Virtual influencers: meet the AI-generated figures posing as your new online friends

The future of influence is here: a digital avatar that captivates millions of adoring fans while offering unparalleled customisation and round-the-clock availability. Virtual influencers are transforming the way content is created, consumed and marketed online. They represent an electrifying dance between cutting-edge technology and our desire for connection. But, at the same time, they are yet another product being peddled by marketers that want our money. Upon close inspection, we can see the risks that emerge with these blurred realities. What are virtual influencers? While virtual influencers aren’t a particularly new concept – virtual Japanese popstar Kyoko Date has been…

This story continues at The Next Web

from The Next Web https://ift.tt/MyISoT4

Comments

TNW Podcast: Boris comes over to co-host; Slack’s Cal Henderson talks European tech

Welcome to the new episode of the TNW Podcast — the show where we discuss the latest developments in the European technology ecosystem and feature interviews with some of the most interesting people in the industry. In today’s episode, Andrii is joined by Boris Veldhuijzen van Zanten, co-founder, member of the board, and former CEO of TNW. The topics discussed include the jobs created by Dutch startups, giant state funding for energy projects, translations of the word ‘computer’, and a bunch of other things in between. In the interview section, we’re featuring a conversation with Cal Henderson, co-founder and… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/jUgcNFD

How DeepMind’s AI defeated top players at StarCraft II

DeepMind previously took on the challenge of beating world champions at the Chinese game of Go. It’s also gotten astonishingly good at Chess and Shogi, and has wiped the floor with the best AIs developed for those games. In August 2017, the Alphabet-owned firm decided to take on a much bigger and more complex challenge: training an AI to master Starcraft II. The immensely popular real-time strategy game sees players take charge of an alien race, gather resources, develop technologies, and pit your army against others in a bid for supremacy in a fictious sci-fi universe. In a series of matches… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web http://bit.ly/2DwZZ1E

The Oros Orion Parka uses NASA-inspired aerogel to keep you warm without the bulk

I do not like the cold. I grew up on a tropical island, and though I appreciate the beauty of the first snow and winter festivities I will do everything in my power to avoid going out once the temperature drops below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Needless to say that when Oros, an outdoor apparel company, offered to let me try its $300 Orion Parka with ‘NASA-inspired’ insulation, I was curious. You may have heard of aerogel before. One of the lightest man-made materials and greatest insulators, it’s what NASA uses to insulate things that need to go to space. If you’ve… This story continues at The Next Web Or just read more coverage about: NASA from The Next Web http://bit.ly/2WrNufc

Technology News Era

Search This Blog