Latest news with #Midjourney
Zawya
2 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Legal risks of AI: Why your business needs a workplace policy?
As the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools becomes more prevalent in the workplace, businesses face new legal, ethical, and operational challenges. AI brings exciting opportunities to innovate, work more efficiently, and save costs, but allowing employees to use these tools without clear rules and guidelines can expose a company to risks, including data leaks, damage to reputation, or regulatory violations. For these reasons, having an internal AI policy is no longer merely a value-add — it has become essential for any business seeking to remain competitive and secure amid the current technological revolution. Potential legal risks One of the most compelling reasons to implement an AI policy is to reduce legal exposure. In South Africa, the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 (PoPIA) places strict obligations on organisations to handle personal information lawfully and securely. When employees use generative AI tools, especially cloud-based platforms such as ChatGPT or Midjourney, there is a risk that they may inadvertently upload confidential, personal, or proprietary data into environments where control is lost. The hidden danger in AI inputs This risk is heightened by the way generative AI models function. Generative AI models depend on data inputs to generate results. Employees might unknowingly not only expose personal information protected by PoPIA but also release sensitive internal reports, client details, or proprietary content by entering them into these platforms. This can lead to unintended data exposure, as confidential information might be stored, reused, or incorporated into public AI training datasets. What a good AI policy should include To mitigate these risks, having an internal AI policy helps protect information by forbidding the upload of confidential data to public AI platforms, requiring proper testing of any third-party AI tools before use, and making sure AI-generated outputs are reviewed carefully to avoid leaking protected information. It is also important to remember that AI is not neutral; it can reflect and even amplify human biases. If AI is used in decision-making, like screening candidates or creating marketing materials, it could unintentionally introduce unfairness or exclusion. A good AI policy should encourage ethical use, focusing on fairness, transparency, and accountability. Incorporating these ethical standards into company governance not only reduces legal exposure but also fosters trust among clients, customers, and employees. An AI policy is not intended to restrict innovation but to support it responsibly. When employees understand which AI tools are approved and how to use them safely, they can experiment and innovate without risking legal or reputational harm. By establishing clear guidelines instead of harsh restrictions, the policy empowers staff to automate routine tasks, explore new customer solutions, and enhance productivity and quality while effectively managing risks. South Africa's steps toward AI regulation Around the world, AI regulations are developing rapidly. The European Union's AI Act, for instance, establishes strict rules for high-risk AI systems. While South Africa does not yet have specific AI legislation, regulators and industry groups are closely monitoring responsible AI usage, especially in sensitive sectors like finance, healthcare, and government. The Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) is leading the way on AI regulation in South Africa. After launching their National AI Plan, the DCDT has advanced further by publishing the South African National AI Policy Framework. This demonstrates their ongoing commitment to establishing a comprehensive national AI policy. Implementing an AI policy is more than a forward-thinking move — it's a critical defence against the real and rising risks of AI misuse, from data leaks and compliance breaches to reputational harm. A clear policy empowers your team to innovate responsibly while protecting your business from costly mistakes. It also signals to international clients and partners that your business meets global standards for ethics and compliance — an increasingly important trust marker in today's connected economy. AI may be artificial, but your risks are real.
Tom's Guide
2 days ago
- Tom's Guide
ChatGPT is testing watermarks on AI-generated images — here's what you need to know
OpenAI has been busy recently. New features, an agent mode and now, there could be a potentially controversial update on the horizon. According to Android Authority, ChatGPT could soon be watermarking your AI-generated images. This was originally identified by X user Tibor Blaho, who spotted a mention of 'image-gen-watermark-for-free' in a beta version of ChatGPT for Android. Android Authority then followed this up with a report that the latest beta test version of the app includes a 'save without watermark' option when generating images. While it's not entirely clear what this feature will look like, or if it will come at all, it does appear that this will mean watermarked AI images, but only for those on the free version of ChatGPT. When testing the feature, Android Authority highlighted that they were able to remove the watermark using the free version of ChatGPT. However, as this is still the beta version, it is likely that this will change when the feature comes to market. With the information currently available, it is hard to know exactly what OpenAI's plan is here. It could end up being a watermark across all images, or more likely, a feature exclusively for free plans. AI providers are quickly having to find ways to make up the costs going into the models. While this used to be funding for the most part, the financial model is slowly switching to subscription plans. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. This means there needs to be enough benefits for users to go up to one of ChatGPT's more expensive plans, leaving the free version behind. Having the ability to remove watermarks would be a major benefit to most users. Currently, none of the other major AI image generators are watermarking their images, so this would be a controversial move for OpenAI. Alternatively, as ChatGPT still remains the biggest competitor out there, we could simply see other players following behind. If ChatGPT does introduce watermarks on its free plan, some users will want to move elsewhere. These days, most of the best AI image generators are locked behind paywalls. The likes of Midjourney and Gemini require you to pay a subscription to create images, as does major names like Freepik. There are a few places where you can do it for free, like Grok, but these are usually only available in limited numbers. Realistically, AI image generation is slowly becoming a pay-to-use service. Or at least it will be if you want to avoid long wait times or limited numbers of image generations. Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button.
Geeky Gadgets
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Geeky Gadgets
Midjourney API Development and Release Date Discussed by Dev Team
What if the tools you rely on for creative expression could seamlessly integrate into your existing workflows, unlocking possibilities you hadn't even imagined? That's the promise hinted at by Midjourney's exploration of a potential API, a move that could redefine how creators and developers interact with the platform. In a world where digital artistry is evolving at breakneck speed, the ability to customize and extend creative tools is no longer a luxury—it's a necessity. By opening the door to API development, Midjourney is signaling its ambition to empower creators with unprecedented flexibility and control, making sure its place at the forefront of creative technology. In the video below, Future Tech Pilot provides more insights into the implications of an API for Midjourney users and beyond. From allowing developers to integrate Midjourney's innovative tools into their own platforms to fostering new opportunities for collaboration, the possibilities are vast. But what does this mean for your creative process, and how might it reshape the way you approach digital artistry? As we explore the potential of this initiative, you'll discover how it could unlock new levels of efficiency, innovation, and accessibility—offering a glimpse into the future of creativity itself. Midjourney's Innovation Roadmap Transforming Video Processing Capabilities Midjourney is poised to transform how you approach video content creation. The upcoming tools will provide you with the ability to define precise start and end frames, granting greater control over video sequences. Additionally, a looping functionality is in development, allowing seamless playback for animations and short clips. Looking ahead, the team is working on a video upscaler, which will enhance resolution and detail in your footage. These advancements are designed to make video editing more intuitive while maintaining professional-grade quality. By simplifying complex processes, these tools will empower you to bring your visual concepts to life with greater precision and ease. Midjourney is introducing tools aimed at helping you explore and apply unique visual styles to your projects. These features are designed to streamline the process of discovering new aesthetics, making it easier for you to experiment with fresh creative directions. Whether you are a designer seeking inspiration or an artist refining your craft, these tools will simplify your workflow and encourage innovation. By making style exploration more accessible, Midjourney is allowing you to push the boundaries of your artistic vision with confidence. Midjourney API Unlocking New Possibilities Watch this video on YouTube. Here is a selection of other guides from our extensive library of content you may find of interest on Midjourney. Building a Collaborative Creative Community To foster a sense of connection among creators, Midjourney is enhancing its platform with features that encourage collaboration and inspiration. A recommendation system is currently in development, designed to help you discover projects and videos created by other users. This feature will not only spark new ideas but also create opportunities for meaningful interactions within the creative community. By making it easier to share and explore content, Midjourney aims to cultivate a vibrant ecosystem where creativity thrives and collaboration flourishes. Streamlining Software Compatibility Midjourney is addressing the challenges of software updates by focusing on compatibility and user convenience. The upcoming Version 8 will introduce new features while maintaining partial compatibility with Version 7, making sure a smoother transition for users. Additionally, the team is considering a Version 7.1 release to provide incremental improvements without requiring a full upgrade. These efforts reflect a commitment to minimizing disruptions, allowing you to focus on your creative work without interruptions caused by technical challenges. Expanding Platform Accessibility with API Development Midjourney is taking steps to broaden its accessibility through the development of an API. By gathering user feedback via surveys, the team is making sure that the API aligns with your needs and expectations. This initiative will allow developers to integrate Midjourney's tools into their own platforms, opening up new possibilities for customization and creative applications. For you, this means greater flexibility in how you access and use the platform's features, allowing a more tailored creative experience. Advancing AI Model Training for Enhanced Tools To remain at the forefront of AI-driven creativity, Midjourney is exploring partnerships to train a large-scale AI model. This collaboration aims to deliver more advanced tools and improved performance across the platform. For creators like you, this development promises access to state-of-the-art technology that pushes the boundaries of digital artistry. By investing in AI advancements, Midjourney is making sure that its tools remain innovative and capable of meeting the evolving needs of its users. Refining the Omni Reference Feature The Omni Reference feature is undergoing significant enhancements through ongoing data collection efforts. These improvements aim to make the tool more accurate and reliable, providing you with precise references for your projects. By refining this feature, Midjourney is making sure that you have access to a dependable resource that supports your creative endeavors. This commitment to accuracy and usability underscores the platform's dedication to empowering creators. Exploring Storytelling Through AI Experiments Midjourney is delving into experimental storytelling projects, signaling a focus on narrative-driven creativity. While details remain limited, these initiatives suggest the development of tools that could help you craft compelling stories and explore new creative dimensions. By integrating AI-powered solutions into storytelling, Midjourney is opening up possibilities for you to engage audiences in innovative and meaningful ways. The Path Forward Midjourney's latest updates represent a bold step toward shaping the future of creative technology. By focusing on areas such as video processing, aesthetic exploration, and community engagement, the platform is positioning itself as a leader in digital artistry. Whether you are an experienced professional or an aspiring creator, these developments promise to enhance your ability to bring your ideas to life. As Midjourney continues to innovate, the tools and opportunities available to you will expand, allowing you to redefine your artistic potential and explore uncharted creative territories. Media Credit: Future Tech Pilot Filed Under: AI, Top News Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
Campaign ME
6 days ago
- Business
- Campaign ME
Where is the agency model headed?
Where is the agency model headed? That's the question we asked ourselves recently when Saudi FMCG brand invited us to pitch for the launch of their new product category. It was a full-service brief covering brand positioning, launch campaign, execution, media planning, and buying. Naturally, we were told it would be a multi-round process. Our first instinct? Here we go again. Weeks of back-and-forth, creative wars, long nights, and internal sparring, with the hope of landing the final knockout punch. But there was a shift. And before deciding how to respond, we paused. We chose to be still. Because sometimes, stillness gives you more answers than constantly operating at 100 miles per hour. We handed the entire pitch to one of our account directors. Just one person. No departments. No internal back-and-forth. Just clarity, creativity, and the right tools. He worked solo, using ChatGPT for strategy, Midjourney for visualisation, Gemini VEO for mockups, and Gamma to bring it all together. We told the team, 'Let's enjoy the moment and just observe.' What we witnessed was one person, deeply familiar with the FMCG space, who called the LLM model Rhea. Yep, he named her and interacted with her like a human. The outcome? More nuanced, relatable outputs – especially critical, considering the brief was designed to appeal to Gen Z. We saw that same person transform scattered notes into a powerful, insight-led presentation while the rest of the team stood still, watching in awe. Not of him, but of where we are clearly heading. One person. A full-service pitch. The result? Account in the bag. What is the future of agencies? It was answered in real time. It became clear that the future of agency work may not require multiple layers to be effective. A single person, equipped with the right tools and clarity, can deliver what previously required entire teams. This isn't a celebration of solo heroes. It's a wake-up call to how radically the agency model is being reshaped. For decades, agencies have operated in silos, with strategy in one corner, creative in another, and media somewhere else, all held together by process-heavy workflows and a reliance on manpower. But the game is changing. Smart individuals, using intuitive and powerful tools, can ideate, plan, create, and deliver campaigns at a speed and scale that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago. This is not about replacing teams. It's about recalibrating how we work. What once required a room full of people can now, in some cases, be done by one person with range. Not because they're superhuman, but because they understand how to prompt, adapt, and build using the platforms available to all of us. The barriers to entry have fallen and with them, the myth that size guarantees capability. Agencies that remain locked in traditional structures – layered hierarchies, long approval chains, departmental dependencies, risk becoming too slow for today's market. The ability to move from brief to execution rapidly, without compromising quality, is becoming the expectation, not the exception. Brands are shifting gears too. Many now expect their agency partners to function like business collaborators, not just execution arms. They're looking for problem-solvers who bring strategic thinking, creativity, and operational efficiency to the table, not just polished decks. So where does that leave the industry? It leaves us at a crossroads. One path continues business as usual, with large teams, disconnected tools, and the belief that more heads equal better output. The other embraces a new reality. One where tools have democratised execution, and agencies are training teams to think cross-functionally, become fluent with AI, and adopt more agile, leaner models. AI is no longer a future disruptor. It is already levelling the playing field. Small agencies, freelancers, even in-house brand teams now have access to the same creative firepower once reserved for large networks. The difference no longer lies in access; it lies in how well people think and how quickly they act on that thinking. In this new era, thinking smart will matter more than thinking big. So, as agencies and brands, we need to ask ourselves: Are we building cultures that reward curiosity, experimentation, and efficiency rather than just process? The future is here. It belongs to the curious, the clear, and the calm – those who move with intent and pause with purpose. By Sameer Abdur Rehman, Founder and CEO, Xplore
Indian Express
6 days ago
- Indian Express
‘Adult content' made her an overnight sensation. Now, a police arrest reveals how Assam woman was victim of AI used by ex-collegemate
Last week, an Assamese woman's 'provocative posts' on Instagram became the subject of headlines, including claims that she had entered the adult film industry. Now, it has emerged that she was the victim of a cybercrime from a man she studied with, and who allegedly morphed her images and videos using AI tools to harass her. The accused, 30-year-old Pratim Bora, is a mechanical engineer who had a work-from-home job and was arrested by Dibrugarh police from Tinsukia on Saturday night. He has been booked under sections of the BNS, including criminal force to outrage a woman's modesty, sexual harassment, production and circulation of obscene material, criminal intimidation, creating false material to harm someone's reputation and defamation. Dibrugarh SSP in-charge, Sizal Agarwal, said on Sunday that the woman, who is around the same age as the accused and is married, had filed a complaint with the Dibrugarh police on Saturday, alleging that her images had been morphed and circulated on social media. She said that police tracked Bora down with the help of the information that he had provided on Instagram to create the profile, which gathered more than a million followers in a short period. 'When she gave us the complaint, she gave us a reference to an Instagram page. We sought its details and found a contact number. From there, we traced the identity of the accused, whom we have arrested. We cross-checked with the woman if she knew Pratim Bora. She confirmed that they had studied together and had a past acquaintance. It confirmed our suspicion that he was behind it,' said ASP Agarwal. Agarwal told The Indian Express that the accused and the woman had been in college from 2013 to 2017. Police said that Bora appeared to be using AI software such as OpenArt and Midjourney. 'We have seized a laptop, two mobile phones, a hard disk, a tablet, a pen drive, a card reader and some SIM cards. When there is a digital crime, information is sought from multiple agencies. Since the case was only registered yesterday, it is at a preliminary stage. He has used AI software, so we will seek all the information. What credentials he used to create all this, how many fake profiles and IDs he created,' said Agarwal. She said that while the Bora appeared to have begun creating and circulating the content for 'harassment based on personal reasons,' he had also made money by monetising the content. 'From our interrogation, we found that he was trying to harass the woman based on personal reasons. After a while, when he created a webpage on Linktree and gave a link to view pornographic content, there was a subscription system. He got money from the subscription. So as the crime continued, he began earning and got almost Rs 10 lakh from the whole process. He became greedy after that and continued the crime because of that,' she said. The profile has amassed millions of views and followers in the past week after a morphed photo of the victim with adult film personality Kendra Lust was uploaded on July 2 with a caption suggesting that she was joining the adult film industry. The provocative posts on the account date back to 2022.
