Respawn’s virtual-reality Medal of Honor short “Colette” just made Oscars history
Nobody ever thought a video-game studio would be involved in The Academy Awards, let alone be nominated for and win a prestigious Oscar.
But Respawn Entertainment took home the prize for Best Documentary (Short Subject) at the 93rd Academy Awards for their virtual-reality documentary, Colette.
The documentary follows Colette Marin-Catherine, a former French Resistance member, as she travels to Germany for the first time in 74 years after her brother tragically perished in the Mittelbau-Dora concentration camp.
Respawn Entertainment teamed up with Oculus to make the ambitious project happen, and they’re thrilled and perhaps a little surprised to win the award.
See the full story here: https://www.dexerto.com/gaming/respawn-vr-doco-colette-oscars-history-1560877/
Artificial intelligence unlocks a mystery behind a 2,000-year-old Dead Sea Scroll
In a new study, researchers at the University of Gronigen’s Qumran Institute have put together a robust investigation into the palaeography – the study of old handwriting – of one of the scrolls.
The authors trained an algorithm to separate the ink from its background, the leather or the papyrus of the scroll. Then, the algorithm studied every character, looking for small changes that might signal a different writer. This kind of algorithmic technology, shown in the image below, has started to be used in biblical studies, and the wider digital humanities, in just the last few years.
...suggesting there were perhaps teams of scribes who worked together on the Dead Sea Scrolls, with some working as apprentices to the more senior members.
A different scribe is not the only possible explanation, however. The authors note that a change of pen, the sharpening of a nib, a change in writing conditions or in the health of the scribe could contribute to the difference they found. Still, the difference seems pretty clear, and a change of scribe is the most likely conclusion.
See the full story here: https://nationalpost.com/news/world/artificial-intelligence-unlocks-a-mystery-behind-a-2000-year-old-dead-sea-scroll
Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Reality and the Future of Storytelling
The great poet, Maya Angelou once famously said, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
Even without AI, we are seeing deep emotional connections to Virtual Beings. The iconic Japanese superstar character, ‘HatsuneMiku’ is a singing hologram that has sold-out concerts around the world and millions of followers. In 2018, a Japanese fan spent US$18,000 to wed Miku’ saying,“I never cheated on her; I’ve always been in love with Miku-san…For mother, it wasn’t something to celebrate.” He’s not alone, Gatebox, an artificial intelligence company, has issued over 3,700 marriage certificates for “cross-dimensional” marriages.
Other AI startups like Eternime, use AI to learn from you while alive, so that when you die, it can replicate a virtual being chatbot of you to engage in simulated stories with your friends and family. They aim to “give life to the dead.”Yet, what are the unintended consequences of people isolating themselves with a chatbot character of a dead loved one?
See the full story here: https://www.cxotoday.com/hardware-software-development/artificial-intelligence-virtual-reality-and-the-future-of-storytelling/
Researchers Could Achieve Artificial General Intelligence by Combining Light, Superconductors
The new approach was detailed in Applied Physics Letters by AIP Publishing.
Jeffrey Shainline is author of the research.
“We argue that by operating at low temperature and using superconducting electronic circuits, single-photon detectors, and silicon light sources, we will open a path toward rich computational functionality and scalable fabrication,” Shainline said.
Scalable and Functional Artificial Cognitive Systems
According to the researchers and their new approach, the pairing of light for communication with complex electronic circuits for computation could lead to artificial cognitive systems that are far more scalable and functional than traditional approaches that rely on light or electronics alone.
“What surprised me most was that optoelectronic integration may be much easier when working at low temperatures and using superconductors than when working at room temperatures and using semiconductors,” Shainline continued.
See the full story here: https://www.unite.ai/researchers-could-achieve-artificial-general-intelligence-by-combining-light-superconductors/
OPENAI’S GPT-3 IS POWERING THESE INDUSTRIES WITH UNIQUE ABILITIES
1. Viable – helps companies understand insights from customer feedback by presenting it in easy-to-understand summaries. With GPT-3 echnology, viable can identify themes, emotions, and sentiments from surveys, help in reviewing live chat logs, and more. It pulls insights from all these modes of customer-company communications and gives precise information in seconds....
2. Fable Studio – is creating a new style of interactive stories using GPT-3 which can give life to virtual beings....
3. Algolia – utilizes OpenAI’s GPT-3 in its search functionality. ...
See the full story here: https://www.analyticsinsight.net/openais-gpt-3-is-powering-these-industries-with-unique-abilities/
FTC warns it could crack down on biased AI
If those tools are applied in areas like housing or employment, falsely advertised as unbiased, or trained on data that is gathered deceptively, the agency says it could intervene.
“In a rush to embrace new technology, be careful not to overpromise what your algorithm can deliver,” writes FTC attorney Elisa Jillson — particularly when promising decisions that don’t reflect racial or gender bias. “The result may be deception, discrimination — and an FTC law enforcement action.”
As Protocol points out, FTC chair Rebecca Slaughter recently called algorithm-based bias “an economic justice issue.”
See the full story here: https://sportsgrindentertainment.com/ftc-warns-it-could-crack-down-on-biased-ai/
Ikea bets on ‘Apple Glass’ by investing in augmented reality apps
The app, currently available only in TestFlight, relies on the LiDAR sensors in an iPhone. It allows users to capture complete 3D room plans — including windows and doors — and enables you to place select Ikea items into your room. Not only can you add furniture, but you can change your wall colors, place decorations and art, and export your design to share with others.
This is undoubtedly a boon to companies like Ikea, as it was discovered that customers who use AR tools were 11 times more likely to make a purchase. On average, customers who purchase items after viewing them in AR are 22% less likely to return them.
See the full story here: https://appleinsider.com/articles/21/04/20/ikea-bets-on-apple-glass-by-investing-in-augmented-reality-apps
