An update to Spider-Man: Miles Morales adds machine learning technology to Miles’s muscle formation according to a lead character developer.

The new Spider-Man: Miles Morales update for the PlayStation 5 upgrades the muscles of Miles’s character models for certain suits with machine learning. Although Spider-Man: Miles Morales also released on PlayStation 4, Spider-Man: Miles Morales was arguably the best PS5 launch game. Developer Insomniac Games has only released a handful of post-release updates for the semi-sequel/spin-off to 2018’s Spider-Man on the PS4. Back in December, Insomniac added ray tracing to Miles Morales’s Performance Mode, letting the game run at a solid 60 frames per second with the Fidelity Mode’s more realistic reflections.

Aside from the more marketable resolution and framerate numbers, the new generation of consoles has differed from their predecessors with technology that is more subtle like more realistic character models, textures, lighting, and reflections. These new additions to games on the PS5 and Xbox Series consoles are what really make games have a more “next-gen.” As developers get more comfortable with these new consoles, these features will look better and be more apparent.

Josh DiCarlo, the lead character technical developer at Insomniac Games, posted side-by-side screenshots from Miles Morales’s photo mode showcasing the updates to Miles’s muscles and the difference it makes on how his Spidey suits fall on his body with machine learning technology. Miles’s new muscle builds are difficult to see unless there is a comparison photo of what they used to look like next to a photo of the update. Insomniac added support for ZivaRT, a real-time machine learning technology that aims to achieve close to film-quality shape deformation in real-time. DiCarlo explained in a reply to another tweet that ZivaRT takes Miles’s character model (bones, muscle, fat, skin, and all) along with the materials of his suit to simulate how they would fit a real person frame-by-frame.

Miles Morales received update last week, which added the new Advanced Tech Suit to both the PS4 and PS5 versions of the game as well as the new muscle upgrade to the PS5 version. The update also improved stability and lighting issues found within the game. Previous updates have added save transfers from PS4 to PS5, fixed post-game day/night cycles, and fixed various bugs.

It’s always interesting to get breakdowns of new technology from video game developers. It’s easy for small details like this to get overlooked by fans and developers, so it’s cool that Insomniac is adding small touches and even new technologies to Spider-Man: Miles Morales: a game that came out months ago. Even more surprising is that Insomniac implemented this kind of update and the PS5 framerate boost to 2016’s Ratchet & Clank while the studio’s next game, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, is coming out in a few short months.

The post Spider-Man: Miles Morales’ New Muscle Upgrade Uses Machine Learning appeared first on Artificial Intelligence.

In 2016 an artificial intelligence bot, “Hoffbot,” used neural networks to write all of David Hasselhoff’s lines for a bizarre short film called Sunspring.  Just three months ago Botnik Studios used a predictive algorithm to create a four-page script performed by Zach Braff of Scrubs. By 2019, most leading AI providers will offer tools and libraries for building AI-powered natural-language generation, image manipulation, and other generative use cases.

Artificial Intelligence exists as an aid to creativity across every discipline.  This year more solutions will come to market–in all verticals–that use leading-edge AI approaches known as generative adversarial networks (GANs) to algorithmically create digital and analog objects of all sorts with astonishing accuracy.

While many have daily experiences with Alexa and Spotify it is important that you demo some of the user friendly digital tools that are out there (no coding required).  If you need a new website, grid.io can design one for you in a snap, just provide the content and let AI do the work for you.

Amper music puts AI to work to compose a non-melodic musical bed for your next video or podcast, no stock music required. The web interface is completely intuitive and user friendly.  You hit render and have your track.

I realize it is Easter/Passover weekend, but for those of you who celebrate Halloween year-round, Shelley, is worth a try.  Co-author a horror story with AI and have some unexpected fun with your family and friends this weekend.

The legendary Buckminster Fuller once described a designer as “an emerging synthesis of artist, inventor, mechanic, objective economist and evolutionary strategist.”  While I am a believer in lateral thinking and support this definition in general, I would probably add programmer or data scientist to its definition today.

The relationship between humans and the intelligent machines an increasing feature in our lives, and we all should actively discuss and participate in this critical, magnification point we are in the midst of today.  For creatives and designers seeking more tools I encourage you look at these autonomous design resources, and everyone should read Garry Kasparov’s new book Deep Thinking.  Reimagine your life in the era of AI, and develop your own personal POV around AI and its impacts on your business.

The post In the Age of Artificial Intelligence, Creativity Will Get an Upgrade appeared first on Artificial Intelligence.