As I was developing a guest lecture, I decided to explore how to develop my own digital human. While trying to write my script, I was surprised that at the bottom of the program, there was a “help” icon to enhance my speech (to make my speech more human-like and engaging) through the algorithm of the famous artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot – ChatGPT! I decided to try it out… Guess what was the result?
Meet my digital human twin brother – Kelvin!
My conversation with ChatGPT
Intrigued by the multitude of software programs that are trying to incorporate ChatGPT into their algorithms, I decided to chat with it to see how much it knew about the topic on “Digital Humans”. I credit my chat below with the famous AI chatbot, with some modifications to fit this blog post. I have to say that at least from my knowledge, ChatGPT gave a pretty good summary of this topic!
Digital human vs Avatar – What’s the difference?
ChatGPT’s reply:
A digital human is a computer-generated three-dimensional (3D) model of a person that looks and behaves realistically. It can mimic human emotions, facial expressions, and movements, and its appearance can be derived from a real person or created from scratch. Digital humans are often used in film and video game industries, virtual reality, and other interactive experiences.
An avatar, on the other hand, is a graphical representation of a user in a virtual world or a video game. The users can customize their avatars’ appearance, clothes, and accessories to reflect their identity in a particular virtual environment. Avatars can be two-dimensional (2D) or 3D, and they typically have limited expressions and movements.
In summary, a digital human is a complex and realistic 3D model of a person, while an avatar is a customizable graphical representation of a user in a virtual environment.
Is a digital human considered part of virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) or mixed reality (MR)?
ChatGPT’s reply:
It depends on how the digital human is being integrated into a virtual, augmented, or mixed reality experience. Here are some possible scenarios:
- If the digital human exists solely within a virtual environment and cannot interact with the real world, then it would be considered virtual reality.
- If the digital human is overlaid onto the real world using AR technology, and can interact with physical objects in the environment, then it would be classified as augmented reality.
- If the digital human exists within a hybrid environment that combines elements of the virtual and real worlds, where users can interact with both in a seamless way, then it would be considered mixed reality.
So, the classification would depend on the context in which the digital human is being used.
Digital human vs Digital twin – What’s the difference?
ChatGPT’s reply:
A digital human is a computer-generated representation of a real human being. It can be used for various applications, such as gaming, virtual reality, and animation.
On the other hand, a digital twin is a digital replica of a physical object, system, or process. It is used to simulate the behavior and performance of the physical entity in real-time or over a period. A digital twin can be used in areas such as manufacturing, industrial automation, and transportation.
Therefore, the main difference between a digital human and a digital twin is the type of entity that is being represented. While a digital human is a representation of a real human being, a digital twin is a simulation of a physical object, system, or process.
What’s the potential of digital humans in healthcare?
ChatGPT’s reply:
The concept of digital humans has been gaining traction in recent years, and it’s not hard to see why. Simulating human behavior and emotions through artificial intelligence (AI) has a range of potential applications, from customer service bots to virtual assistants. However, one industry that could significantly benefit from this technology is healthcare.
In an era when people are becoming more isolated due to COVID-19 or aging boomers, there is a higher demand for caregivers and healthcare providers at an affordable cost. Digital humans could fill this gap, performing tasks like monitoring vital signs, assisting with physical therapy, or reminding patients of medication schedules.
Furthermore, digital humans could make healthcare more accessible by providing remote consultations or mental health counseling. This would be especially beneficial for those who live in rural areas or do not have easy access to healthcare providers.
One potential use of digital humans in healthcare is in medical training. Medical schools could use digital humans to simulate real-world scenarios for students to practice their skills and gain experience handling complex cases. This could provide a more efficient and cost-effective solution than having students practice on real patients.
Another potential application is in disease management. Digital humans could provide personalized advice and support for patients suffering from chronic conditions like diabetes or hypertension. By monitoring patients’ data and symptoms, a digital human could offer tailored solutions to improve their health outcomes.
There are already some examples of digital humans being used in healthcare. For instance, AiME, a startup, uses AI to create digital human assistants. (I am assuming that ChatGPT meant Amelia instead, as I would not find any AI startup called AiME within the first 5 pages of my Google search. Some of the digital human companies that I know of are: UneeQ, Soul Machines, D-ID, and Movio, from which I created my own twin brother!) These assistants help patients during clinical trials, answering their questions and providing emotional support. Similarly, DiagFlow, a healthcare chatbot, uses AI to provide medical advice and support to patients. (Similarly, I am assuming ChatGPT meant DialogFlow instead.)
While there are still some technical and ethical considerations to be addressed before digital humans can become widely adopted in healthcare, there is no denying the vast possibilities. As technological advancements continue, the potential for digital humans to revolutionize healthcare seems almost limitless.
In conclusion, digital humans are an exciting development that could significantly transform the healthcare industry. With their ability to simulate human behavior and provide personalized assistance, they could help provide safer, more accessible, and more affordable care to patients around the world. As such, we must explore these applications to realize their full potential for the good of society.
Are digital humans the next big thing in healthcare?
ChatGPT’s reply:
There is a strong possibility that digital humans will become an essential aspect of healthcare in the coming years. Digital humans have emerged as a game-changing technology for healthcare professionals to deliver personalized and efficient medical consultations using high-quality interactive avatars. Digital humans can offer emotional support to patients, provide health advice, monitor medical conditions, and collect vital health data in real-time, making healthcare more accessible and effective. Therefore, it is plausible to say that digital humans may revolutionize healthcare by acting as virtual assistants to physicians and patients, changing the way we approach healthcare.
My thoughts:
Well… I look forward to the day where I can really interact with my digital human twin brother as how I would an actual family member!