New survey reveals the biggest threats to video games in 2024

Pivot 5: 5 stories. 5 minutes a day. 5 days a week.

1. New survey reveals the biggest threats to video games in 2024

A new survey by GDC and Game Developer has revealed the biggest threats to video games in 2024. Developers fear more layoffs, with over 9,000 laid off last year. The survey also revealed concerns about generative AI, which could accelerate layoffs and lead to copyright infringement. Developers are divided on the ethics of using AI in this way, with 84% of respondents being somewhat or very concerned.

51% of respondents said their employers have some policy around generative AI, with 21% mandating the use and 12% banning it entirely. More companies have begun adding accessibility features to their games, with 48% of respondents working on projects that include these features. Unity's controversial pricing strategy and Elon Musk's takeover of Twitter/X have also pushed developers toward new engines. The survey highlights the industry's upheaval and the need for caution in 2024.

Read the full story here 

2. New era of mobile AI with Samsung Galaxy S24 Series

Samsung has unveiled the Galaxy S24 Ultra, Galaxy S24+, and Galaxy S24, introducing new mobile experiences with Galaxy AI. The series aims to empower users with AI, enhancing everyday experiences, including barrier-free communication, creative freedom, and search capabilities. The Galaxy S24 series includes Live Translate, Interpreter, Chat Assist, Android Auto, Note Assist, and Circle to Search, which allows users to circle, highlight, scribble, or tap anything on the screen to see helpful, high-quality search results. 

The series also introduces generative AI-powered overviews for certain searches, allowing users to ask more complex questions. The Galaxy S24 Space Zoom offers improved nightography capabilities, larger pixel size, and noise reduction. The device also offers editing tools like Edit Suggestion and Generative Edit, and integrates with third-party social apps for enhanced social sharing. The Galaxy S24 Ultra is powered by Snapdragon® 8 Gen 3 Mobile.

Read the full story here 

3. Motionshop replaces video characters with 3D avatars

Motionshop presents a framework to replace video characters with 3D avatars. The framework consists of a video processing pipeline to extract the inpainted background video sequence and a pose estimation and rendering pipeline to generate the avatar video sequence. The process can be completed in minutes using a high-performance ray-tracing renderer TIDE. Character detection is performed using a transformer-based framework, followed by segmentation and tracking using a video object segmentation tracking method.

Video inpainting is used to complete the remaining image area, and the pose estimation method CVFFS is applied to estimate stable human pose. The SMPL human body model is used to represent the 3D human body. Lighting estimation is applied to integrate the new 3D model with the original scene. The rendering engine TIDE combines photorealism with speed, allowing users to obtain videos more efficiently.

Read the full story here

4. Microsoft's tool for AI reading lessons is now a standalone app

Microsoft has launched Reading Coach as a standalone app, part of its Reading Progress suite, designed to help students improve literacy in the classroom and at home. The AI-powered tool provides personalized feedback on improving reading scores and pronunciation, and is free for Microsoft account users. It also flags frequently mispronounced words and prompts readers to change storylines. Teachers can integrate the program into classrooms through learning platforms starting in spring.

The tool is available in preview and allows teachers to track student performance using the Reflect tool. Microsoft's Teams for Education app also offers new features, such as Classwork and Assignments tools, which use AI to emphasize specific messages and streamline the rubric generating process.

Read the full story here 

5. AI comes to higher education as OpenAI partners with Arizona State University

Arizona State University has partnered with OpenAI, the leading generative AI company, to bring its tech to the university's institutional processes. ASU aims to use OpenAI's tech in three broad areas: enhancing student success, fostering innovative research, and streamlining organizational processes. The partnership will begin with an open challenge in February, inviting faculty and staff to submit best-use scenarios.

ASU plans to grant "full access" to ChatGPT for Enterprise tier to the university starting in February 2024. The university plans to build a personalized AI tutor for students, focusing on STEM subjects. ASU also plans to use ChatGPT Enterprise to develop AI avatars as creative buddies for studying certain subjects. The partnership makes sense now, as more people are becoming comfortable with AI tools and OpenAI is now viewed more favorably or less unfavorably among educators.

Read the full story here 

Advertise with Pivot 5 to reach influential minds & elevate your brand

Get your brand in front of 50,000+ businesses and professionals who rely on Pivot 5 for daily AI updates. Book future ad spots here.