🎬 OpenAI backs Critterz animated AI film 🎬
OpenAI ventures into entertainment with AI-assisted animated feature targeting Cannes premiere.

OpenAI backs Critterz animated AI film aims to revolutionize animation production timelines and costs. The project plans to complete production in just nine months with a budget under $30M, dramatically faster and cheaper than traditional animated films which typically take three years and much larger budgets. The film will leverage GPT-5 and image-generation models to transform sketches into full animation sequences, while human actors provide voice work. This represents OpenAI's ambitious test of whether generative AI tools can fundamentally transform creative industries, targeting a 2026 Cannes Film Festival premiere.

🧠 MIT startup unveils brain-reading wearable device 🧠
MIT spinout Alterego demonstrates breakthrough wearable enabling silent digital interaction through neuromuscular signals.

MIT spinout Alterego has demonstrated a breakthrough wearable device that reads neuromuscular signals, enabling users to type, search, and interact with applications completely silently. CEO Arnav Kapur showcased the technology's ability to take notes and conduct silent conversations with AI systems without any audible speech. The device represents a significant advancement in brain-computer interface technology, offering practical applications for productivity enhancement in noisy environments. Beyond workplace applications, the technology holds transformative potential for individuals with ALS and other conditions that affect speech capabilities.

📹 Google cuts Veo 3 pricing by half 📹
Google enhances Veo 3 video generation platform with major pricing reductions and feature improvements.

Google cuts Veo 3 pricing by half significantly enhanced its video generation platform with major pricing reductions and feature improvements. The company cut Veo 3 pricing by nearly half to $0.40 per second, making AI video generation more accessible to creators and businesses. New features include support for vertical 9:16 video formats optimized for mobile and social media platforms, along with 1080p HD output quality. These updates position Google's video AI tools more competitively against rivals like OpenAI's Sora and other video generation platforms, signaling Google's commitment to democratizing AI video creation tools.

INTERESTING TO KNOW

⚖️ OpenAI faces California restructuring opposition ⚖️

OpenAI faces mounting opposition to its planned for-profit restructuring from California's most influential philanthropies, nonprofits, and labor organizations. This coordinated resistance campaign has reportedly concerned OpenAI executives and sparked internal discussions about potentially relocating operations outside of California. The restructuring plan is currently under investigation by attorneys general in both California and Delaware, reflecting broader concerns about AI safety and corporate responsibility.

💰 Databricks confirms new $100B valuation 💰

Databricks has secured an additional $1 billion in funding at a valuation exceeding $100 billion, reinforcing its position as one of the world's most valuable private technology companies. The round was co-led by Thrive Capital and Insight Partners, with the company reporting $4 billion in annual recurring revenue. Databricks plans to invest the new capital in developing its database infrastructure specifically designed for AI agents, positioning itself at the intersection of data management and artificial intelligence.

H-FARM EVENTS ON AI

Club AI @ H-FARM Campus - September 18, 6:00 PM

Quick heads-up (and tiny shameless plug): we’re highlighting an H-FARM event in this newsletter - because we genuinely think it might be interesting if you fancy a trip in our wonderful campus just outside Venice (for free! 🙂) discussing AI.

H-FARM’s AI Club is a monthly community meetup that brings up to 500 people together to cut through the AI noise with real news, real cases, real debate.

On stage this edition:

• Diego Pizzocaro (CEO, H-FARM AI): the latest AI news but mixed with our comments, perspectives and your questions.

• Luca Pezzullo (President, Order of Psychologists of Veneto Region): “AI & Consciousness: Illusion, Reality, and Risks.”

• Enterprise Voice Agents (CISCO): what really works in large organizations - architecture, rollout, ROI with AI Voice tech.

Language: English (full session)