‘Tis the Season for Gaming | VR under the Christmas Tree | AI for Historical Preservation | Lego Fortnite Success
Dec 13, 2023
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Dr. Lydia Kostopoul, an expert in AI and historical preservation, joins the podcast to discuss the benefits of AI in preserving history. The EU becomes the first to enforce laws on AI, while AI's ability to communicate with the dead is explored. The success of the Fortnite x Lego collaboration and VR's popularity during the holiday season are also highlighted. Exciting upcoming topics include AI in education, mimicking dialects with AI, and emerging technologies in death and communication with the deceased.
The emergence of death technology challenges our conventional understanding of death, as holograms and avatars provide comfort in preserving memories of loved ones.
Algorithms have the potential to bring people together in niche communities and interest-based groups, but individuals must first understand themselves and set boundaries to maintain emotional and cognitive health.
The exploration of uploading consciousness and interacting with digital versions of ourselves raises complex ethical questions and points to a future of profound transformations in human relationships.
Deep dives
The Changing Perspective on Death and Immortality
The emergence of technology is challenging our traditional view of death and immortality. As we explore gene therapies, digital embalmers, and other death tech advancements, we are reimagining what death looks like. Some people find comfort in preserving the memories of their loved ones through holograms, avatars, or deepfake technology. However, individuals react differently to these advancements, and ethical considerations must be taken into account. The concept of death is intertwined with the increasing focus on longer lives and eternal existence, leading to a complex landscape of perspectives and experiences.
Finding Meaning and Connection Through Algorithms
Algorithms have played a role in dividing us through social media bubbles, but they also have the potential to bring us back together, especially in realms of personal relationships. Niche communities, interest-based groups, and private networks provide avenues for individuals to connect with like-minded people and find meaning. However, to fully benefit from technology in personal lives and relationships, it is important for individuals to first understand themselves, define their values, and determine the communities they want to be a part of. Setting boundaries with technology and considering cybersecurity and privacy are crucial to maintain emotional and cognitive health.
The Implications of Uploading Consciousness and Engaging with Digital Selves
The concept of uploading consciousness and interacting with digital versions of ourselves and our deceased loved ones is becoming a topic of exploration. Shows like Amazon's "Upload" and games like Sapien 2.0 raise the question of whether we would engage with brain-uploaded loved ones. As technology continues to evolve, there is a possibility of engaging with these digital selves, but the ethics and implications surrounding it are complex. The exploration of these possibilities points to a future where human relationships and concepts of self may undergo profound transformations.
3D Printing Inside the Human Body
A team of researchers from Duke University and Harvard Medical School has developed a new method for 3D printing inside the human body. Using ultrasound waves and an injectable biocompatible ink, this technique, called D-vap, allows for the creation of structures that can address bone defects. The ink reacts to ultrasound waves, hardening it and creating the desired 3D structure. This technology has shown promising results in animal testing, with successful bone defect treatment in a chicken's leg.
The Power of Imagination in AI and Longevity
Imagination performance is becoming increasingly important in the age of AI, as new technologies, such as Janae AI, push the boundaries of what is possible. Imagination is crucial for driving innovation and creating new possibilities. On the topic of longevity, the focus on physical performance and healthy aging is growing. People are becoming more interested in looking and feeling their best as they age, and advancements in the field of longevity offer hope for extending a healthy lifespan. The cultural shift towards valuing longevity and physical well-being is an important trend to watch.
On this week's episode, the EU becomes the first governing power to enact laws around artificial intelligence.
Next, Hackl and Kebler discuss an article in the NY Times that focused on using AI to talk to the dead. Hackl talks about the benefits of AI for historical preservation. Also, ‘Tis the Season for Gaming and VR, as Hackl and Kebler discuss the success of the Fortnite x Lego collab and how the Meta Quests outsold AirPods on Amazon’s Black Friday sales.
Hackl interviews Dr. Lydia Kostopoulos, founder of Abundance Studio. Kostopoulos is a strategy and emerging technology advisor.
Producer Lily Snyder brings you the Dispatch from the Fringe.