philip lelyveld The world of entertainment technology

One Neighborhood’s ‘Bizarre Culture War’ Over Bike Lanes

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The city Department of Transportation has worked to design and build new bike lanes in Northeast Queens in close coordination with residents, said Vincent Barone, a spokesman for the agency. “Their designs have proven to significantly improve safety for everyone on the road — whether you’re walking, biking or in a car,” he said. ...

Because of the bike lanes — and the “no stopping” signs that accompany them — residents, many of them older, have to park farther away from their homes. “Someone coming in with grocery bags or something like that, who’s in their late 70s, is trying to lug these things because of these bike lanes,” Fray said.

Though the lanes have already been installed, he said, “the signs are still up everywhere in solidarity against this thing that has been forced on us. ...

“It’s a total game changer to be able to bike safely,” she said. Without dedicated bike lanes, she said, many people are deterred from cycling. “When you have wide streets with no bike infrastructure, drivers go pretty fast, and it’s very intimidating.” ...

See the full story here: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/01/nyregion/street-wars-bike-lanes-queens.html

Bitcoin Beach – El Salvador

Bitcoin Beach in El Zonte, El Salvador, is home of the world’s first community where families are paying their mortgages on the blockchain. Families used to spend hours of their weeks traveling to make cash payments in person. Now, they can walk out of their homes and exchange their hard-earned cash for bitcoin. Since bitcoin is a legal tender in El Salvador, families can use it to pay for everything — from their haircuts to their homes. ...

About 70% of the population in El Salvador is unbanked and restricted from obtaining a loan and owning a home.  ... While most Salvadorans don’t have a relationship with a bank, they do have mobile phones ...

Home page - https://bitcoin-beach2.webflow.io

See the full story here: https://www.newstoryhomes.org/blog/new-story-and-google-collaboration-brings-digital-transformation-to-bitcoin-beach#:~:text=Bitcoin%20Beach%20in%20El%20Zonte,hard%2Dearned%20cash%20for%20bitcoin.

The plot of a new Fox animated comedy series is about a guy who gets a $3,000 monthly ‘universal basic income’

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"Universal Basic Guys" stars a pair of brothers who join a $3,000-a-month basic income program after the hot dog factory where they work becomes automated. A universal basic income is often cited as a potential solution to the likely job losses created by artificial intelligence.

The animated series is co-produced by Fox Entertainment and Sony Pictures Television. Fox and Sony first ordered the first season in 2022. It is scheduled to premiere in the fall, but Fox has already ordered a second season. ...

While more cities are experimenting with basic income programs, they have also been the target of conservative ire. Some lawmakers have criticized the programs as akin to socialism, while others have called them unconstitutional. A common refrain is that basic incomes encourage recipients not to work, though studies have shown the opposite. ...

See the full story here: https://www.businessinsider.in/entertainment/news/the-plot-of-a-new-fox-animated-comedy-series-is-about-a-guy-who-gets-a-3000-monthly-universal-basic-income/amp_articleshow/111367415.cms

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

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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.

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