💡 Microsoft Office apps get more powerful with AI Copilot

Welcome, AI enthusiasts

Microsoft is taking productivity to new heights by expanding Copilot’s capabilities in Office apps - think smarter inboxes, deeper analytics, and game-changing narrative tools. Meanwhile, Snap’s latest Spectacles bring augmented reality closer to everyday life, elevating user engagement in wearable tech while video startups Runway and Luma AI are making waves with their new APIs, allowing developers to seamlessly integrate cutting-edge video generation into their apps. Let’s dive in!

In today’s insights:

• Microsoft Office apps get more powerful with AI Copilot

• Snap advances AR ambitions with Spectacles upgrade

• Runway and Luma AI release APIs for AI video generation

Read time: 4 minutes

🗞️ LATEST DEVELOPMENTS

MICROSOFT
💡 Microsoft Office apps get more powerful with AI Copilot

Evolving AI: Microsoft is expanding Copilot’s capabilities in Office apps. New updates include inbox organization, advanced analytics, and improved narrative creation tools.

Key Points:

• Python integration in Excel allows for advanced analysis without coding.

• PowerPoint gains a narrative builder using branded templates.

• Outlook's Copilot organizes inboxes with prioritization and keyword focus.

Details:

Copilot in Excel now supports Python, enabling advanced forecasting, machine learning, and data visualization. PowerPoint’s enhanced narrative builder speeds up deck creation, even applying company branding from SharePoint. Outlook’s new AI prioritization tool marks emails as high-priority based on user-taught keywords. Teams and Word also see AI upgrades, with better meeting summaries and improved data referencing from emails and documents.

The Relevance:

Microsoft is betting big on AI integration to justify its $30 monthly Copilot fee, despite lukewarm initial reactions. The tools could transform workplace productivity, especially for enterprises like Vodafone, which embraced Copilot for its 100,000 employees. As Copilot continues to evolve, its utility will likely expand across industries.

SNAP INC
🕶️ Snap advances AR ambitions with Spectacles upgrade

Evolving AI: Snap's new Spectacles glasses enhance augmented reality, pushing the boundaries of wearable tech to boost user engagement.

Key Points:

• Snap launches the fifth generation of Spectacles, emphasizing augmented reality.

• New Snap OS enables hand and voice control and better AR rendering.

• Glasses won't be sold to consumers yet, focusing on developer adoption.

• Snap also simplifies the Snapchat interface for better user experience.

Details:

Snap’s upgraded Spectacles aim to advance augmented reality (AR), powered by a new operating system, Snap OS. The glasses now feature hand and voice controls, an enhanced field of vision, and auto-tinting lenses. Snap focuses on developers, offering the glasses for $99 per month—crucial for refining AR experiences. The redesign of Snapchat aims to streamline the app into three sections, improving interaction with ads as the company competes for ad dollars.

The Relevance:

Snap’s continued bet on AR could position it ahead in a growing field. While ad revenue remains its mainstay, developing AR tech for future consumer adoption aligns with the company’s strategy to lead in new, immersive experiences.

RUNWAY & LUMA
🎥 Runway and Luma AI release APIs for AI video generation

Evolving AI: AI video startups Runway and Luma AI have unveiled APIs, enabling developers to integrate video generation models into their applications.

Key Points:

• Runway launched an API for its Gen-3 Alpha Turbo model.

• Luma AI followed quickly with its Dream Machine API.

• Both APIs allow developers to create AI-generated videos in apps.

Details:

Runway, based in New York, launched its Gen-3 Alpha Turbo API, providing early access to selected partners with pricing at one cent per credit. It requires five credits for one second of video. Meanwhile, Luma AI's Dream Machine API offers features like text-to-video, image-to-video, and camera control—available immediately at $0.35 for a five-second 720p video. Both emphasize ethical AI usage, using moderation to avoid misuse.

Why It Matters:

The release of these APIs signals a competitive shift in AI video generation, offering businesses innovative tools to enhance content creation. As AI's role in media production grows, companies must navigate not only the technical challenges but also ethical considerations around its deployment.

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