Aliens and robots are synonymous with sci-fi, yet a marketing agency opted to create a more extraterrestrial entity to showcase its AI capabilities.
To unveil its latest AI platform, S4 Capital’s Media.Monks introduced an “Alien AI advisor” named Wormhole. Wormhole, inspired by the worm-like Annelids from “Men In Black,” sports silicon skin instead of the typical metallic or plastic exterior found in many robots. This alien entity, operated by concealed animatronics within a wooden box it perches upon, exhibits fluid movements, head tilts, and even indulges in sipping coffee from a diner mug while engaging in thoughtful conversations.
Iran Reyes, the vp and global head of engineering at Media.Monks, describes Wormhole as possessing edgy humor and a distinct communication style. Its responses are concise, reflecting various personality traits. Reyes emphasizes that Wormhole’s answers are spontaneous rather than scripted, showcasing its ability to formulate responses independently.
Wormhole serves as a tangible representation of Media.Monks’ new AI platform, Monks.Flow, which recently made its debut at CES. This innovative platform aims to streamline the integration of diverse AI tools, including chatbots, process automation, and generative AI functionalities, drawing from extensive language models and data sources.
Collaborating with a Media.Monks copywriter, Wormhole acts as an AI advisor personified by a witty alien, leveraging multiple AI platforms for its operations. Powered by OpenAI’s Whisper speech recognition model for dialogue and Amazon Polly for its distinct voice, Wormhole seamlessly transitions between various large language models (LLMs) such as GPT-4, Meta’s LLaMA 2, and Amazon Bedrock depending on the context.
Media.Monks’ flexibility extends to Wormhole’s persona, enabling tailored interactions and access to diverse information sources. Wormhole’s capabilities range from real-time internet searches, sourcing data from Google, PDFs, or Google Drive, to adapting its responses based on the situation at hand.
Beyond its physical presence, Wormhole’s digital counterparts serve as AI agents for a myriad of tasks. By implementing stringent controls and utilizing a range of LLMs, Media.Monks ensures the safety and customization of these AI entities, enhancing their utility across various domains.
Rafael Fittipaldi, partner & global svp of innovation at Media.Monks, underscores the versatility of these AI agents, highlighting their potential roles as creative collaborators, e-commerce solution providers, or knowledgeable assistants tailored to specific needs.
During an interview at CES, Wormhole captivated audiences with its thoughtful pauses and real-time internet searches displayed on a nearby screen. While some responses appeared generic and others slightly off-target, Wormhole’s engaging personality shone through, offering insightful and at times, humorous exchanges.
In other AI-related news:
-
At the 2024 World Economic Forum in Davos, discussions on generative AI remained hot despite the snowy alps, focusing on building safe AI tools and combating AI-generated misinformation worldwide. The WEF’s AI Governance Alliance, in collaboration with Accenture and IBM Consulting, released reports emphasizing global cooperation for fostering secure AI environments.
-
OpenAI outlined its strategy to prevent misuse of its AI models like ChatGPT and DALL-E for spreading misinformation ahead of the 2024 election. The company plans to employ news and image verification programs, with more initiatives forthcoming.
-
SEC chairman Gary Gensler cautioned against misleading claims about AI capabilities, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability. Gensler’s remarks underscore the legal implications of misusing AI to deceive the public.
In the realm of AI product developments:
- Samsung unveiled the Galaxy S24 smartphone and a new Galaxy AI platform in collaboration with tech giants like Google and Qualcomm, enhancing mobile AI capabilities.
- Google introduced the Circle To Search feature for Android users, enabling seamless in-app searches.
- Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg disclosed substantial investments in AI infrastructure, aiming to integrate AI research into product development and explore open-source artificial general intelligence (AGI) initiatives.
- Researchers at the University of Chicago released Nightshade v1.0, a tool designed to counteract AI image models.
- Various companies launched new AI products catering to marketers and creators, showcasing advancements in AI technology.
- CUNY received a significant $75 million donation from the Simons Foundation, with a focus on computational science and AI research, reflecting a broader trend of investments in AI across educational institutions in New York.
