0150- AI Learning and Gamification with Matt Brown
Aug 7, 2018
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Matt Brown, Principal Software Engineer at Microsoft, discusses AI learning, gamification, and VR/AR trends. They talk about the accessibility of game development, gamification in everyday life, the rise of Twitch, and the challenges and potential of VR and AR in game development.
Streaming culture has had a significant positive impact on the gaming industry, creating an ecosystem of celebrity streamers and specialized products.
The rise of real-time graphics outside of gaming, facilitated by accessible tools like Unity, can generate more job opportunities and excitement in the gaming industry.
Concerns about privacy and social scoring systems call for a need to balance interconnectedness with safeguards to protect privacy and individual rights.
Deep dives
The Rise of Streaming and Twitch
Streaming culture, particularly on platforms like Twitch, has experienced significant growth in recent years. While the speaker personally may not fully understand the appeal, they acknowledge its positive impact on the industry. Twitch has spawned a whole ecosystem, with streamers becoming celebrities and specialized products being developed specifically for them. While there may be concerns about streamers revealing spoilers for single-player games, there is potential for a mutually beneficial agreement between streamers and developers to prevent critical plot points from being streamed. The speaker believes that streaming culture is a great thing for the gaming industry overall.
The Growth of Real-Time Graphics outside of Gaming
The speaker notes the rise of real-time applications and the increasing fascination with real-time graphics outside of the gaming industry. They mention examples like Tesla's integration of games into their cars and the broader recognition of real-time calculations. The accessibility of tools like Unity has made it easier for individuals to create real-time products, which opens up job opportunities and generates a feasible ecosystem for streamers and support companies. The speaker believes that this growth in real-time graphics can benefit the gaming industry by creating more work opportunities and fostering excitement.
Concerns about Privacy and Social Scoring
The discussion delves into concerns about privacy and social scoring, highlighting examples like the Chinese social scoring system and its potential implications. While the speaker acknowledges the potential positive aspects of citizen scoring, they also acknowledge the concerns surrounding surveillance and the potential implications of such a system. They reflect on the fact that Americans tend to be more distrustful of such systems, but also note the likelihood of government surveillance in their own country. The conversation then moves towards a broader discussion about privacy and technology, with references to the book 'The Transparent Society' by David Brin. The speaker concludes by expressing the need for balance and safeguards to protect privacy in an increasingly interconnected world.
The Potential of Reinforcement Learning in Robotics
Reinforcement learning for robotics presents both challenges and opportunities. While it is a complex problem to solve, if successful, it can have significant financial benefits. Companies like Google DeepMind are exploring reinforcement learning, but the focus is often on research rather than developing marketable products. One company, Banzai, aims to bridge this gap by adapting DeepMind's research and creating solutions that can be sold. The challenge lies in packaging and explaining the technology in a way that is easily understood and usable by customers. Despite the optimism, the AI industry is still in its early stages, with room for more startups and advancements.
The Implications of Automation and AI on the Future
As automation and AI continue to advance, there are concerns about job displacement and inequality. While industries may benefit from increased automation, it is important to address the impact on displaced workers. Suggestions such as taxing robots to support social services or implementing universal basic income have been proposed to ensure that the benefits of automation are distributed more equitably. Additionally, technologies like augmented reality (AR) and gamification have the potential to shape the future by enhancing real-life experiences and influencing positive behavior. However, navigating the ethical, societal, and economic implications of these advancements is crucial for a balanced and inclusive future.
Dare to enter the future of technology and games, with our tour guide Matt Brown? Matt returns for a second round of our podcast to update us on projects in AI learning, game streaming and the impact of technological advancements on society. Before things get too intense, we lighten the mood with talk about the takeover of social gamification and VR/AR trends we're excited to see.
Matt Brown is a Principal Software Engineer 'building machines that build themselves' at Microsoft. He started his career worki
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