Virtual Reality is the Next Training Ground for Artificial Intelligence

Virtual reality was imagined as a human simulation technology long before the most recent wave of innovation that brought us the Oculus RIFT and the wave of innovation that followed. Now, rendering high framerate graphics using multiple, stereoscopic points in virtual reality is matching the speed and accuracy of robotic sensors and cameras. By modeling physics, motion, and material interactions, virtual reality is poised to become a simulation tool for training automatons - robots, drones, and diagnostic gear - before they need to perform in the real world. Recent advancements point to a potentially disruptive combination of virtual reality and artificial intelligence which will unlock a future with safe and competent intelligent machines, able to learn exponentially through self training and intelligent, realistic simulations. Ongoing academic work in machine learning and virtual reality have been migrating to corporations and startups through open source initiatives and movement of skilled people through the academic, startup, and corporate workplaces.