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While I focus on Technology, Innovation, and Publishing, because I have a platform, I also flag items that I think are important. I also try to include some resources & opportunities. This is a double issue, so there are a lot of links. Please let me know what you think.

Important Items

Don’t believe him

ICYMI Tr*mp is flooding the zone, as Bannon’s strategy of muzzle velocity.

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/02/opinion/ezra-klein-podcast-trump-column-read.html

C.D.C. Posts, Then Deletes, Data on Bird Flu Spread Between Cats and People

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/06/health/cdc-bird-flu-cats-people.html

Abandoned in the Middle of Clinical Trials, Because of a Trump Order

The stop-work order on U.S.A.I.D.-funded research has left thousands of people with experimental drugs and devices in their bodies, with no access to monitoring or care.

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/06/health/usaid-clinical-trials-funding-trump.html

ACOG Will Host Contraceptive Guidance for Ob/Gyns Amid CDC Website Purge

https://www.medpagetoday.com/obgyn/generalobgyn/114078

How Tr*mp’s version of Title IX could impact vulnerable students

https://19thnews.org/2025/02/trump-education-department-title-ix/

Trump dismisses Archivist of the United States

https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5134025-trump-national-archivist-fired/

Technology

Google drops AI weapons ban—what it means for the future of artificial intelligence

Google has removed its long-standing prohibition against using artificial intelligence for weapons and surveillance systems, marking a significant shift in the company’s ethical stance on AI development that former employees and industry experts say could reshape how Silicon Valley approaches AI safety.

https://venturebeat.com/ai/google-drops-ai-weapons-ban-what-it-means-for-the-future-of-artificial-intelligence/

Runway’s new AI image generator Frames is here, and it looks fittingly cinematic

ICYMI

https://venturebeat.com/ai/runways-new-ai-image-generator-frames-is-here-and-it-looks-fittingly-cinematic/

OmniHuman: ByteDance’s new AI creates realistic videos from a single photo

ByteDance researchers have developed an AI system that transforms single photographs into realistic videos of people speaking, singing and moving naturally — a breakthrough that could reshape digital entertainment and communications. The new system, called OmniHuman, generates full-body videos that show people gesturing and moving in ways that match their speech, surpassing previous AI models that could only animate faces or upper bodies.

https://venturebeat.com/ai/omnihuman-bytedances-new-ai-creates-realistic-videos-from-a-single-photo/

OpenAI launches Operator, an AI agent that performs tasks autonomously

OpenAI’s Operator is a general-purpose AI agent that can automate tasks by controlling a web browser, marking a key advancement in AI agents for 2025. It aims to simplify processes like booking travel and making reservations while allowing users to monitor its actions in real time. Operator mimics human interactions with websites, navigating menus and filling out forms without needing developer APIs. OpenAI is working with companies like DoorDash and eBay to ensure compliance with their terms of service, and the it includes safeguards that require user confirmation for significant actions. While Operator has limitations, such as struggling with complex tasks and requiring supervision for sensitive actions, its launch represents a significant step toward transforming how users interact with the internet.

https://techcrunch.com/2025/01/23/openai-launches-operator-an-ai-agent-that-performs-tasks-autonomously/

Perplexity now has a mobile assistant on Android

The AI assistant can perform tasks for you as well as ‘see’ what’s on your screen. It can answer questions and perform tasks like writing emails and booking rides.

https://www.theverge.com/2025/1/23/24350488/perplexity-ai-mobile-assistant-android

OpenAI’s surprise new o3-powered ‘Deep Research’ mode shows the power of the AI agent era

OpenAI has launched “Deep Research”, a new mode for ChatGPT Pro users, which can analyze large amounts of information and integrate text, PDFs, and images. It’s aimed at professionals in finance, science, policy, and engineering, but also offers personalized recommendations for consumers. Google offers a similar service which launched on Gemini a couple of months ago.

https://venturebeat.com/ai/openais-surprise-new-o3-powered-deep-research-shows-the-power-of-the-ai-agent-era/

Adobe Acrobat’s AI chatbot can now decipher contract jargon

Adobe has enhanced Acrobat’s AI Assistant with new “contract intelligence capabilities” to help users better understand contracts. This feature automatically identifies contracts in files and scanned documents, summarizing complex language for easier comprehension.

https://www.theverge.com/news/605741/adobe-acrobat-ai-assistant-contract-features-availability

OpenAI targets higher education in the U.S. with ChatGPT rollout at California State University

OpenAI is rolling out an education-specific version of ChatGPT to 500,000 students and faculty across 23 campuses of the largest public university system in the U.S. While this could transform study habits and administrative workflows, it also raises fresh concerns about AI-assisted plagiarism and data privacy — especially as rival Alphabet pushes deeper into AI-powered education.

https://www.reuters.com/technology/openai-targets-higher-education-us-with-chatgpt-rollout-california-state-2025-02-04/

Publishing & Media

Turning Copyright on Its Head: The UK’s Proposed AI Copyright Exception

HT @inkbitspixels Via @victoriastrauss The UK has put forward a series of proposals addressing issues around GAI and copyright–including a significant change to copyright law: the creation of an exception to copyright that would allow GAI companies to train on internet material without having to seek permission from creators. In exchange, GAI companies would be required to offer “increased transparency” on the content they use and where they get it; and creators would have the option to “reserve their rights”–i.e., to opt out. But copyright is an opt-in system and opt-out places the burden of protecting creative work entirely on the creator–a huge and possibly unachievable task.

https://writerbeware.blog/2025/01/31/turning-copyright-on-its-head-the-uks-proposed-ai-copyright-exception/

Why Simon & Schuster’s Flagship Imprint Won’t Require Blurbs Anymore

ICYMI Sean Manning, the Publisher of Simon & Schuster’s flagship imprint, has decided not to require blurbs (authors endorsing new books from other authors).

https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/96957-why-simon-schuster-s-flagship-imprint-won-t-require-blurbs-anymore.html

AI-Generated Slop Is Already In Your Public Library

HT @publishingtrend Librarians say that taxpayers are already paying for low quality AI-generated ebooks in public libraries.

https://www.404media.co/ai-generated-slop-is-already-in-your-public-library-3/

Romantasy and BookTok driving a huge rise in science fiction and fantasy sales

The subgenre helped increase the market share by 41.3% last year aided by bestseller Fourth Wing from Rebecca Yarros while food and drink topped nonfiction sales

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2025/feb/03/romantasy-and-booktok-driving-a-huge-rise-in-science-fiction-and-fantasy-sales

133 Black-Owned Bookstores in America That Amplify the Best in Literature

https://www.oprahdaily.com/entertainment/books/a33497812/black-owned-bookstores/

Introducing memberships to Hearst UK’s iconic magazine portfolio: “There’s no one-size-fits-all,” says Katie Vanneck Smith

HT @BoSacks Subscriptions are transactional. Memberships are emotional.

Subscribers pay. Members participate.

Subscribers buy. Members belong.

https://voices.media/introducing-memberships-to-hearsts-iconic-magazine-portfolio-theres-no-one-size-fits-all-says-katie-vanneck-smith/

Publishers, Authors Guild, and More File Lawsuit Against Idaho’s Discriminatory Book Banning Bill

Idaho has deputized private citizens to hunt libraries. Under its new ban, anyone can sue a library for having a book they think is inappropriate.

HB 710 makes zero distinction between babies and 17 year olds, meaning that books are simply classified as harmful for minors. It does not bother considering that the intellectual capacity and needs of a three-year-old differ from those of a 16-year-old. This has led to adult fiction–including classics–and adult nonfiction–often used for research papers and general educational purposes–to be banned for high schoolers. #teamPRH

https://bookriot.com/idaho-hb710-lawsuit/

More State Bills Targeting Books and Libraries

Via Kelly Jensen.

https://buttondown.com/wellsourced/archive/more-state-bills-targeting-books-and-libraries/

Resources & Opportunities

Galentine’s Day Soirée

Raise a glass with friends and colleagues at this members-only soirée! Dress in red, pink, or any shade you love, and gather with other WMG gal pals for this Galentine’s Day celebration. We’ll enjoy hors d’oeuvres, wine, and an array of Valentine-themed sweets in the elegant home of a WMG member. Bring a children’s book to be donated to a local nonprofit dedicated to expanding literacy opportunities in NYC communities. 2/12 6-8, WMG members only, $15. In-person NYC.

https://www.womensmediagroup.org/event-6017795

Celebrating Black History Month: Clips & Conversation with a Filmmaker

In celebration of Black History Month, WMG member Lisa Durden will share the inspiration behind Blind Divas, a documentary film she is writing, directing, and producing. She will speak about her journey as a Black journalist, the importance of telling stories that reflect the Black experience, and the behind-the-scenes process—from production to fundraising to marketing—involved in making this film. Via Zoom 2/19 6-7:15pm ET. FREE for WMG Members, $20 for non-members.

https://www.womensmediagroup.org/event-6039817

Podcasts and Beyond: Using Audio To Build Your Brand, Spread Your Message, or Promote Your Business

Audio has become a crucial tool for establishing your profile as a subject matter expert and a thought leader in your field. Whether it’s through podcasts, audiobooks, or narrated articles, voice-driven storytelling offers a tremendous opportunity to connect with listeners in an intimate, personal, and memorable way. Courtney Reimer, a distinguished podcast strategist and content development expert, will guide you through the key benefits of incorporating audio into your media portfolio and how to make it a powerful part of your storytelling toolkit. 2/26 12-1pm ET on Zoom. FREE for WMG Members, $15 for non-members.

https://www.womensmediagroup.org/event-6039828