Shutterstock and AI avatar generator Synthesia have partnered to enhance video footage with realistic avatars, revolutionizing corporate videos and workplace interactions.
Synthesia, a British startup that uses artificial intelligence to generate realistic avtors, has struck a licensing deal with the stock footage firm Shutterstock to help develop its technology. The partnership aims to produce even more realistic expressions, vocal tones, and body language from the ‘avatars’.
Artificial intelligence (AI) has enabled the creation of highly realistic avatars, used in various industries such as gaming, entertainment, and education.
These digital representations can mimic human-like appearance and behavior, blurring the line between reality and fantasy.
According to a report, the global avatar market is projected to reach $1.4 billion by 2025, driven by advancements in AI technology and increasing demand for immersive experiences.
Synthesia is a deep learning-based text-to-video model that generates realistic videos from 'text prompts.'
Developed by Rollo Carpenter, the AI creates videos with accurate lip sync, facial expressions, and body language.
Synthesia uses a combination of natural language processing (NLP) and computer vision to understand the 'text prompt' and generate a corresponding video.
The technology has applications in fields such as education, marketing, and entertainment.
Unlocking Realism in AI-Generated Avatars
Synthesia will pay an undisclosed sum to use Shutterstock’s library of corporate video footage to train its latest AI model. This move is expected to enhance the realism and expressiveness of the avatars, bringing them closer to human-like performances. The company plans to incorporate the clips into its model to improve the understanding of body language and workplace interactions.
A Deal Amidst Tensions Over Copyright
The deal has been announced against a backdrop of tension between AI firms and the creative industries over the use of copyright-protected material to train models without seeking permission from the content’s owner first. The UK government is proposing to relax copyright law to allow tech companies to use that content without consent, unless they declare an opt-out.
Human Actors Behind the Avatars
Synthesia uses human actors to generate digital avatars of people, which are then deployed by companies in corporate videos in a range of scenarios such as advising on cybersecurity, calculating water bills, and improving workplace communication. Its UK clients include Lloyds Bank and British Gas, while non-corporate bodies like the NHS, European Commission, and United Nations also use its technology.
A human actor is a person who performs in a play, film, television show, or other forms of entertainment.
The earliest recorded evidence of human actors dates back to ancient civilizations, such as Greece and Egypt around 2500 BCE.
In the Middle Ages, traveling theater troupes performed plays for royal courts and common people.
With the advent of cinema, the role of human actors expanded to include film acting.
Today, human actors continue to play a vital role in the entertainment industry, bringing stories to life on stage and screen.
Actors’ Roles Recognized
Synthesia has taken steps to recognize the actors’ roles as the faces of the company by offering them company stock for their work. The company licences actors’ likenesses for three years, paying performers in cash for up to six hours of work to create their avatar.
A Cautionary Note on Avatar Use
Synthesia does not permit use of its stock avatars for political or news purposes. Instead, it will use the Shutterstock footage to help its model better understand body language and workplace interactions, such as modeling how people talk when they are sitting behind a desk or in front of a whiteboard.
The Value of Collaboration
The partnership with Shutterstock demonstrates Synthesia’s commitment to collaboration and innovation. With this deal, the company aims to push the boundaries of human-like avatars and unlock new possibilities for the creative industries and tech sector.
- theguardian.com | AI avatar generator Synthesia does video footage deal with Shutterstock
