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John Carmack takes a step back at Oculus to work on human-like AI
Six years ago John Carmack left the company he founded, iD Software, to join Oculus VR as its Chief Technology Officer and push forward the future of virtual reality tech. Today the engineer behind many developments in 3D gaming has announced that a new "consulting CTO" role at Oculus "will only be consuming a modest slice of my time." Instead, he's turning his focus to Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), or AI that can pick up intellectual tasks like a human being does. That's in contrast to the "AI" you see today, which is usually a very narrowly focused set of algorithms built for a specific task. In 2014, Carmack told Engadget that the prime motivation behind his decision to join Oculus was development of Samsung's Gear VR headset. Since then, virtual reality growth has happened in fits and starts, with less focus on mobile platforms. Also, Oculus was acquired by Facebook, and there was a protracted legal battle with Zenimax, the company that acquired iD Software after he left, over the copyright to VR code. Oculus founder Palmer Luckey and other executives have left the company since Facebook took over, following a pattern seen at its other acquisitions like WhatsApp and Instagram. Still, Carmack suggests he'll continue to have a role with Oculus, and similar to the shift that brought him to the company, it seemed inevitable he would move on to another field at some point after 3D engines and aerospace work. According to his Facebook post, the alternative was "cost effective nuclear fission reactors," which just aren't suitable for working from home.
Microsoft invests $1 billion in Elon Musk-founded OpenAI
Today, Microsoft announced that it's investing $1 billion in the Elon Musk-founded company OpenAI. The two companies will work together to bring supercomputing technologies and AI to Microsoft Azure. And OpenAI will run its services exclusively in Microsoft's cloud. Ultimately, the partners hope to build artificial general intelligence (AGI), a technology that some say will match or exceed human intellect.
Tomorrow's ‘general’ AI revolution will grow from today's technology
During his closing remarks at the I/O 2019 keynote last week, Jeff Dean, Google AI's lead, noted that the company is looking at "AI that can work across disciplines," suggesting the Silicon Valley giant may soon pursue artificial general intelligence, a technology that eventually could match or exceed human intellect.
Unauthorized Sierra adventure games portal Sarien.net ceases upon Activision order
Sarien.net, "the portal that once stood for reliving classic Sierra On-Line adventure games" (for free), has been shut down following a cease-and-desist order issued by IP owner Activision. The site's creator, Mr. Kool (real name!), has posted the letter from Activision's legal counsel on the Sarien homepage. "While we appreciate your dedication to the Sierra classic library and understand that you are a fan of these games, Activision has not authorized the development or distribution of these games via your Website," the order reads. "Accordingly, we must demand that you immediately cease any further distribution or exploitation of the Sierra Games on your Website." Kool launched Sarien way back in April 2009, but it seemingly took this month's implementation of iPhone and iPad browser support (for all of the site's AGI-powered games) for Activision to take notice. "Wait till you see my new World of Warcraft in javascript," Kool quipped in a tweet. "Oh wait, that's Activision too..." [Thanks, Ryan; image source: MobyGames]
Can't get enough PSP podcasting? We visit AGI
PSP Fanboy has visited the likes of All Games Interactive before, and despite this, they asked to have us back. For those unaware, All Games is an internet radio station that plays gaming news and music. It's essentially doing for radio what G4 originally tried to do for TV. Our segment begins an hour into the show, and we cover a variety of topics, including colored PSPs, Sony's Gamer's Day, overlooked games and the general state of the handheld. Even a few jokes are thrown in for good measure. While you'll want to tune in for the PSP segment, please note the entire show is worth listening to. Give it a listen, and remember that we'll be producing our very own podcast very soon.
All Games Interactive aftermath
I previously let everyone know that I'd be interviewed on All Games Interactive. Many thanks to anyone who listened. To those that had better things to do on a Friday night than listen to me talk about PSP, you can make up for that missed opportunity by checking out the show's archives. You can listen to the entirety of episode 251's six hour show, or if you specifically want to check out my portion of the show. You can download part B and my interview starts nine minutes and twelve seconds in. Scot and crew ask me about the failings of the PSP, the possibility of a God of War for PSP and how I landed a fiancee who is a hardcore gamer. I tried to keep the talk as interesting as possible and the professionalism of the AGI staff certainly helped me feel comfortable and have plenty to say. Check it out and let me know what you think.
Steven to appear on All Games Interactive
Today, I'll be interviewed on All Games Interactive about the PSP, this site and whatever other random topics arise. AGI is a live radio show, so anyone can listen by going to allgames.com and feel free to call in during the show or enter their live chat. Mayor Young has told me that I'll be on around 7:45PM ET/ 4:45PM PT though the show starts at 6:30PM ET/3:30PM PT, so feel free to listen in for the whole show. As a warning, All Games Interactive often uses potty language and has risque dialogue, so if you're still in training pants, you may not want to listen.
RSS this!
You may have noticed a lot of changes here at PSP Fanboy. We just keep trying harder to help our readers get the most out of their PSP. With that in mind, this new feature RSS this! will show you some great feeds to subscribe to using the PSPs RSS ability. This week I want to introduce you to a radio show/podcast that you may or may not be aware of. All Games Interactive is one of the only daily podcasts around and most importantly, it's about games. The ringmaster of the show is Scot Rubin who gamers may remember back when he hosted G4TV.com, one of the only shows that was ever worth watching on the now non-gaming network. He is joined by show producer Lawrence Young and Jessica Villarreal who delivers the news. If Howard Stern was obsessed with gaming the result would be something like All Games Interactive. Other than delivering all the day's gaming news, the show often deals with the private lives of those involved with the show. AGI also features interviews with game creators and is part of an online gaming radio network titled All Games. The show airs live or can be listened to in podcast form later the same day. If you like your gaming podcast filled with humor, sexually charged dialog and occasional technical issues than All Games Interactive is for you. I know I can't stop listening to it myself. If you too want to listen to All Games Interactive, just go into your PSP's web browser and click this link: http://feeds.feedburner.com/AllGamesInteractive. Then you can exit your web browser and AGI should be in your RSS channels.Alternatively you can always just download the shows episodes and listen to them from your music folder. Got something you have RSS'd and would like us to feature it? Just let us know in the comments, or let us know what you think of All
