News/Digital Humans
Flailing satellite TV provider DirecTV will use AI to put your face in screensaver ads starting 2026
DirecTV will introduce AI-generated screensaver ads featuring users' faces on its Gemini streaming devices starting in early 2026, partnering with ad company Glance. The move represents another attempt by the struggling satellite TV provider to diversify revenue streams as it faces declining subscriber numbers, dropping from over 20 million in 2015 to approximately 11 million in 2024. What you should know: The AI-powered screensavers will replace Google wallpapers on DirecTV's Gemini Air and Gemini set-top box devices when TVs are idle for 10 minutes. Users can create AI avatars of themselves by scanning QR codes displayed on the screensaver, then...
read Oct 13, 2025ChatGPT logs help convict man in deadly LA Palisades Fire case
Federal prosecutors have charged Jonathan Rinderknecht with starting the Palisades Fire in Los Angeles, citing his ChatGPT conversation history as key evidence in what experts call one of the first US cases where AI chatbot logs carry significant evidentiary weight. The case establishes a new category of digital evidence that could reshape how investigators approach criminal cases involving AI-generated content. What you should know: Prosecutors obtained ChatGPT logs showing Rinderknecht generated images of burning cities and sought advice about fire-related liability during his 911 call. Acting US Attorney Bill Essayli revealed that Rinderknecht created multiple versions of images depicting "a...
read Oct 2, 2025Does Botox Hollywood’s AI backlash expose its authenticity problem?
The entertainment industry is grappling with fierce backlash against Tilly Norwood, an AI-generated actor who appeared in a brief comedy sketch at a Zurich conference. While actors and unions condemn this digital performer as a threat to human creativity, critics argue Hollywood's own embrace of cosmetic surgery and self-indulgent filmmaking undermines their claims to authenticity and genuine human connection. The big picture: The controversy reveals a fundamental contradiction in Hollywood's defense of "human-centered" creativity while simultaneously pursuing standardized, artificial appearances and narcissistic storytelling. What they're saying: Industry leaders voiced strong opposition to AI actors replacing human performers. "Creativity is, and...
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SAG-AFTRA president Sean Astin targets AI actress in upcoming talent agent talks
SAG-AFTRA's newly elected president Sean Astin is taking a firm stance on AI performer Tilly Norwood, the synthetic actress created by Particle6 that has attracted interest from major talent agencies. The union plans to address AI representation directly with the Association of Talent Agents during upcoming negotiations, signaling an escalation in Hollywood's battle over artificial intelligence compensation and performer protections. What you should know: Astin emphasized that SAG-AFTRA has been preparing for AI challenges long before the Tilly Norwood controversy emerged. "We had a 118-day strike, fighting very hard to put AI provisions and protections in place. The teams at...
read Sep 30, 2025Hollywood agents pursue AI teen “Tilly Norwood” despite SAG-AFTRA pushback
SAG-AFTRA has issued a sharp rebuke against AI talent studio Xicoia's attempt to market "Tilly Norwood," an artificial intelligence-generated performer, to Hollywood agents and producers. The union's statement comes after reports emerged that talent agents have been quietly pursuing representation for the AI character, marking a potential flashpoint in ongoing tensions between the entertainment industry and synthetic performers. What you should know: Xicoia, launched by Dutch technologist Emily Van der Velden through her company Particle 6 Productions, has spent five months building Norwood's digital presence on Instagram with headshots, candids, and motion graphics.• The AI performer is designed to appear...
read Sep 29, 2025“Tilly Norwood” makes a go of it in Tinseltown: First AI actress woos talent agents as studios embrace tech
Tilly Norwood, the first AI actress from talent studio Xicoia, has attracted interest from multiple talent agents and is expected to sign with representation in the coming months. The development signals growing industry acceptance of AI-generated performers, with studios quietly advancing AI projects after initial skepticism earlier this year. What you should know: Tilly Norwood represents a new frontier in entertainment, as the first creation from AI talent studio Xicoia, a spin-off from Eline Van der Velden's production company Particle6. Van der Velden, an actor and comedian, revealed at the Zurich Summit that multiple talent agents are now interested in...
read Sep 29, 2025No trolling! AI Stan Lee avatar responds using decades of his real interviews, albeit with guardrails
Los Angeles Comic Con has unveiled an AI-powered avatar of Stan Lee that allows fans to interact with the late comic book legend through conversations. The 1,500-square-foot Stan Lee Experience booth features technology that draws from decades of Lee's actual words, interviews, and writings, including his famous "Stan's Soapbox" columns from Marvel comics between 1967 and 1980. What you should know: The interactive Stan Lee avatar processes questions and formulates responses using a specialized large language model trained exclusively on Lee's content. The technology comes from a collaboration between Proto Inc., which creates telepresence devices, and Hyperreal, a company whose...
read Sep 23, 2025AI vocalist “Xania Monet” scores $3M record deal amid industry copyright lawsuits
Telisha "Nikki" Jones, operating under the AI-generated persona Xania Monet, has secured a $3 million record deal with Hallwood Media. The agreement highlights the growing intersection of artificial intelligence and the music industry, even as major labels simultaneously sue AI platforms like Suno—the very tool Jones uses to create Monet's vocals and production. What you should know: Jones combines human songwriting with AI-generated elements to create a fully artificial musical persona that's achieving commercial success. Jones writes all lyrics and takes production credits, but uses Suno's AI platform to generate Monet's vocals, images, and musical arrangements. Monet's song "How Was...
read Sep 19, 2025ISIS weaponizes AI for terrorism with digital news anchors and bots
ISIS is increasingly exploiting artificial intelligence to enhance its propaganda operations and potentially plan attacks, marking a dangerous evolution in the terrorist group's digital capabilities. This development represents a significant shift from hypothetical concerns to active reality, with experts warning that AI tools could dramatically amplify the group's ability to recruit followers and coordinate operations globally. What you should know: ISIS has moved beyond basic AI experimentation to sophisticated applications that enhance both propaganda creation and operational planning. The group has deployed AI-generated news anchors to deliver propaganda content, including coverage of deadly attacks like the Moscow concert hall incident....
read Sep 17, 2025Zoom launches camera-ready, non-bed head AI avatars that attend meetings for you
Zoom is launching photorealistic AI avatars that can attend meetings on your behalf, allowing users to appear polished even when they're not "camera-ready." The feature, rolling out to Workplace users in December, represents a significant step toward CEO Eric Yuan's vision of digital twins that can handle tasks like meetings and emails autonomously. How it works: Users can create AI avatars by uploading or capturing photos directly in the app, then customize them with professional outfits.• The avatar tracks your real-time movements and speech during meetings, creating a lifelike representation even if you just rolled out of bed.• This builds...
read Sep 12, 2025AI sign language platform debuts at Rochester’s Susan B. Anthony Museum
The National Susan B. Anthony Museum and House is partnering with Rochester-based startup Sign-Speak to provide on-demand AI-powered American Sign Language interpretation for visitors. This marks the first museum collaboration for the AI platform and addresses a significant accessibility gap in Rochester, which has one of the world's largest deaf populations per capita. Why this matters: The partnership aligns with the museum's mission to broaden conversations about civil rights and inclusion, making historical narratives accessible to previously underserved visitors while showcasing how AI can bridge communication barriers. How it works: Visitors will scan a QR code to access Sign-Speak's AI...
read Sep 4, 2025Synthesia’s Express-2 creates hyperrealistic AI avatars in just 1 hour
Synthesia has unveiled Express-2, its latest AI avatar technology that creates hyperrealistic digital clones with more natural movements, expressive voices, and improved accent preservation. The advancement marks a significant leap toward AI avatars that are nearly indistinguishable from real humans, with the company planning to introduce interactive capabilities that will allow these digital clones to engage in real-time conversations. What you should know: The new Express-2 model represents a dramatic improvement over previous AI avatar technology, addressing many of the uncanny valley issues that plagued earlier versions. Previous avatars suffered from jerky movements, accent slippage, and mismatched facial expressions that...
read Sep 1, 2025Miss England adds AI avatar round though only 3 of 32 contestants participate
Miss England has introduced an AI round to its competition, where contestants create digital avatars of themselves to secure commercial bookings, with only three of 32 semi-finalists choosing to participate. The controversial addition reflects broader tensions in the modeling industry about AI's role in potentially replacing human workers while offering new digital opportunities. What you should know: The AI round requires contestants to work with technology company MirrorMe to create virtual avatars that can be pitched to brands and agencies. The contestant whose avatar secures the most commercial contracts advances to the final round. Models receive 10% of earnings from...
read Sep 1, 2025Canadian university debuts 3D AI teaching assistant “Kia” to co-teach ethics course
Simon Fraser University professor Steve DiPaola has introduced Kia, a 3D AI teaching assistant, to co-teach his first-year course on AI history and ethics alongside him this fall. The initiative represents what SFU calls a "world first" in higher education, designed to expose students to AI capabilities and limitations through direct classroom interaction rather than theoretical discussion alone. What you should know: Kia appears as an expressive Black female digital persona with real-time facial expressions and body language, created by DiPaola to serve as an AI collaborator rather than a replacement for human teaching staff. The AI assistant will answer...
read Sep 1, 2025Japanese artist and former tech enthusiast creates AI installation of tech bro debate over humanity
Japanese-British artist Hiromi Ozaki, known as Sputniko!, has created an AI installation featuring six artificial "tech bros" debating humanity's future, with the avatars trained on philosophies of billionaires like Elon Musk and Peter Thiel. The artwork, which debuted in Tokyo just before the 2024 US election and Musk's appointment to lead the Department of Government Efficiency, reflects growing concerns about tech elites' influence over society and democratic processes. The big picture: Ozaki's installation represents a broader shift among artists and technologists from tech optimism to "tech fatigue," questioning whether AI-driven efficiency is eliminating the human elements that make life meaningful....
read Aug 29, 2025Faux Crew? Top fashion retailer faces backlash for allegedly using AI-generated models in ads
J.Crew is facing criticism for allegedly using AI-generated models in recent promotional images, with fashion observers pointing out visual distortions and clothing glitches that suggest artificial generation. The controversy highlights growing concerns about AI replacing human workers in the fashion and advertising industries, as brands experiment with synthetic imagery to cut costs. What you should know: Blackbird Spyplane, a fashion newsletter, first identified suspicious elements in J.Crew's recent promotional photos that appeared to contain AI-generated artifacts. The images featured visual distortions and clothing inconsistencies typical of AI-generated content, despite resembling traditional J.Crew advertising aesthetics. J.Crew has not explicitly confirmed or...
read Aug 22, 2025Mercedes F1 uses AI and digital twins to put racing prowess on the inside track
Formula One racing operates at the intersection of cutting-edge technology and split-second decision-making, where milliseconds determine victory and data drives every strategic choice. At Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team, technology has evolved from a supporting role to the backbone of competitive advantage, transforming how teams approach everything from car design to race-day strategy. Steve Riley, head of IT operations and service management at Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team, oversees the technological infrastructure that powers one of racing's most successful organizations. From the team's state-of-the-art facility in Brackley, UK, Riley manages IT systems that must perform flawlessly whether they're deployed at the Monaco...
read Aug 20, 2025AI avatars outperform human salespeople in China’s $7.7M livestream market
Chinese AI-powered "virtual human" salespeople are outperforming their human counterparts on major Chinese ecommerce platforms, working 24/7 to sell everything from printers to wet wipes. Built using technology from Baidu, one of China's largest tech companies, and DeepSeek, these AI avatars are demonstrating the potential for artificial intelligence to fundamentally reshape digital commerce and potentially displace human influencers and salespeople. What you should know: PLTFRM, a Shanghai-based marketing company, has deployed around 30 AI avatar salespeople across Chinese ecommerce sites like Taobao and Pinduoduo, with measurable success rates. Brother's AI avatar sold $2,500 worth of printers in its first two...
read Aug 11, 2025Legal scholar proposes “right to delete” dead relatives’ digital data
Legal scholar Victoria Haneman is proposing that families of deceased individuals should have the right to delete their loved ones' digital data to prevent AI-powered "digital resurrection." Her argument, published in the Boston College Law Review, addresses a growing concern as AI technology increasingly enables the recreation of dead people's voices, personalities, and likenesses without family consent. Why this matters: Current privacy and publicity laws offer inadequate protection against unauthorized AI recreation of deceased individuals, leaving families vulnerable to potentially distressing digital resurrections of their loved ones. The legal gaps: Existing laws fail to address AI-based recreation of the deceased...
read Aug 11, 2025Men report severe addiction to AI-generated adult content with impossible anatomies
A growing number of men are reporting severe addiction to AI-generated adult content, with users describing how the technology's ability to create impossible anatomical features has hijacked their brains and escalated their consumption patterns. The phenomenon highlights emerging concerns about how AI-generated content could create more addictive and extreme forms of digital dependency than traditional adult material. What you should know: Self-described "gooners" in online communities are warning others about AI-generated adult content's addictive potential. A 26-year-old man named Kyle told Wired his addiction began after encountering an AI-generated Instagram Reel depicting a woman with "extremely large breasts the size...
read Aug 7, 2025British MP’s AI avatar struggles with Yorkshire accents
Leeds MP Mark Sewards has launched what's billed as the first AI avatar of a British MP, allowing constituents to interact with a digital version that responds in his voice. However, testing by The Guardian revealed significant limitations when the AI encountered Yorkshire accents and local dialect, highlighting ongoing challenges with voice recognition technology for regional speech patterns. How it works: The "Sewardsbot" features a Pixar-style cartoon representation of the Labour MP for Leeds South West and Morley that can field questions from constituents.• The AI responds in Sewards' actual voice, offering advice, support, or promising to pass messages to...
read Aug 5, 2025Former CNN anchor’s AI interview with Parkland victim sparks outrage
Former CNN anchor Jim Acosta faced widespread backlash for conducting what he called a "one of a kind interview" with an AI avatar of Joaquin Oliver, a 17-year-old victim of the 2018 Parkland school shooting. The controversial segment, which aired on Monday and was created by Oliver's parents to send a "powerful message on gun violence," instead sparked outrage over its tone-deaf use of AI technology to recreate a deceased shooting victim. What happened: Acosta interviewed an AI recreation of Oliver, one of 17 people killed at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Miami, asking the avatar what had happened...
read Aug 5, 2025“Just a beautiful thing”: Parkland victim’s parents create AI avatar for gun control advocacy
Jim Acosta, a former CNN chief White House correspondent who now hosts an independent YouTube show, has conducted what he calls the first "interview" with an AI-generated avatar of Joaquin Oliver, a 17-year-old killed in the 2018 Parkland school shooting. The interactive AI was created by Oliver's parents as part of their ongoing gun control advocacy, representing a novel intersection of artificial intelligence technology and grief-driven activism that could reshape how victims' voices are preserved and amplified in policy debates. What you should know: The AI avatar was trained on Oliver's digital footprint and writings to recreate his voice and...
read Jul 28, 2025“Hey Geraldine”: UK council turns 35-year care expert into AI chatbot to speed hospital discharge
Peterborough City Council has transformed the 35-year expertise of therapy practitioner Geraldine Jinks into an AI chatbot called "Hey Geraldine" to help adult social care staff access her knowledge instantly. The innovative solution addresses the challenge of Jinks being overwhelmed with daily questions from colleagues while aiming to speed up hospital discharge processes and improve patient care efficiency. How it works: The AI chatbot replicates Jinks' conversational style and expertise to provide immediate responses to practice-based questions. Staff can ask contextual questions like "I am working with a person who is forgetting to turn the oven off. What is available...
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