AI Bytes Newsletter Issue #41

Buckle up, folks—AI’s moving fast and we’ve got a lot on the table this week! Bambu Lab’s new AI-powered 3D model generator looks set to simplify 3D printing by letting users skip the complex design steps and create models from text prompts. Meanwhile, there’s friction brewing between News Corp and Perplexity AI over content scraping—highlighting the ethical dilemmas swirling around AI in journalism. Microsoft is deepening its grip on OpenAI, raising concerns about monopolies in the tech space. On a lighter note, Mike and I are still geeking out over tools like Stable Diffusion, Clay, and the wonders of AI-generated art—because who says you can’t blend tech with creativity? As always, stay skeptical, stay curious, and stay connected. Let us know where you think this AI train is headed next!

The Latest in AI

A Look into the Heart of AI

Featured Innovation
Bambu Lab Unveils AI-Powered 3D Model Generator 

Bambu Lab has introduced a new AI-powered 3D model generator, designed to simplify the process of creating 3D printable objects from text-based prompts. This innovation aims to eliminate the need for complex design skills, allowing users to quickly generate detailed models by describing their ideas. Whether for personal projects or engineering prototypes, this tool makes model generation more accessible and intuitive.

The platform seamlessly integrates with Bambu Lab’s 3D printers, ensuring smooth transitions from concept to physical print. Users can create, refine, and customize their designs directly within the tool, making it easier to experiment with new ideas. Its flexibility accommodates a wide range of applications, from artistic designs to functional parts, all while streamlining the traditionally complex 3D printing workflow.

This launch reinforces Bambu Lab’s mission to push the boundaries of accessible 3D printing technology. By combining artificial intelligence with advanced printing capabilities, the company empowers users at every skill level to innovate and bring their concepts to life more efficiently than ever before. This product represents a significant step forward in the democratization of 3D design and fabrication.

Ethical Considerations & Real-World Impact 
The Battle for Content: News Corp’s Lawsuit Against Perplexity AI and the Future of Journalism

The lawsuit between News Corp and Perplexity AI illustrates the rising tensions between journalism and AI platforms reshaping how information is accessed. News Corp argues that Perplexity scrapes and repurposes its content—such as articles from The Wall Street Journal—without proper permission or compensation, diverting readers away from original sources. This undermines the revenue models that many media outlets rely on, like subscriptions and paywalls, which are essential to sustaining quality journalism. Smaller publications, in particular, could face existential threats if AI-driven tools further erode their audience and revenue streams, leading to consolidation and fewer diverse voices in the media landscape.

Beyond financial harm, the lawsuit raises concerns about the reliability and accuracy of AI-generated content. Perplexity has been accused of attributing false information to News Corp’s publications and citing incorrect sources, which introduces the risk of misinformation. As AI tools become central to content discovery, these errors can have significant consequences, potentially misleading the public and weakening trust in reputable journalism (which is hard enough to come by at present). The platform's “skip the links” feature compounds this issue by removing the context and nuance found in original reporting, diminishing the role of professional journalists in shaping the narrative.

The case also touches on potential deeper ethical questions about intellectual property and accountability in an AI-driven world. Perplexity’s failure to respond to News Corp’s earlier warnings reflects a broader challenge: AI platforms operating with little transparency or oversight. A balance must be found where innovation can coexist with fair compensation for content creators. Collaborative efforts between media outlets and AI companies could ensure responsible use of content, fostering mutual benefit while preserving journalistic independence. The outcome of this lawsuit will set a precedent not only for the future of AI and media but also for the evolving standards of fairness and integrity in the digital age.

AI Tool of the Week - clay.com

The Toolbox for using AI

One tool we’ve been excited about on Artificial Antics is Clay.com. It’s a strong platform for data enrichment and sales automation, integrating with over 75 data providers to streamline your lead research and prospecting process. With AI handling tasks like data enrichment, research summaries, and personalized email drafting, it frees up your team to focus on closing deals.

Our friend and guest Tim Cakir introduced us to Clay, and he highlighted how effective it is for researching leads and prospecting. It also integrates smoothly with CRMs like Salesforce and HubSpot, making it a great addition to any sales workflow.

Here’s a quick rundown of some of Clay’s features:

• Waterfall Enrichment: Queries multiple providers for accurate data.

• AI Research Agent: Searches websites and answers questions.

• Personalized Messaging: Drafts tailored emails for prospects.

• Comprehensive Data Coverage: Access to over 75 data sources.

If you’re looking to level up your lead research and prospecting, Clay.com is definitely worth checking out!

Rico's Roundup

Critical Insights and Curated Content from Rico

Skeptics Corner
Microsoft’s Stake in OpenAI – What Really Grinds My Gears

I feel like Peter Griffin from Family Guy on one of his “What Really Grinds My Gears” segments, but here we are, picking apart the looming possibility of Microsoft becoming a major shareholder in OpenAI. If you’ve followed me for a while, you know I’ve talked at length about information bias, the dangers of centralized control over knowledge, and the thin ice we tread when Big Tech starts influencing what we can and can’t say (aka censorship). This latest development only feeds those concerns.

Now, it’s been a messy year for OpenAI. Their trust and safety team jumped ship, citing poor oversight. The company has started filling board seats with individuals who seem a little too close for comfort with folks you do not want in charge of a company like OpenAI, and now, they’re preparing to ditch the non-profit label they initially sold us all on. OpenAI is rapidly transforming into a public-benefit corporation—complete with private equity holdings, military ties, and the ever-watchful eye of Bill Gates.

What does it mean when a company that once claimed to serve the public good becomes another cog in the military-industrial complex? Microsoft’s rumored $14 billion investment suggests they’ll own a substantial slice of the pie when OpenAI finalizes its transition. These negotiations are still ongoing, with both sides bringing in investment banks to hammer out how much equity goes to employees like Sam Altman versus how much lands in Microsoft’s hands.

It’s one thing for a company to evolve, but this shift is happening fast and with little transparency. Microsoft will likely gain significant governance rights in OpenAI—raising serious questions about impartiality. And let’s be real: Do we really want a tech giant, known for its commercial interests, holding the keys to one of the most powerful AI platforms?

This is the same company that embeds AI across its ecosystem and powers everything from Office products to Azure’s cloud offerings. Their deep involvement with OpenAI risks creating an even tighter grip on our digital landscape, which should scare most people. There’s a fine line between innovation and monopolization—and I’d say we’re veering dangerously toward the latter.

These developments remind me of the concerns raised by artists like Ice Cube when AI becomes another tool controlled by a select few. The narrative around AI should be about democratization, not gatekeeping. If OpenAI’s transformation goes unchecked, we’ll see AI’s potential co-opted, not for public good, but for corporate gain and military partnerships. But, I digress. All I can say for now is stay tuned and stay skeptical, folks. If the folks in charge get to rewrite the rules mid-game, we have every right to question the motives behind it.

I would love to hear others thoughts on these statistics and projections, so please hit us up on LinkedIn or our X.com account and let us know what you think. Where do you see the future of AI taking us?

Must-Read Articles

Mike's Musings

AI Tips
Mastering Prompt Engineering: Your Guide to Effective AI Interaction

Prompt engineering is all about guiding the AI in the right direction to get more precise and insightful responses. Here are some more examples to illustrate how you can refine your prompts for better results:

By specifying the timeframe, context, comparison, specific group, or type of detail you are looking for, you help the AI narrow down the response, leading to richer and more relevant information. It’s all about narrowing the scope and adding contextual depth to your queries.

Use Systematic Feedback: Fine-tune AI models by providing consistent feedback. If you receive an answer that’s too broad, reply with, “Can you provide more detail on X?” This teaches the model what depth you need.

Leverage Multi-turn Conversations: If an AI doesn't fully understand your question, break it down step-by-step. Build up the conversation rather than expecting a perfect response all at once.

Testing with Edge Cases: When building or fine-tuning AI systems, always test with edge cases—examples that are unusual but possible. It helps ensure your AI is robust and reliable.

Beware of Hallucinations: Always verify factual claims made by AI models. They might generate convincing-sounding information that is entirely fabricated, so cross-check any essential data they provide.

Mike’s Favorite
Clip: Dubai Art Museum uses AI to create immersive experience where patrons art becomes part of a dynamic environment

This makes me feel like I'm a kid again. When I see stuff like this, it makes me happy that AI tech can fuse with real art (hand drawn by kids) and turn it into a living landscape.

AI is bringing static images to life, using deep learning to understand brushstrokes, colors, and composition, then predicting how an artwork might move or change over time.

This approach adds animation to paintings, staying true to the artist's vision while giving it a new twist. Often integrated with AR devices, visitors can use their phones or wearables to see these pieces come alive, making museums way more interactive.

Imagine watching landscapes ripple, figures blink, or abstract shapes evolve. This blend of AI and art at the Dubai Art Museum shows how technology can amplify creativity, turning museums from passive displays into dynamic, immersive experiences.

Video credit and rights are reserved for the respective owner (s).

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Quote of the week: "AI is not a substitute for human intelligence; it is a tool to amplify human creativity and ingenuity." – Fei-Fei Li