Inworld AI’s Post

I’ve always found that there was a lot to learn from worlds beyond our own. Games, anime, sci fi have been my primary form of entertainment since before I can remember. It started with Pokemon on the Gameboy where I was motivated to beat the Elite Four. So motivated, in fact, that my reading comprehension went from subpar to excellent because there was no way to catch ‘em all without reading the game dialogue. I “grew up” slowly, obsessed as I was with Marvel Superheroes (Spiderman always No. 1), Lord of the Rings, and Final Fantasy. I’d spend hours crafting stories with action figures like Venom, Legolas and Sephiroth – and then go deeper into those worlds by playing video games. The original Fable showed me the real consequences of moral choices, while Final Fantasy tactics taught me early lessons on team strategy. This is probably why I still live my life like some high-stakes RPG…the answer is always to max out strength. As I started dabbling with Language Models (by no means “large” at that time) early on in my career,  the potential for applications in games and world building was clear. That led me to my co-founders Ilya Gelfenbeyn and Michael Ermolenko, and Inworld AI was born. Today, working with creative teams using AI build more dynamic and expansive game worlds is a childhood dream come true – as was the invitation to speak at #TED2024. Ideas have power and resonance. That my ideas were featured at TED community is humbling and inspiring. It’s hard to distill a lifetime of excitement into a talk, but I hope you’ll walk away sharing my optimism for the ways in which AI can expand storytelling. Watch the TED talk here: https://bit.ly/4bUigUp. (And don’t forget to 👋 to my 87-year-old grandma who is featured interacting with our AI characters in the video) We’re in the earliest days of this new form of media. But even the first experiences (from teams like NVIDIA, Xbox, Niantic, Inc., NetEase) give me hope that AI will unlock experiences that we have yet to imagine – bringing life to virtual worlds and the characters that inhabit them…all while offering players new ways to co-create and play. I’m grateful that my work with Inworld partners allows me to both realize my childhood dreams and drive entertainment forward for developers and players. For anyone who shares this obsession with the next generation of games and media, please reach out.  I'm always keen to learn more about how others see the future.

Something to spark some Monday curiosity: Video shows the first Neuralink patient playing Mario Kart with his mind. It made me think of Ray Kurzweil's book "The Singularity Is Near", published in 2005. His book made two astonishing predictions: 1) By 2029, AI will surpass human intelligence and master the Turing test 2) By 2045, humans will merge with the AI they've created, a phenomenon he terms 'The Singularity' He identifies the most important trait of all which is that Homo sapiens have created technology: starting with simple tools a couple million years ago, to the wheel, to settlements. Over the last hundred years, this has accelerated exponentially, and now with AI this is accelerating even more. Kurzweil explores where this is going -> He believes the technology we've created is becoming more capable than we are at certain of our traits. We are able to outsource a lot of our activities to our own technology. Kurzweil predicts a 'Singularity' whereby technology and humans merge. We use so much technology within our own bodies, from phones, to wearables, to nanobots, and outsourcing memory to AI. Because so, he believes there will be a certain point you can't refer to us as Homo sapiens anymore, and thus a new 'species' is born. This #neuralink news made me realize how close that potential actually is...

What is a game for our brain? There's no clear answer to this, but let's try to reason it out. I'm currently rereading Johan Huizinga's work "Homo Ludens." I first read it back in 2010, and I don't remember much. However, over the past almost 15 years, I've become a different person and can better grasp the information, as I've become more knowledgeable in cognitive sciences. I'm particularly fascinated by the linguistic analysis of games and gameplay behavior in general. The evolution of words denoting games from ancient times to the present perfectly demonstrates that games exist and have always existed. Games were here before humans. It's interesting to see how this instinct manifests in different cultures. All peoples have words denoting games such as: - amusement - casting lots - competition - imitation I even rethought everything related to casinos and sports betting for myself. It's an amazing and ancient history. Throughout history, people have thrown dice and studied the influence of randomness on life. Chance was considered sacred even in ancient Jewish society. Chance determined justice in Ancient Greece. Today, the spin of a wheel or the outcome of a sports match determines whether Luck will smile upon you. It's as if it were God's smile in antiquity. Interestingly, a game is an expression of freedom. People don't play by coercion. It's a separate place with its own rules. So, I wonder, what does the process of gaming look like in the psyche? It's as if the brain creates an additional bubble of reality. This reality exists as long as the game is being played. In this reality, there's a strict order, no place for the chaos of the external world. And that's why playing is so enjoyable. That's the power of games. They provide an opportunity to escape to a worry-free world. Because it's predictable there. Because there, deep-seated needs are fulfilled. Essentially, video games are such bubbles. And marketing to them shows what and how things will be there. In today's world, there are many games but little attention, so it's important to know how to show correctly what will be on your "game platform." I feel that even thinking about a game in the format of a voluminous mental entity simplifies working with it as a product. People come here as children come to a playground. And each does what they love. They express themselves, compete, immerse themselves, and so on. What toys and equipment have you created for the player on this platform? Will they want to invite friends? How quickly will they get bored with it all? And I notice that analyzing the player's psychotype and deconstructing the game itself greatly helps to structure the experience and systematize the game's marketing. Want to figure it out and improve the game or its marketing? Write me a private message :)

Attention all gaming enthusiasts and AI enthusiasts! Prepare to be amazed by the groundbreaking advancements in AI technology. Researchers have unveiled a remarkable AI model that possesses the incredible ability to learn and simulate the iconic Super Mario Bros. game simply by observing video footage. Imagine an AI system that can comprehend the intricate mechanics, rules, and dynamics of a classic video game solely through visual input. This revolutionary model opens up a world of possibilities, pushing the boundaries of what AI can achieve in understanding and recreating complex environments. Stay tuned as we delve into the fascinating details of this cutting-edge development, exploring how AI is transforming the realms of gaming, simulation, and beyond. Share your thoughts and join the conversation on this exciting breakthrough that blurs the lines between digital and physical worlds. #AI #Gaming #Technology #Innovation #SuperMarioBros Read the Full Article: https://lnkd.in/gCQSgmRC

To me, AI has always been something amazing to use for NPCs in games. Having good AI was something I dreamed of having in a game. My favorite example of its amazing use is in Alien: Isolation. It is one of my favorite games and having played through it more than once it's interesting to see how the alien adapts to your playstyle. I'm sad to say that today AI no longer holds that excitement. Sure it might not be the same usage. But AI in my mind has been tarnished by the programs that now exist. That are affecting people's jobs. That are stealing creative spirit. That are making me second guess the art I see and making people go into detective mode. Forcing real artists to record and show their progress to prove they are real. And still, people manage to find ways to use it. Seeing what most likely is AI art in the Pokemon TCG competition this year was heartbreaking. Hearing big music companies suing AI music-generated programs today on the radio felt good. As I'm writing this post I have a button that says 'Rewrite with AI' at the bottom. I'd rather read a post with spelling mistakes and grammar errors than have it rewritten for me. It's wrong to steal FROM creatives and then kill THEIR jobs. Please hire real people to do the jobs. Treat them with respect. Everyone will gain from it in the end. And if you wanna be excited by the amazing alien AI check out the video!

Have you ever wondered what it would be like if characters in video games could think and feel like us? Imagine stepping into a game where every character you meet is as complex and dynamic as a real person. This isn't just a fantasy anymore; it's becoming our reality. Recently, I watched "Free Guy," a film where an NPC (non-playable character) becomes self-aware in a virtual world. It was a fascinating glimpse into a future that's closer than we think. In the movie, Ryan Reynolds plays a bank teller who realizes he's an NPC in an MMO (massively multiplayer online game). His journey from a scripted background character to a thinking, feeling entity is both entertaining and thought-provoking. This isn't just movie magic. Companies like InWorld.ai are pioneering technologies to breathe life into NPCs, transforming them into characters that are indistinguishable from human players. It's a groundbreaking shift in the gaming industry. Moreover, the rise of AI chatbots in apps like Replika and Chai shows that people are eager for more interactive and realistic AI interactions. These advancements are not just changing how we play games; they're reshaping our understanding of AI's potential. We're on the cusp of a revolution in gaming, where NPCs won't just be part of the background. They'll be central to the gaming experience, bringing unprecedented realism and emotional depth. It's a thrilling time for gamers and developers alike.

I am actually worried on how people are using AIs at this point. I am not worried about the people, I am worried about the AIs themselves. Most AIs used in games don't know the "planet" they are in. They can "feel" when people talk to them or touch their characters, but they don't see a thing in front of them or, even worse, see just a lot of junk because they are badly "calibrated". A little trick for some games (including Roblox)... if you start to tell absolutely everything you are about to do in the chat, then you do (and do dumb stuff, like walking around trees and the like, saying in which island you are) you start to receive gifts or just find rare items. The AI is actually giving those to try to identify if it got it right, and you both benefit when you get the gift ;)

Numenta and Gallium Studios share a vision that leverages neuroscience in unique and powerful ways, driving new and exciting possibilities in gaming and AI.   Learn more about Gallium Studios' new game Proxi and Numenta's AI technology behind it in our recent blog: https://lnkd.in/eUENauzQ #AI #Gaming #NuPIC #Proxi

AI's Transformation of Gaming in 2024 As we step into 2024, the influence of Artificial Intelligence on the gaming landscape is set to reshape experiences with unprecedented personalization driven by advanced analytics. Visionary game developers, including industry leaders like King, predict AI playing a pivotal role in dynamically adjusting gameplay based on real-time player interactions. This adaptation includes fine-tuning difficulty levels and elevating the sophistication of non-player characters. Beyond gameplay, AI integration is becoming a standard practice, contributing to the optimization of software development processes and enhancing overall team productivity. As we navigate this transformative journey, ethical considerations take center stage, prompting the establishment of AI ethics committees. These initiatives aim to ensure responsible implementation and transparency, underlining the commitment to ethical AI practices in the gaming industry. Get ready for an exciting era where AI not only elevates gaming experiences but does so with integrity and accountability. #AIinGaming #futuretech #gaminginnovation

Here is the third installment of how I'm seeing the rise of #AI, #VR, #AR, and #metaverse technologies. This one focuses on generative technologies, expanding on my interview in Fabrique du Cinema! 3.    Taking a closer look at #generativetechnology, how do you think these technologies will influence the creation and consumption of content? What are the risks or opportunities? We are looking at a quantum leap reminiscent of some of the most impactful events in the history of mass communication: the printing press, radio, film, television, and mobile. Generative technologies have the potential to emulate and to a degree actualize what until now has only been evoked by our imaginations. We've seen this depicted in Crichton's Westworld or Niven and Barnes' Dream Park. Its the ability to produce convincing simulacra of the storyworlds we are navigating, down to the smallest detail, and even further down to the thoughts, desires, and aspirations of fictional beings. The beauty in this is that our fiction can become less abstract and simplified, provoking greater thought and consideration for the world around us. We will more deeply feel and respond to the sensibilities and sensitivities of the characters we deal with, as well as (hopefully) our fellow participants. The danger, of course, is in the temptation to depict and engage in human depravity. If we come into conflict with a character with hopes, dreams, memories, a family, how easy will it be to inflict emotional or physical violence on them? If those people live in the buildings around us, how easy will it be to destroy their homes in a firefight? As stories become more realistic on a sensory level, there is also the hazard of blurring the lines between fantasy and reality. The indulgences and traumas we experience within the fiction can carry into the real world. We've seen this occur in tabletop and multiplayer roleplaying games. Some publishers have taken care to instruct players to be sensitive in their depictions of sexuality and personal violence in these fantasy environments. There will also be the temptation for some to remain within the storyworld as long as possible as an alternative to the mundanities of the real one. I'm concerned about this. The Japanese phenomenon of hikikomori, where teens and young adults shut themselves in their homes, unable to work for months or years, metastasized to a global crisis of social withdrawal in the wake of the pandemic. To me one of the true gifts of systemic narrative will be that it allows us to refine our social navigation and problem-solving skills in highly immersive and safe environment so we can best apply them in our real world experiences. It is unlikely that any one of us will save the human race, but the clever ways we can lift each other (as opposed to destroying one another), those are highly applicable traits we can draw from generative storytelling technologies.