The age of the AI actor appears to have arrived. Particle6 founder and CEO Eline Van Der Velden is launching the AI talent studio Xicoia at the Zurich Film Festival this weekend with a focus on creating AI talent for use in film and TV productions, video games, podcasts, YouTube and other fan interactions.
Xicoia will manage and monetise this ‘new generation of digital stars’ and make use of Particle6’s proprietary avatar personality engine DeepFame, along with a “direct fan engagement platform”.
The company is currently developing a portfolio of over three dozen emotionally intelligent AI personas – each with “complete backstories, distinct voices, evolving narrative arcs and fully realised personalities”. Events in one character’s life may impact another, allowing for crossover potential.
The first character in the portfolio is Tilly Norwood, who has already soft-launched on platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and YouTube.
Velden indicates she’s in talks with several talent agents who are interested in singing the AI-generated Norwood – “we’re going to be announcing which agency is going to be representing her in the next few months”.
While much of the character’s responsiveness will be autonomous AI, the company will have human creative oversight to ensure safety and relevance.
The company is reportedly already working with “several Hollywood stars who wish to appear on screen as their younger or current selves”.
They’re also working with estates “to bring legendary performers back to the big screen while offering studios a new way to reimagine and exploit existing IP.”
Source: Deadline
