WE WILL NOT BE REPLACED 

Samsung reveals new 'artificial humans' to replace smart assistants that appear on screen as eerily realistic video chatbots and provide responses to questions in milliseconds

• The avatars, dubbed NEON, were announced at the Consumer Electronics Show
• They have been designed by the California-based Samsung subsidiary Star Labs
• Samsung imagines them used in video games, customer service and as friends
• However, the avatars could fuel fears over the increasing realism of deep fakes 

By IAN RANDALL FOR MAILONLINE and AFP

PUBLISHED: 02:24 EST, 7 January 2020 | UPDATED: 08:28 EST, 7 January 2020

Samsung has revealed its 'artificial humans' — dubbed NEON — that will appear on screens as realistic video chatbots and respond to questions in milliseconds.

Made by Samsung's California-based Star Labs, the technology could allow for the creation of customised digital beings for use on displays or in video games. 

The NEON figures could be designed to be 'TV anchors, spokespeople, or movie actors' — or even 'companions and friends', Star Labs said.

The artificial intelligence-powered avatars, announced at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas will be able to 'converse and sympathise' like real humans.

However, the development could also exacerbate concerns over the increasing realism of so-called 'deepfake' videos of people, which can be used to mislead.

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Samsung has revealed its Neon 'artificial humans', pictured, that will appear on screens as realistic video chatbots and respond to questions in milliseconds

'NEONs will be our friends, collaborators and companions — continually learning, evolving and forming memories from their interactions,' said Star Labs' chief executive Pranav Mistry.

According the Neon website, the avatars are more 'friends' than interfaces — and they will be called by name, unlike current smart assistants.

'Frank, Natasha, Hana. Not "Hey NEON",' they wrote.

The NEON creators said that the new virtual humans are the product of advances in various technologies including neural networks and computational reality.

According to Star Labs, NEON is inspired 'by the rhythmic complexities of nature and extensively trained with how humans look, behave and interact.'

The avatars, they added, 'create life-like reality that is beyond normal perception to distinguish, with latency of less than a few milliseconds.'

While digital avatars have long been able to be programmed for specific tasks such as role playing in games, NEON goes further by enabling interactions that can incorporate simulated human emotion.

Although the artificial humans may borrow features from real people, 'each NEON has his or her own unique personality and can show new expressions, movements, and dialogues,' Star Labs said.

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The artificial intelligence-powered avatars, pictured, announced at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas will be able to 'converse and sympathise' like real humans

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Made by Samsung's Star Labs, the technology could allow for the creation of customised digital beings for use on displays or in video games

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 The Neon figures could be designed to be 'TV anchors, spokespeople, or movie actors' — or even 'companions and friends', the California-based lab said

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The NEON creators said that the new virtual humans are the product of advances in various technologies including neural networks and computational reality 

According to Samsung and Star Labs, the avatars are envisaged to find commercial opportunities in such roles as service representatives, concierges, financial advisers and healthcare providers.

'We have always dreamed of such virtual beings in science fictions and movies,' Mr Mistry said.

'NEONs will integrate with our world and serve as new links to a better future, a world where "humans are humans" and "machines are humane".'

Star Labs was launched in 2019 by Mr Mistry, who was previously a senior vice president at Samsung and the head of innovation at Samsung Mobile.

He is known for developing Sixth Sense, a gesture-based wearable technology system built at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, alongside working on projects with Microsoft, Google and NASA.

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'We have always dreamed of such virtual beings in science fictions and movies,' Mr Mistry said. Pictured left, Robert Picardo as the Emergency Medical Hologram in 'Star Trek: Voyager' and, right, Michael Sheen as Arthur, the AI powered bartender in 'Passengers'

WHAT IS A DEEPFAKE? 

Deepfakes are so named because they are made using deep learning, a form of artificial intelligence, to create fake videos of a target individual.

They are made by feeding a computer an algorithm, or set of instructions, as well as lots of images and audio of the target person.

The computer program then learns how to mimic the person's facial expressions, mannerisms, voice and inflections.

With enough video and audio of someone, you can combine a fake video of a person with fake audio and get them to say anything you wantNeon's announcement comes amid a proliferation of AI-manipulated computer videos known as 'deepfakes' and accompanying concerns as to how they could be used to deceive or manipulate.

Some analysts fear that these fakes could be misused during an election campaign to exacerbate political tensions.

Analyst Jack Gold said that Samsung may be ahead of the pack if it can develop avatars that can show emotions and expressions.

'We have to wait and see what this means,' he added.

'But it has major implications for many fields like customer service, help desk functions, entertainment and of course could also be used to "fake" a human interacting with a live person for bad or illegal purposes.'

Technology market analyst Avi Greengart of the consultancy firm Techsponential said the avatars could be realistic but also 'creepy'.

'Leaving aside how impressive the technology is, will NEON be used in ways that people like, just tolerate, or actively hate?' he asked.

Incredible 3D modeling AI tech creates realistic 'deepfake' videos

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Samsung reveals its 'artificial humans' dubbed NEON that appear as realistic video chatbots

Mercedes enlists 'Avatar' director James Cameron to unveil new electric concept car inspired by the film that moves sideways and responds to a drivers’ touch at CES 2020

• Daimler-Benz rolled its idea of the future with a new Avatar-inspired car 
• Avatar director James Cameron joined the unveiling at CES on Monday 
• The car can move sideways and responds to a driver’s touch 
• A new type of organic battery is completely compostable 

By JAMES PERO FOR DAILYMAIL.COM

PUBLISHED: 04:11 EST, 7 January 2020 | UPDATED: 09:43 EST, 7 January 2020

Mercedes Benz is using equal parts star power and sustainable energy to fuel its latest show-stopping concept car, the Vizion AVTR.

In a keynote address at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas on Monday, Daimler-Benz rolled out its bizarre new electric concept car which is inspired by the blockbuster movie, Avatar.

To help translate the idea behind the car’s design, Daimler-Benz enlisted the help of the movie’s director, James Cameron.

Cameron, who is working on sequels to the original movie, which was first released more than ten years ago in 2009, took the opportunity to highlight Avatar’s underpinning message of sustainability and how that message found its way into the vehicle.

Avatar-inspired concept vehicle scraps steering wheel

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Daimler announces the world premiere of the Mercedes-Benz Vision AVTR concept car at the Daimler Keynote along with a sneak peek of the new Avatar 2 movie (background image)

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Ola Kallenius, chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars, speaks next to the Mercedes-Benz Vision AVTR concept car during a keynote address at CES 2020

‘I sat at this car, at the control interface and it just felt alive, it breathes, it’s just organic,’ said Cameron.

The entirely electric car, a sleek and futuristic looking sedan, is capable of traveling autonomously and can even use its unique wheel design to slide sideways using ‘bionic flaps’ that are modeled after a reptile’s scales.

The so-called flaps all allow front and rear axles in the same or opposite direction, and give the VISION AVTR the ability to move sideways by about 30 degrees, in a type of "crab movement’ that also gives the concept vehicle an animal-like exterior.

The car, even takes some of its functional cues from the movie franchise, using what the company calls ‘biometric connection.’

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The Mercedes-Benz Vision AVTR concept car, inspired by the Avatar movies, is displayed after an unveiling at a Daimler keynote address during the 2020 CES in Las Vegas

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The Mercedes-Benz Vision AVTR concept car features ‘bionic flaps’ that are modeled after a reptile’s

Drivers activate the car, which doesn’t have a steering wheel, by placing their hand on a central control unit - an action meant to mimic an iconic detail from the Avatar films.

‘The [interior] comes to life and the vehicle recognizes the driver by his or her heartbeat and breathing,’ according to Daimler.

By lifting one’s hand, a menu selection is projected onto the palm through which the passenger can choose between different functions.

For example, real-time 3D graphics can be used to explore the fictional world of Pandora from different perspectives. A display module in the dashboard creates a visual connection between passengers and the outside world.

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Movie director James Cameron, second from right, who directed movies such as Avatar, talks about the Mercedes-Benz Vision AVTR concept car at the Daimler Keynote

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Director James Cameron and Ola Kallenius, chairman of the board of Daimler AG and Mercedes-Benz AG, stand by the Mercedes-Benz Vision AVTR concept car, inspired by the Avatar movies

The Vision AVTR also embodies the themes of the Avatar films by using a novel organic battery that doesn’t use any rare-earth metals

The materials of the battery are also compostable and completely recyclable which helps it to avoid reliance on fossil fuels.

Though the concept car will likely never see the road, Cameron said it’s not the product that matters, it’s what the car represents.

‘I was a little disappointed to find out I can’t order one, but apparently we’re a ways off from that,’ said Cameron to audience laughter.

‘Do you want to aspire for a future where cars like this are possible or do you want to be a bad steward?... You have to start with the gesture, you have to start with the idea.’

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Mercedes unveils Avatar-inspired concept car that moves sideways and responds to a drivers' touch

ICE Detention Center Captain 'joined a neo-Nazi website and wanted to start a local white nationalist group' - as it is revealed he has been placed on administrative leave

• Travis Frey, 31, does currently work at the Nevada Southern Detention Center, which is contracted by ICE and run by CoreCivic
• CoreCivic is a private company that operates several ICE facilities. 
• Frey was placed on leave after it was revealed that he joined the neo-Nazi site Iron March in 2013
• It was also learned that he posted at least a dozen times from 2016 to 2017 while working at a CoreCivic facility in Indianapolis
• According to a now deleted LinkedIn page, Frey was in the Marines from 2006 to 2009
• He has spent the past decade working in corrections or immigrant detention in Georgia, California, Indiana and Nevada
• The Nevada Southern Detention Center - where Frey has worked since 2018 - is located roughly 62 miles from Las Vegas in Pahrump, Nevada

By MATTHEW WRIGHT FOR DAILYMAIL.COM 

PUBLISHED: 20:23 EST, 7 January 2020 | UPDATED: 20:26 EST, 7 January 2020

A senior employee of a for-profit immigrant detention center in Nevada has been placed on administrative leave after it was revealed that he was active on a neo-Nazi website and had ambitions of starting his own local white nationalist group. 

Travis Frey, 31, does currently work at the Nevada Southern Detention Center, which is contracted by ICE and run by CoreCivic. CoreCivic is a private company that operates several ICE facilities. 

Frey was placed on leave after a report from Vice News detailed how he joined the neo-Nazi site Iron March in 2013 and posted at least a dozen times from 2016 to 2017 while working at a CoreCivic facility in Indianapolis. 

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Travis Frey, 31, does currently work at the Nevada Southern Detention Center, which is contracted by ICE and run by CoreCivic

'The employee in question has been placed on administrative leave while we review the information that has come to light,' said Amanda Gilchrist, director of public affairs at CoreCivic. 

'We recognize the inherent dignity of the human person and the need to treat every individual with respect.' 

When posting on the site, Frey used the screen name 'In Hoc Signo Vinces' - which is the title of the American Nazi Party's manifesto. 

In a late 206 post, Frey used homophobic slurs when talking about a specific person - who was unnamed. 

He was placed on administrative leave after it was discovered that he had been writing post on the Iron March website

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When posting on the site, Frey used the screen name 'In Hoc Signo Vinces' - which is the title of the American Nazi Party's manifesto

'Deep down no one really gives a shit about racism,' Frey stated. 'This is just empty signaling from this faggot.' 

Frey expressed interest in starting a chapter of the Traditionalist Worker Party in June 2017. The now-defunct white nationalist organization was instrumental in organizing the violent Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville. 

According to a now deleted LinkedIn page, Frey was in the Marines from 2006 to 2009. He has spent the past decade working in corrections or immigrant detention in Georgia, California, Indiana and Nevada. 

The Nevada Southern Detention Center - where Frey has worked since 2018 - is located roughly 62 miles from Las Vegas in Pahrump, Nevada. 

The facility has an average daily population of 189.  

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Frey expressed interest in starting a chapter of the Traditionalist Worker Party in June 2017. The now-defunct white nationalist organization was instrumental in organizing the violent Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville