Published 18 November 2024
e490 with Michael & Michael — #AI, #AR, #VR, #RR (that’s #RealReality) and a whole lot more!
Michael and Michael start off the show with a discussion on how O2 is employing AI to waste phone scammers time. Check out the video in the show notes below for how dAIsy, the AI grandma works. After a quick discussion on Oasis, an AI generated game, the co-hosts then turn to an interview with professor Greg Benson on the future of coding now that natural language processing (NLP) and large language models can interpret user prompts and generate the code required to fulfill the stated need. Both Michael and Michael agree that there is high value in understanding the underpinnings of coding even where NLP can be a tremendous accelerator, much in the same way that writing algebraic proofs deepen the understanding of algorithms.
Switching to mixed reality, Michael and Michael touch on the subject of watching movies and TV shows together, prompted by the YouTube feature on Quest. Michael R expands with another article about the Vision Pro music experience from The Weekend, and shares how intimate the experiences can be when the singer is performing directly for you, up close and personal. Next up, is a story about “Metaversities” in EU and UK schools that remind the cohosts of the Second Life experiences of a video screen in SL. This spurs Michael M to share what he learned at a recent UNCSA.edu School of Design and Production lunch. The ;TLDR is that Gen Z (among others) are craving authentic and real experiences not through a lens or a screen. Following the trend of *R, Michael calls this Real Reality, and in the context of the global entertainment market, this means live performances, such as the crane dance show in Sentosa, Singapore (see video below). This reminds Michael R of an interview he saw with Robert D Putnam, focused on the importance of building community and engagement as explained in his book Bowling Alone.
The pair then turns to the Verge and Engadget stories discussing Amazon’s codename “Amelia” plans to build upon the Echo Frames platform to create augmented reality experiences that can shave seconds off of Amazon delivery drivers’ work. Wrapping up the episode, Michael R gives a quick overview of Tetris Forever and movie professor and adventurer Indiana Jones’ latest gameplay.
Would you want to ask dAIsy, the AI grandmother call your telemarketers? What Real Reality (RR) experiences are you craving? Have your bots 🤖 drop our bots 🤖 a line at @gamesatwork_biz (our home for now) and let us know!
These show notes were lovingly hand crafted by a real human, and not by a bot. All rights reserved. That’s our story and we’re sticking to it.
Selected Links
AI
TechRadar article: Daisy the AI grandma is here to answer calls from scammers and waste their time
Wired article: The First Entirely AI-Generated Video Game Is Insanely Weird and Fun
Stack Overflow blog post: No code, only natural language: Q&A on prompt engineering with Professor Greg Benson
Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality and Real Reality
The Verge article: The YouTube app on Quest will let you co-watch videos with friends in VR
Apple’s SharePlay
9 to 5 Mac article: Apple releasing Vision Pro immersive music experience from The Weeknd this Thursday
Euronews article: Classes in the metaverse? Meta creates digital ‘metaversities’ in EU and UK schools
Victory XR post: What is Digital Twin Metaversity Construction?
UNCSA School of Design and Production
Daily Show podcast episode with Robert D Putnam
Bowling Alone by Robert D Putnam
Games at Work e192: PVP-Y with “I Game Alone” parody of George Thorogood’s song “I Drink Alone”
The Verge article: Amazon reportedly working on Echo Frames for delivery drivers
Engadget article: Amazon reportedly wants drivers to wear AR glasses for improved efficiency until robots can take over
Games
The Guardian article: Tetris Forever is the real story of Tetris – and it’s fascinating
The Verge article: Here’s 15 minutes of archaeological action in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 35:28 — 49.3MB) | Embed
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