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UK-based startup Synthesia, which uses AI to generate realistic avatars, has signed a licensing agreement with US stock video company Shutterstock to leverage Shutterstock's extensive video library to enhance the realism of its technology. While the financial terms of the deal remain undisclosed, Synthesia stated that this will help their latest AI model better capture human expressions, vocal tones, and body language. Synthesia creates digital...

Recent breakthroughs in generative AI have enabled AI avatars to not only possess lifelike appearances but also speak naturally and fluently. This technology, incorporating cutting-edge speech synthesis and facial expression generation capabilities, is rapidly blurring the lines between the digital and physical worlds, propelling AI from a behind-the-scenes tool to a direct conversational partner with humans. The emergence of these AI avatars marks a crucial step in the convergence of generative AI technologies. By seamlessly integrating highly realistic facial animation with natural speech synthesis, these avatars offer unprecedented potential for revolutionizing communication and interaction.

Recently, a study conducted jointly by Ruhr University Bochum, GESIS Leibniz Institute, and CISPA Helmholtz Center revealed that accounts on X (formerly Twitter) using AI-generated avatars only account for 0.052% of all accounts. Researchers analyzed nearly 15 million X accounts and found that 7,723 accounts used AI-generated avatars. Image source note: Image generated by AI, image authorized by service provider Midjourney. These accounts exhibited significant characteristics.

Meta has launched a new tool called 'AI Studio' on Instagram, allowing users in the U.S. to create personal AI avatars aimed at enhancing interaction with their fans. These AI avatars can communicate directly, reply to comments, and act as virtual representations of the user, accessible via web or app. Users can customize content, set interaction rules, and even enable automatic replies. The creation of AI avatars allows for customization, enabling them to resemble the user or generate entirely new characters for use across Meta's applications. This move aims to compete with Character.AI.

Meta recently announced the launch of a new tool called AI Studio, allowing users in the U.S. to create their own AI versions on Instagram or online. The company stated that creators and business owners can use these AI profiles to interact with fans, conversing directly in chat threads and responding to comments.

Meta plans to invest millions of dollars to create celebrity AI twins. A top creator has signed a $5 million contract for two years, with six hours of work required. The AI avatars will have voice capabilities and are expected to launch early next year, providing a richer interactive experience. This investment will set an important benchmark in the field of digital identity licensing and may encourage other tech giants to ramp up investments in similar projects.