MBZUAI has launched the MBZUAI Metaverse Center (MMC) and the MBZUAI Incubation and Entrepreneurship Center (MIEC). The Metaverse Center focuses on AI-driven immersive technologies for communication, healthcare, entertainment, and education. The Incubation and Entrepreneurship Center will focus on catalyzing AI innovation and adoption in industry. Why it matters: These centers signal MBZUAI's commitment to expanding AI research and fostering a startup ecosystem in the UAE.
MBZUAI's Metaverse Lab is developing AI algorithms for photorealistic virtual humans and dynamic environments. Hao Li, Director of the lab, envisions using the metaverse for immersive learning experiences related to history and culture. He is also working on tools to prevent deepfakes and other cyberthreats. Why it matters: This research at MBZUAI aims to advance AI and immersive technologies for education and address potential risks in the metaverse.
MBZUAI has launched a Metaverse Lab led by Hao Li, focusing on integrating computer vision, graphics, and machine learning for metaverse applications. The lab aims to develop AI algorithms for photorealistic virtual humans and dynamic environment digitization. Pinscreen, Li's AI startup, previously created avatars for Expo 2020 Dubai. Why it matters: This initiative positions MBZUAI and the UAE as key players in the development of core technologies underpinning the metaverse and digital communication.
MBZUAI's Dr. Hao Li is working on using AI and 3D telepresence to transform communication, work, and education by replacing physical transportation with virtual teleportation. His research focuses on the intersection of computer graphics, computer vision, and AI, specifically virtual avatar creation and facial performance capture. Li aims to improve communication using AI to achieve what cannot be done in real life. Why it matters: This research has the potential to reduce carbon footprints by enabling remote work and virtual collaboration, while also positioning MBZUAI and the UAE as leaders in AI-driven metaverse technologies.
MBZUAI's Metaverse Center is developing technologies for realistic avatar generation. Hao Li and colleagues presented a novel approach at CVPR 2024, collaborating with ETH Zurich, VinAI Research, and Pinscreen. The technology addresses the challenge of mapping 2D images to 3D avatars, accounting for poses, expressions, and views. Why it matters: Creating realistic and efficient avatar generation could improve user experience and accessibility in virtual environments across the Middle East.
This article previews a talk by Dr. Wei Cai of CUHK-Shenzhen on the history, development, and future trends of the Web3 metaverse. The talk will cover industrial Web3 metaverse cases, recent research outcomes, and the metaverse research spectrum. Dr. Cai's research interests include blockchain, Web 3.0, digital games, and computational art. Why it matters: As metaverse technologies continue to evolve, understanding the Web3 perspective and research directions is important for regional AI and technology development.
MBZUAI welcomes Hao Li, CEO of Pinscreen, as a new faculty member specializing in virtual humans. Li envisions a future where virtual humans facilitate interactions and overcome limitations of physical presence, citing benefits like improved education and remote collaboration. His work focuses on the intersection of computer vision, computer graphics, and machine learning to enable immersive digital experiences. Why it matters: This signals MBZUAI's commitment to advancing research in virtual reality and the metaverse, potentially positioning the UAE as a leader in this emerging field.
MBZUAI graduate Ahmed Elhagry received the Best Ph.D. Forum Paper Award at IEEE MetaCom 2023 for his work on generating virtual worlds using digital twin technology and AI through a text-to-metaverse pipeline. The research addresses the challenge of manually constructing 3D models for metaverse applications, which is time-consuming and costly. Elhagry's approach uses multimodal AI and DT technology to produce realistic virtual environments, benefiting industries like education, healthcare, and entertainment. Why it matters: This award recognizes innovative research at MBZUAI with the potential to advance metaverse development and AI-driven virtual environment creation in the region.