London CNN —
When perusing DJ and hopeful model Dex’s Instagram account, you’ll observe her flaunting stylish outfits, captivating audiences at international events, and interacting with her numerous followers regarding her interests.
However, Dex is distinct as a wholly virtual “digital persona” created by a UK-based organization.
Throughout her appearances, Dex is projected either through a video camera or as a lenticular image, with her music curated by real individuals. Utilizing motion-capture technology and Unreal Engine, a renowned 3D design software in the gaming sector, she can recall specifics and participate in discussions using pre-programmed responses generated by artificial intelligence, which are fairly standard.
Describing Dex as a unique presence in the entertainment realm with whom genuine interactions are possible, Denise Harris, Chief Creative Officer at Sum Vivas, states, “You can inquire about anything. She possesses musical talent.”
In the previous month, Dex graced virtual fashion events for Prada and Louis Vuitton, engaging in activities across New York, Paris, and Milan.
For Sum Vivas headquartered in Dublin, she plays a crucial role for more pragmatic purposes. The company is presently developing virtual entities capable of responding to inquiries and interacting with users in real-time. For example, on corporate websites, “Shellie” can function as an avatar presenting product information, while “Arif” acts as a multicultural concierge, assisting customers and addressing their queries.
According to CEO and founder Rob Sims, digital personas are pivotal in bridging the gap between AI technology and human engagement. Sims asserts, “Once individuals begin conversing and engaging with virtual entities, they effortlessly suspend their disbelief. It becomes second nature.”
AI Revolution
The emergence of relational AI, an AI system trained on vast datasets to generate conversational responses, has attracted considerable attention following the release of OpenAI’s ChatGPT in November 2022.
Pitchbook, a data analytics firm, disclosed over $21 billion invested in this sector in the initial three quarters of the previous year, with a notable increase in funding for conversational AI technologies. Concurrently, companies like Anthropic introduced AI assistant Claude, while Google revealed Bard (now known as Gemini), all striving to enhance the human-like attributes of relational AI chatbots.
Enterprises such as UneeQ from the US and New Zealand are leading the way in developing interactive “digital humans” for online customer service and sales roles on websites. Notably, Sama 2.0, an animated flight attendant, is now accessible for download on Qatar Airways’ website and app.
Microsoft recently unveiled a feature within its Cloud software enabling users to create lifelike avatars capable of converting text prompts into spoken dialogue. Nevertheless, concerns persist regarding the potential impact of AI on the job market.
Jennifer Ding, a senior scholar at the Alan Turing Institute, raises pertinent queries about the skills that might be displaced as automation becomes more prevalent. She remarks, “While AI is often seen as a tool to support or enhance our work, there is a growing concern about the impending threat of job displacement.”
In contrast, Harris emphasizes the fresh opportunities emerging from the design and creation of digital entities. “In all our explorations,” she affirms, “we are creating job opportunities and collaborating harmoniously with humans rather than displacing them.”
Sims echoes this sentiment, underscoring the collaborative relationship digital entities will soon have with human colleagues. “Digital personas will seamlessly integrate as team members, providing additional benefits to both the workforce and the customers they serve.”
