News/Digital Humans
Job applicant stunned to discover his interviewer is an AI avatar
AI-powered job interviews raise concerns: A job seeker's encounter with an AI avatar interviewer has sparked debate about the effectiveness and implications of using artificial intelligence in the hiring process. Jack Ryan, a marketer and disabled athlete, described his experience of being interviewed by an AI avatar as "a perfect demonstration of late-stage capitalism." The AI avatar, developed by Melbourne-based startup Fairgo, conducted the interview by asking questions about work experience and encouraging creative responses. Ryan expressed skepticism about AI's ability to interpret human emotions and facial reactions effectively during interviews. Challenges for disabled job seekers: The introduction of AI-powered...
read Oct 1, 2024Nvidia enhances digital humans with new plugins for Unreal Engine 5
Nvidia enhances digital human realism with new Unreal Engine 5 plugins: Nvidia has released a suite of tools and plugins aimed at improving the creation and deployment of AI-powered digital human characters within Unreal Engine 5, marking a significant advancement in game development and interactive applications. Key features and improvements: Nvidia introduced on-device plugins for Nvidia Ace, a suite of digital human technologies, to facilitate easier development of AI-powered MetaHuman characters on Windows PCs. The company unveiled an Audio2Face-3D plugin for Autodesk Maya, enabling AI-powered facial animations that synchronize lips and facial movements with audio speech. A new Unreal Engine...
read Sep 30, 2024AI-generated Hitler videos are flooding social media
Hitler's AI-powered resurgence: Artificial intelligence is being utilized by right-wing extremists to revive Adolf Hitler's image and speeches on social media platforms, leading to widespread viewership and a concerning whitewashing of his historical legacy. A study by the Institute for Strategic Dialogue reveals that AI-generated videos and audio of Hitler reciting his speeches in English are gaining significant traction on platforms like X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram. Just seven AI-generated Hitler speech videos on YouTube, posted in 2024, amassed 6.9 million views, highlighting the alarming reach of this content. Platform algorithms are amplifying the spread of this extremist...
read Sep 29, 2024Ukraine is using AI-powered avatars to help citizens access social services
AI-powered avatars revolutionize Ukrainian social services: The Ukrainian government has turned to AI-generated avatars to disseminate crucial information about social services amid the ongoing war with Russia, addressing the need for efficient and cost-effective communication. The digital transformation initiative: Ukraine's Ministry of Social Policy has launched an online platform to provide citizens with access to various social services, including pension programs, unemployment benefits, and healthcare assistance. The platform aims to reach citizens in temporarily occupied territories who may not have physical access to local social protection offices. AI-generated videos featuring realistic avatars explain how to use the new platform, create...
read Sep 27, 2024AWS, Digital Domain join forces to advance virtual human technology
Virtual human technology advances with Digital Domain and AWS collaboration: Digital effects studio Digital Domain has partnered with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to enhance and expand its Autonomous Virtual Human (AVH) technology. Digital Domain, known for its work on films like "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" and "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever," aims to broaden the application of its AVH technology across various industries. The collaboration involves migrating Digital Domain's AVH technology to the cloud and integrating AWS's generative AI and machine learning tools. This partnership is expected to improve the scalability, performance, and global accessibility of the AVH technology....
read Sep 26, 2024London newspaper revives legendary art critic with AI
AI resurrection of renowned art critic: The Evening Standard, a historic London newspaper, is planning to revive the late Brian Sewell, one of Britain's most feared and revered art critics, using artificial intelligence. Sources indicate that AI Sewell has been assigned to review The National Gallery's new Vincent van Gogh exhibition, "Van Gogh: Poets and Lovers." The initiative was reportedly discussed at the highest levels of the Standard, including consultation with Lord Lebedev, the newspaper's proprietor. Dylan Jones, editor-in-chief of the Standard, did not respond to requests for comment on the matter. Newspaper's digital transformation: The AI revival of Sewell...
read Sep 25, 2024Game studios are turning to AI-powered NPCs for greater immersion
Artificial intelligence is poised to transform the gaming industry by creating more immersive and dynamic experiences for players, particularly through enhanced non-player character (NPC) interactions. The evolution of NPC interactions: Traditionally, video games have relied on scripted interactions with NPCs, but advancements in AI technology are enabling more spontaneous and realistic dialogue and behavior. Game studios are experimenting with generative AI to build environments, assist game writers in crafting NPC dialogue, and create more improvisational experiences. This shift aims to bring the spontaneity of table-top role-playing games to digital gaming environments. AI-powered gameplay innovations: Some game developers are leveraging AI...
read Sep 25, 2024ElevenLabs to Add Deepak Chopra Voice to Its Voice Library
AI-powered audio innovation: Deepak Chopra, renowned author and wellness expert, has partnered with AI firm ElevenLabs to add his voice to their roster of notable voices for audio streaming of written content. The collaboration stems from the "Digital Deepak" chatbot app launched in June, which uses AI to answer questions in Chopra's synthetic voice based on his extensive body of work. ElevenLabs has gained attention in the entertainment industry for partnerships with estates of celebrities like Judy Garland and James Dean, allowing users to hear books and articles read in iconic voices. This development coincides with OpenAI's introduction of new...
read Sep 24, 2024How Digital Twins Can Help You Make Better Strategic Decisions
The rise of digital twins in strategic decision-making: The application of digital twin technology, combined with generative AI, is revolutionizing how organizations approach strategic planning and decision-making processes. Digital twins, once primarily used for physical objects like buildings and cities, are now being applied to model organizational processes and supply chains. The integration of generative AI with digital twin technology has made this powerful tool accessible to small and medium enterprises, not just large corporations. Companies can now create detailed virtual models of customer segments using existing data, even without extensive resources or dedicated analysts. Case studies highlight powerful outcomes:...
read Sep 20, 2024AI Social Network SocialAI Is Meant to Be a Safe Space for Controversial Ideas
AI-powered social feedback app launches: SocialAI, a new iOS application created by Michael Sayman, offers users a unique platform to post text and receive AI-generated comments from various bot characters. Concept and functionality: The app presents itself as a private social network where users can obtain millions of AI-generated comments providing feedback, advice, and reflections on their posts. Users can select from a range of AI character archetypes to interact with, including Fans, Trolls, Skeptics, Odd-balls, Doomers, and Visionaries. The application utilizes OpenAI's technology alongside custom AI models to generate bot responses. Posts on SocialAI are private by default, allowing...
read Sep 20, 2024SocialAI Will Make You Feel Like a Celebrity — With All AI Fans
AI-powered social simulation app offers taste of viral fame: SocialAI, a new application created by Michael Sayman, simulates the experience of being a social media celebrity by generating AI-powered responses to user posts. How SocialAI works: The app functions as a mock social media platform, similar to Twitter, but populated entirely by AI-generated responses to user posts. Users can make posts on various topics and receive up to thousands or millions of AI-generated comments in return The AI responses are powered by OpenAI's large language model technology The app aims to create a sense of community and provide users with...
read Sep 19, 2024AI Anchors are Protecting Venezuelan Journalists from Government Crackdowns
AI-powered news anchors emerge as a shield for Venezuelan journalists: In response to increasing government crackdowns on media freedom, Venezuelan news organizations have launched an innovative AI-anchored news show called "Venezuela Retweets" to protect real journalists from persecution. The faces of AI journalism: The show features two AI-generated anchors, nicknamed "The Girl" (La Chama) and "The Dude" (El Pana), who present news in short, shareable video clips designed for social media distribution. These virtual presenters allow for the dissemination of news while shielding human journalists from potential government retaliation. The format is specifically tailored to bypass traditional media censorship by...
read Sep 19, 2024Rep.ai Raises $7.5M to Launch ‘Digital Twin’ Sales Reps
AI-powered sales revolution: Rep.ai, formerly known as ServiceBell, has secured $7.5 million in funding to launch its innovative "digital twin" technology for online sales interactions. The startup aims to transform customer engagement by creating lifelike AI avatars of sales representatives that can interact with website visitors through real-time video and audio conversations. Founded by Daniel Ternyak, Rep.ai's technology combines visual and voice replication with natural language processing, trained on a company's marketing materials and CRM data. The system is designed to provide a human-like experience without the constraints of human availability, allowing for 24/7 customer interactions. Bridging the gap between...
read Sep 18, 2024This AI-Powered Social Network Eliminates Human Interaction
AI-powered social networking: SocialAI, a new Twitter-like platform, replaces human interactions with AI chatbots, offering users a unique social media experience free from human-induced anxieties. Created by Michael Sayman, SocialAI allows users to choose the type of followers they want, including supporters, nerds, skeptics, visionaries, and ideators. The platform aims to provide a space where users can feel heard without the risk of being ignored or trolled by real people. Users can customize their experience by selecting the level of engagement, sarcasm, or positivity they prefer from the AI chatbots. User experience and interactions: The AI-generated responses on SocialAI mimic...
read Sep 16, 2024The Implications of Advanced AI Reasoning for Human Creativity and Identity
The rise of AI-powered reasoning and hyperpolation: OpenAI's new model o1 and philosopher Toby Ord's concept of "hyperpolation" are pushing the boundaries of what's possible in problem-solving and conceptual exploration. OpenAI's o1 model demonstrates the potential to redefine organizational problem-solving capabilities by providing both the time and resources to tackle previously impossible tasks. Toby Ord's "hyperpolation" concept introduces a new dimension to AI's capabilities, suggesting the exploration of conceptual spaces beyond the limits of existing data and known examples. Contrasting AI capabilities with human creativity: The current limitations of AI in generating truly novel ideas highlight the ongoing importance of...
read Sep 15, 2024AI Newscaster Debuts on Kauai TV Station, Sparking Mixed Reactions
AI-powered news broadcasts debut on Kauai: The Garden Island newspaper in Hawaii has introduced AI-generated news presenters, James and Rose, to deliver video news broadcasts, marking a significant shift in local journalism. Created by Israeli company Caledo, the AI avatars appear in a virtual studio overlooking a tropical beach, aiming to bring this technology to hundreds of local newspapers. The Caledo platform analyzes prewritten news articles and transforms them into a "live broadcast" featuring conversation between the AI hosts. This technology is designed to provide small local newsrooms with the ability to create video content and potentially attract younger audiences....
read Sep 7, 2024Infinity AI Creates Lifelike Video Characters from Single Images
Groundbreaking AI video generation: Infinity AI has developed a revolutionary foundation video model capable of creating lifelike AI characters that can speak and move naturally. The model, trained for approximately 11 GPU years at a cost of around $500,000, represents a significant advancement in AI-generated video technology. Users can generate videos up to 30 seconds long using a single image input, along with audio and other conditioning signals. The technology has potential applications in entertainment, education, and personalized content creation. Key features and capabilities: The Infinity AI model demonstrates impressive versatility and realism in generating human-like video content. The system...
read Sep 4, 2024AI-Powered Bots Spark Call for New Digital Identity System
AI-driven identity crisis: As artificial intelligence models become increasingly sophisticated at mimicking human behavior online, distinguishing between real users and AI systems is becoming a critical challenge for internet platforms and users alike. The proliferation of AI-powered bots capable of imitating human interaction poses significant risks, including the spread of misinformation and potential fraud. This growing challenge is eroding trust in online interactions and content, making it increasingly difficult for users to discern authentic human-generated information from AI-generated content. Proposed solution - "personhood credentials": A team of 32 researchers from prominent institutions has developed a concept called "personhood credentials" to...
read Aug 28, 2024California Lawmakers Advance Bill to Protect Performers from AI Replicas
California legislature takes stand on AI replicas: The California Senate has approved AB 2602, a bill aimed at protecting performers' rights in the face of advancing AI technology. The bill requires explicit consent from performers in various entertainment sectors, including TV, film, videogames, audiobooks, and commercials, before creating digital replicas of their likeness or voice. This legislation is seen as a significant move to prevent potential abuse of licensing agreements and unauthorized use of performers' digital likenesses. SAG-AFTRA, the union representing actors and other media professionals, has expressed strong support for the bill. Key provisions of AB 2602: The bill...
read Aug 23, 2024NVIDIA’s New AI Model Makes Conversations with Game Characters More Real
NVIDIA unveils groundbreaking on-device AI model for gaming: NVIDIA has introduced Nemotron-4 4B Instruct, a small language model designed to enhance character interactions in video games, marking a significant advancement in digital human technologies. The new model is part of NVIDIA's ACE (Avatar Cloud Engine) suite, which aims to improve speech, intelligence, and animation in gaming through generative AI. Nemotron-4 4B Instruct is optimized to run directly on GeForce RTX AI PCs and laptops, offering faster response times and reduced memory usage. This development allows game developers to leverage the power of over 100 million GeForce RTX-powered devices to create...
read Aug 23, 2024NVIDIA Showcases AI Gaming Breakthroughs at Gamescom 2024
NVIDIA's AI and gaming innovations take center stage: NVIDIA unveiled a range of cutting-edge technologies and partnerships at Gamescom 2024, showcasing advancements in AI-powered game characters, ray tracing capabilities, and cloud gaming services. NVIDIA ACE revolutionizes in-game character interactions: The company introduced its latest suite of AI technologies designed to create more realistic and engaging digital humans in video games. NVIDIA demonstrated the first on-device small language model for digital human technologies in a game tech demo called Mecha BREAK. The NVIDIA ACE suite includes the new NVIDIA Nemotron-4 4B Instruct model, which enhances conversation abilities for game characters. This...
read Aug 20, 2024AI Brings Late Actor Ian Holm Back to Life in New Alien Film
AI resurrection in Hollywood: The upcoming film "Alien: Romulus" introduces a character named Rook, featuring the likeness and voice of late actor Ian Holm, sparking discussions about the use of AI in recreating deceased actors. Director Fede Alvarez and producer Ridley Scott have collaborated on this project, which utilizes a combination of animatronics, CGI, and AI to bring Holm's likeness back to the screen. Holm, who played the character Ash in the original 1979 "Alien" film, passed away in 2020, making this posthumous appearance a significant talking point in the film industry. The decision to recreate Holm's likeness was made...
read Aug 18, 2024What ‘AI Seinfeld’s’ Rise and Fall Reveal About the Future of AI Entertainment
The rise and fall of AI Seinfeld: In early 2023, an AI-generated parody of the popular sitcom Seinfeld took Twitch by storm, offering a unique blend of artificial intelligence and comedy that captivated audiences before quickly fading into obscurity. The project, dubbed "AI Seinfeld" or "Nothing, Forever," utilized ChatGPT for script generation, Azure text-to-speech for voice synthesis, and Unity for visual rendering, creating a 24/7 stream of AI-generated content. At its peak, the stream attracted over 10,000 concurrent viewers, demonstrating the initial fascination with AI-generated entertainment. The imperfections and quirks of the AI-generated content inadvertently complemented Seinfeld's signature style of...
read Aug 18, 2024AI Girlfriends Attract Millions as Loneliness Rates Surge
The rise of AI-generated romance platforms: A growing trend in digital relationships is raising concerns among experts about its impact on social development and human connections. AI girlfriend platforms are experiencing rapid growth, attracting millions of users, predominantly young single men with an average age of 27. Nearly 20% of men who use traditional dating apps have experimented with AI-generated romances, highlighting the increasing overlap between conventional and artificial relationships. The popularity of these platforms coincides with rising rates of singlehood among young men, with 60% of those aged 18-30 reporting being single and 1 in 5 lacking a close...
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