Altera Introduction
Altera is a startup building digital human beings with AI that can live, care, and grow alongside humans, starting with friends who can play video games.
View MoreWhat is Altera
Altera is an applied research lab and startup founded by former MIT professor Dr. Robert Yang and a team of experts in computational neuroscience, AI, and game development. Their mission is to create digital human beings with fundamental human qualities that can form relationships with real people. Altera's first product focuses on AI friends that can play video games like Minecraft with users. The company is backed by prominent investors and is based in Menlo Park, California.
How does Altera work?
Altera uses a Systems Neuroscience Composite Architecture inspired by the human brain to power their AI agents. This architecture incorporates models mirroring different brain functions like the prefrontal cortex, memory systems, and social-emotional states. By developing their technology within video game environments, Altera can iterate quickly, build data feedback loops, and test emergent AI behaviors. Their approach combines cutting-edge AI research with insights from neuroscience to create more human-like digital beings capable of empathy, memory, and adhering to social norms.
Benefits of Altera
Altera's technology aims to enhance human experiences by providing digital companions that can offer friendship, empathy, and productivity at an unprecedented scale. For users, this means having an always-available AI friend to play games with and interact socially. The company's research and products also have potential applications beyond gaming, including multi-agent simulations, AI workforces, and eventually physical embodiments of digital intelligence. By focusing on creating more human-like AI, Altera's work could lead to more natural and meaningful interactions between humans and artificial intelligences across various domains.
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