Adobe has launched the first public version of its AI-powered video generation tool, Firefly Video Model, introducing competition to OpenAI’s Sora and Runway’s video-generation services. The tool is designed to integrate with Adobe’s Premiere Pro software, making it useful for film and television professionals. Instead of focusing on generating long video clips, Adobe’s model helps improve or extend real production shots that need adjustments.
The tool currently produces five-second clips at 1080p resolution, shorter than OpenAI’s 20-second limit, but Adobe argues that most production clips are only a few seconds long. Pricing starts at $9.99 for 20 clips per month and $29.99 for 70 clips, with a separate ‘Premium’ plan for high-volume users like studios to be announced later this year. Adobe is also working on 4K video generation, prioritising visual quality over longer clips.
Vice President of Generative AI Alexandru Costin emphasised that Adobe aims to make AI-generated video look as realistic as traditional filming. The company remains focused on improving motion, structure, and image quality rather than extending clip duration. Meta Platforms is also developing a video-generation model, but has not yet confirmed a release date.
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Germany‘s Federal Cartel Office has expressed concerns over Apple’s App Tracking Transparency (ATT) feature, which could potentially violate antitrust rules for large tech companies. The regulator’s preliminary findings come after a detailed three-year investigation into the feature, which allows iPhone users to block advertisers from tracking their activities across multiple apps. The investigation is part of broader scrutiny over the influence of major tech companies on the digital advertising ecosystem.
In a statement released on Thursday, the Federal Cartel Office noted that Apple now has the opportunity to respond to the allegations. The authority’s concerns focus on whether ATT unfairly impacts the business models of other companies that rely on data-driven advertising, such as Meta Platforms, app developers, and startups. These businesses argue that the feature could severely limit their ability to target users with personalised ads, affecting their revenue generation strategies.
Apple has defended ATT as a crucial privacy tool that empowers users to have more control over their data. The company argues that the feature helps to protect user privacy by giving individuals the option to block third-party tracking. However, its critics, particularly in the advertising industry, contend that ATT has created an uneven playing field, disadvantaging businesses that depend on targeted advertising. The outcome of this investigation could have significant implications for Apple’s business practices in Europe.
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Thomson Reuters has won a legal battle against Ross Intelligence, after a judge ruled that the law firm’s use of Thomson Reuters’ legal content to train an AI model violated US copyright laws. The case stems from a 2020 lawsuit where Thomson Reuters accused the now-defunct legal research firm of using its Westlaw platform to build a competing AI system without permission.
Judge Stephanos Bibas confirmed that Ross Intelligence’s use of the content did not qualify as “fair use” under US copyright law, which permits limited use of copyrighted material for purposes such as teaching or research. Thomson Reuters expressed satisfaction with the ruling, stating that copying its content for AI training was not a fair use.
This case is part of a broader trend of legal challenges involving AI and copyright issues, with authors, artists, and music labels filing similar lawsuits against AI developers for using their works without compensation. These cases all involve the claim that tech companies have used vast amounts of human-created content to train AI models, raising concerns about intellectual property rights and the ethics of AI development.
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Elon Musk’s $97.4 billion bid to acquire OpenAI’s assets has sparked controversy, with OpenAI accusing him of contradicting his own legal claims.
Musk’s lawsuit, filed in August, argues that OpenAI’s assets should remain in a charitable trust and not be transferred for private gain. OpenAI has called his offer ‘an improper bid to undermine a competitor’.
The dispute comes as OpenAI seeks to transition into a for-profit organisation to secure funds for advanced AI development. Musk, a co-founder of OpenAI who left before ChatGPT’s rise in 2022, has launched his own AI startup, xAI, in 2023.
OpenAI’s letter to a federal court highlights the clash between Musk’s stated opposition to privatising its assets and his attempt to acquire them with private investors. The AI company argues that Musk’s bid undermines his legal position and the nonprofit’s mission.
Representatives for Musk have yet to comment. OpenAI continues to defend its transition plan, emphasising the need for substantial investment to remain competitive in the fast-evolving AI landscape.
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The Dutch government plans to cut bureaucracy and increase investment in artificial intelligence to help the country’s tech startups thrive, Prime Minister Dick Schoof announced. His comments follow a report by TechLeap, which revealed a sharp decline in small firms securing significant funding. Despite a 47% increase in venture capital investment in 2024, the number of Dutch startups receiving more than €100,000 fell dramatically, with most funding coming from foreign investors.
Schoof, speaking at TechLeap’s annual event in The Hague, stressed the urgency of creating a business-friendly environment to attract venture capital. He warned that Europe risks being left behind by the US and China if immediate action is not taken. Eindhoven, home to chip giant ASML, has been a key driver of the Dutch economy, but the slowdown in startup growth raises concerns about long-term innovation.
Two Dutch firms, hotel software developer Mews and AI-powered auditing company DataSnipper, achieved unicorn status last year, but industry leaders remain cautious. With the government now vowing to intervene, the hope is that streamlined regulations and targeted investments will help revive the country’s startup ecosystem.
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Google has announced a new partnership with Poland, signing a memorandum of understanding aimed at accelerating the adoption of AI in the country. The agreement was revealed by CEO Sundar Pichai during a news conference on Thursday. Through this collaboration, Google and Poland seek to use AI as a tool to drive economic growth and innovation, focusing on areas that include cybersecurity, health, and energy.
The deal highlights the potential for AI to transform key sectors of the economy, with both parties eager to explore new opportunities. Pichai emphasised how AI could help bolster cybersecurity measures, improve healthcare delivery, and increase energy efficiency in Poland, which would have far-reaching implications not just for the country but for the broader European region. These sectors, in particular, are seen as critical for future development, and the use of AI could significantly enhance Poland’s technological capabilities.
This partnership also underscores Google’s growing commitment to global AI initiatives, as the company continues to collaborate with governments and organisations around the world to implement AI-driven solutions. Poland is positioning itself as an important player in Europe’s AI landscape, and this agreement represents a step forward in its efforts to modernise and compete on a global scale in the rapidly evolving tech space.
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Baidu plans to make its AI chatbot, Ernie Bot, free for all users starting 1 April. The service, which will be accessible on both desktop and mobile platforms, reflects the company’s confidence in improved technology and reduced operational costs.
China’s AI sector is heating up, with DeepSeek emerging as a notable rival. DeepSeek offers free chatbot services that it claims rival OpenAI’s advanced systems while maintaining lower costs.
Despite Baidu’s position as an early leader in AI, its Ernie Bot has struggled to gain traction, lagging behind ByteDance’s Doubao chatbot and DeepSeek in user adoption.
Baidu initially introduced premium features in late 2023, charging users for advanced search capabilities powered by Ernie 4.0. The upcoming free release of both Ernie Bot and an advanced search function marks a shift in strategy.
The advanced search feature promises enhanced reasoning and tool integration, aimed at delivering expert-level responses to users.
Ernie Bot’s latest version, Ernie 4.0, claims parity with OpenAI’s GPT-4 in terms of capabilities. By removing cost barriers, Baidu hopes to attract a larger user base and strengthen its position in the competitive AI sector.
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Reddit is set to overhaul its search functionality in 2025 by integrating AI-powered features to help users find better answers to complex and subjective questions. CEO Steve Huffman announced that the company will incorporate Reddit Answers, a tool that summarises discussions and highlights key responses, into its existing search system.
The company is also forming a dedicated team of engineers to refine and expand these AI-driven search capabilities. This move follows Reddit’s broader AI strategy, which has already introduced translation tools and AI-powered insights for advertisers. The platform has also experimented with AI-curated search result pages to improve content discovery across different communities.
Despite these advancements, Reddit’s latest earnings report disappointed investors, with daily active users reaching 101.7 million falling short of expectations. Huffman suggested that making search an integral part of user onboarding could help boost engagement and monetisation, positioning AI-powered search as a key driver of Reddit’s future growth.
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US Vice President JD Vance criticised Europe’s heavy-handed AI regulations at a Paris summit, warning they could stifle innovation. He argued the EU’s approach, including the Digital Services Act and GDPR, burdens smaller firms with high compliance costs, which could harm AI’s transformative potential. Vance also dismissed content moderation policies as authoritarian censorship.
The United States and Britain opted not to sign the summit’s declaration advocating inclusive, ethical, and safe AI. Vance emphasised America’s intention to lead AI innovation and resist regulatory frameworks that might hinder its progress. French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen countered by stressing that regulation is essential to build public trust in AI.
Geopolitical competition dominated discussions, with Vance warning of potential risks in partnering with China. He cautioned against allowing authoritarian regimes to influence critical information infrastructure through subsidised technology exports. Although he didn’t name DeepSeek, a recent Chinese AI development, his remarks highlighted growing concerns about maintaining technological leadership.
The summit exposed significant policy differences, with the US prioritising rapid AI advancement over stringent safety measures. Critics labelled this a missed opportunity to address broader AI risks, including supply chain security and workforce disruptions.
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Elon Musk announced on Thursday that his AI chatbot, Grok 3, is nearing completion and will be released in the next week or two. In a video call at the World Governments Summit in Dubai, Musk stated that Grok 3 exhibits powerful reasoning capabilities, outperforming other AI models in tests conducted so far. This new AI is being developed through Musk’s company, xAI, which he founded to rival OpenAI and Google.
Musk, also a co-founder of OpenAI, has been outspoken in his criticism of the AI startup. Recently, a consortium led by Musk made a $97.4 billion offer to acquire OpenAI’s nonprofit assets, a move that comes amid Musk’s ongoing legal battle with OpenAI. He is challenging the company’s decision to transition to a for-profit model, arguing that it undermines its original nonprofit mission.
In addition to discussing AI, Musk shared his thoughts on reducing US government spending, suggesting that $1 trillion could be saved by cutting inefficiencies. He also spoke on international matters, advising the US to be less involved in other countries’ affairs. Musk’s comments followed a partnership announcement with UAE AI Minister Omar Al Olama on a futuristic underground transport system called the “Dubai Loop.”
Musk’s remarks at the summit highlighted his wide-ranging influence, not only in technology but also in global political and economic discussions.
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