LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman recently delved into the realm of AI avatars by engaging in a video interview with a remarkably human-like digital clone of himself. Developed by Hour One and featuring voice cloning by 11ElevenLabs, this AI replica not only mimicked Hoffman’s knowledge and voice but also exhibited nuanced body language, actively nodding, smiling, and shrugging in sync with the real-world counterpart.
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Game-Changing Digital Twin Could Redefine Weather Forecasting
A recent article takes the concept of a digital twin to an interesting level. An earlier film developed by my team of Futurists rehearsed the possible future of digital twins. One possible future is a digital twin of the earth. The article describes how Nvidia recently unveiled Earth-2, a digital twin of the Earth aimed at revolutionizing meteorological simulations and visualizations on a global scale. This innovative platform, powered by Nvidia’s generative AI model CorrDiff, offers unprecedented speed and energy efficiency, enabling users to create high-resolution simulations of global weather patterns in seconds. By providing access through an API, Nvidia aims to enhance early warning systems for natural disasters and improve weather forecasts.
Government agencies and organizations like the Central Weather Administration of Taiwan and The Weather Company are already planning to utilize Earth-2 for forecasting and visualizing weather impacts. Nvidia’s venture into climate-focused technology reflects its commitment to addressing the challenges of climate change while capitalizing on the growing demand for AI-powered solutions. However, the long-term accuracy of such a complex system remains a pertinent question. The video below describes Earth-2.
Continue readingThe Rise Of Brain-Computer Interfaces
Imagine a world where you can control your computer, prosthetic limb, or even virtual reality experience with just the power of your thoughts. This is no longer the realm of science fiction, but the exciting reality of brain-computer interfaces (BCIs). BCIs act as a bridge between your brain and external devices. They capture the electrical activity generated by your thoughts and translate them into commands that can be understood by computers or machines. This is achieved by placing electrodes, either on the scalp (non-invasive) or directly on the brain tissue (invasive), to detect these signals. Sophisticated algorithms then analyze and decipher these intricate patterns, transforming them into actionable commands.
The potential applications of BCIs are vast and hold the promise to revolutionize numerous fields. In the medical realm, BCIs offer a glimmer of hope for individuals with paralysis or neuromuscular disorders. Imagine someone suffering from ALS regaining the ability to communicate and control their environment through the power of thought. BCIs could empower them to type messages, operate prosthetic limbs, or even control their smart homes, restoring a degree of independence and agency.
Continue readingGenerative AI Propels Humanoid Robots Into Unstructured Frontiers
The field of robotics stands at a pivotal point, poised to venture beyond the controlled confines of factories and laboratories. At the forefront of this progress lies the potent collaboration between generative AI and humanoid robots, paving the way for their operation in the dynamic and unpredictable world – unstructured environments. Generative AI, with its ability to analyze and synthesize data across varied domains like text, images, and video, plays a crucial role in empowering these robots. One primary contribution lies in enhancing their understanding of unstructured environments. These environments, unlike the pre-programmed structures robots traditionally operate in, are characterized by their dynamism, with constant changes in layout, object placement, and even lighting conditions.
Continue readingProgress In Robot Dexterity Is Accelerating
Generative AI systems operating on language, text, images and video have the potential to extend the digital footprint of robotics to increasingly unstructured environments.
Gordon brown, Mohamed A. El-erian, Michael Spence – Permacrisis
Based on the progress demonstrated in the video, I’d say that quote is playing out.
Rehearsing The Future Of Digital Twins
At an event earlier this week, TCS premiered a new film describing the past, present, and future of digital twins. The production team at TCS did a remarkable job – and I am proud of the end product. Hope you enjoy this journey to the past, present, and future.
The Virtual You
I have written about digital twins over the past year and participated in several articles describing a future where virtual representations of all things physical are viable. You can explore the topic here. The art of the possible is coming into focus.
Continue readingGovernments Need A “Digital Twin Division”
I wrote about the expanding possibility space for digital twins earlier this month. One domain that stands to benefit from the use of digital twins is the public domain. Government use of digital twins in the coming years, if pursued, can help leaders prepare for disruptions and disasters. This article – which I authored – was just published by Government Technology Insider. Several scenarios are described, with a vision towards a specific division focused on the possibility space.
What The Community Said about Interacting With Lost Loved Ones
In this post from February 2nd, I once again posed the question of interacting with a lost loved one. This scenario is part of a broad digital twins discussion, whether it is a digital version of a lost loved one, or a version of ourselves that lives on forever. In a post from February 2020, I included this video that showed a women reconnecting with her lost daughter virtually (digital twin):
Continue readingThe Expanding Possibility Space For Digital Twins
I have spent the last several months focused on all aspects of digital twins. The maturing of foundational building blocks has expanded their possibility space. Industrial applications are familiar to many, but the breadth of applications are now more visible. If we view digital twins through the lens of possibilities, we can apply them to the various challenges that continue to impact society. Using some of the UN sustainability goals as a guide, and with the help of ChatGPT via a question and answer session, let’s explore the possibilities:
Continue readingSpeaking To Those Who Have Passed
In early 2020 I wrote a Post about reuniting with a lost loved one. Since that time, the capacity to do so has expanded.
Continue readingRememory, the act of talking to the dead, is an idea as old as man himself. For pagans, it was a means of venerating ancestors who had passed. In Christianity, it remains the belief in afterlife through purgatory, heaven, or hell. What used to be science fiction for some and customary beliefs for others has now become a reality, by using the artificial intelligence technology created by DeepBrain AI.
Nana Coupeau – Rememory, The AI that Helps Us Talk to the Dead
Digital Twins Are Set For Rapid Adoption In 2023
Interest in Digital Twins is ramping, as evidenced by the number of media outlets showing interest in the topic. I have added a number of recent articles to my media library. A very good CNBC article was launched a couple of days ago. It provides a broad view of digital twins and the growing possibility space.
Continue readingBig Things In Store For Digital Twins In 2023
I had the pleasure of talking to Paul Barker in an interview with IT World Canada. The resulting article just launched. We discussed the possibilities for digital twins in 2023. I really enjoyed our discussion, which he captured via a series of quotes in the article. In the context of foresight – a question that comes up a lot these days – he asked me what it is like to be a futurist:
Continue readingThe Impact Of Virtual Worlds On Travel
Continue readingThe tourism sector stands to benefit tremendously from the use of Metaverse technology. The greater availability of new and better sources of inspiration for travelers is one of the perks that stands out the most
Jai Hamid – Survey shows Metaverse will have an impact on how people travel
Rehearsing 2023
As a new year approaches, it is natural to want to predict what’s next. But, a caveat: I prefer not to speak in terms of “predictions.” I speak about “rehearsing possibilities” – understanding possible futures and envisioning outcomes.
Frank Diana – Digital Twins Reach a Tipping Point & Save Lives
That quote above was included in a recent article about digital twins. That article focused on the role that digital twins are likely to play in 2023.
Continue readingHumanoid Robot Mimics Facial Expressions
She’s baaaack. Every new video of Ameca gets more fascinating. We watched her come to life. We saw her defend her personal space. We watched as she practiced facial expressions in a mirror. We then watched her have a conversation with her creators. Now, we see her mimicking the facial expressions of an engineer. Check it out.
Continue readingA Conversation With Ameca – The Humanoid Robot
Ameca has already proven to be an impressive demonstration of state-of-the-art humanoid robots, with her uncanny ability to contort her face into extremely believable, human-like expressions, ranging from disbelief to disgust. Now, thanks to the power of GPT 3, Ameca is able to converse as well, in an impressive extension of what modern robots are capable of.
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The Metaverse Handbook
The Metaverse is now one of those buzzwords we can expect to hear about for some time to come. With that in mind, I just finished reading my latest book titled The Metaverse Handbook. The book covers the following:
Continue readingRobot Shows A Wide Range Of Facial Expressions
When I first posted a video of Ameca defending her personal space, the reaction ranged from fascinating to creepy. I would expect a similar reaction to this new video released by Engineered Arts. They have been working on teaching Ameca a wider range of facial expressions, with twelve new actuators added. See for yourself.
Continue readingDigital Twins Have Evolved
I had the pleasure recently of talking to Fernando Guarneros Olmos about the evolving world of digital twins. Fernando is a journalist with a special interest in business related to technology and video games. Our discussion was captured in an article titled Digital twins also help prevent famine.
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Reimagining the Future 