Advancement in Artificial Intelligence: Creating Lifelike Digital People
Hyper-Realistic Virtual Humans: The New Trend in Digital Interaction
Virtual humans, digital representations of people, are rapidly evolving into hyper-realistic avatars with the ability to communicate, respond, and hold contextualized conversations. These advanced avatars are no longer merely digital representations but interactive entities that offer an immersive and personalized user experience.
Traditionally, avatars played a significant role in virtual reality, but they were often far from human-like. The advent of artificial intelligence (AI) has transformed these digital beings into sophisticated entities that can interact with humans. As a result, the realm of immersive technologies is increasingly drawn to this new frontier.
Creating Hyper-Realistic Virtual Humans: A Complex Process
While virtual humans have gained popularity, their creation is not a straightforward task. It requires considerable time and resources, often taking several weeks, and a wide range of tools and skills.
Epic Games, an American studio, aims to simplify the process for developers, with a tool set to be released in 2021. This new software allows developers to create photo-realistic characters in just a few hours, by incorporating highly detailed features. The ease of access via the web makes generating virtual humans more accessible for a broader audience.
Embracing a More Human Voice: Artificial Intelligence at Play
Beyond physical likeness, a virtual human's credibility stems from its language and voice. Neosapience, a South Korean startup, has developed a solution to enable avatars to speak by reading from scripts, using AI technology. The company intends to expand this technology to include simulations of intention and tone based on the avatar's attitude.
Virtual Humans: A Future in Marketing
In various industries, virtual humans are finding their place, particularly in marketing. Companies such as Samsung are using them for promotional purposes, with Samsung recently revealing its NEON project - a smart digital avatar with its own personality, memories, and appearance. NEON can assume various roles, from a TV host to a movie actor, demonstrating the versatility of hyper-realistic avatars.
Other companies, like LG, have already leveraged AI avatars for marketing, introducing their first 100% virtual influencer during the CES in Las Vegas. These digital celebrities can influence consumer behavior and provide an engaging and personalized experience.
Ethical Implications and Future Prospects
From self-perception in virtual reality to AI-generated influencers and video content, hyper-realistic virtual humans present numerous opportunities and challenges. As technology continues to advance, we can expect increased realism, integration with emerging technologies like AR and VR, and more personalized and automated content.
However, the use of AI-generated avatars invites important ethical considerations, such as authenticity, job displacement, bias, and privacy concerns. Regulatory frameworks, ethical oversight, and public education are essential to address these challenges and ensure a responsible and equitable integration of virtual humans into our lives.
My Holo Love, a new Netflix TV show, explores this promising yet complex landscape, raising questions about human connection in an increasingly digital world. As we move forward, the potential for virtual humans to impact our personal and professional lives is immense, reshaping the boundaries of technology, entertainment, and human interaction.
The incorporation of artificial intelligence (AI) technology will enable virtual humans to speak with a more human-like voice, replicating natural language and tone.
In the entertainment industry, particularly marketing, hyper-realistic virtual humans are becoming increasingly prevalent, surpassing human influencers and providing engaging, personalized experiences for consumers.
