AI taking over call centers and humanoids keep multiplying

Read time: 4 min

Welcome to the latest edition of This Week in Tech! Dive into the latest innovations, from Bland AI's $16M raise to automate enterprise calls to Google's game-changing AI that simulates "Doom" without a game engine. Explore Meta's potential upcoming ultralight VR headset and HTC's no-code Metaverse builder.

Plus, check out Tecno's tri-fold concept phone, Midjourney's move into hardware, and 1X's humanoid robot for home use. Don't miss these exciting advancements reshaping our tech landscape!

Artificial Intelligence

Bland AI has raised $16 million to automate enterprise phone calls using AI agents. The company aims to streamline customer interactions for businesses by replacing human phone operators with AI-driven virtual agents. These agents are designed to handle routine customer inquiries, process transactions, and provide support, freeing up human employees for more complex tasks.

You can try it now on their website

Apple, Nvidia, and OpenAI are reportedly investing in cloud computing through partnerships with Microsoft. These investments aim to bolster cloud infrastructure, particularly for AI development. The companies are leveraging Microsoft's Azure platform to advance their AI capabilities and improve computing power.

This collaboration highlights the growing importance of cloud computing in supporting cutting-edge AI technologies and the strategic alliances forming among tech giants to stay competitive in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.

The article explores how emerging technology companies are poised to become the "next generation Pixar" by revolutionizing content creation with AI and digital tools. These companies are focusing on democratizing access to high-quality animation and storytelling, enabling smaller teams to produce cinematic content at a fraction of the cost. The shift could lead to a new wave of creative innovation, transforming the entertainment industry by making high-caliber visual storytelling more accessible.

Google's GameNGN AI has achieved a significant milestone by simulating the game "Doom" without using a traditional game engine. This breakthrough demonstrates the potential of AI to autonomously generate and simulate complex environments, potentially revolutionizing game development.

By removing the need for pre-built engines, this technology could lead to more dynamic and innovative gaming experiences, while also influencing other fields where real-time simulation is crucial, such as virtual reality and autonomous systems.

You’re more ready to start that company than you think - with AI

Coding is seriously getting much easier. We mentioned Cursor last week and we used it to set up a simple utility website in minutes. Check it out at cursordev.com and we’ve probably added something new since typing this.

Spatial Computing

Meta is reportedly developing an "ultralight" VR headset codenamed Puffin, designed to be lighter and more comfortable than current models. The headset may utilize pancake lenses and other innovations to reduce bulk and improve user experience. This move indicates Meta's continued investment in making VR more accessible and appealing to a broader audience, positioning the company as a leader in the next generation of VR technology.

HTC has introduced VIVERSE Create, a no-code tool designed to help users build their own metaverse experiences easily. The platform allows anyone, regardless of technical expertise, to create interactive virtual environments by simply dragging and dropping assets. This initiative aims to democratize the creation of metaverse content, making it accessible to a broader audience and expanding the possibilities for virtual experiences in the growing metaverse ecosystem.

Consumer Hardware

Tecno has unveiled the Phantom Ultimate, a concept phone that features a unique tri-fold design, allowing the device to expand into a large tablet-like display. This innovative design aims to combine the portability of a smartphone with the functionality of a tablet, offering a flexible and futuristic mobile experience. While still in the concept stage, the Phantom Ultimate showcases Tecno's ambition to push the boundaries of foldable technology.

Midjourney, known for its AI-powered image generation, announced plans to enter the hardware market. The company aims to create devices that can enhance and streamline the creative process, possibly integrating AI capabilities directly into physical tools. While details are scarce, this move suggests Midjourney's intent to expand beyond software, offering creators innovative hardware solutions that could redefine digital art and design workflows. This step could potentially elevate the accessibility and usability of AI-driven creativity.

Robotics

Another challenger has entered the ring and people can’t believe it’s not a “guy in a suit”

“Humanoid robot company 1X has unveiled its Neo Beta bipedal humanoid robot designed for home use.

The Neo Beta prototype launch represents a significant milestone for 1X, marking the transition from conceptualization to development. The Neo features bio-inspired designs enabling it to work safely alongside people.”

Checkout their approach to data collection and some visual examples below