openai launches google while anthropic expands its platform

Key Takeaways

• Val Kilmer's digital likeness, approved by his estate and compensated, will star in 'As Deep As the Grave' using generative AI, following SAG guidelines.
• Chinese filmmakers assert that AI cannot replace human actors, emphasizing the importance of human emotion and creativity in film.
• Encyclopedia Britannica and Merriam-Webster are suing OpenAI, alleging unlawful copying of nearly 100,000 articles to train ChatGPT and 'cannibalizing' their content.
• OpenAI CEO Sam Altman faced public criticism following the company's deal with the Pentagon to provide AI for classified government systems.
• Google Cloud is actively pitching Google as a stable and profitable AI partner for the Pentagon, offering tools like Gemini and contrasting with competitors like Anthropic and OpenAI.
• Edensoft and xFusion are partnering to develop the eCopilot Hub, an on-premise AI solution for enterprises focused on data security and cost reduction.
• AI is attracting billions in investment and transforming cell and gene therapy manufacturing by optimizing processes and automating lab procedures.
• Andrew Chen of a16z predicts AI-powered code generation will make spreadsheets obsolete, enabling users to create micro-applications from plain English.
• Over-reliance on AI for answers can create 'sensemaking debt,' leading leaders to miss critical human context and organizational realities.
• Writing professors are teaching students to discern when to engage in genuine intellectual struggle rather than solely relying on AI for polished work.

Val Kilmer's AI likeness stars in new film 'As Deep As the Grave'

Val Kilmer is posthumously appearing in the new film 'As Deep As the Grave' using generative AI. Director Coerte Voorhees wanted Kilmer for the role, which draws on his Native American heritage. Kilmer's estate and daughter Mercedes approved the use of AI, which utilizes younger images and footage of the actor. The film tells the true story of archaeologists Ann and Earl Morris and their work with the Navajo people. The production followed SAG guidelines and compensated Kilmer's estate.

AI Val Kilmer to posthumously star in 'As Deep As the Grave'

A digital version of the late actor Val Kilmer will appear in the independent film 'As Deep as the Grave' using generative AI. Kilmer's estate gave permission for his likeness to be used, and his daughter Mercedes stated he was optimistic about technology expanding storytelling. Kilmer died in 2025 and had previously used AI to recreate his voice for 'Top Gun: Maverick.' The film is based on the true story of archaeologists Ann and Earl Morris and their excavations in Arizona. The filmmakers stated they followed SAG guidelines for ethical AI use with a deceased actor.

AI Val Kilmer to posthumously star in 'As Deep As the Grave'

A generative AI version of Val Kilmer will co-star in the independent film 'As Deep as the Grave' a year after his death. Kilmer's estate approved the use of his digital likeness and is being compensated. His daughter Mercedes stated her father saw emerging technologies as tools for storytelling. Kilmer died in 2025, and his voice was previously altered using AI for 'Top Gun: Maverick.' The film, based on the true story of archaeologists Ann and Earl Morris, follows SAG guidelines for AI use with deceased actors. The AI Kilmer plays Father Fintan, a Catholic priest and spiritualist.

Val Kilmer resurrected by AI for new film 'As Deep As the Grave'

Val Kilmer will be digitally recreated using generative AI for the film 'As Deep As the Grave,' based on the true story of archaeologists Ann and Earl Morris. Kilmer was attached to the project before his death but could not film due to health issues. His estate and daughter Mercedes have supported the use of AI, which will use various images of the actor throughout his life. The film's director, Coerte Voorhees, stated that Kilmer's family believed the story was important and that Val wanted to be part of it. The AI version of Kilmer will play Father Fintan, a Native American spiritualist and Catholic priest.

Britannica sues OpenAI over AI training data

Encyclopedia Britannica and its subsidiary Merriam-Webster have sued OpenAI, alleging the AI company used their online articles and dictionary entries to train its chatbots. Britannica claims OpenAI's AI generated summaries of its content, reducing web traffic to its sites. OpenAI stated its models are trained on publicly available data and grounded in fair use. This lawsuit is one of many against tech companies for using copyrighted material without permission. Britannica seeks monetary damages and a court order to stop the alleged infringement.

Britannica sues OpenAI, claiming AI 'cannibalizes' information

Encyclopedia Britannica is suing OpenAI in federal court, claiming the AI giant is 'cannibalizing' centuries of its information. Britannica alleges that OpenAI unlawfully copied nearly 100,000 of its articles to train its large language models, like ChatGPT. The lawsuit states that ChatGPT produces near-verbatim copies of Britannica's content, diverting users from its websites. Britannica also accuses OpenAI of trademark infringement by implying permission and wrongfully citing Britannica in false AI hallucinations. The company seeks unspecified monetary damages and a court order to block the alleged infringement.

Chinese filmmakers say AI can't replace actors

At the Hong Kong FilMart, Chinese film industry leaders discussed AI's impact on filmmaking. Golden Rooster Awards president Zhang Hong emphasized that 'AI cannot replace actors,' highlighting the importance of human emotion and creativity. Panelists acknowledged AI's potential in areas like scriptwriting, special effects, and distribution. However, they also raised concerns about ethical issues, copyright, and job displacement. Director Frant Gwo shared how AI aids in creating complex visual effects for his films, acting as a collaborator. Actress Yao Chen stressed AI's difficulty in replicating the depth of human emotion in performances.

Playwright Jeremy O. Harris calls Sam Altman a 'Nazi' at Oscar party

Playwright Jeremy O. Harris confronted OpenAI CEO Sam Altman at the Vanity Fair Oscar party, calling him a 'Nazi' and the 'Goebbels of the Trump administration.' Harris later clarified he misspoke due to drinking and should have said 'Friedrich Flick,' a German industrialist who aided the Nazi party. The confrontation occurred after OpenAI signed a deal with the Pentagon to provide AI for classified government systems, which sparked backlash. Altman reportedly responded calmly to the accusation. Harris's play 'Slave Play' received 12 Tony nominations in 2020.

Edensoft partners with xFusion for on-premise AI solutions

Edensoft Holdings Limited has partnered with xFusion International to combine AI software and computing hardware for enterprise solutions. The collaboration will create the Edensoft eCopilot Hub, an on-premise system that integrates local computing power and AI applications. This partnership aims to enhance data security, reduce costs, and make AI adoption easier for clients. Edensoft specializes in digital intelligence and enterprise software, while xFusion provides information and communication solutions with strong hardware capabilities. The goal is to offer end-to-end digital intelligence services for businesses.

AI transforms cell and gene therapy manufacturing

Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing the cell and gene therapy (CGT) manufacturing market, attracting billions in investment. A BCC Research report highlights how AI, robotics, and machine learning are addressing key challenges like scalability and cost-effectiveness in CGT production. AI algorithms optimize cell cultures, predict efficacy, and automate lab procedures, increasing efficiency and reducing errors. Investment in AI-focused biotech companies is surging, with AI moving into practical manufacturing applications. The report predicts robust growth in the CGT tools and reagents market due to AI integration.

AI creates 'sensemaking debt' by replacing human inquiry, report warns

A Forbes article warns that relying too heavily on AI for answers creates 'sensemaking debt,' where leaders stop asking critical questions of their teams. Ardent Health's CHRO used AI for turnover data but missed the real issue: poor scheduling, which lived in nurses' experiences. AI provides technically correct but often useless information because it lacks human context. This debt accumulates when leaders choose AI summaries over conversations, leading to a gap between perceived and actual organizational reality. Rebuilding sensemaking requires genuine human inquiry and leaders actively listening.

AI code generation may end spreadsheets, says a16z partner

Andrew Chen, a partner at Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), predicts that AI-powered code generation will make spreadsheets obsolete. He argues that spreadsheets are essentially business logic trapped in a grid, lacking proper software development features like version control and testing. Chen believes AI has lowered the barrier to entry, allowing users to describe needs in plain English and generate real applications. With about a billion spreadsheet users worldwide, Chen anticipates a massive shift towards AI-generated micro-applications and proper software infrastructure for internal tools.

Google positions itself as Pentagon's AI partner

While competitors like Anthropic and OpenAI faced scrutiny over their Pentagon AI deals, Google Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian met with defense officials to pitch Google as a reliable partner. Google offered an expanded supply of its AI tools without the political controversy. Unlike startups, Google is profitable, and its parent company Alphabet reported significant earnings. Google's AI chatbot, Gemini, is improving and competing with rivals like Claude and ChatGPT. The company aims to be a stable and capable AI provider for the Defense Department.

Writing professors teach students when to struggle with AI

A writing professor discusses the challenge of teaching in the age of AI, emphasizing the importance of 'pro-learning' over being strictly pro- or anti-AI. She notes that while AI can produce polished work, it often contains inaccuracies and students may not realize they are shortcutting their own thinking. The professor's role is shifting to guide students in discerning genuine intellectual struggle from AI-generated content. She believes students need to learn when to push through difficulty to achieve deep learning, rather than relying solely on AI tools.

Sources

• Val Kilmer in 'As Deep As the Grave, His Performance was AI Generated
• An AI Val Kilmer is set to posthumously appear in a new movie
• An AI-rendered Val Kilmer will posthumously appear in a new film
• Val Kilmer set to be be resurrected with AI for new film
• Encyclopedia Britannica sues OpenAI over AI training
• Antiquity vs. artificial intelligence: a war over information has begun
• Golden Rooster Roundtable Talks Chinese Cinema in the Age of AI at Hong Kong FilMart: ‘AI Cannot Replace Actors’
• Jeremy O. Harris drunkenly called OpenAI's Sam Altman a Nazi at the Vanity Fair Oscar party
• Edensoft strikes xFusion AI hardware partnership to bolster on-premise enterprise solutions
• Artificial Intelligence Reshaping the Cell and Gene Therapy Manufacturing Landscape, New BCC Research Report Finds
• Sensemaking Debt: When AI Answers Every Question And Leaders Stop Asking
• AI Will Mean The End Of Spreadsheets: a16z’s Andrew Chen
• Google Sits Pretty as A.I. Rivals Compete for Pentagon Favor
• Writing Professor’s Task in Age of AI: Teaching When to Struggle · Babson Thought & Action