AI movies are two years away

Google DeepMind kick-off, Katmai’s 3D virtual office, plus more metaverse stories today

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The Future, today. In just 3 minutes.

Joe Russo, co-director of Marvel movies such as Avengers: Endgame and Avengers: Infinity War, thinks AI will be making full flicks in two years.

His prediction: AI could be used to “mess” with storytelling and create constantly changing narratives in games, movies, or TV shows.

Russo’s got some choice words on that potential future:

“You could walk into your house and save the AI on your streaming platform. ‘Hey, I want a movie starring my photoreal avatar and Marilyn Monroe’s photoreal avatar. I want it to be a rom-com because I’ve had a rough day,’ and it renders a very competent story with dialogue that mimics your voice. It mimics your voice, and suddenly now you have a rom-com starring you that’s 90 minutes long.”

Russo also shares he’s on the board of a few AI companies. “There are AI companies that are developing AI to protect you from AI … The question is, then, how [do] we protect ourselves in that future?”

Last week, Alphabet and Google CEO Sundar Pichai introduced Google DeepMind as the next big leap in its AI exploration.

This development follows the company’s belief that AI critically figures into the continual improvement of its core offerings, from Search and YouTube to Gmail and the high-resolution camera in the Pixel phones.

What we know so far about DeepMind:

  • The DeepMind unit brings together 2 leading research groups in the AI field, namely the Brain team from Google Research and DeepMind, a London-based AI firm launched in 2010 and is made up of scientists, engineers, and ethicists.

  • In 2014, DeepMind joined forces with Google, with key programs diagnosing eye diseases, saving 30% of the energy used to keep data centers cool, and predicting the complex 3D shapes of proteins to one day transform drug production.

  • Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis will spearhead the development of the company’s general AI systems, while Google’s new chief scientist Jeff Dean will be reporting directly to Pichai.

Katmai, the new 3D virtual office platform, has raised $22 million for its new take on remote work.

Here's what Katmai's virtual office platform offers:

  • Combined real video and 3D engine, creating photorealistic, immersive browser-accessible environments.

  • Real human interaction that creates real relationships and trust, not cartoon avatars.

  • Access to a shared in-office experience while working remotely.

  • Creating virtual brand experiences with personal spaces, audio, and co-working.

  • Boost productivity through natural communication, collaboration, and interaction.

  • No special hardware or software needed as it works on any computer with a webcam.

Studies show that 97% of workers desire some form of remote work, and business leaders are currently grappling with the challenge of enticing workers back to the “physical office” - via virtual experiences and hybrid work models while optimizing productivity, employee well-being, and company culture.

The Republican National Committee’s response to Joe Biden’s reelection bid? No less than an AI-generated video showing a dystopian future in the event of his second presidential victory.

A first time for the RNC to produce a 100% AI video (according to the group’s spokesperson), the said feature shows AI-created images of Biden and Vice-President Kamala Harris at what appears to be an Election Day celebration, followed by a series of imagined news reports of one crisis after another - implied to be the aftermath of a Biden 2024 win.

As AI-generated images - previously blasted by the likes of the Pope for the misinformation they bring - continue to disrupt entire fields and industries, politics is likely to be the next important frontier.

The RNC and other political groups will potentially leverage the technology during campaign season, appealing to the voting population via intelligent systems like generative AI.

🏃‍♂️ Quick Hits

🎮 Gaming

  • Is it game over for Roblox after reporting March metrics miss? (Link)

  • On Ready Player Me, L’Oréal Professionnel creates diverse virtual hair looks for cross-gaming avatars. (Link)

  • A glimpse of 3D metaverse gaming platform DogeRift. (Link)

  • Gamers as a force for good? This GameFi-for-good delivers “impact NFTs.” (Link)

  • In Japan, bishōjo games are producing virtual relationships, and we're likely going even deeper with the latest tech. (Link)

  • Meta Masters Guild relaunches its NFT store for upgradeable in-game assets. (Link)

🕶 Fashion

  • A closer look at RTFKT x Nike’s 10-piece Air Force 1 collection in collaboration with Takashi Murakami. (Link)

  • Alibaba’s high-end goods marketplace Tmall Luxury Pavilion is creating digital collectibles for young, digital-first consumers. (Link)

  • Metaverse fashion is on the rise and redefining sustainability. (Link)

  • What went down at the inaugural AI Fashion Week. (Link)

  • IP and fashion’s runway to gamification in India. (Link)

  • For House of Blueberry, digital natives will lead the way to the metaverse. (Link)

🏀 Sports

  • Sports brand ASICS calls out AI platforms over unrealistic body images. (Link)

  • Wellness in web3 comprises anything from move-to-earn workouts to avatar meditation. (Link)

  • Cupra turns to the metaverse to design its DarkRebel virtual sports car concept. (Link)

  • VR is inevitably changing the way we watch and participate in sports. (Link)

  • It’s sports, it’s entertainment, it’s much more: Web3 deserves a permanent place on the global decision-maker agenda. (Link)

  • The next generation of web3 digital twin stadiums unveiled. (Link)

🎥 Media & Entertainment

  • Snoop Dogg teams up with NFT project VeeFriends. (Link)

  • Steve Aoki and 3LAU drop the single Concentrate from their web3 project PUNX - using no less than CryptoPunks IP. (Link)

  • With AI video now on iPhone, you can now record yourself and turn yourself into a marshmallow human with the click of a button - Learn how on Twitter. (Link)

  • Once and for all, will AI replace pop stars? (Link)

  • What does the Play pepsi Concept Store look like as the soda maker’s 1st metaverse space on WeChat? (Link)

🖼 Art & NFTs

  • Marvel Studios founder-backed Mythos Studios releases a limited-ed, 1-of-1 digital art collection. (Link)

  • Bitcoin Ordinals NFT activity rises as Ethereum NFT volume dips. (Link)

  • 3 renowned photographers raise funds and awareness for climate change via NFTs. (Link)

  • OG crypto art collector Kevin Rose sets out to create one of the top 5 PFP projects in web3. (Link)

  • Multi-chain Open Edition enables artists to produce, share, and collect digital art across multiple blockchains. (Link)

🤖 AI

  • Catfishing days are over? Tinder verification soon requires video selfies as AI easily makes fake photos. (Link)

  • Pharma needs to invest in AI, ML, and Big Data instead of relying solely on traditional manufacturing processes. (Link)

  • AI constructs an early warning system against tsunamis for coastal residents. (Link)

  • AI-powered apps such as Rizz and Keys are "digital wingmen" for online dating, helping users make a great first impression. (Link)

  • China's Communist Party wants to censor ChatGPT-like chatbots, promote “socialist core values.” (Link)

💸 Funding and partnership

  • Portalverse Network ties up with Google Cloud to enhance web3 cloud gaming development. (Link)

  • The Sandbox partners with security solution provider Ledger Enterprise to integrate security for its partners and migrate NFTs to the Ledger wallet. (Link)

  • NFT futures Tribe3 raises $2.1M from investors to launch public beta and scale operations. (Link)

  • African crypto startups raised $474M in 2022, a 429% increase YoY. (Link)

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All content on this newsletter is for informational purposes only and does not aim to serve as or replace expert investment advice.

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