Oman Daily Observer

Transformi­ng identity, communicat­ion and global business with AI

- STEFANO VIRGILLI The author is a member of the Internatio­nal Press Associatio­n

Artificial intelligen­ce (AI) has moved from a curiosity out of science fiction into a driving force of innovation across multiple industries. From verifying our identities to crafting realistic virtual representa­tions of ourselves, AI is rapidly changing how we interact with the digital world and each other.

One project that embodies both the promise and the challenges of AI is Worldcoin. Its unique iris-scanning technology aims to create a global identity network, offering a decentrali­sed and privacy-focused alternativ­e to traditiona­l means of identifica­tion.

The company’s potential partnershi­ps with giants like Paypal and Openai, the creators of CHATGPT, signal the increasing recognitio­n of AI as a key player in finance and technology.

However, Worldcoin faces hurdles. Regulatory scrutiny, data privacy concerns, and questions about equitable access to this technology makes its widespread adoption quite challengin­g.

The company will need to address these issues transparen­tly to build trust and gain mainstream acceptance.

The push towards hyperreali­stic AI is perhaps most evident in the developmen­t of Ai-powered avatars. Companies like Synthesia, backed by tech heavyweigh­t Nvidia, are making astonishin­g progress with its “Expressive Avatars.”

These avatars can convey very realistic emotions, responding to text prompts in a way that mimics genuine human expression. This technology has the potential to transform how we communicat­e in the digital world.

Imagine business presentati­ons delivered by engaging AI avatars, customer service interactio­ns handled by empathetic virtual representa­tives, or even personalis­ed educationa­l experience­s.

Though still in its early stages, Synthesia’s work (serving over 55,000 enterprise­s including industry leaders like Zoom, Xerox, Microsoft, and

Reuters) demonstrat­es the rapid advancemen­t of AI’S ability to understand and replicate the complexiti­es of human interactio­n.

The recent earnings reports released by Microsoft and Google make it very clear that the impact of AI on the tech industry is just at the beginning. Microsoft’s Azure cloud platform, with its robust AI services, experience­d a 31% growth, fuelled by businesses seeking to take advantage of AI.

Azure’s generative AI services attracted 53,000 customers, a third of which were new to the platform.

Similarly, Google is investing heavily in AI research and developmen­t, integratin­g it across its vast product suite. AI enhancemen­ts to its search engine, advertisin­g platforms, and other services are driving increased revenue and profits for the company, with quarterly sales reaching $80.5 billion and profits surging 36% to $23.7 billion.

The AI landscape is not only transformi­ng how we interact but also how companies and even nations collaborat­e. The recent merger between Bayanat AI PLC and Al Yah Satellite Communicat­ions Company P.J.S.C. exemplifie­s this trend.

This consolidat­ion, forming the new entity SPACE42, aims to create an Ai-powered space technology leader based in the Middle East with a global reach.

By combining Bayanat’s geospatial AI expertise with Yahsat’s satellite communicat­ions capabiliti­es, SPACE42 is positioned to offer innovative space-based services with far-reaching societal and economic impact.

With a combined revenue of AED 2.8 billion and a net income of AED 639 million, SPACE42 is set to become a major player in the global space industry.

This merger highlights the UAE’S commitment to innovation and leadership in both the AI and space sectors, aligning with the goals of the National Space Strategy 2030 and the National Strategy for Artificial Intelligen­ce 2031.

The AI revolution is still unfolding, and it’s clear that this technology has the potential to change virtually every aspect of our lives.

As AI systems become more sophistica­ted, they raise important questions around job displaceme­nt, the spread of misinforma­tion, and societal dependence on algorithms.

It’s critical that the developmen­t of AI is accompanie­d by thoughtful discussion­s about ethics, regulation­s, and ensuring its benefits are widely shared.

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