The Augmented Horizon

More is happening in technology beyond just generative AI! Advancements in Extended Reality (AR, VR, Mixed Reality), Robotics, Quantum Computing, and HCI are redefining our reality. We keep you one step ahead of everyone else.

That Award Is Not Real!

Welcome to this edition, where we unravel the latest in AI advancements, from robots learning to tie shoelaces (because why not?) to a real-life Frankenstein robot made with human brain cells (definitely NOT terrifying). Meanwhile, you can now hug someone worldwide—thanks to remote-touch technology, long-distance relationships just got weirder. Oh, and cops in AR glasses? Yeah, that’s happening. Let’s not even start on the AI that’s now ruling Minecraft. We’ve also got the lowdown on OpenAI’s latest model that’s blowing minds (literally?), and a wild editorial about whether we’re still in control of our tech, or if it's already calling the shots.

AI: Our Masterpiece or Our Master?

AI has come a long way, from simple algorithms to systems that can outthink us in chess, art, and reasoning. With OpenAI’s latest GPT-o1 model, hailed as a breakthrough in "strawberry reasoning" (yes, that’s a thing now), we’re edging closer to AI that can not only compute but also think—or at least mimic thinking really well. But the question looms: Are we programming AI to serve us, or are we setting ourselves up to be outsmarted by our creations?

Visionaries like Ray Kurzweil predict the singularity by 2045 when AI will surpass human intelligence. That sounds exciting… until you realize we might become the outdated software in this equation. Combine that with the recent advancements in decoding the neural code that could theoretically unlock super-intelligent systems, and you’ve got a future where humanity’s relevance is up for debate. Will AI enhance our lives, or will it outgrow us?

As historian Yuval Noah Harari warns, AI might have already hacked into civilization's operating system. From running our businesses to infiltrating our personal lives, these systems are becoming deeply intertwined with how we function. The real fear isn’t that AI will turn evil but become so capable that humans are left wondering: Are we still in control of our destiny, or are we merely the beta testers of a future designed by machines?

Read More From Around The Web

• OpenAI’s O1 Model: The New ‘Strawberry’ for AI Reasoning?

• Kurzweil’s Prediction: Is 2045 When We Lose Control?

• Neural Code Breakthrough: Super AI Just Got Real

• Yuval Noah Harari’s Stark Warning on AI’s Power

NEWS YOU SHOULD KNOW

AI Learns to Tie Shoes, Humanity Remains Terrible at Untangling Headphones
DeepMind’s AI is officially more coordinated than you. This genius machine just mastered the art of tying shoelaces—meanwhile, we're still struggling with double knots. Could this be the breakthrough robots needed to take over foot fashion forever?

Step Aside Stethoscope, Here Comes the VR Heart Surgeon!
FDA says yes to using AR and VR in cardiology, giving doctors superhero-like tools to visualize the human heart. We might be one step closer to heart surgeries that feel like a video game—except with way higher stakes and no respawn button.

China Creates Frankenstein 2.0 with Brain Cells in Robots—What Could Go Wrong?
Forget AI; Chinese scientists just gave a robot human brain cells. It’s like Frankenstein but with a way scarier sequel. Prepare for robots with opinions, mood swings, and possibly, the need for therapy.

Hug Me From Afar! New Tech Lets You Feel the Love—Without Being There
The future of long-distance relationships just got... interesting. A new device allows users to physically feel a touch remotely, adding a whole new meaning to “reach out and touch someone.” Long-distance huggers rejoice—just maybe don’t get too attached.

Sharp, NTT Docomo Unveil AR Glasses That’ll Make You the Coolest Nerd Around
The AR game just leveled up. Sharp and NTT Docomo’s new glasses promise to make you feel like Tony Stark while looking like… well, someone who still wears AR glasses in public. Practical? Yes. Fashionable? Debatable.

XR Weekly Round-Up: New Week, Same Mixed Reality Chaos
Miss a week in XR? Fear not—here’s your one-stop roundup of all things extended reality. From metaverse mayhem to AR shenanigans, catch up on the cutting-edge tech that’s making reality a lot less boring.

Cops in AR Glasses—What Could Possibly Go Wrong?
Apple Vision Pro is being tested for police surveillance, because nothing says "safety" like a bunch of cops running around with AR headsets. Will this revolutionize law enforcement or make us all feel like we’re living in a Black Mirror episode? Time will tell.

Minecraft Society Built by 1,000 AI Agents—First Block, Next Civilization!
A company unleashed 1,000 AI agents into Minecraft, and they didn’t just build castles—they created an entire society. We might need to start taking notes from these digital architects before they start demanding rights or their own constitution.

WORTH A WATCH

GPT-o1: The Best Model I've Ever Tested 🍓 I Need New Tests!
The latest AI model has dropped, and it’s turning heads! GPT-o1 is being hailed as a game-changer—capable of things that seem straight out of sci-fi. Watch the video for jaw-dropping test results and see why it might just be the "strawberry" of all AI models.

AI News: OpenAI’s Newest Model Will Blow Your Mind! 🍓
OpenAI’s newest release is here, and it's already shaking up the industry. From innovative features to jaw-dropping performance, this AI promises to revolutionize the way we think about intelligence—and might just steal a few jobs while it's at it.

OpenAI’s GPT-o1 Stuns the Industry—Is This the Future of AI?
Surprise, surprise—OpenAI has done it again! The new GPT-o1 model is wowing experts with its capabilities, and the AI world may never be the same. Dive into this review for a glimpse of what could be the most powerful AI yet.

Interesting Jobs in Tech

Coming soon! I am working with companies and recruiters in the space to add jobs. Do you have any? Please send me the details, and I will include them soon!

I’ve already started to get some submissions and leads for roles, although not all are in the extended tech space. If you want to reach out, please do so at the link above (I'm still setting up the process).

Product:

• Chief Product Officer

Engineering:

• Principal Engineer

• 2 different “Founding Engineer” roles

• Senior Backend Engineer

• Senior Fullstack Engineer

Coming Soon, Q4 Events! Alright, I did not create the list for this week. Sorry! Check out the running list of industry events and conferences for 2024.

Have any questions or additions?

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Portions of this email were assisted by artificial intelligence.