Real Human, Fake Human, Meta Human... What's Going On, World?

Three months ago, I had a moment. A moment of "wait, what?" It hit me like a wave, and it hasn't stopped crashing since. I'm not sure if you've felt it yet, but the lines are blurring. The lines between what's real and what's not, what's human and what's... well, something else.

I watched the news. I scrolled through my feed. Everywhere, this hazy fog of augmented reality, digital avatars, and AI-generated content. We’re living in a world that’s changing faster than we can comprehend. It’s not just technology that's evolving; it's our perception of existence.

People are interacting with digital assistants as if they are friends.

Influencers are not just humans anymore, they are computer-generated personalities.

It's becoming harder to distinguish between real emotions and programmed responses.

Every click, every scroll, feeds an algorithm that knows more about our desires than we do. We’re on the brink of a new era, and the question that keeps me up at night is: Are we ready for this new reality?

Embrace it or resist it, the choice is ours.

But one thing is undeniable—the future is here, and it's evolving right before our eyes.

Let me break it down:

• Real Human: We've always been here, the original code, the fleshy, flawed, beautiful beings. We laugh, we cry, we love, we hate, we create, we destroy. We're the base model, the original source code.
• Fake Human: This is the realm of the imposter, the copycat, the mimic. Think of those uncanny valley robots, the deepfakes, the carefully crafted personas designed to deceive. They're not real, but they're getting awfully good at pretending to be.
• Meta Human: This is the next step, the merging of the virtual and the real. Think avatars that are so realistic, so expressive, that they blur the line between digital and physical. Imagine a world where your digital self can interact with the real world in ways we never thought possible.

What is MetaHuman Technology?

What Is MetaHuman?

MetaHuman is a complete framework that gives any creator the power to create and use fully rigged, photorealistic digital humans in a variety of projects powered by Unreal Engine 5.

MetaHuman technology is a technology that's shaping the future of digital storytelling, entertainment, and interaction.

Here's the breakdown:

• Unreal Engine 5: This is a powerful game engine that's used to create high-quality graphics and immersive experiences. It's the foundation for MetaHuman technology.
• MetaHuman Creator: This is a software tool that allows users to create realistic human characters with a high level of detail and control over their appearance, expressions, and movements. It's like a digital sculpting tool for humans.
• Realism and Expression: MetaHuman characters are incredibly realistic, thanks to advanced techniques like photorealistic rendering and sophisticated animation systems. They can move and express themselves in ways that are remarkably close to real humans.
• High-Fidelity Graphics: The characters produced with MetaHuman technology exhibit lifelike details and textures, making them suitable for various applications including video games, films, and virtual reality experiences
• Real-Time Animation: The platform supports real-time motion capture integration. Users can animate their characters using motion capture data from professional rigs or even from mobile devices like iPhones
• Dynamic Clothing Simulation: Recent updates have introduced dynamic clothing capabilities, allowing for realistic garment movement and interaction within the digital environment
• Level of Detail (LOD): MetaHumans are optimized for performance across different devices. The technology automatically adjusts the level of detail based on the character's distance from the camera, ensuring smooth performance without sacrificing visual quality.

MetaHuman technology has a wide range of applications, including:

1) Gaming

Creating more immersive and engaging characters for video games.

2) Film and TV

Developing realistic digital actors for movies, TV shows, and commercials.

3) Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR)

Creating interactive and engaging experiences in virtual and augmented environments.

4) Training and Simulation

Developing realistic simulations for training purposes, such as medical training or military simulations.

Sara Giusto is a talent manager at Aww Inc., a Japanese agency known for its innovative work in the realm of virtual influencers. She manages imma.gram, one of Japan's most recognized virtual models, along with a variety of other virtual humans globally. Aww Inc. is at the forefront of integrating artificial intelligence with virtual characters, aiming to develop autonomous virtual humans that can engage in conversations and interact with users in a more lifelike manner.

Autonomous Virtual Humans

Autonomous virtual humans are digital entities designed to operate independently, exhibiting behaviours and interactions similar to those of real humans. This technology combines advanced artificial intelligence with realistic 3D modeling, enabling these characters to engage in conversations and perform tasks without direct human oversight.

Key Characteristics

• Goal-Driven Behavior: Autonomous virtual humans are programmed with specific objectives and motivations, allowing them to navigate environments and interact with users purposefully. They can respond to user inputs and adapt their actions based on the context of the interaction.
• Real-Time Interaction: These virtual beings utilise natural language processing (NLP) to understand and generate human-like responses, making conversations feel more organic. This capability is crucial for applications in customer service, entertainment, and social media .
• Complex Interactions: They are capable of simulating nuanced social interactions, which may include understanding emotions, responding appropriately to user sentiments, and maintaining engaging dialogues over time. This complexity aims to bridge the gap between human and digital interactions.

Business Applications

Autonomous virtual humans have a wide range of applications:

• Customer Support: They can serve as virtual assistants or customer service representatives, providing information and assistance in real-time.
• Entertainment: In gaming and interactive media, they can act as characters that players can converse with, enhancing immersion.
• Social Media Engagement: Virtual influencers like Imma (Instagram: imma.gram) can interact with followers on platforms such as Instagram or TikTok, creating a more engaging experience for audiences .

The integration of AI into these virtual models represents a significant advancement in how we perceive digital interactions. As technology continues to evolve, the potential for autonomous virtual humans to play roles traditionally held by human influencers or customer service agents will likely expand, offering new opportunities for engagement across various sectors.

So, what's going on, world?

We're in the midst of an evolution, a transformation that's challenging our very definition of "human."

We're creating beings, both real and virtual, that are pushing the boundaries of what it means to exist.

Who are we in this new world?

What does it mean to be human when our creations are becoming so indistinguishable from ourselves?

I don't have the answers.         

But I do know that this is a question we need to ask ourselves. We need to be mindful, thoughtful, and prepared for the world that's unfolding before us.

It means grappling with the essence of identity and consciousness.

Our technology advances at a pace that eclipses our ethical considerations.

We see machines that mimic emotional responses, algorithms that predict our behaviors, and interfaces that cater to our deepest desires. This progress urges us to redefine what it means to feel, think, and exist.

As these creations become extensions of our capabilities, we must reflect on the boundaries of our humanity. Are we merely biological entities, or is there something intangible that sets us apart? The lines blur as artificial intelligence demonstrates creativity and intuition, previously thought to be uniquely human traits.

We must also consider the implications for our social structures and personal relationships. When a machine can simulate empathy and companionship, how do we value human connections?

This evolution presents a challenge: to maintain our empathy, our curiosity, and our inherent ability to grow through interpersonal experiences.

In this new era, the question isn't just about technological progress, but about preserving the qualities that define us. Ultimately, embracing our values and nurturing our unique human spirit will prevent us from becoming indistinguishable from our creations.

This is a world where the lines are blurring, and it's up to us to decide what that means for our future.

MetaHuman Technology Brings 10,000-Year-Old Shaman Back to Life | Spotlight | Unreal Engine

References:

1) Unreal Engine's MetaHuman Creator, Analyzed and Explained, written by Christopher, published on 17 Feb 2021, https://www.virtualhumans.org/article/unreal-engines-metahuman-creator-analyzed-and-explained

2) MetaHuman comes to UEFN | State of Unreal | GDC 2024, published on 15 March 2024, as seen on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqaXsbAss3s&t=1s

3) High-fidelity digital humans made easy, read more on: https://www.unrealengine.com/en-US/metahuman

4) MetaHuman - Real-Time Facial Model Animation Demo | State of Unreal 2023, posted on Sep 2023, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnaKyc3mQVk

5) Fully Controllable MetaHuman Creation, Reallusion、CC-to-MetaHuman パイプラインを発表, https://cginterest.com/2023/04/18/reallusion%E3%80%81cc-to-metahuman-%E3%83%91%E3%82%A4%E3%83%97%E3%83%A9%E3%82%A4%E3%83%B3%E3%82%92%E7%99%BA%E8%A1%A8/

6) https://ivi.cs.rutgers.edu/autonomous-virtual-humans/

7) The Rise of Virtual Humans, written by Brady Evan Walker, published on 13 Oct 2022, https://rare.makersplace.com/2022/10/13/the-rise-of-virtual-humans/

8) Virtual Personalities in Japan: More Effective than Human Influencers? written by Melissa Francis, published on 27 July 2021, https://tokyoesque.com/virtual-personalities-in-japan/

9) Meet supermodel Eva Herzigova’s digital twin, a MetaHuman who can be booked for digital campaigns and fashion shows, published by ETX Daily Up, published on 11 May 2023, https://www.tatlerasia.com/style/fashion/eva-herzigova-digital-twin-metaverse-artificial-intelligence

10) https://livecommerce.co.jp/service/ai-metahuman/

About Jean

Jean Ng is the creative director of JHN studio and the creator and designer of the world's first B2B AI influencer, DouDou . She is the Top 2% of quality contributors to Artificial Intelligence on LinkedIn. Jean has a background in Web 3.0 and blockchain technology, and is passionate about using these AI tools to create highly engaging content for the tech industry. With big ambitions and a keen eye for the future, she's inspired to be a futurist in the AI and Web 3.0 industry.

AI Influencer, DouDou

DouDou has virtually tried on over 582 outfits so far. She promotes sustainable fashion and is interested in collaborating with fashion designers. If you're a designer looking to work with her, don't hesitate to reach out to me. Talk to my AI.

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