Tech Titans Unveil AI While Hollywood Fights Back
Apple's AI Showcase at WWDC
Apple's annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), historically known for milestones like the original Macintosh unveiling in 1984, kicked off this Monday, spotlighting a significant push towards AI integration across its product line.
A key update comes to Maps, which will learn user preferences from past trips, including routine stops like a daily café visit, to offer customized directions and build a history of visited locations.
For Apple Watch users, a new AI-generated Workout Buddy is on the horizon. This feature will track fitness history, offer verbal motivation and encouragement, and provide workout summaries post-session.
Communication is also getting an AI boost with live translation capabilities being added to Messages, FaceTime, and phone calls across all devices, even for AirPods users, simplifying bilingual conversations. Furthermore, AI will enhance call screening to combat scam callers and telemarketers. Apple devices will automatically answer calls from unknown numbers, inquire about the caller's name and purpose, and display this information on screen as the phone rings.
Messages will see aesthetic and functional upgrades. One-on-one and group chats will support customizable backgrounds, similar to features on WhatsApp and Instagram DMs. Group chats will gain the ability to send polls and manage Apple Cash transactions. Apple users with the latest iOS and Apple Intelligence enabled will also be able to create custom Emojis with a feature called Genmoji.
A new dedicated games app is also coming, which can sync with a controller. It will feature Apple Arcade and a "Play Together" mode, transforming single-player games into group challenges.
The week-long conference, held at Apple’s Cupertino headquarters, also previewed a smarter Mac searchbar, enhanced visual search for web browsing using images, a more advanced AI-powered Siri, and improvements to Apple Pay and Apple Wallet. These wallet updates will include options to input passport information for digital IDs, redeem rewards in-person, and utilize installment payment plans.
Hollywood Giants Confront AI Over Copyright
In a significant development for the entertainment industry, Disney and Universal became the first major Hollywood studios to file an artificial intelligence copyright lawsuit this Wednesday. They are accusing AI image creator Midjourney of copyright infringement. The lawsuit alleges that Midjourney has created and distributed AI-generated versions of iconic characters from properties like Cars, Toy Story, Shrek, The Avengers, The Simpsons, and Star Wars without authorization. Both Disney and Universal are demanding a jury trial.
Whalar Appoints Co CEOs to Lead Creator Strategies
Creator agency Whalar, part of Whalar Group, announced a new leadership structure this week, appointing Jo Cronk and Emma Harman as co-CEOs. They will spearhead creator-led strategies aimed at delivering cultural and commercial impact for brands. Cronk previously served as Whalar’s president of North America, and Harman was the agency’s president of EMEA. Both will continue to report to Neil Waller, co-CEO and cofounder of Whalar Group.
"Creators have reshaped the dynamics between brands and culture," Cronk stated in Whalar’s press release. "This moment marks a pivotal step in the creator revolution, and we’re just getting started."
Both Cronk and Harman have been with Whalar for nearly eight years. Cronk has been instrumental in securing partnerships with major clients such as the NFL, Peacock, and Nestlé Health Science, and has collaborated extensively with Meta, TikTok, Snap, and YouTube. Harman has successfully driven partnerships with global brands including Google, Oatly, TikTok, and LinkedIn.
Key App and Platform Developments
Several notable updates emerged from the app and tech platform landscape this week:
Social Media Accountability in Brazil: Following a Brazil Supreme Court vote on Wednesday, major platforms including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Google, and X will now be held accountable for illegal content posted by their users in Brazil. While the ruling mandates fines for platforms failing to remove illegal user-generated content within Brazil, the specific criteria for what constitutes "illegal content" are yet to be defined by the judges.
Snap's AR Glasses Ambition: Competing with offerings like Ray-Ban Meta Glasses, Snap revealed plans on Wednesday to release its "Specs" augmented reality (AR) glasses to consumers in 2026. While Snap has previously released five iterations of AR glasses for developers, Specs will mark their first consumer-ready AR eyewear. These glasses are expected to feature an AI assistant and allow users to share games with friends. Snap has reportedly invested $3 million over the past 11 years in developing its AR glasses technology.
Apple Enhances App Store Discoverability: To improve how users find apps, Apple is introducing AI-powered tags within its App Store. App developers will have the option to make their apps discoverable through these tags and will maintain control over which tags are associated with their products.
