John Buzzell

We recently started a weekly column called "Hard Boiled Software". It covers the social and technical intersections of product and engineering. A common theme in our work at Nerd/Noir is bringing these worlds into closer harmony. (The hard boiled bit is a nod to the film noir genre, so you can expect a bit of grit and cynicism in the posts.) Basically, we got tired of pushing out a sales and marketing-focused newsletter. Boring! Instead, we've refocused on sharing learnings, tools, thoughts, and occasional rants... into actually useful content. It's also much more enjoyable to write :) We'd love to have you join the conversation. Just click the "Subscribe to newsletter" link in my profile above. Hope to see you there! #leadership #strategy #product #engineeering

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Future Scenario: Speaking Worlds into Existence 📈 Tech Trend & Behavioral Shifts: Immersive tech is reshaping interaction. VRChat fosters digital connections, Cosm offers immersive physical spaces, and Roblox's AI tools let users create worlds with simple commands, shifting focus to co-creation. 👾Psychological & Design Factors: Futurespaces foster belonging and creativity, building emotional connections. Cosm enhances communal interaction, while Roblox AI-driven spaces will offer dynamic, personalized experiences. 💡 Key Considerations: 1. Impact: Immersive tech reshapes audience engagement in futurespaces. 2. Dual Nature: Benefits of creativity and connection, hidden risks of only virtual interaction. 3. Debate: How to balance AI and immersive tech for authentic engagement. ⏱ Action Meter: Act Now. ✨ Future Scenario: “Speaking Worlds into Existence”✨  By 2025, the concept of speaking worlds into existence became a reality. VRChat was pioneering immersive social interaction, and platforms like Roblox unveiled AI-driven tools that allowed anyone to create virtual environments with simple text commands. World-building was no longer reserved for experts—anyone could now shape their own reality. The excitement was palpable. With a single phrase, people could conjure cities or landscapes, fully realized and interactive. Cosm, an immersive venue in Los Angeles, brought this to the physical world, hosting events that blended real-world energy with digital storytelling, connecting audiences in ways that felt profoundly human. As immersive technologies evolved, the line between digital and physical blurred. VRChat Inc. thrived as a hub of creativity and community, while Cosm demonstrated how physical spaces could deepen connection through hybrid experiences. These innovations promised a future of limitless creativity and shared experiences. But as these worlds expanded, a new question arose: Were they becoming too immersive? When Roblox introduced AI tools that allowed users not only to create but to live in worlds where the line between reality and imagination dissolved, the stakes heightened. Entire ecosystems flourished, driven by AI that learned, adapted, and subtly shaped user experiences in ways no one had anticipated. By 2035, the boundaries between the virtual and real had all but vanished. What began as tools for creativity and connection now raised deeper concerns: Had we lost control of the realities we were building? While these worlds offered extraordinary possibilities, they also challenged our understanding of what was real. As creators and technologists reflect on this rapidly shifting landscape, the question remains: Are we still shaping our reality, or are these worlds shaping us? Are you ready to speak your world into existence? #AI #ImmersiveTech #DigitalFutures #InnovationStrategy #AIFutures #TechForGood #AIImpact #VirtualWorlds #HybridExperiences #Foresight #Engagement #AIandHumanity https://bit.ly/3XEJsRc

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Being an early adopter of multimodal #generativeAI, I’m so thrilled to see Adobe announced a slew of new AI capabilities coming to #PremierePro. ✅Particularly the promise of integrating 3rd party like tools Pika, Runway and OpenAI. (Please make sure Kaiber has an integration!) ✅And of course it will be super interesting to see #Firefly Video, their new proprietary AI model. The move “legitimizes” generative artificial intelligence as a tool in our creative arsenal. And I’m sure Apple FCP and others will follow suit. Its something that us genX production peeps have anticipated. And we’re a nimble crew that has adapted our workflows from the old school analog days to our file-based digital present. We saw the birth and wide adoption of NLE’s- from the early Avid days before Premeire even existed. Finally, the biggest thing I’ve learned over the last year while creating my short #aifilms, is that it takes many humans to create a compelling narrative, along with craft and skill to wield the tools to serve it. 👊I hope the chasm between those who embrace and those who resist narrows-and we all come together. As creatives, it’s more important than ever to communicate our value, especially when marketing machines bang on the drum of “automagic” solutions that are mathematically magic, but not literally automatically so. We all have a voice so let’s discuss the net benefits for our industry, while we are intentional about collectively communicating our value and concerns. 🎙️United we stand my fellow creators! Open invite to chat on the pod about whatever is on your mind. DM me or email me at info at Onaipodcast.com More on Adobe: https://lnkd.in/dNxDw6Ms

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For anyone interested in where immersive tech is going, Expand Reality’s page is a great resource. Whether you're into XR, VR, or just curious about how connected experiences are evolving, they've been sharing some really useful information, especially with the new CTO Guide! From Meta Mesh to the future of XR devices, there’s a lot to explore. If you’re looking to stay updated on what’s next in this space, I’d definitely recommend checking out Expand Reality

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As the AR industry is projected to reach $198 billion by 2025, Google and Magic Leap are joining forces to push the boundaries of Augmented and Extended Reality, creating more immersive experiences than ever before! Google has partnered with Magic Leap to leverage their combined strengths in technology and optics. This strategic collaboration marks a key development in the expansion of immersive digital experiences. Here are the key highlights of this partnership: Strategic Collaboration: Magic Leap’s CEO, @rossrosenberg, announced their partnership with Google, aiming to harness AR and XR technologies to develop revolutionary solutions and experiences. Broadening AR Applications: This partnership will explore new ways to use AR across various industries—from training employees and designing buildings to enhancing medical care visualization. Competitive Edge: By integrating Magic Leap’s optics expertise with Google’s technological prowess, this alliance not only expands the utility of AR but also positions them as formidable competitors against tech giants like Apple and Meta in the metaverse and hardware domains. Future of XR: Shahram Izadi, VP and GM of AR/XR at Google, highlighted their commitment to advancing the XR ecosystem through unique and innovative products, further enhancing immersive user experiences. This collaboration between Google and Magic Leap is set to transform how we interact with digital environments, bringing us closer to realizing the full potential of AR and XR technologies. The future of immersive digital experiences looks brighter than ever. What impact do you think this partnership will have on the AR/XR landscape? Can Google and Magic Leap reshape our digital interactions? Follow for more insights into how emerging technologies are shaping our world. #GoogleMagicLeap #AugmentedReality #ExtendedReality

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This week on "On AI," I welcome back AI aficionado and philosopher, Lev Gorelov, for an insightful conversation. Link to episode: https://lnkd.in/ecYbq2uJ With a particular focus on the recent advancements with Claude III, Lev contrasts Claude III's approach to generations—geared towards creating engaging, personality-driven content—with the more traditional model (#openai 's #chatgpt) that prioritize business-oriented, "buttoned-up" outputs. He also explains the fundamentals of why, using the same training data (the entirety of the internet), the outputs vary. Throughout the episode, Lev shares insights into how these tools are not just about generating content or improving human productivity, but are enhancing the creative process. Specifically: * Giving us practical methods on how to leverage LLM's as collaborative partners that help bridge ideas and refine storytelling. * Emphasizing the importance of using AI tools creatively and responsibly, * Highlighting their role in brainstorming and editing rather than replacing human creativity. Join Beth and Lev as they explore the future of AI in creative professions and education, pondering the broader implications of these technologies on our understanding of originality and creativity (you might want a pen handy to take some notes). #AIPhilosopher #AINinja #Claude3 #BethOnAI #GenerativeAITalks #AIExperience #CreativeAISystems #AIContentCreation #PhilosophyMeetsAI #LevGorolevOnAI #OnAIpodcast #openai #anthropic #ClaudeIIIInsights #CreativeAI #AIInEducation #GenerativeContent #AIandCreativity #StorytellingWithAI #AIForCreatives #FutureOfAI #podcast #podcasting #aipodcasting

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Very much like the term “software driven spaces”. The real advances are being made in what drives the experience, not just the presentation layer. 

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For those of you who had "KPop VR In A Theater" on your Friday Bingo Card, indulge me in geeking out a bit: I recently tried out a VR concert in a movie theater. Blending my love of emerging tech with my kid’s passion for K-pop, this was a unique way for us to explore our respective interests. Initially, I expected a standard 180-degree video, but the interactive hand-tracking element, though subtle, added an engaging twist that made it feel more like an active experience. Watching my hand turn into diamonds was a fun touch! At the start, the audience chooses a "lead character" from the band, offering some light interactivity before diving into immersive music videos. The video quality was remarkably clear, comparable to Apple Vision Pro, even on a Quest 3 headset. The environments varied in quality; abstract settings worked well, avoiding the “uncanny valley,” while more realistic scenes, like urban alleys, felt a bit off. The game-engine look fit the pop aesthetic, even if some environments felt like a video game. In this 180-degree format, camera cuts could disrupt immersion, but the creators wisely used slow, smooth movements to maintain a dynamic feel without causing motion sickness. However, there were moments when band members got uncomfortably close to the camera, which felt awkward, especially when the camera angles placed their faces too near my crotch! As a game developer, I’m particular about frame rates, and this experience ran smoothly at 60 fps, giving it a heightened sense of realism. However, fast dance moves caused slight stuttering, breaking the immersion. I’d love to see if the Apple Vision Pro version might improve on this, if the footage was shot at a higher frame rate. One of the best aspects was the theater's sound system, which enhanced the communal experience more comfortably than headphones. Even though we couldn’t see other audience members, the shared audio gave a sense of presence. However, they missed an opportunity to use the theater’s sound system more creatively. For instance, during audience prompts from the band, the silence in an empty theater was noticeable. Using directional audio to simulate a concert crowd could have amplified the immersive experience. The program lasted about 50 minutes, longer than I expected. By the end, the Quest 3 felt heavy, and the shifting sanitary liner required frequent adjustments. A lighter headset, like Bigscreen VR, would’ve been more comfortable. At $35 per ticket, this VR concert clearly targets fans and tech enthusiasts. While not for everyone, it was worth experiencing, particularly for the integration of VR with theater technology. However, the inability to enjoy popcorn during the show was a minor letdown!

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The XR adoption journey in enterprise continues to be a key focus with the XR adoption curve still in its early stages. Businesses across various sectors are embracing AR/VR/MR solutions, but integrating XR involves more than just providing headsets. Internal XR leads must navigate multiple building blocks for successful deployment, including immersive training. Identifying valuable XR use cases requires strategic investments in digital middleware layers and frameworks to ensure seamless integration. #XR #AR #VR #MR #Enterprise #TechnologyIntegration

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2 years ago, we announced ICTools realtime #production #pipeline focusing on #animation workflows. It wasn’t pretty but it definitely was powerful! Last year, we expanded the pipeline to cover: - 15+ out-of-the-box #integrations - Additional #workflows to cover #realtime #vfx, #game #cinematics, #mocap and #ICVFX stages - Several new quality of life #tools - Enhanced #efficiency across board - And… we made it look nice! Today, different versions of this pipeline is being using in 10 studios who have already pushed +80,000 shots! More to come! #unrealengine #ue5 #unrealfest #perforce #automation #datafirst #media #entertainment #gamedev #technology #innovation

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Has anyone heard about Niantic Studio? Just dropped last week - It's a web-based XR and AR creation tool, and it's really caught our attention here at Tungsten Media. 8th Wall are not new to the AR scene, they’ve been making some impressive AR stuff over the years, but this week they've just released their studio tools for creators to use directly and for FREE. This is going to be a major step forward in making web based augmented reality super accessible and user-friendly. We’ve got to remember - AR is not a new concept but in the last couple of years that barrier to entry has massively shifted to make AR experiential elements in wider campaigns far more easy to integrate. The Niantic Studio system has built in features like: world physics as standard, real-world interactions based on GPS, and even facial filters! This is like having Unity and Effects House, without all the bloat! Imagine this: While we’re working on a giant 3D TV in the centre of Berlin, we could add a REAL (well AR) version of the creative into the physical space on the ground, and capture the passive and active engagement of both worlds colliding. This type of wrap-around creative ideation is the real next level stuff we love to do here! Digital + Physical interactions! We love making innovative processes accessible for everyone, and we’re always exploring the newest tools in AI, CGI, and AR/VR so we are really excited to try this one out. If you’ve got a ‘crazy daft’ idea that fits the bill - we’re the guys to tackle it!

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GenAI Video Vignette - The Lion King Reunion: Where Are They Now? I started this project when Luma’s Dream Machine and Hedra first came out. I was well into it when Runway announced the release of Gen-3. Despite my curiosity, I committed to finishing this piece with Luma instead of switching midway. In fact, I enjoyed the challenge of moving away from my ‘go-to’ tool Runway and try something else. I won’t compare this to Gen-3, but I can discuss the differences I experienced between Gen-2 and Luma. The improvement in motion quality is remarkable. Newer products like Luma make earlier versions of image to video feel like elaborate parallax effect slideshows. While that was once state-of-the-art, new models available to consumers offer a much higher quality of motion with greater ease of use. Additionally, the number of attempts and renders has decreased significantly, allowing me to focus on other areas. Although it doesn't always work out of the box, the generation process has definitely been streamlined. In this piece, I also experimented with generative music using Udio. While I'm pleased with the results, I didn't enjoy the process. I often felt tempted to default to stock music for speed and ease, but I stuck with it to understand the tool better. However, it’s not the best use of my time or creative energy. I'm eager to play with Gen-3, but I’m really pleased with the image-to-video workflow in this project, thanks to the control I have in creating images with Midjourney. The script is mediocre as usual, serving primarily to frame the generative visual outputs. Like with music, scripting isn’t my main focus. With limited time, I prefer to concentrate on the visuals. Lastly, Hedra is an impressive tool, especially considering what’s available in the free version. I haven’t tried the premium version yet, but based on my experience with the free version, I can see upgrading soon. It's worth mentioning that Microsoft announced Vasa, a similar solution, though it’s not yet released. Their demos show more capabilities, but it's impressive to see a consumer version of similar tech already available. Up next: something with Gen-3. Tools: ChatGPT: Script Midjourney: Text to Image Hedra: Image and Voice to Lip Sync Eleven Labs: Voice Generation and Sound Effects Udio: Music Generation Luma Dream Machine: Image to Video Conversion Adobe Premiere: Editing After Effects: Compositing Hedra Square Output to Landscape #aivideo #generativevideo #aifilms #aitrailers #lumadreammachine #dreammachine #udio #hedra #imagetovideo #generativeai #elevenlabs

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Procedural Ruins Tutorial Julian Bragagna | In this lesson, learn how to create these alien-looking ruins. Start by learning how to build a procedural tool that transforms a rough blockout into a detailed, high-poly mesh that can be used inside Unreal. These kinds of tools are designed to give you fast iteration times, making it easier to experiment and refine your environments efficiently. https://lnkd.in/ge8PpuGp #Houdini #ProceduralGeneration #GameDevelopment #3DModeling #DigitalArt #VFX #CGI #EnvironmentArt #LevelDesign #GameArt #ProceduralTools #3DAnimation #VisualEffects #GameDesign #Tutorial #SideFX #ProceduralRuins #UnrealArtists #HoudiniArtists

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🎬 We're scaling our video post-production service. How? Hybrid of course 🤝 Hybrid = 1️⃣ Professional Editors + 2️⃣ Artificial Intelligence + 3️⃣ Automation Video post-production is now fully integrated into the Pixelz Inc platform so you can run PDP, elevated, editorial, and video workflows in parallel ⚡ ✅ Consistent color across all asset types ✅ Online collaboration and QA tools ✅ One platform to manage all post-production workflows Want to see how it works?

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#VirtualReality IS NOW COVERED BY THE #AFG PROGRAM! www.VRbyPSI.com #AssistancetoFirefightersGrant #Program FY #2024 Nov 12 to Fri Dec 20. https://lnkd.in/eKXr7fZC Grant applications that provide a regional or #multi-jurisdictional impact will be favored by the #evaluators. #VRbyPSI allows you to conduct #training with up to 5 users at a time no matter where they’re located. Invite your 4 favorite neighboring #firedepartments to join in on the project and make training together easier, better and more enjoyable than ever! High Priority Items for 2024 listed in the #AFGgrant Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) relating to training available in VR by PSI: #MassCasualtyIncidentTraining for Urban Suburban and Rural #firedepartments - #VR by PSI allows students to learn #STARTTriage and #IncidentCommand in an #immersive MCI experience. #FireOfficerTraining - VR by PSI’s Incident module provides an unparalleled ability to instruct and #assess the requirements in #NFPA1021 (#Standard for #FireOfficerProfessionalQualifications ) regarding #emergencyservice delivery (NFPA 1021 chapters 5.6,6.6 and 7.6) by immersing the student in a realistic environment #Simulators (including #VIRTUAL) for #StateFireTrainingAcademies. - VR by PSI is an expanding platform offering your academy the ability to practice; #radiocommunications, #scenesizeup, #initialtactics, #hazardousmaterial monitoring incident command and basic #firefighting strategy.

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To all the AI 'experts', yes, the same people who were last year's web3 'experts' and wherever VC funding lands, next year's 'experts' start using the brain in your meat sack and ask what future you are advocating for. https://lnkd.in/gtxWFQx5

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