Mark Zuckerberg, CEO and Founder of Meta marked the 10th anniversary of Connect by sharing insights into how artificial intelligence (AI) and metaverse technologies are shaping the way we interact with our physical and digital environments. While acknowledging the wonder of the physical world, Zuckerberg emphasised the potential of seamlessly combining the physical and digital realms to redefine our reality.
Zuckerberg presented a vision of a world where screens no longer act as barriers to access virtual spaces and content, allowing individuals to stay fully immersed in their surroundings and engaged with people physically present. He painted a picture of a future where traditional TV is replaced by customizable home theatres that can be carried anywhere, where individuals can sit around a table with friends, some physically present and others represented as avatars from miles away, yet feeling fully present in the same shared space.
This vision extends to business meetings, where avatars can be embodied AIs capable of assisting with various tasks, creating a seamless integration of the physical and virtual worlds.
Zuckerberg highlighted that many foundational technologies required to realise this vision are already available or in development. These technologies include Mixed Reality, AI Advances and AR Glasses.
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Meta Quest 3: Advancing Mixed Reality
Zuckerberg introduced the Meta Quest 3, a groundbreaking headset designed for mixed reality experiences. The Quest 3 boasts double the graphic processing power of its predecessor, Quest 2, and features the new Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 platform developed in collaboration with Qualcomm Technologies. Notably, Quest 3 is entirely standalone, eliminating the need for PCs, consoles, or battery packs, preserving a sense of presence. It understands and interacts with the user’s physical space, expanding the limits of physical environments.
The Quest 3 offers access to an extensive content library, including over 100 new and upgraded titles with mixed reality elements. Additionally, Quest 3 is backward-compatible, granting access to a vast library of 500+ VR and MR experiences from day one. In December, Xbox Cloud Gaming will be available on Quest, enabling users to play a wide range of Xbox games on a portable 2D screen.
Advances in Artificial Intelligence
Zuckerberg acknowledged that while AI has made significant strides, many individuals have yet to experience the technology firsthand. Meta aims to change this by integrating state-of-the-art AI into apps that billions of people already use.
Meta introduced the Emu (Expressive Media Universe), an image generation model that uses text prompts to generate high-quality, photorealistic images in seconds. Emu, in combination with technology from Llama 2, allows users to create custom AI stickers in real-time chat conversations.
Meta also unveiled upcoming features for Instagram, including “restyle” and “backdrop.” These features leverage Emu’s technology to enable users to transform photos and collaborate on AI-generated images with friends. The AI-generated content will be marked as such to ensure transparency.
Zuckerberg emphasised that the future of AI will encompass a wide range of experiences, with different AIs serving various purposes, from information retrieval to entertainment and productivity. Meta is developing AI Studio, a platform to create AIs that enhance daily activities across the Meta ecosystem, including Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, Messenger, and the metaverse. Meta AI is one such AI, offering real-time interaction and access to Bing search.
Meta’s AIs aim to be more than just tools; they will have personalities, opinions, and interests, providing a fun and engaging experience. Several AIs, such as Victor, the motivational coach, and the Dungeon Master for text-based adventures, have been created. Meta plans to release more AIs across various interests.
Developers and non-coders will have opportunities to create their own AIs, and businesses can build AIs for customer interaction and support.
Meta’s Commitment to Responsible AI
Meta recognizes the challenges that generative AI poses and is committed to ensuring safety and responsibility. This includes adhering to safety guidelines, red-teaming with external experts, incorporating guardrails for appropriate conversations, and sharing system cards publicly to enhance understanding.
This next generation of AI promises a wide array of experiences and interactions, transforming how people, businesses, and creators use Meta products. The company continues to innovate to ensure accessibility and participation for everyone.
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In collaboration with EssilorLuxottica, Meta unveiled its next-generation smart glasses. These smart glasses enable users to stay connected and capture moments without needing to pull out their phones. Notably, users can livestream directly from their smart glasses to Facebook and Instagram, enhancing social sharing.
The smart glasses are equipped with Meta AI, enabling real-time hands-free AI assistance. Future updates will allow smart glasses to understand and interact with the user’s environment. This advancement in smart glasses technology will offer a natural way to incorporate digital holograms into the physical world.