DECODE - July 18, 2024

READS

‘Functional Beauty Is Like Amazing Architecture’: Code and Theory’s Mayo Tobita on Accessibility (Little Black Book) 

Code and Theory Solutions Architect Mayo Tobita says that with the spread of smartphones and SAAS technology, accessibility has become more important than ever before. “I’ve come to appreciate the beauty of design, user experience and functionality from various angles. Things that I thought were good in the past actually turned out to be completely useless,” Tobita says. She shares why clients should focus on accessibility, her recent favorite creative project and advice she’d give her younger self. Read the Q&A. 

AI Can Make You More Creative—But it Has Limits (MIT Technology Review)

Do generative AI models boost creativity? Studies show it does, for some. Researchers from the University of Exeter Business School and UCL School of Management explored the impact of using Chat GPT-4 to write short stories. They found that AI increased the output of less creative writers but didn’t impact the quality of stories produced by writers who were already creative. “We see this leveling effect where the least creative writers get the biggest benefit,” says UCL School of Management Assistant Professor Anil Doshi, who co-authored the paper. Read the article. 

The ‘Ethical’ AI Music Generator Can’t Write a Halfway-Decent Song (Wired) 

At the intersection of ethics, music and generative AI comes text-to-music model Jen. Pro: Jen was trained on very selective materials that don't violate copyright. Con: According to Wired, users can’t have Jen create songs that sound like specific artists, such as Willie Nelson, because the model wasn’t trained with that information. Although still in its alpha stage, Wired and professional musicians who tested the platform say Jen has a long way to go to be a valuable tool for musicians. Read the article. 

The Abyssal Unseen: a Cabinet of Curiosities for the Digital Age (Print Magazine)

Are you curious about what’s lurking beneath the deep, deep sea? Artists Xavier and Daniel Boldtron unveiled their latest collection, “The Vault of Wonders: Chapter 1—The Abyssal Unseen,” which merged historical intrigue with the depths of the abyssal ocean (6,500 to 16,500 feet deep). According to Print Magazine, the collection showcases advancements in AI video technology and connects scientific curiosity with contemporary digital creativity. Learn more. 

FAKE FACTS

Reach overtakes conversion as metric du jour.

McDonald's celebrates its 50th birthday by creating the high-fiber, middle-aged combo meal.

WATCH

‘The Internet Sucks Right Now.’ Code and Theory’s Founder on What’s Next (Little Black Book) 

How is AI shaking up the daily workflow for strategists, creatives and producers? LBB & Friends Beach hosted an AI panel during Cannes, discussing how marketers can get more creative using AI to do their jobs better. Code and Theory Co-founder Dan Gardner said that the tools are evolving, but what’s most interesting to him is that “the internet sucks” and “AI could help us change that.” Watch the panel. 

How Brands Can Take Advantage of Gaming (Sport Beach) 

Anzu.io CEO and Co-founder Itamar Benedy calls gaming “the last media frontier.” As games become more immersive, they offer a fresh opportunity for marketers willing to work with the genre’s unique format. Benedy joined Code and Theory Chief Creative Officer Craig Elimeliah and Stagwell Vice Chairman David Sable to discuss how companies can rise to this new challenge. Watch it now.