AI Realities: More Than Meets the Avatar

AI and Machine LearningMarketing
Written By Chris McNulty

On our latest episode of Polaris, we're diving deep into the world of AI and avatars with Michael Cutajar, CEO of InteractiveAvatars.AI. Over the past decade, digital avatars and the metaverse have been buzzwords in technology and business circles. But with the rapid advancements in AI, are we finally at the brink of making these technologies essential for 21st-century business?

Our conversation spans a wide range of topics including:

  • Future trends in avatar technology

  • Personal reflections on memory and passion

  • Upcoming events in AI and collaboration

  • Insights on AI-powered avatars and customer experience

It was great to have Michael share his insights, discussing how AI can enhance customer interactions through personalized avatars. We also touch upon the broader implications of AI in business, from streamlining operations to fostering collaboration.

Polaris is produced with the help of our friends at Riverside.fm. Our theme song, “Alternative Dream” is provided courtesy of Adobe. Additional music and sound provided by IndieGuy Records. Graphic design by Josh Brantley.

Polaris is available on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, YouTube or wherever you get your favorite podcasts. Thanks for tuning in.

Show Notes

Keywords

AI, avatars, customer experience, interactive technology, ethics, generational shifts, business transformation, historical figures, augmented reality, customer engagement

Takeaways

  • The digital avatar market is rapidly growing.

  • Avatars can provide multilingual support.

  • Customer satisfaction is key to avatar success.

  • Younger generations are more accepting of avatars.

  • Ethical considerations are crucial in avatar deployment.

  • Historical figures as avatars generate interest.

Sound Bites

“We've got our avatars in like 20 languages. So with the switch of a button, you could have them speak English, then French, then Chinese, and Arabic.”

“There are a couple of articles on the internet about our release of Cleopatra. So from a bust to an image, to an image, to a live video, from a live video to interactive live video. We're working with some professors from universities to make sure that we're getting things right.”

References

Michael shared his appreciation of the Making Sense Podcast with Sam Harris.

According to Grandview Research the global digital avatar market reached over $18 billion in 2023 and is growing at a 49% clip between now and 2030. Digital Avatar Market Size, Share & Growth Report, 2030 Interactive AI powered Avatars comprise over the half the market and are growing even faster.

Six years ago, Forbes was presenting the idea that avatars would soon come to dominate customer service. What Is An Ideal Customer Avatar?  Microsoft rolled out solutions like the HoloLens, Microsoft Mesh and even SharePoint Spaces. (SharePoint Spaces is being shut down this year.)

But there's been a lot less attention focused on avatars of late, with the attention paid to generative AI. However, GenAI solutions are making overall avatar experiences richer and more interactive.

And there's a lot of investments in Gen AI. Bloomberg project the Generative AI market will hit the $1 Trillion mark in just over five years Generative AI to Become a $1.3 Trillion Market by 2032, Research Finds | Press | Bloomberg LP

You can see an example of Michael’s interactive Cleopatra on YouTube.

Events

Polaris is produced with the help of our friends at Riverside.fm. Our theme song, “Alternative Dream” is provided courtesy of Adobe.  Additional music and sound provided by IndieGuy Records. Graphic design by Josh Brantley.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Interactive Avatars

01:28 Context and Data Points

05:06 The Evolution of Metaverse Technologies

06:34 Identifying Client Needs and Use Cases

09:02 The Unique Advantages of Avatars

10:59 Overcoming Reluctance Towards Avatars

12:44 Generational Shifts in Avatar Acceptance

14:42 Ethics and Transparency in AI Avatars

16:35 Customer Engagement and Avatar Deployment

19:48 Success Stories with Historical Figures

21:30 Understanding the Technology Behind Avatars

23:22 Defensibility in the Avatar Business

26:20 Future Trends in Avatar Technology

28:29 Personal Reflections on Memory and Passion

31:34 Upcoming Events in AI and Collaboration

33:10 Insights on AI-Powered Avatars and Customer Experience

Chris McNulty
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