Scrolling through the Instagram account of DJ and aspiring model Dex, you’ll witness her donning new ensembles, performing at global shows, and engaging with thousands of followers. But take a closer look, and you’ll discover that Dex is not your typical human being; she is a fully virtual “digital human” created by a UK startup.
Dex makes her appearances on video screens or as a holographic projection, with her mixes crafted by human creators. Powered by Unreal Engine, a widely-used 3D modeling software in the gaming industry, Dex comes to life through motion capture and generative artificial intelligence. This AI enables her to retain information and respond to questions, all while using an AI-generated voice.
Denise Harris, Chief Creative Officer of Sum Vivas, the startup behind Dex, enthuses, “She’s probably one of the only digital humans in the performance space that you can have a conversation and interact with. You can ask her anything. She is a genius about music.”
Notably, Dex recently graced the Digital Fashion Weeks in New York, Paris, and Milan, showcasing outfits from renowned fashion houses like Prada and Louis Vuitton at virtual fashion events.
While Dex draws attention in the world of entertainment, Sum Vivas sees her as more than just a showpiece. The company is currently developing digital humans with practical applications. For instance, “Shellie” can serve as an avatar on company websites, providing product information, while “Arif” is being designed to assist passengers and answer questions as a multilingual concierge at airports.
Sum Vivas’ CEO and founder, Rob Sims, believes that digital humans can bridge the gap between AI technology and people. He reveals, “What we’ve found is when people start working with and conversing with a digital human, they very quickly suspend disbelief. It becomes natural.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is a digital human?
A: A digital human refers to a virtual being created using various technologies, including 3D modeling, motion capture, and artificial intelligence. These digital humans can interact, converse, and even perform tasks like answering questions or providing information.
Q: How are digital humans animated?
A: Digital humans are often animated using motion capture techniques, where the movements of real humans are recorded and then transferred to the virtual character. Additionally, generative artificial intelligence plays a role by allowing the digital human to remember information and respond to queries.
Q: What practical applications do digital humans have?
A: Digital humans have a wide range of practical applications, such as serving as avatars on company websites to provide customer support, acting as virtual sales representatives, or even assisting passengers at airports as multilingual concierges.
Q: Are digital humans replacing human jobs?
A: While there are concerns about automation and AI impacting the job market, proponents of digital humans argue that they can create new opportunities and work in harmony with humans. Rather than taking away jobs, digital humans can become valuable team members, enhancing the overall customer experience.
The excitement around generative AI, particularly in the form of conversational chatbots, continues to grow since OpenAI’s launch of ChatGPT. With significant investments flowing into the industry, companies like Sum Vivas are among those striving to make these chatbots more human-like.
Beyond the UK-based startup, companies like UneeQ in the US and New Zealand have developed animated conversational “digital humans” that serve as virtual sales representatives and customer service agents on websites. Microsoft has also unveiled plans to enable the creation of lifelike avatars using its Azure software.
Nevertheless, as AI evolves, concerns arise regarding the potential impact on the job market. Jennifer Ding, a senior researcher at the Alan Turing Institute, acknowledges these concerns and asks, “When we rely on automated tools, what skills are we losing in the process?” However, Harris from Sum Vivas remains optimistic, asserting that digital human design and development present new job opportunities rather than replacing existing ones.
Looking ahead, Sims envisions a future where digital humans seamlessly integrate with human colleagues, ultimately becoming invaluable members of various teams, benefiting both the team and the customers they serve. With digital humans blurring the line between AI and reality, the possibilities for collaboration and innovation seem boundless.
Source: [CNN](https://www.cnn.com/)
Expanding on the topic discussed in the article, the digital human industry is rapidly emerging as technology advances in fields such as 3D modeling, motion capture, and artificial intelligence. Market forecasts indicate that the demand for digital humans is projected to increase significantly in the coming years.
According to a report by MarketsandMarkets, the global market for digital humans is expected to reach $3.9 billion by 2025, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 21.8% during the forecast period. The rising adoption of digital humans in industries such as entertainment, customer service, marketing, and healthcare is driving this market growth.
In the entertainment industry, digital humans like Dex have already made a significant impact. Virtual concerts, performances, and fashion shows featuring digital humans have become popular, offering a new level of interaction and engagement for audiences. The ability of digital humans to showcase fashion collections from renowned brands, as seen in Dex’s appearances at Digital Fashion Weeks, highlights the potential for virtual fashion events to become a new norm in the industry.
In addition to the entertainment sector, digital humans are finding practical applications in various industries. Companies are exploring the use of digital humans as avatars on websites to enhance customer support and online shopping experiences. By providing personalized assistance and answering questions, digital humans can improve customer engagement and satisfaction.
In the travel industry, digital humans are being designed to serve as multilingual concierges at airports, offering instant assistance to passengers and answering their queries. This innovation can greatly improve the efficiency and convenience of travel experiences.
However, as the adoption of digital humans increases, there are ethical and societal concerns that need to be addressed. The displacement of human jobs by automation and AI remains a significant worry. Critics argue that the rise of digital humans may lead to job losses, particularly in industries where human interaction and assistance are essential.
To mitigate these concerns, it is crucial for companies like Sum Vivas and other industry players to focus on integrating digital humans into existing teams and workflows rather than replacing human workers. By emphasizing collaboration between digital humans and human colleagues, companies can create new job opportunities and enhance the overall customer experience.
As the technology progresses and digital humans become more human-like, regulatory frameworks and guidelines will likely be established to address ethical considerations and ensure responsible use of this technology.
Overall, the digital human industry is poised for significant growth and innovation. With market forecasts indicating a steady rise in demand, companies are actively developing and refining digital human technologies to meet a variety of practical applications. As the boundaries between AI and reality continue to blur, digital humans have the potential to revolutionize industries and reshape the way we interact with technology.
For more information on the digital human industry and related topics, you can visit the following links:
– UneeQ: UneeQ is a company based in the US and New Zealand that specializes in creating animated conversational digital humans for various applications, including virtual sales representatives and customer service agents.
– Microsoft: Microsoft is actively working on enabling the creation of lifelike avatars using its Azure software. Their research and development efforts in this area contribute to the advancement of the digital human industry.
– MarketsandMarkets: MarketsandMarkets is a market research firm that provides valuable insights and forecasts for various industries, including the digital human market. Their reports can provide a comprehensive understanding of the market dynamics and future trends.
It is important to note that these links provided are to the main domains of the respective websites and not specific subpages.
The source of the article is from the blog kunsthuisoaleer.nl