This week, we’re applauding a major step toward harnessing AI for the greater good. The US has joined Britain, Israel, and members of the European Union in signing the world’s first international AI treaty to prevent misuse of the new tech, such as spreading misinformation or using biased data to make decisions.

More nations are expected to join in the pursuit of responsible innovation.

In today’s edition, we’ve got an AI-powered tool to create visuals for your business presentations, Oprah’s prime-time TV special on AI (airing tonight!), an intriguing shell game, and laundry fabric fixes with AI. 

Let’s get started!

AI Productivity

Crafting a compelling business presentation is both an art and a science. Eye-catching visuals can distill complex ideas into a single, powerful image. But designing those visuals can often be time-consuming, tedious, and frustrating.

Napkin AI is flipping the script, making it easier than ever to create professional-grade visuals. With its intuitive interface, Napkin transforms your text into custom graphics in seconds, bypassing the need for traditional design tools.

How it works: No need for multiple prompts or complex commands. Share your text, and Napkin will generate a number of graphics options. You can then tweak elements like text, colors, and backgrounds to fit your style, and export your final product as a PDF or PNG.

We tested Napkin by crafting a visual to compare two AI assistants, ChatGPT and Claude. Napkin quickly converted our information into a clean, simple graphic (see above).

While the tool offers a wide selection of icons, we found some mismatches in the branding for ChatGPT and Claude. Napkin is particularly effective with succinct content; when it comes to this AI tool, less really is more.

Currently in beta and free to use, Napkin AI offers a smart shortcut for anyone looking to enhance their presentations without the typical design headaches. It's a tool that’s already proving to be a huge time-saver, helping you make a bigger impact with your business.

AI on Television

AI is going mainstream with a little help from a television icon. Oprah Winfrey will host a prime-time special on ABC tonight (Thursday September 12th, 8pm ET, and next day onwards on Hulu) exploring how artificial intelligence is reshaping our everyday lives. You know when Oprah is covering a topic, it’s bound to raise awareness and increase adoption.

“AI and the Future of Us” aims to demystify the technology and help viewers navigate its rapidly evolving landscape. Winfrey will sit down with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman for an exclusive interview. Altman will break down how AI works and discuss the significant personal responsibility borne by those steering this groundbreaking technology.

Other notable figures appearing on tonight’s special:

• Bill Gates: The Microsoft co-founder and Gates Foundation chair will discuss AI's transformative potential in science, health, and education — and its seismic impact on the future of work.

• Marques Brownlee: The popular YouTube creator and technologist will showcase real-world AI applications.

• Tristan Harris and Aza Raskin: Co-founders of the Center for Humane Technology will address the emerging risks posed by powerful AI systems.

• Christopher Wray: The FBI Director will expose how AI is being exploited by criminals and foreign adversaries.

• Marilynne Robinson: The Pulitzer Prize-winning author will offer a reflective take on AI's threat to human values and the challenge of resisting its convenience.

The special has already drawn criticism from some AI skeptics, who view it as a thinly veiled endorsement of Big Tech’s substantial AI investments. Along with “must watch” TV, AI is fast becoming “must-have” tech — and Oprah's involvement ensures it will have people talking.

AI Podcasts

In other media news, the rise of AI-related podcasts has caught our attention. One of the most compelling new entries is “Shell Game,” a six-part series from journalist Evan Ratliff featured recently on NPR’s Radio Lab.

Ratliff, intrigued by the potential and pitfalls of AI voice technology, used ChatGPT 4.0 to create AI clones of his voice. The clones were trained on a deeply personal knowledge base filled with details from his life. He then unleashed these clones in a series of experiments, interacting with family members, therapists, customer service reps, other AI bots, and even scammers.

Named one of the best podcasts of 2024 by New York Magazine, “Shell Game” explores the ethical and social implications of AI voice. If you’re too busy to listen to Ratliff’s full series, the NPR program highlights some of Shell Games’ best moments.

While those closest to Ratliff easily detected the imposters, the series demonstrates just how convincingly these AI clones can mimic human interactions and raises questions about our future, when many of the voices we hear might not be real. 

Ratliff poses a critical question — how can we embrace the benefits of technologies like AI voice without losing the things that matter most to us? 

What podcasts on AI have you been listening to? We’d love to know!

AI at Home

Ever wondered how to get that coffee stain out of your new shirt or how to keep your favorite pair of sweats from shrinking? What’s the best way to wash delicate fabrics?

The ChatGPT store has a solution to those pressing questions and more. Laundry Buddy clears up laundry confusion with answers to everything from preventing clothes from shrinking or fading to mastering the best folding and hanging techniques to avoid wrinkles.

We asked Laundry buddy: What’s the best way to remove a lingering musty smell from an old wool sweater? The advice was spot on—complete with dos and don'ts.

DO’s for freshening a wool sweater:

• Air it Out: Hang in shade on a breezy day.

• Use White Vinegar: Soak in cool water with vinegar to neutralize odors.

• Try Wool Detergent: Hand wash with wool-friendly detergent; avoid wringing.

• Dry Flat: Lay flat on a towel to dry; reshape as needed.

• Use Baking Soda: Store with baking soda to absorb odors.

• Consider Essential Oils: Add lavender or tea tree oil for a fresh scent.

DON'Ts for wool sweater care:

• No Hot Water: Use cool or lukewarm water only.

• No Regular Detergent: Use a wool-specific detergent.

• Don't Wring or Twist: Avoid stretching and distorting fibers.

• Avoid Heat: No sunlight or dryer; air dry only.

• No Strong Chemicals: Avoid harsh deodorizers that leave residues.

We were curious to hear about the most common laundry challenges, so we asked. ChatGPT told us removing tough stains, decoding laundry symbols, and how best to clean your washing machine topped the list.

So the next time, you have a question about your laundry, check in with Laundry Buddy. Just one thing it can’t help you with - finding that elusive missing sock.

AI in the News (in case you missed it)

• TIME: 100 Most Influential People in AI 2024. Read here.

• AI is advancing rapidly into hospitals and operating rooms. Watch here.

• Man Charged With $10 Million Streaming Music Scam Using AI-Generated Songs. Read here.

• Finance jobs face acute AI threat. Read here.

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Here.Now.AI Editorial team: Lori, Justin, and Lisa