Content Aware media news: August 29, 2024

California AI bill, Reddit's advertising strategy, Google's deals with news - all in this week's Content Aware weekly newsletter.

Published: 18:35, 29 August 2024

California dreamin’ of AI regulation
California follows the EU with the mooted SB 1047 bill requiring large AI companies to enforce Safety and Security Plans which hold them accountable for any 'critical harm' their tech might cause. Uproar in AI firms as you might expect, and much support elsewhere – even Musky likes it. It is unlikely all its clauses will make it to law, but its already on the desk of the state’s Governor.
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Big Tech vs voters
In typical election style, both the major US parties are doing their best to look clear on Big Tech policies without really making anything that clear. However, peeking into the incumbent’s major policy documents seems to show things which will continue to unsettle the major search and tech firms, already rocked by judgements and moves by lawmakers.
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Google vs journos
Another California bill shovels millions from Google towards journalism. The media should be happy? Nope!
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AI and the media: 900 views
With the landscape of tech, AI, and media changing by the day, how does one keep up with the big picture, let alone the individual debates? GPP’s Rich gets his telescope out to look at a new report into AI and the media and its future.
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Down Underwhelmed
While Google seems temporarily persona grata in California, not so in Australia where the axe is being swung on cash-for-content deals with media firms. Ricky Sutton gives unique insight into the search company’s behind-the-scenes strategies.
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Reddit's ad game
After its extraordinary SEO boom, social site Reddit is now making bigger waves in the advertising world. The platform's advertising strategy is of interest to publishers as it hinges more closely around the topics and subjects being read, setting it apart from giants like Meta and Google. It’s a model for publishers to copy.
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Fake Muse
Sleuths have uncovered AI-generated covers and tributes on Spotify which slip into playlists to skim off revenues despite being not at all linked to the bands they sound like. Some calling for regulation suggest that Spotify itself would be the No.1 beneficiary of AI generated listens, avoiding payments to actual artists.
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Headline hack
When it comes to grabbing clicks, it turns out less really is more.
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WordPress plugin alert
Time for another check of your WordPress sites should you have one, after Search Engine Journal warns of a critical WordPress plugin vulnerability that could impact up to 5 million sites.
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