Explore 2023 Tech Advancements in AI, Space, and Science
Emerging Tech Roundup — January 20
The Quantious team’s top picks for timely trending news in the tech world.
This week in tech: McDonald’s Celebrates the Lunar New Year with AI, Astronomers Discover Two Invisible Stars, Artificial Pancreas Proves to Treat Type 1 Diabetes, Google Considers a ChatGPT Rival, Scientists Introduce a Smell-Detection Robot, Discord Acquires a Social Media App, and a Study Shares the Successful Transplant of a 3D-Printed Ear.
McDonald’s ‘Tech-Forward’ Lunar New Year Push Features AI-Powered Ad
(Marketing Dive, January 12)
McDonald’s is launching a lunar New Year Campaign that utilizes metaverse, augmented reality, and AI tech. Developed with digital creator Karen x Cheng, the multi-part campaign includes 3D assets, a QR code, and an Instagram AR filter where a visual representation of the Year of the Tiger transforms into the Year of the Rabbit. The campaign also brings users to the Spatial metaverse for a Year of the Rabbit celebration on January 25.
Astronomers Discover Two Invisible Stars Spinning Around Each Other at Breakneck Speed
(Gizmodo, January 12)
Researchers discovered a binary system, called LP 413–53AB, featuring two dwarf stars with such low temperatures that they only emit infrared light. The stars take less than one Earth-day to orbit around each other due to their close proximity. While astrophysicists knew a system like this should exist, this is the first to be identified.
Major Breakthrough: Artificial Pancreas Successfully Treats Type 1 Diabetes
(Interesting Engineering, January 14)
In a major technological breakthrough, an artificial pancreas may provide relief for people with type 1 diabetes. The trials found the technology to be significantly more successful than any other device currently available to manage the disease. Following its approval by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), NICE called for a more cost-effective model to be developed.
Google’s DeepMind Says It’ll Launch a More Grown-up ChatGPT Rival Soon
(Tech Radar, January 16)
Google subsidiary DeepMind announced they are considering launching a safer AI assistant, soon to rival ChatGPT. The AI research pioneer is debating whether to release Sparrow, its own chatbot, for a private beta this year. The company notes that Sparrow’s strengths are in its dialogue agent, moral intelligence, and ability to cite sources.
Scientists Gave a Robot a Sense of Smell With Locust Antennae and AI
(Engadget, January 17)
Researchers created a robot that can currently identify eight smells including geranium, lemon, and marzipan. The robot features antennae taken from a desert locust and an algorithm that is able to characterize smells by their signature output. The scientists are continuing to develop their robot, with hopes for it to be used for detecting drugs and explosives.
Discord Acquires Gas, a Compliments-Based Social Media App for Teens
(Tech Crunch, January 17)
The messaging platform Discord has acquired Gas, a positive social media platform gaining popularity with teens. The app, designed to boost teens’ confidence, allows users to send anonymous compliments and positive messages to friends and classmates. The app is continuing to gain attention, with 7.4 million installs and almost $7 million in consumer spending since its launch in summer 2022.
A Woman Receives the First-Ever Successful Transplant of a Living, 3D-Printed Ear
(ZME Science, January 17)
US-based regenerative medicine company 3DBio Therapeutics has seen the first successful implant of a 3D-printed ear made from human cells into a living patient. The ongoing study aims to personalize tissue implants that can replace the ears of patients with conditions like microtia, which involves the underdevelopment or absence of one or both ears. Their success was one small step towards widespread artificial tissue implants and tissue engineering.
