The Future of AI Unveiled at Ai4 2024 in Las Vegas

By Viktorija Pashuta

Las Vegas, NV – August 12-14, 2024 – The MGM Grand buzzed with excitement as Ai4 2024, North America’s largest artificial intelligence (AI) event, unfolded over three days of intense learning, networking, and groundbreaking announcements. Over 5,000 attendees from more than 75 countries gathered to explore the ever-expanding horizons of AI, brought to life through insightful keynotes, interactive workshops, and cutting-edge exhibits.

A Unique Mission with a Clear Vision

Ai4 is more than just a conference; it’s a movement designed to harness the transformative power of AI to reshape our world. Guided by principles of transparency, diversity, and the democratization of AI technologies, Ai4 aims to break down barriers, fostering innovation and collaboration across industries. The event’s mission is clear: to ensure that AI’s benefits extend to all, avoiding the pitfalls of bias and inequality often found in AI systems.

From Theory to Practice: Bridging the AI Gap

While academic institutions continue to lead AI research, Ai4 has carved out a distinctive space by focusing on the practical application of these innovations. The conference serves as a bridge between cutting-edge research and real-world use cases, where ideas transition from theory to implementation. Researchers, engineers, startup founders, and venture capitalists all converged to discuss how AI can be democratized and commercialized for the greater good.

A Stellar Lineup of Speakers and Keynotes

The conference kicked off with deep dive training sessions, setting the stage for a stellar lineup of speakers. The “Godfather of AI,” Geoffrey Hinton, delivered an inspiring keynote, emphasizing the dual role of AI in advancing fields like healthcare while also urging caution.

“We should be putting great thought on maintaining control,” Hinton stated, yet he also highlighted the immense potential of AI to transform healthcare.

Another notable keynote featured Andrew Yang, who extolled AI’s potential to address some of humanity’s greatest challenges.

“AI can prolong our lifespans, cure life-threatening diseases, and maybe even help us tackle climate change,” Yang said.

His optimism set the tone for a conference that was as much about possibilities as it was about responsibility.

Key Announcements and Innovations

Several significant announcements were made during the event, reflecting the rapid pace of innovation in the AI sector:

• Technology Innovation Institute (TII) unveiled Falcon Mamba 7B, a groundbreaking AI language model, with Dr. Najwa Aaraj and Dr. Hakim scheduled for a press session to discuss its implications.
• Regulating AI revealed a strategic partnership aimed at Responsible AI Governance, working with a global forum of former democratic leaders.
•  Pasteur Labs introduced their role in the Department of Defense-funded SciAI Center, focusing on human-AI teaming.
• Argil launched a new Enterprise Plan, while Trustwise announced a collaboration with NVIDIA Inception.
• AutoAlign and Backpack Healthcare both made exciting product announcements, further pushing the envelope of what AI can achieve.

Looking Ahead: A Glimpse into the Future of AI

As the event drew to a close, the excitement was palpable, with attendees eager to take the insights gained back to their respective industries. Ai4 2024 not only showcased the latest in AI but also emphasized the importance of responsible AI development. Sessions like “Harnessing AI Responsibly” by Dr. Najwa Aaraj and “Democratizing LLMs for The People” by Sri Ambati highlighted the ethical considerations and the need for inclusivity in AI’s growth.

STANDOUTS

DEEPGRAM

Deepgram showcased its Voice AI capabilities at Ai4, featuring its mascot Robodoge and live demos. Their AI tools include high-accuracy speech-to-text (90%+ accuracy, 40x faster than competitors), low-latency text-to-speech (under 250 milliseconds), and advanced intelligence features like sentiment analysis and summarization. These APIs empower developers to integrate voice technology into various applications, from conversational AI to podcast transcription.

LILIUM LABS

Nina Hawkins delivered a presentation titled “Future of Digital Immortality”, where she explored the convergence of fashion, art, and technology over her 15+ year career. She highlighted her experience working with renowned brands such as Apple, Netflix, and Dior, and her involvement in global exhibitions across cities like LA, Tokyo, and Berlin.

Nina introduced her digital twin, NINOCENCE, a virtual human counterpart signed to Photogenics modeling agency and featured in major fashion magazines like Vogue and Elle. This digital persona exemplifies her vision of merging human identity with technology, representing a pioneering step in the realm of digital immortality.

She also discussed her entrepreneurial ventures, including founding Lilium Labs, which specializes in creating virtual alter egos through 3D and AI tools. Lilium Labs aims to enhance career longevity by providing accessible entry into the avatar world, enabling individuals to craft customizable digital representations of themselves.

Nina’s presentation covered a range of digital immortalization tools, such as:

1. Avatar Image: Creating visual representations for interaction in virtual environments.
2. Chatbots Personality: Developing chatbots that mimic a person’s communication style.
3. Voice Cloning: Using AI to replicate a person’s voice for authentic digital interactions.
4. Memory Preservation: Utilizing AI to store and organize digital memories for an interactive legacy.
5. Predictive Modeling: Employing AI to predict responses to new situations based on past behavior.

She delved into the historical context of virtual humans, tracing the concept of avatars from Hinduism to early science fiction and their rise in virtual reality and online communities. Hawkins also outlined the technical processes behind creating these digital avatars, such as image generation, face replication, and animation, using advanced tools like MJ, Topaz Labs, and 11 Labs.

The core of Nina’s talk was about democratizing access to digital immortality, making it possible for a mainstream audience to engage in the creation of digital alter egos, thus shaping a future where digital identities could extend a person’s presence and influence far beyond their physical lifespan.

AKOOL 

AKOOL leads in AI-driven personalization with innovative tools like the Streaming Avatar, a real-time AI solution that boosts customer engagement through personalized marketing, interactive customer service, and immersive digital experiences. Under the leadership of Dr. Jeff (Jiajun) Lu, a global AI and computer vision expert, AKOOL transforms digital strategies by enabling the creation of studio-quality videos using AI-generated avatars. Their platform allows businesses to scale hyper-personalized content with enterprise-grade security, driving both creativity and cost-efficiency in visual marketing and advertising. 

EX-HUMAN

Ex-Human offers AI-powered image generation technology that enables companies to effortlessly create personalized visuals from selfies or photos. This tool helps reduce content creation costs by eliminating the need for expensive photoshoots, while allowing for rapid adaptation to market trends. Ex-Human has recently partnered with Grindr to integrate its AI models into the app, enhancing user experiences with new features while ensuring data privacy. This collaboration is poised to transform Grindr’s service offerings, particularly for the LGBTQ+ community.

TASKSENSOR

TaskSensor is a project management tool designed for dynamic teams to optimize their project roadmap with enhanced visibility. It preserves the integrity of the timeline, providing a clear, real-time view of projects without complex setups. By automatically maintaining the roadmap and helping teams stay proactive, TaskSensor ensures efficient project execution.

GROWSTACK

GrowStack empowers businesses with AI-driven solutions for seamless digital marketing, optimized workflows, and unparalleled growth. By integrating various marketing tools into a single platform, it addresses high costs, integration issues, and inefficiencies, making advanced technology accessible and effective for businesses of all sizes.

COPYLEAKS

Each day, the world’s largest businesses and educational institutes and millions of individuals trust our exclusive AI-powered text analysis to identify potential plagiarism and AI-generated content, provide full transparency around responsible AI adoption, ensure error-free writing, and protect IP and copyright.

Join the Conversation

For those who missed out, the Ai4 event app and various social media platforms provide ongoing updates and access to session recordings, press releases, and event photos. The conversation continues online, with the global AI community discussing the innovations and ideas sparked by Ai4 2024.

INSPIRING SPEAKERS