The Future of Tech: Live from SXSW!

Welcome back, trailblazers!?

This is a special episode because I'm here from Austin at SXSW, one of the biggest conferences where technology, music, film, and innovation meet. In this delivery, I want to bring to you some of the things that caught my attention the most during these days of the event.?

And if you're around here, let’s meet! SXSW is not only rich for the quality of the speakers, sessions, and amazing tech devices, but it's also all about encountering peers and fellow tech enthusiasts to grab a coffee and exchange ideas.?

Let’s start the journey!?

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Always good to come across Salesforce fellows, with this Human at the Helm action pack capturing some of the most important questions we should be asking around human-AI collaboration, along with best practices and a huge survey to AI-users.?

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Smart Devices & Immersive Experience?

Wehead?

I met the team behind Wehead , and I was very surprised (and maybe a bit disturbed). They have developed a physical head, displayed on a tablet, which serves as a visual representation of the AI it houses. This design choice aims to create a more interactive and engaging user experience by providing a tangible presence to the otherwise disembodied AI.?

It leverages a Large Language Model (LLM) to participate in conversations, answer questions, and provide information much like ChatGPT does, but with the added dimension of a physical interface.?

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Honda XR Experience?

Another experience that blew my mind was this one by Honda . They integrate immersive virtual reality experiences with UNI-ONE, a hands-free personal mobility device equipped with cutting-edge self-balancing technology and sensors. These features enable users to navigate in any direction, guided by their own movements and posture.?

Here you can watch how it works in detail:

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Amy Webb Launches 2024 Emerging Tech Trend Report?

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Amy Webb once again captivated the SXSW audience with her visionary take on the future of tech, making us all sit up a bit straighter in our chairs. ?

Webb, alongside the Future Today Institute , unveiled their much-anticipated annual technology report. And the message was clear: we are the "transition generation," navigating through a super cycle of technological evolution. Imagine, technology soon won't just predict what we're about to type (thanks, LLMs) but will anticipate our very actions (LAMs). ?

It’s about time we geared up with new tools and thought models to untangle the complexities of responsibility in this AI-driven future. Remember the AI that played the stock market with insider info?

Webb’s report asks the tough question: who's on the hook when digital entities cross the line?

The report?revelations spanned from the future of bioengineering to the concept of connectables—devices designed to read our minds, quite literally.

Amidst the backdrop of fear, uncertainty, and doubt clouding the tech world, Webb's report is a beacon of hope and a roadmap for navigating these transformative times. ?

She even floated the idea of a "Department of Transition" to help society adapt to these relentless waves of change, suggesting a space where outdated business models can bow out gracefully.?

Get your copy of the 2024 report here! ?

Featured Session: AI and Humanity’s Co-evolution with OpenAI’s Head of ChatGPT?

Peter Deng painted a picture of AI not merely as a technological tool but as a co-pilot in humanity's ongoing evolution. He envisioned a world where AI assistants, with their ever-listening ears and analytical prowess, could revolutionize fields as traditional as legal counsel, suggesting questions and pointing out inconsistencies in real time. ?

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It's a bold future that hinges on blending AI's capabilities with human judgment, a synergy that could amplify our potential across all walks of life.?

Deng's reflections on AI were both profound and personal, suggesting a shift towards a more human-centric approach to technology. By enhancing our natural curiosity and serving as an omnipresent tutor, AI like ChatGPT promises to democratize knowledge, making learning an integral, seamless part of our daily lives.?

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Clinical?AI?is Not Just Any?AI?

?"Clinical AI is Not Just Any AI" left many of us pondering the profound implications for healthcare. Spearheaded by visionaries Charles Fisher , Karim Galil, M.D. , and Lawrence LaPointe , the discussion illuminated the unique attributes of clinical AI: explainability, reliability, clinical reasoning, and the importance of understanding patient journeys. ?

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This isn't about AI for AI's sake; it's about crafting technology that serves with precision, making significant strides in areas like aiding radiologists and untangling the complex web of protein folding.

The debate also ventured into the realms of superintelligence versus AGI, emphasizing that while data is plentiful, wisdom in decision-making is paramount. It's a thrilling era for healthcare, with AI poised to revolutionize our approach to medicine, merging the best of symbolic AI and deep learning to navigate the challenges ahead.?

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Quantum?Computing: Facts, Fiction, and the Future?

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Meanwhile, the 谷歌 Quantum AI team demystified quantum computing in their SXSW session, separating fact from fiction.

With Charina Chou and Erik Lucero, PhD (He/Him) at the helm, they explored the reality behind common myths, understanding that quantum computers, while not ready to outpace supercomputers in every field, offer unprecedented promise in simulations and cryptography. ?

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The session debunked the notion that quantum computing will replace personal computers, instead highlighting its role in tackling problems beyond the reach of current technology.

It also clarified that the quest for more qubits isn't just about quantity but quality, focusing on their ability to maintain a quantum state. This grounded perspective from Google's team offers a clear-eyed view of quantum computing's potential, steering us towards a future where these advanced systems will complement and enhance our computational capabilities.?

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These days in Austin have been incredible, and I'm buzzing with excitement to uncover more insights to share with you all! Make sure to follow Inclusion Cloud for up-to-the-minute insights and subscribe to my newsletter to keep up with everything coming next. ?

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Looking forward to bringing you more from SXSW. See you soon!?

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