Here’s what changed this week in AI tools: pricing shifts, new features, and platform updates worth knowing about if you use AI in your marketing or content workflow.
Google Veo 3.1 and Lyria 3.5: Better AI video and soundtracks for ad creative
Google refreshed its Veo 3.1 video model and Lyria 3.5 music model, adding richer melodies, structured lyrics, expressive vocals, and tempo and duration controls. If you produce ad creative, training clips, or branded video, you now get more usable output and more control over custom soundtracks without a separate audio tool.
Source: AIapps
EU AI Act: AI content disclosure rules are now enforceable
As of August 2, 2026, Article 50 of the EU AI Act requires companies to disclose when content has been generated or significantly manipulated by AI. If you market to EU audiences, review your AI generated images, video, and copy now and add clear labeling so your campaigns stay compliant.
Source: The Agile Brand Guide
ElevenLabs: New transcription controls clean up your audio automatically
ElevenLabs added a no_verbatim option to its Scribe transcription that strips filler words, false starts, and stumbles, plus a keyterms setting that biases the model toward names and brand terms you specify. This matters if you rely on ElevenLabs for podcast, video, or webinar transcripts, since you get cleaner copy with less manual editing.
Source: ElevenLabs Changelog
Runway: Seedream 5.0 and negative prompts give you tighter control over generated visuals
Runway added the Seedream 5.0 Pro image model with multi image fusion and up to 10 reference images, plus negative prompt support for its Veo3 video models so you can describe what should not appear in a shot. If you generate social or ad visuals, this cuts down on off brand results and re rolls.
Source: Runway Release Notes
Descript: Fix a bad line without leaving your editor
Descript’s Overdub can now regenerate a corrected line of AI voiceover right inside the same editor where you cut and arrange your audio, no exporting required. If you produce video or podcasts, small script fixes no longer break your workflow.
Source: Releasebot
Surfer SEO: New AI visibility tools track how you show up in AI answers
Surfer SEO expanded its AI Search features with Gemini tracking, a Mention Gap report, sentiment analysis, and a Looker Studio export for AI visibility reporting. If you care about being cited in AI generated answers, not just classic search rankings, these tools help you measure and close the gap.
Source: Hashmeta
AdAnt AI: A new tool for high volume short form ad testing
AdAnt AI launched this week, pitched as a fast way to generate and iterate on viral, high converting short form social ads at volume. If you run paid social and burn through creative testing, it is worth a look for spinning up variations quickly.
Source: Product Hunt