Innovation Profs - 11/18/2025

Latest Gen AI News

OpenAI releases ‘warmer, more intelligent’ GPT-5.1 for ChatGPT

The biggest news item of the week is the release of GPT-5.1, an update to GPT-5, which was launched back in August. The model comes in two varieties: GPT-5.1 Instant and GPT-5.1 Thinking. As described by OpenAI:

• GPT‑5.1 Instant: our most-used model, now warmer, more intelligent, and better at following your instructions.

• GPT‑5.1 Thinking: our advanced reasoning model, now easier to understand and faster on simple tasks, more persistent on complex ones.

Users can also opt for one of eight personalities for GPT-5.1’s base style and tone (see the first Quick Hit below).

Call Of Duty’s Art Slop Leads US Congressman To Demand AI Regulation

Apparently Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 uses a significant amount of AI-generated images throughout the game, and gamers are not happy. Neither is Congressman Ro Khanna, who, in response to an X post about this AI-generated content in the game, wrote, “We need regulations that prevent companies from using AI to eliminate jobs to extract greater profits. Artists at these companies need to have a say in how AI is deployed. They should share in the profits. And there should be a tax on mass displacement.”

Matthew McConaughey, Michael Caine clone their voices in partnership with AI audio company

“Alright, alright, alright.” The next time you hear that iconic Matthew McConaughey phrase, it might be generated by AI. Or rather, you might be hearing “Está bien, está bien, está bien” using a AI clone of McConaughey’s voice, as the actor is partnering with AI audio company ElevenLabs to produce an AI-generated Spanish-language audio version of his newsletter “Lyrics of Livin’” in his voice (McConaughey is also an investor in the company). ElevenLabs is also launching its Iconic Voice Marketplace, which will allow third-parties to request to use AI-cloned voices of actors including Michael Caine, John Wayne, Judy Garland, and others.

Free AI Update: HOLID-AI 3

Join us at noon Central on Dec. 12 for our third annual HOLID-AI generative AI update. We’ll catch you up on all the latest news in the world of generative AI - from AI browsers to LLM updates to video advancements and more. Sign up here. The event is free.

Quick Hits

Tool of the week: ElevenLabs Image & Video

ElevenLabs, a leader in AI voice technology, recently announced new capabilities for generating images and videos. These tools allow creators to pair lifelike voices with dynamic visuals, streamlining workflows for podcasts, social media and marketing campaigns. The update positions ElevenLabs as a comprehensive solution for digital storytelling and brand engagement. The new tool uses models from Veo, Sora, Kling, Wan, Seedance and more to create high-quality visuals.

AI-generated image of the week

Here are some logos for our Dec. 12 HOLID-AI event that we didn’t choose:

Prompt: Christmas-themed logo for an event called
"HOLID-AI 3" that is an AI update themed to the holiday season.

What we found

The Innovation Profs were featured on two TV segments this week, a story on the dangers of deepfakes on KCCI and an extended interview on AI and social media on Iowa Press. Take a look!