In an event to remember, LIBRA AI Technologies proudly hosted the first ACCESS Project Technical Workshop at our company premises in Athens, Greece. This event marked a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to push the boundaries of digital interaction through advanced technologies.
Understanding ACCESS
ACCESS, a HorizonEU project, is on a mission to create an integrated framework for the remote attendance of live-streamed performing arts. This initiative aims to provide a more immersive and engaging experience compared to current live video streaming products. By radically extending the latest advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and integrating these with Virtual Reality (VR) technologies, ACCESS aspires to deliver a unique and innovative experience that significantly enhances the feeling of presence for remote viewers.
The vision of ACCESS is ambitious and transformative. It seeks to:
- Enhance Live-Streamed Performances: By processing live-streamed video in real-time, ACCESS ensures that the video focuses on the areas that viewers are most interested in. For example, while a TV director might focus on the person speaking, a viewer might want to see the reactions of another actor.
- Virtual Avatars and Companions: Viewers will be embodied in virtual avatars and can interact with a virtual companion. This companion can engage in short discussions with the viewer, providing both chit-chat and relevant information about the show. This interaction can occur during the live streaming, while waiting for it to start, or even after it ends.
- Interactive Virtual Foyers: Viewers will be able to interact with the virtual personas of other attendees inside a virtual foyer, fostering a stronger sense of presence and community during live shows.
To achieve this vision, ACCESS promotes an intersectoral secondment program that facilitates knowledge exchange between academic experts and industrial partners in cutting-edge AI and VR fields. Additionally, the involvement of an arts organization dedicated to contemporary culture and digital art is crucial for the project's success, both technically and for implementing effective communication and dissemination strategies.
Workshop Highlights
On June 26th, our premises in Athens buzzed with excitement as attendees delved into the latest advancements in AI and VR. The workshop covered several key topics and sparked discussions around the following issues:
- Quantization Techniques for Generative Diffusion and Transformer Models: These techniques are designed to boost efficiency and make practical applications feasible, ensuring that AI models are both powerful and efficient.
- ReAct Approaches: These approaches are crafted to perform complex tasks by combining reasoning and action in real-time scenarios, paving the way for more sophisticated and responsive AI systems.
The presenters, Harris Partaourides, Christos Petrou, and Sotirios Chatzis, delivered insightful presentations and invaluable contributions that played a crucial role in the workshop's success. Their expertise provided attendees with a comprehensive understanding of the project's cutting-edge technologies and their practical implementations.
Moving Forward
At LIBRA AI Technologies, we are committed to taking charge of technological innovation, and the ACCESS project represents a significant step forward in realizing our vision of a more connected and immersive digital future. Looking ahead, we are excited to continue our collaboration with our esteemed partners at Cyprus University of Technology, Aalborg University, Ethical AI Novelties, Fundacja Proton, and NowAR Lab within the framework of the ACCESS project. Together, we aim to push the boundaries of digital interaction, leveraging the power of AI and VR to create unprecedented experiences in the performing arts.