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Oakley embarks on a groundbreaking multiyear collaboration with "Fortnite," melding Oakley's distinctive aesthetics with the gaming phenomenon's style. The partnership debuts with two eyewear designs featuring the iconic "Fortnite" Battle Royale's Victory Crown etched on the lens. Oakley's Helux Fortnite is designed to reduce glare from OLED and LED screens, catering to gamers, while the Oakley's Hydra Fortnite offers a unique look for outdoor adventures. Chica, a Team Oakley member, expresses excitement about the partnership, stating, "I'm so excited that my favorite game and favorite glasses brand are now partnering. In all my years of playing 'Fortnite' and seeing all of the different collaborations, I'm so happy to be at the center of this one coming together. I can't wait to share with my community." The Oakley "Fortnite" collection becomes available exclusively on Oakley.com starting November 29, initially in limited quantities. This collaboration, facilitated by IMG, marks a significant fusion of gaming and eyewear innovation.

In a recent address, President Vladimir Putin of Russia has underscored the critical importance of preventing the West from establishing a monopoly in the field of artificial intelligence (AI). Speaking at an AI conference in Moscow alongside Sberbank CEO German Gref, Putin expressed concern over the potential dominance of Western online systems and generative models that disregard or dismiss Russian language and culture. Despite Russia's aspirations to become an AI power, the country has faced setbacks, including the impact of the war in Ukraine, which led to the departure of many talented specialists, and Western sanctions that have impeded high-tech imports. While acknowledging the ethical and social challenges posed by new technologies, Putin emphasized that attempting to ban AI was impractical. He argued that banning it would only result in its development elsewhere, causing Russia to fall behind in the rapidly advancing field. Putin highlighted the need to address ethical questions within the context of "traditional" Russian culture. He raised concerns about some Western algorithms essentially ignoring the existence of Russia, emphasizing the unacceptability and danger of the monopoly and domination of such systems. Acknowledging the global prominence of China and the United States in AI research, Putin stressed the need for Russia to enhance its efforts and ambitions in the AI domain. The war in Ukraine and associated efforts have led to an outflow of educated Russians, and Western sanctions have hampered international cooperation with AI powerhouses in the West. Looking ahead, Putin announced a forthcoming presidential decree that would approve a new version of the national strategy for the development of artificial intelligence. This strategy aims to make significant changes, including expanding fundamental and applied research in the field of generative artificial intelligence and large language models. Putin outlined several key aspects of the upcoming strategy, including providing Russian researchers with better access to supercomputers, improving top-level scientific education on AI, legislative reforms, increased international cooperation, and a substantial boost in investment for AI development. He commended Sberbank and Yandex for their contributions to generative AI and language models, emphasizing the need for further development and application in various sectors of the economy. This comprehensive strategy underscores Russia's commitment to positioning itself as a formidable player in the global AI landscape, addressing challenges and charting a course for substantial advancements in the field.

Mhaya Game, a pioneering NFT-based play-to-earn GameFi experience inspired by the classic Monopoly, is revolutionizing the gaming landscape. This multi-chain city simulation and management blockchain game introduces the innovative free play-to-earn (FP2E) concept, setting it apart in the gaming sphere. Mhaya Game seamlessly incorporates multi-chain technology and a non-upfront fee NFT mechanism, offering unprecedented value to players and holders. With 40 tiles and 12 diverse types supporting both PVE and PVP modes, Mhaya Game requires NFTs for gameplay. Players can acquire 13 NFTs as they progress, each yielding the same benefits, with opportunities to enhance yields based on staked amounts. The game follows the ERC-6551 staking mechanism, emphasizing user security and transparency within the Mhaya ecosystem. NFT characters eligible for the free prize pool are distributed based on community participation. Emulating Monopoly, players roll dice, triggering random events to earn in-game tokens HAYA and governance token MAYA. The game allows players to upgrade characters, buildings, and participate in fortunate events. Pedro Agular, Mhaya's CEO, expressed the vision behind the game, stating, "Mhaya2023 creates an anti-monopoly gaming meta-universe by enabling non-front-loaded, non-early wins, reforming the GameFi world from Web2 to Web3." Since its 2022 launch, Mhaya has secured strategic partnerships with Web3 infrastructure providers, NFT platforms, DeFi organizations, and international social platforms. A recent Pre-A funding round led by Firestone Global garnered $5 million, fueling Mhaya's expansion. Future plans include developing the game on public chains like Arbitrum, BNB Chain, and Polygon, expanding the Mhaya community. The roadmap includes open beta testing, official game launch, MAYA token listing on top CEX, collaborations with DEX and wallets, and the introduction of the Mhaya metaverse. Stay tuned for Mhaya Game's continued evolution in the vibrant world of GameFi.

Ubisoft's upcoming NFT game, Champions Tactics: Grimoria Chronicles, is set to join Animoca Brands' Web3 Frequent Player Program, according to an announcement by Animoca Brands. The Frequent Player Program is part of the NFT Membership initiative called Mocaverse, where Moca ID holders can earn "Realm Points" through participation-based tasks. This strategic collaboration aims to enhance user awareness and onboarding by leveraging the Mocaverse program and associated incentives. Ubisoft's Vice President, Strategic Innovation Lab, Nicolas Pouard, expressed pleasure in supporting Animoca Brands' consumer-facing execution through the Mocaverse program. Moca IDs, blockchain-based identifiers applicable across Animoca Brands' games and crypto projects, are integral to the Frequent Player Program. However, these IDs will be limited, with only Mocaverse NFT holders guaranteed an ID, as per an Animoca blog post. The partnership focuses on driving collaboration, support, and amplification of Ubisoft's blockchain efforts within the Mocaverse. This collaboration follows Ubisoft's recent announcement of working with Immutable on a crypto "gaming experience." Ubisoft has been actively exploring NFTs and blockchain technology, with Champions Tactics as its first original Web3 game, designed from scratch with NFTs at its core. The first free mint for Champions Tactics is slated to commence next month, marking a significant step in Ubisoft's foray into the crypto gaming realm. This partnership builds on the longstanding relationship between Ubisoft and Animoca Brands, with Ubisoft having invested in Animoca Brands as part of a $65 million funding round in October 2021. The recent funding round of $20 million specifically for Mocaverse in September 2023 reflects Animoca Brands' commitment to advancing its metaverse projects. The Mocaverse, a central component of Animoca Brands' ecosystem, seeks to unite shareholders, investee companies, team members, and business partners in a single native Web3 project.

The prospect of developing cars in the metaverse is becoming an intriguing topic in the evolving landscape of technology and virtual reality. The question arises: Will the metaverse be the next frontier for automotive development? Delving into this question provides a fascinating glimpse into the future, where Silicon Valley visionaries envision a substantial portion of our lives being spent within immersive virtual worlds. Silicon Valley, often at the forefront of technological innovation, paints a picture where individuals equipped with VR glasses might find themselves living in virtual realms, moving about as avatars, and engaging with the avatars of others. This metaverse lifestyle opens up novel opportunities for brand manufacturers, offering the potential to sell digital twins of exclusive products in virtual stores. In this virtual space, avatars can adorn themselves with sophisticated handbags, classy watches, or the latest sneakers, creating a unique digital identity. The automotive industry, always at the intersection of innovation and technology, is not immune to this metaverse trend. Companies like Nvidia are actively promoting the concept of the 'Omniverse,' a metaverse that facilitates the creation of digital twins of factories, the training of robots in simulated environments, and live collaborations between developers across different locations. This technological leap could potentially extend to vehicle development, allowing for virtual design and testing of various components. Imagine interior designers working in a virtual environment, crafting and testing different interior variants for vehicles. Potential customers could provide feedback on these virtual designs long before the production phase commences. The metaverse could become a space where digital bots in virtual development departments tirelessly innovate for the medium-term future of vehicles. This shift would require highly detailed digital twins to enable simulated test drives and other development processes. Porsche Engineering is taking steps to enrich the metaverse with realistic scenarios by using technologies and models to simulate real environments for testing highly automated driving functions. These models could pave the way for virtual rides in metaverse sports cars, potentially purchased as non-fungible tokens (NFTs) through blockchain technology, offering exclusivity akin to their real-world counterparts. Enthusiasts might envision a future where they virtually gather for 'Cars & Coffee' to admire their respective digital sports cars and engage in discussions about life. However, the acceptance of this virtual shift ultimately depends on consumer receptivity. While virtual environments offer fidelity to reality, they are still models answering predetermined questions. The dynamic, physical, and real-world experiences remain distinct. Yet, the allure of fun and engagement in the virtual realm could indeed be very real. The journey into the metaverse for automotive development is poised to be an exciting exploration of the intersection between virtual and physical realities.

Navigating the ever-evolving landscape of global security threats requires innovative solutions. Lockheed Martin leverages the immersive capabilities of the metaverse to meet these challenges head-on, enhancing training and simulation realism for military personnel. Military Need #1: Immersive Pilot Training Solution: AMAZE (Amorphic Appearance Zero-Projector) Lockheed Martin introduces AMAZE, a revolutionary visual display system, redefining high-fidelity training. With LED modules and a light relay, AMAZE offers higher contrast and brightness displays, eliminating the need for maintenance schedules and reducing overall hardware costs. Military Need #2: Multi-Domain Training Solution: Prepar3D® Lockheed Martin's flagship simulation software, Prepar3D, enables realistic scenarios across aviation, maritime, and ground domains. Its open architecture allows integration of third-party and customer-generated content, ensuring adaptability as landscapes change. Military Need #3: Non-Laser Live Training Solution: SIMRES (Live, Virtual, Constructive, and Gaming Simulation) SIMRES addresses limitations of laser-based systems by employing sensors to track service members and weapons in the real world, mapping them into a virtual simulation. This live, virtual, constructive, and gaming (LVC-G) simulation offers a realistic alternative for force-on-force training. Military Need #4: Wargaming and Simulation Solution: Battle Staff Trainer (BST) Enhancing simulation accuracy, BST provides a multi-domain operations capability, allowing command and staff to make informed decisions through realistic and customizable scenarios. It proves instrumental in preparing armed forces for diverse wargaming events. Military Need #5: Cyber Threat Evaluation Solution: Cyber Defense Range and Readiness Training Addressing cyber threats to major acquisition programs, this training equips service members to operate resiliently in cyber-contested environments. Lockheed Martin focuses on hardening cyber systems, empowering cyber warriors, and facilitating the dissemination of threat intelligence. For those seeking more information on Lockheed Martin's Training, Logistics, and Sustainment programs, visit LockheedMartin.com/training. Stay ahead, stay prepared.

Sam Altman, the Chief Executive Officer of OpenAI, found himself in a contentious situation as the company's board of directors reportedly ousted him. This development unfolded following the disclosure by staff researchers at OpenAI concerning a groundbreaking AI discovery referred to as Q* (pronounced Q-Star). According to reports from Reuters, Q* has the potential to revolutionize artificial intelligence (AI) reasoning and stands as a significant milestone in the pursuit of artificial general intelligence (AGI). The distinct feature of generative AI lies in its ability to formulate responses based on previously acquired information. As more data is fed into the model, its overall capabilities improve. However, contemporary AI technologies lack true cognitive abilities and are unable to reason decisions in the manner characteristic of human thought processes. Q* emerges as a breakthrough in the realm of AGI, signifying an autonomous system capable of rational decision-making that could rival human capabilities across various tasks and disciplines. Notably, Q*'s capabilities shine in its proficiency in solving mathematical problems, a domain typically characterized by singular correct answers. This suggests a profound advancement in AI's reasoning and cognitive capacities. The AI model demonstrated a level of competence in tackling mathematical problems comparable to that of elementary school students, an achievement with far-reaching implications. Q*'s potential applications in diverse fields requiring advanced reasoning and decision-making abilities are vast. However, the advent of Q* has sparked concerns within the AI community, specifically regarding the potential risks and ethical implications associated with such powerful AI technology. Researchers and scientists have raised alarms about the hazards of rapidly advancing AI capabilities without a comprehensive understanding of their potential impact. The development of Q* became a focal point in the ongoing discourse at OpenAI about striking a balance between AI innovation and responsible development. In response to these concerns, a group of OpenAI researchers composed a letter to the board, underscoring their belief that the AI model represented a significant threat to humanity. This letter played a pivotal role in the board's decision to terminate Altman, citing a lack of confidence in his leadership, despite recognizing his contributions to the company and the broader field of generative AI. Interestingly, Altman's removal faced resistance from within the company. Over 700 employees expressed solidarity with Altman and considered joining Microsoft, prompting the board to reconsider the ousted CEO's status. When approached by Reuters, OpenAI acknowledged the existence of project Q* and the letter from researchers but refrained from commenting on specific details, leaving room for speculation about the intricate dynamics at play within the organization.

Earlier this month, an NFT depicting a pet rock was sold for over $200,000, emblematic of the resurgence of unconventional trends in the non-fungible token market. Simultaneously, the market capitalization of Pepe, a meme coin inspired by a cartoon frog, doubled within a few weeks. Additionally, the price of FTT token, lacking real utility and associated with the FTX exchange, tripled in the past month, driven by hopes surrounding the exchange's potential revival. The crypto market is witnessing a revival of eccentricities and a resurgence of FOMO, as the anticipation of a swift approval for a spot-Bitcoin exchange-traded fund propels the overall market higher. This hype is not only lifting established cryptocurrencies but also buoying less reputable ones. This recent surge in digital assets follows a nearly two-year crypto winter, during which the values of numerous dubious projects plummeted, some approaching zero. Aggressive regulatory interventions by the Securities and Exchange Commission led to the identification of certain crypto coins as illegal and prompted some promoters to exit the crypto space. However, it seems that this purging was only temporary. "As prices rise, investors on the sidelines think they need to get in," explains Campbell Harvey, a finance professor at Duke University. "Many will violate the number-one rule of investment: Understand what you are investing in. Many will also violate the number-two rule by putting their money in an undiversified bet on a single token." Social media is once again abuzz with posts hyping meme coins, including one aptly named Memecoin, which, despite having no functions, utility, or intrinsic value, has surged in value. Cory Klippsten, CEO of Bitcoin services provider Swan, notes the prevailing trend: "Looking for a new theme to rake in customer money for no value — that’s the theme in non-Bitcoin crypto. I guarantee there will be another hype cycle for alt coins, and more people will get hurt." Static images of rocks tied to Ethereum and Bitcoin blockchains are fetching exorbitant prices once more. For instance, Bitcoin Rock #75 recently sold for almost three Bitcoin, approximately $112,900. However, these collections, like many NFTs, are held by a small group of individuals, and liquidity remains limited. Despite previous cautionary tales, NFT land sales are resurging, with projects selling digital properties within game territories. Sara Gherghelas, an analyst at DappRadar, underscores the current climate of a mini bull market, infusing the NFT space with enthusiasm and speculative investments. Yet, this fervor can artificially inflate project prices that may lack long-term value. TG Casino, specializing in anonymous crypto gambling on Telegram, has raised over $2 million in a token pre-sale, incorporating NFT sales to high rollers. While past token sales led to investment crashes, the current market dynamics suggest a renewed appetite for risk. However, amid the rush into the latest tokens, some buyers fall victim to scams, experiencing what is known as being "rug-pulled." In the third quarter, rug pulls constituted 65.1% of all types of crypto attacks, according to blockchain security auditor Hacken.io. "Optimists are seeing thaws in the crypto winter, and even green shoots," observes Aaron Brown, a crypto investor writing for Bloomberg Opinion. "If this really is early crypto spring, the good new ideas should suck the attention from the nonsense. If not, the junk should fade back to obscurity."

If there's anything the last week in tech news has taught us aside from don't mess with the SEC and if you do plead guilty as fast as possible it's that tech news is almost as surreal as the timeline we apparently inhabit. Not content with the potential spectacle of two billionaires threatening each other to fisticuffs we now had the quickest attempted coup and since Wagner marched on Moscow. The interesting part about all this really is not in the wording of the dismissal, the immediate resignations or even the investors that put all their weight behind the reinstatement, it's that the narrative of the genius billionaire just gets stronger. Looking at the coverage one thing was immediately clear. You can't run a multibillion. dollar company without a king. It doesn't really matter about the incumbent CEO, apparently, she was one of the last to know. I can't even remember the name of the poor woman apparently in charge of X. It just doesn't matter. We moved from the post-truth era to the post-reality era and one thing is becoming clearer. Uncertainty is no longer predicated on results, it's built on the cult of personality. We're entering an everything-as-content UGC miasma that seems to be leading to a collective need for saviours. These favoured people are not constrained by things that bother mere mortals like truth. They embody a set of simple values that are easy to rally behind. Look at the insanity below any Elon post on X and it's clear we're living in the hinterland of a shared reality. With AI pressing ever onwards, will this failed coup mark the last point of sanity before our irreversible fall into the neo-dark age or will it just be another bump along the road that ends in a CyberPunk or Mad Max future? It's getting harder to tell whether the line between fiction and reality was just a shared construct only present since the enlightenment and we will go back to the days of myth and magic. Let's see. The path to madness or salvation is now more than ever in the realm of celebrity tech. Maybe people will start to crave an immutable digital identity such as those afforded by blockchain technology or maybe we will all just end up as simulated NPCs, ghosts in an ever more unstable machine. Matthew Buxton matt@metacrun.ch

Powder, an innovative AI-powered clipping software designed to curate highlights from gaming streams and seamlessly convert them into short-form videos, is gearing up to introduce advanced features, enhancing the content creation experience for gamers. In a bid to capture the dynamic and emotional moments during gaming sessions, Powder has successfully developed over 40 proprietary game-specific AI models. These include audio analysis, laughter detection, and standalone models tailored for popular gaming titles such as Fortnite, Valorant, Apex Legends, Call of Duty, Rocket League, Fall Guys, Elden Ring, Among Us, with an upcoming model for Counter-Strike 2. The core functionality of Powder's AI models involves scanning stream recordings from platforms like Twitch, YouTube, or MP4 files. The AI identifies spikes in activity, such as victories, assists, kills, and other performance-based in-game moments. Subsequently, Powder compiles these highlights, creating short montages that content creators can easily share on social media platforms. In a strategic move to capture a broader spectrum of emotional expressions during gameplay, Powder is set to launch a new AI tool that recognizes fluctuations in voice, specifically targeting instances where gamers shout during intense ranked matches. This tool is poised to become an integral part of Powder's offerings, providing content creators with the means to showcase the emotional intensity of their gaming experiences. The anticipated launch for this feature is expected in mid-December. Furthermore, Powder is actively developing speech-to-text technology, scheduled to debut next month. This addition will empower creators by providing a transcript of their entire streaming session, enabling them to quickly search for specific keywords and effortlessly pinpoint the most engaging highlights. The software is intelligently crafted with gamer lingo to ensure accuracy and precision in search results. Powder's efforts align with the aim of significantly reducing the time and effort that content creators invest in searching for highlights and editing clips. According to a survey conducted by Powder among over 3,200 streamers, creators typically spend an average of 53 hours per month, or a staggering 630 hours per year, searching for highlights and editing clips. Powder estimates that its platform can save streamers up to 10 hours per week, translating to approximately 520 hours annually. In addition to these upcoming features, Powder is also enhancing its existing "Community Hype" feature. This AI model, launched in September, detects chat spikes during streams. The upcoming update will recommend clips where the community is particularly enthusiastic, allowing creators to capture and share those memorable moments. Powder, founded in 2018 and based in France, has been a trailblazer in leveraging AI to streamline content creation for gamers. The startup, founded by Barthélémy Kiss, Yannis Mangematin, Stanislas Coppin, and Christian Navelot, has secured $22 million in funding to date, reflecting the industry's recognition of its innovative contributions.

Nike, at the forefront of NFT adoption in the fashion world following its acquisition of crypto startup RTFKT in 2021, has consistently unveiled token-gated sneaker drops. However, to snag the latest Nike x RTFKT Dunk Genesis sneakers, you no longer need to own an expensive NFT. In a departure from the norm, Nike initiated a public presale for the Dunk Genesis sneakers on Monday, making the shoes accessible to anyone without the prerequisite of owning an RTFKT NFT. Priced at $222 each, the Nike x RTFKT Dunk Ghost Edition and Dunk VOID Edition come with an accompanying collab t-shirt featuring both brand logos and the catchy phrase, "Oops, You Stepped Into the Future." Both sneaker styles exude a futuristic aesthetic in line with RTFKT's signature kicks and digital sneaker vibe. Notably, they feature unique attributes such as the "Vial Clip Tongue" and "Modular Heel Shield" mods, detachable for customized looks. Nike goes a step further by providing 3D files for owners to create their own mods. Despite the accessible purchase route, these sneakers are intricately tied to NFTs themselves. Embedded with an NFC chip named the RTFKT World Merging chip, owners can opt to "obtain a digital collectible and connect the physical product shipped with the digital collectible obtained." Shipping dates for the VOID Edition and Ghost Edition sneakers are set for July 31, 2024, and August 31, 2024, respectively. An exclusive pre-order window for existing NFT holders preceded the public sale. The association between Nike and RTFKT in the NFT realm extends beyond this recent release. Previously, they launched the RTFKT x Nike Air Force 1 sneakers, requiring an NFT purchase for real-world redemption. NBA star LeBron James was notably seen wearing the RTFKT x Nike Air Force 1 shoes earlier this year. RTFKT, renowned for the Clone X NFT collection, has generated an impressive $852 million in trades to date, with secondary market prices starting above 1.4 ETH (approximately $2,850). The collaborative journey of Nike and RTFKT in the NFT space continues to redefine the intersection of fashion, technology, and digital collectibles.

ALTAVA Group, a forefront fashion-tech leader, announces a strategic partnership with Darewise Entertainment, a division of Animoca Brands known for its work on the forthcoming Life Beyond gaming universe. This collaboration aims to seamlessly integrate ALTAVA’s AI-driven digital wearables platform into the Life Beyond game, playing a pivotal role in Darewise’s fashion sector within the Bitcoin Metaverse framework. In a groundbreaking move, Darewise becomes the first Web3 AAA gaming studio to incorporate AI-powered digital wearables and apparel. ALTAVA and Darewise share a vision of revolutionizing metaverse wearables, pooling their expertise to unlock the expressive potential of digital fashion. ALTAVA, renowned for collaborations with industry giants such as Fendi, LVMH, and Prada, empowers brands to create digital fashion across various metaverses using its AI-driven platform. This partnership builds upon their previous collaboration with Horizen Labs to introduce a metaverse token on Bitcoin through the Ordinal protocol, with ALTAVA playing a critical role in reshaping Bitcoin’s metaverse fashion. Andy Ku, CEO of ALTAVA Group, expresses enthusiasm for the collaboration, emphasizing how their AI-powered digital wearables platform, combined with Darewise’s technology, will empower users to explore new possibilities and enhance fashion realism in the metaverse. Benjamin Charbit, CEO of Darewise Entertainment, affirms their commitment to delivering immersive gaming experiences. He underscores the significance of the partnership, highlighting ALTAVA’s pioneering role in digital wearables. This alliance not only enriches Life Beyond but also strengthens the broader metaverse ecosystem rooted in the Bitcoin network. As part of this collaboration, ALTAVA will join the newly established Life Beyond Fashion Council, contributing insights and expertise to shape the future of fashion within the Life Beyond metaverse. Additionally, Darewise will serve as a metaverse and technology advisor to ALTAVA, fostering mutual growth and innovation.