Unreal faces and AI brains: An uncanny valley?

livemint.com:

Mint explores the pros and cons of AI’s growing influence, from AI CEOs and assistants to realistic AI deepfakes and voice clones. Zara Shatavari, who has over 7,100 followers on Instagram, promotes health and fashion. She is an AI-generated avatar like the other nine finalists at the World AI Creator Awards (WAICA) Miss AI Competition.

Jasmeet Singh, director and co-founder of Digimozo eServices that “employs" Zara, posted on LinkedIn that AI influencers can help small brands and advertising agencies promote their products “without needing Hollywood-like budgets". The winner, expected to be declared by end-June, will get $5000. The top three will have access to AI mentorship programmes and PR services.

They work as virtual assistants, tutors, and in video games. They serve as social media influencers, offer personalized marketing interactions, assist in patient monitoring and therapy, simulate corporate training scenarios, and serve as companions to “lonely" people. AI avatars also facilitate personalized shopping, participate in virtual meetings, and even serve as CEOs.

For instance, NetDragon Websoft, Dictador Holdings, and Abu Dhabi’s International Holding Co. have all appointed AI-powered entities to executive roles, with Deep Knowledge Ventures using AI as a CEO aide. The AI avatar (or digital human) market, valued at $4.83 billion in 2022, may touch $67.54 billion by 2032, according to Market Research Future, with the entertainment segment accounting for 23.2%.