Depending on the field of use in question, the definition may vary a bit. However, an AI avatar generally refers to digital graphical representations of a user or entity. If you have ever played any arcade game ever, you did notice the guy responding to each of your commands on the controller. That folks, is an avatar.
Never played an arcade game, here’s a case study for you; Have you ever seen a miniature animated impression of someone on their profile picture or in an online forum? That little guy is an avatar as well – a realistic avatar to be specific.
The point I am trying to make is that the representation of an avatar may vary but basically, it serves as a representation of a user or entity online.
The term AI as used just means that these avatars are generated using artificial intelligence. Getting technical with the term, AI avatars refer to human-like bits created by and powered by AI to increase human interaction in the sense that they can communicate with people as well.
Uses of Avatars
Employee Training
In the corporate world, corporations and businesses employ realistic avatars to do employee training. The learning and training could be online, cutting down on the human resource cost as well as traveling expenses – two birds with the proverbial one stone.
Virtual Assistance
Have you ever been on a website and a picture popped up in the corner as well as a chat box? It probably went like this; Hi there I am Mark, how may I assist you?
These avatars act as virtual assistants helping users navigate your website or application as well as address any inquiries the customers may have. This particular trait makes it possible to use these avatars for customer service in the same way as virtual assistants.
In lieu of calling customer service and waiting for the next available agent for days, customers could just go on your website and chat with these AI tools to get customer service.
Text to Video Conversion
The importance of text to video conversion cannot be overstated. Without diving into details, AI avatars are the face and voice of videos resulting from text to video conversion or just the voice in the case of voice overs
Gaming
The gaming industry has definitely been the backbone of avatars. Avatars aren’t as much anywhere else as they are in games. Avatars in games can be customized into anything the customer wants.
They say the customer is always right and with the amount of customization that is possible, the customer can get just about anything they want. Avatars in games have been constantly getting better in terms of realism and the options for interaction.
Benefits of Using Avatars
Depending on the context, there are tons of benefits of using avatars, from more focus in calls and meetings to perhaps eliminating the need for video blurring – it’s a tad harder to recognize someone from their avatar than their actual face.
Video blurring is an important technique when it comes to hiding something, like your face or sensitive information, for privacy. It involves making some parts of the video unclear by lowering the resolution to a really crappy one, so much so that the image is basically undecipherable.
Onto the benefits;
Less Distractions on Video Calls and Meetings
If you have ever worked from home or just had a video meeting, you can attest to just how extreme a sport it is sometimes with your kids or pets yelling in the background. Constant awareness of your background, lighting and the fact that everyone is watching your face can be quite distracting.
Making use of avatars, the feeling of being watched goes away and you are less distracted or worried about people looking at your face. Realistic avatars reduce distractions so you can focus better on the conversation.
Co-presence
Virtual spaces can be created and accessed together, with avatars of course, giving a feeling of co-presence in the workplace. Co-presence gives the feel of being in the same space as your coworkers and allows for shared experiences.
Connection
Working remotely and being away from the office brings about the challenge of employees and colleagues feeling isolated from their peers.
We humans are wired to crave connection so you can see how that could be a problem. Avatar-based platforms help to increase feelings of connection and communion among coworkers with each user’s avatar being capable of interacting with other avatars.