[Despite remaining challenges, this IEEE Spectrum update about the quest for improved visual resolution, and thus perceived realism and compelling presence experiences, includes this key quote: “[T]he latest headsets with the best display technology are close to achieving what [Varjo Chief Product Officer Patrick] Wyatt calls the ‘human resolution bar’—the limit past which a person with 20/20 vision will no longer see an improvement. Future displays will eventually exceed it.” –Matthew]

[Image: Varjo’s XR-4 headset features a resolution nearing 4K per eye—which approaches the equivalent of 20/20 vision. Credit: Varjo]

VR Headsets Are Approaching the Eye’s Resolution Limits

Some manufacturers want to go beyond that

By Matthew S. Smith
March 15, 2024

The Chinese consumer electronics company TCL Technology recently unveiled a monstrous, 163-inch 4K Micro-LED television that one home theater expert described as “tall as Darth Vader.” Each of the TV’s 8.3 million pixels is an independent, miniscule LED, a feat for which TCL charges over $100,000.… read more. “VR headsets are approaching the eye’s resolution limits”

[Not all presence experiences are created in digital environments. As this CNN story notes, immersive fantasy experiences in theme parks, at Renaissance fairs, and at science fiction and fantasy conventions have been around for decades. But the pandemic and political polarization have contributed to the growing popularity of “fantasy-themed balls, masquerades and similar immersive events for adults.” See the original version of the story for four more images. –Matthew]

[Image: Guests at a fantasy ball participate in a choreographed dance on Aug. 20, 2022 in South Bend, Indiana. Credit: Thistle + Lace Photography]

Belle of the book ball: Book Tok drives demand for immersive fantasy events among younger users

By Eva Rothenberg, CNN
March 17, 2024

Social media has always peddled a fantasy, from lavish vacations to perfectly plated entrees to airbrushed selfies.

But some entrepreneurs are using social media to sell a more literal fairytale, promising a night of wish fulfillment for anyone who ever dreamed of living in another world.… read more. “Immersive fantasy events gaining popularity among Millennial and Gen Z consumers”

[Although we recognize the use of digital effects in some (e.g., science fiction and fantasy) films and television programs, in a common and extremely effective form of presence we completely overlook the role of many sophisticated digital manipulations used by visual effects artists to make the people and settings in films and programs appear realistic and natural. Some of these manipulations are described in this New York Times story (see the original version for two more images). –Matthew]

[Image: Digital effects were used to create the background of this scene from “Roma.” Credit: Netflix]

It’s a Visual Effects Extravaganza, but There’s Not an Explosion in Sight

Though blockbusters are synonymous with computer imagery, dramas and art-house films rely extensively on tech magic, too. Don’t be fooled by the naturalism.

By Calum Marsh
March 16, 2024

A woman crosses a bustling street at night.… read more. “Overlooking the role of technology in invisible VFX”

[This essay from TheGamer argues that the entertaining presence experiences provided by virtual reality will be most popular and practical in an updated version of gaming arcades (sadly, a particularly compelling and fun multi-player VR attraction, Dreamscape, just closed its flagship location in Los Angeles after six years). See the original TheGamer story for three more images, and visit the website of the mentioned Two Bit Circus arcade for more information about that venue. –Matthew]

The Future Of Virtual Reality Is Co-operative Experiences

Virtual reality shouldn’t be targeting regular consumers, it should look to revive arcade gaming

By Ben Sledge
March 9, 2024

I don’t use my VR headset that much. I’ve got the original Oculus Quest, back from when it was still called that. It’s the supposedly ‘portable’ version of Meta’s VR device without so many cables. You still need to plug it in to charge if you’re playing for more than a few hours, but it can largely run basic VR games without a more powerful computer or console.… read more. “The future of entertaining virtual reality is at gaming arcades”

[A new video featuring interactions with the AI-powered robot Figure 01 demonstrates technical advancements likely to new levels of medium-as-social-actor presence. It’s getting lots of attention from the public, press and experts in AI and robotics. Details are in stories below from Mashable and Decrypt; the 2:34 minute video is featured in the original versions of both stories and is available on YouTube. –Matthew]

[Image: Source: Decrypt]

It’s like ChatGPT with a body: Watch creepy demo of OpenAI-powered robot ‘Figure 01’

I prefer my ChatGPT disembodied, thank you very much.

By Kimberly Gedeon
March 14, 2024

A creepy demo of “Figure 01,” a humanoid, conversational robot, has hit the internet — and I can’t believe it’s not a deleted scene from I, Robot.

In the demo, Figure 01, packed with OpenAI-tech, is asked what it can “see.”… read more. ““A little too human-like”: Figure 01 is a multi-tasking conversational robot infused with OpenAI tech”

[The frightening prospect of hackers stealing information and manipulating the presence experiences of virtual reality users without their awareness is described in this story from MIT Technology Review. In the “Twisting Reality” section of the story an expert notes that “There is no way to authenticate what you are seeing once you go into virtual reality, and the immersiveness of the technology makes people trust it more.” –Matthew]

[Image: Art by Dogboy]

VR headsets can be hacked with an Inception-style attack

Researchers managed to crack Meta’s Quest VR system, allowing them to steal sensitive information, and manipulate social interactions.

By Melissa Heikkilä
March 11, 2024

In the Christoper Nolan movie Inception, Leonardo DiCaprio’s character uses technology to enter his targets’ dreams to steal information and insert false details into their subconscious.

A new “inception attack” in virtual reality works in a similar way.… read more. “VR headsets can be hacked with an Inception-style attack”

[As reported by Variety, Marilyn Monroe is the latest celebrity to be replicated via technology, this time as an interacting, AI-based chatbot said to mimic and engage with users more effectively than previous efforts. Coverage from Decrypt adds these details:

“The idea, Soul Machine explained in a blog post, was fueled by more than nostalgia. Advances in AI tech, the company said, can help honor and reimagine iconic figures in an interactive and engaging way.’From static search to text-based chat to conversational AI, we are witnessing a rapid paradigm shift as we begin to head into conversational chat with multimodal capabilities,’ Soul Machines said in a document shared with Decrypt. …

‘Soul Machines’ vision diverges from current generative AI by prioritizing cognitive modeling, explicitly replicating human brain and body interactions (inspired by neuroscience and cognitive science),’ the company said.… read more. “AI-generated Marilyn Monroe chatbot can hold an extended conversation with ‘realistic emotions’ and expressions, company claims”

[The latest use of generative artificial intelligence to evoke mistaken perceptions about the role of technology in media experiences involves fabricated images of Donald Trump with Black people, as reported in this story from Futurism. For more images and information, see the original version of the story, as well as the mentioned BBC report and broader coverage from AP. –Matthew]

[Image: Source: BBC]

MAGA Uses AI to Invent Pictures of Trump With Black People

“I’m not claiming it’s accurate.”

By Maggie Harrison Dupré
March 4, 2024

MAGA influencers are turning to generative AI to fabricate photos of presidential candidate Donald Trump alongside smiling Black voters, according to a report from the BBC — yet another sign that the threat of AI-driven misinformation to America’s ongoing election cycle is no longer an imminent danger, but one that’s already taking root.… read more. “MAGA uses AI to invent pictures of Trump with Black people”

[An artificially intelligent chatbot called Pi (Personal intelligence) is designed to combine “factual and emotional support,” which seems particularly likely to evoke medium-as-social-actor presence. Some of the details are reported in this story from ZDNet (where the original includes a second image). For more information, see the mentioned May 2023 Inflection blog post; see the links at the end of the story to interact with Pi yourself. –Matthew]

[Image: Credit: Carol Yepes/Getty Images]

Inflection’s Pi AI aims to provide information and a shoulder to cry on

Designed to be empathetic, helpful, and safe, Pi also boasts improved skills in such areas as coding, math, and real-time results via the latest flavor of its large language model.

By Lance Whitney, Contributor
March 7, 2024

You’re likely familiar with ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, and even Google Gemini. But how about Pi?… read more. “Inflection’s Pi AI chatbot aims to provide information and a shoulder to cry on”

[This short story from Police1 reports that Los Angeles Police Department cadets offer overwhelmingly positive assessments of the use of presence-evoking virtual reality in their training. See the V-Armed website for more information about the form and content of the training; the website’s Press page features links to many print and video news reports. –Matthew]

LAPD survey finds cadets rated VR training ‘excellent,’ want more

The V-Armed training has been in use at the department since 2022, and trains cadets in situations surrounding de-escalation, mental health and use of force

By Joanna Putman, Police1
March 7, 2024

LOS ANGELES — The LAPD has announced results from a survey of more than 700 trainees who used its virtual reality training programs, according to a news release from V-Armed.

The results show that 94% of the trainees who completed full- or partial-day virtual reality training in the V-Armed training system at the LAPD Elysian Park Academy marked the training as excellent, leaving 6% who considered it good or average.… read more. “L.A. police department survey finds cadets rated VR training ‘excellent,’ want more”