Tag: Digital Marketing

Social Media

OpenAI Developing Generative Music Tool That Makes Music from Text & Audio Prompts

Tanisha Cardozo

OpenAI is working on a new generative music tool that can create music from text and audio prompts. This innovative project is expected to enable users to add original soundtracks or instrumental accompaniments to videos, according to a report by The Information. However, there’s no official word yet on when it will launch, or whether it will be a standalone product or integrated into existing platforms such as ChatGPT or the video-generator Sora.

The tool is expected to offer features like multi-vocal track generation and AI-assisted mixing, making it appealing to independent musicians and content creators. As per the report, the project involves collaboration with students from the prestigious Juilliard School, who are helping to annotate musical scores to provide accurate training data for the AI model. The partnership aims to understand how machines can learn and replicate musical patterns and emotions.

Notably, OpenAI’s new tool builds on its previous projects — MuseNet and Jukebox — and promises enhanced user control over musical style, tone, and energy. Jukebox, released in 2020, enabled users to create AI music in various genres like reggae and blues, though it is no longer actively maintained.

The move by OpenAI into the music generation space is expected to intensify competition with other tech giants like Google and startups like Suno, which already offer generative music solutions. The development of this tool has also sparked discussions around copyright, ethical questions, and creative ownership. Several voices in the music industry have raised concerns about AI companies not fairly compensating artists, with some calling for stronger laws to protect human musicians. At the same time, some scammers have exploited AI music tools to fraudulently earn streaming revenue on platforms like Spotify.

As of now, there is no confirmed release date nor clarity on distribution format. Whether the tool will debut as a stand-alone app or integrate into OpenAI’s broader ecosystem remains to be seen. But if released, it could reshape how creators build music, merge audio with video, and how the music industry approaches production and rights in the age of AI.

Events in Goa

Design Thinking Takes Center Stage at First Fridays’ 17th Edition in Goa

Tanisha Cardozo

Panjim, October 2025 – The 17th edition of First Fridays, Goa’s monthly creative gathering, brought together design professionals, startups, and innovation enthusiasts to explore the transformative power of Design Thinking. The session, hosted by the Creative Community of Goa in collaboration with the Association of Designers of India (ADI) Goa Chapter and supported by the Startup and IT Promotion Cell (SITPC), was held at Biz Nest, Co-Working Space, Patto, Panjim on Friday, October 3, 2025.

The evening featured a thought-provoking session led by Dr Sneha Bhat, Assistant Professor, Strategy & Consulting at Goa Institute of Management (GIM). With an emphasis on empathy, user experience, and iterative problem-solving, Dr Sneha unpacked the five key phases of the design thinking process: Empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype, and Test. She highlighted that design thinking is not just a method but a mindset—one that puts the user at the center of every decision.

Dr Sneha illustrated the difference between traditional tools such as surveys and the human-centered insights gained through design thinking. She pointed to Apple’s revolutionary design of the iPhone, where features like “pinch to zoom” were born from observing real user behavior. “Apple didn’t just create a product; they designed an experience,” she noted.

The audience, comprising designers, developers, entrepreneurs, and students, engaged deeply with the conversation, gaining actionable insights on applying design thinking across disciplines—from product development to service innovation and organizational change.

The event also featured remarks from Shri DS Prashant, CEO of the Startup & IT Promotion Cell, who emphasized Goa’s vision to become a destination for design-led innovation. He highlighted ongoing efforts to nurture a startup ecosystem that prioritizes creativity, local talent, and product-building. “A draft design policy is now in circulation for feedback, and initiatives like First Fridays play a key role in strengthening Goa’s creative infrastructure,” he said.

First Fridays has grown into a platform where Goa’s creative and tech community converge to exchange ideas, build networks, and foster innovation. This edition further contributed to the broader vision of positioning Goa as the Creative Capital of India—where art, design, and technology intersect to build a future rooted in creativity and purpose.

Human Interest

Google Celebrates 27 Years of Innovation with Nostalgic Birthday Doodle

Tanisha Cardozo

Can you believe Google just celebrated its 27th birthday? On September 27, 2025, the tech giant marked the milestone with a vibrant and nostalgic Google Doodle that lit up its homepage. For millions of users across the United States and around the world, it was a cheerful reminder of how far Google has come—from a scrappy startup in a California garage to one of the most influential companies in the world.

Google’s story reads like the ultimate tech fairy tale. It all began in 1998 when two Stanford PhD students, Larry Page and Sergey Brin, launched the search engine out of a garage in Menlo Park. Their mission was simple but ambitious: “To organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful.” Over the last 27 years, that mission has reshaped how we live, learn, work, and connect.

Today, Google is far more than just a search engine. It powers the way we navigate cities with Google Maps, the way we communicate through Gmail, how we stream content on YouTube, and how billions of people interact with Android devices every day. More recently, Google AI has become a focal point of the company’s future vision, bringing new capabilities to everything from personal assistants to real-time language translation.

The Doodle celebrating the 27th anniversary was, as always, fun and user-friendly. It featured a throwback to Google’s first-ever logo from 1998, evoking the early days of dial-up internet and clunky desktop computers. The artwork blended nostalgia with a forward-looking message, encouraging users to explore Google’s newest AI developments—bridging the past with the future.

“These birthday Doodles always feel special,” the company wrote in its announcement. “This Doodle marks Google’s 27th birthday. We’re celebrating by getting nostalgic with our first-ever logo. Search on.”

For many Americans, Google is more than a product—it’s a verb, a tool, and a daily companion. Whether you’re looking up a recipe, navigating a traffic jam, fact-checking during a debate, or planning your next vacation, Google is seamlessly integrated into your routine.

And while the 27th birthday celebration looked back on nearly three decades of progress, it also served as a subtle nod to the road ahead. With artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and sustainability initiatives gaining momentum, the next chapter promises to be just as transformative as the last.

By the time Google hits 30, one thing is certain: the birthday Doodle tradition will be alive and well—still making millions smile as they open their browsers and start their day.

International

Nepal Bans Facebook, X, YouTube, and 23 Other Social Media Platforms Over Registration Dispute

Tanisha Cardozo

In a controversial and far-reaching decision, the Government of Nepal has ordered the shutdown of 26 major social media platforms — including global giants Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, and Instagram — citing their failure to comply with mandatory registration requirements. The decision, announced by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology on September 4, follows a seven-day deadline that expired the previous night.

According to the Ministry, the ban will remain in place until the platforms are formally registered with Nepali authorities. The Nepal Telecommunication Authority has been instructed to enforce the ban immediately. Officials stated that multiple requests had been made for compliance, with the final deadline passed without any action from the social media companies.

However, this crackdown has sparked widespread backlash both domestically and internationally. Free speech advocates and digital rights organizations have condemned the move, describing it as an attempt to suppress dissent and limit public discourse. Critics argue that the government’s registration demands are excessively intrusive, requiring platforms to submit to tight oversight and control that may violate global standards of digital autonomy and privacy.

Ujjwal Acharya, Director of the Center for Media Research, criticized the decision as deeply misguided, warning that it threatens Nepal’s democratic credentials. He emphasized that social media is no longer just a political tool but an essential part of modern life, used by individuals and businesses alike for communication, commerce, and creativity.

This is not the first time Nepal has moved against social platforms. In 2023, the government temporarily banned TikTok under similar circumstances. That ban was reversed in August 2024, only after TikTok agreed to register in Nepal. Since assuming power over a year ago, the K.P. Sharma Oli government has faced repeated allegations of authoritarian tendencies and increasing hostility toward online dissent.

Earlier this year, the government attempted to introduce sweeping legislation aimed at regulating all online activity under the pretext of protecting users. That effort was met with significant resistance from civil society and media watchdogs. The current ban appears to be an extension of that same regulatory vision, now enforced with greater authority after a Supreme Court ruling two weeks ago upheld the necessity of mandatory registration for all online platforms operating in Nepal.

The sudden blackout of widely used platforms has sent shockwaves through Nepal’s digital population. Many users posted what they feared could be their last messages before the sites went dark, while others decried the government for undermining basic freedoms.

As the country navigates the fallout of this decision, concerns are growing about the long-term implications for online expression, entrepreneurship, and Nepal’s global reputation as a democratic nation. Whether the banned platforms will eventually comply or push back against the government’s demands remains to be seen — but for now, Nepal’s digital landscape has changed dramatically, and not for the better.

Social Media

Instagram Rolls Out New Features: Reposts, Map, and Friends Tab to Boost Social Connectivity

Tanisha Cardozo

Meta has officially announced a fresh round of Instagram features that aim to make the platform more interactive, community-focused, and creator-friendly. In a blog post dated August 6, 2025, Meta detailed a set of tools designed to help users share, discover, and connect more meaningfully.

🔁 Reposts – Share What You Love

Now users can repost Reels and posts, allowing easy sharing of favourite content with their followers. These reposts will be shown on followers’ feeds and stored in a dedicated tab on the user’s profile.

“Reposts will be recommended to your friends’ and followers’ feeds, and they’ll also be in a separate tab on your profile,” Meta explained.

Creators will benefit too — reposts can help boost visibility and expand reach beyond their direct followers.

🗺️ The Map – Location Sharing With a Social Twist

A new Instagram Map feature lets users explore posts by location, opt-in to location sharing with selected friends, and discover posts from favourite creators tagged in unique spots. The feature mirrors Snapchat’s map concept but integrates Instagram’s content style.

“It’s a lightweight way to connect with your friends, based on where they’re exploring,” says Meta.

🎥 Friends Tab in Reels – Know What Your Circle is Watching

The Friends Tab, now globally launched, appears at the top of the Reels section. It shows users the public Reels their friends have interacted with, helping promote conversations around shared interests and boosting engagement within friend groups.

“This helps you see what the people you care about most are creating and engaging with,” Meta said.

🛠️ Bonus Features You Might Have Missed:

Here’s what else is rolling out or being tested:

  • Edits App Enhancements: Instagram’s native editing app now features teleprompters, voiceovers, and collaborative editing.
  • AI-Generated Content: Testing AI-generated stickers, profile images, and tools to enhance visual creativity.
  • Enhanced Messaging: Custom chat themes, vanish mode, scheduled DMs, and message effects.
  • New Content Creation Tools: Add text overlays, custom fonts, and stickers to standard posts.
  • Profile Design: Rectangular profile grids and refreshed layouts launched earlier this year.
  • Longer Reels: Maximum Reels duration extended to 20 minutes, with new Reel-to-Reel linking for storytelling.

📍 Why It Matters

Instagram’s new features are clearly targeting better social discovery, enhanced creator visibility, and stronger real-life connections. With social media audiences craving more personalised and purposeful experiences, Meta’s update seems to strike a balance between community and creativity.