LinkedIn has announced the discontinuation of its "Top Voice" badges associated with Collaborative Articles, a feature that has encouraged user engagement through AI-generated content prompts. This decision, effective October 8, 2024, comes as a response to feedback indicating that the automatic awarding of these badges did not accurately reflect true expertise among contributors. The badges were initially introduced in March 2023 to incentivize users to share their insights, leading to a significant increase in contributions. The platform's rationale for this change stems from concerns that the badges were being awarded to individuals who may not possess genuine expertise, undermining the quality of contributions. LinkedIn acknowledged that the system allowed for the recognition of users who might not be reputable or knowledgeable, which has raised concerns within the community. As a result, the company has decided to retire the gold Community Top Voice badge, which will expire for current holders within 60 days of its issuance. Despite the popularity of Collaborative Articles, LinkedIn's move to eliminate the badge may diminish user motivation to contribute. The platform has attempted to maintain interest by emphasizing the benefits of sharing expertise, expanding networks, and helping others, but the removal of the badge could lead to a decline in participation. Current badge holders will see their badges disappear by December 7, 2024, marking a significant shift in how LinkedIn recognizes contributions to its content. While LinkedIn has clarified that its traditional Top Voice program, which is awarded by invitation only, remains unaffected, the future of Collaborative Articles may be uncertain. The removal of the badge could signal a decline in the format's popularity, as users may feel less incentivized to engage without the recognition that the badge provided.

AI company ElevenLabs has launched a Reader app featuring voice-overs by digital versions of deceased celebrities, stirring questions of morality and legality in AI's use in media. While partnerships with estates enable monetization, concerns about authenticity and ethical implications persist. The emergence of such technologies heralds a potential expansion in markets such as audiobooks, where celebrity voices drive demand.

LinkedIn is rolling out new features, including a "Contribute your expertise" tool for collaborative articles, to enhance content quality. The platform also moved into short-form video following wider social media trends, potentially offering marketers a new way to engage audiences, and introduced Dynamic UTMs and Shutterstock integration in ads to streamline campaign management and improve ad performance.

With Meta and Google reducing their involvement in the news business, LinkedIn is using the opportunity to emerge as a news platform. Its user base is already increasingly engaging with news content. However, concerns remain regarding the company’s ability to combat AI-generated spam and misinformation.

Jeff Geerling recently expressed his concerns about unauthorized use of his voice through AI technology in a blog post titled "They stole my voice with AI." He discovered that Elecrow, a company he had previously collaborated with, had used an AI-generated voice that closely resembled his own to narrate promotional videos without his consent. This revelation came after a viewer alerted him to the Elecrow video, which featured a voice that sounded familiar but was not his own. Geerling noted that he had a positive history with Elecrow, having reviewed their products in the past, and he hoped that the use of his voice was an unintentional mistake. However, he raised significant ethical concerns about the implications of AI voice cloning, especially given the lack of legal precedents addressing unauthorized use of someone's voice. He referenced a notable case, Midler vs. Ford, which established that using someone's voice in commercial works without consent is illegal. In his post, Geerling emphasized the importance of respecting creators' rights and suggested that companies should hire voiceover artists or collaborate with content creators rather than resorting to voice cloning. He expressed his intention to reach out to Elecrow to request the removal of the videos featuring the AI-generated voice and to clarify whether they had intentionally trained the AI on his content. The blog post also included updates on the situation, indicating that he had received a response from Elecrow's CEO, which he planned to address in a follow-up post. Geerling's experience highlights the growing concerns surrounding AI technology and its potential to infringe on individual rights, particularly in the realm of content creation and personal branding. In the comments section, readers shared their thoughts, with many expressing outrage at Elecrow's actions and offering support to Geerling. Some suggested that the use of AI voice cloning without consent is a serious ethical violation, while others pointed out the broader implications of such technology in the digital landscape. Overall, Geerling's situation serves as a cautionary tale about the intersection of technology, ethics, and intellectual property rights in the age of AI.

LinkedIn is expanding its Thought Leader ads by enabling businesses to promote content from any user in the app, not just their own employees. To help prevent content from being promoted without consent, creators will receive a notification asking them to approve or deny requests to promote their posts.

YouTube has updated its policies to allow individuals to request the takedown of AI-generated or synthetic content that mimics their voice or likeness.

The proliferation of AI tools means there's a growing disconnect between where people are getting their information and where it comes from. This could affect contributions to Wikipedia in the long run as people are less likely to contribute if they don't visit the site directly. Wikipedia hasn't seen any decline in traffic due to AI so far. Without clear attribution and source links, AI applications risk introducing an unprecedented amount of misinformation into the world.

Product Hunt, once a vibrant community for small-time makers to launch their projects, is undergoing significant changes that some are interpreting as a decline. However, the reality is that it has become gentrified, shifting away from its original purpose. The platform, which was once a welcoming space for solopreneurs and bootstrapped startups, is now increasingly dominated by venture capital-backed companies and those with substantial financial resources. The blog post highlights various indicators of this transformation, including the departure of key personnel, significant layoffs, and the rise of paid services aimed at boosting product visibility on the platform. These developments suggest that the essence of Product Hunt is changing, making it less accessible for individual creators who once thrived there. The community that once flourished in a more intimate setting is now crowded with larger players, making it difficult for newcomers to gain traction. The analogy of a once-affordable coffee house becoming a trendy hotspot illustrates this shift. As Product Hunt gained popularity, it attracted more significant investments and competition, leading to a more challenging environment for those without deep pockets. Established companies are now able to leverage their resources to ensure their launches receive the attention they desire, further marginalizing smaller makers. For those who remember the Product Hunt of a few years ago, the current landscape may feel disheartening. The blog suggests that if creators are seeking a similar community experience, they may need to look elsewhere, as many alternative platforms lack the credibility and community spirit that Product Hunt once offered. The author encourages the idea of creating a new platform that could replicate the original spirit of Product Hunt. This new space would need to prioritize community engagement and avoid monetizing the launch process. It would also require mechanisms to prevent exploitation by those looking to manipulate the system for votes. While establishing a new Product Hunt may be challenging, the hope is that someone will take on the task to foster a supportive environment for makers once again.

A transparent review of what happened to leading Product-led Growth Advisor Leah Tharin's subscription revenue and inbound after posting less consistently on her demand channels, Substack, and LinkedIn.