Asking ChatGPT what it can do for marketers, and dissecting its answer — In our freshly published Outlook 2023 report, we highlighted the rise of synthetic media, aka media content generated by AI, as an emerging trend that has the potential to revolutionize digital content creation, reshape the landscape of the creator economy, and ultimately redefine our relationship to digital media. Among all…

From the homebody economy to waste-conscious consumption, consumers are increasingly relying on digital tools to mitigate mounting economic pressure — No one can say for sure whether we are in a recession or not. Inflation data seems to indicate we’re certainly heading toward one, if not already living through one, yet the consensus among economists is that the U.S. is, at least for now, not in a recession. Yet, some…

Some quick thoughts on the latest Bing developments — Microsoft’s crusade to disrupt search continues, but not without some speed bumps. While the company continues to make the AI-powered Bing more widely available, it is also trying to fix some of the issues that early-adopters have encountered that grabbed headlines. Here’s a quick follow-up to the various new developments…

Depending on which you think matters more — accuracy or intimacy? — Last week, Microsoft kicked off an arms race to integrate generative AI technology into search. At a media event last Tuesday, Microsoft proudly unveiled a new Bing search interface, powered by upgraded AI capabilities enabled by ChatGPT. At this stage of initial rollout, the upgraded Bing search is available only…

More beer ads and movie trailers will fill the void that crypto left behind — Another Super Bowl is upon us! As the most-watched televised event in the U.S. that pulls in around 100 million live viewers each year, the Super Bowl stands as arguably the last vestige of a mass media culture led by linear TV and live viewing. Considering that 30% of Americans…

Unpacking the ripple effects of EVs going mainstream and the shift in priority in mobility innovations — From the increasingly digital in-car experience to the latest developments in EVs and driverless technologies, various factors are transforming the mobility industry from an ownership-driven, lifestyle industry to an on-demand, accessible, and sustainable service. As a significant milestone, during Q2 of 2022, the number of connected cars surpassed that of…

Must-know innovation trends in auto, smart home, digital health, and more, as seen on the CES show floors — CES had a lot to prove this year. After going fully virtual in 2021 and opting for a hybrid model last year, the world’s biggest consumer tech event was gearing up for a full-scale comeback this year — the official slogan for this CES was “Be in it” and the…

Five questions that we hope CES 2023 will answer — Welcome to the Lab’s coverage of the 2023 Consumer Electronics Show (CES), straight from the exhibit halls of Las Vegas. This is the first time since the pandemic started that the entire Lab team will be attending in person, and we are keeping our eyes peeled for any indications of…

From Crypto’s rise and fall, to the metaverse mania — here’re the top five innovation trends of the year — With the holiday spirit in the air, now is the time to look back on the year we had, and recap the biggest and most impactful trends that emerged out of the intersection of media and technology. As with every year, all the top trends did not come out of…