[This interview with computer science doctoral student Niall Williams is from Science News Explores (where it includes an additional set of images). It describes his work developing algorithms that increase both safety and presence for users of virtual and mixed reality technologies as the users simultaneously move through virtual and physical environments. It also touches on the value of interdisciplinary scholarship. For more details see an August 2021 story from the University of Maryland Computer Science Department, and Hiall’s website. –Matthew] This computer scientist is making virtual reality safer Niall Williams helps people walk more naturally through virtual worlds By…

[This essay from the IAI (The Institute of Art and Ideas) provides a vivid, cautionary description of some of the dangers involved in the commercialization and widespread use of artificial intelligence technologies that evoke compelling medium as social actor (MASA) presence illusions. –Matthew] The dangerous illusion of AI consciousness The false dawn of machine minds AI expert and DeepMind contributor Shannon Vallor explores OpenAI’s latest GPT-4o model, based on the ideas of her new book, ‘The AI Mirror’. Despite modest intellectual improvements, AGI’s human-like behaviour raises serious ethical concerns, but as Vallor argues, AI today only presents the illusion of…

[A flurry of press coverage followed Google’s recent announcement that the company is partnering with HP to commercialize its experimental presence-evoking technology Project Starline. The Tom’s Guide story below has some of the details. Follow links in the story and see Google’s webpage for the technology for more information (the latter includes this: “Feel more present with those you connect with: Starline users experience a ~15% increase in visual attentiveness. Enhanced 3D rendering and spatial audio create a sense of presence that helps you truly focus on what matters most.”). Another Tom’s Guide story and coverage from The National and…

[In the right circumstances the sense of spatial presence evoked by technology may lead to better outcomes than the equivalent experience in the nonmediated world. A new study from Drexel University compared brain activity, behavioral measures, and self-assessments when people solved visuospatial problems presented on a 2D computer screen, in virtual reality, and in the nonmediated world. As this story from Drexel reports, the researchers conclude that “VR’s capacity to create immersive spaces – complete with better mental imagery and visual cues for learning – may in some cases be a better option than a traditional real-world or computer screen-based…

[For safety reasons and to enhance the driver’s experience, manufacturers of electric-powered vehicles typically incorporate speakers that add sounds to the minimal noises the vehicles otherwise make (see a 2023 CTech story for details). In the story below, CarBuzz reports on new patents filed by Ferrari for the use of other presence-evoking technologies that create “a fully immersive experience… The end goal is an authentic auditory experience and one that provides genuine acoustic feedback.” See the original version of the story for ten more images. –Matthew] Ferrari Will Make Electric Supercars Sound Good Without Speakers Ferrari is ensuring that even…

[This story from The Verge provides a vivid, example-filled look at how teens are interacting with AI chatbots, with both positive and potentially negative consequences. Here’s just one presence-related quote: “Character.AI users have also struggled with telling their chatbots apart from reality: a popular conspiracy theory, largely spread through screenshots and stories of bots breaking character or insisting that they are real people when prompted, is that Character.AI’s bots are secretly powered by real people.” See the original version of the story for two more images. –Matthew] [Image: Illustration by Ard Su for The Verge] The teens making friends with…