Indian video editing platform InVideo has unveiled a new AI-powered feature that generates videos from text prompts. Branded as InVideo v3.0, the tool allows users to create live-action, animated, or anime-style videos, customised for platforms like YouTube, Instagram Reels, and LinkedIn. While the platform relies on a pipeline of third-party AI models for this feature, users can edit videos dynamically through additional prompts.
The service is launching under a new subscription model called the Generative Plan, which starts at $120 per month for 15 minutes of video generation, with options to purchase more minutes. Despite being a significant upgrade from InVideo’s earlier offerings, early users have reported inconsistencies in style and quality mid-video. The company has committed to improving the tool over time.
With 4M monthly active users and 7M videos generated in the past month, InVideo continues to appeal to individuals and small businesses rather than large production teams. Supported by Tiger Global and Peak XV Partners, the startup has raised $35M to date and is projected to reach $50M in annual revenue this year, according to co-founder and CEO Sanket Shah.
TikTok has rolled out Symphony Creative Studios worldwide, a generative AI video creation platform designed for advertisers. The platform aims to simplify the creation of tailored, high-quality content for businesses, creators, and agencies.
Unveiled earlier this year at the TikTok World Product Summit, Symphony is part of a broader suite of tools. These include Symphony Assistant, Symphony Digital Avatars, and the TikTok Ads Manager, all focused on enhancing creative capabilities on the platform.
Symphony Creative Studios offers features like automated content generation from text, video previews, remixing, and digital avatar creation. Users can also access tools for translation and customisation, making it easier to adapt content for diverse audiences.
AI-powered tools have become essential in attracting brands, with TikTok joining other tech companies in integrating these technologies to strengthen its advertising business. Symphony aims to position the platform as a leader in digital marketing innovation.
According to sources, the Federal Trade Commission is preparing to investigate Microsoft’s cloud computing business over allegations of anti-competitive practices. The probe will focus on claims that Microsoft uses restrictive licensing terms to deter customers from moving data from its Azure cloud service to competitors.
Reportedly, Microsoft has been accused of tactics such as raising subscription fees for departing customers, imposing steep exit charges, and making its Office 365 products incompatible with rival cloud platforms. These practices could potentially leverage the company’s market power in productivity software to stifle competition.
While the FTC declined to comment on the investigation, Microsoft has yet to respond to the allegations. The Financial Times was the first to report on the probe.
The British government is stepping up efforts to regulate stablecoins and redefine rules around staking, aiming to bolster its appeal as a crypto-friendly destination. Expected by December, these measures follow increased scrutiny of digital assets in the US, prompting firms to seek more welcoming jurisdictions.
Key elements of the proposal include giving the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) authority to draft stablecoin regulations and revising staking rules to exclude them from traditional investment schemes. Insiders also point to updates on the UK’s digital securities sandbox, a joint blockchain initiative with the Bank of England designed to drive innovation.
In Parliament, recent efforts have centred on recognising digital assets as personal property to improve fraud protection and ownership rights. While the former Conservative government outlined ambitious crypto plans, the Labour government’s stance on digital assets appears more reserved.
Europe’s largest tech company, ASML, projected an annual sales growth of 8% to 14% over the next five years, driven by strong demand for its advanced chip-making tools amid a global boom in AI. ASML’s CEO Christophe Fouquet highlighted the company’s advanced EUV technology as pivotal in meeting the growing AI demand, positioning the firm well for continued profitability.
Ahead of its investor day in the Netherlands, ASML forecasted revenue between €44 billion and €60 billion by 2030, with stable gross margins between 56% and 60%, reassuring analysts who had been concerned by recent earnings shortfalls. The company’s shares rose by 2.6% in early trading, buoyed by its steady outlook on AI-driven growth despite weaker demand in other chip segments.
ASML faces challenges in China, where US and Dutch export restrictions prevent it from selling its most advanced EUV and certain DUV tools. However, ASML continues to supply older DUV models to Chinese buyers, even as China’s share of ASML’s total sales has dropped significantly.
Which? is taking legal action against Apple, alleging the company breached competition law by pressuring customers to use its iCloud service. Which? argues that Apple encouraged users to store their data on iCloud, making it challenging to switch to other providers, and then charged users when they exceeded the free 5GB limit. This practice, they claim, led to overcharges, costing consumers up to £13.36 ($16.98) this year in subscription fees.
Apple denies any wrongdoing, stating customers are not required to use iCloud and often choose third-party alternatives. However, if Which? succeeds, around 40 million Apple customers in the UK who have used iCloud over the last nine years could be entitled to compensation.
Which? CEO Anabel Hoult emphasised that the action aims to secure refunds for consumers, prevent future anti-competitive behaviour, and promote a fairer market. The group plans to file the claim with the Competition Appeal Tribunal.
Amazon has launched ‘Amazon Haul,’ a low-cost shopping service aimed at capturing budget-conscious consumers in the US The platform offers a range of products priced primarily under $10, with some items starting at just $1. Accessible through the Amazon app, the service caters to customers looking for affordable essentials and aligns Amazon with popular discount rivals like Temu and Shein.
The move comes as Amazon adapts to changing consumer habits, with CEO Andy Jassy noting a shift toward cheaper items and basic goods. Available via an app update, users can explore ‘Haul’ by simply searching for it within the Amazon interface. The company hopes this initiative will appeal to customers seeking value in a tightening economy.
By tapping into the growing market for low-cost ecommerce, Amazon aims to strengthen its position against rising competition from Chinese platforms. With its vast product range and customer base, ‘Amazon Haul’ could redefine how Americans shop for everyday low-cost items.
South Korean authorities have arrested 215 individuals in connection with the country’s largest cryptocurrency investment scam, which reportedly defrauded investors of 320B won ($228.4M). Among those detained is the alleged leader of the operation, who is accused of selling 28 worthless virtual tokens to approximately 15,000 victims with promises of high returns.
According to police, the group issued six of the tokens on overseas crypto exchanges and manipulated their values through market-making teams. To attract investors, they established consulting companies, recruited sales teams, and targeted viewers of a YouTube channel. Officials revealed that many of the tokens were fraudulent and lacked real value.
This case highlights growing concerns over cryptocurrency-related scams in South Korea and globally, as unregulated digital assets continue to attract both investors and opportunistic criminals. The arrests mark a significant step in addressing financial crimes in the fast-evolving crypto landscape.
Visa has announced a partnership with fintech Affirm to introduce a new feature allowing United States customers to use a single card for both debit transactions and buy now, pay later (BNPL) purchases. The feature aims to meet growing consumer demand for payment flexibility. Visa will also launch the service in the United Arab Emirates in collaboration with Liv Bank and plans to expand to Europe in the coming months.
Mark Nelsen, Visa‘s global head of consumer products, highlighted that customers increasingly prioritise convenience in payments, especially as e-commerce continues to thrive. A Visa study revealed that 51% of card users desire access to multiple accounts and funding options through a single credential, streamlining their payment experiences. The ‘Flexible Credential’ feature is already available in markets such as Hong Kong, Japan, and Singapore, with further expansion planned over the next year.
Visa and Affirm’s collaboration signals a growing trend of traditional financial institutions working with fintech firms to drive innovation. While fintech companies have often been seen as challengers to established banks, such partnerships can benefit both sides by unlocking new revenue opportunities. Affirm CEO Max Levchin emphasised the company’s commitment to providing a seamless product that integrates debit and credit without hidden fees.
As AI becomes more integrated into daily life, Americans have expressed mixed feelings about its role in job hiring. A survey conducted by Talker Research between October 21-24 revealed that 43% of respondents felt uneasy with AI conducting job interviews, while 32% were comfortable. Generational differences were also evident, with younger generations, particularly Gen Z, more accepting of AI-led interviews than older generations like Baby Boomers.
Despite the concerns, AI’s role in recruitment continues to grow. Philip Gjørup, co-founder of Nord Comms, believes AI could revolutionise the hiring process by swiftly identifying key attributes in candidates. Similarly, Lars Nyman from CUDO Compute points out that AI is already used to assess resumes and assess initial candidate fit, making AI-led interviews a logical next step.
However, AI faces limitations in capturing the personal touch needed in job interviews. While experts agree that AI can streamline recruitment, they also acknowledge that nuanced interpersonal skills, which are vital in interviews, remain beyond the capabilities of current AI technology.
The rising use of AI in hiring has raised concerns about the dehumanising effects of algorithms making important career decisions. Many worry about a lack of empathy in the process, with some likening it to pitching one’s career story to a ‘vending machine.’ As AI technology develops, it may take more time for people to adapt to its growing presence in the hiring process.
