As we start the new year, I wanted to reflect on what happened last year and share my highlights with you.
Artificial Intelligence
While Chat-GPT was launched in late 2022, the aftershock it created led to the launch of other Large Language Models such as Microsoft Bing Chat and Google Bard. Artificial Intelligence tools appeared in other applications such as Notion.
This apparent sudden breakthrough in the ability of Large Language models stirred a frenzy of hype surrounding AI from deep fear to real optimism about the future. As I noted in my post listing our top 10 most-viewed pages of 2023. it has ignited the same interest in me as computers did in my youth.
I also tried out these large language models and used them to help me lay out some of my blog posts. Through not this one as this is a post about my highlights of the year.
I have also tried personal AI, built on a large language model designed to learn about you and act as a personal assistant. I plan to publish a blog post on this experience in the new year.
I have read a couple of books on Artificial Intelligence during the year. The most interesting book I read about Artificial Intelligence was a science-fiction book called Manna by Marshall Brain. The main takeaway from the book was that, as a society, we need to decide who profits from Artificial Intelligence. Is it the few who own the algorithms, or is it shared more evenly across society? I, for one, think we need to look at how we can share the profits.
Computer game highlights
For me, the game highlight for this year was the release of Starfield by Bethsidia, and I admit I’m a bit of a Bethsidia fanboy. Skyrim still rates as my second favourite game of all time, just behind the original Red Dead Redemption. I also enjoyed the Fallot series of games. My big question was whether Bethsida could pull it off with Starfield. In my review of Starfield, I noted that they have as long as you are looking for a Sandbox RPG game, not a space exploration game.
I also played Baulder’s Gate 3, but I don’t think I have played it enough to write a worthwhile review. What I have played so far it looks really good.
I have also enjoyed Football Manager 24; the annual update is the best yet. You can read my full thoughts in my Football Manager 24 review.
My Return to Spotify
It seems indulgent, but 2023 also marked the year when I returned to Spotify and was surprised to see how much of an improvement Spotify had made to its recommendations system. An area in the music streaming service was already strong. You can find out more in my most recent Spotify 2023 review, a review I hadn’t planned to write.
My predictions for 2024
Now comes the section of this post where I speculate about what I see the next 12 months will bring.
The large Language Model continues to evolve
Large Language models will continue to evolve, with GPT-5 pencilled in for release at some point this year. Microsoft, which currently uses GPT-4 in Bing Chat and other Artificial Intelligence applications, will move to GPT-5. Other users of OpenAI GPT API (Application Program Interface), such as Notion, will likely do the same.
Google will continue to develop the underlying Large Language used in Google Bard and other Google AI applications.
Large Language models and note-taking applications
Artificial Intelligence will also become more prevalent in note-taking and personal knowledge management systems. The developers of Mem built it on the concept of using Artificial Intelligence.
Notion added Artificial Intelligence functionality in late 2022 and has continued to develop, which will continue into 2024.
There are also a couple of community plugins for Artificial Intelligence on Obsidian, and I wouldn’t be that surprised if an official plugin is added to Obsidian during the year.
Additionally, Google has developed an experimental note-taking app called Notebook LM with a Large Language Model. It is only currently available to people living in the United States of America. I will try it if and when it becomes available to users in the UK.
Quantum Computing breakthrough
We could see some significant breakthroughs within Quantum computers, with IBM working on a 1,000 Qbit processor which could be released next year.
A Quantum computer can potentially be much more powerful than the most powerful modern supercomputer. Still, there are several issues relating to the storage of Qbits due to their tendency to degrade.
Games
Now, on to games that I’m looking forward to playing or at least dreaming that they might get published this year.
Starfield Shatter Space DLC
The first DLC is likely to come out towards the start of the year, though release dates have yet to be published at the time of writing. This is one DLC that I’m looking forward to, and yes, I will buy the DLC when it is published, and I will look to review it once I have played it for a while
Civilization VII
I have played every Civilization game in the series and look forward to playing the next one. There are no release dates, but the game is in active development. You can expect a review after the game is published, as I will buy it.
Spotify HiFi
Could 2024 be the year Spotify introduces CD quality or better streaming like most rivals? There is a lot of increased press speculation towards the end of 2023 about Spotify planning to launch HiFi quality streaming in a new and upcoming tier.
We have been waiting for Spotify’s HiFi tier since 2021, so I won’t be holding my breath, but as I stated in my last review of Spotify, adding a HiFi quality stream would make it the best music streaming service. So I can only dream.
Conclusion
What were your highlights in 2023? What do you think will happen with technology in 2024? What games are you hoping to see in 2024?
Thank you for reading my content in 2023, and I wish you all a happy and peaceful 2024.