Mark Zuckerberg recently unveiled a selection of artificial intelligence projects underway at Meta. Over a Livestream, Zuckerberg made a simple virtual world via the Builder Bot AI feature. The demonstration included the creation of an island, beach and trees.
Build Bot is part of the CAIRaoke project which aims to improve AI assistants and let artificial intelligence view the world through human experience. Zuckerberg also announced Meta’s plans to develop a universal speech translator. “The ability to communicate with anyone in any language is a superpower that was dreamt of forever,” said Zuckerberg.
Meta has made its metaverse intentions clear. Throughout the past decade, Meta, formerly Facebook, has been investing in AI. In January 2022, Meta made an announcement about its supercomputer, the AI Research SuperCluster, which it claims will be the fastest in the world upon its completion. Meta feels its supercomputer will aid in realizing the full potential of AI advancements. The company also purchased VR headset company, Oculus in 2014.
Meta Controversies
However, as Meta moves toward its metaverse goals, critics speculate whether the company and other corporations should have the right to dominate the new medium. Meta seems to face scandal after scandal, with concern rising after a woman came forward about a virtual sexual assault in Horizon Worlds, a virtual reality platform by Meta. The attack prompted Meta to create a personal boundary feature that prevents avatars from encroaching on one another’s personal space. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is also suing the corporation over the use of facial recognition software. Likewise, the safety of children on Meta’s platforms has been called into question. The UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office is currently investigating claims of safety code breaches concerning the Quest 2 VR headset. Additionally, Meta’s Head of Global Community Development left the company after being caught on video in an underage sex sting.
Jack Brassell is a freelance journalist and aspiring novelist. Jack is a self-proclaimed nerd with a lifelong passion for storytelling. As an author, Jack writes mostly horror and young adult fantasy. Also an avid gamer, she works as the lead news editor at Hardcore Droid. When she isn't writing or playing games, she can often be found binge-watching Parks & Rec or The Office, proudly considering herself to be a cross between Leslie Knope and Pam Beasley.
