> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.thedigitalspeaker.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # The f(x) = e^x | Future Visions and virtual kisses - URL: https://www.thedigitalspeaker.com/fx-ex-future-visions-virtual-kisses/ - Published: 2022-12-15T10:36:45.000Z - Updated: 2026-08-04T05:40:02.000Z - Description: This week's f(x)=e^x newsletter discusses my fifth book, Future Visions, written in collaboration with AI, as well as new VR feelings, augmented reality in space and delivery robots. - Author: Dr Mark van Rijmenam, CSP - Tags: #newsletter, Synthetic Minds Newsletter Dr Mark van Rijmenam # The f(x) = e^x | December 15, 2022 - Vol. 196 *Good Day! This is my weekly newsletter, with a dose of insights into the future. The topic of this newsletter is the exponential times we live in, hence the title of f(x) = e^x, which is the (natural) exponential function.* *You can visit* [**The Digital Speaker**](https://thedigitalspeaker.com/?ref=thedigitalspeaker.com) *to book me as a keynote speaker for your next event or to hire me as a future tech coach for your CEO. I have also published my *[trend predictions for 2022.](https://www.thedigitalspeaker.com/5-technology-trends-2022-year-of-decentralisation/)** ## I just wrote a book in one week šŸ¤Æ Yes, thanks to ChatGPT ā€” a great example of human-machine collaboration [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/af/cc/afcca743-e1e6-4752-bf81-782fb033f39c/content/images/2022/12/Future-Visions-Full-Cover-website.jpg)](https://www.thedigitalspeaker.com/just-wrote-book-one-week-thanks-chatgpt/) ### My latest book: Yes, you read that correctly. I wrote, edited and published a book in just one week. The purpose of using [ChatGPT](https://www.thedigitalspeaker.com/chatgpt-speaker/) to write my fifth book, [**Future Visions: A human-machine collaboration on the potential of technology,**](https://amzn.to/3HKvd75?ref=thedigitalspeaker.com) was to understand whether or not it is possible to create a work of art using AI (after all, writing books, whether fiction or non-fiction, is art). After this experiment, I can say the answer is Yes and No. Technology has certainly come a long way, and it is remarkable that in 2022 we can use an off-the-shelf language model to write a readable book. Of course, there are many books for sale online written by [AI](https://www.thedigitalspeaker.com/ai-strategy-speaker/), but up until now, most were unreadable. ChatGPT is a powerful tool if used correctly, but it is not the holy grail for creativity and innovation. Of course, this might change when GPT4 is launched next year, which supposedly consists of 100 trillion parameters versus the 175 billion used in GPT3. As Sam Altman tweeted: ā€œChatGPT is incredibly limited but good enough at some things to create a misleading impression of greatness,ā€ and I also noticed these limitations. Regardless, at the start of this year, I did not expect the field of generative AI to explode as it did in the past couple of months. Synthetic media will disrupt many industries, and I am excited about what will come! [**If you plan to read the book, I am curious to hear your thoughts.**](https://www.thedigitalspeaker.com/just-wrote-book-one-week-thanks-chatgpt/) --- ### Useful Nuggets of Information *My weekly tips from around the web to get you thinking.* ### 1\. VR now lets you send kisses over long distances ā¤ļø Carnegie Mellon University's Future Interfaces Group released a new invention that allows people to kiss each other over long distances. The headset recreates the sense of touch on a wearer's face to mimic the sensation of a kissā€”without using any physical parts to cover up or touch the wearer's own mouth. ([**Interesting Engineering**](https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/vr-headset-kiss-long-distances?ref=thedigitalspeaker.com)) ### 2\. These VR gloves let you feel objects in VR šŸ§¤ If digital kisses are not enough, haptic gloves now allow users to "feel" virtual reality objects with a realistic sensation. For around the same price as a new game, this DIY project lets gamers take their first steps into an exciting future of virtual reality. ([**GAMERANT**](https://gamerant.com/virtual-reality-gloves-feel-objects-vr-haptic-feedback/?ref=thedigitalspeaker.com)) ### 3\. What the astronaut suits of the future might look like šŸ‘©ā€šŸš€ NASA is exploring how augmented reality could be used to help astronauts fix problems in space and communicate with mission control on Earth. NASA is trying to determine who could build a space suit augmented reality display system for its Joint Augmented Reality Visual Informatics System. The request notes that NASA aims to develop a spacesuit compatible with augmented reality (AR) applications. ([**Nextgov**](https://www.nextgov.com/emerging-tech/2022/12/future-astronaut-suits-could-feature-augmented-reality/380765/?ref=thedigitalspeaker.com)) ### 4\. Hyundai's delivery robot is making home deliveries in Korea šŸ¤– Hyundai has launched two pilot delivery service programs using autonomous robots at a hotel and residential-commercial complex outside Seoul. This single-wheel unit has intelligent steering, braking, and electrical propulsion. It also incorporates LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) sensorsā€”which use light pulses to measure distanceā€”and cameras that detect objects in the robot's path as it moves through its environment autonomously. ([**CarScoops**](https://www.carscoops.com/2022/12/hyundai-is-making-autonomous-deliveries-in-korea-with-this-cute-robot/?ref=thedigitalspeaker.com)) --- ### The Step into the Metaverse Podcast! A few months ago, I published my fourth book, Step into the Metaverse, which is meant as a blueprint for an open metaverse. As part of this book, I did nearly 100 in-depth interviews with the stakeholders building the open metaverse. I have turned a selection of these interviews into a new podcast, called ā€˜Step into the Metaverseā€™, and the next three episodes are live now! Subscribe on [**Spotify**](https://open.spotify.com/show/4y0e77EQRZijXzRSWLpY4O?ref=thedigitalspeaker.com) or [**Apple**](https://podcasts.apple.com/nl/podcast/the-digital-speaker/id1548443556?ref=thedigitalspeaker.com) to be notified when the next episodes are released. [ ![Why Digital Twins are Essential to Building the Metaverse with Richard Kerris - Step into the Metaverse podcast: EP24](https://storage.ghost.io/c/af/cc/afcca743-e1e6-4752-bf81-782fb033f39c/content/images/2022/12/Episode-Cover-24.jpg) ](https://www.thedigitalspeaker.com/digital-twins-essential-building-metaverse-with-richard-kerris-step-into-the-metaverse-podcast-ep24/) [ ![ Why Establishing Standards Will Be Key to the Metaverseā€™s Future with Neil Trevett - Step into the Metaverse podcast: EP26](https://storage.ghost.io/c/af/cc/afcca743-e1e6-4752-bf81-782fb033f39c/content/images/2022/12/Episode-Cover-small.jpg) ](https://www.thedigitalspeaker.com/why-establishing-standards-key-metaverses-future-with-neil-trevett-step-into-the-metaverse-podcast-ep26/) [ ![Creating Real Value in a Virtual world with Alec Lazarescu - Step into the Metaverse podcast: EP27](https://storage.ghost.io/c/af/cc/afcca743-e1e6-4752-bf81-782fb033f39c/content/images/2022/12/Episode-Cover-alec.jpg) ](https://www.thedigitalspeaker.com/creating-real-value-in-a-virtual-world-with-alec-lazarescu-step-into-the-metaverse-podcast-ep27/) ## Frequently asked questions ### How was the book Future Visions created using AI? Future Visions: A human-machine collaboration on the potential of technology was written, edited and published in just one week using ChatGPT. The experiment aimed to test whether AI could be used to create a genuine work of art, such as a book. The conclusion was mixed, described as both yes and no, showing ChatGPT's usefulness alongside clear limitations. [Link to this question](#faq-how-was-the-book-future-visions-created-using-ai) ### Is ChatGPT a reliable tool for creative writing? ChatGPT is described as a powerful tool when used correctly, but not a holy grail for creativity and innovation. While it is remarkable that an off-the-shelf language model can now produce a readable book, unlike many unreadable AI-written books previously sold online, it still has real limitations, echoing Sam Altman's comment that it can create a misleading impression of greatness. [Link to this question](#faq-is-chatgpt-a-reliable-tool-for-creative-writing) ### How does the long-distance kissing VR device work? Carnegie Mellon University's Future Interfaces Group created a headset that recreates the sense of touch on a wearer's face to mimic the sensation of a kiss over long distances. Notably, it achieves this without any physical parts covering or touching the wearer's own mouth, offering a new way to simulate physical intimacy remotely through virtual reality technology. [Link to this question](#faq-how-does-the-long-distance-kissing-vr-device-work) ### What is NASA exploring for future astronaut spacesuits? NASA is exploring how augmented reality could help astronauts fix problems in space and communicate with mission control on Earth. It is trying to determine who could build a space suit augmented reality display system for its Joint Augmented Reality Visual Informatics System, aiming to develop a spacesuit compatible with AR applications for improved astronaut support during missions. [Link to this question](#faq-what-is-nasa-exploring-for-future-astronaut-spacesuits)