Will Hamill, Head of Engineering at Kainos, has announced his company will showcase an AI-powered Digital Human at this year’s AI Con conference in Belfast
Kainos are poised to take a huge leap forward at this year’s AI Con, with the introduction of their new digital human ‘Clay’, an AI-powered digital panellist that will join a panel of human experts on stage.
This digital addition to one of the panel discussions will not only highlight the technical capabilities of an ‘AI panellist’ but also explore the current maturity and future potential of interactive AI systems.
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Clay is no ordinary AI system. Designed to actively participate in live discussions, ‘Clay’ will provide real-time, context-specific inputs alongside the other human speakers.
Powered by advanced AI models from OpenAI and integrated with Azure's speech-to-text and text-to-speech services, Clay is equipped to handle a range of topics with accuracy and relevance. As discussions unfold, Clay's responses are informed by live transcription, ensuring that it stays on-topic and builds on the conversation in a meaningful way.
One of Clay’s standout features is its ability to participate as a virtual attendee, complete with a video avatar that presents responses visually. That means we can see and hear Clay’s contributions to the discussion. This will make Clay feel like a true panellist rather than just a disembodied voice. This combination of voice and visual engagement makes the interaction more immersive, bridging the gap between human and AI contributors.
The development of Clay goes beyond technical sophistication. It also prioritises ethical considerations. Using a Responsible AI methodology, Kainos has ensured that Clay's contributions are aligned with the ethical impacts of AI. This includes implementing AI guardrails, a set of measures designed to prevent misinformation, minimise harm, and enhance the quality of the AI's outputs.
By integrating these safeguards, Clay represents a responsible approach to AI integration, where the focus is not just on what the AI can do, but also on what it should do. Kainos has a stated commitment to maximising safety and ensuring that AI adds value to the discussion and demonstrates the company’s forward-thinking approach in AI deployment.
The purpose of Clay’s appearance at AI Con 2024 is twofold: to demonstrate the technical capabilities of current AI systems and to provoke a broader conversation on the role of AI in live, interactive settings. Clay’s ability to deliver thoughtful, on-point responses in a fast-paced, live environment underscores the maturity of AI systems today.
By joining human experts on a panel, Clay embodies the potential for AI to assist, enhance, and augment human discussions. Its participation is a clear demonstration of how far real-time, interactive AI has come, and hints at the possibilities for future AI applications in everything from conferences to collaborative work environments.
As Clay takes the stage at AI Con 2024, it will be more than just a showcase of AI technology, it will be a conversation starter about the evolving relationship between humans and AI. Kainos is leading the way in creating AI systems that are not only technically proficient but also ethically developed, ensuring that these systems contribute positively to the industries and environments they are designed for.
Source: Written from Press release
