The Rise of Virtual Humans in Social Media

Imma, a virtual human, fosters real connections and impacts society through her online presence and activism.

### The Rise of Virtual Humans: Connecting with a New Generation
* 👩 ‍💻 Sara, a talent manager, introduces Imma, a fictional virtual human fashionista from Tokyo who shares her life on social media platforms like **Instagram and TikTok**.
* 🐶 Imma has a younger brother named Zinn and a dog named Einstein, but both characters are entirely fictional, showcasing the **creativity of CGI technology** used to create her.
* 🌍 Despite being born in 2017, Imma has made a significant impact in the real world, addressing issues such as **climate change and domestic violence**, and even receiving recognition as one of **Forbes Woman of the Year**.
* 📺 She has collaborated with major brands like Amazon and Porsche, and her presence is felt globally through campaigns and magazine covers, demonstrating the **acceptance of virtual humans by Gen Z**.
* 💬 Sara emphasizes the **emotional connections** that young people feel with virtual humans, likening it to their relationships with **real-life celebrities**, as they **share their lives online**.
* 🤖 The future of virtual humans includes integrating AI to create **autonomous characters that can engage in real conversations**, enhancing the connection between technology and **human emotions**.
* 💖 Sara believes that virtual human technology can **enrich human connections and expressions**, moving away from the fear of AI and instead **embracing its potential for positive impact**.
* 🌟 Concluding her talk, Sara encourages the audience to **explore the limitless possibilities of human connection** in the virtual world, reminding them that the distinction between **real and virtual is becoming increasingly blurred**.

The Rise of Virtual Humans — and What They Mean for the Future | Sara Giusto | TED

The TED Talks channel features the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world's leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes (or less). Look for talks on Technology, Entertainment and Design -- plus science, business, global issues, the arts and more. You're welcome to link to or embed these videos, forward them to others and share these ideas with people you know.

TED's videos may be used for non-commercial purposes under a Creative Commons License, Attribution–Non Commercial–No Derivatives (or the CC BY – NC – ND 4.0 International) and in accordance with our TED Talks Usage Policy: https://www.ted.com/about/our-organization/our-policies-terms/ted-talks-usage-policy. For more information on using TED for commercial purposes (e.g. employee learning, in a film or online course), please submit a Media Request at https://media-requests.ted.com

Managing Virtual Humans: The Case of Imma

Sara is a talent manager for Imma, a CGI-made virtual human fashionista living in Tokyo.

Imma, born in 2017, is a unique original character and not a copy of anyone real.

Sara's team manages Imma and other virtual humans, with plans to integrate them with AI for autonomous interactions in the future.

The Impact of Virtual Humans in the Real World

Imma, a virtual human, has made a significant impact by addressing real-world issues, initiating community gatherings during COVID, and sharing her culture with a global audience.

She has been recognized as one of Forbes Woman of the Year and has worked with major brands, featuring in global ad campaigns and magazine covers.

The younger generation, especially Gen Z, feels a real connection to virtual humans like Imma, blurring the line between reality and virtual existence.

Imma, a virtual human, posts about her life online, creating a real connection with her audience.

People are drawn to her outfit and hairstyle, seeking advice and sharing their own experiences.

The author, initially skeptical, is now fascinated by the meaningful connections people have with virtual humans, believing that this technology can enhance human love, connection, and self-expression.

Virtual humans aim to create emotional connections similar to those with friends and family, potentially transforming various industries.

Imma, a virtual human, is the first example of this growing trend and is joining the conversation live from Tokyo.

The speaker emphasizes that we are just beginning to explore the history and impact of virtual humans.

Embracing Human Connection in a Virtual World

Imma loves making friends and is open to connecting, as long as the messages are not weird.

The discussion emphasizes not getting caught up in the debate of what's real, but instead focusing on the limitless possibilities for human connection and expression in the virtual world.

The conclusion encourages seizing these opportunities and recognizing that human potential is as limitless as technology.