The speed at which technology is changing is both exhilarating and frightening, largely driven by advances in AI. But even without AI in the mix, the changes over the past couple of years are still impressive. Unsurprisingly, many of our year-end highlights have an AI component, but I’ll squeeze in a few that don’t as well:

• AI Gaussian Splats. AI models like World Labs’ Marble and Meta’s SAM3D convert 2D images, video or 3D models into Gaussian splats by inferring depth, estimating surface geometry and placing points with position, opacity and covariance values. What’s fun is that it doesn’t have to be a real photo — you can generate a splat from a generative AI image or set of images.

• Spark. Last year’s Top Tech included Lightcraft’s Jetset, but this year Lightcraft announced that it’s expanding on the camera-tracking tech with a script-to-screen workflow called Spark. The intent is to use data generated from planning and scouting to shot design, shooting and post

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