Top 5 in Tech: Hedra Live AI Avatars, Senate Targets AI Training Data, Netflix Debuts Gen AI Shots

VP Land Staff

VP Land is a newsletter & YouTube channel covering the latest updates in creative technology for M&E professionals.

Here's a quick roundup of the most significant developments in media and entertainment technology this week:

🥷 Hedra Live Avatars: Real-Time AI Humans

Hedra just launched Live Avatars—interactive AI agents built for customer support, onboarding, and training. They combine large language models, neural TTS, and real-time rendering to deliver lip-synced, emotionally expressive avatars that talk like real people. Unlike static bots, these avatars handle multi-turn, unscripted conversations and work seamlessly across web, mobile, and AR/VR platforms. 

⚖️ New US Bill Targets AI Training Data

Senators Blumenthal and Hawley just introduced a bipartisan bill that would ban AI companies from training on copyrighted material without documented consent - no fair use allowed. The legislation gives creators the right to sue for up to $1,000 per violation, covering everything from scripts to social media posts. If passed, it could force major shifts in how companies like OpenAI and Google build their models.

🕺 Decart MirageLSD: Real-Time AI Video, No Pre-Rendering

Decart just dropped MirageLSD, a real-time AI model that transforms live video with under 40ms latency—no pre-rendering required. It works with any live video source—webcams, games, or calls—allowing users to instantly transform their appearance or environment using text prompts and gestures, with support for infinite-length generation and interactive controls like hand waves or props.

🎬 Netflix Debuts First Gen AI VFX Shot in El Eternauta

Netflix just confirmed its first-ever Gen AI-generated VFX made it to screen—a building collapse scene in the Argentine sci-fi series El Eternauta. Created by Netflix’s iLIGHT team, the sequence was delivered 10x faster and at a fraction of the cost compared to traditional VFX. While tools and workflows remain under wraps, Netflix says Gen AI is now powering everything from previs to interactive ad creation. 

🦸‍♂️ Superman: Gunn Goes Practical on Flight Scene

James Gunn posted new BTS shots from Superman, revealing that the flying barrel roll was captured practically on a VP volume at the Lux Stage in Trilith Studios, using location plates shot in Svalbard. David Corenswet performed the maneuver on a suspended rig, spinning midair in front of massive LED screens to simulate the snowy mountain backdrop. The scene blends old-school filmmaking with cutting-edge virtual production on 2D plates. 

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