HarperCollins seeks AI training rights from authors

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HarperCollins wanted to use its authors' works to train an artificial intelligence language model for an unnamed technology company. The publishing company planned to pay the writers of select nonfiction backlist titles a non-negotiable sum of US$2,500 per title (around CA$3,490) to license the book for three years. The offer was revealed by writer and comedian Daniel Kibblesmith on a Bluesky post on November 16 with a one-word caption: "Abominable."

As BGR pointed out, it is encouraging to see HarperCollins giving the authors a way to opt out of the deal, because it could have strong-armed the writers into taking the deal. However, we wouldn't be surprised if many declined the offer, especially given how much they were paying for the licensing.

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Google Gemini comes to Nest, Google Home

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Google was bound to bring its Gemini artificial intelligence model to products like the Nest and Home platform. The fall update brings some features to these segments. With a Nest camera, you can look through the camera history using natural language queries. For example, you can ask, "Did someone deliver a package today?" This feature is limited to Nest Aware Plus subscribers, but it might not come to all paid users, for now.

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Gemini app comes to the iPhone

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Google has launched the Gemini app on the iPhone. You can now download it on the Apple App Store for free. Some features you'll get include access to "free-flowing conversation" with Gemini Live, allowing you to talk to Gemini conversationally. You can pick from 10 distinct voices, and it supports 10 languages with a promise of more coming soon. Google says this Gemini Live experience is new for iPhone users.

The app also helps students study better with its ability to create tailored study plans and ask it to quiz you. You also get access to Imagen 3, Google's image generation model. You can check this link to see if you have access to it already.