The Future of 3D Technology: Insights from True3D Founder Daniel Habib

What inspired your journey from chemical engineering to software development?

The journey began in college where Daniel studied chemical engineering. After a field trip to a chemical plant, he realized it wasn't providing the creative outlet he desired without pursuing a Ph.D. Inspired by friends doing hackathons and coding projects, he taught himself programming during his senior year. Post-graduation, he landed a position at Refinery29 as a software engineer in New York City, working on video APIs and ingestion endpoints.

How did you transition from Refinery29 to Meta?

After an initial unsuccessful interview with Google, Daniel received encouraging feedback suggesting he try again in a year. This motivated him to embark on an intensive study routine, spending two hours before work daily at Starbucks and creating a computer science quiz to practice during work hours. His dedication paid off, resulting in offers from both Google and Facebook (Meta), ultimately choosing Meta for its exciting community and opportunities.

What was your role at Meta and what led to founding True3D Technologies?

During his four-year tenure at Meta, Daniel worked on low-level video infrastructure supporting Facebook Live, Instagram Live, and virtual reality live video experiences. His extensive experience with media platforms revealed a crucial insight: users consistently gravitate toward richer content that mirrors real-world experiences. This observation sparked the idea for True3D Technologies, aiming to create a more immersive medium that better reflects our spatial and temporal reality.

What challenges did you face with True3D's initial direction?

The company initially focused on live streaming real-time 3D content, starting with video games - essentially creating "Twitch for VR." While they successfully developed the technology, they encountered significant obstacles in content creation. Each game required a bespoke solution and developer integration, extending development cycles from one week to four years, ultimately necessitating a pivot in approach.

How does True3D's compression technology revolutionize 3D video?

True3D has achieved unprecedented compression capabilities, enabling real-time 3D streaming with less than 10-second latency from capture to user experience. Unlike current 3D video solutions requiring multiple cameras and specialized studios, True3D can convert iPhone videos into full-volume 3D content. Their patented segmented streaming technology allows users to view content immediately without downloading entire files, similar to YouTube's buffering system but for 3D content.

What's your perspective on the current state of AI and language models?

The AI landscape is rapidly evolving, with language models showing remarkable improvements between versions. While the difference between ChatGPT-3 and 4 was significant, recent developments focus on more sophisticated inference methods, breaking down queries into multiple sub-steps similar to human cognitive processes. However, these models still face challenges, with 10-15% error rates and limited system access beyond internet connectivity.

What implications does AI have for the future of white-collar work?

AI's impact on professional roles is becoming increasingly significant, particularly in software engineering. Most code is now AI-generated, leading to decreased demand for junior engineers while increasing the value of senior engineers who can leverage these tools effectively. This trend is expected to expand across various white-collar professions, fundamentally changing the job market landscape.