What I Read This Week
What I Read This Week
California has a new deepfake law, A theory of innovation cycle in interactive entertainment; Anduril’s software will be integrated into Microsoft to enhance situational awareness on the battlefield.
Listen to Into The Metaverse #98 (with Cathy Hackl).
Read my Deep Dive on the Rise of Avatars Online
Caught My Attention…
California’s new deepfake laws aim to tackle election-related misinformation by requiring social media companies to moderate and label AI-generated content that could deceive voters. Signed by Governor Gavin Newsom, these laws are among the first of their kind, signaling a growing trend in regulating the spread of manipulative AI content. While only one of these laws will be in effect for the 2024 presidential election, they serve as a blueprint for future legislation nationwide. Critics argue that these laws may face legal challenges due to First Amendment concerns and the complexity of distinguishing between deceptive speech and satire. Despite these hurdles, California is pushing forward, highlighting the urgent need to address the growing impact of AI on democracy.
My friend and fellow builder, Joost, wrote a terrific piece about the theory of innovation cycles in interactive entertainment. In it, he asserts that the video game industry isn't just reacting to technological advancements but following a deeper cyclical pattern that alternates between content and distribution innovation. His "Play Pendulum" theory suggests that the industry swings from creating groundbreaking content every decade to finding new ways to distribute and monetize it. This cycle has repeatedly shaped the market's trajectory from the early days of Atari and Nintendo's carefully controlled ecosystems to the rise of digital platforms like Steam and the mobile gaming revolution. Joost writes that the latest swing towards distribution is marked by a focus on user-generated content and new monetization models, signaling a transformative period for gaming. Understanding these cycles is critical to predicting who will dominate the next era of interactive entertainment. The final argument is that as we enter this new phase, companies aligning themselves with the current distribution wave will likely lead the industry into its next chapter of growth and innovation.
Palmer Luckey, the founder of Oculus VR and current head of Anduril Industries, is returning his technological expertise to headsets—this time for the battlefield. Anduril’s Lattice software will be integrated into Microsoft’s Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS), enhancing soldiers' situational awareness by merging live data from various defense systems into one augmented reality display. Despite early setbacks with IVAS, including user discomfort, the U.S. Army remains committed, planning to spend $21.9 billion on the project. Luckey’s vision of blending sci-fi concepts with real-world military applications rapidly materializes, making augmented reality a valuable tool for modern warfare. While some in Big Tech resist defense collaborations, Luckey is unapologetically enthusiastic, believing these innovations are crucial for future combat effectiveness.
Other Reading…
Snapchat is getting its biggest redesign in years (The Verge)
Why Twitch is launching its own Fortnite Creative experience, ‘The Glitch’ (Digiday)
Salesforce’s AgentForce: The AI assistants that want to run your entire business (VentureBeat)
Foldables Are Becoming Good Enough to Be Your Next Smartphone (NYT)
Instagram rolls out stricter rules for teens to help curb social-media safety concerns (Snacks by Robinhood)
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