Meta hosted a two-day virtual event, Meta Connect 2023, on September 27-28, focusing on AI and virtual, mixed, and augmented realities.
The event featured presentations, lightning talks, and immersive experiences, giving attendees an insight into the latest advancements and innovations.
Unveiling Meta Quest 3 and Meta Smart Glasses
One of the highlights was the unveiling of the much-anticipated Meta Quest 3 and Meta smart glasses. Mark Zuckerberg, the Founder and CEO of Meta, along with special guests, introduced Meta Quest 3 and elucidated how Meta is pushing the boundaries of mixed reality.
Meta’s foray into smart glasses with a partnership with Ray-Ban showcased their commitment to expanding the realms of reality. The smart glasses promise hands-free communication and a seamless integration of the digital and physical worlds.\
Delving into Meta’s Technological Vision
The event delved into the technological vision of Meta with presentations like “Building the Future” by Michael Abrash, Chief Scientist at Reality Labs, and Andrew “Boz” Bosworth, CTO and Head of Reality Labs. They discussed Meta’s groundbreaking research in contextual AI, neural interfaces, and ultra-realistic codec avatars, fundamental to the future of computing.
Developer Ecosystem and AI Innovations
A significant aspect of the event was the “Developer State of the Union,” providing developers a platform to explore new tools, programs, and features across AI, VR, MR, AR, Meta Horizon Worlds, and Meta Avatars. Additionally, the event highlighted AI innovations through “AI, Llama and more” lightning talks, showcasing Meta’s recent AI developments and tools.
Immersive Experiences in Mixed Reality
On the second day, attendees had the opportunity to explore mixed reality experiences and the potential of Meta Quest 3 through a “Meta Quest and Mixed Reality” lightning talk. This session provided insights into the cutting-edge capabilities and business strategies that drive this next-generation product.
Meta Horizon Worlds: An Immersive Meta Experience
Meta Horizon Worlds, an immersive experience inspired by Meta’s Menlo Park campus, allowed participants to explore a virtual world and even experience Mark Zuckerberg’s keynote in 3D. Attendees could engage with others in Meta Horizon Worlds experiences and earn exclusive rewards.
OpenAI has taken another giant leap forward with the launch of ChatGPT Atlas — an AI-powered web browser that could redefine how people search, explore, and interact online. Investors and competitors are watching closely as this new technology challenges the dominance of traditional browsers like Google Chrome.
With ChatGPT Atlas, users may soon experience a web that feels less like typing into a search box and more like conversing with an intelligent assistant. The integration of AI could make browsing faster, more intuitive, and more personalised than ever before — but it also raises serious questions about privacy and data use.
As AI becomes more deeply embedded in the digital world, ChatGPT Atlas could represent the next major step toward a fully AI-driven online experience. What does this mean for users — and for the tech giants trying to keep up?
In Short:
– OpenAI partners with Bryan Cranston and unions to combat deepfakes on its Sora app.
– The app now includes options for people to control their likenesses and voices.
OpenAI announced it will work with Bryan Cranston, SAG-AFTRA, and actor unions to combat deepfakes on its AI video app, Sora.Cranston voiced concerns after unauthorized AI-generated clips featuring his likeness emerged after Sora 2’s launch in late September. He showed gratitude to OpenAI for taking steps to safeguard actors’ rights to control their likenesses.
The partnership aims to enhance protections against unauthorized AI content. The Creative Artists Agency and United Talent Agency had previously criticized OpenAI, citing risks to their clients’ intellectual property.
Last week, OpenAI blocked disrespectful videos of Martin Luther King Jr. at the request of his estate, following similar pressures. Zelda Williams also requested the public refrain from sending her AI-generated clips of her late father, Robin Williams.
Policy Changes
Following tensions post-launch, CEO Sam Altman revised Sora’s policy to give rights holders greater control of their likenesses.
The app now allows individuals to opt-out, reflecting OpenAI’s commitment to respond quickly to concerns from performers.
OpenAI backs the NO FAKES Act, supporting legislation that aims to protect individuals from unauthorized AI-generated representations.
OpenAI is focused on ensuring performers’ rights are respected regarding the misuse of their voices and likenesses. Altman reiterated the company’s dedication to these protections.
In Short:
– AWS outage on Monday disrupted major apps like Fortnite, Snapchat, and affected several global companies.
– UK companies including Lloyds Bank and Vodafone reported issues due to the AWS outage.
Amazon’s AWS experienced a significant outage on Monday, impacting major apps including Fortnite and Snapchat. The disruption affected connectivity for numerous companies globally.AWS reported increased error rates and latencies across multiple services and is attempting to recover quickly.
The outage marks the first significant internet disruption since a previous incident last year that impacted essential technology systems globally. AWS offers on-demand computing and storage services and is vital for many websites and platforms.
Multiple companies reported disruptions, including AI startup Perplexity, cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase, and trading app Robinhood. Perplexity’s CEO confirmed on X that the outages were linked to AWS issues.
Amazon’s shopping site, Prime Video, and Alexa services also faced difficulties, according to Downdetector. Other affected platforms included popular gaming applications like Clash Royale and financial services such as Venmo and Chime.
Uber competitor Lyft’s app was reported down for numerous users in the U.S. Messaging platform Signal also acknowledged connection problems stemming from the AWS outage.
British Companies
In the UK, Lloyds Bank, Bank of Scotland, and telecom services provider Vodafone were notably affected. The HMRC’s website also encountered issues during this outage.
Elon Musk stated that his platform, X, remained operational despite the widespread disruptions.