We’ve become used to chatbots, emoji style images of our friends in social media, selecting an avatar for video gaming, and cartoon style characters answering our questions and narrating videos. Now, with the help of AI, the ability to create human-like avatars is reality. Current estimates indicate that as much as 10-20% of online training is now using avatars. A small 2022 study called “Avatar and Distance Simulation as a Learning Tool…” outlines some of the pros and cons of this style of teaching & learning. At Carleton, where real human connection is deeply valued, I don’t expect cloning and avatars to become standard fare. I don’t think I would want them to, either. Still, exploring evolving technology is important, nowadays avatars are a “for real.” After reviewing the custom avatar comparison below, we’d like to know what you think of this little experiment, too! Please take a moment to answer the two-question PollEverywhere survey at the end.
One advantage of a custom avatar is that the instructor or trainer no longer needs to be filmed for each video. Once that avatar likeness is created, a script can be uploaded and the avatar can function as the on-camera talent. A current disadvantage is that the avatars still require a journey through the uncanny valley–a suspension of disbelief because they’re just unhuman enough to be creepy. For that reason, I decided to try three different custom avatar tools to see how they compared.
I created an avatar of myself using each of these three tools: Heygen, D-ID, and Elai (the latter will soon become a feature in Panopto).
Both HeyGen and D-ID allow a user to create a single, free, “custom” avatar, and the process is pretty simple. I quickly met their requirements by uploading a 90 second video of me standing in front of a solid background and speaking directly into the camera.
Here’s a screenshot of the original footage.
Using that footage, their AI tools went to work re-creating me. Once the avatar was generated, both tools also required me to turn on my webcam and read a specific statement, so that the software could match my face and voice with the uploaded video. Aside from recording the video, the avatar creation process was done in about an hour. Then, I was able to copy and paste a short script into the tool, and my avatar relayed that content word for word; each tool also assigned a voice to my avatar that it considered similar to my own. I don’t think either captured my sweet South Dakotan drawl exactly, but for those who don’t know me, it could certainly work.
Here’s how the HeyGen avatar turned out:
Here’s the D-ID avatar:
For Elai, the requirements were more complicated, and the initial quote was about $1,000 for a custom avatar. (I requested and received a two week free trail to do this comparison.) For “studio-quality” avatars in Elai, I needed to film myself “in a studio” using 3 point lighting and a green screen. 4K, 60fps footage was recommended, and the goal was to eliminate harsh shadows.
Here’s a screenshot of the original footage:
Then, I needed to submit a 5 minute recording of me speaking into the camera–without moving my head up or down or doing things like licking my lips. That was harder than I thought. My first submission was rejected because I moved my head too much, had too many shadows on my face . . . and licked my lips. After I had created an second recording and submitted it, I had to wait about a week for Elai to create my avatar. Once created, I was able to upload the same short script I had used for the other tools.
Here’s how the Elai avatar turned out:
For an easier visual comparison, here are all three avatars side by side:
Each of these tools also lets you select one of their own avatars, with varying degrees of lifelikeness. Here are some samples from each tool:
To me, HeyGen offered the most believable fake-me, and the price is right. Again, at Carleton, I don’t expect us to move in this direction any time soon. At the same time, the ability to clone yourself is here, now, and while it’s still a little creepy, it is fairly cheap, and relatively easy.
Let us know which Avatar tool you thought worked best by completing this brief Poll Everywhere Survey!