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Universal Page has just unveiled its revolutionary NFT platform, bringing a transformative upgrade to the blockchain experience and ensuring digital collectibles are within reach for everyone. With account abstraction and the incorporation of new NFT standards at its core, Universal Page ensures a user-friendly platform without compromising Web3 fundamentals. Co-founded by industry experts Jake Prins and Vlad Lykhonis (formerly of Meta and Amazon), it stands out as the first NFT platform launching on LUKSO, the innovative L1 blockchain by Ethereum OG Fabian Vogelsteller. Gasless Marketplace: Democratizing NFT Access Universal Page introduces a groundbreaking 'gasless' marketplace, removing the burden of users paying gas fees. This achievement is made possible through exclusive support for Universal Profiles, offering the finest account abstraction solution in the space. Universal Page's mission is to democratize digital ownership, and a crucial step towards achieving this is eliminating "gas fees." Combined with the simplicity of controlling a Universal Profile with just an email and password, this enhances the Web3 onboarding experience like never before. NFT 2.0: Elevating Digital Ownership Standards Universal Page exclusively supports innovative NFT 2.0 standards (LSP7 and LSP8), making NFTs more dynamic and flexible with on-chain data storage. This empowers creators with advanced features, improved metadata, and flexible royalty settings. With on-chain creator references, it authenticates assets and empowers creators to build lasting on-chain reputations. Web3 Customization: Your Profile, Your Rules Universal Page offers a unique feature allowing users to create and customize web pages tied to their Universal Profile – their blockchain identity. These pages can be fully customized and transformed into personal NFT storefronts in just a few clicks. The page domains are minted as NFTs, granting complete ownership and tradability on the marketplace. Built on LUKSO: Blockchain for New Creative Economies Launching as the pioneering marketplace on LUKSO, Universal Page aligns with the vision of blockchain veterans Fabian Vogelsteller (creator of ERC-20) and Marjorie Hernandez. LUKSO is tailored for digital innovation and creative expression. The anticipation surrounding the launch of Universal Page on LUKSO Mainnet is shared by the community, following the platform's win in the first LUKSO hackathon at the end of 2021. Prominent Names: A New Chapter in Digital Collectibles Universal Page exclusively supports NFTs 2.0, created effortlessly using new creator tools. While it does not accommodate NFTs using "legacy" standards like ERC-721, highly anticipated drops from renowned creators like Karl Lagerfeld, RTFKT, and Teflon Sega are already in the pipeline. In collaboration with The Dematerialised, these eagerly awaited NFTs will soon become tradable, marking the beginning of a series of unique NFT launches.

Hasbro, the renowned toy manufacturer, is unveiling an AI-powered version of its iconic Trivial Pursuit game. Trivial Pursuit Infinite, released online at www.trivialpursuit.com, introduces two play modes. The daily challenge features classic Trivial Pursuit questions, while the "infinite" mode allows players to request questions on any topic. This move reflects the increasing integration of AI in the toy industry, going beyond talking robots to enhance classic games. In September, Mattel released Pictionary AI, utilizing an AI-powered app on a smartphone to guess drawn images. Hasbro aims to offer fans, both old and new, additional ways to engage with the 41-year-old game through Trivial Pursuit Infinite. The digital version leverages generative AI, taking the game into a new era while ensuring accessibility for fans everywhere. Gray Bright, Vice President of Artificial Intelligence and Gaming Innovation at Hasbro, expressed the company's commitment to exploring AI ethically and effectively. Trivial Pursuit Infinite was developed within three months, emphasizing Hasbro's dedication to harnessing AI to create engaging experiences for players. The digital game is available for free and includes a "buy now" button linking players to an Amazon page for purchasing physical versions of Trivial Pursuit. Hasbro plans to gather player feedback to enhance gameplay continually. Trivial Pursuit, created in 1983, became a phenomenon in the mid-1980s and has maintained its popularity. The game requires players to answer trivia questions to advance on the board. Hasbro, which acquired the game in 1992, plans to regularly add new features to Trivial Pursuit Infinite. Bright highlighted the success of a recent AI-powered Ouija board experiment during Halloween, indicating Hasbro's exploration of AI enhancements across its game portfolio. Hasbro believes that generative AI complements the creativity of human creators, ushering in new experiences for players. Trivial Pursuit Infinite offers a glimpse into the evolving landscape of classic games with AI integration, as Hasbro pioneers this innovative approach in the industry.

Futureverse, a leading AI and metaverse tech company, reveals its groundbreaking venture, Readyverse Studios. Co-founded by Futureverse leaders, Shara Senderoff and Aaron McDonald, alongside Ernest Cline and Dan Farah, the acclaimed creator and film producer of Ready Player One, the studio is set to redefine metaverse exploration. Readyverse Studios aims to create the ultimate destination for fans, utilizing web3, metaverse games, augmented reality, and virtual reality technologies. "The Readyverse," launching in 2024, will serve as an interconnected digital platform. A major partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery ensures exclusive metaverse access to the Ready Player One franchise, with ongoing web3 rights for future IPs from Ernest Cline. The studio emphasizes open metaverse principles, including digital ownership, community-owned infrastructure, decentralization, security, and interoperability. Ernest Cline expresses excitement, stating, "With Readyverse Studios, we have the opportunity to leverage the revolutionary technology Futureverse has been building for several years to bring to life the best possible version of the metaverse." Backed by over 5 years of tech development, Readyverse Studios is poised to lead the burgeoning metaverse market. The platform's scalable infrastructure and AI-generated content tools offer unprecedented opportunities for immersive experiences. Co-founders Senderoff and McDonald, along with Dan Farah, emphasize their collaboration's potential impact on online entertainment, gaming, and social experiences. Readyverse Studios presents novel metaverse possibilities for Hollywood, brands, and talent, offering new revenue streams and creative outlets. Warner Bros. Discovery anticipates introducing iconic Ready Player One elements to the metaverse, celebrating cultural touchstones and inspiring innovation.

The organizers of the 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in Gangwon, South Korea, introduced a groundbreaking development on Thursday by launching the inaugural metaverse. This signifies a significant stride in leveraging digital technologies and artificial intelligence to enhance the interactive experience for global fans of sports events. Thanks to this technological innovation, fans can now immerse themselves in the Winter Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in unprecedented ways. The International Olympic Committee (IOC), in collaboration with the Gangwon 2024 Organizing Committee (YOGOC) and Gangwon-do Province, supported by the Ministry of Science and Information and Communication Technology (MSIT) of South Korea, unveiled the metaverse, an extension of the Gangwon-do Province’s existing Metaverse. This virtual world offers a diverse range of interactive experiences, aiming to make Gangwon 2024 as inclusive and accessible as possible, especially for young enthusiasts, as stated in the IOC's release on Thursday. The Gangwon 2024 Metaverse introduces fans worldwide to virtual tours of the venues, engaging games and challenges where they can compete in online mini-games of ski jumping, bobsleigh, and curling. This platform transforms the way fans interact with the YOG, bringing in new and exciting dimensions. For users in the Republic of Korea, the metaverse offers streaming of sporting events, fostering a sense of connection with the Games. It also serves as a platform for fans to connect with each other globally, encouraging them to explore winter sports and delve into the Olympic values. To ensure accessibility, the metaverse includes automatic translation in six languages (Korean, English, Spanish, French, Japanese, and Chinese). Users have the flexibility to create personalized avatars for their digital experience, choosing from 30 characters with various customization options, including hairstyles, body shapes, clothing, and emotions. Once users create their avatars, they can freely navigate the 3D virtual world, exploring digital recreations of nine YOG venues, including imaginative elements, Youth Olympic villages, and four tourist attractions in the host region. In addition, Gangwon 2024 will feature a "Metaverse Experience" at the Gangneung Green City Experience Centre, allowing visitors to virtually engage in winter sports through simulators, graphic panels, and a virtual reality kit, according to the IOC release.

Renowned social media influencer Logan Paul has pledged to personally compensate victims of the CryptoZoo NFT project, which he both launched and endorsed. In a recent announcement to his extensive follower base, Paul expressed his delight in fulfilling his commitment to initiate a buy-back program, specifically targeting Base Egg and Base Animal CryptoZoo NFTs at their original purchase prices. Addressing his audience on X (formerly Twitter), Paul declared his personal involvement in the restitution effort, committing over $2.3 million to repurchase the aforementioned NFTs from every affected individual associated with CryptoZoo. He acknowledged the challenges the project faced, attributing its derailment to nefarious actors who not only stole funds but also betrayed the team while internally sabotaging the game. Reflecting on CryptoZoo's trajectory in 2021, Paul, armed with a substantial online audience of 4 million subscribers, championed the venture as a promising gaming platform with lucrative potential. The project garnered attention with parallels drawn to iconic brands like Pokémon in its promotional campaigns. However, the narrative took an unexpected turn when YouTuber CoffeeZilla undertook a critical three-part series, shedding light on concerns surrounding CryptoZoo's business model. The investigation brought to the forefront issues related to in-game currency purchases, leading to unfulfilled promises and unrecovered investments for players. Logan Paul's commitment to reimbursing victims marks a significant step towards addressing the fallout from CryptoZoo, reinforcing his dedication to rectifying the impact of the failed NFT project on affected individuals.

OpenAI's Sam Altman may be missing from CES 2024, but the AI fervor sparked by his company is set to steal the show. From devices aiding the visually impaired to innovative safety systems, and facial-recognition software assessing vitals, companies are racing to unveil their AI-infused gadgets. CES 2024, running from January 9-12, promises a plethora of announcements, showcasing AI integration in various consumer products. Despite Altman's physical absence, OpenAI's influence at the event echoes Apple's Steve Jobs era, where the company's impact transcended the founder's non-participation. Altman, a prominent figure in the AI frenzy, faced headlines in November amid internal turmoil but was reinstated after a significant employee stand in solidarity. OpenAI's involvement in a secretive AI hardware project with former Apple designer Jony Ive adds to the intrigue. Generative AI projects witnessed a staggering fivefold funding increase, reaching $23.78 billion by December 2023, according to PitchBook data. Maribel Lopez, a tech analyst, emphasizes that AI has become indispensable in products, stating, "It's the year of AI in everything." CES will feature companies like Bosch, showcasing an award-winning gun-detection system, and NEC unveiling AI software for analyzing face patterns and estimating human vitals. Automotive companies are shifting focus towards creating a "hyper-personalized" experience, enhancing in-vehicle virtual assistants and cabin monitors. Cerence's partnership with Volkswagen, Cipia's distraction monitoring system, and Amazon.com's generative AI collaboration with BMW are among the anticipated automotive announcements. AI's role in production is also evident, with automakers adopting it to streamline development and quality checks. PC and smartphone manufacturers are expected to highlight AI integration, presenting a new revenue stream for chipmakers like Intel and AMD. Microsoft's announcement of PCs featuring a dedicated AI button on the Windows keyboard further underscores the industry's AI push. While AI's benefits, like those seen in ChatGPT, are clear to consumers, the challenge lies in articulating the utility in other devices. As companies strive for consumer relevance, the CES spotlight remains on the evolving landscape of AI integration.

Ahead of the upcoming Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Microsoft has unveiled a significant update to Windows keyboards, marking the most substantial change in nearly thirty years. This innovation introduces a dedicated key for its AI tool Copilot, positioned to the right of the space bar. The Copilot key's function is to activate Microsoft's recently launched Copilot service, designed to assist users in various tasks such as document summarization, music recommendations, and answering queries akin to those posed to a search engine or AI chatbot. On some keyboards, it will replace either the menu key or the right control key. Yusuf Mehdi, Microsoft's Executive Vice President and Consumer Chief Marketing Officer, expressed the belief that this new key will facilitate easier engagement with AI transformation. He stated, "We believe it will empower people to participate in the AI transformation more easily," adding that it will seamlessly invoke the Copilot in Windows experience for day-to-day use. This addition underscores Microsoft's commitment to artificial intelligence, as evidenced by the integration of generative AI into critical products like Windows 11 and the Bing search engine over the past year. Copilot relies on advanced language models, particularly OpenAI's GPT-4. The AI key is set to debut on the initial batch of Windows 11 laptops and PCs from Microsoft's partners leading up to CES, including the upcoming line of Dell XPS laptops. A broader release is expected between late February and spring, encompassing upcoming Surface devices. Eventually, the Copilot button will become a standard feature. For users without Copilot or in regions where it is not available, the new key will activate Windows Search. Presently, Windows users can access Copilot by pressing the Windows key + C. Yusuf Mehdi anticipates that this introduction will not only simplify but also enhance users' computing experiences, declaring 2024 as the year of the AI PC.

As established search engine players, such as Google, incorporate GenAI technology into their platforms, startups are endeavoring to redefine AI-powered search from the ground up. Despite the formidable challenge of competing against giants with massive user bases, these emerging search platforms believe they can carve out a niche, no matter how small, by delivering a superior user experience. One such contender in this new wave of search platforms is Perplexity AI, which recently announced a successful funding round of $73.6 million. The funding, led by IVP and featuring contributions from NEA, Databricks Ventures, Elad Gil, Tobi Lutke, Nat Friedman, Guillermo Rauch, Nvidia, and Jeff Bezos, brings Perplexity's valuation to $520 million post-money. This achievement is noteworthy considering Perplexity's relatively short existence since August 2022. Perplexity stands out by offering a chatbot-like interface for users to pose questions in natural language, receiving summarized answers with source citations. Unlike traditional search engines, Perplexity's approach aims to enhance user interaction and understanding. Users subscribing to Perplexity's Pro plan gain access to a variety of GenAI models, enabling features like image generation, personalized Copilot assistance, and file uploads for document analysis. Despite similarities with established competitors such as Google's Bard, Microsoft's Copilot, and ChatGPT, Perplexity emphasizes its distinctive features, including robust search filtering options and the ability to explore trending topics submitted by other users on the platform. Moreover, Perplexity is expanding beyond search by offering its own GenAI models through an API to Pro customers, leveraging its search index and the public web. However, concerns persist in the GenAI search landscape, including the high operational costs of running AI models and potential issues related to misuse, misinformation, and copyright challenges. While Perplexity's annual recurring revenue is reported to be between $5 million and $10 million, questions linger about the sustainability of GenAI search tools. Despite these uncertainties, investors remain optimistic, and Perplexity is focused on expanding its team and enhancing product functionality to bring the power of AI to a broader audience.

Sahil Alvi, the founder of Neuron Partners, has voiced his frustration over the lack of returns on his clients' investment in Roblox, spanning over two years. In an open letter addressed to Roblox CEO David Baszucki, Alvi expressed concern about the company's undervalued status and the leadership team's failure to adapt to evolving market dynamics. Despite acknowledging Roblox's potential as a metaverse platform at the intersection of social media, gaming, and commerce, Alvi criticized the management for its inability to capitalize on the platform's enormous potential. In the letter, Alvi highlighted that while Roblox has achieved praise for its user and revenue growth, especially in foreign markets like Japan, it continues to experience financial losses, with no clear resolution in sight. The company's stock, which peaked at $78 billion in 2021, witnessed a 70% collapse in the first half of 2022, and Alvi believes the leadership team is yet to recognize the changing market conditions. "2024 is going to be a crucial year where we take a view on whether management is moving the company towards a sustainably profitable business," Alvi emphasized. He cautioned that the loss-making company has only $2.1 billion of net cash left, and the economic challenges anticipated in the coming year could push Roblox into dire financial straits. Notably, the letter called for an overhaul of Roblox's cost structure, drawing a parallel with Spotify's approach. Alvi argued that such measures are essential to restoring market confidence and trust among investors. He further urged the leadership team to adopt more creativity and drive to harness Roblox's potential fully. Roblox, launched in 2006, serves as a metaverse platform, providing creators with tools to design their own video games hosted on the platform. Boasting a daily active user base of approximately 70 million, with half of them belonging to Generation Z, Roblox offers a unique space for virtual experiences. Brands, such as H&M, have capitalized on this, setting up virtual stores within the Roblox metaverse. However, Alvi expressed concerns that Roblox's management is not executing strategies with the necessary urgency. He suggested that the company should strike more partnerships with major brands like Disney and Adidas, emphasizing that having a presence on Roblox should be a necessity for every major consumer brand globally. Despite the potential, Roblox's stock currently trades at $40, well below Neuron Partners' fair value assessment of $75. Alvi warned that the stock might not recover until investor trust is restored. The letter also criticized Roblox's accounting methods, including its use of covenant-adjusted Ebitda, and raised concerns about safety and potential political messaging risks associated with the platform. While Alvi sees potential in Roblox, he emphasized that the leadership team needs to act urgently to address these issues. The letter, posted on LinkedIn, concluded by suggesting that the Roblox Board should actively consider involving an activist hedge fund or a tech-centric private equity firm to bring in a fresh perspective and accelerate the company's path to profitability. Alvi plans to monitor Roblox's performance closely in the coming year before deciding on the future of his conviction call.

In December 2023, the Bitcoin (BTC) network achieved a significant milestone by setting a new record for NFT sales in a single month. As reported by the Cryptoslam portal, NFT sales on the Bitcoin blockchain reached an unprecedented $881,223,753.92, surpassing other prominent blockchains such as Ethereum, Solana, Polygon, and Arbitrum in sales volume. The BTC network led the way with NFT sales, outpacing Ethereum, the second-largest blockchain, by over two times. Ethereum recorded NFT sales totaling $364.79 million during the same period. While Solana experienced an impressive 312% increase in NFT sales from the previous month, it trailed behind Bitcoin and Ethereum at $325.14 million. Polygon and Arbitrum secured the third and fourth positions with $47,590,789.81 and $28,327,354.00 in NFT sales, respectively. Several notable trades marked the December NFT sales, with a digital copy of Vincent Van Gogh's renowned Self-portrait, 1888 (Van Gogh’s painting #216), fetching a remarkable $1.19 million. Ethereum's The Frxethredemption Ticket #33 followed with a sale of $638,433. Other noteworthy sales included Cardano’s Deep Vision #05128 at $551,750, BNB’s Lockdealnft #91 at $329,824, and Solana’s Boogle #009 at $274,209. Despite a 35% decline in NFT sales in the last week of December compared to the previous week, the month concluded with a record-breaking $1.7 billion in NFT transactions. This marked an impressive gain of over 69% compared to the figures recorded in November.

China's premier venture capital firm, "GBA Capital," has initiated an impressive $10 billion investment fund dedicated to fortifying Web3 startups. Unveiled at the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Digital Economy Development Conference, the fund is strategically designed to empower innovative sectors such as VR, the Metaverse, and NFTs. With a strategic vision to elevate the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao region to a leading position in the meta-asset landscape, GBA Capital aims to organize "meta-asset global tours" in major cities worldwide. These initiatives will showcase the advantages of digital assets, positioning the region as a formidable Web3 powerhouse. In alignment with these goals, "Zhongrong Global," a part of the GBA group, secured a noteworthy 100 million Chinese yuan (approximately $14 million) in angel funding earlier in the year. This funding is earmarked to propel forward the development of Web3 projects, contributing significantly to the burgeoning Web3 sector in China. These strategic investments come on the heels of notable developments in the Asian Web3 landscape, including companies like Whampoa Digital and Wemade jointly raising a substantial $100 million fund dedicated to advancing blockchain gaming across the region.

Following successful funding rounds for German defense tech firms ARX and Helsing, Shield AI, a U.S. defense technology company renowned for its cutting-edge AI pilot technology, has secured an additional $100 million in Series F funding and $200 million in debt from Hercules Capital. This, combined with the previously raised $200 million, brings the total investment in the ongoing Series F round to $500 million. This infusion of capital propels Shield AI's valuation to $2.8 billion, up from $2.7 billion in November 2023. The company aims to utilize these funds to expedite the deployment of its AI pilots across various aircraft classes. Founded in San Diego in 2015 by Andrew Reiter, Brandon Tseng, and Ryan Tseng, Shield AI has pioneered the development of Hivemind, an AI pilot enabling intelligent aircraft to autonomously operate in high-threat environments without the need for remote operators, command inputs, or GPS. Recently, the company introduced V-BAT Teams, a software product designed to collaborate with Hivemind, empowering teams of V-BAT drones to execute missions autonomously and in coordination. Similar to self-driving cars, Hivemind leverages state-of-the-art algorithms for planning, mapping, and state estimation, allowing aircraft to perform dynamic flight maneuvers. Reinforcement learning is employed for the discovery, learning, and execution of winning tactics and strategies. Hivemind has demonstrated its capabilities with various aircraft, including quadcopters, the MQ-35A, V-BAT, and the F-16. Ryan Tseng, CEO, and co-founder of Shield AI, highlighted the strategic significance of AI pilots as a conventional deterrent in the aerospace and defense realm. He noted the paradigm shift brought about by advances in AI and computing power, describing AI pilots as the first software-defined strategic deterrent in the aerospace and defense sector.