Disclosure: Crunchyroll is part of Funimation Global Group, a joint venture between Sony Pictures Entertainment and Aniplex. Sony Interactive Entertainment, Gran Turismo developer Polyphony Digital and the newly established Sony AI division have jointly announced the development of an articifical intelligence agent that has learned how to play the Gran Turismo franchise, with the results that it has become a formidable opponent, and gives the franchise's top sim racers a run for their money. The agent, known as Gran Turismo Sophy was developed by Sony's AI division and used Sony Interactive Entertainment's cloud gaming infrastructure in close collaboration with Polyphony Digital to build a training platform and related infrastructure to learn from hundreds of Gran Turismo Sport players in two special in-game events called Race Together in 2021, which in turn allowed it to develop its own skills and surpass the abilities of the franchise's top sim racers. A new short documentary has been released elaborating on the development of the project and is embedded below. Two full-length races featuring Gran Turismo Sophy have also been uploaded to YouTube.

Google is infamous for spinning up products and killing them off, often in very short order. But the tech giant's ambitions stretch into many domains that touch human lives these days. And -- it turns out -- so does Google's tendency to kill off products that its PR has previously touted as "life saving". To wit: Following a recent reconfiguration of Google's health efforts -- reported earlier by Business Insider -- the tech giant confirmed to TechCrunch that it is decommissioning its clinician support app, Streams. The app, which Google Health PR bills as a "mobile medical device", was developed back in 2015 by DeepMind, an AI division of Google -- and has been used by the U.K.'s National Health Service in the years since, with a number of NHS Trusts inking deals with DeepMind Health to roll out Streams to their clinicians.

Insomniac Games is using machine learning to enhance in-game visuals on the PlayStation 5, and the studio could be working alongside Sony's AI division on experimental new technology. Insomniac Games recently turned heads by confirming the PlayStation 5 can support machine learning. The team is using it in creative ways, starting with a new PS5 update for Spider-Man Miles Morales that significantly changes muscular appearance in the game. The new technique creates more realistic "muscle deformation," a term used in animation to describe how models are transformed and manipulated in 3D rigs. According to Lead Character Technical Director Josh DiCarlo, the technique is using machine learning inference, which means Insomniac is feeding the algorithm data in real-time that's running on the PlayStation 5. DiCarlo says this technique doesn't come at a graphical hit.

* NexTech is expanding its technology stack by launching a new AI division * The Company is establishing a transformative internship program with AI students at Northeastern University and others * The global AI market revenues are expected to surpass $300 billion in 2024, creating a new substantial market opportunity for NexTech VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Dec. 02, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NexTech AR Solutions (NexTech) (OTCQB: NEXCF) (CSE: NTAR) (FSE: N29), a leading provider of virtual and augmented reality (AR) experience technologies and services for virtual and hybrid eCommerce, education, conferences and events today announced the creation of its new Artificial Intelligence (AI) division. Through a dedicated initial team of three AI experts focused on enhancing NexTech’s AI capabilities, the company aims to gain a competitive edge and create new portfolio offerings to complement its AR; streamlining operations for clients while tapping into a market that is expected to surpass $300 billion in revenues by 2024.NexTech’s Mirjana Prpa, AR Product Manager, and the new head of the AI division, will drive efforts to identify, develop and deploy AI capabilities within the Company’s existing AR technology and virtual experience portfolio. She will lead a growing team that will include new AI experts and a substantial number of interns. The NexTech AI program plans to create automation within the AR content creation space in order to build a self-service AR platform that easily works for everyone, turning everyone into AR creators. The AI program will give back to students while also tapping into their untapped potential and insight by developing an internship program, starting with computer science students at the nearby Northeastern University in Vancouver.The internships offered by NexTech’s AI division will provide students with a unique hands-on learning experience that equips them with the tools they need to establish their careers in AI and AR. NexTech aims to create a mutually beneficial experience where students will be able to grow with the company by working on various AI-focused projects. In addition, NexTech is committed to creating long-term opportunities that will allow students to work closely with the NexTech team in real-world AI applications.NexTech is building this new AI division with the goal of becoming a leader in AR which it believes can only happen with the merging of these two potent technologies. The team will utilize AI within the content creation of the company’s AR solutions that allow users to not just experience AR but also to create their own experiences, through the support of AI for AR. The ultimate goal is to harness the power of AI to offer a self-serve AR solution for everyone.“I’m excited to lead NexTech’s AI division and work towards the goal of making AR accessible to everyone. By creating a program that connects academia with industry experts, we hope to create long term relationships with students by recognizing their talents and offering them opportunities to aid in their professional development,” says Mirjana Prpa, Product Manager for AR and Head of the AI Division. “The potential of AI in AR applications is limitless; we’re only just starting to scratch the surface with this newfound program. Through the work of professionals and students who are learning new applications and approaches for AI integration, coupled with our growing team at NexTech, we hope to create experiences unlike any other currently available that combine the mesmerizing potential of AR with the streamlined efficiency of AI.”Evan Gappelberg, CEO of NexTech says, “As one of the leaders in the Augmented Reality market, we are excited to continue our leadership and development with the introduction of our AI division as well as our internship program. NexTech’s growth and competitiveness within the market remains an important aspect of the company’s identity, especially as we work to extend our capabilities and services into the rapidly growing AR/AI markets.”To learn more about NexTech AR, please visit www.nextechar.com.About NexTech ARNexTech is one of the leaders in the rapidly growing Augmented Reality market estimated to grow from USD $10.7B in 2019 and projected to reach USD $72.7B by 2024 according to Markets & Markets Research; it is expected to grow at a CAGR of 46.6% from 2019 to 2024.The company is pursuing four verticals:InfernoAR: An advanced Augmented Reality and Video Learning Experience Platform for Events, is a SaaS video platform that integrates Interactive Video, Artificial Intelligence and Augmented Reality in one secure platform to allow enterprises the ability to create the world’s most engaging virtual event management and learning experiences. Automated closed captions and translations to over 64 languages. According to Grandview Research the global virtual events market in 2020 is $90B and expected to reach more than $400B by 2027, growing at a 23% CAGR. With NexTech’s InfernoAR platform having augmented reality, AI, end-to-end encryption and built in language translation for 64 languages, the company is well positioned to rapidly take market share as the growth accelerates globally.ARitize™ For eCommerce: The company launched its SaaS platform for webAR in eCommerce early in 2019. NexTech has a ​‘full funnel’ end-to-end eCommerce solution for the AR industry including its Aritize360 app for 3D product capture, 3D/AR ads, its ARitize white label app it’s ‘Try it On’ technology for online apparel, 3D and 360-degree product views, and ‘one click buy’.ARitize™ 3D/AR Advertising Platform: Launched in Q1 2020 the ad platform will be the industry's first end-to-end solution whereby the company will leverage its 3D asset creation into 3D/AR ads. In 2019, according to IDC, global advertising spend will be about $725 billion.ARitize™ Hollywood Studios: The studio is in development producing immersive content using 360 video, and augmented reality as the primary display platform.To learn more, please follow us on Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook, or visit our website: https://www.nextechar.com.On behalf of the Board of NexTech AR Solutions Corp. “Evan Gappelberg” CEO and DirectorFor further information regarding the internship program, please contact:Mirjana Prpa Head of AI Division mirjana.prpa@nextechar.comThe CSE has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.Certain information contained herein may constitute “forward-looking information” under Canadian securities legislation. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as, “will be”, “looking forward” or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results “will” occur. Forward-looking statements regarding the Company increasing investors awareness are based on the Company’s estimates and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements of NexTech to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, including capital expenditures and other costs. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. NexTech will not update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information that are incorporated by reference herein, except as required by applicable securities laws.

NexTech AR Solutions (NexTech), a leading provider of virtual and augmented reality (AR) experience technologies and services for virtual and hybrid eCommerce, education, conferences and events announced the creation of its new Artificial Intelligence (AI) division. Through a dedicated initial team of three AI experts focused on enhancing NexTech's AI capabilities, the company aims to gain a competitive edge and create new portfolio offerings to complement its AR; streamlining operations for clients while tapping into a market that is expected to surpass $300 billion in revenues by 2024. NexTech's Mirjana Prpa, AR Product Manager, and the new head of the AI division, will drive efforts to identify, develop and deploy AI capabilities within the Company's existing AR technology and virtual experience portfolio. She will lead a growing team that will include new AI experts and a substantial number of interns. The NexTech AI program plans to create automation within the AR content creation space in order to build a self-service AR platform that easily works for everyone, turning everyone into AR creators.

Bill Stasior, the former head of Apple's Siri division, is leaving the company after nearly a decade to join Microsoft's artificial intelligence division, reports The Information. Although Stasior left Apple in May, he's only joining Microsoft later this month as a corporate vice president, reporting to Chief Technology Officer Kevin Scott. Stassior worked at Apple for more than seven years, joining back in 2012. Stasior's departure seems less an indictment of the current state of Siri and more a reflection of the reality of AI at Apple. Last year, the iPhone maker poached John Giannandrea from Google, where he was a former head of search and AI. At the time of Giannandrea's hiring, the move was considered an admission from Apple that its current AI efforts were lackluster and needing revamping, evidenced by Siri falling far behind Google Assistant and Amazon's Alexa in sophistication and industry adoption.

In the middle of the historic city of Bristol in England, about 150 engineers are currently designing the most sophisticated computer AI chip in the world. The "Colossus" has 1216 processors fitted on a chip characterized by the size of a postage stamp. Designed specifically for artificial intelligence (AI) applications, the AI chip draws its name from the computer that was used by cryptographers at Bletchley Park during World War II. "[Colossus] was all top-secret for decades after the war, so the Americans thought they invented everything first. Now it is clear to the world that they didn't," claimed Simon Knowles, the inventor of the novel AI chip.

Looking back at some of 2018's most prominent and exciting AI projects forecasts promising advances in the coming years. With a wide range of startups and government projects boosting visibility and funding for various machine learning operations, there's plenty to be excited about for both business and personal AI solutions. Of course, there's also the occasional misfire to keep expectations realistic and learning from these examples remains key in keeping future developments healthy. Here's what to learn from 2018 artificial intelligence projects. At a glance, DeepMind's exhibition that showed off its ability to topple some of the strongest chess and shogi AI may not seem like a major accomplishment, but the ease of relating AI's progress by comparing it to chess masters makes for a good bridge between the highly scientifically literate and the average person.

That debate comes down to whether or not the current approaches to building AI are enough. With a few tweaks and the application of enough brute computational force, will the technology we have now be capable of true "intelligence," in the sense we imagine it exists in an animal or a human? On one side of this debate are the proponents of "deep learning"--an approach that, since a landmark paper in 2012 by a trio of researchers at the University of Toronto, has exploded in popularity. While far from the only approach to artificial intelligence, it has demonstrated abilities beyond what previous AI tech could accomplish. The "deep" in "deep learning" refers to the number of layers of artificial neurons in a network of them.

Minicola, left her post as director of global business development at Microsoft to create Wunderman's AI division, first joining as president of the Seattle office in November 2016. Right away, Minicola's relationship with Microsoft paid off, and she secured a partnership with the company to build the agency's first set of AI solutions for Cortana. Six months later, Wunderman's AI service launched, and Minicola assumed the position as global lead of the division. Today, the partnership with Microsoft remains strong and comes with perks. Minicola said Wunderman gets early insights into what Microsoft is building before it launches beta tests as well as the ability to test ideas on concepts within its AI platform. "It's super powerful because the space is moving so fast," said Minicola. "If you're not with the engineers that build the platform in the [beginning] phase, then what you're building today is already outdated." The only way to read the magazine is to become a Digiday member. Subscribe before Friday, March 16 to get both print and digital access.