A new report from the Pew Research Center shows a huge gap in perception when it comes to AI. While 56% of AI experts think it will be good for the U.S. long-term, only 17% of the public agrees. Most Americans fear AI will kill jobs, but many experts think it’ll either create new ones or not change much.

Clearly, the experts and the average American are not just on different pages—they're reading different books.

In this week’s edition, we’ve got ChatGPT’s new image generation, the crusade to protect news content, better flirting with a bot, and AI's spin on remixing recipes.

Let’s get started!

AI Image Magic

OpenAI just dropped a game-changing update to ChatGPT that's causing quite a stir in the AI world. The new GPT-4o model's image capabilities are so popular that OpenAI had to limit access as millions of users rushed to try it out. The new feature is on track to be one of the company’s most successful products to date.

What makes this update special? You can now edit existing images through natural conversation, create cartoon strips, logos and stickers with accurate text.  And most exciting of all — you can transform your photos into various artistic styles.

Simply upload any image and type "render the attached picture in the style of..." to see the magic happen.

The most popular transformation? Turning family photos into Studio Ghibli-style animations (think "Spirited Away"). But don't stop there—try Pixar, Lego, Barbie, or The Simpsons styles for equally impressive results, and let your imagination go wild.

We highly recommend digging up your favorite family portrait (that’s team member Justin and his sister in the images above - original, Ghibli, Barbie, and South Park) and spending a few minutes exploring this latest AI advance.

It's a perfect example of how AI continues to make creative tools more accessible to everyone, regardless of technical skill.

AI & News

Ads are popping up in hundreds of news publications and digital outlets across the country this week as part of a major campaign by news publishers to protect content from AI. The coordinated push is intended to pressure Big Tech and AI companies to pay for using journalistic content.

Prominent publishers — including The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Guardian, and Vox Media — are calling on lawmakers to step in. Their demands: clear rules on how AI systems use copyrighted material, and stronger protections for creators.

The ads feature bold slogans like “Keep Watch On AI” and “AI Steals From You Too.” The print and online ads include a call to action urging Congress to hold tech companies accountable and ensure they pay content creators.

The campaign follows recent lobbying efforts by OpenAI and Google, which asked regulators to permit AI models to train on copyrighted works — a move that publishers argue threatens the value and integrity of original reporting.

You can see all the ads here. Each ad includes a QR code linking to a site called Support Responsible AI. The site encourages users to contact their representatives to back policies enforcing attribution, transparency, and fair pay for human creators.

AI & Dating

Dating app Tinder is out this month with a novel way to improve your conversation skills and flirt with confidence. The Game Game™, an interactive AI chat that turns awkward flirting into a voice-activated improv session.

Built in partnership with OpenAI, it runs on ChatGPT’s Advanced Voice Mode and offers an easy (and private) way to practice talking to actual humans.

Ok, this might not be for our audience —but for the Gen Z singles in your orbit, it’s part of a fast-growing trend. The Game Game isn’t here to replace real conversations. It’s designed to prepare people for them, especially in a world where ‘awkward’ is the new authentic.

For Tinder users, here’s how it works:

• Start by choosing an AI-generated persona and a dating scenario based on your preferences.

• Use your voice to chat with the character—your goal is to win them over before time runs out.

• The AI scores your performance on a three-flame scale and offers real-time feedback as the convo unfolds.

• At the end, you’ll get a full rundown of how you did, with the option to save or share your score.

Tinder’s not alone in the AI dating game. Hinge has an AI prompt editor. Grindr is testing an AI wingman. Meanwhile, niche apps like Rizz and WingAI are letting bots handle the first moves entirely.

The Game Game is available on iOS in the U.S.—but only for a limited time. And if you’re curious, there’s no shortage of reviews from users who gave it a spin. Based on the feedback, either AI still needs to brush up on its charm—or we all do.

AI Food & Drink

If you love playing with AI-generated recipe tools as much as we do – and you’re a fan of international flavors, get ready for a tasty adventure with Food Mood. Brought to you by Google Arts & Culture, Food Mood blends cuisines from different corners of the world into creative inspirations for your next meal.

The online tool is easy to use, offering a simple and intuitive design. Once you’re connected to the Food Mood dashboard, you’ll find a sample suggestion like this: I want a soup for 4 people mixing influences from Saint Lucia and Vanuatu. 

The highlighted text can be modified to reflect your preferences. Do you want soup or a starter? Main course or dessert? You can also choose how many people you want to serve and which types of cuisine you'd like to mix (two columns of choices offer a global buffet of options).

You can also customize your recipe with extra options. The tool lets you pick vegan, vegetarian, or gluten-free meals. You can even add a few specific ingredients of your own, thanks to the auto-suggest menu. Food Mood generates step-by-step instructions, cooking times, and pro tips on one side, while the Google AI image generator cooks up a mouth-watering image on the other.

Ok, so it’s a bit of a gimmick, but here’s what we loved the most: the creative culinary titles for each dish. Some examples:

• Ani’s Athenian Feast (combines cuisines from Armenia and Greece)

• Secrets of Marrakech’s Medina (combines cuisines from Mexico and Morocco)

• The Pearl of Melanesia (combines cuisines from Saint Lucia and Vanuatu)

Whether the AI-generated fusion dish turns out to be a new favorite or just a fun way to pass some time online, Food Mood is definitely worth a try for anyone who loves exploring creative and adventurous recipes.

AI in the News (in case you missed it)

• AI outperforms urgent care docs, study says. Read here.

• Microsoft says it's 'slowing or pausing' some AI data center projects. Read here.

• AI proves that fingerprints are not unique, upending the legal system. Read here.

• Fake job seekers are flooding U.S. companies that are hiring for remote positions. Read here.

   

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Here.Now.AI Editorial team: Lori and Justin