Alphabet’s AI offshoot DeepMind has created an AI tool called Dramatron that can help co-write scripts, generating things like plot points, character and location descriptions and dialogue. While a human will still need to manage the process by editing and rewriting Dramatron’s suggestions, the app is designed to make the screenwriting process faster and easier. To deploy Dramatron, users will need an OpenAI API key and, ideally, a Perspective API key to minimize the risk of “offensive text.” In addition to AI researchers, DeepMind tested the tool with 15 playwrights and screenwriters who used it to co-write scripts. Read more

Microsoft is entering the finance market in a 10-year partnership with the London Stock Exchange Group. As part of the deal, Microsoft has acquired nearly 4 percent of the UK bourse operator and teed-up its executive VP, Cloud and AI Group, Scott Guthrie, to be appointed a non-executive director of LSEG, which in January 2021 completed its acquisition of leading investment data firm Refinitiv. “Together we look forward to empowering the future of financial markets by delivering next generation data, analytics and workspace solutions,” Microsoft said of the agreement. Read more

For four days in Las Vegas, CES 2023 becomes the nucleus of global innovation. The Consumer Technology Association (CTA), owner of CES, predicts a show significantly larger than CES 2022, emerging from two pandemic restricted years on January 5. The annual confab will open more than two million square feet of exhibit space with more than 2,400 exhibitors and the expectation of as many as 100,000 attendees, more than double the last show. ETC@USC will have its team in place, on the ground and online, to explore the show floor and over 175 sessions and keynotes. We’ll be reporting on the latest in AI, Web3, multiverses, image displays and other emerging CE tech impacting M&E. Read more

Disney+ has launched its anticipated ad-supported tier, Disney+ Basic, for $7.99 per month in the U.S., while the cost of its ad-free Premium subscription bumps up to $10.99 per month. The company has also reconfigured its bundles, adding the Disney Bundle Duo (Disney+ Basic with Hulu’s ad-supported plan) for $9.99 per month, and the Disney Bundle Trio Basic (Disney+ Basic, with ad-supported Hulu and ESPN+) for $12.99 per month. Disney says it’s launching “with more than 100 advertisers across all major categories.” An ad-free Disney Bundle Trio Premium is also being offered, for $19.99 per month. Read more

The House Judiciary Committee has approved the American Music Fairness Act, which would require broadcast radio stations to pay royalties to performance artists and musicians. Currently only songwriters and publishers get royalties for terrestrial radio play. The U.S. is unusual among developed nations in failing to provide a legal framework for performer compensation for songs played on-air — a vestigial artifact from the days when radio was a fledgling media and airplay was considered promotion for record sales. Newer media, including streaming and other subscription services, pays performance royalties. Read more