Virtual Beings Links 2024-05 (May)

Notes:

This webpage is a comprehensive digest of recent developments in virtual human technologies, AI avatars, digital twins, and immersive media systems across various industries. It highlights innovations such as ChatDirector’s real-time 3D video conferencing system, Dr. Ben Goertzel’s AI avatar debut, digital humans used in retail (e.g., CONN-chan in Tokyo), safety training for foreign workers, and artistic applications like Cho-Kabuki with Hatsune Miku. It also covers corporate investments in VTuber tech (e.g., United and Pictoria), public service uses (e.g., multilingual AI news anchors and municipal avatars), educational and gaming applications, and the growing cultural impact of avatars in media, fashion, and entertainment. Collectively, the updates reflect the global acceleration of AI-driven human simulation across communication, creativity, service, and identity expression.

See also:

Virtual Beings Meta Guide

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[131x Jun 2025]

• 2024-05-31 .. ChatDirector is a research prototype designed to enhance video conferencing by incorporating 3D video avatars, shared 3D scenes, and automatic layout transitions, aimed at replicating and improving the dynamics of face-to-face interactions. This system addresses the limitations of traditional 2D video conferencing by providing space-aware visualizations, speech-driven assistance, and visual cues that mimic physical interactions such as eye contact and head turns. Developed using a real-time U-Net neural network for depth estimation and a custom rendering approach, ChatDirector creates a space-aware environment where participants’ 3D avatars are displayed. The system dynamically adjusts the layout and behaviors of avatars based on speech recognition to maintain conversational flow and engagement, ultimately improving co-presence and user interaction.
• 2024-05-31 .. Dr. Ben Goertzel, Founder of SingularityNET and Chief AI Advisor to Twin Protocol, will introduce his digital AI avatar at the AI for Good conference in Geneva. This avatar, part of a series of digital twin modalities by Dr. Goertzel and Twin Protocol, exemplifies the use of secure, ethically engineered AI for continuous knowledge sharing and innovation. The avatar will address the future of artificial general intelligence (AGI), ethical AI implications, and the combination of AI with blockchain for a transparent digital ecosystem. Stacey Engle, CEO of Twin Protocol, will also present, highlighting the collaboration with SingularityNET and their vision for generative AI as a force for good. Twin Protocol, led by Engle and CSO Bill Inman, aims to revolutionize communication and secure knowledge sharing using AI and blockchain technology. Dr. Goertzel emphasizes the potential of digital twins to allow individuals to be present in multiple places simultaneously, demonstrating the advancing capabilities of this technology.
• 2024-05-30 .. AI-Powered Avatars and Innovations Highlighted at the 22nd Arab Media Forum / At the 22nd edition of the Arab Media Forum (AMF), the AI Hub, named AI Garden, showcased the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in media through a series of immersive and interactive installations. One of the highlights was the use of digital avatars representing renowned Arab literary and media figures, such as Ghassan Tueni, Habib Al Sayegh, and Hani Naqshbandi, who engaged visitors with personalized interactions. These avatars, powered by custom-trained AI models, allowed participants to converse with and learn from these figures’ enduring legacies. Other innovative demonstrations included AI-powered art, photography, and visualizations, reflecting AI’s growing impact on media and technology. The AMF, organized by the Dubai Press Club, continues to inspire and integrate disruptive technologies into the regional media landscape.
• 2024-05-30 .. AI-Powered Digital Human CONN-chan Enhances Customer Service in Tokyo Drugstores / In Tokyo, a “Digital Human” named CONN-chan has been introduced in drugstores to assist customers by using generative AI. This technology allows CONN-chan to recommend products based on customer inquiries, such as suggesting eye drops for hard contact lens users. CONN-chan can address issues like eye fatigue and redness and can converse in English and Chinese. Plans are underway to implement this technology in hospitals and banks within the fiscal year. Developed by NTT Communications, CONN-chan aims to reduce stress for both customers and store staff by handling various inquiries, including those that might be embarrassing to ask in person.
• 2024-05-30 .. Enhancing Foreign Construction Workers’ Safety with Digital Human Technology / At the ‘Humanities and Social Sciences Performance EXPO’ held from June 19 to 21, 2024, the Digital Human Convergence Research Team will present their research achievements. The event, hosted by the Ministry of Education and the Korea Research Foundation, will take place at The K Hotel in Seoul. The Digital Human Convergence Research Team, selected for the 2023 Convergence Research Support Project, is developing educational content using digital human technology to enhance safety education for foreign construction workers. This research aims to create a safer working environment for these workers, who are vulnerable to safety accidents, especially after the implementation of the Serious Accidents Punishment Act. Professor Jang Jong-hwa of Dankook University will discuss the current state and issues of safety education for foreign construction workers in Korea. Additionally, Professor Noh Young-hee of Konkuk University and researcher Lee Ja-young from the Knowledge Content Research Institute will present an analysis of the current VR-based safety education for foreign construction workers and its development directions. The research focuses on developing and verifying the effectiveness of emotional sharing educational content using digital human technology. Based on the first year’s survey on the current state of safety education for foreign construction workers, the team is now preparing digital human-based educational materials using content provided by the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency. The expected outcomes include improved safety awareness among foreign workers, a reduction in industrial accidents, and the establishment of a safety culture at construction sites. The research team, led by Professor Joo Sang-hyun, anticipates that the digital human-based safety education content developed through this research can be applied to other industrial fields as well.
• 2024-05-30 .. Hatsune Miku “Magical Mirai”: A Celebration of Virtual Singer Culture and Creativity / Hatsune Miku “Magical Mirai” is an annual event in Japan, organized by Crypton Future Media, that combines a live 3DCG concert featuring virtual singers like Hatsune Miku with an exhibition showcasing the creative culture surrounding Miku and other Vocaloid characters. First held in 2013, the event celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2022. Typically occurring in late summer, it spans multiple days and is held in both Tokyo and Osaka. The concert features 3D hologram performances by Miku and other virtual singers, with participation from popular Vocaloid producers and artists. The exhibition includes interactive displays, artwork, merchandise booths, workshops, and other attractions highlighting the creativity of the Vocaloid fan community. Drawing over 40,000 attendees each year, tickets are sold in advance and often sell out quickly. Official albums featuring theme songs and setlists from the concerts are released annually.
• 2024-05-30 .. Pose-Driven Framework for Virtual Human Video Generation / MusePose is a public repository developed by Lyra Lab at Tencent Music Entertainment, aimed at generating virtual human videos from images using pose-driven signals. The project, which builds on previous works like MuseV and MuseTalk, utilizes a diffusion-based framework and introduces a pose alignment algorithm to enhance the performance and usability of the generated dance videos. MusePose’s model outperforms existing open-source models in this domain and includes a detailed setup and usage guide. The project acknowledges contributions from other open-source initiatives and is licensed under the MIT License for code, with trained models available for non-commercial research. The repository includes several demo videos, tutorials, and a commitment to future updates and improvements.
• 2024-05-30 .. Reallusion’s new Character Creator UE Control Rig plug-in enhances 3D animation production by integrating flexible character customization and a vast ecosystem with Unreal Engine 5.3-5.4. Artists can easily transfer and edit characters from Character Creator, AccuRIG, or ActorCore, utilizing familiar MetaHuman Control Rig for precise facial and body animations. The system supports advanced features like two-level morph adjustments, IK/FK toggles, and squash and stretch capabilities, enabling detailed character articulation and seamless interaction with props in Unreal Engine. The plug-in includes sample projects and tutorials, promoting efficient workflow and high-quality animation production.
• 2024-05-30 .. Revitalizing Tradition: Kabuki Embraces Digital Humans with Hatsune Miku / This article discusses the integration of digital humans, specifically the virtual pop idol Hatsune Miku, into traditional Kabuki theater to attract a younger audience and ensure the art form’s survival. This new “Cho-Kabuki” performance blends the traditional elements of Kabuki with modern technology, featuring computer-generated characters alongside human actors. Historically, Kabuki has been dominated by male actors since the 17th century, following a ban on female performers. The performances are known for their elaborate makeup and costumes. As the audience for traditional Kabuki, primarily elderly women, diminishes, promoters like Kankuro Nakamura are exploring innovative ways to draw in younger generations. At a recent show at Tokyo’s prestigious Kabuki-za theater, Hatsune Miku performed alongside renowned Kabuki actor Shido Nakamura. This fusion of tradition and technology attracted a diverse audience, including many younger fans of Miku who might not have otherwise attended a Kabuki performance. The show included modern concert elements, such as neon light sticks and interactive cheering, which are uncharacteristic of traditional Kabuki etiquette. This approach has been successful in broadening Kabuki’s appeal, bridging the gap between traditional and contemporary Japanese culture. The involvement of digital humans like Hatsune Miku not only preserves the essence of Kabuki but also brings it into the digital age, creating a new, dynamic form of entertainment.
• 2024-05-30 .. Today, a Lisbon-based company, has introduced Dreamia, an AI-powered character engine designed to enhance storytelling in their social simulation game by creating intelligent, interactive NPCs. Backed by $5 million in funding, Dreamia’s AI enables NPCs to exhibit lifelike behavior, contextual awareness, emotional intelligence, and sustained memory, allowing players to influence the narrative dynamically. This engine, developed in-house, aims to provide a more immersive and engaging gaming experience by integrating cinematic storytelling principles and enabling unique, player-shaped experiences. Dreamia is set to launch in alpha early next year, offering tools for players and developers to create and control their own characters and environments.
• 2024-05-30 .. United Corporation Invests in Pictoria Inc. to Support AI-Driven VTuber Solutions / On May 28, 2024, United Corporation (headquartered in Shibuya, Tokyo, with CEO Yoki Hayakawa) announced its investment in Pictoria Inc. (headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, with CEO Hayato Akito). Pictoria operates the AITuber agency “AI CAST” and provides corporate solutions utilizing AITuber technology. AITubers are AI-driven VTubers that perform all activities through AI without human actors, enabling 24/7 operation and multilingual broadcasts. Pictoria’s AITuber “Tsumugi Nen” is among the top in Japan by fan count, contributing to next-generation entertainment. United’s investment is motivated by the rapidly growing VTuber market, expected to reach $17.4 billion globally by 2028. Pictoria aims to address structural challenges in VTuber production using its expertise in IP development and AI technology. United anticipates that this investment will help Pictoria create compelling characters and achieve its mission to shape a future of supporting fandom. The funds will be used for developing new AITuber IPs, with United supporting Pictoria’s business expansion. United continues to invest in promising ventures, leveraging its experience in business operations, investment, and support for growth and exit strategies.
• 2024-05-30 .. Virtual K-pop girl group IITERNITI will perform at the grand finale of the AI for Good 2024 Global Summit in Geneva, Switzerland, on Friday. The 11-member group, created using Pulse9’s Deep Real AI technology, debuted in March 2021 and was selected through online votes in the “AI.dol Challenge 101.” The AI for Good summit, organized by the International Telecommunication Union, brings together global tech experts to discuss AI’s potentials and risks. IITERNITI will also perform at the Asia Tech Singapore Summit’s after-party, featuring songs “DTDTGMGN” and “collapse.”
• 2024-05-30 .. Hollywood Nightmare? New Streaming Service Lets Viewers Create Their Own Shows Using AI Fable, the studio behind the viral AI-generated ‘South Park’ clips, has announced a streaming platform that allows users to create their own content.
• 2024-05-29 .. A gaming studio is seeking a Senior AI Programmer for a remote, full-time position based in the United States, offering an attractive salary and benefits package. The role involves writing efficient C++ code and designing, implementing, and maintaining AI subsystems within a proprietary game engine. Candidates should have at least four years of professional experience, strong math and algorithmic skills, familiarity with game engine architecture, and practical knowledge of modern game AI system design patterns. The position entails working with a multi-national team on state-of-the-art autonomous AI and other advanced technologies.
• 2024-05-29 .. Avatize’s upcoming application, World of Avatars, allows users to select, create, or purchase personalized digital twins to serve as assistants and companions on their devices. Utilizing 3D technology and various features, the app aims to bring emotional connections to mobile devices.
• 2024-05-29 .. Lenovo’s latest Work For Humankind project, ‘Meet Your Digital Self,’ uses AI to create lifelike avatars from Gen Z participants’ online personas, facilitating meaningful conversations with their families. This initiative addresses the mental health challenges faced by young people who experience a disconnect between their online and offline identities. By engaging with these avatars, family members gain a deeper understanding of their loved ones’ online lives, helping to bridge gaps in communication and acceptance.
• 2024-05-29 .. Jaina’, a virtual human announcer wearing Jeju traditional costume
• 2024-05-27 .. Hyper Online: Avatar VTuber Studio is now available in Early Access on Steam / Hyper Online: Avatar VTuber Studio is a new application by Hyper Online, Inc., set to be released on May 28, 2024. It offers a comprehensive suite of tools for VTubers and avatar creators to produce content, stream, and interact using customizable 3D avatars. The software is currently in early access, allowing users to provide feedback and help shape its development. It features an avatar builder, motion capture, virtual webcam support, and compatibility with streaming software. The application aims to simplify VTubing with an intuitive interface and support for various avatar formats. Hyper Online: Avatar VTuber Studio is available for free, with in-app purchases and requires a third-party account and agreement to a third-party EULA.
• 2024-05-27 .. Jack Saunders’ “The Definitive Guide to Lip Sync Companies” surveys the rapidly expanding field of AI-driven lip-sync and talking avatar technologies, highlighting leading commercial players, their pricing models, and underlying technologies. Companies such as Synthesia, HeyGen, Flawless, DeepReel, Colossyan, Pipio, SyncLabs, D-ID, Tavus, GanAI, VEED IO, and Captions are profiled, with most offering AI avatars for applications in marketing, training, education, or entertainment. While the market is crowded and many services appear functionally similar—typically priced around $1.70–$1.90 per minute—distinct technological approaches include 2D and 3D models, Neural Rendering, NeRFs, Gaussian Splatting, and Wav2Lip-based systems. The piece concludes by noting the market’s maturity, potential consolidation, and looming competition from major tech firms like Microsoft and Alibaba, whose research into large-scale lip-sync models could disrupt current offerings.
• 2024-05-27 .. Text-Guided 3D Garment Generation Using AI Models / This video introduces “DressCode,” a framework that uses text prompts to generate 3D garments. Utilizing advanced AI models, including SewingGPT and a fine-tuned Stable Diffusion model, DressCode can create sewing patterns and realistic textures for garments based on natural language descriptions. This technology aims to make digital garment design accessible to everyone, supporting applications like fashion design, virtual try-ons, and digital human creation. It allows users to easily experiment with and create high-quality, diverse designs. Evaluations and user studies show that DressCode produces superior and practical results compared to other methods. => https://ihe-kaii.github.io/DressCode/
• 2024-05-27 .. This project is a digital human that can talk to you and is animated based on your questions. It uses the Nvidia API endpoint Meta llama3-70b to generate responses, Eleven Labs to generate voice and Rhubarb Lip Sync to generate the lip sync.
• 2024-05-26 .. Enhanced Avatar Recorder and Audio Features in Tranzient: A Detailed Walkthrough / This video by AliveIn Tech provides a detailed walkthrough of the latest updates to the Avatar recording and audio features in the Tranzient application. The presenter begins by noting that both avatar and audio recording functionalities have been significantly improved, particularly the looping feature. The video starts with an explanation of the new “Mirror position” setting in Avatar Record. This feature allows users to map their own movements to an avatar that appears as a mirrored image, opposite to their actual position. When this setting is turned off, the avatar records exactly where the user is standing. The presenter demonstrates the recording process by turning on the “Mirror position” setting, initiating a countdown, and then recording. Once the recording is complete, the avatar appears in the mirrored position. The new features also enable users to move, rotate, and scale the recorded avatars using two hands, similar to other objects within Tranzient. This flexibility is showcased as the presenter adjusts the size of the avatar, making it as small as desired. Additionally, the video highlights the ability to change the avatar even after recording. Users can also clone avatars, creating multiple copies of the recorded avatar in different sizes and positions. Regarding audio improvements, the presenter explains that when recording with a microphone, the audio now loops back immediately without the previous delay of waiting for a bar to finish recording. This enhancement makes the audio looping feature function more like a typical looper, providing a smoother and more efficient experience.
• 2024-05-26 .. Preview of Popul8’s Character Editor SDK for Game Developers / Popul8’s Character Editor SDK is a cutting-edge tool designed to assist game developers and artists in creating dynamic characters with ease. The SDK supports both multiplayer and single-player games, offering seamless integration and extensive customization options for players. This preview highlights the tool’s capabilities in enhancing game development processes.
• 2024-05-26 .. Standable: Advanced Full Body Estimation Software for VR / Standable: Full Body Estimation is a VR software plugin that enhances body tracking by estimating full-body poses without additional trackers or cameras, offering improved accuracy over traditional 3-point tracking. Available on Steam for $19.99, it is compatible with various VR headsets, including Oculus Quest 2, and popular applications like VRChat. The software has mostly positive reviews, scoring between 6.8 and 7.1 out of 10. Users can find setup and usage tutorials on YouTube, and discussions about the software are active on forums like Reddit and the Steam Community. The recent release of version 2.0 introduced new features and improvements, making it a valuable tool for enhancing the VR experience.
• 2024-05-26 .. The Uvalde school shooting has sparked significant ethical and legal debates, focusing on the role of Non-Player Characters (NPCs) in video games, such as “Call of Duty,” in influencing real-life violent behavior. Lawsuits against companies like Activision, Meta, and Daniel Defense allege that exposure to violent content in games and firearms marketing contributed to the tragedy. These discussions highlight the ethical responsibility of game developers and social media companies to moderate violent content and consider its impact on players, particularly young and impressionable ones. The realistic depictions of violence by NPCs are central to these debates, raising concerns about their potential to desensitize individuals and promote aggressive behavior.
• 2024-05-26 .. Upgraded Gatebox AI Byte Service Now Supports GPT-4o for Customer Assistance / The AI service “AI Byte,” which integrates with ChatGPT, has been upgraded to support the latest generative AI, GPT-4o. “AI Byte” assists with customer service and product explanations in stores and exhibition halls, providing a futuristic hospitality experience. The service is easy to use: simply contact the company’s staff with the product description you want the AI to introduce, and you can start using it immediately without complex settings.
• 2024-05-26 .. VR Cop Simulator: A Voice-Controlled, Immersive Experience / VR Cop Simulator is an upcoming voice-controlled virtual reality game that blends humor and intense drama, developed by Technolomics for release on Steam for PC. Players interact with AI characters, navigate challenging situations, and make decisions as a police officer. The game has been showcased on YouTube channels like Test Tube VR and Technolomics, and features AI-powered NPCs, including one resembling Snoop Dogg, with interactions driven by voice commands. It has generated interest on social media platforms such as Twitter, TikTok, and Reddit. Although the Steam page and build have been approved, no official release date has been announced.
• 2024-05-26 .. DD Kisan to launch AI anchors AI Krish and AI Bhoomi, who can speak 50 languages / The anchors will provide crucial information on agricultural research in India and globally, trends in agriculture mandis, changes in the weather, and other necessary data on government schemes, for the benefit of farmers.
• 2024-05-26 .. Veda, the AI Pathfinder is your financial intelligence consultant, brought to life through Generative AI and NVIDIA Avatar Cloud Engine. Discover how Veda teaches you how to save money or double investments with real-time conversations.
• 2024-05-26 .. A sneak peek of Veda, the AI Pathfinder. The NVIDIA-powered Generative AI digital avatar demonstrates how financial institutions can adopt new technology to offer customers value-added services.
• 2024-05-26 .. In this tutorial, we’ll show you how you can use Convai to add AI functionalities to Metahuman Characters in Unreal Engine 5. Convai enables these Metahuman AI NPCs to perceive their surroundings, perform complex actions and even talk with you or other AI NPCs within your games and virtual worlds. Create amazing virtual experiences in UE5 with Convai today!
• 2024-05-25 .. FANDOM’s ‘Inside Gaming 2024′ Report Highlights the Importance of Avatars in Self-Expression / The “Inside Gaming 2024” report by FANDOM provides insights into how global brands can more authentically engage with gamers, emphasizing the role of avatars in self-expression. Modern and younger generations see gaming as a form of self-expression, not just entertainment. FANDOM’s survey of 5,000 gamers reveals that while stress relief is the main reason for gaming, 46% play for creativity, imagination, and self-expression, a 10% increase from last year. These gamers spend 30% more time in game worlds and are particularly attracted to the design and customization of avatars. About 60% of players find self-expression through gaming more important than ever, with games like “Minecraft,” “Fortnite,” and “Roblox” offering extensive avatar customization options and open-world exploration, allowing for personal expression. The report highlights a significant difference between gamers’ in-game and real-life identities, with 80% of respondents feeling different as their avatars. Nearly half wish their real-life personas were more like their in-game avatars, and 72% have a higher affinity for brands that help bridge this gap. This trend is particularly prevalent among 18-34 year-olds, multicultural groups, women, and non-binary individuals, who view avatar customization as key to enhancing game engagement. This insight could drive collaborations between video game developers and fashion or beauty brands to design products that cater to these gamers’ desire for self-expression through their avatars.
• 2024-05-24 .. BabyX, a hyper-realistic digital infant developed by Dr. Mark Sagar and Soul Machines at the University of Auckland, is being used by researchers to study caregiver-infant interactions. This AI-powered simulation responds to social cues like a real infant, allowing researchers to examine how subtle changes in caregiver behavior affect infants. Led by Professor Annette Henderson, the study seeks 80 primary caregivers to engage with BabyX in a controlled lab setting, aiming to improve understanding of these interactions to help parents provide better care. The research is supported by the Marsden Fund of Royal Society Te Apārangi.
• 2024-05-24 .. Inworld AI has launched Inworld Voice, a new AI voice generator aimed at providing dynamic, expressive, and cost-efficient voices for developers. The product features a diverse portfolio of 58 voices, enhanced by AI models that improve latency, rhythm, intonation, and pitch variation. Inworld Voice offers customization options, making it suitable for gaming, audiobooks, narration, voiceovers, education, training, podcasts, AI assistants, chatbots, and other interactive experiences. The first 100 daily text-to-speech requests are free, and the voice pipeline is included at no extra cost for Inworld Engine customers. Inworld AI is also developing new features such as voice cloning, multilingual support, and increased contextual awareness to enhance emotional connectivity.
• 2024-05-24 .. Proto announced that advisor Howie Mandel will beam live into JFK Terminal 4 to surprise travelers. Mandel, known for his role on America’s Got Talent, celebrates the expanded use of Proto at the terminal, which includes a holographic presentation by Bronx Zoo Director Jim Breheny introducing various animals. The life-size, 4K volumetric holograms allow real-time interaction with travelers. Mandel has previously recorded a hologram about Terminal 4â??s T4 Arts & Culture program and Proto technology. Proto has also been utilized at several New York landmarks and by major clients such as Amazon AWS and NBC Universal, spanning sectors like education, entertainment, and healthcare.
• 2024-05-24 .. Techno-Speech Announces New AI Singing Software Voice Libraries / Techno-Speech, Inc. announced the release of new voice libraries “Zundamon” and “Shikoku Metan” for their AI singing software “VoiSona,” available on June 20, 2024, with prices ranging from 880 yen per month to 13,200 yen for a one-time purchase. A cross-platform campaign allows these libraries to be used on both “VoiSona” and “CeVIO AI.” Additionally, other characters like Tohoku Zunko, Itako, and Kiritan will also be available. “VoiSona” is AI singing software compatible with Windows and macOS, supporting VSTi/Audio Units, and includes a free default Japanese voice library. Techno-Speech, based in Nagoya, specializes in multimedia software research and development.
• 2024-05-24 .. Kiss’ Tommy Thayer Suggests Las Vegas Could Host the Band’s Digital Avatar Concerts
• 2024-05-24 .. On Fiverr, searches for ‘AI influencer’ have skyrocketed by 6,305% in the last 6 months
• 2024-05-24 .. 17 Expert Insights Into The Rise Of AI Influencers
• 2024-05-23 .. Alfred Wallace: Digital Avatar and Guide at the Regional Museum of Natural Sciences in Turin / Alfred Wallace is a digital avatar with advanced AI, serving as a guide at the Regional Museum of Natural Sciences in Turin. He enhances visitor experiences by offering interactive tours, answering questions, and providing detailed information about the exhibits. As a famous naturalist, he engages with visitors on topics like biodiversity and shares memorable discoveries, such as the bird of paradise in New Guinea. The video also marks the museum’s reopening after a decade, showcasing three newly refurbished and reimagined exhibition halls.
• 2024-05-23 .. An agency is seeking a highly skilled Senior AI Designer for a remote, full-time position in the United States, offering a generous salary and attractive benefits. The role involves creating AI systems to enhance game realism and player engagement, requiring a deep understanding of game design principles and code comprehension. Responsibilities include collaborating with the design team, developing AI behaviors and decision-making systems for NPCs and enemies, and conducting extensive playtesting. Applicants should have at least 3 years of experience in AI design, preferably in tactical shooters, and familiarity with AI techniques like pathfinding and behavior trees, along with strong problem-solving, analytical, communication, and teamwork skills.
• 2024-05-23 .. Autodesk has announced its acquisition of Wonder Dynamics, the creators of Wonder Studio, an AI-powered VFX tool. This strategic move aims to enhance Autodesk’s Media & Entertainment portfolio by providing more accessible and innovative solutions for artists. Wonder Studio allows for automated VFX work, including character animation and scene integration, significantly simplifying complex processes. Co-founders Nikola Todorovic and Tye Sheridan will remain involved, ensuring continuity and further development. The acquisition is expected to facilitate deeper integration with Autodesk’s tools like Maya, boosting creative capabilities while maintaining commitment to open ecosystems and ethical AI use. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
• 2024-05-23 .. Automatic Measurement Method for Accurate Avatar Sizing in Virtual Reality / As the metaverse grows, using self-avatars in Virtual Reality (VR) is becoming more popular because they help users feel more present and enable better communication through gestures. To make these avatars feel realistic, their size needs to match the user’s body. Usually, this requires someone else to manually measure the user’s body parts, which can be slow and prone to mistakes. This paper suggests a new, automatic way to take these measurements. Users just need to wear a VR headset, hand controllers, and a few trackers, and do some simple exercises. This method is quick, affordable, and adjusts the avatar to fit the user accurately, improving the overall VR experience.
• 2024-05-23 .. Bootloader Studio, led by CEO Bryan Pelz, is launching a startup to offer digital pets for the Apple Vision Pro that use AI to read and respond to human emotions. This innovation is crucial as AI needs emotional intelligence to interact effectively with humans. Based in Vietnam, Bootloader Studio aims to combine AI and spatial computing to transform human-technology interaction. Pelz, inspired during the COVID-19 pandemic, realized the limits of social media and virtual reality in fulfilling human interaction needs. The digital pets, developed since 2022 and tested on the Vision Pro in 2023, analyze user behavior through various inputs like attention, head position, and speech patterns. Unlike AI replicas of humans, these pets are designed to avoid complexities and enhance user well-being. Funded with $5 million in seed capital led by Antler Elevate, Bootloader Studio plans to launch its digital pets for Vision Pro this summer.
• 2024-05-23 .. Dentsu’s global study, “Consumer Vision 2035: The Era of the Insight-to-Foresight Pivot,” explores how advancements in AI and the impacts of climate change will reshape consumer behaviors by 2035. The report, based on a survey of 30,000 people across 26 countries, reveals that half of global consumers want AI clones to manage tasks like shopping and communication, leading to the rise of ‘AI Gatekeepers.’ These digital assistants will streamline consumer interactions with brands, ensuring preferences are met. The study underscores the need for brands to anticipate these changes and adapt to the dual influence of technology and environmental factors to remain relevant in a rapidly evolving marketplace.
• 2024-05-23 .. IO Interactive is seeking an AI Programmer to join their team and work on an unannounced emergent multiplayer project. This permanent, full-time position offers the flexibility to work in Copenhagen, Malmö, or Barcelona, with full relocation support and visas provided. The role involves collaborating with Game Designers, Level Designers, and Animation Programmers to enhance the gaming experience using IO’s award-winning Glacier engine technology. Responsibilities include designing and implementing a new AI system, developing additional features, and fixing bugs. Candidates should have at least three years of AI programming experience, proficiency in C++, a strong understanding of programming best practices, and a team-centric mindset. Experience with AAA games, console programming, and agile methodologies is a plus.
• 2024-05-23 .. Praktika is a language-learning app that uses AI-powered avatars to simulate the experience of a private tutor, focusing on natural interactions through tone of voice and emotions. The app has 1.2 million active monthly users in 100 countries and generated nearly $20 million in revenue in the past year. It recently secured a $35.5 million Series A funding round led by Blossom Capital, following a $2.5 million seed fundraise. The founding team, Adam Turaev, Anton Marin, and Ilya Chernyakov, previously built Cleverbots, an AI service business. Praktika uses various large language models and extensive interaction data to tailor lessons and improve user experience.
• 2024-05-23 .. Union Avatars: A Comprehensive Tool for 3D Avatar Creation and Integration / Union Avatars provides a tool for creating realistic 3D avatars from a single selfie, with easy integration options through its API, SDK, and iFrame integration kit. The SDK is available on the Unity Asset Store, supported by a comprehensive UA Unity SDK Guide. With over 110,000 avatars created and more than 60,000 users, the platform caters to both individuals and businesses. Partnerships with companies like Kinetix enhance avatar customization, and investments from ACCIÃ? and GoHub support the company’s development.
• 2024-05-23 .. Yokosuka Mayor Katsuaki Kamiji has launched an AI-generated avatar to address the city’s foreign residents in English, despite his own lack of fluency in the language. This initiative, the first of its kind by a local government in Japan, features a digital representation of Kamiji speaking English nearly identically to his own voice and mannerisms. The avatar is used to communicate important information, particularly due to the presence of the U.S. Naval Base in Yokosuka. While currently there is a 10-day delay in translating Kamijiâ??s speeches, the goal is to enhance communication on disaster preparedness, emergencies, and peace messages to the city’s non-Japanese residents.
• 2024-05-23 .. Questions about Rome airport website content, with answers generated by AI.
• 2024-05-23 .. Ozone Story Tech offers a real-time character pipeline that enables artists to create feature film-quality characters faster and more efficiently across film, TV, and games, with advanced rigging tools, additive deformers, and a lightweight clip format that dramatically reduces load times, file sizes, and production costs.
• 2024-05-22 .. >> Prof. Donkor Nawaah, Assistant Professor at School of Business, Woxsen University showcases a glimpse of our innovative project: a Real-time VR Avatar Chatbot. This innovative project pushes the boundaries of interactive communication, seamlessly blending technology with human connection.
• 2024-05-22 .. Rapport Announces Launch of Self-Service Platform for Virtual Interactive Personalities / Rapport is launching a new self-service platform on July 1, 2024, allowing users to create, animate, and deploy Virtual Interactive Personalities quickly and easily. Users can select characters from a diverse library or create their own, integrate major AI providers like ChatGPT, Azure, or Gemini for character “brains,” choose from thousands of text-to-speech voices, and animate characters with Speech Graphics’ audio-driven facial animation technology. The platform supports various use cases including immersive learning, sales, marketing, service, and entertainment, offering both free access and scalable paid packages. Sign up is available for early access. https://www.rapport.cloud/blogs/rapport-launch-self-service-product
• 2024-05-21 .. Apple’s granted patent 11983810 which was made public on May 14, 2024 / Apple has been granted a patent related to the realistic rendering of hair for digital personas in the Apple Vision Pro. This patent addresses the challenges of creating lifelike avatars for digital communication, such as in FaceTime. Traditional methods of hair rendering were either computationally expensive or prone to issues like aliasing and deformation. Apple’s new method involves projecting hair strands onto a hair mesh to dynamically generate high-quality hair textures across rendering cycles. This approach allows for the creation of rich, realistic hair textures without the drawbacks of previous techniques. The patented technology is part of Apple’s broader effort to develop highly realistic digital avatars for use in augmented, mixed, and virtual reality environments.
• 2024-05-21 .. ARHT Media Inc. announced that Husky Technologies showcased their “We Call You” monitoring capability using ARHT CAPSULE at NPE 2024 in Orlando. Husky featured an AI Avatar developed by HOLOMEDIA AI, which engaged attendees with demonstrations of Husky’s packaging solutions. This initiative allowed a monitoring specialist to participate live from Canada without traveling. The ARHT CAPSULE’s two-way communication enabled Husky to provide service globally. Henry Zhang, Husky’s Director of Global Marketing and ESG, highlighted their remote monitoring solution, Advantage+EliteTM, in addressing production issues.
• 2024-05-21 .. Bythen, a startup, aims to democratize personalized AI avatars with a focus on emotional intelligence, contextual memory, and 3D visuals for various applications like personal assistants and gaming NPCs. They plan to launch 1,888 NFTs called the bythen Chip Collection, providing early access and other benefits. Bythen secured $3 million in seed funding and aims to address limitations in current AI technology by creating avatars that empathize with users and perform action-oriented tasks through specialized AI Agents. The bythen ecosystem will evolve through community collaboration, strategic partnerships, and advancements in AI, with a native token facilitating ecosystem utility and participation.
• 2024-05-21 .. Jet BI has digitally replicated its 60 employees using technology from AI startup Eternity.AC, ensuring individuals maintain control over their AI-twins, which can be deactivated at will. These AI-twins, showcased on Jet BI’s website, serve as AI assistants, providing information about services and products, offering expert advice, and recording conversation details in the corporate CRM. Jet BI’s co-founder, Andrey Bosak, emphasizes that AI-twins enhance personalization and user experience for business functions like sales, service, and HR. Creating a digital clone with Eternity.AC involves a self-service process that captures user data to create lifelike 3D avatars. Jet BI, headquartered in Dublin, offers CRM and BI solutions, product development, and systems integration.
• 2024-05-21 .. Launch of Virtual Human Talk: AI-Powered Interactive Avatars by Rinna Co., Ltd. / Rinna Co., Ltd. announced the launch of Virtual Human Talk, a solution combining AI avatars, large language models (LLM), and voice synthesis to create interactive, real-time conversational AI avatars. This solution, developed in response to market demand, integrates the Tamashiru Custom LLM and Koemotion voice synthesis, enabling high-quality communication and immersive experiences across various platforms. Rinna aims to continue updating its services to address business challenges with evolving AI technologies.
• 2024-05-21 .. Synthesia has partnered with ElevenLabs, a provider of AI-generated voices, to integrate high-quality, natural-sounding voices into Synthesia’s tools for Enterprise plan users. ElevenLabs offers advanced text-to-speech capabilities and instant voice cloning, while Synthesia specializes in creating AI-generated videos with realistic avatars. The partnership aims to leverage both companies’ technologies to enable users to create professional, engaging videos. The AI-generated media industry is expanding rapidly, with numerous startups receiving significant investments and collaborating to improve their offerings. This partnership marks a significant development in the field, combining advanced video and voice technologies for more realistic content.
• 2024-05-21 .. Join GoodAI’s Community Manager Jack as he talks with CEO Marek Rosa about AI People! We’ll also be hearing from developers about the behind the scenes of the game!
• 2024-05-19 .. In “The Elder Scrolls 2: Daggerfall” (1996), procedural generation was used to create NPCs and quests by combining elements from lists or tables, allowing the game to populate its vast world with diverse characters and missions, contributing to its immense scale and replayability.
• 2024-05-19 .. Seo Gook-han, Co-Chairman of the Korea Virtual Human Industry Association (KOVHIA)
• 2024-05-18 .. Exploring the Potential of Virtual Humans: Advantages, Limitations, and Ethical Considerations / This video begins with a welcome and introduction from the host, Sharif Uddin Ahmed Rana of the World Talent Economy Forum, who sets the stage for a discussion about the potential of artificial intelligences to replace human workers. The participants are introduced, and the conversation starts by defining what constitutes virtual humans and real humans. Virtual humans are described as constructs created through computation, existing as avatars in computer programs or robotics in the real world. Real humans are characterized by their biological origins and typical human behaviors. An interesting point is raised about whether individuals with psychopathic traits, who lack empathy and emotional connection, fit neatly into the definition of being human. The discussion progresses to evaluating performance and emotional aspects. Virtual humans are considered potentially more performant due to their ability to operate 24/7, lack of emotional fluctuations, and no need for rest or aging. The participants debate whether these attributes necessarily make virtual humans better than real humans. The notion of empathy and emotional depth is examined, suggesting that a truly better human would be one who is highly empathetic and collaborative. However, defining what “better” means remains a complex issue. Examples from the workforce illustrate the practical applications and advantages of AI. One significant example is IBM’s test with Watson elements in the insurance industry, where AI replaced telephone sales representatives and achieved higher performance and customer satisfaction. This leads to a broader discussion on the metrics used to measure AI performance against human attributes, highlighting the challenges and nuances involved. Sheridan Tatsuno provides insights into the integration of AI and virtual reality in the medical field. He explains how AI avatars, used since 2017, assist in patient interactions and diagnostics under strict regulations like GDPR. These avatars help manage bureaucratic tasks and provide initial diagnostics, significantly reducing the workload on human doctors. However, human oversight remains essential to avoid medical liabilities, emphasizing that AI serves as an assistant rather than a replacement in healthcare. The conversation expands to blended reality in training and education. Tatsuno shares examples of using augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) for medical training, where virtual elements are combined with real-world scenarios to enhance learning. This method allows for large-scale, interactive training sessions that are more engaging and effective compared to traditional methods. The benefits of such technology in providing detailed, pre-surgical insights and running disaster simulations are highlighted. Philosophical and ethical considerations are woven throughout the discussion. AI is viewed as a partner and assistant to humans, with potential roles ranging from a search function to a creative aid. The participants emphasize the importance of keeping humans in the loop, suggesting that AI will enhance human capabilities rather than replace them. The concept of co-evolution with AI is introduced, drawing parallels to how humans have historically co-evolved with animals like dogs and cats. A significant portion of the conversation focuses on comparing human intelligence with artificial intelligence. The limitations of AI in generating hypotheses and engaging in creative thinking are acknowledged. It is argued that creativity and intelligence are social judgments, and AI lacks the intrinsic motivation and contextual understanding that humans possess. The participants stress the need to avoid anthropomorphizing AI, recognizing the fundamental differences between human and artificial cognition. Looking to the future, the discussion addresses the rapid advancements in AI capabilities and the potential implications. There is concern about the possibility of AI completely replacing human roles, which raises ethical questions about the impact on the human workforce and society at large. The participants advocate for careful consideration of the goals and implications of AI development, emphasizing that the focus should be on complementing human abilities rather than simply replacing them. In conclusion, the video provides a comprehensive exploration of the potential for virtual humans to be inherently better than real humans. The participants offer a balanced view, recognizing the impressive capabilities of AI while also highlighting its limitations and the importance of ethical considerations. The discussion underscores the need for ongoing dialogue about the role of AI in society and the ways in which it can be integrated to enhance human life.
• 2024-05-18 .. Klleon and Dreamus Company Partner to Develop Real-Time Digital Human Technology for K-Pop Exhibitions / Klleon, a startup developing real-time conversational digital humans, has announced a partnership with Dreamus Company, which operates the music streaming platform ‘FLO’. Together, they plan to use Klleon’s real-time digital human technology for K-pop exhibitions in North America and Asia. This collaboration aims to leverage Klleon’s interactive digital human capabilities and Dreamus Company’s K-pop entertainment services to create synergy. Additionally, they plan to develop business applications in performance planning and other services using digital humans. Klleon’s technology allows virtual humans to listen, understand, speak, and act with a response time of 2-3 seconds. CEO Jin Seung-hyeok emphasized the technology’s near-human response speed and its potential to create new business opportunities in the entertainment industry. Shin Sang-hwa, head of entertainment at Dreamus Company, echoed the sentiment, highlighting the potential for new business ventures based on their combined strengths.
• 2024-05-18 .. Get an inside look into SIGGRAPH 2024 Keynote Speaker Dr. Mark Sagar’s presentation “Beyond the Illusion of Life.” His presentation takes place Monday, 29 July, and will discuss his team’s biologically based approach, where they are developing a virtual nervous system analogous to our own, combining computational models of sensory, cognitive and emotional processes, language, behavior, and motor systems.
• 2024-05-17 .. CONSORTIUM VR: Interactive Narrative VR Game Releasing May 21st, 2024 / CONSORTIUM VR is an immersive VR game that combines a remastered version of the original CONSORTIUM with modern, experimental VR technology. The game allows players to interact with NPCs using voice commands, influencing the narrative based on their choices. Set to officially release on May 21st, 2024, on Steam and Meta Quest, CONSORTIUM VR offers an interactive cinematic experience. The game is priced at $24.99 and includes a non-VR mode, available for purchase separately. The developers have incorporated advanced Unreal Engine 4.27 technology to enhance graphics and gameplay, aiming to provide a highly engaging and interactive experience.
• 2024-05-17 .. This AI Video startup Synthesia gave OpenAI’s new GPT-4o voice mode a face—with their world first expressive AI avatars. And wow it looks realistic!
• 2024-05-16 .. Fantasy, a digital product and services agency, has developed “Synthetic Humans,” AI beings designed to aid in user research and team input by emulating human nuance. These AI models, trained on Fantasyâ??s AI Cortex, offer insights based on customizable traits and “lived” experiences, providing both subjective and objective opinions. They can work autonomously, generate novel ideas, and understand past conversational contexts. Fantasy CEO Firdosh Tangri highlights the cost-effectiveness of Synthetic Humans, noting a 66% reduction in research costs and significant labor savings. These AI beings are meant to be a starting point for developers, offering diverse perspectives, such as that of a mother in Somalia or a concerned father in New Jersey, to innovate and enhance product development. Fantasyâ??s collaboration with BP, documented by Harvard Business School, underscores the practical benefits of this approach. Synthetic Humans won Fast Companyâ??s World Changing Ideas Award in the experimental category.
• 2024-05-16 .. In Tokyo’s tech district, Atsuya Momikura of Pocket RD and Hirofumi Ukita from Fujitsu’s Accelerator program are advancing Japan’s position in the Web3 and metaverse sectors. Pocket RD, founded by Momikura, focuses on digital avatars and data through its platform Avatarium, aiming to democratize digital identities with decentralized identifiers (DIDs) and verifiable credentials (VCs). Supported by Fujitsu Accelerator, they aim to create a transparent Web3 ecosystem. Fujitsu is also leveraging AI-driven motion capture for immersive metaverse experiences and seeking international partners at Vivatech 2024 to expand their innovations globally.
• 2024-05-16 .. MeiONE Introduces Digital Human Live Streaming for 618 Shopping Festival / Journalist Wu Yujia reported that this year’s 618 shopping festival, MeiONE, led by Li Jiaqi, is integrating digital humans into their live streaming strategy. The focus is shifting from simply creating novel promotions to genuinely understanding and meeting user needs. For the first time, MeiONE will test digital human live streaming to provide more time slots and detailed services. This innovation aims to fill gaps in human live streaming schedules and use AI for timely and accurate user communication. Digital humans will be employed in various realistic live streaming scenarios, such as outdoors, supermarkets, and homes, to make the experience more authentic and relatable. MeiONE partner Wei Yinghui emphasized that this move towards digital humans is part of a broader strategy to embrace new technology. The goal is to integrate AI into the entire live streaming process, including customer service and product selection, to enhance efficiency and service quality. This new approach aims to boost productivity and better meet user needs through advanced technology.
• 2024-05-16 .. Minsait, an Indra company, has introduced “AlicIA,” the first AI-based avatar designed to assist self-employed individuals and small businesses with their finances. Unveiled at the Revolution Banking event in Spain, AlicIA provides expert banking advice, answers financial queries, and serves as a financial specialist and influencer on social media. The avatar aims to improve customer interaction and service for banking firms, addressing the financial concerns of new entrepreneurs and enhancing communication processes. AlicIA leverages generative AI to simulate human-like interactions, enhancing the marketing and service capabilities of financial institutions.
• 2024-05-16 .. Sum Vivas, a Liverpool-based creator of digital humans like Dex the DJ, has won a mentorship with Steven Bartlett from Dragonsâ?? Den through Fiverrâ??s Break the Breakthrough programme. This initiative supports UK small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) by providing resources, guidance, and expertise to help them grow digitally. Sum Vivas will receive £10,000 in Fiverr Credits, dedicated guidance from a Fiverr customer success manager, and a 45-minute mentorship session with Bartlett. Denise Harris, CCO of Sum Vivas, expressed excitement about the win, emphasizing their commitment to innovation and business growth. Bartlett highlighted the importance of utilizing expert freelancers for business success, a sentiment echoed by Bukki Adedapo, UK Country Manager at Fiverr. This partnership aims to help SMBs overcome challenges and thrive in the digital landscape.
• 2024-05-16 .. Varun Sharma, co-founder of Metaphy Labs (now part of Jetsynthesys), has led innovation in AI and virtual humans, transforming brand-consumer interactions through immersive experiences. Metaphy Labs specializes in creating hyper-realistic virtual humans and industry simulations using advanced AI and rendering techniques. Their solutions incorporate emotional intelligence, making interactions more engaging and empathetic. Beyond gaming, their technology impacts various sectors, including healthcare, education, and retail. Sharma envisions India as a future hub for AI innovation, with Metaphy Labs positioned to lead through collaborations and groundbreaking projects focused on responsible AI and human-centric technology.
• 2024-05-16 .. This startup used its own AI avatar technology, instead of a pitch deck, to help raise its Series B. Here’s why.
• 2024-05-16 .. Kiddia is an AI digital human service that supports children’s cognitive development through real-time, voice-based interactive communication, using natural language processing to engage children, adapt topics to their interests, and enhance learning without requiring reading or writing skills.
• 2024-05-15 .. Korea Virtual Human Industry Association Role and Initiatives Highlighted at the 2024 AI XR Media Day / At the 2024 AI XR Media Day, the Korea Virtual Human Industry Association (KOVHIA) participated alongside HTC VIVE and SK Telecom (SKT) to showcase advancements in extended reality technology. The event included keynote sessions and demonstrations of VIVE devices, AI, motion capture, and graphics rendering technologies. Seo Gook-han, Chairman of KOVHIA, introduced the association, which was officially launched in November 2023. KOVHIA aims to expand the virtual human and virtual YouTuber industry, support related companies, enhance global competitiveness, and collaborate with government policies. The association is preparing to become an incorporated body under the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism. Seo highlighted the growing global recognition of Korean virtual YouTubers and idols, such as Isekai Idol, Stellive, and Playave. He emphasized KOVHIA’s efforts to further strengthen their global presence and competitiveness.
• 2024-05-15 .. Roblox is seeking a Technical Director for Generative AI based in San Mateo, California. This full-time, permanent role requires an experienced director to design and implement machine learning algorithms across multimodal data, lead state-of-the-art research, and process datasets for model training. The candidate will use generative modeling techniques such as GANs and VAEs, integrate language models for enhanced linguistic understanding, and ensure responsible AI practices. The role involves collaboration with ML Infrastructure and Platform teams, and requires deep knowledge of deep learning architectures, data processing pipelines, and experience with frameworks like Tensorflow, PyTorch, Spark, and Airflow. A Bachelor’s or advanced degree in a relevant technical field is required.
• 2024-05-15 .. Headsim 1;17 with major subtitles
• 2024-05-14 .. In 2021, Google introduced Project Starline, a technology that uses AI and 3D imaging to create the illusion of being in the same room with someone, regardless of distance. After extensive testing, Starline has shown to enhance attentiveness, memory recall, and presence compared to traditional video calls. Google is now partnering with HP to commercialize this technology in 2025, aiming to integrate it with current video conferencing services like Google Meet and Zoom. HP’s expertise will help deliver immersive collaboration experiences, enhancing human connections in hybrid work environments. More details will be shared later this year.
• 2024-05-14 .. Veritone, Inc. has announced a strategic partnership with Creative Artists Agency (CAA) to launch theCAAvault, a synthetic media vault for the entertainment industry. Veritone will manage and store digital talent assets for theCAAvault, providing a secure and ethical repository for artists’ name, image, and likeness. The vault utilizes Veritoneâ??s Digital Media Hub technology to offer secure storage and sharing capabilities. This collaboration aims to integrate AI responsibly into the entertainment industry, safeguarding artists’ assets while enabling digital transformation. Veritone and CAA are committed to ethical AI use, ensuring data security and protection for talent.
• 2024-05-14 .. This study explores how individuals psychologically relate to their personalized photorealistic avatars outside of active use, identifying themes of control, identity entanglement, and emotional attachment, and proposes ethical recommendations for future research involving such avatars.
• 2024-05-13 .. 3D Hologram Dolphin “Delfi” for Stress Reduction and Mental Well-being / The Munich startup “SO GEHT WOW” presents Delfi, a 3D hologram dolphin designed to reduce stress and promote mental well-being through an immersive, interactive experience. Using advanced tracking technology, Delfi reacts to user movements, offering a realistic and engaging encounter that emphasizes the importance of ocean conservation. Visitors can experience Delfi at PopUp-Delfi-Centers by wearing a hologram headset with FrédARico software, simulating an underwater environment. Founded in 2024, the company aims to address high stress and burnout rates in Germany by providing this innovative form of preventive mental health care.
• 2024-05-13 .. A Look at Reblium: The Powerful New Character Creator Tool in Open Beta / This video introduces Reblium, a new character creator tool currently in open beta. The presenter begins by explaining how to download and install the 6.7 GB demo and discusses the minimum hardware requirements and available features. Next, the video guides viewers through setting up and navigating Reblium, including adjusting graphics quality, texture export settings, and screen resolution. The presenter demonstrates how to pan, zoom, and orbit the model within the interface. The main portion of the video focuses on creating characters using two methods: generative and artistic. The generative method involves generating an avatar and customizing it using presets, randomization, and prompts. The artistic method starts with a default model and allows for extensive customization of skin, makeup, grooming, sculpting, wardrobe, and accessories. The presenter highlights some limitations and desired features, such as layering multiple accessories, ripping apart clothing items, and automatic fitting of clothing to the model. The video then explores the scene and animation options, including changing studio lighting, expressions, and animations like idle, GD, and poses. The exporting process is discussed, including the exported files and texture maps. The presenter notes current limitations and issues with exporting, such as the groom not exporting and compatibility problems with other software like Blender and Maya. However, Reblium is compatible with Unreal Engine. The presenter expresses future expectations and improvements for Reblium, such as layered systems for grooms and props, automatic skin weighting for fabrics, and enhanced exporting options. In conclusion, the video suggests using Reblium as a concept tool and finalizing features in Unreal Engine. The presenter encourages viewers to try out the Reblium Beta and acknowledges both Reblium and Render Hope for their contributions.
• 2024-05-13 .. AI REALTOR: The First AI VideoBot for Real Estate Advisors / The video titled “Revolutionizing Real Estate with AI REALTOR – World’s First AI VideoBot for Real Estate Advisors” by CoRover introduces AI REALTOR, an innovative Video Bot designed for the real estate industry. In collaboration with BharatGPT, CoRover presents AI REALTOR as a personalized guide for homebuyers, featuring natural language processing for conversational interactions, virtual property tours for immersive experiences, smart property recommendations based on user preferences, and 24/7 availability. Ajay Agarwal, a notable real estate expert, shares his insights on how this technology enhances the home-buying process, making it smarter, faster, and more efficient.
• 2024-05-12 .. Innovator Andrius Marcinkevičius, in collaboration with Vytautas Magnus University researchers, is developing “FitSpace,” a virtual measuring cabin that uses 3D avatars to address challenges in clothing shopping both online and in-store. FitSpace allows users to create a digital twin for virtual try-ons, reducing the need to order multiple sizes and decreasing returns. Supported by over â?¬196,000 in EU funding, the technology has received positive feedback for its realistic rendering and user-friendly interface. Future plans include integrating AI for avatar creation from photos, implementing smart mirrors in physical stores, and partnering with clothing retailers to enhance customer engagement and reduce returns.
• 2024-05-12 .. Lauren Dyer’s Insights on Virtual Humans at Dimension Studio / Lauren Dyer, with 15 years in digital production, has been at Dimension Studio for five years. Dimension Studio excels in virtual humans, virtual production, and virtual worlds, leveraging their extensive experience and expertise in these fields. Dimension uses volumetric capture, a technique involving a multi-camera array to record a person in 360 degrees, preserving authentic details. This technology enables the creation of highly realistic 3D models that can be distributed across augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and traditional video formats. In addition to volumetric capture, Dimension creates fully virtual humans using tools like Unreal Engine and Epic Games’ MetaHuman. These virtual humans are generated through detailed scans, allowing for animation and customization, making them suitable for various virtual environments and interactive applications. Virtual humans by Dimension are used in fashion, sports, and entertainment, offering significant flexibility. Unlike volumetric captures, which are hard to edit post-capture, these digital humans can be animated and modified, enhancing their utility across different scenarios. Dimension integrates AI with virtual humans to enable interactive experiences, allowing users to communicate with digital avatars. Lauren highlights the importance of responsibly applying AI to ensure it enhances creativity and user engagement effectively. Dimension’s virtual human technology is employed in fashion, sports, and entertainment. Fashion brands like Balenciaga and Gucci use it for immersive showrooms and shows, while sports applications include capturing athletes for analysis and creating interactive fan experiences, such as virtual trackside views for Formula 1. Lauren foresees rapid advancements in virtual human technologies in the next 5 to 10 years. She emphasizes the growing importance of spatial design and experiences, predicting that augmented reality and mixed reality will become increasingly integrated into everyday life.
• 2024-05-12 .. This year marks the 50th anniversary of ABBA’s victory at the Eurovision Song Contest with their hit “Waterloo.” To celebrate, digital avatars of ABBA performed remotely from their ABBA Voyage stage show, surprising many and drawing some online criticism. Former Eurovision winners Charlotte Perrelli, Carola, and Conchita Wurst also performed “Waterloo” in tribute. The event, hosted in Sweden for the seventh time, highlighted ABBA’s lasting popularity, particularly in Australia.
• 2024-05-11 .. Nara Kotsu Utilizes AI Avatar for Job Seeker Engagement / Nara Kotsu has adopted an AI avatar public relations service provided by apotto to attract job seekers and clearly convey the company’s appeal. Celebrating its 80th anniversary, Nara Kotsu operates various businesses beyond bus services, which are often overlooked by job seekers. The AI avatar uses photos and documents to create engaging videos that job seekers can easily access via smartphones or tablets. This approach aims to provide a clear and enjoyable depiction of working at Nara Kotsu, reducing mismatches after hiring.
• 2024-05-11 .. This is a list of the most commonly used and relevant vtubing software. The “best” will always be subjective and depend on your specific requirements. Overall, the information in this list is as accurate as I could figure it out, but there might be errors or some details might become out of date.
• 2024-05-10 .. “Denizen,” developed by Departure Interactive using Unity, combines the realistic graphics and gameplay of Grand Theft Auto VI with the life-simulation aspects of The Sims. In this first-person RPG, players can create characters and live out their days in a dynamic, opportunity-rich environment. They can take on various jobs, earn income, and use it to buy and decorate homes, purchase outfits, or unwind at local establishments like cafes and bars. The game also features a smartphone interface for managing tasks, applying for jobs, and handling finances. Currently in early access on Steam, “Denizen” has received positive reviews for its realistic graphics and diverse activities, offering a calmer alternative to the chaos of GTA.
• 2024-05-10 .. A year after Niantic’s AR pet game Peridot launched on phones, the company is now exploring mixed-reality with a virtual pet experience on Meta’s Quest 3 headset. The free app, Hello Dot, available on Meta’s Quest App Lab, features a blue-green virtual pet that interacts with users in their living rooms. This app showcases Niantic’s vision for mixed reality and serves as a stepping stone towards future AR glasses. Although current mixed-reality headsets like the Quest 3 and Apple’s Vision Pro have limitations, such as restricted camera feed access, Niantic is optimistic about future advancements. Executive Producer Alicia Berry sees this as an initial exploration, with potential for more sophisticated AR interactions in the future.
• 2024-05-10 .. Alt and Stability AI Japan Partner to Develop New Generative AI Use Cases / Alt Inc. and Stability AI Japan announced a collaboration on May 8, 2024, to develop new use cases for generative AI in voice, image, and video domains. Alt, known for its personal AI and AI clone technology, will combine its deep learning and large language model (LLM) expertise with Stability AIâ??s advanced generative AI technology, famous for the “Stable Diffusion” model. This partnership aims to accelerate research and development, create new content, and restructure existing media. The collaboration leverages Japan’s rich content market, aiming to establish innovative generative AI use cases globally. Stability AI Japanâ??s Jerry Chi expressed enthusiasm for this partnership to enhance AI accessibility and quality. Alt Inc., founded in 2014, focuses on reducing non-productive labor through AI and has raised over 10 billion yen by April 2024.
• 2024-05-10 .. Altera, a Palo Alto-based startup founded in December 2023, has raised $9 million to develop AI technology that creates digital humans with realistic behaviors. Led by former MIT neuroscience professor Robert Yang, Altera aims to bridge AI and human interaction by developing empathetic and engaging AI agents. The company has created an AI agent that can play Minecraft alongside human players and plans to expand its technology beyond gaming to create digital humans with autonomy and authenticity. Backed by investors such as Patron, First Spark Ventures, and A16z Games, Altera’s team includes experts in computational neuroscience and large language models, focusing on AI agents that exhibit empathy and personal goals.
• 2024-05-10 .. Collaboration Agreement Between Duonex and BeHumans to Develop Digital Humans / Duonex, a partner of Aeice, and the startup BeHumans have signed a framework collaboration agreement to support the development of digital humans as a solution to improve business competitiveness. This collaboration, ongoing for several months, aims to enhance corporate interactions through personalized 3D avatars capable of learning and operating in business environments. BeHumans creates these digital avatars to provide more human and empathetic customer interactions, helping companies achieve their business objectives. The digital humans are implemented in key sectors such as healthcare, automotive, tourism, retail, insurance, technical support, and public administration, streamlining numerous bureaucratic processes and improving customer service. Duonex will enhance this value proposition by offering data extraction, preparation, and loading services essential for training AI models. This ensures the information used is relevant, accurate, and properly formatted for processing. Duonex also provides system integration services to ensure seamless implementation of AI solutions within existing technological infrastructures. Advanced data analysis to extract valuable insights is part of Duonex’s commitment to participate in bids and collaborative projects, continually seeking innovation in AI. According to Luis Velasco, CRO of Duonex, this joint effort enhances their service offerings and adds value to their solutions for clients. Antonio Sahagún, CRO of BeHumans, expressed excitement about the agreement, highlighting that it will enhance their digital humans’ capabilities and integration with clients’ business processes.
• 2024-05-10 .. Design and Implementation of a Research Tool for Virtual Human Studies / This is a presentation by Sharon Mozgai, the director of the Virtual Human Therapeutics Lab at USC’s Institute for Creative Technologies. The presentation is about a case study on the design of a research tool that accelerates the scoping review process, which was developed by a multidisciplinary team of computer scientists, librarians, and social scientists. The team initially began working together to conduct a literature review on virtual human fidelity or realism. During the process, they realized they could apply machine learning techniques to rapidly map the last 30 years of virtual human research and automate some of the more tedious parts of a scoping review. The team used the ISR framework to guide their work, which conceptualizes the design process as an embodiment of three closely related cycles of activity: relevance, rigor, and design. They defined four areas of high priority for the research tool they developed: replicability, objectivity, automation and scalability, and ease of discovery for non-computer scientists. The process involved using state-of-the-art document level representation learning methods, dimensionality reduction algorithms, and clustering algorithms to cluster documents into topics. Subject matter experts then manually examined each word cloud to identify topic names and keywords. The result was a semantically organized interactive evidence map, clustered by salient topics, which provides information like title, author, and publication year for each article. The map allows users to toggle cluster names on and off for ease of navigation and link directly to Google Scholar. The project demonstrates the importance of multidisciplinary teams and the benefits of cross-training specialized expertise across team members. The ISR framework helped cultivate a feedback loop across the process. The presentation also acknowledges limitations and potential next steps for the tool.
• 2024-05-10 .. Estsoft Strengthens AI Partnership with Microsoft for Global SaaS Launch / Estsoft (047560) is strengthening its AI alliance with Microsoft (MS). Microsoft plans to support Estsoft’s global SaaS (Software as a Service) venture for its virtual human service, “AI Perso Portal.” On the 8th, Estsoft and MS hosted a global launch event for “AI Perso Portal SaaS” at Microsoft’s Gwanghwamun office in Korea. The event, attended by over 100 domestic and international stakeholders, introduced Estsoft’s AI human services as a bundled SaaS offering and announced its global launch. Key attendees included Rachel Bondi, VP of MS Asia SMC, and senior officials from MS Korea. Estsoft representatives, including CEO Jeong Sang-won and AI Business Division Executive Byun Gye-pung, outlined their global business plans for AI Perso Portal. AI Perso Portal includes Estsoftâ??s virtual human services “Perso Live” and “Perso Studio.” Perso Live, combining Estsoft’s virtual human “Natalie” with OpenAI’s ChatGPT, offers real-time conversational AI services in 110 languages. Perso Studio enables high-quality virtual human service creation through text input and video editing. Previously free, Perso Live will transition to a paid service with the SaaS launch. Estsoft expects the SaaS format on the cloud to significantly enhance convenience for companies using or creating virtual human services. Estsoft plans to offer AI Perso Portal to global corporate clients via Microsoft’s Azure cloud service. Additionally, they will collaborate with MS on joint marketing for AI Perso Portal. MS Korea representatives highlighted the strong support from MS’s US headquarters for the service’s development and global launch, foreseeing continued collaboration in global business. Estsoft joined MSâ??s global technology cooperation project, “MS Vision Alliance,” in May of last year, committing to AI business collaboration. The launch of AI Perso Portal on Azure marks the realization of this collaboration plan after about a year.
• 2024-05-10 .. Impact of Virtual Influencers on Human Influencer Rates / The rise of virtual influencers is set to significantly impact human influencer rates by introducing cost efficiencies that could reduce the demand for human influencers. While human influencer rates currently vary based on follower count and platform, virtual influencers, after an initial high creation cost, offer cheaper content production over time. This shift may lead to economic pressure on human influencers, potentially lowering their rates as brands seek cost-effective alternatives. Additionally, the creator economy’s evolving payment structures will need to adapt, possibly leading to new valuation methods and a market bifurcation where high-profile human influencers maintain premium rates due to their authenticity and personal engagement.
• 2024-05-10 .. Joint Development of Virtual Human System Using LLM by EXPLAZA and WAS / EXPLAZA and WAS have initiated a joint project to develop a virtual human system using large language models (LLM). This collaboration aims to enhance various services by reducing labor, enriching expression, and providing personalized information. The virtual human solutions will be applicable in both real and virtual environments, such as reception duties, exhibition staff roles, and the metaverse. EXPLAZA offers comprehensive support for AI development, including consulting and product development using generative AI, while WAS provides advanced virtual human solutions through its “Momentum Cloud” platform.
• 2024-05-10 .. StudyMax Launches AI Virtual Human for English Conversation Teaching / A new AI-powered virtual human capable of teaching English conversation with native pronunciation and facial expressions has been launched. On the 9th, edtech startup StudyMax introduced the ‘MaxAI’ service, which features virtual humans (male and female) that teach 1-on-1 English conversation using native pronunciation. These virtual humans mimic the pronunciation and mouth movements of native speakers, using recordings from real native speakers to train the AI. MaxAI understands both English and Korean, providing appropriate responses and correcting pronunciation and grammar. StudyMax highlights the affordability and convenience of MaxAI, with a monthly fee of 99,000 KRW for 30 sessions of 20 minutes each, compared to some video call-based English learning services that charge 200,000 KRW for two sessions per month. The service aims to reduce the burden on learners who may feel intimidated by real-time conversations with native speakers.The company, led by Jo Se-won, co-founder of the well-known exam prep company Etoos, also offers the ‘Money-Making English’ service, which rewards learners with cash points based on their performance. Their English conversation service ‘Speaking Max’ has over one million users. StudyMax plans to expand MaxAI into schools and businesses through B2B services, aiming to innovate English education domestically and internationally.
• 2024-05-09 .. Anthropics Technology’s Zyler Virtual Try-On has won the “Virtual Fitting Room Innovation of the Year” award at the 2024 RetailTech Breakthrough Awards. Zyler allows shoppers to virtually try on clothes, boosting engagement and reducing returns for retailers like John Lewis Fashion Rental, Moss, and Larusmiani. The RetailTech Breakthrough Awards recognize top innovations in the retail industry, with this year’s winners including companies like UPS and Panasonic Connect. Alexander Berend, CEO of Anthropics Technology, highlighted Zyler’s role in enhancing the fashion retail experience. Zyler requires only a headshot and sizing information to provide an accurate virtual try-on experience, improving customer satisfaction.
• 2024-05-09 .. KIKI is the world’s first highly realistic virtual human for Japanese Sign Language (JSL) interpretation, developed by NHK Enterprises, NHK Global Media, and Media.Monks to enhance accessibility for Japan’s Deaf community, particularly during emergencies. The project involved building a sign language motion repository, a translation engine, and a virtual interpreter capable of conveying emotions and nuances, with input from sign language experts and Tsukuba University of Technology. Using advanced technologies like speech-to-text and sentiment analysis, KIKI provides real-time accurate sign language interpretations and has been integrated into Japan’s emergency broadcast system, aiding over 300,000 Deaf individuals. Future plans include improving KIKI’s efficiency with AI and machine learning, expanding to other sign languages, and educating sign language learners.
• 2024-05-09 .. Will Wright will be speaking at GameBeat Summit 2024 (May 20-21) in Los Angeles about the potential of AI agents in games. Wright, currently at Gallium Studios, which he co-founded with Lauren Elliott, focuses on creator-oriented simulation games that incorporate Web3 and AI technologies. He will be participating in a panel discussion with Subutai Ahmad, CEO of Numenta, titled “Brain-based AI agents and the future of interactive entertainment” on May 20. Gallium Studios and Numenta are collaborating on the game Proxi, which uses Numentaâ??s AI to create dynamic avatars based on players’ life memories.
• 2024-05-07 .. AnimalSense: Exploring Animal Sensory Capabilities Through Virtual Reality Gaming / “AnimalSense: Understanding Beyond-human Sensory Capabilities of Animals via VR Games” is a paper presented at the ACM CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems. The paper, authored by Yu Lun Hsu and colleagues, discusses a VR game designed to immerse players in the sensory worlds of animals, which possess capabilities such as detecting ultrasound, UV light, electric fields, and panoramic vision. The game employs sensory substitution, sensory remapping, and active learning techniques to allow players to experience and utilize these unique animal senses to tackle game challenges. This enhances understanding of animals’ sensory abilities. The paper highlights three game sections featuring echolocation in bats, electroreception in eels, and panoramic vision in spiders, illustrating their integration into the gameplay.
• 2024-05-07 .. Developing AI Agents with Large Language Models for Virtual Reality Interactions / The paper titled “Building LLM-based AI Agents in Social Virtual Reality” presented at CHI 2024, discusses the development and testing of an AI agent designed for interactions in Virtual Reality (VR). This agent, using GPT-4, is integrated as a non-playable character (NPC) in VRChat, where it can deliver context-appropriate responses, facial expressions, and body gestures. Initial evaluations have identified optimal parameters for generating plausible interactions, setting a foundation for further advancement of LLM-based NPCs in VR environments.
• 2024-05-07 .. The Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC) introduced two AI newscasters, digital versions of popular anchors Chaminda Gunarathne and Nishadi Bandaranayake, in their main news broadcast. This debut featured the AI newscasters presenting a feature story entirely in Sinhala on a Sunday night, marking the first time an AI technology was used for a news segment in the Sinhala language in Sri Lanka, highlighting a significant advancement in local broadcasting technology.
• 2024-05-07 .. Upcoming Release of AI-Enhanced Game “Beauties, Too Many to Handle” on Steam / “Beauties, Too Many to Handle” is an innovative romantic simulation game that integrates advanced AI technology to create a unique gaming experience. In the game, players interact with various AI-driven characters, each with distinct personalities and backstories, reflecting the players’ choices and actions within the game. What sets this game apart is its pioneering use of AI virtual companions, which learn from and adapt to the player’s preferences and decisions, forming a personalized and dynamic virtual relationship. This AI companion retains memories from the game, providing not only ongoing emotional support but also evolving interaction that blurs the lines between virtual and real-world companionship, offering a nuanced exploration of AI’s potential in enhancing personal and emotional experiences in gaming.
• 2024-05-07 .. Cross-generational learning! Dayeh University leads senior university students to learn AI digital human live broadcast
• 2024-05-07 .. Virtual Triplets is a multi-user VR system enabling both synchronous and asynchronous collaboration between humans and a virtual agent, allowing an instructor to manage two students across environments with real-time avatar switching, recorded demonstrations, and agent-led continuity, demonstrating high usability and effective support in a virtual cooking class scenario.
• 2024-05-07 .. Building skAi, The Ultimate Goal Oriented Smart Home Concierge AI Powered by Multi-Modal LLM Agent / As a follow up, we embarked on a week-long experiment living with the AI as a nanny, learning assistant, baby feeding notifier, and home entertainer.
• 2024-05-06 .. Michael J. Black to Discuss 3D Human Foundation Agents at Stanford University Colloquium / Michael J. Black, the Director at Max Planck and Chief Scientist at Meshcapade, will be giving a talk at Stanford University on May 8 at 4:30 pm as part of the SCIEN Colloquium series. His presentation will focus on “3D Human Foundation Agents” (HFAs), which are digitally embodied agents capable of understanding and responding to human behavior by translating goals into 3D actions. The talk will cover the development of HFAs at Meshcapade and the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, including advancements in 3D human motion capture, synthetic training data, and AI-driven graphics. The HFAs aim to revolutionize interactions between humans and machines. The event is accessible both in-person at the David Packard Electrical Engineering Building and via Zoom with pre-registration.
• 2024-05-06 .. A Holiday Experiment: Developing a Real-Time Digital Human Interface for LLMs
• 2024-05-05 .. AI Digital Humans: Revolutionizing Fashion, Surveys, and Clinical Trials / A new business model called “digital humans” or “person’s digital twin” is gaining popularity, where artificial intelligence (AI) is used to create digital replicas of real people based on their appearance, behavior, personality, and preferences. This approach can help companies save time and money in areas such as fashion, surveys, and clinical trials. AI Fashion, a startup in Los Angeles, generates AI images of real models wearing various clothing items for fashion brands and e-commerce sites. The company uses a combination of its own technology and open-source models to create these images, addressing the criticism that existing generative AI models do not accurately reflect reality. Brox AI, another startup, has created digital versions of 27,000 individuals, including their brand preferences and shopping habits. Companies can use this “AI focus group” to conduct surveys on topics such as reactions to product price increases or opinions on brand strategies. Unlearn, based in San Francisco, aims to create human digital twins based on health data to streamline clinical trials. The company has raised over $130 million and has 69 employees. By using digital twins for placebo groups, more people can participate in trials and potentially access life-saving treatments. While there are concerns about AI taking over human jobs, these companies argue that humans still play a vital role and can be compensated for sharing their data to create AI digital twins. However, the technology is still in its early stages, and challenges remain, such as carefully handling terminology, data, and use cases to avoid negative consumer perceptions and reactions to brands.
• 2024-05-05 .. HeyGen, a company based in San Francisco, is dedicated to making visual storytelling accessible to everyone, focusing on easing the high costs and scalability challenges associated with video content creation. They are seeking a strategic and sales-oriented product marketer to help develop enterprise value propositions and empower their sales team to expand their enterprise customer base. The role involves crafting compelling product messaging, executing product launches, developing marketing initiatives to boost sales pipeline and deal cycles, and maintaining various sales and marketing materials. The ideal candidate should have over 7 years of experience in B2B product marketing and sales enablement, familiarity with both self-serve and sales-led business models, and possess strong communication skills, thriving in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
• 2024-05-05 .. Nation TV, part of Thailand’s Nation Group, has introduced “Natrans,” a male AI news presenter, following the debut of “Natcha,” the first female AI presenter last month. Natrans will report global news during the “Khaokhon Khonkhao” programme on weekdays and weekends. Additionally, starting May 7, he will provide updates on economy and sports. The AI presenters have been well-received, with potential uses at events and virtual conferences. The introduction of AI reporters is aimed at enhancing the editorial team’s efficiency, allowing more focus on news gathering and verification, and improving viewer experience with features like automatic closed captions.
• 2024-05-05 .. Pluto “Expanding AI for Translation and Interpreting Powerful for Real Use Based on 10 Years of Data”
• 2024-05-04 .. Very Very Spaceship, a studio that collaborates with Niantic on Pokémon Go, recently enhanced the game’s character creator to make avatars more inclusive and expressive, improving player representation in the game. Despite this advancement, the Seattle-based studio has laid off several staff members, including producers, recruiters, and artists who have been with the company for three to five years. The reasons for these layoffs remain unclear, and it is uncertain how this will impact the studio’s ongoing partnership with Niantic or the development of their own original game.
• 2024-05-04 .. Chibi VTubers in Gaming: How Miniature Avatars Dominate Virtual Worlds
• 2024-05-03 .. 17LIVE Enhances Virtual Host Platform with User-Friendly Features and Expands Virtual Idol Offerings / The text discusses 17LIVE, an entertainment platform focusing on live streaming and virtual idols. In anticipation of the growing global market for virtual hosts, projected to reach $17.4 billion by 2028, 17LIVE has launched a new feature called “Easy-V Virtual Launch” in April. This feature allows users to become virtual hosts more easily by uploading a face image in 2D or animation format. The platform then automatically creates a personalized virtual avatar for the user, significantly lowering the barriers to entry. Furthermore, 17LIVE continues to integrate new technologies to enhance the user experience and expand its virtual host offerings. By simply uploading a face image in PNG format, users can transform their image into a virtual host on the platform, with capabilities like syncing the virtual avatar’s facial expressions with the real person’s. 17LIVE is also expanding its virtual host offerings by launching its own IP virtual host groups like “BUSHILIVE” and “GanGun Girls,” aiming to generate revenue through platform-exclusive content, merchandising, and hosting events such as meet-and-greets and concerts. Currently, virtual hosts account for about 20% of the hosts on 17LIVE’s Japan site. https://www.chinatimes.com/cn/realtimenews/20240501002354-260410?chdtv
• 2024-05-03 .. Overview of Sefki Ibrahim’s “Hyper Real 3D Character Creation” Course / This is a video of Sefki Ibrahim introducing his course, “Hyper Real 3D Character Creation”. Sefki, a 3D character artist with over 5 years of experience, explains that this course is his ultimate guide to creating realistic characters, a culmination of his years of knowledge and experience in the field. The course begins with texturing, using XYZ’s FIF Face Pack as a base mesh to block out forms and anatomy based on the desired likeness. Image planes in Maya will be used to match the sculpt more closely to the reference. Fitting eye geometries and creating details like the meniscus and cornea will also be covered. Next, Marvelous Designer will be used to build a t-shirt, followed by retopology in Maya. The retopologized mesh will be brought back into ZBrush to project details and further refine the sculpt. The texture module will be done in Mari, using nodes to modify base textures for a closer likeness match. Bespoke maps such as roughness, coat, and specularity will also be created. Cross-polarized scar textures will be provided for projection onto the model. Other eye geometries and clothing will also be textured. The mesh resolution will then be increased in ZBrush for a finer detail pass. The resulting displacement will be exported and combined with the XYZ displacement for look development. Look development involves calibrating the model based on reference images by connecting the maps from Mari to Arnold surface shaders. This process will be applied to the eyes, skin, and clothing to achieve a high level of realism. The grooming module covers facial hair, eyebrows, eyelashes, peach fuzz, nostril hair, beard, and the main hair using XGen. Sefki will share his XGen expressions to achieve a more natural feel. An advanced look development chapter serves as a deep dive into the HyperShade and Arnold renderer, demonstrating how to push the character quality to the final 51%. Bespoke light setups will be provided for creating high-quality renders. The animation module shows how to apply a basic rig to the character and sculpt blend shapes in ZBrush for animating a blink sequence. Finally, the lighting and rendering module focuses on finalizing the artwork through lighting techniques and composition. DaVinci Resolve will be used for final post-processing, and Sefki will demonstrate how to create appealing breakdown images for a portfolio. The course includes over 15 hours of content, assets for students to work with, and access to a private Discord server where Sefki will be available to answer questions and provide feedback on work.
• 2024-05-03 .. Ready Player Me Mastermind Develops AI Framework / In a recent demonstration on his YouTube channel, Sercan “Sarge” Altundas, a prominent figure in the tech community and the mastermind behind the avatar platform Ready Player Me, showcased the capabilities of his latest project, Neocortex. Altundas, known for his innovative work in software engineering and game development, took viewers through the process of creating AI assistants using the Unity SDK, illustrating the accessibility and power of Neocortex. During the video, Altundas reacted to critical reviews of contemporary AI devices by demonstrating how users could easily create similar tools at home. This hands-on tutorial underscored his commitment to demystifying AI technology and making it more accessible to a wider audience. With just 70 lines of code, he demonstrated how the Neocortex platform could handle complex tasks like voice interaction and object recognition, proving that sophisticated AI tools could be built without hefty investments. Beyond YouTube, Altundas maintains a robust presence on LinkedIn where he interacts with nearly 10,000 followers. His posts reveal his ongoing contributions to major industry events such as ACM SIGGRAPH, Unity Creator Days, and NVIDIA GTC, where he discusses the intersection of AI and avatar technology. His insights are particularly focused on how these technologies can be leveraged in game development, a topic he recently explored at the Game Wave Festival in Tallinn. Altundas’s career trajectory includes significant achievements, such as leading the SDK & Integrations team at Ready Player Me, where he has been pivotal in integrating avatars into a wide range of applications. His work has attracted the attention and support from major tech players, helping to fund and expand his projects. With a Master’s degree in Software Engineering from TalTech and a history of volunteer work, Altundas is as much a community leader as he is a tech innovator. His recent activities highlight a strong commitment to pushing the boundaries of what is possible in AI and game development, while also fostering a community of learning and innovation. As he continues to expand his projects and share his knowledge, the tech community eagerly watches for his next big breakthrough.
• 2024-05-03 .. WePlay Studios, a gaming content production company with bases in Kyiv and Los Angeles, recently orchestrated the VTuber Awards, a virtual event celebrating leading virtual creators. The production involved sophisticated integration of motion capture technology to render a virtual host and synchronize physical cameras with their virtual counterparts, alongside a digital reconstruction of their LA arena. The use of AJA Kona 5 video I/O boards, Kumo routers, and Ki Pro Ultra 12G recorders ensured a seamless and high-quality signal chain. Additionally, a preview setup with AJA Mini-Converters and other tools allowed precise production monitoring. WePlay Studios is planning to further enhance their capabilities with a new virtual production studio in Los Angeles, aiming to broaden their services to include music and other entertainment areas beyond gaming and esports.
• 2024-05-02 .. Andrew Rose and Alex Singer from Voldex highlighted at the 2024 Game Developers Conference that many Roblox players prioritize social interactions over traditional gameplay, with activities such as chatting and showing off customized avatars. This behavior is prevalent to the extent that up to 45% of returning players log in just to socialize. Avatar items, essential for personal expression and a major source of revenue for developers like Voldex, enhance these interactions. Developers entering the Roblox market should focus on these social dynamics and avatar customization to engage effectively with the platform’s community.
• 2024-05-02 .. Darren Wilson Discusses Product Leadership and Innovation at Soul Machines / In the Product Thinking podcast interview, Darren Wilson, the Chief Product Officer at Soul Machines, provided insights into the company’s journey, its innovative technology, and the challenges of leading a product team in the rapidly evolving AI landscape. Soul Machines, founded by Mark Sagar, a special effects expert, creates digital avatars that can emotionally connect with users. The company’s initial focus was on building highly realistic, customized digital faces, which originally took 3-6 months to create. Over time, they have democratized the process, allowing users to create unique faces within 30 minutes. The company initially targeted applications such as digital assistants for sales, call center replacement, and personalized brand connection. However, as the technology matured and with the advent of GPT and other AI advancements, they discovered that digital avatars were most effective in situations requiring empathy, personal connection, and non-judgmental interactions. Examples include helping people make difficult choices, practicing challenging conversations, and language learning. As the CPO, Darren faces the challenge of keeping the product team focused and prioritizing effectively in the rapidly changing AI landscape. He emphasizes the importance of understanding customer needs, quantifying the impact of new features, and constantly educating the team about the company’s priorities. Implementing a structured prioritization process and a clear roadmap has been crucial in managing the fast-paced environment. Soul Machines has also focused on creating a platform for experimentation, allowing customers and internal teams to quickly test and iterate on new use cases. This approach helps them gather valuable feedback and insights to shape their product strategy. Balancing the needs of legacy enterprise customers with those of new users acquired through their freemium tier is an ongoing challenge that Darren and his team are actively addressing. Drawing from his diverse background, including his experience in design, Darren has learned the importance of advocating for the engineering team, fostering a deep understanding of user needs, and maintaining a balance between delivery and openness to new ideas. He believes that prioritization, adopting familiar processes, incorporating customer feedback, and defining clear outcomes are essential for companies aiming to be at the forefront of technology.
• 2024-05-01 .. Blueberry, a digital fashion brand, has partnered with Snapchat to introduce exclusive styles to Snapchat’s Bitmoji Fashion Marketplace. This collaboration allows Snapchat users to customize their Bitmoji avatars with unique digital outfits, marking Blueberry’s third platform integration in recent years. The inaugural Blueberry Bitmoji Collection includes 28 items inspired by 90s and early 2000s fashion trends, accessible through Snap Tokens, with some available for free. This partnership enhances the Bitmoji platform by expanding the variety of styles available, catering to over 1.7 billion created avatars globally. Blueberry, noted for its female-led leadership, emphasizes empowerment and accessibility in digital fashion. This initiative aligns with Blueberry’s mission to dress digital identities, reflecting the growing importance of online presence. The brand’s expansion into digital platforms like Roblox, Zepeto, and Snapchat underscores its commitment to growing its presence in digital communities worldwide.
• 2024-05-01 .. New Features Announced for Life Simulation Game inZOI / inZOI, a popular life simulation game, is set to receive an array of new features, as revealed by the game’s Lead Producer Hyungjun ‘Kjun’ Kim and Community Manager Suri in a recent video presentation. The developers showcased advancements designed to enhance player experience and increase the game’s realism and interactivity. One of the main enhancements discussed is an upgraded driving system tailored specifically for life simulation. Unlike mainstream action games such as Grand Theft Auto, inZOIâ??s driving feature will focus on everyday driving scenarios including the possibility of car accidents and vehicle customization. This aligns with the gameâ??s objective to mirror real-life interactions and activities. Additionally, the team introduced the ‘Time Machine’ feature, which will allow players to restore their game to a previous state upon a character’s death, thus avoiding permanent loss of progress. This feature was developed in response to community feedback gathered through the game’s official Discord channel. The developers are also working on improving social interactions within the game. New group activities, such as going to karaoke or engaging in outdoor activities with other characters, are designed to foster a sense of community and interaction among players. Furthermore, city customization options will be expanded, allowing players to modify weather conditions, adjust city cleanliness, and even change the types of trees and animals visible within the game environment. An innovative ‘dream system’ was also highlighted, where players’ dreams can influence game outcomes, such as increasing the chances of winning a lottery in the game if a player has a ‘lucky dream.’ This feature aims to integrate cultural elements into the gameplay, enhancing the immersive experience. The discussion also touched on a future ‘karma system’ that tracks actions not visible to other players, potentially affecting future generations within the game. This system is still under development, with the team open to community suggestions for further refinement. The development team emphasized their commitment to community engagement, inviting players to share their feedback and suggestions on Discord. This ongoing dialogue between the developers and the community is intended to ensure that inZOI continues to evolve in ways that delight and engage its player base.
• 2024-05-01 .. On April 25, 2024, the WaConne AniFest 2.0, organized by the World Connect Project and Delhi Anime Club, was held at the Kamani Auditorium in New Delhi. The event marked the introduction of first-generation virtual YouTubers (VTubers) in India, featuring anime avatars voiced by well-known Hindi voice actors. Attendees, including popular anime content creators, were introduced to five VTuber characters and engaged in interactive panel discussions and activities. The event highlighted the growing influence of VTubing, which incorporates real-time expression capture technology, and set the stage for the ongoing expansion of VTuber culture in India, promising more characters and digital content in the future.
• 2024-05-01 .. Roblox is offering a position for a Backend Engineer in Avatar Core Services at their San Mateo, California, headquarters, focusing on developing scalable backend systems for customizable avatars across various platforms. This full-time role requires at least 2 years of experience in building reliable distributed systems and a Bachelorâ??s degree in Computer Science or a related field. Responsibilities include designing new services using microservice architecture, enhancing avatar quality and functionality, and improving system performance. The selected candidate will work alongside a team dedicated to reimagining human interaction on a global scale and will report to an Engineering Manager. The job offers a competitive salary ranging from $150,120 to $189,110 USD, with equity compensation and benefits. The position is not remote and requires in-office presence three days a week.
• 2024-05-01 .. The Virtual Human Twin: A Comprehensive Digital Representation of Human Physiology / The virtual human twin is a concept that aims to create a systematic and comprehensive digital representation of all available knowledge on human physiology. This innovative approach seeks to capture everything that is currently known about the human body, including digital prints or specific currents of various organs and computerized models of how these organs function. The virtual human twin goes beyond existing models by integrating organs at a multiscale and multi-stem level, making it a more complex and sophisticated representation of the human body. It is expected that this groundbreaking technology will significantly change the landscape of healthcare in the future. The concept of the virtual human twin revolves around bringing together diverse healthcare resources, such as models, data, and algorithms, to create a unified platform. By integrating these resources, the virtual human twin will enable healthcare professionals to make more accurate predictions about patients’ health and the progression of diseases. This predictive capability has the potential to revolutionize the way healthcare is delivered, allowing for more personalized and proactive approaches to patient care. However, the success of the virtual human twin initiative depends on several key factors. Usability is considered the starting point, as the initiative will only succeed if a large number of researchers and users are willing to share their data and models. To facilitate this sharing process, it is crucial that the platform is designed to be user-friendly and easy to navigate. By reducing barriers to sharing, the virtual human twin initiative can foster collaboration and accelerate the development of this transformative technology. Currently, the state of the art in digital twin technology allows for the creation of digital replicas of specific processes and organs, such as the heart. These models can incorporate multiple scales, including organs, cells, and molecules, within a single framework. However, there is still a significant amount of work to be done to achieve a fully integrated model of the entire human body. This remains the long-term vision of the virtual human twin initiative, and researchers are actively working towards this goal. In conclusion, the virtual human twin represents a revolutionary concept in healthcare, promising to transform the way we understand and treat human physiology. By leveraging cutting-edge technology and integrating diverse healthcare resources, the virtual human twin has the potential to improve patient outcomes and advance medical research. However, the success of this initiative is dependent on collaboration and the willingness of researchers and users to share their data and models. As the field continues to evolve, the long-term goal of creating a comprehensive, integrated model of human physiology remains at the forefront of the virtual human twin initiative.
• 2024-05-01 .. This project seeks a skilled freelancer to create a cutting-edge, interactive website priced between $750 and $1500 USD, payable upon delivery. The website’s standout features will include video avatars designed to facilitate a seamless and engaging sales process, voice recognition to streamline interactions, and a 3D body scanner coupled with a virtual changing room, both enhanced with AI. Ideal candidates should be proficient in AI, 3D technology, and interactive website development, with a strong background in video avatars and experience with voice recognition. The role demands not only technical skills but also creativity in customizing avatars with intermediate changes like hairstyles and outfits, ensuring they are appealing and align with the brand.
• 2024-05-01 .. UbiSim, a virtual reality training platform for nurses developed by Labster, has introduced new VR scenarios aimed at enhancing the diversity and inclusivity of nursing education. These scenarios include interactions with a transgender patient and a Black patient with Alzheimerâ??s disease, focusing on developing sensitive therapeutic communication skills. The platform also now offers customization options, such as the insertion of a nasogastric tube, allowing educators to tailor scenarios to specific learning objectives. These updates are part of UbiSim’s commitment to preparing nurse learners for a variety of patient care situations, improving their communication skills and clinical judgment in a simulated environment.
• 2024-05-01 .. Google initially sought out the BLITZ team to design the user interface controls for the online virtual space called Lively. The project evolved into a larger conceptual collaboration on how users interact with the Lively world and its various features. With the goal of maintaining Google’s reputation for ease of use and simplicity in design, we devised an interface that provided gameplay-like control with application-style organization and clarity. The design was a great complement to Google, who have historically focused their efforts around interface and usability over style—Google Lively truly married the two.