9 O'CLOCK NEWS | May 2024

H E L L O

Welcome to our latest monthly roundup, where we deliver the freshest technology and culture insights from our team straight to your feed.

This time, we're delving into the future of co-presence in mixed reality, exploring why FKA Twigs is an AI pioneer, and seeing how one big brand is using tech to solve a key everyday problem for many. Plus, check out our quick fire 'Cool Stuff' links at the end for some extra intel.

Let's dive in.

01. FKA TWIGS CREATES AI VERSION OF HERSELF

FKA Twigs has revealed she has used artificial intelligence to create a deepfake of herself that will interact with fans and journalists so she can focus on her music.

The singer told a US Senate Judiciary subcommittee that celebrities and artists should have control over how their voices, looks and personalities are used by AI. "In the past year, I have developed my own deepfake version of myself that is not only trained in my personality but that also can use my exact tone of voice to speak many languages," she said.

We’ve seen a fair amount of controversy and ethical questions raised around how AI is being leveraged in the music industry, both to mimic artists who are currently alive and to remake music from those who have passed. In fact, by 2026 as much as 90% of online content may be generated or manipulated using AI. Twigs is subverting the narrative and taking power into her own hands by having control over her artificial self.?

We’re about to enter an exciting new paradigm of human-computer interactions — and with it, a whole new way for fans to engage with their beloved idols (see more of our thinking on that here ). It’s crucial that fans understand that representations like AI Twigs are fictitious - we need to create them in ways that strengthen fans’ appreciation for the personality’s skill, craft and unique expertise, rather than fanning the flame of obsession and exploitation. But if we build AI replicas mindfully and meaningfully, the possibilities are endless. Get in touch to learn more about our approach.

(Anyone else think she missed a trick not calling her AI twin FAK Twigs?)

02. AN EXCITING NEW APPROACH TO CO-PRESENCE IN MIXED REALITIES

What will multi-user experiences in mixed reality look like? A spattering of exciting updates aim to bring co-presence into our living rooms, all stemming from a better understanding of our physical environment.

Multi-user spaces are among the biggest obstacles to realising a fully satisfying shared experience. We’ve always felt creating a sense of connected co-presence is hugely important when it comes to spatial computing - hence we started experimenting with this ourselves in a prototype that brings physically distant users together in a single, shared experience. But there’s scope to fully understand and make use of users’ individual environments even further.

The recent introduction of Meta’s Virtual Positioning System (VPS) is an exciting step forward that will enable us to learn more about a user’s space, for example by leveraging ?visual clues and AI recognition to gain more context of layouts, ultimately allowing us to more accurately place mixed reality content within that environment.

With that in mind, we were intrigued about this new approach to multi-user extended reality experiences - a system where individual users can sync their unique locations into a single merged space with designated areas for each participant, taking into account their own layouts and furniture. It certainly teases what’s possible for future multiplayer experiences within mixed reality and we’re excited to continue developing what could come next. Progression like this could be huge for multiplayer gaming, social activities and even productivity as shared spatial experiences continue to feel more authentic and meaningful.

03. DYSON’S AR TOOL USES TECH TO SOLVE AN EVERYDAY PROBLEM

The innovative household brand has recently announced CleanTrace, an AR-powered tool that’s designed to perfect your vacuuming skills.

A study carried out by Dyson showed that people consistently overestimate the time they spend cleaning and underestimate how well they clean their home. In fact, their research shows that around 80% of cleaning sessions last less than 10 minutes , yet people claim they vacuum for an average of 24 minutes per session.?

Using LiDAR technology, the new Dyson CleanTrace maps your room via your smartphone and uses AR to create cleaning pathways to help you better clean your space. It’s reminiscent of a fun headset prototype shared on Twitter by developer Daniel Beauchamp - but it seems Dyson’s official version focuses on mobile only for now. Could an official wearable version be next?

AR is known for being a great entertainment device and educational tool, but we also love to see how it can be utilised by big brands to solve genuine everyday problems and make things easier for their audiences - plus a bit of fun thrown in along the way never hurts.

04. HAPTIC AI COMPASS OFFERS SCREEN-FREE NAVIGATION

Modem Works and Panter & Tourron? have launched TERRA , an innovative device that provides navigation and directions using AI and haptic feedback.

We’ve all been there - you’re in a new city trying to experience the culture, architecture and general atmosphere, but instead of enjoying what’s around you, you end up glued to your phone screen trying to navigate your way around. Well, in an effort to recreate mindful connections with our surroundings, this ‘gorpcore’ (i.e. functional but cool), pocket-sized compass allows people to wander without distraction by using haptic feedback instead of a screen. Working off a prompt - for example, ‘Kyoto architecture tour, back by 4pm’ - TERRA’s AI translates user intention into a bespoke trail of GPS coordinates to guide them.

With audiences increasingly valuing screen-free time, TERRA shows us how AI can be leveraged for a more discreet integration of current digital tools, and simple contextual experiences like walking around a city can be enhanced - without the use of tangible barriers or visual interfaces. While screen-based experiences dominate media consumption, new screen-free approaches can allow for more human, mindful and meaningful moments and experiences with our live surroundings. What else could be possible with haptic AI?

MORE COOL STUFF

• This week we saw a really simple but playful example from Lucas Martinic of how hands can become full controllers for mixed reality experiences. We’re excited to explore more creative ways of allowing users to control virtual elements with their bodies.
• The first music video made entirely by AI video creation tool, Sora is out - and despite a couple of uncanny valley moments, it’s pretty impressive.
• We love this cool prototype from Aurelio Puerta Martín showing how mixed reality can add immersive moments to famous films, using Harry Potter as an example.
• SXSW has just announced an official London expansion for June 2025 - we can’t wait to get our tech and culture fix.
• Scientists have created the first brain-like computer using water and salt, providing the first evidence that a system using the same medium as our brains can process complex information. Could this be a step towards computing systems replicating the extraordinary capabilities of the human brain more faithfully?
• Heineken x Bodega launch a boring phone to appeal to the Gen Z market both from an aesthetic and functional perspective, helping users feel more present on nights out without the distraction of smart tech.

THANKS FOR READING! SEE YOU NEXT TIME :)

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