The PlaceOS Podcast

In this episode, we take a look at the current landscape of artificial intelligence—where it’s been, how people’s perceptions have evolved, and the exciting developments still on the horizon. We discuss the way initial hype around AI has given way to more practical, everyday uses that now feel familiar and even expected. From Apple’s incremental yet meaningful improvements to voice assistants, to Microsoft’s colossal investments in powering ever-more-advanced data centers, the conversation highlights how the technology continues to mature beneath the surface.

We also explore the merging of hardware and AI, such as new camera sensors that integrate neural networks for real-time video analysis, as well as wearables and AR/VR devices that are gradually taking center stage. By looking beyond the immediate consumer-facing tools—and sometimes underwhelming first impressions—we find a world of rapid innovation and convergence. Whether it’s voice-enabled interfaces, integrated shortcuts, augmented reality glasses, or breakthroughs in computer vision, the AI-driven future is coming together piece by piece.

Ciaran from Net Zero IQ: https://www.thoroughlymodernjourneys.com/netzeroiq

Joins us on the podcast to discuss the major issues with commercial real estate and energy wastage.

The scale of the challenge:

40% of the built environment is responsible for c.40% of all global CO2 emissions (McKinsey, UNEP, WEF)

76% of emissions from an average building is caused by operations Heating, cooling, lighting are the main contributors

80% of all building stock globally expected to exist in 2050, 80% have already been built

Up to 40% of the energy can be saved if the occupants’ presence/absence is factored into operations (Kim, Srebric)

And companies have barely even started fixing it.

#commercialrealestate #climatechange

• OpenAI recently introduced a beta version of voice control, gaining traction through YouTubers who showcased how the AI interacts using voice and visuals.
• This voice control allows users to combine audio commands with camera input, enabling the AI to process what's happening in the environment and respond accordingly.
• However, it’s not yet available to the public, sparking curiosity about why such an advanced feature remains limited to demos.
• One major reason is OpenAI's challenge in ensuring the AI doesn't produce harmful content, such as dangerous instructions for illegal activities.
• Additionally, the processing power needed to support such features is immense, raising concerns about costs and operational overhead.
• While some speculate OpenAI could offer it as a premium paid service, this option hasn't materialized, leaving potential users wondering about the rollout strategy.
• Beyond technical constraints, there's intrigue around the financial model—what level of paid subscriptions would break even on the computational demands?
• OpenAI may be profiting from basic features, but the high cost of developing and training more advanced AI models keeps them in the red.
• Meanwhile, competitors like Meta's LLaMA 3 and Anthropic's Claude are pushing forward, and in some cases, rivaling OpenAI's performance in specific tasks.
• As consumers await these tools to be integrated into everyday products, the anticipation builds, particularly for applications in meeting rooms and smart buildings.

We'll be presenting our new digital signage and prompt based signage solutions to help businesses use their buildings better.

• Announcement of the upcoming release of the first native mobile app.
• Apple Intelligence, SIRI and AI Evolution
• AI assistants in meeting room experience and in-room controls
• Designing AI-driven User Interfaces and Spaces

The podcast episode covers several topics:

• Company Announcement: An upcoming live stream event for a product demo showcasing event management capabilities in the concierge interface led by Jeremy West.
• AI in Hardware: Discussion on new AI developments in chip technology from Qualcomm and AMD, their capabilities, and the implications for Windows 11 features, specifically a feature called "recall" that takes frequent screenshots for better system monitoring.
• Security Concerns: Conversation about the security implications of the recall feature, including concerns about password storage and the future of authentication methods.
• Quantum Computing: Brief discussion on quantum computing, including simulating quantum computers and their potential impact on encryption.
• AI in Smart Buildings: Exploration of AI applications in smart buildings, focusing on virtual concierges and AI assistants for kiosks to improve user experience in lobbies and other public spaces.
• Voice and Video Input: The potential for integrating voice and video input into AI assistants, leveraging Nvidia's Avatar Cloud Engine for creating virtual assistants.
• Event Planning: Plans for an upcoming event to demonstrate AI assistants and kiosks, including potential applications and improvements over traditional form-based systems.
• Digital Signage and Interactivity: The integration of digital signage and interactive AI assistants to enhance visitor experiences.
• Future Security Topics: Mention of a future episode focused on AI in security, aiming to replace or reduce the need for human security guards across large deployments.

In the discussed episode, the conversation centers on the latest developments in AI, with a particular focus on the capabilities of OpenAI's updates and Google's Gemini model. Here are the detailed points:

Multimodal AI Capabilities:

• The conversation highlights the integration of audio, text, and image processing into a single model by OpenAI, which significantly speeds up and streamlines interactions, setting a benchmark for efficiency and integration in AI technologies.

Implications for Smart Buildings and PlaceOS:

Enhanced Building Operations:

• The rapid developments in AI are improving smart building operations, enabling more intuitive and efficient management of building resources, room bookings, and customer interactions.

Seamless User Experience:

• The integration of multimodal capabilities facilitates a more seamless interaction between users and the building environment, akin to natural human communication, enhancing user satisfaction and operational efficiency.

Practical Applications:

Customer Service and Concierge Services:

• AI now supports dynamic and responsive customer service interactions, such as quicker room bookings and personalized concierge services without the delays typical of manual operations.

Translation and Multilingual Support:

• AI capabilities extend to real-time translation services, making facilities more accessible to non-English speakers and enhancing communication in multilingual contexts like hospitals.

Efficient Resource Management:

• The advancements allow for smarter resource management, such as adjusting staff levels dynamically based on real-time data, significantly improving operational efficiency.

Tracking occupancy in weird and wonderful places:

• Smart Buildings: The relevance of technology and location within real estate and space.
• Occupancy Tracking: Utilizing occupancy data for analytics, space usage, and real-time environmental responses.
• AI and Computer Vision: Exploring AI's integration in various industries for enhancing safety workflows and retail experiences.
• AI in Retail: Discussion on retail innovations using AI for people tracking and automated checkout systems.
• Ethics of AI: Addressing the ethical implications and realities of AI's capabilities versus its marketed potential.
• Advanced AI Use Cases: Exploring sophisticated applications of AI in monitoring public spaces and enhancing remote security measures.
• Technology Potentials and Limitations: Evaluating the potential and current limitations of emerging technologies like edge AI in remote applications and healthcare.