The rapid rise of AI (artificial intelligence) technology is driving the development of the virtual digital human field. Virtual digital humans refer to digital images driven by artificial intelligence, capable of simulating human appearance, voice, and behavior. They enable interaction and communication with humans through technologies such as deep learning, computer vision, and natural language processing, becoming a bridge between the real world and the digital world. Below, Light Creation Group will explore the development process of AI driven virtual digital humans from three aspects: industry definition, industry characteristics, and development history:
1. Definition of AI driven virtual digital human industry
AI driven virtual digital human refers to a driving model and driving method created using deep learning algorithms, enabling it to interact with users through facial expressions, mouth movements, and speech expressions. For example, the AI virtual digital human of Light Creation utilizes intelligent systems to automatically read and analyze external input information, and make decisions based on the results, thereby generating corresponding voice and actions to communicate and interact with users.
AI driven virtual digital humans have anthropomorphic features in appearance, behavior, and interaction, while also exhibiting superhuman mobility. They can possess specific facial features such as appearance, gender, and personality, and can express themselves through language, facial expressions, and body movements, achieving basic processes such as voice driven, semantic understanding, and conversational communication. In addition, they can express emotions, engage in emotional communication, and have the function of character development.
Simply put, AI driven virtual digital humans interact with users through deep learning algorithms and intelligent systems, combined with facial expressions, mouth movements, and voice expressions. They not only possess anthropomorphic features, but also exhibit superhuman abilities, including physical features, behavioral expression, and communication skills, as well as functions such as emotional expression, emotional communication, and personality development.
2. Characteristics of AI driven virtual digital human industry
The development of the digital virtual human industry is still in its infancy, and its technological process mainly relies on artificial intelligence technology. In this industry, service models can be divided into two types: customized and platform based. At the same time, in the procurement process, downstream manufacturers will consider factors such as their artificial intelligence technology capabilities and scene implementation capabilities.
·Image design and driving data collection → Image modeling and binding → Training driving models → Content production based on input or converted speech → Rendering and generating content.
Firstly, we use a multi-directional camera to perform point scanning on the model, which can choose to perform full body or partial scanning, to collect data on their lip movements, expressions, facial muscle changes, and posture when they speak. This is the first step.
Next, we once again use a multi-directional camera to perform point scanning on the model, which can also choose to perform full body or partial scanning to obtain data on their lip movements, expressions, facial muscle changes, posture, and other details when they speak. This is the second step.
The third step is the core step in determining the final outcome. We use deep learning to learn the potential mapping relationships between the speech, lip shape, and expression parameters of models, in order to highly reproduce the small changes in facial bones and muscles, and thus obtain realistic expression driven models.
In the fourth step, we use the input speech or first use text to speech (TTS) technology to convert the input text into speech. Then, we combine the driving model and use Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) to select the most realistic images, and perform inference to generate images of digital humans for each frame.
Finally, in the fifth step, we need to consider technical issues such as the size of the computing framework and the supply of computing power, as these factors can affect the rendering effect.
·The service model of AI driven virtual human manufacturers can be divided into two types: customized and platform based.
In the early stages of the development of the virtual digital human industry, the service model of manufacturers was mainly based on enterprise customization. Customers can customize relevant services from AI vendors or CG/XR technology vendors based on their own business needs. However, with the breakthrough of AI technology and the public release of algorithm models in academia, a group of vertical vendors have emerged, providing "full stack" virtual digital human development services.
Among them, Light Creation AI Digital Human is a service type virtual digital human that combines AI technology and lightweight creative tools. In this supplier model, some local lifestyle and e-commerce merchants have begun to integrate lightweight AI digital humans into their services, providing customers with more flexible and fast customized services.
The characteristic of lightweight AI digital humans lies in their ability to quickly create and interact, capable of generating high-quality virtual digital human images and animations in a relatively short period of time. These digital humans can interact with users through dialogue, actions, and expressions, providing a more immersive experience.
Vertical manufacturers have integrated the functionality of lightweight AI digital humans into their development platforms, enabling customers to quickly generate and customize their own virtual digital humans using this creative tool. Customers can choose the appearance, voice, behavior, and other characteristics of digital humans according to their own needs, and customize and adjust them through simple operations.
This supplier model enables customers to enjoy more flexible and fast customized services while maintaining high-quality virtual digital humans. The integration of lightweight AI digital humans has brought more possibilities to the virtual digital human industry, meeting customers' needs for personalization and interactivity.
·When purchasing virtual digital humans, enterprises will refer to the AI technology strength, scenario implementation capability, post operation and maintenance services provided by the vendors, and their own quotation budget. At the same time, they also tend to choose familiar technology vendors for cooperation.
When choosing a virtual digital human manufacturer, companies usually consider the following factors.
Firstly, it is the technical strength of the manufacturer, who will give priority to top technology manufacturers or those who have successfully completed similar top enterprise projects. Next is the quotation budget, where companies need to evaluate whether the vendor's price meets their budget constraints. In addition, the post operation and maintenance services of virtual digital humans are also a consideration factor, including technological upgrades and skill configuration updates.
Finally, the trust and cooperation relationship established between enterprises and manufacturers is also very important. In certain industries, such as banking, artificial intelligence services involve business data or customer privacy, and companies tend to entrust these tasks to outsourcing companies they trust rather than top technology vendors.
3. The development process of AI driven virtual digital humans
The development of AI driven virtual humans can be summarized into three stages: technological exploration, industrial integration, and multimodal development. Its development is the result of the integration of user needs and technological upgrades, and the current industry is in a stage of multimodal development; With the support of mature AI technology, artificial intelligence enables virtual humans to meet increasingly diverse scene needs.
·Technical exploration stage
In the stage of technological exploration, early virtual digital humans mainly relied on graphics rendering technology and animation technology. By simulating human facial, body movements, and speech, we aim to create realistic virtual character images. However, due to limitations in computing and data processing capabilities, early virtual digital humans often appeared stiff and unnatural.
·Industrial integration stage
With the improvement of computing and data processing capabilities, virtual digital humans have gradually entered the stage of industrial integration. This stage mainly refers to the application of virtual digital humans in various fields and industries, achieving a wider range of applications. In the gaming industry, virtual digital humans have become an important component of game characters, enhancing the immersion of games through realistic appearances and behaviors. In the film and television industry, virtual digital humans are used to create special effects and substitute actors, making the implementation of some special scenes easier. In addition, virtual digital humans are widely used in fields such as virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), providing users with a more realistic and immersive experience.
·Multimodal development stage
With the further development of technology, virtual digital humans are gradually moving towards multimodal direction. Multimodal refers to the ability of virtual digital humans to interact with users through various perceptual methods, such as visual, auditory, tactile, etc. Visually, the appearance and expressions of virtual digital humans will be more realistic, allowing users to better feel communication and interaction with them. In terms of auditory perception, virtual digital humans can generate natural and smooth speech through speech synthesis technology, and can understand and respond to users' language commands. In addition, virtual digital humans can also achieve physical interaction with users through technologies such as tactile feedback, further enhancing the realism of the interaction.
Overall, AI virtual digital humans are now in a stage of multimodal development. In the future, with the continuous advancement of technology and the expansion of application scenarios, we can expect to see more realistic and intelligent digital human images.
