Cyprus-based RAVATAR introduces first AI avatar keynote at prestigious US conference (video & pics)

Cyprus-based RAVATAR seized the spotlight at the recent AVANT Special Forces Summit 2024 with a groundbreaking demonstration of its latest advancements in AI and holography. The Summit was held in Phoenix, Arizona from 9–12 September.

As noted in an announcement from the company, the summit, which marked technology decision-making platform AVANT's 15th anniversary, brought together leading tech innovators and visionaries, with sponsorship from major industry players like Zoom, Avaya, and Vonage.

“RAVATAR had the honor of opening the summit with the debut of the first-ever AI Avatar Keynote Speaker—a lifelike 3D digital replica of Ian Kieninger, CEO of AVANT. Designed for real-time interaction and presented within the state-of-the-art RAVABOX, a proprietary 4K volumetric holobox by RAVATAR, the avatar immediately captivated the audience, setting an invigorating tone for an event filled with cutting-edge innovation,” the announcement said.

Going on to describe the atmosphere as “electric, with over 2,000 people in attendance,” RAVATAR continued, “What began as a keynote quickly transformed into a lively and dynamic exchange as the AI seamlessly interacted with Kieninger's real-life counterpart on stage. The fluid responses from the AI, paired with Ian's live commentary, elicited moments of surprise and amusement from the audience. The show took another turn when a second AI-driven figure, a digital twin of Drew Lydecker, AVANT’s President, joined the conversation, injecting even more humor and energy into the performance.”

As noted by the company, creating these avatars was a meticulous endeavor that began with 3D scans of Kieninger and Lydecker. RAVATAR's specialists then took these raw renderings through an extensive refinement process, adjusting elements like height, experimenting with hairstyles, and crafting custom clothing to capture the unique style of each executive.

The technology behind these digital humans involved a range of advanced 3D modeling and design tools, with every aspect—from textures to movements— carefully fine-tuned to deliver the most lifelike experience possible.

Moreover, both 3D avatars were designed with animations characteristic of public speakers, ensuring their body language matched their stage presence. For example, Drew Lydecker's avatar was scripted to mimic his unique habit of squatting slightly during speeches—a detail that added a layer of authenticity to his virtual presence.

For voice cloning, the team employed different techniques, RAVATAR revealed, noting, “Ian’s podcasts provided the ideal source material for his avatar’s voice, conveying the subtleties of his speech. For Drew, a studio session was chosen to capture his voice with the desired clarity and detail. The recordings were then perfected through sophisticated AI algorithms, producing voices that mirrored their real-life counterparts with remarkable accuracy.”

The entire preparation spanned nearly two months, with approximately two weeks devoted to perfecting each digital likeness. Close collaboration with AVANT was key throughout the entire development process, ensuring every detail — from the avatars' appearance to their vocal characteristics and movements —was in place.

“Ultimately, the presented interactive AI avatars proved to be more than a mere technical showcase; they actively engaged with attendees throughout the event, managing over 300 unique interactions daily. Each exchange felt remarkably human, thanks to a sophisticated Large Language Model by IntelePeer, integrated with RAVATAR’s proprietary technology. The avatars' ability to deliver real-time, context-aware responses impressed even the skeptics, showcasing the potential of AI to revolutionize digital communication,” RAVATAR went on to underline in its announcement.

As the event concluded, the company noted, it became evident that RAVATAR's conversational AI avatars are about more than just digital replicas “they are a bold step toward reimagining how we connect and engage, seamlessly blending human interaction with the latest in holography and AI technology.”

“This demonstration revealed that digital exchanges are evolving—moving beyond screens into a realm where virtual presence feels authentic and conversations flow naturally, no matter the medium,” the company’s announcement concluded.

Also read: RAVATAR: The Limassol-based company specialising in AI avatars and beyond