This week in AI highlights include the introduction of Monster, a tool that reconstructs 3D worlds from videos, and the Posterior Mean Rectified Flow (PMRF), which enhances and restores images. Additionally, notable advancements in AI video generation, Nobel Prizes awarded to key figures in AI, and Tesla’s launch of an autonomous Robo taxi showcase the rapid evolution and impact of AI technology across various fields.
This week in AI has been marked by several groundbreaking developments, including the introduction of a project called Monster, which can reconstruct 3D worlds from regular videos. By creating a Time Varying Dynamic Point Cloud, Monster processes video input quickly and accurately, allowing it to track moving objects and camera movements. This technology has potential applications in virtual and augmented reality, robot navigation, and surveillance. An interactive demo is available for users to explore its capabilities.
Another notable tool introduced is the Posterior Mean Rectified Flow (PMRF), which restores and enhances blurry or damaged images of faces. This free tool can also colorize black-and-white photos, inpaint missing pixels, denoise images, and upscale pixelated pictures. The PMRF method predicts the original image and refines it to match real image distributions, showcasing impressive results that could challenge existing paid software solutions.
In the realm of AI video generation, several updates were announced. Runway Gen 3 Turbo now allows users to upload two photos to create videos, while Minimax has introduced a pricing structure for its previously free service, which now includes an image-to-video feature. Cling has added a lip-sync feature with text-to-speech capabilities, enabling users to create videos without needing to record audio. These advancements are democratizing video creation, allowing anyone to produce high-quality content with ease.
The Nobel Prizes this year recognized significant contributions to AI, with Jeffrey Hinton winning in Physics and Demis Hassabis in Chemistry. Hinton, known as the “Godfather of AI,” was acknowledged for his work on neural networks, while Hassabis, founder of DeepMind, was celebrated for his groundbreaking AI developments, including AlphaFold, which predicts protein structures. Their awards highlight the growing importance of AI in various scientific fields and its real-world impact.
Lastly, Tesla unveiled its autonomous Robo taxi, the Cyber Cab, which is expected to cost under $30,000 and will operate without a steering wheel or pedals. The vehicle will charge inductively and aims to transform urban transportation. Additionally, scientists at Penn State University developed an AI-powered electronic tongue capable of identifying subtle differences in food and beverages, with potential applications in food safety and quality control. These innovations reflect the rapid advancements in AI technology and its potential to reshape industries.