Ai Creator Economy

The Information's in-depth reporting about Ai Creator Economy.
Follow this topic to get the latest updates from The Information reporters and subscribers.

Recent Articles about Ai Creator Economy
Photo by Sebastian Gollnow/picture alliance via Getty Images.
Creator Economy

The Influencers Campaigning For Elon’s $45 Billion Payday

By Becky Peterson and Abubakar Idris · May 29, 2024 2:05pm PDT · 3 comments
Elon Musk’s superfans are taking a page out of the influential CEO’s social media playbook. Today I reported on a grassroots effort by Tesla influencers to swing an upcoming shareholder vote in favor of board proposals that could reinstate a $45 billion pay package for Elon Musk and move Tesla’s legal home to Texas. Popular X posters and Tesla... Elon Musk’s superfans are taking a page out of the influential CEO’s social media playbook. Today...
Photo by Murat Kocabas via Getty Images.
Creator Economy

Threads’ Awkward Teenage Years

By Sylvia Varnham O'Regan · May 23, 2024 2:30pm PDT
On July 5, it will be one year since the launch of Threads, Instagram’s rival to Twitter.Though the app was big news when it launched—the timeline for its release was accelerated to make the most of the chaos engulfing Twitter—chatter about the app has been relatively quiet since then.That’s in part because generative artificial intelligence... On July 5, it will be one year since the launch of Threads, Instagram’s rival to Twitter.Though...
Scarlett Johansson at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival. Photo by Dominique Charriau via Getty Images.
Creator Economy

Scarlett Johannson’s Complaints Could Fuel U.S. ‘Right of Publicity’ Law

By Kaya Yurieff · May 21, 2024 2:58pm PDT · 5 comments
What a mess OpenAI seems to have created with Scarlett Johansson! One bright note for creators is that her allegations that the startup ripped off her voice after she refused an offer to voice its chatbot could help speed up national legislation that protects artists. I spoke to two legal experts today to get a better understanding of the... What a mess OpenAI seems to have created with Scarlett Johansson! One bright note for creators is...
Photo via Google.
Google’s Sora Competitor Is Coming to YouTube
By Kaya Yurieff · May 14, 2024 2:00pm PDT
Photo via Google.
Creator Economy

Google’s Sora Competitor Is Coming to YouTube

By Kaya Yurieff · May 14, 2024 2:00pm PDT
Google is coming for OpenAI’s Sora—and the plethora of other young startups offering ways to create AI-generated video, ranging from Runway to Pika. On Tuesday at its annual developer conference Google I/O, the company announced Veo, which creates AI-generated videos from text, image and video prompts. Demis Hassabis, co-founder & CEO... Google is coming for OpenAI’s Sora—and the plethora of other young startups offering ways to...
A screening at the 2023 AI Film Festival. Photo via Runway/AI Film Festival.
Creator Economy

Runway Charms Filmmakers; Meta Exec Responds to TikTok Ban

By Abubakar Idris · May 9, 2024 2:47pm PDT · 1 comment
When Marvel used artificial intelligence in the opening title sequence of the television series “Secret Invasion,” last year, it signaled AI had found its way into Hollywood. That didn’t sit well with a lot of people in entertainment. On-strike actors last year attributed some of their grievances to the impact of AI on their jobs. One... When Marvel used artificial intelligence in the opening title sequence of the television series “...
TikTok offices in Culver City. Photo by Getty
Creator Economy

A Chart Shows TikTok's Growing List of Rivals

By Kaya Yurieff · May 8, 2024 2:00pm PDT
As TikTok kicks off its legal fight against a ban or forced sale of the app in the U.S., our chart below shows just how much competition it faces from other big tech companies, which stand to gain from a potential retreat. While Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts are the two most popular alternatives among creators to TikTok, other... As TikTok kicks off its legal fight against a ban or forced sale of the app in the U.S., our...
AI generated images of Katy Perry and Rihanna circulated on social media. Screenshots via X and Instagram
Creator Economy

The Met Gala Had An AI Problem, Not A TikTok One

By Kaya Yurieff · May 7, 2024 2:00pm PDT · 1 comment
Ahead of Monday night’s Met Gala, you had to wonder whether TikTok’s first-time sponsorship of the high-profile fashion and fundraising event would set up an awkward dynamic given the app’s uncertain future in the U.S. Instead, the Met Gala had an artificial intelligence problem, not a TikTok one. Ahead of Monday night’s Met Gala, you had to wonder whether TikTok’s first-time sponsorship of...
Snapchat's immersive "More Snapchat" experience at IAB NewFronts in New York City. Photo via Snapchat.
Snap Pitches Advertisers on its Olympics Plans
By Sahil Patel · May 2, 2024 3:20pm PDT
Snapchat's immersive "More Snapchat" experience at IAB NewFronts in New York City. Photo via Snapchat.
Creator Economy

Snap Pitches Advertisers on its Olympics Plans

By Sahil Patel · May 2, 2024 3:20pm PDT
It’s NewFronts week in New York, when tech companies and digital media firms pitch advertisers by teasing cool initiatives they have planned. Snap, which held a flashy event at Cipriani 25 Broadway in the Financial District Wednesday, unveiled a big investment in sports and creators. At the upcoming Summer Olympics in June, the parent of... It’s NewFronts week in New York, when tech companies and digital media firms pitch advertisers by...
Pro-TikTok demonstrators outside of the Capitol building on March 13. Photo by AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite.
Creator Economy

Creators Fear Sale of TikTok Without Its Algorithm

By Kaya Yurieff · May 1, 2024 2:24pm PDT · 1 comment
Last week, we reported ByteDance is internally exploring scenarios for selling a majority stake in TikTok’s U.S. business. Any such sale would happen without a crucial benefit: its powerful recommendation algorithm.That possibility makes creators particularly nervous. TikTok’s algorithm, which quickly figures out a user’s interests, makes it... Last week, we reported ByteDance is internally exploring scenarios for selling a majority stake...
Beehiiv co-founders from left to right: Tyler Denk, Benjamin Hargett and Jacob Hurd.
Creator Economy

The 6 Biggest Creator Startup Deals as Funding Rebounds

By Kaya Yurieff · Apr 30, 2024 2:14pm PDT
Today we report on more signs that investor appetite for creator economy startups seems to be returning. The latest example: newsletter publishing startup Beehiiv on Tuesday announced it closed $33 million in Series B funding led by NEA earlier this month. Existing investors such as Lightspeed Venture Partners also joined the round.  ... Today we report on more signs that investor appetite for creator economy startups seems to be...
Photo by Future Publishing via Getty Images.
Creator Economy

YouTube Shorts Advertising Perks Up

By Kaya Yurieff · Apr 25, 2024 3:49pm PDT
Is it possible that YouTube has figured out how to sell Shorts to advertisers? On a call with investors in parent Alphabet, executives indicated the monetization of YouTube Shorts is showing signs of improvement. That’s good news for creators (and Alphabet shareholders) who have seen advertisers pay far less for YouTube Shorts than longer... Is it possible that YouTube has figured out how to sell Shorts to advertisers? On a call with...
VR headsets at the Meta's booth at a trade fair in Germany. Photo by Krisztian Bocsi/Bloomberg via Getty Images.
Reels Is Eating Instagram; TikTok Lite Gets Muzzled
By Sylvia Varnham O'Regan · Apr 24, 2024 4:15pm PDT
VR headsets at the Meta's booth at a trade fair in Germany. Photo by Krisztian Bocsi/Bloomberg via Getty Images.
Creator Economy

Reels Is Eating Instagram; TikTok Lite Gets Muzzled

By Sylvia Varnham O'Regan · Apr 24, 2024 4:15pm PDT
Meta Platforms’ warning of slowing growth and higher expenses Wednesday night sank the stock, which had run up 43% this year. But Meta executives, not surprisingly, focused on the bright spots —among them, video. Instagram Reels—Meta’s answer to TikTok—now makes up 50% of the time spent on the app, a pretty big number when you think about... Meta Platforms’ warning of slowing growth and higher expenses Wednesday night sank the stock,...
Photo by NurPhoto via Getty Images.
Creator Economy

Threads Offers Creators $500 to Post About ‘Positivity’

By Kaya Yurieff · Apr 23, 2024 2:07pm PDT
Since Threads’ launch last summer, creators have grumbled to me about the lack of money-making opportunities or clear reasons for them to spend time posting on Instagram’s text-focused sister app. Threads is now trying one obvious route: paying them (a little) to post. Instagram invited some creators this month to join a challenge focused... Since Threads’ launch last summer, creators have grumbled to me about the lack of money-making...
Mr. Beast on March 09, 2024 in Miami. Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images.
Creator Economy

MrBeast and Other YouTubers Are Rapidly Inking FAST Deals

By Sahil Patel · Apr 18, 2024 2:26pm PDT
It’s very likely that you have heard the term “FAST channel” bandied about recently, considering how often it gets brought up within the streaming industry. These “free ad-supported television” channels have proliferated on internet services like Pluto TV, Tubi and The Roku Channel that carry a continuous feed of video. This 24-hour programming... It’s very likely that you have heard the term “FAST channel” bandied about recently, considering...
CAA Vault facilitates scans of clients' body, face and voice to capture their persona and make an AI replica. Photo: CAA
Creator Economy

Hollywood Talent Agency CAA Tests AI Clones

By Kaya Yurieff · Apr 17, 2024 2:37pm PDT
There’s a palpable anxiety in Hollywood about AI leading to job losses or automating some of the creative process. Creative Artists Agency, the talent agency that represents stars like Brad Pitt and Reese Witherspoon, is also trying to figure out how entertainers can benefit. Last fall, the talent agency started testing a new initiative... There’s a palpable anxiety in Hollywood about AI leading to job losses or automating some of the...
What to Make of Venture’s New Appetite for Creator Startups
What to Make of Venture’s New Appetite for Creator Startups
By Kaya Yurieff · Apr 16, 2024 2:00pm PDT
What to Make of Venture’s New Appetite for Creator Startups
Creator Economy

What to Make of Venture’s New Appetite for Creator Startups

By Kaya Yurieff · Apr 16, 2024 2:00pm PDT
We are so back (sort of). Funding for U.S. creator economy startups increased for the first time in two years, bucking a continued slump in overall funding for American startups. Investments in these U.S. startups more than doubled in the first three months of the year to nearly $341 million year-over-year, according to The Information’s Creator... We are so back (sort of). Funding for U.S. creator economy startups increased for the first time...
Photo via Adobe Stock
Creator Economy

The Hard Numbers on YouTube Shorts

By Kaya Yurieff · Apr 10, 2024 2:17pm PDT
Last week, we published a deep dive into YouTube, whose leaders are bringing a new focus on financial discipline at the expense of support staff that helped creators grow and manage their accounts. That focus on the bottom line has raised the hackles of creators. But they could justifiably be more outraged about the slim financial payouts... Last week, we published a deep dive into YouTube, whose leaders are bringing a new focus on...
Dude Perfect raised more than $100 million from Highmount Capital. Photo: Dude Perfect
Creator Economy

What Dude Perfect’s Fundraise Says About the Creator Economy

By Kaya Yurieff · Apr 9, 2024 2:40pm PDT
As creators’ popularity has grown, some of the biggest are now raising capital to transform their online followings into long-lasting media and consumer companies.Dude Perfect, the five-person sports and comedy group that started with a popular YouTube channel, on Tuesday announced an investment from private equity firm Highmount Capital. A... As creators’ popularity has grown, some of the biggest are now raising capital to transform their...
Diplo at The Information's Creator Economy Summit. Photo: Erin Beach
Creator Economy

Diplo Says He Doesn't Care If TikTok Is Banned

By Kaya Yurieff · Apr 4, 2024 3:30pm PDT
Wow! I’m still buzzing from our Creator Economy Summit on Tuesday. It was amazing to see so many familiar faces, meet new subscribers and learn from our lineup of speakers. Thank you to everyone who traveled from near and far to be there! If you have any feedback on the event, we’d love to hear your thoughts. One of my favorite... Wow! I’m still buzzing from our Creator Economy Summit on Tuesday. It was amazing to see so many...
YouTube’s Shorts Challenge
YouTube’s Shorts Challenge
By Sahil Patel · Mar 28, 2024 2:51pm PDT
YouTube’s Shorts Challenge
Creator Economy

YouTube’s Shorts Challenge

By Sahil Patel · Mar 28, 2024 2:51pm PDT
It’s been a year since YouTube started sharing Shorts ad revenue with creators that meet certain audience requirements, and it’s starting to pay off. Sort of.More than 25% of YouTube channels in its YouTube Partnership Program are now earning revenue on its short-form videos, YouTube said. With more than 3 million creators in that program, that... It’s been a year since YouTube started sharing Shorts ad revenue with creators that meet certain...