The Rise of Digital Humans: The Future of AI and Human Interaction?
Scrolling through the Instagram account of DJ and aspiring model Dex, you might think you’re looking at a typical influencer: new outfits, performances at shows, and regular updates engaging with her followers about her hobbies. However, there’s something strikingly different about Dex that sets her apart from the usual Instagram personalities. Dex is not a human—she’s a fully virtual “digital human,” created by a startup in the UK.
For her performances, Dex appears on video screens or as holographic projections, with her music mixes curated by humans behind the scenes. Powered by Unreal Engine—a 3D modeling software typically used in the gaming industry—and motion capture technology, Dex’s animations are brought to life. With the addition of generative artificial intelligence, she can remember information, interact with her audience, and respond to questions with a voice generated entirely by AI.
“She’s probably one of the only digital humans in the performance space where you can have an actual conversation and interact with her,” says Denise Harris, Chief Commercial Officer of Sum Vivas, the startup behind Dex. “You can ask her anything, and she’s a genius about music.”
Dex has made a splash in digital fashion circles, performing at Digital Fashion Weeks in New York, Paris, and Milan, and modeling outfits from high-end brands like Prada and Louis Vuitton at virtual events. But for Sum Vivas, Dex is more than just a virtual performer—she’s a demonstration of the practical applications of digital humans.
The company is now focusing on creating digital humans that can listen to people’s questions and converse in real-time. For example, “Shellie” is a digital human designed to provide product information as an avatar on company websites, while “Arif,” another virtual human, is poised to guide passengers and answer questions at airports.
According to Rob Sims, CEO and founder of Sum Vivas, digital humans could serve as the bridge between artificial intelligence technology and human interaction. “What we’ve found is that when people start working with and conversing with a digital human, they quickly suspend disbelief. It becomes natural,” Sims tells CNN. As AI systems like OpenAI’s ChatGPT gain popularity and reach, it’s clear that there is growing interest in making these digital interactions more relatable, immersive, and human-like.
Since the launch of ChatGPT in November 2022, generative AI technology has captured significant attention. Generative AI uses large datasets to generate text-based responses in a conversational manner, and it has rapidly become an industry that’s reshaping how humans engage with machines. In fact, investments into generative AI have surged. Over $21 billion was pumped into the industry during the first nine months of 2023 alone, according to Pitchbook. Around the same time that ChatGPT made waves, Google launched its own AI assistant, Bard (which was later rebranded as Gemini), and Anthropic released its AI assistant, Claude.
These advancements in conversational AI have sparked considerable interest in making AI more human-centric. Sum Vivas is one of many companies hoping to harness generative AI for more than just text output but to create lifelike, animated digital humans that enhance customer experiences and engagement.
Another company, UneeQ—based in the US and New Zealand—has also entered the digital human space with its animated, conversational “digital humans.” These virtual entities are used as virtual sales representatives and customer service agents on company websites. Earlier this year, UneeQ launched Sama 2.0, an animated cabin crew member designed to help answer passenger queries on Qatar Airways’ website and app.
Meanwhile, Microsoft has made strides by integrating its Azure software with lifelike avatars capable of turning text prompts into animated speech. Microsoft’s move marks an important milestone in the development of AI-powered digital humans. As these avatars become more lifelike and functional, the question of their impact on the job market and society at large has become a focal point for debate.
For instance, Jennifer Ding, a senior researcher at the Alan Turing Institute—the UK’s national institute for data science and AI—expresses concerns over how reliance on AI could affect human skills. “When we rely on automated tools, what skills are we losing in the process?” Ding asks. “In some ways, we think of AI as something that’s helping us or augmenting our work, but alongside that, there’s this fear of replacement bubbling up more and more.”
There is an undeniable concern that as AI systems and digital humans become more sophisticated, they could replace certain jobs, particularly in customer service, retail, and other service-oriented sectors. For example, the introduction of virtual assistants on websites or digital humans in airports may reduce the need for human employees in those roles. While automation could increase efficiency and lower costs, it could also disrupt the workforce and leave many workers displaced.
However, some argue that digital humans and AI should be seen as complementary to human workers rather than competitors. Denise Harris, for one, sees opportunities in digital human design and development. “Every scenario we’ve found, we’re creating jobs and working in harmony with people rather than taking away jobs,” she explains.
Harris points to the potential for collaboration between digital humans and human colleagues, asserting that virtual humans will eventually become integral members of teams, adding value to businesses and enhancing the experiences of customers. “Digital humans, first and foremost, should work with other human colleagues,” says Sims. “We’ll move into a stage where digital humans will start to become just another member of the team, with added benefits for that team, and obviously the customers they serve.”
One area where digital humans are already making an impact is in customer service. Virtual assistants can provide round-the-clock support, answering common questions and resolving issues for customers. For instance, digital humans on company websites can handle repetitive queries, freeing up human employees to focus on more complex tasks. This not only improves efficiency but also allows human employees to engage in more meaningful work. Furthermore, digital humans can provide a more personalized experience for customers, with their ability to remember past interactions and respond accordingly, something that traditional chatbots and automated systems struggle with.
In addition to customer service, digital humans have the potential to revolutionize industries like healthcare, education, and entertainment. In healthcare, virtual assistants could act as guides for patients, helping them navigate medical facilities, schedule appointments, or even provide basic health information. In education, AI-driven tutors could offer personalized learning experiences tailored to students’ needs, while in entertainment, digital humans could act as hosts or presenters, creating more immersive experiences for audiences.
Despite the potential benefits, it’s clear that the development and integration of digital humans into everyday life come with challenges. For one, there are ethical considerations to address. As AI systems become more advanced, questions arise about the authenticity of digital humans and their impact on human relationships. Could people start to prefer interacting with virtual beings over real humans? Would it create a sense of isolation or detachment from the real world? Moreover, there are concerns about privacy, data security, and the potential for AI to be used in manipulative ways.
As companies like Sum Vivas continue to develop digital humans, they must address these concerns and ensure that their creations are ethical, transparent, and beneficial to society. While digital humans are still in the early stages of development, they hold tremendous potential to enhance human interaction with technology and transform a variety of industries.
In the end, the rise of digital humans represents a step forward in the ongoing evolution of AI. Rather than replacing humans, they aim to complement and enhance human experiences, providing new opportunities for collaboration and engagement. As digital humans become more advanced and integrated into our lives, they could pave the way for a future where human-AI interaction is more seamless, natural, and productive than ever before.
