Once a signifier of luxury or novelty, custom products and services are now within reach of the everyday consumer, thanks to the rise of artificial intelligence, algorithm-led platforms, and the COVID-era digitisation boom. Today, everyone wants to be the main character of their brand experience.

Algorithms have become central to discovering new music and products online – but are machine-led recommendations always welcome? Canvas8 spoke to Chiara Longoni, an assistant professor at Boston University, to understand how people’s goals impact their willingness to trust AI.

In a bid to limit mind-numbing and time-consuming tasks for employees, Codeword has hired two AI interns to streamline internal processes. The move reignites concerns about technology replacing human jobs while showcasing how AI can reduce menial tasks so people can focus on important work.

AI photo generator Lensa AI has risen to the top of the App Store, offering users the ability to generate 'magic avatars' for themselves using AI technology. Conversations about AI are evolving and people appear willing to share their information in exchange for the convenience offered by the tech.

The pandemic has pushed tech front and center and people's lives have become more digital and contactless than ever. Soul Machines creates hyper-human AI avatars to offer people friendship and mentorship, representing the next era of digital companionship and coaching.