Can AI and Art Coexist?

Here is what’s new in the AI world.

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Netflix Lays Down the Law: New Generative AI Guidelines for Production Partners

Following controversy around the use of AI-generated images in the 2024 true crime documentary What Jennifer Did, Netflix has released a formal set of guidelines governing how production partners may use generative AI.

The new framework aims to balance creative innovation with ethical and legal responsibility, ensuring that AI is used transparently and without misleading audiences.

Key Guidelines for AI Use

In a post published on its Partner Help Center, Netflix outlined five core principles that all production teams must follow when using generative AI tools -

Emphasis on Trust and Responsibility

Netflix repeatedly stressed that viewer trust is paramount. The company acknowledged that while AI tools are “valuable creative aids” capable of rapidly generating unique content, they also “blur the line between fiction and reality.”

Productions are expected to consult with Netflix contacts and legal teams when in doubt to avoid legal risks and unintended misinformation.

A Shift Toward AI-Efficient Productions

Although not explicitly mentioned in the guidelines, this move aligns with recent comments from Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos, who emphasized AI’s potential to help creators produce content “better, not just cheaper.”

He pointed to the sci-fi series The Eternaut as an example of how AI can help streamline production budgets while maintaining creative quality.

Netflix now appears to be encouraging its partners to adopt AI, where it aligns with these new guardrails, as part of a broader effort to innovate responsibly without compromising artistic or ethical standards.

Gen AI Just Redefined Online Shopping Growth

Retail is experiencing a seismic shift in how consumers discover products online, driven overwhelmingly by generative AI.

According to the latest data from Adobe, traffic from AI-powered platforms like ChatGPT, Claude, and Perplexity to retail websites surged 4,700% in July compared to earlier baselines, signaling a fundamental change in digital consumer behavior.

This isn’t just a momentary spike. The growth has been building steadily -

While still smaller than traditional channels like paid search or email, AI-originated traffic is growing at an unprecedented rate.

Why Shoppers Trust AI Recommendations?

The surge isn’t random; it’s fueled by high levels of consumer trust. An Adobe survey found that more than 90% of users trust the links and responses provided by large language models (LLMs).

This trust transforms AI platforms into powerful recommendation engines, guiding users directly to retail sites.

AI Shoppers Are High-Value Visitors

The data reveals that consumers arriving via AI are exceptionally engaged:

• They spend 32% more time on sites.

• They view 10% more pages.

• Bounce rates are 27% lower than average.

According to Vivek Pandya, Lead Analyst at Adobe Digital Insights, these are “strategic, research-focused users” who use AI to explore options before clicking through to make informed decisions.

Conversion Gaps Are Narrowing

Initially, AI-driven traffic lagged in conversion rates; visitors were 49% less likely to buy in January. But that gap is closing fast:

• By April, the gap shrank to 38%.

• In July, it improved further to just 23%.

This trend suggests that as AI models improve and users become more accustomed to the journey, conversion performance is steadily aligning with and may soon surpass traditional channels.

Generative AI is no longer a futuristic concept; it’s a real and rapidly scaling traffic source. Retailers should -

• Optimize for AI discovery: Ensure product information is structured and accurate for AI platforms to reference.

• Track AI-driven metrics separately: Understand how these high-intent users behave differently.

• Prepare for the next wave: As trust and usage grow, AI may soon become a primary channel for product discovery and customer acquisition.

The age of AI-powered commerce is here, and it’s moving faster than anyone expected.

Is Open Source Still Relevant in the Age of AI? Zemlin Says It's Essential

In a keynote at Open Source Summit Europe, Jim Zemlin, Executive Director of the Linux Foundation, addressed the rapidly evolving large language model (LLM) landscape and its profound impact on software development, security, and open-source innovation.

He emphasized that the recent release of OpenAI’s first open-source model, gpt-oss, validates the disruptive influence of projects like DeepSeek, a Chinese open-weight model that has proven competitive with proprietary alternatives.

The Trillion-Dollar Value of Open Source

Zemlin opened by reaffirming the immense and often overlooked economic contribution of open-source software.

Citing research by Harvard economist Frank Nagel, he noted that open source provides an estimated $9 trillion in global value, a figure many companies take for granted.

Nagel has since joined the Linux Foundation as its chief economist to expand this research into AI and help build frameworks supporting commercial open-source startups.

DeepSeek and China’s Open-Source Bet

A central theme was the rise of open-source AI, exemplified by DeepSeek’s high-performance open-weight model. Zemlin positioned this as part of China’s strategic, decades-long commitment to open source, influenced by the U.S.’s own history, which spans both private and public sectors.

This direction, he argued, has now been affirmed by OpenAI’s entry into open source.

The Agentic Shift: Beyond 2024’s “Frontier Models”

Zemlin declared that 2024’s so-called “frontier models” are already giving way to a new paradigm: agentic AI. In 2025, the focus will shift from standalone LLMs to AI agents capable of performing multi-step, real-world tasks.

He highlighted emerging standards like MCP (Model Context Protocol) and A2A (Agent-to-Agent) that will enable models to access tools and resources more efficiently, unlocking AI’s full potential.

Do Developers Trust AI?

Addressing concerns about AI replacing human developers, Zemlin presented a nuanced view. While some media voices predict the redundancy of coders, studies show that developers remain skeptical about the output of generative AI tools.

Even when these tools boost individual productivity, they can sometimes reduce overall team efficiency. Zemlin stressed that the goal isn’t to replace humans but to empower them.

A Call for Responsible AI Adoption

Zemlin closed by urging the open-source community to embrace AI as a productivity accelerator, but responsibly. This means prioritizing:

• Maintainer oversight

• Rigorous security scanning

• Transparency in AI-generated code

In his vision, the developers of the future won’t be replaced by AI; they’ll become “hyper-motivated, hyper-productive humans” equipped with the best tools available.

OpenAI's Sam Altman: Having Kids is 'The Best Thing'... and Somehow Also...

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has shared one of the most personal milestones of his life, becoming a parent. In a heartfelt post on X (formerly Twitter), he described fatherhood as both “the best thing in the world” and something so profound that words can hardly do it justice.

His reflections struck an emotional chord, especially given his influential role in technology and artificial intelligence.

Best known for guiding OpenAI through the global AI revolution with products like ChatGPT, Altman has rarely spoken about his private life.

Openly identifying as gay, he usually keeps personal matters away from the spotlight. This candid post, however, gave followers a rare glimpse into his world.

In an industry driven by disruption and relentless ambition, Altman’s reflections emphasize a powerful truth: human connection and family often outweigh even the most groundbreaking technological achievements.

Colleagues have even noted that fatherhood may help him make “better decisions for humanity”, a meaningful observation, considering his role in shaping global conversations around the ethics of AI.

Blending Family and AI

Interestingly, Altman has also spoken about turning to ChatGPT for parenting guidance during his early days of fatherhood, seeking tips on newborn care. This shows how technology is no longer just a tool for work but is increasingly becoming part of personal, deeply human experiences.

For Altman, this intersection reflects the world his children will grow up in, one where AI is ever-present but still coexists with values like empathy, responsibility, and love.

Public Reaction

His post quickly went viral, drawing responses from tech leaders, peers, and parents worldwide who resonated with his words. Many felt his message humanized a figure often seen only through the lens of AI breakthroughs and business decisions.

For parents, it validated their own experiences; for others, it was a reminder that even Silicon Valley’s most influential leaders are shaped by timeless human emotions.

By admitting that parenthood transcends even the greatest professional successes, Altman highlights that the most meaningful joys remain rooted in family and human connection.

His openness not only bridges the gap between his professional and personal life but also sets an example for other leaders, showing that vulnerability can build deeper trust with the public.

As the world continues to watch his dual journey leading OpenAI and embracing fatherhood, many are eager to see how this life change will influence his vision for the future of artificial intelligence.

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-Shen & Towards AGI team