Mark Zuckerberg showcased several ambitious artificial intelligence (AI) projects. The Meta CEO said this AI project would be an important key to the future of the metaverse that his company offers.
In a demonstration broadcast via livestream, Zuckerberg demonstrated the Builder Bot project that can build virtual worlds with voice commands. He also announced plans to develop a universal language translator system.
Builder Bot is part of Meta's CAIRoke project which aims to create the kind of conversational AI needed to create virtual worlds. Zuckerberg said AI will be an important part of the future of the metaverse to help users explore virtual worlds.
Zuckerberg and a Meta employee demonstrated how to use voice commands to create a beach backdrop with a picnic table, clouds, and hydrofoil. They also included beach-style sound effects such as the sound of seagulls and the sound of waves.
But right now the technology seems to be still in its early stages. The environment that Zuckerberg created looks flatter and less high-definition when compared to previous metaverse demonstrations.
"As we advance this technology further, you will be able to create a nuanced world to explore and share experiences with others with just your voice," Zuckerberg said.
In addition to the Builder Bot, Zuckerberg also announced that the research division of Meta is developing a universal translator system that can be used by everyone around the world.
Zuckerberg stressed that a translation system like this is important because people exploring the metaverse will meet many people from different backgrounds.
Meta says they will develop two machine learning techniques in two specific areas. The first focus, called No Language Left Behind, will focus on building AI models that can learn to translate languages using fewer practice examples.
Second, Universal Speech Translator, which will build a system that can translate speech in real-time from one language to another without the need to convert it to a written component.
"The ability to communicate with anyone in any language -- it's a superpower that people have dreamed of for a long time, and AI will bring that ability to our lives," Zuckerberg said.