I’ve been looking at the idea of making my articles in video form, read out by a digital human. So far, I haven’t found a good fit but the idea continues to fascinate, so here is some of accumulated information about the concept…
The race to make humans
The race to develop digital humans as convincing replacements for presenters and commentators has rapidly intensified in recent years, driven by advancements in artificial intelligence and machine learning. These digital entities, often designed with hyper-realistic appearances and sophisticated conversational abilities, are being crafted to seamlessly interact with audiences, deliver news, and provide commentary across various media platforms. Companies are investing heavily in this technology, aiming to create digital humans that can replicate the nuances of human speech, facial expressions, and body language with astonishing accuracy. The goal is to achieve a level of realism that makes it difficult for viewers to distinguish between a digital presenter and a real person. This shift holds the potential to revolutionise the media industry, offering cost-effective, always-available presenters who can work around the clock without fatigue, thus redefining the landscape of digital communication and content delivery.
Stories
The basic idea of storytelling is to convey information, experiences, or lessons through a structured narrative that engages the audience emotionally and intellectually. At its core, storytelling involves a sequence of events, characters, and a plot that unfolds over time, creating a sense of connection and understanding. In contemporary times, storytelling has become a prevalent method of communication, transcending traditional boundaries through various mediums like social media, podcasts, videos, and interactive digital platforms. This approach capitalises on the innate human affinity for stories, making complex information more relatable and memorable. Whether in marketing, education, or journalism, storytelling weaves facts and data into compelling narratives, enhancing their impact and fostering a deeper engagement with the audience. By presenting information in story form, creators can capture attention, evoke emotions, and convey messages in a way that resonates more profoundly than mere factual presentations.
When it’s read for you
The growing preference for watching and listening over reading is fundamentally transforming the communications landscape, with videos and audio content rapidly capturing a larger audience. This shift is driven by the increasing accessibility of high-speed internet and the proliferation of smartphones, making video and audio content more convenient and engaging for users on the go. Platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and podcasts have surged in popularity, providing dynamic and visually appealing ways to consume information, entertainment, and education. This trend is influencing how content creators, marketers, and educators approach their audiences, prioritising multimedia content that is easily digestible and shareable. As a result, traditional text-based communication is being complemented and, in some cases, replaced by rich, multimedia experiences that cater to shorter attention spans and the demand for more interactive and immersive content. This evolution highlights the need for communicators to adapt their strategies to include diverse formats, ensuring they can effectively reach and resonate with modern audiences.
Content creators
Content creators are experiencing significant changes in their workflow as they adapt to new technologies and audience preferences. The rise of multimedia content has pushed creators to develop skills in video production, audio editing, and graphic design, expanding beyond traditional writing or photography. Collaborative tools and cloud-based software have streamlined the creation process, enabling real-time teamwork across different geographies. Additionally, the integration of AI and machine learning is revolutionising content generation, with AI-driven tools offering advanced editing capabilities, personalised content recommendations, and even automated scriptwriting. Social media platforms and content distribution networks have also shifted creators’ focus towards metrics and engagement analytics, driving a more data-driven approach to content strategy. This evolving landscape demands that creators remain agile, continuously learning and incorporating new techniques to stay relevant and effectively capture their audience’s attention.
Software makers are scrambling
Software makers are quickly recognising the lucrative potential in developing services centred around digital people. As the demand for realistic digital humans in roles such as customer service representatives, virtual influencers, and online tutors grows, these companies are scrambling to create sophisticated tools and platforms to meet this need. By leveraging advancements in artificial intelligence, deep learning, and computer graphics, they are developing solutions that offer hyper-realistic avatars capable of natural interactions and complex conversational abilities. This burgeoning market presents a substantial revenue opportunity, attracting significant investment and fostering fierce competition among tech innovators. Businesses across various industries are keen to adopt these digital personas to enhance customer engagement, reduce costs, and provide round-the-clock service, driving the rapid evolution and commercialisation of digital people technologies. As a result, software makers are at the forefront of a transformative wave, poised to capitalise on the expanding digital human economy.
Character creators
Character creators are increasingly realising that digital humans must not only appear lifelike but also possess distinct personalities to engage users effectively. This recognition has driven the integration of artificial intelligence into the construction of digital personas, allowing them to exhibit nuanced behaviours, emotions, and unique characteristics. By employing AI, creators can develop digital humans that respond to interactions with contextual understanding, adapt their communication style based on user preferences, and maintain consistent personas across various scenarios. This depth of personality is crucial for fostering genuine connections with users, whether in customer service, entertainment, or virtual companionship. The blend of realistic appearances with AI-driven personalities transforms digital humans from mere visual representations into dynamic, interactive entities capable of meaningful engagement, significantly enhancing their appeal and effectiveness in diverse applications.
The future of information delivery
It’s increasingly easy to envision a future where digital humans entirely replace their media counterparts and the written word becomes a specialised skill reserved for content creators, akin to today’s complex coding. In this world, lifelike digital personas, enhanced with AI-driven personalities, seamlessly deliver news, host shows, and engage in social media interactions, rendering traditional human presenters obsolete. As visual and auditory content dominate, the demand for written text dwindles, shifting towards niche applications where precision and expertise are paramount. This transformation mirrors the evolution of coding, which once was a universal skill but has since become the purview of specialists. Text-based communication could be relegated to content creators, who meticulously craft scripts, dialogue, and narratives for digital humans and other AI applications. This shift underscores a profound change in how we consume and produce information, reflecting society’s growing preference for immersive, multimedia experiences over traditional reading.
Getting it right
Finding a ‘digital fit’ is crucial when developing applications for digital human communication, ensuring these technologies seamlessly integrate into various contexts and meet user expectations. This process involves extensive experimentation and refinement, as developers balance technical capabilities with user experience and functionality. There will undoubtedly be a transition period marked by both successes and failures, as early adopters and innovators test the boundaries of what digital humans can achieve. Challenges such as maintaining realism, avoiding the uncanny valley, and ensuring ethical usage will need to be addressed. During this time, some applications may excel, becoming benchmarks for future development, while others may falter, providing valuable lessons and insights. Ultimately, through iterative improvements and user feedback, digital humans will evolve to find their rightful place within the broader communication landscape, offering compelling, reliable, and engaging interactions that redefine our interactions with technology.
