Technological progress is enabling increasingly realistic and sophisticated virtual representations of people. This encompasses several key areas: the synthesis of lifelike digital characters, the use of artificial intelligence to automate and enhance creation processes, the capture of human movement with high fidelity, and the application of large language models to imbue these digital humans with advanced communication capabilities. For example, creating a virtual actor for a film now involves capturing an actor’s performance using motion capture, refining the movements with AI algorithms, and then using that data to drive a highly detailed digital model capable of delivering dialogue generated by a language model.
These technological developments hold significant potential across various sectors. In entertainment, they allow for the creation of compelling virtual characters, reducing the need for physical actors in certain roles. Within healthcare, they facilitate the development of realistic patient simulators for training medical professionals. In education, they enable interactive and personalized learning experiences. The genesis of these capabilities lies in the convergence of computing power, advanced algorithms, and sophisticated sensor technologies, marking a substantial leap beyond earlier, more rudimentary attempts at virtual human representation.
