Akool combines GenAI models with 2D avatars to create lifelike characters

Akool, a startup doing AI-driven avatar content creation, announced enhancements to Akool Streaming Avatars that connect avatars with AI models.

Akool has added advanced video generation technology that now seamlessly integrates with large language models (LLMs) to help model builders create dynamic, 2D lifelike avatars.

With the ability to upload a photo and provide a voice recording, customers can create a personalized avatar that becomes a natural extension of the LLM, making interactions with the avatar feel more human with a face and voice familiar to the end user.

Human interaction is important to consumers — 82% of U.S. and 74% of non-U.S. consumers say they want more of it. Available now, Akool Streaming Avatars significantly close the gap between AI models and end-users, making AI more accessible, engaging, and human-like, enabling businesses to differentiate their offerings and drive user adoption, the company said.

Ultimately, Akool Streaming Avatars make traditionally text-based LLMs human through emotive real-time engagement.

“Consumers find static avatars boring, bland and, frankly, ineffective, but Akool Streaming Avatars are dynamic and expressive, creating new levels of engagement and interactivity,” said Jiajun Lu, CEO of Akool, in a statement. “From individual content producers to large enterprises, our Streaming Avatars significantly reduce the cost of video creation and are an ideal option for anyone looking for new and efficient ways to use AI to reach global audiences and customers.”

In a message to GamesBeat, Lu said his inspiration came from a blend of interests and market needs, but he was primarily excited to create digital humans.

This advanced innovation empowers businesses to build and deliver advanced, context-aware avatars that provide real-time responses, transforming industries such as:

• E-Commerce: Virtual sales assistants guide customers through product inquiries and purchasing decisions. Akool’s avatars have reduced customer service response times by 40% while increasing user satisfaction by 30%.
• Education: Develop interactive, engaging lessons with lifelike virtual instructors that provide real-time feedback.
• Healthcare: Avatars provide personalized medical advice from a familiar face by accessing patient data and delivering empathetic responses.
• Customer service: LLM-driven avatars handle inquiries with emotional intelligence, reducing response times and improving satisfaction.

By leveraging Akool’s studio-grade video generation technology, customers also gain access to easier integration. Ready-to-use application programming interfaces (APIs) and software development kits (SDKs) allow for quick deployment and the integration of avatars to existing mobile and web applications.

Akool also says the avatars have emotional intelligence. Akool Streaming Avatars convey the speaker’s emotions naturally, enhancing the authenticity of live interactions and fostering deeper audience engagement. With the lowest latency on the market, end users can have natural and interactive experiences, the company said.

And it enables gesture-capable avatars. By delivering intricate details such as facial expressions, body language, and gestures, Akool Streaming Avatars enable the creation of highly realistic and expressive characters, the company said.

The company offers two variations of AI Avatars, including streaming avatars. These are designed for real-time interaction, this AI avatar can respond dynamically to inputs, making it suitable for interactive sessions such as live customer support.

And it also has talking avatars. They’re designed to deliver pre-recorded or scripted messages in a dynamic and engaging way, this tool generates a video of an avatar speaking based on text input or pre-recorded audio. The avatar mimics human-like lip-syncing and facial expressions, making it suitable for marketing videos, e-learning content, personalized messages and social media content.

Founded in 2022 and already achieving nearly $40 million in invoiced ARR, the company is a global leader in generative AI-driven technology, transforming the digital content creation landscape. Akool said its solutions have already saved millions in production costs, boosted engagement, and accelerated market reach for leading global brands, such as Qatar Airways, Coca-Cola, and multinational tech companies.