Jensen Huang and Mark Zuckerberg to Discuss AI and Virtual Worlds at SIGGRAPH 2024
Tony Kim Jul 16, 2024 01:46
NVIDIA's Jensen Huang and Meta's Mark Zuckerberg will discuss AI and virtual worlds at SIGGRAPH 2024, highlighting the event's role in technological innovation.
NVIDIA founder and CEO Jensen Huang and Meta founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg are set to engage in a public fireside chat on Monday, July 29, at the 50th edition of the SIGGRAPH graphics conference in Denver. The discussion will center on the future of artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual worlds, underscoring the pivotal role of research in these fields, according to NVIDIA Blog.
Key Discussions and Appearances
Before the highly anticipated discussion with Zuckerberg, Huang will also participate in a fireside chat with WIRED senior writer Lauren Goode, focusing on AI and graphics in the context of the new computing revolution. Both sessions will be available for live streaming and replay on NVIDIA's official website.
SIGGRAPH 2024 Highlights
The SIGGRAPH conference, running from July 28 to August 1, continues to be a cornerstone for technological innovation. Nearly 100 exhibitors will showcase cutting-edge advancements in graphics technology. Attendees will have the opportunity to explore the SIGGRAPH Innovation Zone, which features startups at the forefront of computing and graphics.
Since its inception in 1974, SIGGRAPH has introduced groundbreaking technologies such as the “Aspen Movie Map,” a precursor to Google Street View, and Pixar’s Luxo Jr., which revolutionized animation. The conference remains a leading venue for pioneering research in computer graphics, with influential publications such as Ed Catmull’s 1974 paper on texture mapping and Turner Whitted’s 1980 paper on ray-tracing techniques debuting at the event.
Startups and Innovations
The Innovation Zone will feature over a dozen startups demonstrating how graphics advancements are being integrated into various industries, from robotics and manufacturing to autonomous vehicles and climate science. Notable highlights include:
- Tomorrow.io: Utilizing NVIDIA Earth-2 to provide precise weather insights and early warning systems for climate adaptation.
- Looking Glass: Pioneering holographic technology for 3D content experiences without headsets, leveraging NVIDIA RTX 6000 Ada Generation GPUs and NVIDIA Maxine technology.
- nTop: Developing a computer-aided design tool using NVIDIA GPU-powered signed distance fields and the NVIDIA OptiX rendering engine for real-time, high-fidelity visualization and collaboration.
Generative AI Day
On July 31, the conference will host Generative AI Day, bringing together industry leaders and developers to explore cutting-edge solutions for visual effects, animation, and game development. Participants will include representatives from Bria AI, Cuebric, Getty Images, Replikant, Shutterstock, and others.
Notable Speakers and Awards
In addition to Huang and Zuckerberg, the speaker lineup includes Dava Newman of MIT Media Lab and Mark Sagar from Soul Machines, who will discuss the intersections of bioengineering, design, and digital humans. The inaugural Stephen Parker Award will also be presented, honoring the legacy of Stephen Parker, vice president of professional graphics at NVIDIA, known for his pioneering work in interactive ray tracing and computer graphics.
As SIGGRAPH celebrates its 50th edition, the event continues to be a vital platform for demonstrating, predicting, and shaping the future of technology.
Image source: Shutterstock