Nvidia held its GTC event last week, and of the virtual keynotes I've seen so far, CEO Jensen Huang's was the best. That's because the company made the decision to cut it into segments, mostly under 16 minutes, so viewers didn't have to watch things they weren't interested in.
Also, Jensen mixed up the content between the speaker, videos, and static images, so it was interesting to watch. Nvidia used its technology during the pitch rather than just talking about it.
Its presenters also used the format of summarizing what they were going to say, saying it, and then summarizing what they said. That approach helped people retain the content better while inviting the audience to take a quick look at some of the segments that might not have interested them at the outset.
What I found most fascinating were several things that likely will revolutionize the world we'll be living in during and after (if there ever is an after), the COVID-19 pandemic. I'll focus on those things and then close with my product of the week: the new Dell XPS 17, which may now be the perfect work-at-home laptop computer (and it uses Nvidia technology).
1. RTX and Omniverse
I've been watching Amazon's new dark science-fiction comedy Upload over the last few days, and it is a fascinating show, not least due to its depiction of the practical issues of having to live in a virtual world.
Given the number of companies working on being able to upload a person to a digital existence, there is little doubt that this eventually will be a path to immortality for some of us. Still, we need far better real-time graphics performance long before we get to the point where we can create a virtual world that is realistic enough.
With Omniverse and RTX, Nvidia showcased a level of realism that we now are only beginning to see, which eventually could be a foundational element of that future virtual world. The combined technologies not only create high-quality images that look like real images but also help coordinate the creation effort among those working on those images.
The results initially will enhance games and simulations. Eventually, they will be used to improve video conferences (active backgrounds), video programming, and other creative endeavors that will blend the real with the virtual in a seamless fashion.
2. Recommender Systems
Recommender system technologies occupy a critical area of AI interaction that remains underserved against its potential. When you watch a movie on Netflix, the service uses a recommender system to suggest what you should watch next. It's the same when you buy a product on Amazon. These systems look at what you are viewing or buying and suggest -- in my opinion very poorly -- something else that might be of interest.
The issue with current systems is that they don't seem to know that much about you, and their in-depth knowledge of what you just bought or considered is sparse. As a result, their recommendations can be significantly off the mark.
However, when they work, they do drive sales, and Nvidia showcased its far more advanced Merlin system. If fed more complete data, it could lead to a dramatic spike in the conversion rates of potential buyers to actual purchasers.
This advancement not only would ensure you bought the best product for you, but also would improve sales for the firms using these new enhanced recommendation engines.
3. Conversational AI
When Microsoft first introduced Cortana as a personal assistant, I thought I was going to build something similar. I believe personal assistants should be rendered, especially since we use screens most of the time on related devices. D, I'm not sure what "google" looks like, but Siri and Cortana should be hot.
Nvidia has shown what I do in, and the core technology is laborious but not usable. This result is more intelligent and it reaches the ability to make real conversations with the device beyond the use of consistent facial expressions.
Now I have used some of the beta products that Amazon has shown and they are improving. However, the Nvidia Jarvis platform is still ahead. It may eventually be a Google Assistant, not just a voice interface in Google Search. Some of the other technologies on display at this event, like Merlin, can make it more useful and realistic.
Most of us need to interact, so that because we live in the house, the dead body does not look like the last living cell, so it also happens in time.
4. Establishment of Robot Relace
Since the COVID-19 pandemic is likely to occur for some time, robotics has never been needed to replace workers in a hazardous environment. The exciting performance implementation has been done by BMW, which uses large-scale robots in its plants to move materials between working groups. For humans, it can spread not only to catch the virus but to working groups as well.
With the already sophisticated Jetson platform, Nvidia's technology is also being used for robotic medical delivery.
It is at the helm of its market-leading platform for autonomous driving, which, due to the virus, helps bring services like Uber and Lyft back to normal (without sanction, no drivers).
Especially in jobs that require more contact, intelligent robots can become the only safe way to provide certain services. Food delivery, reception, and driving to others - especially large capacity messages such as buses - are just a few examples.
An autonomous driving division means that Nvidia Drive is in effect and may not be more important than it is now.
Virtual worlds, interactive digital assistants, robots that replace people in insecure areas, and AI that help you make better choices (and refuse to sell more) are just one part of Nvidia. Those four things are important parts of what Jensen talked about in the future, but we currently live in COVID-19.
In the opening section, Jensen also talked about the many ways Nvidia can help alleviate the COVID-19 crisis and how they are effective.
This includes mapping the genome of the virus, real-time infection rate analysis, conducting a one-year drug analysis, creating more accurate tests, distributing medical supplies, and identifying the infected.
Many of our lives may be based on these efforts and when they are used for good, they can have the effect of multiplying the power of technology.
Finally, the Nvidia Virtual GTC Keynote has demonstrated not only an exciting future but a secure present - as well as how to effectively present keynotes from this new work in the homeworld. It went very well.
The way we've worked over the last few months has changed, but the laptop models reflect much of what the world is now.
Then we wanted a coach-powered laptop, but now we're flying. We need a laptop that has more battery life for daily meetings without plugs, but we don't have those meetings anymore.
We now turn our house around. We may occasionally go to the office, but most high-end travel (outside of sales) is unlikely to return for at least a year. These changes have shifted our needs to the larger screen for productivity and remote viewing so we can keep the included camera high so it doesn't look at our nose.
Currently, the best line width product is Dell XPS 17. Its base is the US $ 1,500, which provides a good mix of performance and size. Its full-featured high-performance offering uses Nvidia's RTX architecture and high-resolution screens.
With the latest Intel technology (10th generation) and Nvidia RTX graphics system, carbon fiber accents, and a room-filled sound system, this is the ideal work-at-home product. Maybe that’s what we get this year.
As our needs change, so will the products we choose to grow. On Dell's line, the XPS17 comes close to the ideal laptop for anyone who wants to work around the home, travel, and offers a good mix of workability and fun functions.
The Dell XPS 17 line does a great job meeting those needs for both productivity and creative work, and this is my product this week.
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