philip lelyveld The world of entertainment technology

As AI gains a workplace foothold, U.S. states are trying to make sure workers don’t get left behind

... Connecticut is working to create what proponents believe will be the country's first Citizens AI Academy, a free online repository of curated classes that users can take to learn basic skills or obtain a certificate needed for employment. ...

Determining what skills are necessary in an AI world can be a challenge for state legislators given the fast-moving nature of the technology and differing opinions about what approach is best.

Gregory LaBlanc, professor of Finance, Strategy and Law at the Haas School of Business at Berkeley Law School in California, says workers should be taught how to use and manage generative AI rather than how the technology works, partly because computers will soon be better able to perform certain tasks previously performed by humans. ...

This year, at least four states — Connecticut, California, Mississippi and Maryland — proposed legislation that attempted to deal with AI in the classroom somehow. They ranged from Connecticut's planned AI Academy, which was originally included in a wide-ranging AI regulation bill that failed but the concept is still being developed by state education officials, to proposed working groups that examine how AI can be incorporated safely in public schools. Such a bill died in the Mississippi legislature while the others remain in flux.

One bill in California would require a state working group to consider incorporating AI literacy skills into math, science, history and social science curriculums. ...

He said it's important for people to have the skills to understand, evaluate and effectively interact with AI technologies, whether it’s a chatbot or machines that learn to identify problems and make decisions that mimic human decision-making. ...

“Education must be included in order for this to really take off publicly ... in a manner which is going to give people the ability to eliminate their barriers,” he said of AI. “And it has to be able to explain to the most common individual why it is not only a useful tool, but why this tool will be something that can be trusted.” ...

See the fukl story here: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/technology/as-ai-gains-workplace-foothold-us-states-trying-make-sure-workers-dont-get-left-behind/article68354118.ece

EXPLODING KITTENS VR: THE BOARD GAME COMES TO VIRTUAL REALITY THIS FALL ON META QUEST

... Exploding Kittens VR blends the hilarious strategy of the original card game with total immersion in virtual reality. Up to five players can compete online or challenge bots solo, while avoiding the dreaded explosive cats. The objective? To be the last survivor! Customize your avatar, explore the social hub and immerse yourself in a variety of mini-games for a whole new experience. ...

See the full story here: https://www.sortiraparis.com/en/what-to-do-in-paris/gaming/articles/315644-exploding-kittens-vr-the-board-game-comes-to-virtual-reality-this-fall-on-meta-quest

Walmart launches first AR extension for its ‘Walmart Discovered’ Roblox experience

Walmart has this week announced the launch of its first-ever augmented reality (AR) extension for its Roblox experience, Walmart Discovered. The launch builds on an earlier test in April involving a real-world commerce integration within Walmart Discovered on Roblox. The new AR extension, developed in collaboration with Sawhorseusing Niantic’s 8th Wall platform, aims to provide an immersive shopping experience for customers on the platform. 

The AR extension offers several interactive elements, including:

• Uncovering a free virtual item each month, unlocked with the purchase of a Roblox gift card from Walmart.
• Accessing a curated selection of top-rated avatar items and new experiences created by the Roblox community.
• Completing monthly quests powered by Flaunt to earn limited-edition user-generated content (UGC).
• Trying on and purchasing avatar items directly within the AR experience.

Read the full story here: https://www.auganix.org/ar-news-walmart-launches-first-ar-extension-for-roblox-walmart-discovered-8th-wall/

How will AI ‘empower’ Taylor Swift and her fans? will.i.am gives his take on the future

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When asked how AI will change the music industry, will.i.am was not only excited by the way it will help to link the performer and the audience more closely during live shows, but he also suggested a fourth industry will be created. 

“A new industry is emerging and that will expand the economy of music, dimensionalise music and the experience of music.  ...

“I look at it like AI does yoga really well but that doesn't mean it's going to help me stretch. I’ve still got to stretch myself. 

“So writing songs and making music is stretching, it's my own Pilates.  It'll be great for folks that don't know how to stretch. It'd be great for folks that need that crutch, right? It's a great amplifier and accelerator for folks. ...

See the full story here: https://www.euronews.com/business/2024/06/25/how-will-ai-empower-taylor-swift-and-her-fans-william-gives-his-take-on-the-future

These “Everyday” Smartglasses Support 2-3 Days of Use

This week, German XR hardware vendor Even Realities is introducing its first smart glasses product: the G1 Digital Glasses. The product combines wearable AR, AI, and LLM technology into a stylish device similar to the Meta Ray Ban portfolio.  ...

Even Realities is fully untethered, enabling unrestricted indoor and outdoor use for the G1 product. ...

The features of the G1 “Even OS” include leading integrations such as real-time translation spoken language translation, step-by-step instructional AR visualisations, AI teleprompter, hands-free note-taking, instant messaging, and work reminder pop-ups. Moreover, in addition to the Even OS features, the G1 smartglasses allow users to leverage genAI and LLM tools, such as ChatGPT. 

The G1 device also contains waveguide optics, binocular ocularity, 640×200 resolution, a 25-degree field of view, a 20Hz refresh rate, a micro-LED display, UK protection, two built-in microphones, and wireless charging. ...

See the full story here: https://www.xrtoday.com/augmented-reality/these-everyday-smartglasses-support-2-3-days-of-use/

‘Gorilla Tag’ Has Topped $100M in Revenue, Making it One of VR’s Most Successful Games

... Not long after its launch back in early 2021 it became clear there was something special about Gorilla Tag. It’s minimalistic ‘tag’ gameplay, unique arm-based locomotion, and novel social architecture made for simple social fun. And it turns out, people really like simple social fun. ...

• 10 million lifetime players
• 3 million monthly active users
• 1 million daily active users

...

See the full story here: https://www.roadtovr.com/gorilla-tag-revenue-vr-success-another-axiom/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR2kv0qFz2u3EhojezbDLi5oBLBwIzCUjWBlCuC-VbZV7G69H_i6eEqwHO4_aem_Dq7vBphHhdysDs_f3ZeUBw

Center for News, Technology & Innovation

Center for News, Technology & Innovation, an independent global policy research center, seeks to encourage independent, sustainable media, maintain an open internet and foster informed public policy conversations.

Adam Clayton Powell, III, Executive Director, USC Election Cybersecurity Initiative, is an advisor to this group.

One session and whitepaper - Synthetic Media & Deepfakes https://innovating.news/article/synthetic-media-deepfakes/

See the webpage here: https://innovating.news/about/

The Bletchley Declaration by Countries Attending the AI Safety Summit, 1-2 November 2023

PhilNote: in order to get support from China, the EU, and the US, this agreement is all about discussing issues without actually defining them (ex. "risk") or developing a plan for deployment and enforcement.

... This could include making, where appropriate, classifications and categorisations of risk based on national circumstances and applicable legal frameworks. We also note the relevance of cooperation, where appropriate, on approaches such as common principles and codes of conduct.  ...

In the context of our cooperation, and to inform action at the national and international levels, our agenda for addressing frontier AI risk will focus on:

• identifying AI safety risks of shared concern, building a shared scientific and evidence-based understanding of these risks, and sustaining that understanding as capabilities continue to increase, in the context of a wider global approach to understanding the impact of AI in our societies.
• building respective risk-based policies across our countries to ensure safety in light of such risks, collaborating as appropriate while recognising our approaches may differ based on national circumstances and applicable legal frameworks. This includes, alongside increased transparency by private actors developing frontier AIcapabilities, appropriate evaluation metrics, tools for safety testing, and developing relevant public sector capability and scientific research.

...

See the full story here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ai-safety-summit-2023-the-bletchley-declaration/the-bletchley-declaration-by-countries-attending-the-ai-safety-summit-1-2-november-2023

Colorado’s Landmark AI Act: What Companies Need To Know

Colorado has become the first state to enact a comprehensive law relating to the development and deployment of certain artificial intelligence (AI) systems. The Colorado Artificial Intelligence Act (CAIA), which will go into effect on February 1, 2026, adopts a risk-based approach to AI regulation that shares some similarities with the EU AI Act. ...

Key Points

• The CAIA is primarily focused on high-risk artificial intelligence systems, which is defined as any system that, when deployed, makes — or is a substantial factor in making — a “consequential decision.” As discussed further below, consequential decisions generally relate to those involving education, employment, financial services, housing, health care or legal services.
• The CAIA is designed to protect against algorithmic discrimination, namely unlawful differential treatment that disfavors an individual or group on the basis of protected characteristics.
• The law imposes various obligations relating to documentation, disclosures, risk analysis and mitigation, governance, and impact assessments for developers and deployers of high-risk AI systems.
• With respect to all AI systems that interact with consumers, deployers must ensure that consumers are aware they are interacting with an AI system.
• The state attorney general can bring an action for violations of the CAIA as an unfair or deceptive trade practice; there is no private right of action available.

Read the full story here: https://www.skadden.com/insights/publications/2024/06/colorados-landmark-ai-act

Major record labels sue AI company behind ‘BBL Drizzy’

A group of record labels including the big three — Universal Music Group (UMG), Sony Music Entertainment, and Warner Records — are suing two of the top names in generative AI music making, alleging the companies violated their copyright “en masse.”

The two AI companies, Suno and Udio, use text prompts to churn out original songs. Both companies have enjoyed a level of success: Suno is available for use in Microsoft Copilot though a partnership with the tech giant. Udio was used to create “BBL Drizzy,” one of the more notable examples of AI music going viral. ...

The plaintiffs say that when they accused Suno of using copyrighted works, the company deflected, saying training data was “confidential business information.” Udio made similar claims in correspondences, according to the suit. ...

See the full story here: https://www.theverge.com/2024/6/24/24184710/riaa-ai-lawsuit-suno-udio-copyright-umg-sony-warner