AI startup Synthesia, known for its groundbreaking technology, has introduced Expressive Avatars, the world’s first AI digital clones capable of mimicking human facial expressions and tones of voice from written prompts. This innovation has raised questions about whether a human is speaking behind the camera or if it’s an AI clone.
The technology allows users to create personalized AI avatars that can convey emotions and tones accurately. Users can either customize their avatars based on their own faces and voices or choose from over 160 preloaded options. By simply writing a script, users can make their digital selves speak with the desired emotions and tones.
Synthesia’s technology has already caught the attention of major companies like Zoom, Xerox, Microsoft, and Reuters, who are using it for various purposes. For example, Zoom designers have utilized Synthesia to create sales training videos in significantly less time than it would take with human actors.
While the technology offers numerous benefits for corporate training and presentations, concerns about potential misuse of deepfake technology have been raised. Last month, Tennessee passed legislation to protect music industry professionals from deepfakes, highlighting the need for regulations in this rapidly evolving field.
With Synthesia’s Expressive Avatars paving the way for AI clones that can mimic human expressions and tones flawlessly, the debate over the authenticity of content created with this technology is likely to continue. As more companies adopt AI solutions like Synthesia, the ethical implications of deepfake technology will undoubtedly become a pressing issue in the tech industry.