Impact Lab – Page 179 – A Laboratory of the Future Human Experience

AI

Hiber Unveils AI-Enhanced 3D World Building Tools at Google Cloud Next Event

September 19, 2023

Hiber, in collaboration with Datatonic and Google Cloud, announced a significant upgrade to its 3D world creation tools, incorporating generative AI to simplify the process of building virtual environments. This development was showcased at the recent Google Cloud Next event in San Francisco, marking a major milestone for the Swedish-based company.

Hiber’s mission is to democratize the 3D web, making it more accessible to creators and users alike. Through their existing tools, the Hiber3D Development Kit, and a consumer-friendly no-code tool, they have already facilitated the creation of over five million 3D worlds on the HiberWorld user-generated content hub.

new technology

Innovative Interactive Fabric Surfaces with Sensing Capability Developed by University of Canterbury Researcher

September 19, 2023

Dr. Aluna Everitt, a Computer Science and Software Engineering Lecturer at Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC), has pioneered the development of stretchable, sensor-equipped interactive fabric surfaces. The original prototype was conceived during her research visit to Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada, and she is now dedicated to enhancing its functionality, with potential applications in physiotherapy and healthcare.

Dr. Everitt expressed her motivation behind this endeavor, stating, “There’s already been quite a bit of work in the digital wearables area, and I’m keen to keep working on a new approach to the way this technology is designed and built.”

Robotics

Origami-Inspired Microfliers: Drones Release Shape-Shifting Robots for Environmental Data Collection

September 18, 2023

Origami’s influence on robotics continues to evolve, with researchers at the University of Washington developing microfliers that dynamically change their shape in midair after being dropped from drones. These microfliers, described in a new study published in Science Robotics, employ the Miura-ori folding method, inspired by natural leaf patterns, to adapt their form while gliding through the air and collecting environmental data.

In their initial descent from drones, the microfliers fall in an unfolded, flat state, resembling the way an elm leaf descends chaotically. Equipped with tiny onboard pressure sensors, timers, and Bluetooth signals, the robots adjust their shape mid-flight to control airflow and achieve a more stable descent, similar to maple leaves. According to Vikram Iyer, a co-senior author of the study, origami offers a new design approach for microfliers, enabling highly energy-efficient, battery-free control of their descent.

AI

Amazon Introduces Generative Listing Content Tool to Simplify Product Listings

September 18, 2023

Amazon has unveiled a new AI tool designed to assist sellers in creating product listings more efficiently. This feature utilizes a large language model (LLM) trained on extensive datasets to streamline the process of describing products. Amazon characterizes this tool as a way to simplify the often labor-intensive task of crafting titles, bullet points, and product descriptions into a single step.

Amazon’s Generative Listing Content tool requires sellers to provide a brief product description, typically just a few words or sentences. From there, the tool generates high-quality content, including a product title, description, and bullet points, which sellers can review and edit if necessary. During the testing phase, many sellers found the generated content suitable for use without further revisions.

Food

Coca-Cola’s AI-Created Y3000 Zero Sugar Drink: A Taste of the Future

September 18, 2023

Coca-Cola has unveiled the world’s first soda drink crafted with the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI). The limited-edition Y3000 Zero Sugar, launched this month, offers a glimpse of what the future might taste like, according to the company. It’s the result of a collaborative effort, combining “human intelligence and AI” to create a beverage that embodies Coca-Cola’s vision of tomorrow.

The Creative Process

To bring this innovative drink to life, Coca-Cola solicited input from fans worldwide to understand what a futuristic beverage should taste like. AI played a pivotal role in developing flavor profiles and designing the product’s external packaging, including the logo and text script. Each Y3000 can boasts a QR code that, when scanned, provides customers with a sneak peek into the world of the year 3,000. This allows access to the Coca-Cola Creations Hub, where users can apply custom Y3000 AI Cam filters to their photos.

AI

Stanford Study Shows AI Language Models Can Simulate Human Behavior Realistically

September 17, 2023

Recent research conducted by Stanford University reveals that large language models (LLMs) like OpenAI’s GPT-3, 3.5, and 4 can be effectively harnessed to simulate human behavior convincingly. This innovative study, titled “Generative Agents: Interactive Simulacra of Human Behavior,” explores the potential of generative models in creating AI agents that mimic human behavior with dynamic realism.

Advancing Realistic AI Behavior

The study explores an AI agent architecture that remembers interactions, reflects on received information, and plans both short- and long-term goals based on an ever-expanding memory stream. These AI agents can simulate a wide range of human behaviors, from mundane tasks to complex decision-making processes. When these agents interact with one another, they can emulate intricate social behaviors, providing insights into population dynamics and societal interactions.

Space

Caltech’s MAPLE Project Achieves Wireless Power Transmission in Space

September 17, 2023

Researchers at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) have achieved a significant milestone in space technology by successfully demonstrating wireless power transmission in space and beaming detectable energy back to Earth. This pioneering achievement was made possible through an innovative method known as Microwave Array for Power-transfer Low-orbit Experiment (MAPLE).

Advancing Space-Based Solar Power

The successful wireless transmission of energy in space represents a crucial step toward harnessing space-based solar power, offering promising prospects for sustainable energy sources.

Biotech

Redwire’s 3D Bioprinting Breakthrough on the ISS: Printing Human Knee Meniscus in Microgravity

September 17, 2023

Redwire Corporation, a prominent space infrastructure company, has achieved a groundbreaking milestone by successfully 3D printing a human knee meniscus aboard the International Space Station (ISS), as reported by Interesting Engineering. This achievement marks a significant advancement in the field of 3D bioprinting and holds profound implications for human health, particularly in addressing meniscal injuries, which are among the most common injuries experienced by U.S. Service Members.

A Journey to Microgravity Bioprinting

The vast distance from Earth poses significant challenges for healthcare delivery during extended space missions, leading to a growing demand for space-based healthcare solutions. While conventional medicines from Earth can address common illnesses, the situation becomes more complex when dealing with injuries like bone fractures.

Space

The Uncharted Territory of Space Mining: Legal Ambiguities Linger

September 15, 2023

If you were to land on the moon today and conduct a meticulous survey of its surface, you would encounter several U.S. flags and a solitary Chinese flag, planted firmly in the lunar dust. These national symbols, however, carry little legal weight in the context of land claims and territorial jurisdiction in outer space. International agreements have established that no nation can assert ownership over land in outer space or on celestial bodies, including planets, moons, or asteroids. Such extraterrestrial realms are, in the words of the Outer Space Treaty signed by the U.S. and many nations in 1967, “the province of all mankind.”

Yet, as the world prepares for a new space industry race, a contentious issue looms large: Does the Outer Space Treaty prohibit private industry, particularly in the realm of space mining? If a company like Acme Moon Company were to embark on a mission to collect a moon rock from the Sea of Tranquility and return to Earth, would it gain full property rights over the rock, or would it be in violation of international law?

Cancer

Dell and University of Limerick Harness AI for Breakthroughs in Cancer Research

September 15, 2023

Dell has joined forces with the University of Limerick (UL) in Ireland to propel cancer research into a new era using artificial intelligence (AI). Their collaboration will focus on enhancing cancer care for B-cell lymphoma patients, spanning the entire spectrum of diagnosis, treatment, and long-term outcomes.

Dell’s AI Platform Transforms Cancer Care

Dell has developed a cutting-edge AI platform, seamlessly integrated with the latest storage arrays and PowerEdge servers, to drive innovation in the field of cancer research. This platform has become an integral part of UL’s Digital Cancer Research Centre’s multicloud ecosystem and has the capability to create digital replicas of patients, known as digital twins.

AI

Infobot’s AI Tool Revolutionizes News Content Creation by Synthesizing Updates

September 15, 2023

Artificial intelligence is poised to transform various job sectors, with content creation being a prime candidate for disruption. The news industry, in particular, is on the cusp of a revolutionary change as AI tools, like Infobot, aim to efficiently generate news content from updates—a task typically performed by journalists.

Infobot Unveils Groundbreaking AI Tool for News Content Creation

Among the multitude of AI startups, one stood out during Y Combinator’s Demo Day presentations: Infobot. This startup drew considerable attention for its AI-driven news network concept, which has the potential to redefine news content generation.

Infobot’s Unique Approach

Infobot’s distinguishing feature lies in its innovative approach to news content creation. It leverages AI to synthesize publicly available information, such as updates from local government sources—an essential element of news reporting. This approach allows for the automation of news updates originating directly from official announcements.

AI

Bipartisan Senators Propose AI Regulation Framework with Licensing and Oversight

September 14, 2023

Senators Richard Blumenthal, a Democrat, and Josh Hawley, a Republican, have jointly put forth a legislative framework aimed at shaping future AI regulations. The framework includes proposals to establish a new governmental body tasked with regulating artificial intelligence and to impose restrictions on the development of advanced language models like OpenAI’s GPT-4, limiting such work to companies granted licenses for the purpose.

Under this legislative proposal, companies intending to develop “high-risk” AI applications, including face recognition, must obtain a government license. To obtain such licenses, companies would be required to perform pre-deployment testing of AI models to assess potential harm, publicly disclose incidents of AI-related harm post-launch, and allow independent third-party audits of their AI models. Furthermore, companies would need to provide access to the training data used in AI model development, and individuals harmed by AI would have the right to take legal action against the responsible company.