Realistic digital avatars are becoming increasingly relevant, for example in virtual and augmented reality applications, video conferencing, films and computer games, or in medicine. Researchers at the Max Planck Institute (MPI) for Informatics in Saarbrücken, Germany, are now presenting two novel methods at two of the world’s leading computer graphics conferences, SIGGRAPH and SIGGRAPH Asia. These methods enable the generation of photorealistic full-body avatars and allow head avatars to be controlled using only audio tracks.Realistic digital avatars are becoming increasingly relevant, for example in virtual and augmented reality applications, video conferencing, films and computer games, or in medicine. Researchers at the Max Planck Institute (MPI) for Informatics in Saarbrücken, Germany, are now presenting two novel methods at two of the world’s leading computer graphics conferences, SIGGRAPH and SIGGRAPH Asia. These methods enable the generation of photorealistic full-body avatars and allow head avatars to be controlled using only audio tracks.[#item_full_content]

Developing chips that simulate how the brain works has great promise for AI, robotics, and other fields. But making them so that they’re scalable while providing repeatable results has proven tricky. Now, a Yale-led team of researchers has put forth a solution. The results are published in Nature Communications.Developing chips that simulate how the brain works has great promise for AI, robotics, and other fields. But making them so that they’re scalable while providing repeatable results has proven tricky. Now, a Yale-led team of researchers has put forth a solution. The results are published in Nature Communications.[#item_full_content]

Modern neural networks, with billions of parameters, are so overparameterized that they can “overfit” even random, structureless data. Yet when trained on datasets with structure, they learn the underlying features.Modern neural networks, with billions of parameters, are so overparameterized that they can “overfit” even random, structureless data. Yet when trained on datasets with structure, they learn the underlying features.[#item_full_content]

Adopting digital twin technology to manage the power consumption of idle devices could save organizations thousands of pounds a year and help reduce their carbon footprint, new research suggests.Adopting digital twin technology to manage the power consumption of idle devices could save organizations thousands of pounds a year and help reduce their carbon footprint, new research suggests.[#item_full_content]

Future events such as the weather or satellite trajectories are computed in tiny time steps, so the computation must be both efficient and as accurate as possible at each step lest errors pile up. A Kobe University team has introduced a new method that uses deep learning for creating tailored, accurate simulations that respect physical laws, while also being more computationally efficient.Future events such as the weather or satellite trajectories are computed in tiny time steps, so the computation must be both efficient and as accurate as possible at each step lest errors pile up. A Kobe University team has introduced a new method that uses deep learning for creating tailored, accurate simulations that respect physical laws, while also being more computationally efficient.[#item_full_content]

A new report from the University of Liverpool and the United Nations Migration Agency–International Organization for Migration (IOM) demonstrates how harnessing digital data collected from mobile phone applications and social media platforms can transform the way humanitarian agencies track and respond to population displacement during crises.A new report from the University of Liverpool and the United Nations Migration Agency–International Organization for Migration (IOM) demonstrates how harnessing digital data collected from mobile phone applications and social media platforms can transform the way humanitarian agencies track and respond to population displacement during crises.[#item_full_content]

A paper co-authored by Prof. Alex Lew has been selected as one of four “Outstanding Papers” at this year’s Conference on Language Modeling (COLM 2025), held in Montreal in October.A paper co-authored by Prof. Alex Lew has been selected as one of four “Outstanding Papers” at this year’s Conference on Language Modeling (COLM 2025), held in Montreal in October.[#item_full_content]

To make large language models (LLMs) more accurate when answering harder questions, researchers can let the model spend more time thinking about potential solutions.To make large language models (LLMs) more accurate when answering harder questions, researchers can let the model spend more time thinking about potential solutions.[#item_full_content]

In the nine years since TikTok debuted, it’s helped transform the way people view and absorb information, along with other short-form video platforms such as Instagram and Snapchat. Every month, TikTok alone has nearly 1.6 billion active users globally.In the nine years since TikTok debuted, it’s helped transform the way people view and absorb information, along with other short-form video platforms such as Instagram and Snapchat. Every month, TikTok alone has nearly 1.6 billion active users globally.[#item_full_content]

In April, OpenAI’s popular ChatGPT hit a milestone of a billion active weekly users, as artificial intelligence continued its explosion in popularity.In April, OpenAI’s popular ChatGPT hit a milestone of a billion active weekly users, as artificial intelligence continued its explosion in popularity.[#item_full_content]