http://waifu2x.udp.jp/ shows how AI (CNN) can be used to upscale or denoise images. Try it on a small image or one with a lot of jpg artifacts.
Some tools we’ve developed at work use AI denoising to reduce rendering times for raytracing by a factor of 4. There is also new work out on noise to noise denoising, which will probably be turned to use in tools like photoshop or even in camera, effectively extending low light capabilities and by the same token PDR (if you believe in that)
Still very early in these directions, but change is coming fast.
