Meta, the company that owns Facebook, is venturing into the realm of artificial intelligence (AI) to further develop its vision of the metaverse. The metaverse represents a concept of virtual environments where users can engage in work, socializing, and entertainment. Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Meta, firmly believes that the metaverse will be the next phase in the evolution of the internet. At a recent event called “Inside the Lab,” Zuckerberg outlined Meta’s AI initiatives that are aimed at constructing the metaverse.
One of Meta’s AI ventures involves the creation of generative AI models capable of fabricating worlds based on spoken descriptions. Zuckerberg showcased a concept called Builder Bot, which allows users to describe their desired outcome to the AI. In a demonstration, he used voice commands to create a beach scene complete with clouds, trees, and even a picnic blanket. The objective is to empower users to create and explore intricate virtual worlds solely using their voices.
Meta is also committed to improving the way people interact with AI within the metaverse. The company is currently working on AI research to facilitate more natural conversations with voice assistants. An example of this effort is Project CAIRaoke, which strives to build a fully comprehensive neural model for on-device assistants.
Moreover, Meta is preparing for how AI can interpret and predict interactions within the metaverse. They are exploring self-supervised learning, a technique where AI is provided with raw data instead of relying on labeled data. Additionally, Meta is working on collecting egocentric data, which involves experiencing the world from a first-person perspective. To achieve this, they have formed a consortium consisting of 13 universities and labs with the goal of developing the largest-ever egocentric dataset called Ego4D.
Furthermore, Meta is resolving the language barrier within the metaverse. They are working on creating a single AI system capable of translating between all written languages. Zuckerberg also revealed that Meta is striving to develop a universal speech translator to offer instant speech-to-speech translation across all languages.
It is important to note that Meta has been heavily investing in the metaverse, leading them to rebrand the company from Facebook to reflect this new focus. However, they have encountered challenges, including a significant decrease in market value following an underwhelming earnings report. Despite setbacks, Meta remains determined to push the boundaries of AI research for the metaverse.
Furthering their commitment to advancing AI, Meta recently announced plans to construct the world’s fastest AI supercomputer. Anticipated to be completed by mid-2022, this supercomputer is expected to significantly enhance Meta’s AI capabilities.
As Meta continues to delve into the potential of AI in constructing the metaverse, it becomes increasingly evident that AI will play a fundamental role in shaping the future of virtual environments. With their ambitious projects and investments, Meta aims to redefine how we interact with technology and create immersive experiences in the metaverse.
Useful links:
1) Metaverse Official Website
2) Meta (Facebook) Official Facebook Page
