Second Lecture of the Catalyst Impact Series Explored Latest Tech Trends
IE and UC Berkeley invited COO of Vectara, and CEO of Loft Dynamics to share insights on large language models and mixed reality.
The second session of the Catalyst Impact Lecture Series, hosted by the IE School of Science and Technology and UC Berkeley’s Sutardja Center, featured two experts discussing some of the latest trends in technology.
Ed Albanese, COO of Vectara, and Fabian Riesen, CEO of Loft Dynamics, talked about the importance of large language models and mixed reality, respectively.
Albanese kicked off by discussing the significance of large language models and its potential in transforming the way we interact with technology.
“In Vectara, we really believe there isn’t going to be an end user application that doesn’t in some way or tap into large language models to improve user experience or access to data,” Albanese said.
He argued that the companies that do not adopt these models may feel antiquated in the future because they will be missing out on the potential to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
Albanese emphasized the need for transparency and accountability in the development and deployment of these models, especially in regulated industries such as finance and healthcare.
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After a short Q&A, Prof. Guido Schuster at OST in Switzerland, who incubated the mixed reality technology, introduced Riesen. The CEO of Loft Dynamics highlighted the benefits of mixed reality and presented how his company is using the technology to create innovative and immersive user experiences.
Using his helicopter flight simulator, he discussed the limitations of traditional pilot training methods which include safety issues, as well as, the lack of accuracy in the flying experience of virtual reality training simulations.
“In the accident statistics, we still have on average one fatal accident per week in Europe,” said Riesin. “And interesting enough, around one third of the accidents are happening during training.”
Moreover, he emphasized the potential of MR to transform various industries, including healthcare, education, and entertainment, and the need for continued innovation and development in this field.
Both speakers provided valuable insights into how technology is shaping the future, and the potential it holds for transforming various industries.