Rise of the machines: AI stars shine in K-Pop

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SOUTH KOREA, Oct 5, (Agencies): With the continuous advancement of AI technology, it’s becoming increasingly evident that certain roles and processes previously reliant on humans are now being transformed. One notable example is the emergence of K-Pop groups composed of AI-generated members. The notion that artists like Lisa or Jennie from BLACKPINK might one day find themselves competing with computer-generated counterparts who never experience fatigue is indeed remarkable.

CNN Journalist Jake Kwon, based in Hong Kong, recently highlighted this trend on his Twitter account. He remarked, “The latest strides in AI technology are making virtual K-pop stars more lifelike and easier to create than ever before.”

During conversations with the creators of virtual K-Pop groups, MAVE and IITERNITI, it was revealed that none of the members in these groups are real individuals. Even their songs are produced by AI and later fine-tuned by humans. Kwon explained, “Their facial features were generated using AI tools designed to encompass the most appealing attributes. IITERNITI’s 11 members are portrayed by a team of human actors who contribute their skills in singing, dancing, skateboarding, and acting, after which their faces are subjected to deepfake technology.”

“In the case of their songs, they are initially generated by AI and then undergo human editing,” he added.

Unlike IITERNITI, MAVE’s four members were entirely created using CGI from the ground up. Kwon noted, “While these virtual stars are currently a blend of about half human and half AI, the companies are actively working to increase the AI-generated component. Their next objective is to animate the entire bodies of these virtual stars.”

In the near future, people will have the opportunity to engage with their favorite virtual K-Pop stars via their mobile devices. Kwon elaborated, “What’s the ultimate goal? Kang, the tech director overseeing MAVE, mentioned that it is to provide each fan with a virtual best friend accessible much like Apple’s Siri. These virtual stars would be available 24/7, retaining memory of every conversation you’ve had, all within your pocket.”

“Drawing inspiration from the 2013 film ‘Her,’ Kang envisioned a scenario where individuals could share their deepest emotions with these charming and attractive virtual stars. This concept may even alleviate loneliness. Unlike their human counterparts, they would never experience fatigue and would always maintain a positive demeanor. They could offer a more personalized and positive interaction than real people, constantly ‘on’ to provide you with a comforting experience,” he shared.

This leads to a thought-provoking question: Could these virtual stars eventually replace human talents?

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