This Week In XR August 16th, 2024 ft. Akash Nigam, CEO Genies
Aug 17, 2024
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Akash Nigam, CEO of Genies, dives into the world of digital avatars and NFTs, highlighting how they represent the future of communication and self-expression in the Metaverse. He discusses the societal shift towards avatars, particularly among younger generations, and their potential to create genuine virtual connections. The conversation also touches on the role of artificial intelligence in shaping identities and the necessity for accountability in digital creation, while humorously navigating the generational gap in understanding these tech advancements.
Google's monopolistic tendencies are raising concerns about the future of search visibility and competition in the tech industry.
Avatars are becoming central to digital communication, especially among younger generations, as they reshape user interactions and brand engagement.
Deep dives
Revolutionizing Accessible Technology with Zapper
Zapper is a leader in the XR industry, notably enhancing the accessibility of technology for the blind and partially sighted through its innovative product, Accessible QR. This enhanced QR code allows packaged goods to deliver audio information, making shopping more inclusive for individuals with visual impairments. The company's commitment to democratizing augmented reality is reflected in its tools and SDKs, enabling a wider audience to engage with XR technology. Zapper's advancements, such as the creation of the affordable ZAPBox mixed reality headset, illustrate their mission to ensure that immersive experiences are accessible to everyone.
Google's Monopolistic Behavior and Market Impact
Google's recent decision to penalize websites that opt out of AI crawling reflects a troubling shift towards monopolistic practices that could impact search visibility for many businesses. The company plans to remove such sites from its search index, effectively relegating them to a lower status in the digital landscape. Historically reminiscent of the Microsoft antitrust trials, this move may signify a turning point in how major tech companies operate and engage with their competitors. As discussions of remedy options circulate, including potential divestitures of major assets, the tech community is closely monitoring how these changes may reshape the industry.
The Evolution of Image Generation Technology
Recent developments in Google's AI image generation have sparked interest in how these technologies will shape the future of creative media. Google's new image-generating models are more advanced than previous iterations, suggesting a competitive shift in how AI can integrate with creative workflows. The ability to generate high-quality images is merging with special effects tools, indicating a future where AI fundamentally alters content production. As companies experiment with various strategies, transitioning from cautious approaches to more open frameworks seems to be the prevailing trend in AI development.
The Future of Avatars and User-Generated Content
Avatars are positioned to become a primary method of communication in the evolving digital landscape, particularly for Generation Z and Alpha. The integration of avatars into social media and gaming platforms suggests a future where digital personas represent user identities in new and meaningful ways. Companies like Genies are leading the charge in developing technology that empowers users to create their avatar experiences, tapping into a desire among younger generations to engage with brands creatively. This shift highlights the growing importance of user-generated content as a key driver of interaction and community in the digital realm.
This week the three hosts are here in full force as Rony returns from vacation. Now that a federal judge ruled that Google is a monopolist, the question is what to do about it. Forbidding them from buying distribution is one thing, but now people are talking about forcing them to spin off their browser business. Speaking of Google, they've released new AI image generators, and they are quite good and totally free. Grok-2 is now available for X premium subscribers. It can also generate images. Starlink competitor AST is taking flight - on SpaceX. The other Groq (with a "q") is a semiconductor startup that raised $640M series D. Chips are expensive, but everyone is eyeing Nvidia's market share. This week our guest is Akash Nigam, CEO of Genies, which is focused on Avatars, which he sees as the full expression of AI and the Metaverse.
Thank you to our sponsor, Zappar!
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