Lenovo Showcases AI Avatar: Assistive Communication Technology for Patients with Degenerative Diseases

At CES 2024, a lifelike avatar that can simulate the voice, expressions, and personality of a young woman with ALS has captured attention. This is the result of a collaboration between Lenovo, DeepBrain AI, and the Scott-Morgan Foundation in an artificial intelligence avatar project aimed at providing better communication solutions for severely disabled individuals.

This avatar was created using DeepBrain's advanced generative AI and full-body video capture technology, accurately preserving the traits of 24-year-old Erin Taylor.

After Taylor was diagnosed with ALS in 2023, the foundation invited her to participate in the concept validation of the next-generation communication tool. Recognizing the potential of AI video synthesis, Lenovo chose DeepBrain AI as a partner, which possesses proprietary generative AI technology.

With the support of Lenovo, DeepBrain's team digitized Taylor's image and created a realistic AI avatar. "This is a great example of how generative AI empowers individuals and has the tremendous potential to build a more inclusive future," said Scott Thes, Lenovo's spokesperson.

In addition to DeepBrain's augmented reality avatar, Lenovo's AI researchers have also developed a predictive text prototype to expedite communication when typing or speaking is not possible. This AI assistant operates completely offline to enhance speed, accuracy, and reliability.

Unlike most predictive text systems that provide only one suggestion, it offers multiple options after each character input, customized according to individual needs. Lenovo plans to integrate this feature into the Scott-Morgan Foundation's comprehensive communication platform, along with the avatar, gaze-tracking keyboard, and other multimodal interfaces.

For Taylor, this solution has given her hope amidst severe impairment. "The avatar is incredible, but more importantly, this technology can help improve the lives of more people facing ALS or other diseases—a way to showcase a brighter future," she said.

Andrew Morgan emphasized Taylor's perspective and the foundation's driving goal: "I believe this innovative concept validation will pave the way for more amazing innovations. We are realizing the dream of technology and AI empowering people to create, connect, and live happily."