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23 Mar 2026

OpenArt launches AI influencer awards with $90,000 prize pool for virtual creators

OpenArt and Fanvue have launched the AI Personality of the Year 2026, a four-week global competition offering over $90,000 in prizes. Creators can design and launch original AI influencers across five categories, competing for cash prizes, promotional support, and platform placement. The challenge runs through April 19, with judging by industry veterans including the creators of Aitana Lopez and Shudu.

2 Sources

Ex-Blizzard Boss Mike Ybarra Says AI Will Be in Every Video Game, Tells Devs to 'Man Up'

Former Blizzard president Mike Ybarra sparked backlash after telling Crimson Desert developer Pearl Abyss not to apologize for AI-generated assets. He claims AI will be in every video game and criticized developers for bending to critics. The gaming community and industry professionals pushed back against his stance.

5 Sources

20 Mar 2026

Crimson Desert developer Pearl Abyss apologizes for AI art, promises comprehensive audit

Pearl Abyss admitted that AI-generated art slipped into Crimson Desert's final release, despite plans to replace placeholder assets. The developer issued an apology for the unintentional inclusion and lack of transparency, announcing a comprehensive audit to identify and remove all AI content in upcoming patches.

19 Sources

9 out of 10 Game Developers Demand Stricter AI Disclosure Rules on Steam, Challenging Epic CEO

A major GamesIndustry.biz survey of 826 video game industry workers reveals that 88.4% believe generative AI use should be disclosed on game storefronts like Steam. The findings directly challenge Epic CEO Tim Sweeney's stance that such disclosures 'make no sense.' Despite Valve's current disclosure policy focusing only on player-consumed content, nearly half of developers want stricter requirements.

2 Sources

Hachette Cancels Horror Novel Shy Girl After AI Allegations Rock Publishing Industry

Hachette Book Group pulled Mia Ballard's horror novel Shy Girl from publication after evidence suggested AI was used to write significant portions of the book. The cancellation marks the first time a major publisher has publicly withdrawn an existing title over AI concerns, sending shockwaves through the publishing industry as it grapples with detecting and preventing AI-generated content.

10 Sources

Luke Littler moves to trademark his face to combat AI fakes and protect commercial interests

The 19-year-old darts world champion has applied to the Intellectual Property Office to trademark his face, aiming to prevent unauthorized use of his image through generative AI and fake products. Littler joins celebrities like Matthew McConaughey and Cole Palmer in protecting their likeness as AI-generated deepfakes surge across entertainment and sports.

3 Sources

The Wheel of Time animated revival sparks fan outrage over potential AI use in production

The Wheel of Time is returning as an animated TV series, but fans are expressing serious concern over iwot Studios' partnerships with AI-focused companies. After Prime Video cancelled the live-action adaptation in 2025, the new projects—including animated films and a video game—could rely on AI technology, raising fears of what fans call 'AI slop' and 'franchisation and sloppification' of Robert Jordan's beloved fantasy series.

2 Sources

AI hallucinations worry users more than job losses, massive Anthropic study reveals

An Anthropic study spanning 80,000 users across 159 countries found that AI hallucinations are the top concern, surpassing fears of job displacement. The research reveals a complex relationship where users value AI for productivity but worry about cognitive decline and loss of critical thinking abilities.

5 Sources

Dancing robot smashes dishes at Haidilao restaurant, raising questions about robot safety

A dancing robot went wild at Haidilao's Cupertino location, knocking over dishes and utensils as three servers struggled to restrain it. The incident highlights growing concerns about kill switches for robots and safety protocols as restaurants increasingly adopt AI and robotics for entertainment and service.

2 Sources

19 Mar 2026

Over Half of U.S. Teens Use AI Nudification Tools to Create Sexualized Images, Study Reveals

A George Mason University study found that 55% of surveyed U.S. teens have used AI to create fake nude images, with more than a third reporting non-consensual image creation. The research reveals AI nudification has become normalized among adolescents, raising urgent questions about consent and privacy in the age of AI-powered tools.

3 Sources

18 Mar 2026

AI-Generated Val Kilmer to Posthumously Appear in As Deep as the Grave After His Death

Val Kilmer died in April 2025 at age 65, but will star in As Deep as the Grave through AI technology. The actor was cast five years ago but throat cancer complications prevented filming. His daughter Mercedes Kilmer approved the digital resurrection, calling it aligned with her father's optimism about emerging technologies in storytelling.

22 Sources

PixVideo AI video app banned ad implied users could remove women's clothing without consent

The UK's Advertising Standards Authority banned a YouTube ad for PixVideo - AI Video Maker after eight complaints alleged it sexualised women. The ad showed before-and-after images suggesting the AI video app could digitally remove clothing, with text reading "Erase anything." The regulator ruled the banned ad promoted harmful gender stereotypes and condoned altering women's bodies without consent, despite PixVideo's claims it prohibits such content.

2 Sources

17 Mar 2026

Zendaya reveals many fooled by viral AI-generated wedding photos with Tom Holland

Zendaya addressed the widespread deception caused by AI-generated wedding photos showing her and Tom Holland. Speaking on Jimmy Kimmel Live, the actress revealed that fans and even people in her personal life were fooled by fake images, with some upset about not receiving wedding invites. The incident highlights growing concerns about the realism of AI-generated content on social media.

2 Sources

New AI tool reveals exact odds of AI replacing your job across 756 occupations

The Action Network launched a tool that calculates the likelihood of AI replacing job roles across 756 occupations. Computer programmers face 45% odds while desk-based digital work proves most vulnerable. Physical jobs like veterinarians and bartenders show minimal risk, highlighting the uneven job market impact as tech leaders remain divided on AI's workforce implications.

2 Sources

AI and writing clash as studies reveal how generative AI erodes the human voice in creative work

New research shows that heavy reliance on AI writing tools fundamentally changes both the style and substance of human expression. Users who depend on large language models produce significantly more neutral, impersonal prose—with 50% fewer pronouns and 69% more bland responses—raising urgent questions about creativity and individual voice in an AI-saturated world.

4 Sources

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