PERSPECTIVE
► Yes, the Metaverse Is Still Happening. While artificial intelligence continues to dominate headlines and the metaverse has seemingly been sidelined by Mark Zuckerberg’s decision to shift focus from the metaverse to AI, it’s important to note that the metaverse is still as relevant as ever. Soon enough, most of us will find ourselves operating within virtual worlds, designing digital twins, and providing services in expansive Web3 environments. Read it here.
► How AI-Generated Music is Attracting Millions of New Listeners. AI-generated music is changing the soundscape of pop music and drawing millions of new listeners, but there are concerns about its impact on the creative process and potential loss of jobs in the industry. An impressive 200,000 people listened to these tracks in the past week alone, showcasing the growing popularity of AI-generated music. Read it here.
► The Expansion of Immersive Therapeutics in Healthcare.
How does immersive therapeutics transform the healthcare industry? With better accessibility and affordability, immersive therapeutics is now transforming how patients receive optimal care. Particularly in mental health and physical therapy, it has been instrumental in optimizing treatment outcomes, and helping patients overcome anxiety, discomfort, and other challenges to their recovery. Read it here.
DATA & STATISTICS
► According to research by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, 77% of tech professionals are concerned about safety issues in the metaverse and 81% of experts think the virtual environment will create new regulatory challenges. Only one-quarter of IT professionals believe the metaverse and immersive technologies will benefit society, while 38% think Web 3.0 will improve society. Read it here.
NEWS
► The World Health Organization (WHO) has released a statement urging the safe and ethical use of AI and LLMs in the healthcare sector. WHO said that the hasty adoption of untested systems could lead to errors by healthcare workers and harm patients. WHO recommends a thorough assessment of the tangible advantages of AI in the healthcare industry before its broad implementation. Read it here.
► Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, spoke in the US Senate about the risks and regulation of AI, and he supported cooperation with the state to educate politicians and develop ideas on how AI should be regulated. In his speech, Altman highlighted the debates around AI’s use as a potential risk to humanity and acknowledged the need for careful regulation. He then proposed OpenAI’s vision of AI’s future and associated risks, as outlined in its recently-published ‘Planning for AGI and Beyond’ text. The text calls for global cooperation between major AI players, transparent verification for all released models, and better cooperation between the industry and governments. Read it here.
► Microsoft’s $68.7 billion deal to acquire Activision Blizzard has been approved by EU regulators just weeks after UK regulators blocked the acquisition. The European Commission has concluded that the deal can pass thanks to commitments from Microsoft related to cloud gaming. Read it here.
► Singapore Tourism Board partners with Google to create Augmented Reality tours. Google’s ARCore and the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) launched a preview of two new immersive AR experiences in its Visit Singapore app. The new feature allows visitors to take guided tours of Merlion Park and Victoria Theatre & Concert Hall using Google's ARCore and Unity. Read it here.
►Are hologram witnesses headed to court? A Virginia court is testing hologram technology for virtual witness testimony. The William and Mary Law School's McGlothlin Courtroom is testing a hologram machine called the Epic, designed by Proto for retail and live events, to explore its use in the courtroom. Read it here.
► Meta and BMW collaborate to integrate augmented and virtual reality into smart vehicles, aiming to enhance the passenger experience. The two companies have overcome challenges faced by VR headsets in moving vehicles by integrating tracking systems and sensor data. According to Meta’s blog post, the social media giant and BMW have tackled a significant challenge faced by Oculus Insight technology, which tracks VR headset movement using inertial motion sensors and cameras. Read it here.
