Insyte Weekly: How Google is Incorporating AI into Music, AI in the Hospitality Industry and more

Media & Entertainment

Meta is enhancing teen safety on Instagram by introducing AI-powered age detection to identify users who may have lied about their age to bypass restrictions. This technology will automatically enrol suspected underage users into Teen Accounts, which offer added protections such as limited exposure to sensitive content, restricted messaging, and private account settings by default. While Meta says users can request a review if placed in a Teen Account by mistake, it also plans to involve parents more actively by sending them notifications, provided they have their own Instagram accounts, about the importance of age accuracy and how to support their children online. The move is part of Meta’s broader effort to create a safer digital environment for users under 16.

Films that incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) will now be eligible for Oscar nominations, according to new rules from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The Academy clarified that the use of generative AI tools, such as those that can produce text, images, audio, and video, will not inherently improve or harm a film’s chances of winning an award, although human contribution will still be a key consideration in the final decision. This update comes after recent Oscar-winning films like The Brutalist and Emilia Perez used AI for voice enhancements. While AI tools are gaining popularity in film and music production, concerns persist about their impact on artists’ livelihoods and creative control. Issues raised during the 2023 Hollywood strikes included the unauthorised use of actors’ likenesses and the potential for studios to replace screenwriters with AI. Though AI’s capabilities continue to evolve, many industry professionals argue that it still lacks the emotional nuance and creative depth required for award-winning storytelling.

Musicians today are increasingly embracing artificial intelligence (AI) as a creative partner, and Google is at the forefront of this evolution with its Music AI Sandbox. Building on years of collaboration with the music community since its Magenta project in 2016, Google has developed a suite of experimental tools designed to inspire and empower artists. Music AI Sandbox, introduced in 2023 and further enhanced in 2024 with the release of Lyria 2, allows musicians, producers, and songwriters to generate new instrumentals, craft vocal arrangements, and explore novel musical directions. The platform includes tools like Create, which generates music samples based on text prompts about mood, genre, or instruments; Extend, which continues or reimagines uploaded audio; and Edit, which enables transformation of clips through intuitive controls or text prompts. These features aim to help artists overcome creative blocks, explore new styles, and push musical boundaries. Google emphasises that these tools were developed responsibly and in close partnership with musicians, with user feedback shaping their continued evolution.

Edtech

Pearson's new research emphasises the importance of role redesign over external hiring as a strategy for adapting to AI-driven changes in the workplace. The study, which analysed five key tech roles in the UK—systems software developers, computer programmers, system engineers, system analysts, and network architects—projects that automation and AI could save between 5.2 and 7.8 hours per week per role by 2029. Instead of replacing these roles, Pearson urges employers to use the time saved to upskill existing employees and shift their focus to higher-value tasks such as strategic planning, AI oversight, and cybersecurity. By adopting this approach, companies can build long-term workforce resilience, reduce dependency on external recruitment, and ensure teams are prepared for the evolving demands of the digital age.

Fintech

Rising tariffs are pushing companies to adopt digital procurement and payment solutions that streamline vendor management, automate payments, and improve financial agility. Platforms now offer embedded financial services, helping businesses manage cash flow disruptions caused by fluctuating costs and supply chain instability. Companies like Flex and Lenkie exemplify this trend by integrating lending and banking into procurement workflows. Beyond cost savings, digital procurement is becoming a strategic advantage, offering real-time data and collaboration between finance and operations. Virtual cards and early payment discount options also support working capital management. Meanwhile, compliance burdens are growing due to heightened KYC and AML checks. Overall, a new, digital-first procurement model is emerging—one that supports proactive decision-making and resilience in a volatile global market.

AI

President Donald J. Trump signed an executive order aimed at empowering America’s youth by promoting education and workforce development in artificial intelligence (AI). The initiative seeks to maintain U.S. leadership in AI by introducing students to the technology early, supporting educators with training and resources, and encouraging lifelong learning. A new White House Task Force on AI Education will be established to oversee these efforts, promote student and educator achievements, and facilitate collaboration between government, academia, and industry. The order also directs federal departments to prioritise AI in grant programs, research, and teacher training. Additionally, it calls on the Department of Labour to expand AI-related apprenticeships and use existing funding to support AI skill development and work-based learning. These efforts aim to prepare students and workers for a rapidly evolving, AI-driven future.

Microsoft research highlighted the transformative impact of AI as the latest in a series of major technology platform shifts, following previous eras like the internet, mobile, and cloud. As AI adoption accelerates, Microsoft partnered with IDC to study its business impact. The research revealed that companies are seeing an average return of $3.70 for every $1 invested in generative AI, emphasising AI's potential to significantly reshape industries. Microsoft highlighted four key areas where AI is driving transformation: enriching employee experiences by automating repetitive tasks, enhancing customer engagement with personalisation, reshaping business processes across functions, and accelerating innovation by reducing time to market. With over 85% of the Fortune 500 already using Microsoft AI solutions, these trends underscore the growing role of AI in creating long-term business value.

Tourism

AI is revolutionising the hospitality industry by enabling hyper-personalised and highly efficient guest experiences. By analysing guest data, AI can anticipate needs and tailor offerings, seen in innovations like Otonomus Hotel in Las Vegas, which allows guests to customise everything from room ambience to amenities through AI. Virtual assistants and digital workers are transforming service delivery, with automation supporting or even replacing traditional roles. In operations, AI enhances revenue management, predictive maintenance, sustainability efforts, and marketing. AI-driven platforms like Chatgpt and Perplexity are also changing how travellers discover and book hotels, pushing hoteliers to optimise content for AI discovery and conversational queries. While automation brings speed and cost efficiency, hospitality leaders emphasise maintaining human connection—the warmth, empathy, and intuition that remain core to the guest experience. The industry must now balance technological innovation with the timeless essence of hospitality.

How can we help grow your business?

Market Insyte offers personalised market research services tailored to entrepreneurs' needs.

If you would like to schedule a business model consultation, feel free to book a session here

If you would like us to conduct a personalised market research study, feel free to schedule a complimentary discovery call 

Browse our public market research library