In a pretty shocking statement to most locals, Vegas officials have announced that the iconic “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” will be replaced with a state-of-the-art, high-tech LED screen – run by AI.
What will the new screen look like?
The new addition will give real-time updates on weather and has interactive features, like being able to analyze moods by people’s expressions.
The new AI-powered sign will actually answer to the crowd’s “mood” – if it appears to be low, the screen may encourage people to head out for a drink, a party, or one of the many concerts going on in the city each night. If the mood seems high, the screen may show messages as “Keep it up!”, “Welcome to the time of your life!”, and more.
The screen will also recognize weddings, and could congratulate the happy couple, or throw out a joke such as “Are you guys sure?”.
In true Vegas fashion, the LED screen will also announce Jackpots in real time, so bystanders can celebrate along with the lucky one.
Thoughts and reactions
Before announcing this change, research was conducted within the community and among visitors. Reactions have been mixed, as expected. While some loved the classic touch that came with the historic sign, others were quite excited about the change, and even called it “very Vegas”.
Do we trust AI?
The brand new screen is made to add character to the city, which has taken many steps towards technology lately. It’s meant to be flashy, brighten the mood, and attract more visitors, while keeping it light-hearted and fun.
But as this is AI – and we all know AI has had it’s fair share of fails – we cannot help but wonder: will it cross the line? Officials assure that this won’t be the case, and that the plan has been thoroughly thought through.
The new AI-powered sign is set to debut next month, and whether it becomes a beloved feature or an uncontrollable wildcard remains to be seen.
Disclaimer: No worries, Vegas – this was nothing but an April 1st joke! The historic beloved Welcome To Fabolous Las Vegas remains untouched…at least for now!