Generative AI tools such as ChatGPT and Stable Diffusion have captured substantial interest, prompting inquiries into the future trajectory of artificial intelligence (AI). The impact of this technology is already noticeable in various aspects of our lives and work. Octopus Energy, a UK energy provider, reports that AI now answers 44% of their customer service emails. Freshworks, a software firm, has experienced a reduction in task completion time from weeks to days by adopting AI tools.
However, we are still in the early stages of this technology’s development. In the upcoming weeks, months, and years, the pace of progress in generative AI will accelerate, leading to the emergence of new and diverse forms of AI. These advancements will enable AI to perform an expanding range of tasks and augment human skills. Some of these possibilities may seem as remarkable to us today as the rise of ChatGPT and similar tools did a few months ago.
Let’s delve into the expected evolution of generative AI in the near future and explore the tasks it will assist with:
- Beyond ChatGPT: Text-based generative AI is already impressive for research, creating first drafts, and planning. Although it may not yet match the creative prowess of Stephen King or Shakespeare in generating original ideas, the next-generation language models, surpassing GPT-4, will delve deeper into understanding psychology and the human creative process. This understanding will enable them to produce written content that is more profound and engaging. Furthermore, models like AutoGPT will iterate on existing progress, allowing text-based generative AI to tackle more complex tasks by generating its own prompts.
- Generative Visual AI: Current generative AI technology shows promise in generating images based on natural language prompts, with some tools even capable of generating video. However, due to the intensive data processing requirements, certain limitations exist. As generative AI advances in this domain, it will become increasingly effortless to create images and videos that closely resemble reality. This could pose challenges, such as the proliferation of deepfakes, leading to the dissemination of fake news and disinformation.
- Generative AI in the Metaverse: The future of digital interaction and information exchange is predicted to involve immersive 3D environments explored through virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR). Generative AI will accelerate the design and development of these environments, which are currently time and resource-intensive. Meta (formerly Facebook) has indicated that generative AI could play a role in the future of its 3D worlds platforms. Additionally, generative AI can enhance the creation of lifelike avatars, enabling more dynamic actions and interactions with other users, thereby bringing these virtual environments to life.
- Generative Audio, Music, and Voice AI: AI models already demonstrate impressive capabilities in generating music and imitating human voices. In the realm of music, generative AI will increasingly serve as a valuable tool for songwriters and composers, offering novel compositions that inspire and encourage creative approaches. Real-time adaptive soundtracks, such as those in video games or accompanying live footage of real-world events like sports, will become more prevalent. AI voice synthesis will improve, bridging the gap between computer-generated voices and the expressive qualities, inflection, and emotion conveyed by human voices. This advancement will enable real-time translation, audio dubbing, and automated voiceovers and narrations.
- Generative Design: AI can assist designers in prototyping and creating diverse products. Generative design, a process employing AI tools, simplifies this task. Designers can input material details and desired properties of the final product, and algorithms will generate step-by-step instructions for engineering the item. Airbus engineers have successfully used these tools to design interior partitions for the A320 passenger jet, resulting in a remarkable weight reduction. In the future, more designers will adopt these processes, with AI contributing to the creation of increasingly complex objects and systems.
- Generative AI in Video Games: Generative AI has the potential to revolutionize video game design, development, and gameplay. Designers can utilize generative AI to conceptualize and construct immersive game environments, freeing up time for focusing on engaging stories, puzzles, and gameplay mechanics. AI algorithms can generate landscapes, terrain, and architecture, and create realistic non-player characters (NPCs) capable of human-like interactions. As game designers integrate generative AI into their workflows, games, and simulations will dynamically respond to players’ actions, reducing the reliance on scripted scenarios. This advancement could result in highly immersive and realistic gaming experiences surpassing the current capabilities of even the most advanced games available.
The future of generative AI holds immense potential, and these areas of development provide a glimpse into the exciting possibilities that lie ahead.