds long, according to Meta.

“Our model achieves state-of-the-art results when it comes to creating personalized videos that preserve human identity and motion,” Meta said.

“Imagine animating a ‘day in the life’ video to share on Reels and editing it using text prompts or creating a customized animated birthday greeting for a friend and sending it to them on WhatsApp.”

Movie Gen is the third wave of AI-powered video generation at Meta, according to the company.

The rise of AI-powered tools for creating realistic videos has prompted worries about “deepfakes” that pirate people’s likenesses.

Meta launched AI chatbots voiced by Hollywood celebrities including Judi Dench and John Cena on Wednesday, betting its billions of users are eager to embrace artificial intelligence.

At the company’s annual product launch event, CEO Mark Zuckerberg also unveiled a prototype of normal-looking augmented reality glasses, which he hopes can one day replace smartphones.

Social media giant Meta is banking on AI and virtual and augmented reality applications to diversify its revenue streams.

However, the company has yet to convince investors of the need to shift from its highly profitable advertising-based model.

“I think voice has the potential to be one of, if not the most frequent way, that we interact with AI,” Zuckerberg said, demonstrating a conversation with an AI version of performer Awkwafina.

“It is just a lot better,” he said.

This launch follows OpenAI’s controversial ChatGPT voice feature, which drew criticism for its similarity to actress Scarlett Johansson’s voice.

Meta has secured permission from the celebrities featured in its voice tool, which will be available on Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp.

However, due to EU data protection laws, Meta AI will not be accessible in Europe.

Meta’s AI relies on data from its platforms’ legions of users, a practice that in Europe would potentially violate data privacy laws.

Meta AI, similar to ChatGPT or Google’s Gemini, is an assistant that answers questions, creates images, writes messages, and even provides companionship.

The company reports that more than 400 million people already use Meta AI monthly, aiming to make it “the most widely used AI assistant by year-end.”

Critics note, however, that many users may encounter Meta’s AI unintentionally, as it can be easily mistaken for search functions on WhatsApp and Instagram.

– ‘Big hurdle’ –

Competition in the AI field is fierce, with Google and Microsoft leading in productivity features and Apple entering the market with AI-capable iPhones.

These developments require substantial resources, impacting company budgets significantly.

Despite concerns about heavy AI and VR spending, Meta’s profits and share price have soared due to strong advertising results on Facebook and Instagram.

Analyst Carolina Milanesi of Creative Strategies noted that “when I think about AI, Meta is not necessarily the first brand that comes to mind. And their biggest hurdle is going to be privacy and trust.”

Meta hopes to change perceptions with its new AR glasses, called Orion.

These glasses resemble thick-rimmed reading glasses but can display holographic text messages and apps, and place video calls in the user’s field of vision.

The release of the product is still years away, but Zuckerberg sees it as a potential hands-free alternative to smartphones.

The company is also doubling down on its Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses that serve as earphones, take pictures and video, and will soon feature live translation, the company said.

The Federal Teaching Hospital in Gombe, Gombe State, has banned its employees from engaging in cryptocurrency mining during working hours.

This directive was outlined in a widely circulated memo dated September 18, 2024, and signed by the Deputy Director of Administration, Adamu Tela.

A copy of the memo was accessed by our reporter on Friday.

Our reporter notes that cryptocurrency has become a popular trend among people of all ages today.

Not Coin, Dawg is featured among the Telegram mining opportunities that have brought wealth to Nigerians.

The statement partially stated, “I am directed to caution all members of staff to desist from mining and all forms of related crypto trading activities while working.

“The warning became necessary due to a series of complaints received from patients and their relatives on how the trading activities distract staff members from performing their primary assignment while at their duty post.”

The PUNCH

YouTube beefed up tools for creators on Wednesday as it competes with streaming rivals such as Netflix on the biggest screen in most homes: the television.

The Alphabet-owned video-sharing platform popular on computers, tablets and smartphones has been gaining audiences on televisions as “smart” TVs linked to the internet have become common.

YouTube’s subscription streaming service has also been gaining traction, offering live broadcasting on more than 100 channels, in partnership with existing networks.

“It’s the fastest-growing screen,” YouTube chief Neal Mohan said of televisions at a presentation to content creators in New York. “So, it is a very large surface for all of our creators.”

The new tools include ways to optimize content for display on large screens and offer the content in formats more akin to the TV norm of episodes and seasons.

People worldwide watch more than a billion hours of YouTube video daily on home televisions, Mohan added.

The number of creators who make their livings from YouTube has climbed about 30 percent during the past year, according to the company.

Streaming made “TV history” in July, accounting for 41.4 percent of total television viewing time in the United States, according to Nielsen.

YouTube became the first streaming platform to top a 10-percent share of that TV viewing time, with Netflix second at 8.4 percent, according to Nielsen.

To build on its momentum, YouTube will begin offering a “cinematic” version of creator videos, which will be optimized for viewing on TVs.

YouTube also announced it will enable creators to organize content into episodes or seasons, a move designed to be more familiar to TV audiences.

Televisions let YouTube take advantage of the “binge-watching” phenomenon born of the on-demand content era, allowing viewers to devour episodes in rapid succession for long periods.

TV is also a more traditional way of viewing than smartphones, especially for older audiences accustomed to settling in to watch in their living rooms.

“It’s clear that our living room presence is growing across multiple demographics and ages,” YouTube product management director Thomas Kim said at a roundtable discussion with journalists.

Kim noted that he had heard from creators eager to make more TV-style shows for their audiences.

“We have seen some really great examples of creators who have made episodic content and have been very successful,” Kim said.

The Director of Marketing at Hendai Investment Limited, Asmau Dalhatu, has said that 18.2 billion mobile phones are expected to be in use worldwide by 2025, surpassing the estimated global population of 9.7 billion people.

She also noted the impressive growth projections for the mobile phone industry.

Dalhatu disclosed this in Abuja during the launch of the Hendai NIYO HD5 smartphone. She explained that Hendai Investment Limited is a leading enterprise specialising in a diverse range of sectors, including telecommunications, electronics, and smart city development.

She said: “It will amaze you to know that, according to statistics, we have an estimated 8.2 billion people living on earth, and surprisingly, there are an estimated 17.2 billion phones in use presently.

“By 2025, there will be approximately 18.2 billion phones, which will double the number of humans. So, in essence, what I am trying to point out is that you are at the right place.

“The world is technically advancing, and from 2024-2025, there will be a need for another 1 billion phones in circulation. NIYO has all it takes to occupy a great amount of the estimated one billion phones.”

In his address, the Chairman of Hendai Group, Mr. Owoediinyene Essien, expressed gratitude to distributors and partners for their trust and support.

He also encouraged prospective distributors to join in the journey, noting the vast opportunities for collaboration and growth as Hendai aims to expand its presence across Africa and beyond.

Essien said: “Join us in this exciting journey and benefit from the endless opportunities of partnering with a world-class African brand. Our goal is not only to capture the Nigerian market but to extend our reach across Africa and beyond. I extend my deepest gratitude to our dedicated team, partners, and stakeholders who have worked tirelessly to bring Hendai to life.”

In his remarks, the Director of Housing Development at Hendai Investment Limited, Ambassador Usman Sarki, stressed that Hendai Investment Limited’s vision extends beyond the production of mobile handsets.

He expressed excitement about the forthcoming public engagement and the structured business opportunities that will arise as Hendai continues to expand its operations.

He explained that Hendai Investment Limited is a leading enterprise specialising in a diverse range of sectors, including telecommunications, electronics, and smart city development.

The company is dedicated to driving innovation and creating meaningful opportunities for participation and investment in its projects.

Apple on Thursday got a green light from US regulators to add a feature that would let upcoming AirPods Pro earpieces be used as hearing aids, potentially disrupting that market.

Earlier this week the company added AirPods Pro 2 to its lineup, touting a pending software upgrade that will let people test their hearing and then get assisted listening for everyday life as well as streaming online.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Thursday authorised the hearing aid feature for the devices, noting that a study showed users found them as beneficial as professionally fitted ones.

“Hearing loss is a significant public health issue impacting millions of Americans,” said FDA acting director Michelle Tarver.

Apple’s software “advances the availability, accessibility and acceptability of hearing support for adults with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss,” Tarver added.

AirPods Pro 2 are priced at $249, considerably lower than the average price of clinical-grade hearing aids, but those interested will need to adopt Apple’s devices.

Along with the new feature, the AirPods Pro 2, used with iPhones or iPads, will be able to test hearing and create a user’s hearing profile stored privately in an Apple Health app.

The test takes about five minutes, with users tapping an iPhone or iPad screen when they hear tones at various volumes and frequencies.

The results are then used to calibrate the hearing aid.

That profile is also “automatically applied to music, movies, games, and phone calls across their devices without needing to adjust any settings,” Apple said.

Typical hearing aids don’t adapt specifically for streamed content or phone calls.

“Hearing health is an essential part of our overall well-being, yet it can often be overlooked,” Apple Vice President of health doctor Sumbul Desai said in a release.

Apple said that research indicates more than a billion people worldwide live with mild to moderate hearing loss.

“We are very excited about the new announcement by Apple,” Hearing Loss Association of America executive director Barbara Kelley told AFP.

“The fact that a product that millions of people already own will offer hearing help and protection is a big step forward.”

The iPhone maker plans to make the features available in more than 100 countries in the coming months, pending authorisation from relevant health authorities.

Hearts and minds

Apple has steadily been integrating health and fitness features into its products.

Apple Watch can remind people when to take medicine; warn of harmful noise levels, or detect an irregular heart rhythm that should be checked.

It can also let women know when they are likely ovulating.

A new version of the Apple Watch announced this week adds the ability to detect sleep apnea, a dangerous condition in which breathing stops intermittently while sleeping.

An Apple Health App collects data and then uses machine learning to mine it for insights, keeping information on devices, according to the tech titan.

Health metrics offered by Apple include heart and respiration rates; blood glucose, and how well one sleeps.