Exhibit Thoughts

The first exhibit in class that caught my eye was one focused on artificial intelligence (A.I.) and its uses and benefits.  Artificial Intelligence includes anything from computer learning and virtual reality (VR) to self-driving vehicles and Google's own self-learning & adapting algorithms.

A few examples of A.I. in this exhibit included self-driving vehicles, personal assistants, and VR. Self-driving vehicles are changing the automotive industry in a way never before seen or experienced before in that people, for the first time, may get place to place in a vehicle without needing to function the vehicle themselves.  Thanks to improvements in cameras, sensors, and computer technology, self-driving cars are expected to drastically improve vehicle safety and possibly prevent any accidents from occurring at all.

Seen Below: Self-Driving Volvo (Uber Prototype)

Personal assistants such as Google Now, Cortana, Alexa, and Siri are aimed to simplify and improve device users' lives through predictive text, reminders, voice commands, helpful information, and news that may be important to the user.  Making their way into vehicles, the A.I.-based voice assistants are constantly learning, improving, and correcting themselves so as to provide the very best and most helpful responses and information as possible.

Seen Below: Bixby, Samsung's new personal assistant

Lastly covered in this exhibit was the topic of VR and its many benefits and implementations. Firstly, VR machines such as HTC Vive provide learning experiences for professionals that improve on their own skills (i,e. a doctor using VR to practice a surgery before the actual, real life procedure). Another example of VR's usefulness lies with its ability to help disabled folks retrain themselves or aid in bettering their lives.  An example of this may include a paraplegic learning to walk again through the use of VR.

Seen Below: HTC Vive

These examples of artificial intelligence are, in many cases, life saving. As these technologies continue to evolve and help more people and businesses, we may (will) eventually see the first entirely self-aware A.I., capable of making decisions and judgments on its own while living and learning from and with humans in our world.



The second interesting exhibit included the discussion of eSports and its importance to the gaming industry.  Examined were possible ideas and explanations as to why eSports, gamers playing video games competitively for money and a title, was and is taking off so fast as well as where it may go in the future.

Seen Below: Official Rocket League Championship Series (eSports) logo

According to this exhibit, there are three main factors in considering eSports' importance and appeal. First, it allows players and viewers to escape from the every day pressures of life and transports them into vast, beautiful, and often competitive environments of which teamwork and communication are paramount to success in the industry.  Secondly, curiosity is enough to have many people intrigued - "Why are they playing video games for money?", "What are they playing?", "What has everyone's attention?", "Who will win?.  Finally, the simple novelty is enough to intrigue people.  Seeing gamers play video games for money and a title is the equivalent to seeing professional athletes compete for their own title.  Many people grew up playing video games, whether Pac-Man or Red Dead Redemption.  The love for gaming remains, though perhaps is dulled over time due to life happenings, work, and events.

Seen Below: eSports attendance filling out entire arena

ESports is a profound, if not unexpected, form of activity and entertainment that has spawned over the years as an important and significant pillar of the gaming industry.

Sean McCarney