OpenAI Launches 'Voice Engine', Apple's Spatial Personas Take Flight, & Yahoo's Artifact Acquisition

Plus, new AR contact lenses in the making and Amazon & Walmart investments in AI.

Good day readers! We sense one day we will be able to bring you the news (almost) face to face. But here are our written stories for now:

Top Stories

OpenAI develops Voice Engine. The new tool allows users to blend voices from short samples responsibly, with precautions like watermarking and limited initial access.

Apple introduces Spatial Personas features. Apple Vision Pro allows you to interact with personas as if they're in the same physical space, navigating through various apps.

Yahoo acquires Artifact. The AI platform will boost news sites and personalized content delivery, amid struggles for media startups.

In Funding

Amazon and Walmart ramp up investments in AI. Amazon is putting $2.75 billion into Anthropic and Walmart will integrate AI features.

Flip raises $144M in funding. The social commerce platform is introducing AI advertising, helping brands connect with customers.

Modal raises $25M to train corporate workers. The company will offer personalised training focused on data and AI trends, for corporate teams

Keep an eye on

Industry: Tarmac offers customer access to predictive AI for optimization of concrete mixes, cutting construction time.

Health: NTU Singapore scientists are creating AR contact lenses powered by human tears, with a longer life battery without external power sources.

Finance: AXA partners with Amazon Web Services to create “AXA Digital Commercial Platform”, using analytics and AI to help manage global risks.

Entertainment: Rokid introduces Rokid Station, an Android streaming box, which pairs with their Rokid AR glasses for an immersive experience.

Hardware: New Quest Store and App Lab apps won't support the original Oculus Quest, leaving owners with the need to upgrade to newer headsets.

Gaming: Microsoft is adding an AI-powered chatbot to Xbox, streamlining customer support and processes like game refunds.

Events to be at

• April 9 - 17 Morgan Hill, USA | Poppy Jasper Film Festival*

• April 11 - New York, USA | Virtual Reality NYC

• April 29 - May 2 Orlando, USA | World Aviation Training Summit*

• May 14 – 22 Cannes, France | Cannes XR

• May 22 - 23 Manchester, UK | DTX + UCX*

Events marked with an asterisk (*) have special rates available for AIXR members. Email events@aixr.org to claim your discount code.

View the full directory

Ready to start a new day? Please send any news and comments to team@aixr.org.

P.S.: if you want to sign up for this newsletter or share it with a friend or colleague, you can find us here.

April 8 2024 Edition - Issue 42