*PREVIEW* The Trashfuture Podcast Ltd FY24 Pension Allocation Call
Oct 25, 2024
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The hosts humorously dissect the failure of the Apple Vision Pro and debate its future as a quirky collector's item. They tackle the rise of AI in the UK entertainment industry, questioning how automation impacts creativity and originality. A conversation about piracy culture reminds listeners of the charm of out-of-print media. Finally, the decline of innovative content in UK media commissioning is critiqued, with a nod to the increasing safety over originality in programming. Buckle up for a wild ride through the future of media!
The podcast discusses the disappointing consumer interest in the Apple Vision Pro, leading to its discontinuation and raising questions about the future of wearable tech.
Concerns are raised about AI's role in the creative industry, suggesting it could prioritize safety over innovation, potentially stifling original content creation.
Deep dives
Apple's Vision Pro Headset's Market Fate
The lack of consumer interest has led to Apple discontinuing the production of the Vision Pro mixed reality headset, with production numbers reportedly very low, described as merely thousands. This situation raises questions about the future of such technology, especially when considering it could become a collector's item in the years ahead. The opaque design of the product, which only becomes functional when worn, adds to the speculation about its long-term acceptance in society. The discussion around this device highlights a broader trend in wearable tech and its acceptance, reminiscent of the mixed reception received by other similar products like Google Glass.
The Role of Will.i.am in Tech and AI
Will.i.am's ventures into technology, including his endorsement of various initiatives and products, are examined in the context of his influence on consumer tech trends. Notably, he founded an AI startup called FYI, aiming to enhance productivity for creative teams through a combination of messaging and AI capabilities. While his previous endorsements, such as support for the concept of ADHD for creativity, have raised eyebrows, his association with tech continues to provoke discussion on the intersection of entertainment and innovation. The implications of his ventures serve as a reminder of how celebrity endorsements can shape public perception and acceptance of new technologies.
AI's Role in Content Creation
AI's increasing involvement in creative processes has sparked concern that automation is prioritizing entertainment content over mundane tasks, contrary to initial expectations of making life easier. Recent developments, such as ITV's job listing for a head of AI to drive content innovation, illustrate this shift towards AI-driven ideation and character development. Such trends suggest that instead of fostering creativity, AI tools may simply perpetuate existing formulas by generating safe, risk-averse content, further stifling innovation. The discussion about new content reveals an industry plagued by a lack of adventurousness, where even AI might result in rehashing recycled ideas rather than original narratives.
Riley, November, and Hussein review some of TF Ltd’s strategic investments in the Humane Pin and the Apple Vision Pro, before moving on to look at the replacement of more humans in creative roles with ChatGPT in the UK entertainment industry, the desire of UK armed police officers to be treated like their American counterparts, and finally a reading on the inner life of Masayoshi Son… as we of course do at every pension fund allocation meeting.