Latest AI Technology Trends: From Voice to Robots at a Glance
Latest AI Technology Trends: From Voice to Robots at a Glance AI technology is evolving even as we speak. What's happening while you're not looking? He…
Latest AI Technology Trends: From Voice to Robots at a Glance
Latest AI Technology Trends: From Voice to Robots at a Glance
AI technology is evolving even as we speak. What's happening while you're not looking?
Hello everyone! I'm bringing you the latest in rapidly developing AI technology news today. While organizing news from various tech conferences and product launches last weekend, I was amazed. Particularly from OpenAI's new audio model to robot technology, it felt like scenes from science fiction movies are becoming reality. Let's look at how these technologies might change our daily lives and industries!
Table of Contents
- OpenAI and Google's Latest Audio Technologies
- Evolution of Image Generation and Editing Technologies
- Advancements in 3D and Video Generation
- Latest Trends in Humanoid Robot Technology
- Major AI Model and Hardware Updates
- The Future of AI and Its Social Impact
OpenAI and Google's Latest Audio Technologies
OpenAI has released its next-generation audio model via API. While the existing 'Voice Mode' had already gained attention for natural voice generation, this new API that allows for more detailed control is generating excitement.
OpenAI's New TTS (Text-to-Speech) Feature
The most significant feature of the newly released TTS API is the ability to control voice tone and emotion through system prompts. You can experience it directly on the AI.fm website and import the code for use.
For example, if you provide a character setting like 'Busan soup restaurant's grumpy grandmother' as a prompt, it generates a matching voice. In English, it allows for even more diverse emotional expressions and tone adjustments, making it easy to create voices suitable for game characters or situational plays.
π Note
OpenAI's TTS service is charged based on usage, and exact costs can be found in the official documentation. It's suitable for personal projects or small-scale applications.
GPT-4 Transcribe: More Accurate Voice Recognition Technology
OpenAI has also announced a new speech-to-text conversion model called 'GPT-4 Transcribe,' surpassing the existing Whisper model. This model shows greatly improved accuracy and excellent performance in various languages including Korean.
| Entertainment | |||
| Pikachu Labs | Video special effects | Commercial | Movies, advertising |
The Future of AI and Its Social Impact
How will the various AI technologies we've looked at so far affect our society? AI's influence is already expanding throughout our daily lives and industries, and this trend is expected to accelerate further.
AI Surpassing Human Abilities
According to recent research, AI has begun to surpass humans in the field of humor. Results showed that language models create more entertaining content than the average human. Of course, top-level human humor writers are still ahead of AI, but considering how quickly AI performance is improving, this gap is expected to narrow soon.
In the medical field, a Stanford research team announced results showing that AI diagnosis accuracy is higher than that of human medical staff. Ironically, however, many medical professionals tend to be unaware of or ignore AI tools, so application in actual medical settings remains a challenge.
Now that AI has begun to surpass human abilities in various fields, we need to deeply consider the coexistence of technology and humans. It's important to view AI not as a competitor but as a partner, and develop in a direction that leverages the strengths of each.
Changes in the Future Job Market
World-renowned AI expert Sam Altman recently emphasized in an interview that "the most important thing for future employment will be AI usage skills." He advised developing resilience and adaptability, and meta-learning skills (the ability to quickly learn new things) to be competitive in the AI era.
These changes are also affecting traditional occupations. The movie filming robot developed by Boston Dynamics and NVIDIA collaboration shows the possibility of replacing camera operators, Pikachu Labs' video special effects technology could replace VFX specialists, and Music Infuser could replace choreographers.
- Developing abilities to collaborate with AI
- Enhancing creativity and emotional intelligence
- Strengthening problem-solving abilities and critical thinking
- Continuous learning and self-development
Investment and Accelerated Development
AI technology development is being accelerated through enormous investments. The UAE announced it would invest in AI at three times the scale of the US Stargate project, and many companies and countries are pouring astronomical amounts to secure AI competitiveness.
There are even cases of the DeepSense founder making billions of dollars in profits by investing with AI, drawing attention to AI-powered investment techniques. In this way, AI is bringing innovation to the investment field as well.
π Note
AI technology development goes beyond simple technological progress and affects our lives in various aspects including economy, society, and culture. It's important to actively respond to these changes and seek ways to grow with AI.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: How can OpenAI's new TTS (Text-to-Speech) API be utilized?
OpenAI's TTS API allows for detailed control of voice tone and emotion through system prompts. It can be used in various fields such as game character voices, audiobooks, virtual assistants, and educational content. You can experience it directly on the AI.fm site, and developers can integrate it into their services through the API.
Q: Why is the watermark removal feature of image generation AI controversial?
Gemini 2.0's watermark removal feature raises ethical issues related to copyright protection. Watermarks are important devices that indicate image ownership and usage rights, and if they can be easily removed, copyright infringement becomes easier. There's also the possibility of unauthorized manipulation of celebrities' images or creation of fake content, which could lead to stronger regulations.
Q: How will humanoid robot technology development affect jobs?
The development of humanoid robot technology is expected to bring significant changes to some occupations. There's a high possibility that automation will progress from simple repetitive tasks to increasingly complex tasks. However, this will simultaneously create new jobs in robot programming, maintenance, design, etc. In the future job market, capabilities that demonstrate uniquely human strengths, such as the ability to collaborate with robots, creativity, and emotional intelligence, will become increasingly important.
Q: Can I use the LG X41Deep model?
The LG X41Deep model has been released as open source, so anyone can try using it. However, according to license conditions, commercial use (developing products or services that generate direct or indirect revenue) is prohibited. It can only be used for non-commercial purposes such as research, learning, and personal projects. The model is light enough to run on smartphones or Raspberry Pi while showing excellent performance, so it can be a good resource for AI learning and research.
Q: What capabilities should I develop to prepare for AI technology advancement?
To be competitive in the AI era, the ability to effectively use AI tools should be the foundation. In addition, the 'resilience and adaptability' and 'meta-learning ability' emphasized by Sam Altman are important. Also necessary is the development of uniquely human capabilities that AI cannot yet perfectly replace, such as critical thinking, creativity, emotional intelligence, and complex problem-solving abilities. Continuous learning and an open attitude toward change have become more important than ever.
Conclusion
The various AI technology advancements we've looked at today are progressing at a truly amazing pace. OpenAI and Google's audio technology, Gemini and Grok's image generation, Stability AI's 3D conversion, and Boston Dynamics and Tesla's robot technology - technologies that could only be seen in science fiction movies just a few years ago are now becoming reality.
These advancements will bring major changes to our daily lives, industries, and job markets. Some jobs will disappear and new ones will emerge, and there will be innovation in how we work and live. The important thing is to actively embrace and prepare for these changes rather than fear them.
In the AI era, the ability to effectively utilize technology, along with uniquely human creativity, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence, will become increasingly important. If we respond to changes with continuous learning and an open mind, AI will be our powerful companion rather than our competitor.
Which AI technology are you most interested in? And how do you think these technologies will affect your occupation or daily life? I'd love for you to share your thoughts in the comments.
In the next post, I'll introduce practical tips and methods for effectively utilizing AI. Please look forward to it!
Latest Trends in Humanoid Robot Technology
Along with AI technology advancements, the humanoid robot field is also making remarkable progress. Various companies are showcasing increasingly evolved robots, painting a picture of future industries.
NVIDIA's Isaac Groot N1
NVIDIA has released an open-source 'Isaac Groot N1' model for humanoid robots. This model is provided in a pre-trained state to perform various tasks and is designed to allow additional training for specific purposes.
The release of such open-source models is expected to accelerate the development of robot technology. As developers share and improve each other's achievements, the capabilities of humanoid robots will rapidly enhance.
1X Neo Robot
1X Technology's Neo robot is a new humanoid robot developed in collaboration with NVIDIA. In particular, this robot has received additional training based on Isaac Groot N1, enabling more sophisticated movements.
At the NVIDIA GTC event, the Neo robot demonstrated household chores such as taking items to the trash bin or cleaning the floor. It is said that hundreds of households will test these humanoid robots in 2025.
1X is thoroughly testing safety, ease of use, and ability to perform daily tasks before introducing robots into actual homes. This approach can be seen as an important step toward the popularization of robot technology.
Boston Dynamics' New Robot Movements
Boston Dynamics has once again demonstrated amazing robot movements. The latest videos show more diverse and natural movements such as walking, running, kneeling, crawling, rolling, and turning sideways.
In addition, WPP, NVIDIA, Boston Dynamics, and Canon are collaborating to research technology for robots to film movies. The revelation of robots holding cameras and filming movies or advertisements suggests changes in the video production industry.
Figure AI and Unitree's Dancing Robots
Figure AI has showcased robots dancing with surprisingly natural movements. Trained by real dancers, these robots perform complex dance movements very smoothly. Although there were initial suspicions of manipulation, videos from various angles confirmed it was real technology.
Unitree has also released new robot videos demonstrating amazing skills such as jumping up, performing martial arts moves, maintaining balance without falling, and executing side flips.
Tesla's Optimus Robot
Tesla's Optimus robot continues to evolve as well. At a recently disclosed Tesla employee meeting, it was announced that a new Optimus with 23 degrees of freedom in hands and forearms is in production.
Tesla claims to be "the only company with all the materials needed to make intelligent humanoid robots on a large scale," revealing ambitious plans to produce tens of millions, even 100 million Optimus robots annually.
⚠️ Caution
As robot technology advances, safety issues and ethical considerations are becoming increasingly important. After cases of Chinese toy drones being easily convertible into weapons were reported, concerns about the potential misuse of humanoid robots have been raised. Appropriate regulations and safety measures are needed alongside the development of these technologies.
Robot Technology and Industrial Change
The advancement of humanoid robot technology is expected to bring changes to various industrial fields. Mercedes-Benz has collaborated with NVIDIA and acquired shares in robot manufacturer Aptronic, and is reportedly testing robots in factories.
Major AI Model and Hardware Updates
Amazing progress continues in the field of AI models and hardware as well. From new GPU releases to open-source model announcements, these advancements are greatly improving the accessibility and performance of AI technology.
NVIDIA's Next Generation GPUs
At the NVIDIA GTC event, next-generation AI chips called 'Rubin Ultra' and 'Feynman' were unveiled. They announced plans to continuously release new GPUs until 2028 after the current Blackwell GPUs, and introduced a roadmap leading to Rubin GPUs and Feynman GPUs in 2025, 2027, and 2028, respectively.
NVIDIA also revealed the 'GDX Spark,' a mini AI research PC. This product has a Blackwell chip installed and provides 1000 AI TOPS of FP4 AI performance with 128GB of integrated memory. This product, which can be considered NVIDIA's Mac mini version, is expected to receive great interest from AI researchers.
π Note
Currently, GDX Spark is only available for reservation in the US, but it can be purchased in Korea through shipping proxy services. This could be a good opportunity for those interested in AI research and development.
Claude and Anthropic News
Anthropic has announced that it will add real-time search functionality to Claude. This feature allows searching for the latest information using Brave Search.
There was also an article about Anthropic pursuing the establishment of a Korean branch. Although exact information has not been confirmed yet, it is known that they consider the Asian market important and are positively reviewing the Korean branch in particular.
This interest is because Korea ranks 2nd or 3rd in global AI usage. Considering the population, it's an impressive ranking, showing that Korea's AI market is growing very actively.
LG's X41Deep Model
Among Korean companies, LG announced noteworthy news. LG has open-sourced 'X41Deep,' a world-class inference model. This model has 3.2 billion parameters but showed results that did not fall behind models with 67 billion parameters in performance evaluations.
X41Deep is receiving positive reviews overseas as well, and boasts outstanding performance while being light enough to run on smartphones or Raspberry Pi. However, commercial use is restricted according to license conditions, so it can only be used for research purposes.
| Model/Hardware | Key Features | Release/Expected Date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVIDIA Blackwell | Current generation top performance GPU | 2024 | With B200 chip |
| NVIDIA Rubin | Next generation GPU | 2025 | Under development |
| NVIDIA Feynman | 3rd generation AI chip | 2028 | Planning stage |
| LG X41Deep | Lightweight high-performance inference model | 2024 | Non-commercial use only |
Google's Multilingual Native Audio Output
Google has also revealed multilingual native audio output functionality. The most remarkable aspect of this technology is the ability to naturally transition between languages. Even when switching mid-sentence from English to Korean or French, the voice tone and character remain consistent.
This technology is expected to be utilized in various fields such as podcasts, AI humans, and educational content. It will especially help global content creators lower language barriers.
⚠️ Caution
There may be differences between the currently announced demos and services to be released. Also, ethical considerations for using these technologies are necessary.
Other Advancements in Audio Technology
Heygen has also unveiled a 'Director Mode Avatar' feature. This function allows AI avatars to have various emotions and speech styles, including effects like 'whispering.'
Additionally, a project called AudioX has presented 'Anything-to-Audio' generation technology. This technology can analyze text and video files to create appropriate audio, or even perform audio inpainting (a technique that naturally fills in missing parts).
These advancements in audio technology are expected to bring innovation in various fields such as entertainment, education, and accessibility.
Evolution of Image Generation and Editing Technologies
Image generation and editing technologies have made remarkable progress in recent months. New features surpassing the limitations of existing models are continuously emerging.
Gemini 2.0 Flash Image Manipulation
Google's Gemini 2.0 multimodel has introduced a 'Flash Imageation' feature that enables not only image generation but also detailed modification of existing images. Applications of this technology are diverse:
- Watermark removal: Naturally removing watermarks from images
- YouTube thumbnail enhancement: Changing expressions, adding emphasis elements
- Animation frame creation: Creating animations through gradual changes
- Product photo specialization: Converting ordinary photos into professional product images
⚠️ Caution
This technology may raise ethical issues such as manipulating copyrighted images or famous people's images. Therefore, there is a possibility of stronger regulations in the future, so caution is needed when using it.
Grok's Image Editing Feature
XAI's Grok 3 has also added image editing features. After uploading a photo, you can perform various image edits such as changing hair color or transforming styles with simple text commands. This technology features an intuitive interface and fast processing speed.
| AI Image Tool | Key Features | Suitable Use Cases | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gemini 2.0 Flash | Detailed image manipulation, various applications | Professional editing, animation creation | Potential ethical issues |
| Grok 3 | Intuitive manipulation, real-time editing | Personal image editing, fun elements | Lack of advanced pro features |
| XAI Image API | Less filtered image generation | Developer API utilization | Some ethical concerns |
XAI Image Generation API
XAI has also released an image generation API. Its most distinctive feature is relatively less filtering. It allows for the generation of celebrity faces which other services restrict, providing developers with more freedom.
Also, there's news that XAI has acquired the video AI startup 'Hotshot,' suggesting they may introduce more powerful video generation features in the future.
The evolution of image technology is impacting various fields beyond simple photo editing, including creative content creation, marketing, and product design. Especially when combined with user-friendly interfaces, it has become accessible even to non-experts.
Bokeh Diffusion
'Bokeh Diffusion' technology has also been unveiled for photography enthusiasts. This technology allows applying natural bokeh (focus blur) effects to image backgrounds, providing much more natural results than existing tools like Photoshop or Flux.
These technologies can be utilized not only by individual users but also by professional photographers, designers, marketers, and various occupations, expected to greatly increase content creation efficiency.
3D and Video Generation Technology Advancements
Beyond images, 3D and video generation technologies are also developing rapidly. Technologies that generate 3D models from single images or automatically implement complex movements are continuously emerging.
Stability AI's 3D Conversion Technology
Stability AI has released an AI model that converts photos to 3D. This technology allows for generating views from various angles through 3D camera control with just a single image.
What's particularly impressive is that it accurately processes mirrors and reflective surfaces as well. For example, when rotating an image containing a mirror, the reflection inside the mirror also changes naturally. This shows that AI accurately understands the depth of space and relationships between objects.
π Note
Stability AI's 3D conversion model is currently only available under non-commercial license. It can be used for research or personal projects, but not for commercial purposes.
Recam Master's Multi-Perspective Generation
Recam Master is a technology that generates views from different angles when there is footage from a specific perspective. For example, it can transform a scene from the Titanic movie to a view from the side, or stabilize shaky footage.
This technology can be used in various fields such as film production, sports broadcasting, and educational content. A major advantage is the ability to implement various angles from a single video without the need for multiple cameras.
Alibaba's LHM (Lifelong Human Motion)
Alibaba has revealed a technology called LHM, which transforms full-body images into animatable 3D human models. This technology, which can create moving 3D avatars by applying motion to 2D photos, has been released under the Apache 2.0 license, making commercial use possible.
- Full-body image upload - Provide a photo containing the user's full body
- 3D model conversion - AI automatically generates a 3D model
- Motion application - Apply predefined or user-defined movements
- Animation output - Generate moving 3D avatar
Music-Based Motion Generation Technology
Washington University's 'Music Infuser' is a technology that generates dance movements matching input music. While past technologies showed limited results, the latest version generates natural choreography matching the rhythm and mood of the music.
A similar technology called 'Motion Streamer' has also been revealed, which generates various movements through text prompts. For example, typing "A man boxing" generates boxing movements, and "A person is dancing" generates dancing movements.
These motion generation technologies can have innovative applications in game development, film production, virtual reality, and robotics. They are opening new possibilities for creators, especially when integrated with 3D modeling software like Blender.
Pikachu Labs' Video Special Effects
Pikachu Labs has unveiled technology that manipulates specific objects or characters while perfectly maintaining the rest of the video. You can simply apply various special effects such as making cars float, making apples levitate, or making images pop out of magazines.
This technology is expected to be of great help to YouTube creators, filmmakers, and marketing professionals, as it allows creating professional effects without complex editing software.
| Technology | Main Function | License | Application Field |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stability AI 3D | Image→3D conversion | Non-commercial | Research, hobby |
| Alibaba LHM | 3D human animation | Apache 2.0 | Games, metaverse |
| Music Infuser | Music-based choreography | Open source |